Honolulu is an excellent first stop for Asians. It’s on the way and sort of a halfway house for the two continents in terms of atmosphere. It was the wife’s first city. She went there twice before visiting the mainland – once for a conference, then as a grad student. I took her to the mainland myself, and our first stop was San Francisco. She ended up liking San Fran just fine, but as we were coming for a landing, she said she felt like crying, because it looked all ugly and brown, not beautiful like Hawaii.
I voted for New York.
I grew up outside DC, and it was a close 2nd.
But, if someone who had never visited the US could only visit one city, it would have to be NYC. For some reason, San Francisco is currently winning in the poll, but IMHO, NYC has everything SF has, but more of it, and much easier to navigate. Art, fashion, theatre, shopping, museums, sights, history, dining, nightlife? - NYC has all of them in spades. It’s also one of the most walkable cities in the US.
Look, he said good foreign friends! 
There is no doubt that NYC is the obvious champ. But DC? I’m not even sure I would say that it is essential for Americans to visit (just as I would not say that Brussels is a must-see on a trip to Europe or Ottawa an essential Canadian destination or Canberra … well, you get the point). I’d even go so far as to say Las Vegas before DC.
Sorry, be unless you like wasting money, Vegas is just plain boring. Casinos, chain restaurants, and over-priced shows.
If we’re only taking it as a city New York is the winner. But I’d say San Francisco also has the benefit of some great natural beauty nearby (Siam Sam’s wife notwithstanding). Even if you were to only go to Muir Woods, that’s still something extraordinarily impressive unique to the region.
Anchorage or Honolulu might offer better options in terms of natural beauty but there’s not much citywise as a draw there. I’d say SF is a good balance.
DC is a contender if someone’s interested in America as a country - the opportunity to see the government along with all the museums makes it a good contender.
I could see a decent argument for many other cities if someone’s more interested in American culture, though I’d exclude New Orleans for a first visit.
I’d have to agree with Chronos. I’d invite them to come and see me, and I’d take them on a tour which wouldn’t involve any large cities at all. There are so many beautiful places in North America that don’t require you to put up with the traffic and noise of the cities that you could spend years visiting all of it.
I’ve been to almost all of the cities listed in the poll, and there isn’t one of them I’d want someone to base their opinion of the U.S. on.
I’d take them to the rock and roll hall of fame one day, then to the Motown Museum the next day, Maybe some MGM grand in Detroit… Take them to Dearborn and the Henry Ford Museum, have Lebanese for Lunch… Have some dogs in Toledo and Detroit, Maybe Hit some Barbecue and a Michael Symon Restaurant in Cleveland… A Toledo Walleye and/or a MudHens Game.
Lest I forget The Toledo Museum of Art… Impresses every European I’ve met.
I voted for San Francisco. I have been to 7 cities on that list, that collectively have 5 votes right now, compared to SF’s poll leading 17.
Washington and New York are certainly good options, and to be realistic, a foreign visitor isn’t just coming for a day or two. They will be here for a week or more, and the North East makes sense. They could see NY, DC, Boston, Baltimore, and whatever other places they could fit into their trip, culminating into an amazing tour of a major part the US.
But the poll limits the visit to one city. From what little I know of these cities, I think San Francisco would be much more vibrant and exciting then New York. DC might sound interesting to an American, as the political and historical hub of our nation, but i doubt a foreigner would be as interested in the city. All 3 cities deserve their place amongst the top three, but I SF gives me a better vibe for a pit stop in the USA.
Go where you have someone local who will be your attentive guide. Hopefully it will be a large enough city to enjoy, but all the cities listed have their own charms.
If you don’t know anybody at all, though, I would say it’s a toss up between San Francisco and New York. San Francisco for the more leisurely traveler who also wants to get out and do something green. New York for the person who wants to see what they have seen in movies.
That’s just what I thought on reading the NYC or Las Vegas thread. I’ve been to both, and they’re fascinating places (and I don’t really drink or gamble), but I don’t think either of them really represents the U.S. as a whole. For a combination of touristy stuff and typical Americana, I might have to go with Chicago. But like you said, it depends on what you want from the trip.
This board does have members all over the world. If it won’t sidetrack the thread too much, I’d be interested in hearing more of their recommendations. What U.S. cities have you been to (and how did you like them), or would you most like to visit?
Don’t forget the Glass City’s wares at the Libbey Glass Outlet at Erie Street Market… some of the best deals on the best artisan glass in the nation.
But would you recommend it for a first visit? That seems unlikely.
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:27, topic:605194”]
I’d have to agree with Chronos. I’d invite them to come and see me, and I’d take them on a tour which wouldn’t involve any large cities at all. There are so many beautiful places in North America that don’t require you to put up with the traffic and noise of the cities that you could spend years visiting all of it.
I’ve been to almost all of the cities listed in the poll, and there isn’t one of them I’d want someone to base their opinion of the U.S. on.
[/QUOTE]
But if they wanted to visit one, which is your top choice?
I agree with Wilson about L.A.
It amuses me that the only people recommending Detroit or Pittsburgh have “Mean” or “Old” in their usernames.
A lot of foreigners I’ve met have gotten their image of America from TV and movies, so LA is a perfect wonderland to them. They should visit the place first to get that silly notion out of the way. Then go to DC/NY, if they like cities, or Grand Canyon/other parks if they like the outdoors.
I like Pittsburgh very much. It’s really a great town. Maybe not a first visit choice, but not one to ridicule either, in my opinion.
Reading Mysteries of Pittsburgh made me really want to visit. Maybe not for a foreigner’s first visit to the US–but definitely as part of the itinerary for a Texan’s next visit to Yankeeland. Hills! (We don’t have those things in Houston.) And interesting old neighborhoods, of which we do have a few. In fact, interesting neighborhoods–not just the guidebook hotspots–should be part of any tour. I spend a charming afternoon in Noe Valley, San Francisco.
A young Frenchman studying science in Houston had been instructed not to leave before seeing The Menil; not one of the monster museums, but a real gem. Speaking of monsters, Dino Guy Hisself is helping the Houston Museum of Natural Science expand the Paleontology Hall; once it’s finished, it’ll be worth a visit.
Next we get some good Gulf Coast seafood. Then go west on I10 to San Antonio!
Really, if you send somebody off with only a guidebook, the Famous Big Cities are best. If you’re going to be the guide, there are more options…
Probably New Orleans. Second choice: San Francisco.