# Travelling to USA.. Where should i go? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 27, 2003, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249 "2003-01-27T15:44:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![yawndave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/43a26b/32.png) [@yawndave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yawndave)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/61 "2003-02-01T21:28:03Z")
One great resource would be [http://www.aaa.com](http://www.aaa.com) --Get a membership and have access to unlimited FREE maps and guidebooks, along with discounts for all kinds of stuff. I took a 2-month roadtrip last year, and whenever I came to a new area, I’d stop in at the local AAA office (found in most large cities) and grab the appropriate info. Here’s a couple of other sites to check out: [http://www.roadtripusa.com](http://www.roadtripusa.com) , and [http://www.roadsideamerica.com](http://www.roadsideamerica.com). Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/62 "2003-02-02T03:10:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zweisamkeit \* > \*\*Hey, check my location, **js\_africanus** , I’ve lived here all my life. And yeah, there are some pretty cool things, but Detroit isn’t usually known for its tourism industry. 🙂 \*\* Yep, you got that right. But it ain’t the shit-hole it is made out to be, IMO. It’s even home to the most beautiful painting I’ve ever seen. That’s all. I apologize if I came off in the wrong manner. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/63 "2003-02-02T08:34:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vibrotronica \* > \*\*You will, of course, be visiting the Grand Canyon… > But while you’re in the neighborhood, check out the less popular but equally impressive Zion National Park: \*\* I agree with these recommendations, and as long as you’re in the area you should also visit Bryce Canyon: > **[Bryce Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)](https://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm)** > > Main Page It’s one of the most spectacular places I’ve seen - the rock formations are amazing. While you’re in California you should visit the redwoods. The easiest way is to visit Muir Woods in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. If you have the time you can spend a day driving north from San Francisco to see real redwood country. If you go to Yosemite you can see the giant sequoia (a species distinct from the coast redwood - the giant sequoia is more massive, but the coast redwood are taller). The Monterey Aquarium is a great place to visit. I’ve been there several times, and I always enjoy it. It takes a day to see the whole thing: [http://www.mbayaq.org/](http://www.mbayaq.org/) While you’re there you can also visit Point Lobos, a state nature preserve that’s been called “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world”: [http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/](http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/) I took a friend there years ago, and she commented that everything in the place looked like a Sierra Club calendar. This sounds like a fun trip. Don’t forget to leave some time to really see things, and to talk to people. Three months seems like a long time, but the U.S. is a big place, and if you’re not careful you could spend most of your time rushing from place to place. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/64 "2003-02-02T15:05:39Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **js\_africanus** :_ > Yep, you got that right. But it ain’t the shit-hole it is made out to be, IMO. It’s even home to the most beautiful painting I’ve ever seen. That’s all. I apologize if I came off in the wrong manner. No apology necessary. 🙂 And, I know! It isn’t a horrible place, and sometimes I hate the looks or comments I get when I say, “I’m from Detroit.” I might as well say, “I enjoy licking open sores off of geratric asses for a hobby” (not that there’s anything wrong with that! ;)). Although I’m still bitter that Detroit got rid of their _one_ classical radio station. Sigh… ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/65 "2003-03-18T18:31:24Z")
Well, **moc.liamtoh@rorrim** what did you decide? Haven’t heard from ya, thought maybe you wound up at the big spring break party…damn a bunch of drunk naked women, sex on the beach…MTV’s here. You are definitely missing out, if you went somewhere else. Time for another shot of…ta kill ya 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CKO1967](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@CKO1967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CKO1967)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/66 "2003-03-18T20:02:01Z")
C’mon,there must be **someone** here besides me willing to recommend Boston. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/67 "2003-03-19T00:38:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zweisamkeit \* > \*\*No apology necessary. 🙂 > > And, I know! It isn’t a horrible place, and sometimes I hate the looks or comments I get when I say, “I’m from Detroit.” I might as well say, “I enjoy licking open sores off of geratric asses for a hobby” (not that there’s anything wrong with that! ;)). > > Although I’m still bitter that Detroit got rid of their _one_ classical radio station. Sigh… \*\* It depends who you’re talking to. Most places in the US, when I say I’m from Detroit, they act like I live in some Mogadishu like Warzone. Unless I’m at a club, where I then must withstand hours of questions about techno music. I went to a local techno club in Mexico and even there they knew the names of all the big Detroit DJs. Of course, when I told the cab driver in the same Mexican city, all he said was “ohhh Robocop!” ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/68 "2003-03-19T00:54:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yosemitebabe \* > \*\*Well, I have to do my duty, (check my username) and recommend [Yosemite National Park](http://www.yosemite.com). It’s a major draw for international tourists and is considered one of the most beautiful places in America. > > It’s about 4 1/2 hours from San Francisco, and 5-6 hours from L.A. (I always make it in about 5.) Check out [http://www.yosemitefun.com](http://www.yosemitefun.com) as well–the site looks a little like a tabloid brochure, but this guy knows his stuff (I’ve corresponded with him) and he’s got LOTS of good information on his site. And the photography is gorgeous (even if the page takes forever to load). Check out the link near the bottom of the page, where the person from England wrote in and told him how much his site helped, including his suggested itinerary. \*\* I’ll second this. Even if you only have time to spend a few hours in Yosemite Valley, it’s well worth the drive. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249/69 "2003-03-19T02:16:40Z")
Skip Nashville. It’s dull. The country music scene is dying here, & is re-locating to Branson. Consider Chattanooga, though. Beautiful mountains/forests/lakes/rivers. Multiple museums, a brilliantly executed Aquarium, that could only be better if Walt Disney & Jaques Cousteau collaberated. A historic Civil War Battlefield, & a truly stunning cave system called Ruby Falls. Don’t miss _that_. A private park called Rock City has attracted tourists for more than a century. Amphbious trucks called DUCKs give river tours through the wildlife preserves. And great food & friendly people. If you go to Chicago, don’t forget the Field Museum of Natural History. Their Gem Collection is worth seeing, as is their Dinosaur display. Also in Chicago, the Museum Of Science & Industry, & it will _rock your world!_ They have their own on-site working coal mine, open for tours! They have the U-505, a WW2 U-Boat, captured by Admirial Gallery on the high seas & put on permanent display. Also, the world’s greatest doll house, for the kids. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/travelling-to-usa-where-should-i-go/151249.md?page=3)