What are the ten most recognized U.S. cities for foreigners? (amusement parks, hotels)

[dullnboring]

I too am surprised by just how many non-Americans are familiar with and/or interested in Orlando. That's not to slag the city off by any means, but it just to me as an American, seems a bit random when included with cities like New York and Chicago and Los Angeles.

I think it varies by country too since some cities have large communities of people from various nations and therefore their friends and families back home become somewhat familiar with them. For example, I'll bet that Minneapolis is one of the better-known American cities in Somalia, or St. Louis in Bosnia.

As a whole though, my guess would've been: New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, D.C., Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, New Orleans, Boston and Atlanta.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Sweden

These are the ones you hear about all the time ("in order of appearance")

New York
Hollywood (yeah, yeah, yeah...)

is the "yeah, yeah, yeah," to indicate that you already know that hollywood is not a city?

[Paddington]

Originally Posted by dullnboring

I too am surprised by just how many non-Americans are familiar with and/or interested in Orlando. That's not to slag the city off by any means, but it just to me as an American, seems a bit random when included with cities like New York and Chicago and Los Angeles.

I think it varies by country too since some cities have large communities of people from various nations and therefore their friends and families back home become somewhat familiar with them. For example, I'll bet that Minneapolis is one of the better-known American cities in Somalia, or St. Louis in Bosnia.

As a whole though, my guess would've been: New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, D.C., Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, New Orleans, Boston and Atlanta.

Walt Disney World is a huge tourist attraction.

[Sweden]

Originally Posted by katenik

is the "yeah, yeah, yeah," to indicate that you already know that hollywood is not a city?

Yes, it was actually.

[jason1117]

New York
Chicago
LA
SF
Seattle
Houston
Dallas
Boston
DC
Miami

and..Austin is really famous

[mjewell]

Originally Posted by CavalierXion

Hmmm I wonder how much it varies country to country. Obviously cities like New York, L.A. and Chicago will always be recognized. Orlando I suppose would from Disneyworld although I never think about Orlando and I'm from the U.S. (but maybe that's the point). I've never really thought of Pittsburgh as that recognizable though maybe you're right because of the steel industry. And Houston more recognizable than Dallas? I would think the show would've made Dallas the most recognizable Texas city but I could be wrong. In general do people from outside the U.S. know a lot of U.S. cities?

It's something that a lot of Houstonians complain about - can you believe that Dallas is on all the national weather maps and Houston only shows up when there's a storm about to hit? We're the 4th largest city in the USA!

The popular theory is that the soap opera "Dallas" was such a hit in the 80s.

[tvdxer]

What about Minneapolis?! Or how about St. Paul?! Duluth?!

[gv0928]

I would say:

New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Miami
San Francisco
Boston
Philadelphia
Washington, DC
Las Vegas

And finally.....I guess New Orleans.

[rantanamo]

I would think Dallas because of the TV Show and Kennedy Assassination.

[grew-up-3rd-culture]

Being American, I find this to be very interesting. What strikes my curiosity is Philadelphia! Outside of holding a prominent place in U.S. history, it's an armpit! Yes it is one of the ten largest U.S. cities by population, but it's one big ghetto too. Miles upon miles of row homes for the poor. ??? I wonder if posters mean to say Philadelphia City Center---then I would understand.