# What's so special about the USA, that tourists won't be able to get elsewhere **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 3, 2012, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629 "2012-02-03T05:05:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/21 "2012-02-03T12:43:53Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > I live in Scotland, go hunting on a fairly regular basis, and to the best of my knowledge am not a member of the landed gentry. You might be without realising it. Quick, think - are you the poor-but-with-a-heart-of-gold love interest in a romantic novel set in the Highlands? Yes? This is your lucky day, my laird. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/22 "2012-02-03T12:52:08Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Kind of a strange question, OP. Similar to someone in another thread saying “why would I go to Mexico, we’ve got beaches in Florida” - you don’t go somewhere just for the _thing_, you go _to be there_. To experience it first-hand, to immerse yourself in the place, to interact with the culture. Right. People around here say “hey, we have beaches around here, and historic sites, and forests”. Well, yeah, sure. But they’re not the same. And it applies to almost everywhere on Earth. I want to be at the places I’ve read about or seen pictures of and find out for myself if the reality matches the hype, and the USA just happens to contain a lot of them. Yes, the general traveler can find stunning natural wonders, great monumental artworks of humanity, historic sites, vibrant cities, in many, many different countries. But within each category there is only one Yellowstone/Himalayas/Great Rift, only one Giza/Great Wall/Cristo do Corcovado/Statue of Liberty, only one Acropolis/Gettysburg/Uxmal, only one Mumbai/New York/Buenos Aires. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/23 "2012-02-03T12:56:29Z")
Well put. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/24 "2012-02-03T12:56:45Z")
And CARHENGE, people. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/25 "2012-02-03T12:59:28Z")
God, if only there were somewhere on earth that had a representation of a 4,500-year-old stone monument in England, except using automobiles. Might have to build one myself - in Belgium. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/26 "2012-02-03T12:59:59Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > You can go hunting in America without being part of land-owning nobility or rich enough to buy time on their land. Get that tongue out of yer cheek, it’s perforating it. Being in the US can have a very irreal feeling to someone from abroad. Uncanny valley, actually, at least for Spaniards; some things are exactly like at home, others are very different, the whole feeling can best be described as “I felt like I had stepped into my TV” (I’ve heard that line from quite a few people). There’s some locations which are unique, but Milan or Rome are as unique as Boston or New Orleans, they happen to be unique in different ways. As for diversity, sorry but no. If you want “grand-scale diversity”, you’re a forerunner, but if you accept small-scale, Spain is at least as diverse for nature and more if you add architecture. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/27 "2012-02-03T13:00:22Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > The biggest **football** , basketball, and baseball teams are American, and you can’t see them play live anywhere else. Not unless someone moved Manchester to America lately. Manchester United - Forbes valuation [$1.86 million](http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/04/20/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams/) Dallas Cowboys - Forbes valuation [$1.85 million](http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/09/07/the-nfls-most-valuable-teams/) And that’s me being kind and not pointing out the whole “we used the name first and your game is much closer to rugby than football” thing. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/28 "2012-02-03T13:02:22Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Quick, think - are you the poor-but-with-a-heart-of-gold love interest in a romantic novel set in the Highlands? Yes? This is your lucky day, my laird. Alas no. Then again, I am 4th cousin to the Queen, people do call me Lord Kumquat, and I do happen to own a castle. Could that be relevant? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/29 "2012-02-03T13:04:55Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > Not unless someone moved Manchester to America lately. > > Manchester United - Forbes valuation [$1.86 million](http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/04/20/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams/) > Dallas Cowboys - Forbes valuation [$1.85 million](http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/09/07/the-nfls-most-valuable-teams/) Billion surely. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/30 "2012-02-03T13:08:16Z")
oops, sorry. Both should be billion ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/31 "2012-02-03T13:09:25Z")
The scale of everything is pretty impressive (no, not the scale of _that_, put it away). It’s like visiting macro land. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/32 "2012-02-03T13:09:37Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > oops, sorry. Both should be billion But Man Utd’s is a British Million, which I believe is known as a “squillion” in the US. And our pints are bigger. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/33 "2012-02-03T13:13:15Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > Then again, I am 4th cousin to the Queen, people do call me Lord Kumquat, and I do happen to own a castle. Could that be relevant? In that case: pull! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/34 "2012-02-03T13:24:49Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > Not unless someone moved Manchester to America lately. > > Manchester United - Forbes valuation [$1.86 million](http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/04/20/the-worlds-most-valuable-soccer-teams/) > Dallas Cowboys - Forbes valuation [$1.85 million](http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/09/07/the-nfls-most-valuable-teams/) > > And that’s me being kind and not pointing out the whole “we used the name first and your game is much closer to rugby than football” thing. Well Man U are currently owned by an American businessman. But in any case the US is worth visiting just for New York, never mind all the other stuff. What a fucking extraordinary city. ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/35 "2012-02-03T13:31:38Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > You can go hunting in America without being part of land-owning nobility or rich enough to buy time on their land. You don’t seriously believe that USA is the only rich, Western country where that’s possible? :dubious: Or is that weird, whooshing sound _not_ a grouse passing above me? BTW, in addition to countries others have mentioned, Finland, Sweden and Norway are also on that list. ETA, to the OP: The possibility of being needlessly harassed by immigration officers and sent back home because of a stupid, but innocent tweet some weeks before traveling, that’s a really unique experience offered exclusively to tourists to the USA 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/36 "2012-02-03T13:38:30Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > But in any case the US is worth visiting just for New York, never mind all the other stuff. What a fucking extraordinary city. No argument there. An absolute experience of a town. Is Robert’s Steakhouse still open? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/37 "2012-02-03T13:40:08Z")
Others have already said it, but what’s so special about the USA is Americans in their natural environment (if you’ll excuse the David Attenborough-like expression 🙂 ) America is fantastic to visit because it’s America, populated with Americans. England is fantastic to visit because it’s England, populated with English people. Similarly New Zealand, Italy, France, my own home of Australia, China, in fact pretty much any country in the world. I find travelling to be the most time-efficient way I can possibly imagine to learn stuff and gain life experience. I must admit I had to laugh at the notion that the US is sparsely populated. I understand the point the writer was making, but the US has about 300 million people in the same land are that we have about 22 million. Having flown across both countries many times it is very noticable how much more occupied space there is in the US between the coasts compared with Australia. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/38 "2012-02-03T14:43:24Z")
> [@Lord\_Mondegreen](#): > > Others have already said it, but what’s so special about the USA is Americans in their natural environment (if you’ll excuse the David Attenborough-like expression 🙂 ) > > America is fantastic to visit because it’s America, populated with Americans. England is fantastic to visit because it’s England, populated with English people. Similarly New Zealand, Italy, France, my own home of Australia, China, in fact pretty much any country in the world. I find travelling to be the most time-efficient way I can possibly imagine to learn stuff and gain life experience. > > I must admit I had to laugh at the notion that the US is sparsely populated. I understand the point the writer was making, but the US has about 300 million people in the same land are that we have about 22 million. Having flown across both countries many times it is very noticable how much more occupied space there is in the US between the coasts compared with Australia. That’s only because [Australia is one of the least densely-populated countries in the world,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependent_territories_by_population_density) with 7.8 people per square mile. The US is about halfway down the list in terms of rank, with only 80 people per square mile compared to the UK’s 660, Bangladesh’s 2,497 and Macau’s utterly insane 48,003. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/39 "2012-02-03T14:47:03Z")
Moving to IMHO from Great Debates. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/40 "2012-02-03T14:51:05Z")
I think the OP was more talking about things you CAN’T experience in any other country. Saguaro cactuses aren’t just in the US, they are in Mexico too. There are strong similarities between New England towns and towns in the Maritime Provinces. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629.md?page=3)