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

[BoldHighlander]

My ideal visit to USA would be visit a new area and spend time in the company of Americans who would be my guides and would show me the sights of their home country. I would not want to visit one of the hot states such as Florida, Texas and Arizona during high summer but it would be nice to visit these places in spring or autumn. As a railfan, Colorado would be high on my wish list to visit the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad and the Silverton & Durango Railroad.

Slip across the border when your next in Victoria, Alex, and I'll show you around my area (Chuckanut Drive, one of the most scenic drives on the west coast, Mount Baker, Pickett's House (George Pickett of Gettysburg fame) etc).

[xman]

Too bad Alaska is off the ticket. I really loved my time in the Yukon. I've seen and lived in the Canadian Rockies as well and the bad lands too and I've visited New York City already so I'd go to New Orleans if it's still a fun place after the hurricane and the oil spill. Gee, I guess it might be now or never the way things are going.

[Sir William]

Thanks to all who have posted.

Keep the comments coming. This is really very helpful seeing what visitors to the US would like to see.

[Downunder Kilt]

I have been to the USA a couple of times and would suggest, seeing they are comming from Europe, a start in NYC, then down to Washington DC, onto Florida, across to texas via a couple of Southern states, up through Colarado, Utah, into California. It is really dependant on how old they are and their interests. I was in my mid forties and did most of it by train and loved every moment of it.

[Woot22]

Very interesting to see everyone's opinion on this matter. I agree wholeheartedly that Washington DC is a must stop for any visitor. One of my favorite places to visit myself. There is just one cool and interesting piece of American history after another in that city. Don't miss the Great Lakes either, I grew up in Michigan so I am a bit biased but they are amazing, especially Lake Superior and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. They are an often over looked destination by many tourist European as well as American.

[CDNSushi]

That's a bit too broad-ended question to answer as-is. It a little bit like when people find out I'm from Canada and they tell me that their brother-in-law has a good friend in Toronto named Mike... Maybe I know him.

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?

You said it yourself: everyone has different interests, and without knowing those of your friends, I might be completely off-base in my suggestions. I could recommend a trip where you won't see a single building or a living soul for 3 weeks, and equally I could make a trip where you will see nothing but cityscape.

However, barring ANY limitations, I might arrange a trip thusly:

Day 1: Fly into Seattle. Relax
Days 2-3: See the city, tourist sites, and whatnot
Days 4-7: Get out into the mountains for some guided fishing and camping
Day 8: Regional flight to L.A.
Days 9-13: Rent a car and tour around so-cal. Must-see: Hollywood (Chinese theater, for example), San Diego, Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm, spend at least 1 day on the beach in Santa Cruz
Day 14: Fly to New York City
Days 15-16: Do the New York thing. Tool around the city, see the major sites and attractions: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, see a Broadway play, etc, etc.
Day 17: Amtrak from NY to Washington D.C.
Days 18-20: Historic buildings and monuments in D.C., drive to Arlington, VA, Baltimore, MD, among others.
Day 21: Fly home

That's the trip I would take if it were my first/only time in the U.S., and/or had visitors with me who wanted to get a good cross-section of the country, combining a bit of everything. Again, money being no object here.

[macwilkin]

Sad to see the Midwest being largely ignored and treated as "flyover country" to reach the coasts. If it were me, I would recommend a Mississippi River cruise or a trip across the Santa Fe Trail, from Kansas City to New Mexico. I'm glad to see Chas mention Route 66 as well.

T.

[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)!