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Washington is plenty interesting, easy enough to traverse, and a lot smaller than NY. If that's still too big, you can try a smaller (much smaller) city like Charleston, SC. Hard to know what to suggest without knowing more about your interests.
Does anyone else feel like visiting such a large city as NYC is kind of intimidating?
What is a good place to visit if you want to visit an interesting US city, but it's easier to get around than NYC.
Thanks for any suggestions or other thoughts.
I have been to NYC three times. The first I went solo, the second was with my then GF and the third was last May when my GF and I were married. Manhattan is a very safe city (safer then Toronto, IMO) and very easy to navigate. The grid layout of the city blocks makes it easy to find your way around and the public transit system is one of the most efficient in the world. Forget about the 70's reputation of "The Rotten Apple"... The city was cleaned up in the 80's and 90's and is a fantastic place to visit.
Simply put, there's nothing quite anything like NY anywhere else.
I have been to NYC three times. The first I went solo, the second was with my then GF and the third was last May when my GF and I were married. Manhattan is a very safe city (safer then Toronto, IMO) and very easy to navigate. The grid layout of the city blocks makes it easy to find your way around and the public transit system is one of the most efficient in the world. Forget about the 70's reputation of "The Rotten Apple"... The city was cleaned up in the 80's and 90's and is a fantastic place to visit.
Simply put, there's nothing quite anything like NY anywhere else.
Thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely reconsider it.
I had been thinking of visiting someplace like Las Vegas because the strip is so close to the airport and it seems like there is a lot of interesting stuff concentrated in one area.
Thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely reconsider it.
I had been thinking of visiting someplace like Las Vegas because the strip is so close to the airport and it seems like there is a lot of interesting stuff concentrated in one area.
But the idea of a smaller city is also appealing.
Vegas is also a pretty good time, but things can go sideways fast if you wander off the strip, or outside the "Fremont Street Experience". I have done it twice (wandered off-strip) and both times were told by Vegas locals that I was lucky I didn't get stabbed (!). However, the strip itself is one of the safest streets in the world.
Keep in mind that one goes to NY or LV for different reasons. I go to NY for the museums, culture and general ambiance of the city, while LV is much more of a "relive my reckless youth and blow off some steam" kind of vacation.
If you do choose LV, make sure you see the Grand Canyon while there. It truly is a natural wonder.
I can only speak for NYC. Nothing to be afraid of, just use common sense. But then again you need to do that anywhere you go.
It's extremely easy to get around there, the streets are numbered! People are basically very nice and quite helpful. I think maybe the only thing that might be a bit intimidating is the sheer number of people.
But nothing to be afraid of, go and have a great time!
This is true. I've lived and worked in NYC, and the people there are a lot nicer than they get credit for. Sure they get really cranky with each other, but they treat tourists very nicely. Ask a New Yorker for directions and they are likely to say, "I'm headed that way, just follow me" or take your map and draw out really specific directions--including marking a spot to get a great bagel that's on the way. I can't tell you how many times I had a tourist ask for help and I always pulled my bag tight and then tried to help them out.
I was always intimidated by NYC until a few years ago. I had stay there for work, and spent a 3-day weekend on my own there. It's a lot friendlier if you break it into sections and neighborhoods. I got my bearings straight and could find my way around on foot, or use the bus and subway system.
Philadelphia is pretty straight forward, and you can take a train from the airport to the downtown. I've also enjoyed Boston, New Orleans, Santa Monica, D.C., and Denver -- just using public transportation.
I was always intimidated by NYC until a few years ago. I had stay there for work, and spent a 3-day weekend on my own there. It's a lot friendlier if you break it into sections and neighborhoods. I got my bearings straight and could find my way around on foot, or use the bus and subway system.
Philadelphia is pretty straight forward, and you can take a train from the airport to the downtown. I've also enjoyed Boston, New Orleans, Santa Monica, D.C., and Denver -- just using public transportation.
Where are you coming from?
I'm from Texas. I am pretty good with maps and would probably study it first pretty well if I decided to plan a trip.
On the other hand, just being unfamiliar with the city, not knowing how to get around, and the crowds, all make it seem a little overwhelming.
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