A few months ago I wrote about which European cities I would love to travel to, and as I am currently having a phase of longing to travel (or move) to the States, this is the U.S. edition. I actually thought of doing this back in February, as my blogging ideas list suggests, probably during my last ‘I want to go back to the States’ phase, but then forgot about it over exams, until now.
As you may know, I lived in the States for a year, and while I did go on a few trips, there are so many more places that I have yet to see.
I did spend a week in San Francisco, a place I loved, as well as three weeks on the east coast (Boston, New York City, Philadelphia & Washington, D.C.), which I enjoyed as well. Though I’d pick the west coast or the South to live (better weather and friendlier people).
I also spent a few days in Dallas, where I spent two weekends at a friend’s house (and subsequently didn’t see anything of Dallas), and a week in Kansas City.
And a year ago, I finally got the chance to go back to the States and spent another week in NYC. While I loved that trip, I had been there before, and my list has yet to get any shorter.
Las Vegas
Photo by Roadsidepictures.
Who wouldn’t want to go to Las Vegas? I’m not big on gambling but I’d love to see the city, all the lights, and buildings, and the atmosphere.
Colorado
Photo by stevewhis.
I am not an outdoors type of person, and I’ve lived in the city all my life, but I think for Colorado I’d make an exception. Colorado and the …
Grand Canyon
Photo by James Marvin Phelps.
The Grand Canyon looks absolutely breathtaking in pictures, I cannot imagine how amazing it would be to see it in person, with my own eyes.
San Diego
Photo by slack12.
San Francisco
Photo by SF Brit.
I’ve been to San Francisco before but I’d love to go again, as I truly enjoyed my last trip there. I would also like to visit the surrounding area and maybe visit Yosemite on one day.
Dallas
Photo by ragingwire.
While I didn’t see much of Dallas on my two visits there, the main reason for my wanting to go there is that essentially all the friends I made at OU now live there, and I would love to see them again. It’s five years in June that I left. I would also like to drive up to Norman to visit my old stomping grounds there and to see what has changed around the city and university.
New Orleans
Photo by ohad*.
I wish I had visited New Orleans when I lived in the States (pre-Katrina), but I didn’t. Back then, who would have thought that the city would be devastated by hurricane Katrina only three short months later? But I reckon that by the time I can afford a trip to NOLA, there will be little to remind a visitor of the damages caused by the flooding.
Florida
Photo by Express Monorail.
Not only do I want to visit Florida for the beaches and alligators Everglades, I also want to go to Disney World. I have never been to Disney World or Disneyland (in California or Paris, heck I’m not picky, though I’d prefer Mickey Mouse and Cinderella to speak English and not French), and even though I am 26 years old now, I’d still love to go and be a kid for one day.
Georgia
Photo by ceejayoz.
I would really love doing a road trip, from Florida up to Georgia, to …
South Carolina
Photo by Kyle Kesselring.
… and from South Carolina to …
North Carolina
Photo by Martin LaBar.
I do not have any specific places or cities in mind, I’d just really like to see the southeastern US. And a road trip would be perfect for that. Not to mention fun.
Hawaii
Photo by David Winnie.
Do I really need to explain why I want to visit Hawaii? Hello, gorgeous beaches, landscape, weather. What’s not to like?
I know, that’s several weeks of vacation right there. Not to mention how much it would cost to see all these places. Maybe I should start playing the lottery.
But just looking at all these amazing places that you can find all in one country (granted, a big one) reminds me of one reason I love the US. How anyone could not be interested in traveling there (*cough*my parents*cough*) is beyond me.
How about you, which places in the US do you want to travel to? And which places you have traveled to did you enjoy most?
Some of those photos are just gorgeous. Can I come on your trip with you?? :) I haven’t been to many places in the US – Palm Springs, LA, Chicago and Minneapolis is just about it. But I would love to visit San Diego, Colorado, Florida and of course Hawaii too :)
.-= Emily Jane’s last blog post: On Writing… and Reading to Hundreds of Strangers!! =-.
Totally! Haha. Seriously, I doubt I would go on a road trip by myself. You know, I haven’t been to any of the places you have been in the US (except the Chicago airport but that doesn’t count).
Oh yes yes, New Orleans! I loved it there so much. Also my daytrip to the Oak Alley plantation and the swamps.
Well, you can’t really see any Katrina damage in the touristy parts of New Orleans. While a tour guide showed us a few watermarks just outside the French Quarter, he stated that most of the damage is only visible in the suburbs that no tourists really visits.
Anywhere, I’d love to go back there soon, just like I would love to go back to Boston and New York.
I wish I had already been in San Francisco. It would probably my #1 place in the US I would like to visit. But I’d also love to explore some more states in the South such as Georgia, South & North Carolina…and and and.
Yeah, you are so lucky you visited New Orleans. That is really the one city I regret not visiting while I was there, especially as it wasn’t too far from where I lived (relatively speaking). One of my roommates went during Mardi Gras (though I suppose she didn’t go for the sightseeing, haha).
I pretty much have the same places on my list of places to see! Some of them we will cover this summer on our road trip from DC to Florida to Texas.
P.S.: You should snatch yourself a lovely American and move here. You are so made for this country!!! Sometimes I think I was born on the wrong continent.
.-= Stefanie’s last blog post: A calling. =-.
Oh that is such a great idea to do a road trip when you move to Texas. What an adventure! I hope you’ll be blogging extensively about it.
I think if I happened to marry an American, I would not mind at all (and would probably be happy about it) but I can’t make that my main criterion for picking a boyfriend/potential husband. ;)
I’m not sure if I was born on the wrong continent, but I do wish I could split myself in half and live in both countries. Or you know, win the lottery and a greencard. That’s a little more realistic. Haha.
I’ve been to some of the places you mentioned…
Well, Vegas is Vegas. I reckon it’s a place that has to be seen once in a lifetime, because it’s really unique. It’s all so fake, actually when you walk out during the day it’s like a sort of Disneyland. You could easily spend a couple of days inside the hotel/casino without ever being outside!
Colorado is beautiful, the Grand Canyon is absolutely breathtaking. No picture can do justice to such magnificent beauty! Going for a walk at sunrise is spectacular, you can look out for miles and everything is bright red and… Ooooh I can’t even describe!
San Diego is probably my favourite place in the US (a tie with NYC). It’s such a pretty city. It’s big but it doesn’t feel like that, and it’s really pleasant to live in. It’s not some LA sort of mess. So much better. The weather is gorgeous, sunny all year round and mild even in winter, which is always perfect to visit one of the many fine beaches. I’m actually going there again in July, can’t wait!
As for Disney World… Oh well. I love those parks. Would go there all the time if I could. I prefer Disneyland over Disney World, though Orlando has 3 other parks that are connected, and I loved them as well. There’s a lot to see and do even if you’re not a kid!
Definitely wish I could go to Hawaii!!!
.-= Stefania’s last blog post: 31/12/2009 =-.
Thanks for your comment, Stef. Thanks for sharing your experiences of these places with me. Makes me want to go even more, as you are basically just confirming what I imagine these places to be like.
You definitely should visit Sedona if you ever visit the Grand Canyon. I’d love to drive through Georgia sometime too…I’ve never been there! I’ve been to Hawaii before and I didn’t really enjoy it that much because it is WAY expensive so we didn’t do anything except swim, tan and swim some more! Mexico is cheaper and has pretty much the same activities.
.-= steph anne’s last blog post: Canvas: Modern to Beach Theme =-.
Thanks. I didn’t know Hawaii was that expensive. They really do try to make the most of the tourists, huh? I think if I go to Hawaii, I want to make sure I have a big budget so I can also do some exploring on the islands. I am not sure if a beach vacation (just tanning and swimming) will ever be my thing, not to mention that I don’t tan, I burn.
I fully endorse this visit to colorado ;)
You have a few places on there that I would love to visit as well! I would also go to Austin if you ever make it to Dallas, supposed to be a great city!
I just went to NOLA and fell in love, it’s such a fantastic city. You won’t see any water damage in the touristy places because that part of the city didn’t flood (the Quarter) but you can take tours (which I have my issues with) of the 9th ward that still is pretty damaged and got the worst. I saw some evidence of Katrina when heading to the fairgrounds for Jazzfest–the markings still on the houses from when the police went around checking the houses. HIGHLY recommend this city! (I wrote all about it in a few posts on my blog recently if you want to read more than you ever wanted to about it)
There’s this drive along the east coast that goes through the south–I can’t remember the name of the highway and couldn’t find it in an initial google search but it’s supposed to be really pretty drive and goes through the south. I have always wanted to go to North and South Carolinas and to go to Savannah, GA. I imagine that city is similar aesthetically to New Orleans, which I loved.
I really need to explore my country more :)
You know, my wish to visit Colorado may or may not have something to do with all the pictures of Colorado you’ve been posting on your blog and Facebook, haha. It made me think, gosh, I never realized mountains could be so pretty.
I will have to catch up on your NOLA posts once I am done with my exam on Saturday. I think I skimmed through them but I do want to read them properly.
Thanks for your comment!