# What one place in the USA have most Dopers been to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 28, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090 "2009-03-28T14:04:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/1 "2009-03-28T14:04:47Z")
Within the first few months I was here, I started a thread [Where’s the one place all of us have been?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=217930) on 10-17-2003, 10:12 AM that ran until 10-24-2003 07:08 AM with 108 replies and 1,253 views. It became obvious very quickly that the scope of that question was too big. Many people had never been away from their home country, home state or even hometown, so the idea that every Doper had been to some spot on Earth was rendered ridiculous. So unless you have been to at least one place within the USA (and I’m thinking Lower 48 here) this thread won’t apply to you. But I suspect we can narrow down to a few likely areas if we eliminate places where you _haven’t_ been. Then we can move the focus in closer to see where the most likely place wil be. In my case, I have been to most states east of the Mississippi and to Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana on the western side. So it’s “East” for me. What about you? ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/2 "2009-03-28T14:12:08Z")
Well I’ve been to Boston and Burlington VT. Boston could be a contender but I reckon the answer would be New York or one of the disney operations. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/3 "2009-03-28T14:15:10Z")
I’ve been to more than half the other states. In terms of specific major locations, I’ve been to the Grand Canyon, the Meteor Crater, the O. K. Corral, both Disney theme parks, Las Vegas, NASA and a bunch of others that I’ll remember after I’ve had some coffee. ---
**Author:** ![EpicNonsense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/4 "2009-03-28T15:15:12Z")
L representing a place I’ve lived a minimum of 1 year. V representing a place I’ve vacationed to. Any city I’ve visited I’ve probably been to all theme parks or major attractions. FTR I’m 23 y.o. All of Los Angeles, CA (L) San Francisco, CA (V) San Diego, CA (V) Long Beach, CA (V) Santa Cruz, CA (V) Palm Springs, CA (V) El Mirage Salt Flats, CA (V) Orlando, FL (L) Glen St. Mary, FL (L) Jacksonville, FL (L) Cape Canaveral, FL (V) Miami Beach, FL (V) Daytona Beach, FL (V) Tampa, FL (V) Atlanta, GA (V) Oahu, HI (L)(Current) Maui, HI (V) Kauai, HI (V) Big Island of Hawaii, HI (V) Las Vegas, NV (L) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/5 "2009-03-28T15:28:21Z")
> [@EpicNonsense](#): > > L representing a place I’ve lived a minimum of 1 year. > V representing a place I’ve vacationed to. > > Any city I’ve visited I’ve probably been to all theme parks or major attractions. > FTR I’m 23 y.o. > > Orlando, FL (L) > Jacksonville, FL (L) > Daytona Beach, FL (V) > Tampa, FL (V) > Atlanta, GA (V) Places where you and I have potential overlaps. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/6 "2009-03-28T15:59:04Z")
I’ll pick some of the biggies, since I doubt that Middleburg, FL would be high on the list. Baltimore, MD Washington, DC NYC Orlando, FL San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Denver, CO New Orleans, LA Jacksonville, FL Ocala, FL Pensacola, FL OK, lots of places in FL, since we lived there almost 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/7 "2009-03-28T16:01:36Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > I’ve been to more than half the other states. In terms of specific major locations, I’ve been to the Grand Canyon, the Meteor Crater, the O. K. Corral, both Disney theme parks, Las Vegas, NASA and a bunch of others that I’ll remember after I’ve had some coffee. Orlando and Las Vegas both seem like contenders. I’ve been to four of the [five largest cities](http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763098.html) in the U.S. (all but Houston). ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/8 "2009-03-28T16:15:03Z")
I’ve been to (or through) every state except Alaska. Never been to Orlando, but I’ve been to Vegas several times. Count me in for nine of the top ten cities (never made it to Dallas). ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/9 "2009-03-28T16:42:40Z")
I am guessing it is an airport. Probably Atlanta, Chicago or San Francisco (in that order)… tho possibly JFK or LAX. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/10 "2009-03-28T16:46:23Z")
My first thought was a Disney resort or Las Vegas. NYC would be my next choice. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/11 "2009-03-28T17:04:36Z")
> [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > I am guessing it is an airport. Probably Atlanta, Chicago or San Francisco (in that order)… tho possibly JFK or LAX. Atlanta or O’Hare, definitely – never flown through SF. I’m good for JFK and LAX though. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/12 "2009-03-28T17:10:30Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Atlanta or O’Hare, definitely – never flown through SF. I’m good for JFK and LAX though. My original reasoning is that Atlanta and Chicago are huge hubs used to connect through from many places in the country. LAX and JFK are more “destinations” although there are lots of international connections… only about 10% of Americans have left the USA, though it would likely be a high percentage of Dopers. I think it is a toss-up between ATL and ORD. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/13 "2009-03-28T17:32:17Z")
> [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > My original reasoning is that Atlanta and Chicago are huge hubs used to connect through from many places in the country. LAX and JFK are more “destinations” although there are lots of international connections… only about 10% of Americans have left the USA, though it would likely be a high percentage of Dopers. > > I think it is a toss-up between ATL and ORD. I had never heard the only 10% of Americans have been out of the country… That seems very low, though I suppose that my circle of friends may not be representative of the average (most are young, with the financial ability to travel). I need to remember how much difference in opportunity there is out there, and to be grateful for the things I have been given!!! ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/14 "2009-03-28T17:41:57Z")
On my list of notable places that many people are likely to have been to: Independence Hall, Philadelphia Capitol and Smithsonian, Washington Times Square and WTC (in 1991), NYC Flushing Meadows, back when the Worlds Fair was there Hartsfield and Dulles Airports, but not O’Hare or any of the NYC airports) Jacksonville, Cape Canaveral, Miami, Key West, and Tampa (but not Orlando), in FL Toronto and Ottawa Nowhere west of Lansing and Chattanooga ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/15 "2009-03-28T17:56:07Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > I had never heard the only 10% of Americans have been out of the country… > > That seems very low, though I suppose that my circle of friends may not be representative of the average (most are young, with the financial ability to travel). > > I need to remember how much difference in opportunity there is out there, and to be grateful for the things I have been given!!! Perhaps it is a bit higher than 10%… there are no official stats on this, and I actually meant to say 10% never left N. America, as Canada accounts for lots of US foreign travel. I have gone months overseas without ever seeing another American. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/16 "2009-03-28T18:38:25Z")
Just off the top of my head: Cleveland, Dayton, Akron and Columbus, Ohio Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Gettysburg, Pa. Washington, D.C. Nashua and Manchester, N.H. Portland, Me. Indianapolis, Ind. Boston and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. Richmond, Va. Seattle, Wash. Miami, Sarasota, Ft. Myers and Naples, Fla. Chicago and Springfield, Ill. Nags Head, Cape Hatteras and Kitty Hawk, N.C. Charleston and Columbia, S.C. Dallas, Tex. Denver, Colo. Atlanta, Ga. Detroit and Ann Arbor, Mich. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/17 "2009-03-28T18:44:46Z")
Popular places I’ve been to or lived: San Francisco Los Angeles New Orleans Seattle Portland, OR Boston New York City Washington, DC Chicago Miami Cincinnati Pittsburgh Philadelphia Las Vegas San Diego Hartsfield Airport, Atlanta Ed ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/18 "2009-03-28T18:47:47Z")
Doesn’t every damn HS class have a senior trip to Washington, DC? It seemed that way living there. I would say DC, and if you want to be more specific, the Mall – including the Smithsonian, the Capital and many of the big memorials/monuments. Who hasn’t been there? Is that an easier question? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/19 "2009-03-28T20:56:45Z")
I’d venture to guess that there will be a split between the West and East coasts. Personally, I’ve been to: Seattle Portland San Francisco LA San Diego Las Vegas Orlando FL Chicago New York Dallas Hawaii Kuai Canada (the 51st state) ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090/20 "2009-03-28T21:03:41Z")
I’ve been to most every (major) place on everyone’s lists, excluding Hawaii. I even have a free place to stay in Hawaii, just seems weird to fly 5-7 hours from Florida to get to another beach. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-place-in-the-usa-have-most-dopers-been-to/491090.md?page=2)