A question for the non-US X-Markers...

[Paolo]

Well, I'd like to visit:

New York (for my wife and me);
Orlando (for my daughters);
Route 66 (with my Harley);
the Grand Canyon;
Niagara Falls

and, of course, the Sunshine State beach

[Sir William]

Surely there must be SOME limitation here other than the continental U.S. Even if there isn't, does that mean I could recommend New York AND L.A. with regional flights connecting them?

That is exactly what it means - no limitation except for time, which will only concern me when I get into the scheduling part of the assignment. There is no "theme" such as historical, cultural, or nature sites.

What I wanted to see was where visitors to the US would want to go and see, not necessarily where I, as a US resident, would want them to go.

Interestingly enough, I drew up a possible list of places and most of the suggestions so far, though not all, were on the list I made up. There were a few surprises though, such as the Rocky Mountains and Mississippi (though I did think of Yellowstone and New Orleans).

[davedove]

Because the US is so big, it's hard to plan a trip without some sort of defining factor. That could be a theme (historical sites, natural wonders, big city, etc.) or a region (New England, the Mississippi valley, Texas, etc.).

Having lived in the eastern half of the US my whole life, I made the mistake of forgetting how big the western states are when I visited the southwest. I spent a big portion of my vacation driving from site to site.

[BoldHighlander]

Having lived in the eastern half of the US my whole life, I made the mistake of forgetting how big the western states are when I visited the southwest. I spent a big portion of my vacation driving from site to site.

Excellent point & something to keep in mind!

That is one of things, as a living historian/reenactor, we use to complain about out here. How the guys back east could easily hit a vast amount of events (travel wise), while ours are so spread out we spend most of our time just getting there (& back again)!

[ThistleDown]

Colonial Williamsburg; New York City; Chicago for its architecture; Boston for its accent ; Vermont & New Hampshire in the Fall; Grandfather Mountain in a week or so; New Orleans at Mardi Gras; Ohio for the mounds; Wyoming for Yellowstone; South Dakota for the Badlands; prairie enormity; Nevada for the dessert; Arizona for the balloons (and soaring); S California for its culture ; Oregon for its diversity; Washington just because it is there

Rex (t-o-o)

[Sir William]

Because the US is so big, it's hard to plan a trip without some sort of defining factor. That could be a theme (historical sites, natural wonders, big city, etc.) or a region (New England, the Mississippi valley, Texas, etc.).

I agree and discussed this with our instructor, however she wants to leave the "theme" open for the time being. However, if those who comment want to use a theme that's fine with me.

I've travelled across the US several times - to and from both coasts, along the northern route, southern route, and sometimes in between the two, and I know how large and vast this country is, as well as full of wonderful places to visit. I told my instructor about a German couple I met in Virginia who were planning on driving to the Grand Canyon for the day, not realizing it was 2000 miles away.

Our instructor hasn't told us her plan, but I think she is going to have us arrange transportation, lodging, and sightseeing recommendations for our mythical European couple.

However, as I said, I would like to hear from our non-US members to see where they'd like to go if they were visiting since I can't ask my hypothetical European couple. I could easily select places for them to go but I'd like to know where visitors to the US would want to go.

[Sir William]

Colonial Williamsburg; New York City; Chicago for its architecture; Boston for its accent ; Vermont & New Hampshire in the Fall; Grandfather Mountain in a week or so; New Orleans at Mardi Gras; Ohio for the mounds; Wyoming for Yellowstone; South Dakota for the Badlands; prairie enormity; Nevada for the dessert; Arizona for the balloons (and soaring); S California for its culture ; Oregon for its diversity; Washington just because it is there

Rex (t-o-o)

Excellent!

I'm assuming you meant Washington STATE and not Washington, DC? Seattle and the Puget Sound would be on my list, but I know there are lots of people who think DC with all its monuments and museums.

[Darkislander]

Lots of Scots like Deep South tours usually taking in Graceland and Nashville. Florida is highly popular with families and New York for shopping trips. Personally I have been to New York, Nashville, Boston, Rhode Island and surrounding areas.

[Woot22]

Good to hear you all like to visit Nashville, I don't live to far away from there and think it is one of the best cities in the US. Glad to here it is on the radar, so to speak of would be Scottish travelers.

[ThistleDown]

Excellent!

I'm assuming you meant Washington STATE and not Washington, DC? Seattle and the Puget Sound would be on my list, but I know there are lots of people who think DC with all its monuments and museums.

Yes, but you are American and you directed your questions to those who were not. I don't know anybody in Europe who has some sort of burning desire to "see" Washington (DC), but almost all on my list would receive a nod from most of those same folk (I think). I doubt there is a single city west of the Mississippi that would be on a European's list, and probably Boston and Williamsburg wouldn't be there, either. Florida is widely promoted and popular in the UK, but less so on the continent.

As you pointed out, this excercise doesn't have to do with specific markets. As soon as you zero in on, for example, wild fauna, there will be an entirely new list.