Where FOR ME are the top 5 cities to visit in USA?
Before answering take in to consideration the following.
I like vibrant cities
I like diffrent, bizzare, charactor
I like culture
I like nightlife
I like friendly people
I like interesting food
I like WOW factors
I like amazing views
I like to be on a coast (not a must)
I dont like places which are hard to get around without a car
I dont like places where street after street are just the same
I dont like places that are too spread out I like things to be central/ish
Other important things:
Im not into gambling however I do love good nightlife (ill leave las vegas decision up to you)
I wont have a car.
New York, Florida, Texas,California, Washington. There are always Taxis.
You’ll have to get a map to find the cities you like.
New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco have the best mass transportation systems AND best meet your other criteria. Chicago would meet all of your criteria, but perhaps has a slightly inferior mass transit system relative to the other four cities. In these major cities, people often use taxis frequently for sites not reached quickly and easily by mass transportation as traffic and parking expenses/availability make personal cars impractical. New York City is relatively spread out, but has a superb subway system. I wouldn’t hesitate to visit any of these cities without a car.
Washington, D.C., is not on the coast. It’s night life also isn’t downtown, which is dominated by federal buildings, including museums.
You’ll run into some surly persons everywhere, but for the most part Americans are friendly, even in New York City. Be advised that these major cities provide a very distorted view of America, and they may be overwhelming for someone from New Zealand, just as they are for many Americans. They also are not cheap.
The problem is that there are outlying attractions that are best reached by car, especially in Washington, D.C., although Washington offers plenty to see in the central city. However, tours are available in Washington and even tour services with flexible bus schedules are offered downtown. I would be surprised if a bus service isn’t available between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park, which, like several of the major national parks, has its own bus/shuttle lines.
Los Angeles has a subway line that runs from downtown to Hollywood, but I’m not certain it’s worth visiting just to see downtown and Hollywood. LA is the definition of sprawl and many of the attractions are reachable by train or bus, but it will take some planning and much time actually arriving at destinations. However, between the likes of Venice Beach and Hollywood, you certainly can experience different and bizarre.
All major American cities have visitors’ centers. You can contact them for free guidebooks and most will respond to e-mailed questions.
You also might want to familiarize yourself with Amtrak and Greyhound. They would permit you to expand your horizon. Have you checked out tours of the U.S.? You might find something that fits your desires!
BTW, New Orleans can be desolate and feel even dangerous at times IMO. It’s a different place when packed, as during Mardi Gras, major sporting events and conventions. Personally, I would recommend staying in the French Quarter, even though it is more expensive. And honestly, cities such as Chicago and New York City offer great music clubs and restaurants, it’s just that places such as Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, Cafe du Monde, Bourbon Street, and Preservation Hall reek of history and legend, and are extremely memorable. I’m not certain I would recommend New Orleans to a single woman traveling by herself…. As an alternative, you might want to consider Charleston or even Savannah, Georgia.
And you probably would enjoy Vegas, even though you don’t gamble, and especially if you skip southern California. I know there are tours from Vegas to Hoover Dam, and I’d be surprised if there aren’t connections to the Grand Canyon.
Again, I’ll reiterate that Cleveland is a great place in the summer, and would also meet all of your criteria, except different and bizarre. Stay somewhere on Euclid Ave., like the Wyndham or Holiday Express, as it has 24/7 bus “rapid” line that connects much of the city’s highlights. Cleveland has been ranked by Travel & Leisure as the most affordable city getaway.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/realestate/commercial/08fourth.html?_r=1
One last tip: Go to New York City last on your trip. No city in America ever seems as big or as amazing once you’ve been to the Big Apple!
BOL on your trip!
NYC
Boston (Bosatonians however are not very friendly, that is until they get to know you)
San Fransisco
San Diego
Seattle
new york sounds good for you but it is known for its mean people, and you will not need a car there is taxies and you can walk. LA you should like also. and i would give vegas a shot