The only food establishment I can clearly remember from my US visits was Wendy's. ^

Well hasn't this turned into an interesting thread? Putting aside political and religious (which are both tangential to the thread and travel in general), and cultural issues (if you want home, don't travel), I am reminded of Thomas Jefferson's letter to his nephew Peter Carr (http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/...on_carr.html): "Travelling. This makes men wiser, but less happy."

If you are unaware of Rick Steves, it's worth at least reading his travel philosophy: http://www.ricksteves.com/about/pressroom/travphil.htm You'll also find a lot of travel tips on his website (focused on Europe), but they apply anywhere. It's a very different take on travel than many FT'ers focused on Platinum level, C/F, and 5-star.

The U.S. is a contradiction at every level. One example: the world's only superpower and largest military, yet the vast majority of the population prefer isolationism, but the elected leaders (Democratic and Republican) seemingly get the country involved in more conflicts, yet the UN is based in New York. Here's another: more national parks than anywhere (number and acreage), yet it's virtually impossible to see any of them without renting a car. These types of contradictions can be found in any aspect of U.S. life (culture, food, religion, education).

Reasons to visit the U.S.
1. Many TATL flights, easy connections once through Customs.
2. Strong Pound/weak Dollar
3. Warm and generally dry weather
4. Uniformity of services (if that's too boring for you, use tripadvisor.com to find hotels, restaurants, and activities with local culture).
5. Generally friendly people. We speak and write American (our English is poor ), but it's very hard to find anywhere you would not be welcomed, and if you need assistance, just ask. As Rick Steves says: Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic.
6. Alaska and Hawaii
7. The National Parks
8. Once each to SFO, LAX, JFK, NEW, LAS, IAD, BOS, MCO (the cities, not just transiting the airports!); return if you like them or branch out to others.
9. Like the Edinburgh International Festival, visit a location during its major festival or when it's hosting an event aligned with your vocation or hobby. For example, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally turns a town of 2500 into 300000, with the beautiful Black Hills as a backdrop. I cannot imagine a motorcycle enthusiast not wanting to visit once.

I have lived in five states, visited 46 of the 50 (incl. AK/HI/DC), and even visited all of the counties in TX (254!), MD, DE, and soon LA (where they are called parishes). I find more local/regional culture and flair as my travels accumulate. But it is very muted by the mass homogenization of the general U.S. culture. The upside for residents is it's very easy to simply pack up and move to a locale of your liking -- even start your life completely over. I believe that in part has developed since it's a nation of immigrants. The downside is a level of blandness for the visitor. Use that blandness -- predictability of services -- to your advantage and extend out beyond the major cities and tourist areas if you're looking for a deeper cultural experience.

Come visit us in Austin/San Antonio:
Kreutz Market: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfSaKibH1n0
LuLu's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S80UE64Q7pM
Big Lou's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJgg1BJ7wio
Threadgill's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCxopiycAkc&NR=1

You'll never forget.

I like the bits of the States I've been to, although I've really only done the sides/bottom and not the middle, and have lived in Manhattan for a while and visit a couple of times a year since I lived there! I think it's as unfair to say "I like/dislike the States" as much as "I like/don't like Europe" - it may be one country but so different depending on where you go. Anyway, the bits I've been to generally get my ^ for the following (I agree with most of vinyl slider's points).
1. No language barriers (well, limited anyway!).
2. Fair exchange rate at the moment - good purchasing power, with lots opportunities to empty your wallet!
3. Manhattan specific but it just works - there can be a snowfall that would make London grind to a halt for a week but within 12 hours they are back to pretty much normal.
4. A lot of variety in close proximity (we've done a few driving holidays that have combined National Parks and big cities).
5. Cheap-ish petrol (helps with 4!).

There are some things that I find irksome, the tipping culture, the fact that sales tax isn't included, ESTA, but I love it as a holiday destination.

Exactly the same thing could be accused of Americans!

While there may be many English in Anaheim, I wouldn't for one second assume they all stay there for a fortnight, that's the same as assuming that no Americans leave Windsor Castle!

I suspect a lot of British do not leave the international drive boundaries of Florida over a course if a week, these will be families though, experiencing a type of holiday that is unavailable elsewhere

Also I don't know a soul in the UK who would consider taking a train to Nice!

I do enjoy trips to the US.

The people are friendly to me and I always seem to be able to find good steak, albeit at top dollar prices.

However I fear that I cannot get the best out of America because I do not hold a driving license. If I did I dare say it would be wonderful to go and drive around the midwest and the Rockies.

Exactly, I don't have any as yet but if/ when I do, I won't be taking them to IST, whilst they'd be bored off their skulls in CPG after 10 minutes, unless we headed up to Legoland!

You're right, even on the west coast. For instance, Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California, or Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon, would be really difficult to do without a car. San Francisco, on the other hand, as well as good portions of the Bay Area, can be done with public transit.

The weather this weekend is just stellar in Northern California with highs over 100F (37C) forecast. You can even go skiing up at Lake Tahoe as we've had record snow in the mountains this year.

Mount Lassen and Crater Lake:

You should watch the Daily Show with John Stewart on Comedy Central. They give him plenty of material for his show. It airs at 11pm on the east coast and 8pm/11pm on the west coast.

I live in Nice and have visitors who come by train. Let's just says they would have no interest in FlyerTalk and despair that the OH and I work in the airline industry and are top tiers on all alliances

I'm not sure you are. I've been to the US several times, West & East but so far not the middle. I wouldn't even say I was impressed with San Fran other than the pier area for a clam chowder.

New York, well I could take it or leave it, Time Square just didn't do it for me. I much prefer the vibrance of Hong Kong.

The only thing I did like in all my trips was Oregon but then I could head back to my parents in Scotland and get breath taking scenery.And having to drive on the freeway at 55 in a mustang was a waste.

The only things I would want to see is Monument Valley and take some pictures.

I have to say I much prefer the Far East for my holidays ^

What in Chicago? I'm fly out on Sunday night for a week on Business, advice welcomed

Did you hit any of the side streets in the theater district around there? Times Square doesn't do it for me either but I always walk through there to look at the advertising displays and see what's new.

The best time to visit New York City is just before Christmas, as there is no place on earth like New York City during the holidays. Between the tree and ice skaters at Rockefeller Center, decorated shop windows along Fifth Avenue, and Christmas music as you're shopping at Macy's, it's hard to beat New York City that time of year. Add in the ice skating rink in Central Park and horse drawn carriages. I was back myself just this last Christmas because I needed some Christmas spirit.

Don't overlook things like the Intrepid Air and Space Museum (remember there's a Concorde there), a walk along the Brooklyn Bridge, or a stop at a New York deli for a pastrami sandwich that you may not be able to finish. To me it's always been more than just Times Square.

Those following this thread closely will have noticed several politicised posts have now disappeared. The purpose of this thread was clearly set out by Swanhunter in his opening post. Let's try to respect that (and each other) a little better.

Thanks for your understanding.

Prospero
Moderator: BAEC forum

Most of my trips to the US are visits rather than holidays per se. It's so easy to pop across the pond for the afternoon/day/weekend because of the time difference and this isn't really possible for other places of a similar flight length.

Other than German my knowledge of languages is limited so it does make for a convenient option in that respect although the language "barrier" doesn't put me off visiting other countries.

The people are friendly and welcoming.

The only problem is the food - even in cities it takes effort to find somewhere decent.