20 Most Well Known American cities to foreigners (bigger, live, state)

[PDX_LAX]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

This may be true, especially given that Boston is closer to Europe. But if we're going strictly by name recognition around the world, then Harvard is the one most people know over Boston. Similarly, even Hollywood is more known than Los Angeles to some extent.

When it comes to U.S. cities, nothing beats New York. It is identified with America the most all over the world. Exactly like London with Great Britain, Tokyo with Japan, Moscow with Russia, etc. That's how the big picture looks.

That is only true in the sense that New York is the most well-known city in the U.S., just as Moscow is the most well-known city in Russia, Tokyo in Japan, etc.

The difference is that while many people may only be able to name those cities for those countries (I'm sure there are people who can't name a single Russian city besides Moscow), very few people are going to have only heard of New York for U.S. cities.

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by PDX_LAX

That is only true in the sense that New York is the most well-known city in the U.S., just as Moscow is the most well-known city in Russia, Tokyo in Japan, etc.

The difference is that while many people may only be able to name those cities for those countries (I'm sure there are people who can't name a single Russian city besides Moscow), very few people are going to have only heard of New York for U.S. cities.

Yeah the US is very diverse, and has many unique cities that appeal in different ways from another. It's got a city known to many people for each category.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Lol, maybe a bit less so now, but it's still a centre of black culture. Also it was in the top 5 music cities in the 60s and 70s with Motown and garage rock bands like the Stooges and the MC5.

Only in the historical sense. What's left now is just a shell of it's former glory.

[SophieLL]

Im from Argentina, so i will try to give a foreinger POV on this one-

Im going to try to abstract myself from what i know, since i ve been in USA many times, (one time travelling around for 6 months) and i know a lot of cities that might not be the most well-known city by Argentinian population.

I think that this could be (being cause they are mentioned in the media, or couse of their relevance, or cause little things or details that make them famous) the most well known 20 USA cities to argentinians:

1- New York: way too famous, way in every movie, way present in the litterature, in the sitcoms and in the news. Every habitant of Argentina would know where New York is and something about it.

2- Los Angeles: Hollywood is there.

3- Washington DC: Capital city.

4-Miami: a lot of kistch and almost trashy (but very famous) tv starts have their beach houses in Miami and appear in every magazine showing their house in miami like if it was Paris. Also "División Miami" the tv series.

5- Las Vegas: another totally popular place, famous for the casino, the express weddings and all the lights.

6- Orlando: Disney. In the 90s is was common when girls turn 15, they go with their other friends to Disney all together. Even I did it. Plus, Disney and all the cartoons are very well-known here.

7-Chicago: just a city that is named. Everyone heard that name eventhough they may have no idea what the city look like or where exactly is located inside the US.

8-Boston: similar to Chicago, its a named city. Also, the unviersities and all that.

9-New Orleans: souther culture, music, parties, food, its a named and known city here too.

10- San Francisco/Atlanta (tie): San Francisco could be related to gay people and a bit of a hipster, lay down culture. And Atlanta cause of the olimpics.


This are the 10 i can think of. The rest, i think it depends on the person and their personal experiences, i guess. Although i know that Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston and Memphis gotta be in the TOP 20, but i dont know exactly where.

[SophieLL]

oh, and for those who said TEXAS is really well known outside US that is.....totally true!!! If TEXAS was a city instead of a state, then i would ve ranked top 6 (actually number 6) as the most well known cities!

1. New York City
2. Los Angeles
3.Chicago
4. San Francisco
5. Washington DC
6. Boston
7. Philadelphia
8. Miami
9. Honolulu
10. Seattle
11.Houston
12. San Diego
13. Orlando
14. Atlanta
15. Dallas
16. Minneapolis
17. Denver
18. Detroit
19. Anchorage
20. Portland(The Oregon one)

[brent6969]

Originally Posted by justme02

I think it depends on where the foreign person is from. If a person is from Australia, that list makes sense. If that person were from Latin America, no way Miami would be that low.

How did Memphis end up that high? Graceland?

Its the city that killed MLK.............Probably a lot of people are thinking of Memphis, Egypt.........

[Tiger Blood]

I doubt that most people outside of the U.S can name 20 American cities right off the top of their head without searching the internet.

[SophieLL]

Originally Posted by Tiger Blood

I doubt that most people outside of the U.S can name 20 American cities right off the top of their head without searching the internet.

youll be surprised they can. Rest of the countries arent like the USA, they actually know about other places in the world (specially USA, that has been a cultural imperialist, of course )

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by SophieLL

youll be surprised they can. Rest of the countries arent like the USA, they actually know about other places in the world (specially USA, that has been a cultural imperialist, of course )

Makes sense, another factor is few other countries have the number of large cities that the US does. Also US media and entertainment with a US focus and and fairly international draw enhances the knowledge on top your points