# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/121 "2012-02-06T20:51:42Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I would. Why wouldn’t you? Yeah, what he said. Again, the only way Buckingham Palace isn’t a unique feature of the UK is if you consider all landmarks to be essentially the same. My uncle Jim isn’t a famous historical landmark. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/122 "2012-02-06T20:53:58Z")
> [@Rubixcube](#): > > and we are the cave diving capital of the world. Not to mention the cave capital of the world, period. We have the longest, and two of the biggest, caves in the world, in addition to the underwater caves of Florida. I’d say that if you had to pick only one country to see caves in, it’d be the US, hands down, in or out of water. Another bonus is you don’t have to be an experienced caver cause we also have, probably by several orders of magnitude, the most miles of show caves in the world. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/123 "2012-02-06T20:58:26Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Yeah, what he said. Again, the only way Buckingham Palace isn’t a unique feature of the UK is if you consider all landmarks to be essentially the same. My uncle Jim isn’t a famous historical landmark. Although Versailes does sort of make it look like a run-down flophouse! ---
**Author:** ![YoDoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e68b1a/32.png) [@YoDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoDoc)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/124 "2012-02-06T21:20:23Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Well, when you get that specific, then you might as well say that a good reason to visit the US is that your Uncle JimBob lives there. Note that I’m not bashing the US in this thread, btw. I wouldn’t mention, say, Buckingham Palace as a reason for England being unique either. Do you understand the point of being a tourist? It’s to see things, not examples of things. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/125 "2012-02-06T21:31:06Z")
This is a strange thread. Every time someone points out something that America has, someone else points out a similar thing that exists elsewhere on the planet. It’s like if you said that the UK has the Queen and someone else responded that they have an aunt in Belize who wears a tiara so really, it’s the same thing. I don’t think anyone claimed that the US occupies a completely unique place on the space time continium. Yes, it exists in the same universe as other places and has similar features to those other places. It is one of many places to visit on the planet. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/126 "2012-02-06T21:54:54Z")
Every place is similar to some other place and different from all other places. That’s not intended to be some sort of pot-head “deep” comment, but it’s basically true. I’ve vacationed in Russia because (after the Cold War ended) I always wanted to see what it was all about. Seeing the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, was really pretty amazing. But if your retort is “lots of cities have unique cathedrals” then there isn’t much I can say to refute that. But the fact is there **is** only one St. Basil’s, and sure, it isn’t unique in that other places have unique architecture, but it is unique in that it is the only place with that specific piece of unique architecture. So saying places like Sydney has everything New York does is basically a nonsense statement. It’s like saying London and Tokyo are the same city because they all have analogs of each other’s unique sights. Most people I know had no idea why I’d ever want to go to Russia (in fact many assumed it was covered in snow 24/7), and to be honest I wasn’t entirely invested in trying to explain it to them since I was going and they weren’t. If you’re interested in seeing America then you’ll not be disappointed, if you aren’t, I suggest not coming here. I can assure you Americans are probably one of the least interested countries in the world (and I’m a world traveler) when it comes to our foreign tourists. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/127 "2012-02-06T21:55:03Z")
New York City has 15 buildings taller than the tallest building in Sydney, fyi (Chicago has a better skyline than both, pizza too). ---
**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:** [February 6, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/128 "2012-02-06T22:17:36Z")
I did some searching for a thread a couple years back, and found that New York and Chicago each have more skyscrapers (over 150 meters tall) than the entire continent of Europe. But… I think a few Asian cities like Tokyo are on a par with them, height-wise. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/129 "2012-02-06T22:31:02Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > This is a strange thread. Every time someone points out something that America has, someone else points out a similar thing that exists elsewhere on the planet. It’s like if you said that the UK has the Queen and someone else responded that they have an aunt in Belize who wears a tiara so really, it’s the same thing. > > I don’t think anyone claimed that the US occupies a completely unique place on the space time continium. Yes, it exists in the same universe as other places and has similar features to those other places. It is one of many places to visit on the planet. Saying NY is ‘the most amazing city mankind has ever seen’ is a bit more than pointing out something unique the US has. Its just one of those threads where it tends to get competitive, and I wouldnt say its a one sided process. Otara ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/130 "2012-02-06T22:34:13Z")
I have come to the conclusion that no place has anything that is totally unique. It’s the variations that make travel wothwhile. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/131 "2012-02-06T22:45:02Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Meh. There’s more [biological diversity](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Floristic_Region) in my small home province than in the entire US. The California Floristic District alone almost equals it. The entire U.S. blows it out of the water. Also, New Orleans. No other place on earth is like New Orleans. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/132 "2012-02-06T22:47:25Z")
Don’t forget that big ball of twine…who would want to miss that?? Plus, there is tons to see in North Dakota… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/133 "2012-02-06T22:47:31Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Well, when you get that specific, then you might as well say that a good reason to visit the US is that your Uncle JimBob lives there. Note that I’m not bashing the US in this thread, btw. I wouldn’t mention, say, Buckingham Palace as a reason for England being unique either. Uh, what? So I can go visit any big ol’ house anywhere in the world, and it’s basically the same as visiting Buckingham Palace? What if I want to (and I have) see, y’know, _Buckingham Palace_? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/134 "2012-02-06T22:59:14Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > [The Fish River Canyon](https://www.google.com/search?q=fish+river+canyon&hl=en&safe=off&client=ubuntu&hs=zFg&channel=fs&gl=za&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=h5cvT-WANJCHhQfJ3_D7Cg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CB4Q_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=572) of Namibia is pretty close, I hear from people who have been to both. The Fish River Canyon may _appear_ at first glance to be almost the same as the Grand Canyon, but it’s simply not. It’s less than half as long, and less than a third as deep (550 meters vs. 1800 meters for the Grand Canyon), at its deepest point. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/135 "2012-02-06T23:08:35Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > The Fish River Canyon may _appear_ at first glance to be almost the same as the Grand Canyon, but it’s simply not. It’s less than half as long, and less than a third as deep (550 meters vs. 1800 meters for the Grand Canyon), at its deepest point. Things can be measurably bigger with out feeling more impressive when viewed. Wiki says there are wider and deeper canyons than either if its simply about numbers. Otara ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/136 "2012-02-06T23:13:52Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > Things can be measurably bigger with out feeling more impressive when viewed. Wiki says there are wider and deeper canyons than either if its simply about numbers. > > Otara But you still can’t go to any hole in the ground and say that you’ve been to the Grand Canyon. It is utterly unique to the US, and thus qualifies for the question asked in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/137 "2012-02-06T23:19:29Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > This is a strange thread. Every time someone points out something that America has, someone else points out a similar thing that exists elsewhere on the planet. It’s like if you said that the UK has the Queen and someone else responded that they have an aunt in Belize who wears a tiara so really, it’s the same thing. > > I don’t think anyone claimed that the US occupies a completely unique place on the space time continium. Yes, it exists in the same universe as other places and has similar features to those other places. It is one of many places to visit on the planet. > [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > Every place is similar to some other place and different from all other places. That’s not intended to be some sort of pot-head “deep” comment, but it’s basically true. I’ve vacationed in Russia because (after the Cold War ended) I always wanted to see what it was all about. Seeing the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, was really pretty amazing. But if your retort is “lots of cities have unique cathedrals” then there isn’t much I can say to refute that. But the fact is there **is** only one St. Basil’s, and sure, it isn’t unique in that other places have unique architecture, but it is unique in that it is the only place with that specific piece of unique architecture. So saying places like Sydney has everything New York does is basically a nonsense statement. It’s like saying London and Tokyo are the same city because they all have analogs of each other’s unique sights. > > Most people I know had no idea why I’d ever want to go to Russia (in fact many assumed it was covered in snow 24/7), and to be honest I wasn’t entirely invested in trying to explain it to them since I was going and they weren’t. If you’re interested in seeing America then you’ll not be disappointed, if you aren’t, I suggest not coming here. I can assure you Americans are probably one of the least interested countries in the world (and I’m a world traveler) when it comes to our foreign tourists. You both capture my thoughts exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/138 "2012-02-06T23:34:20Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > But you still can’t go to any hole in the ground and say that you’ve been to the Grand Canyon. It is utterly unique to the US, and thus qualifies for the question asked in the OP. I cant go to the Grand Canyon and say Ive been to Fish River Canyon either. Not really seeing your point. Otara ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/139 "2012-02-07T00:02:41Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > I cant go to the Grand Canyon and say Ive been to Fish River Canyon either. > > Not really seeing your point. > > Otara Seriously? This thread is about things that make the US unique, and I’m somehow being obtuse when I point out that the Grand Canyon is one of those things, and that any similar places are not? How can I clarify? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629/140 "2012-02-07T00:12:29Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > Saying NY is ‘the most amazing city mankind has ever seen’ is a bit more than pointing out something unique the US has. That was me, that is indeed my personal opinion about NYC, and it was a counterpoint to ‘I can get everything New York has in other cities’. Importantly to your comment about competitiveness, _I am not American_ - so there’s no chauvinism there. I am just a world traveller, and it happens to be only what I think about New York after having visited a large number of the world’s other great cities. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-special-about-the-usa-that-tourists-wont-be-able-to-get-elsewhere/611629.md?page=8)