Favorite cities in North America, and why.

[decafjava]

My top list in North America:

1) Vancouver - my hometown, sea and ski, amazing setting, huge Asian presence meaning great restaurants and shopping.

2) New York - it's New York.

3) Ottawa - prettiest and greenest capital city anywhere, except possibly Bern in Switzerland.

4) Montreal - one of the coolest places in North America

5) Quebec City - A bit of old Europe and the flavour of Nouvelle France

6) San Francisco - stunning setting like Vancouver, amazing cultural melting pot like New York and not far from the Napa Valley.

 

[palmerc2]

My top list in North America:

1) Vancouver - my hometown, sea and ski, amazing setting, huge Asian presence meaning great restaurants and shopping.

2) New York - it's New York.

3) Ottawa - prettiest and greenest capital city anywhere, except possibly Bern in Switzerland.

4) Montreal - one of the coolest places in North America

5) Quebec City - A bit of old Europe and the flavour of Nouvelle France

6) San Francisco - stunning setting like Vancouver, amazing cultural melting pot like New York and not far from the Napa Valley.

Funny you throw out Napa Valley, I was there this week. Went to the mud baths in Calistoga, dined at a Michelin Star restaurant, had fine wine, developed a new appreciation for high end olive oil....all in all it was a good week! Going to Montreal next weekend for my first time, stoked!!

 

[colorspace]

Agree on the the central Cali towns. Could not disagree more with you on Norfolk. Zombie ghost town yes, but other than a few square blocks in 2 or 3 areas not much to see or do.

My List (some are on the smallish side of cities): While I like big cities (NYC, Chicago Boston). I also love the outdoors and nature, and if these are not readily available in large easy doses as well as urban environs, they don't make my list. Of the big ones San Diego, San Francisco, Vancouver, and (Believe it or not) DC do make the list (Rock Creek Park and Great Falls can make you feel like you are 1,000 miles away from any urban center).

I'll add a couple of my favorite small cites in Appalachian US.
- Asheville, NC - Great architecture and nature and "vibe"
- Staunton, VA - (see above)

San Diego.

Anywhere north of Ventura and south of San Francisco (Central Coast CA cities are perfect )

Norfolk VA is kind of cool, because it's a lot like a city that they just built and left alone, or otherwise no one ever seems to be there, especially outside of broad daylight (unless the Navy rolls in.) It's always clean and never crowded. Spooky in a way.

I'd say I liked Seattle, but I didn't ever technically see it, given all of the fog and rain and trees blocking the view.

 

[richwoodrocket]

Harbor springs, MI
Ann Arbor MI
Buffalo NY (my current hometown)

 

[kazmac]

...

What I can remember... it's been eons since I've travelled.

New York: Work there and do not live too far away. Love it. You can find anything in NY. Just wish it wasn't so freakin' expensive to live there because I would in a sound-proofed heartbeat.

Toronto: very nice and clean. People were cool too.

San Francisco: I enjoy the city, I never did get to the Point Reyes lighthouse where John Carpenter filmed the Fog (damn my motion sickness!) but I'd definitely go back since I hear the food scene is terrific now.

I've been to a lot of cities mostly tourist thing (and/or seeing bands I loved back in the day), but these 3 stand out. I'd like to revisit Toronto and SF eventually.

 

[colorspace]

Guanajuato, Mexico -- Lots of history (World heritage site), great architecture and beautiful landscape.

 

[bradl]

Funny you throw out Napa Valley, I was there this week. Went to the mud baths in Calistoga, dined at a Michelin Star restaurant, had fine wine, developed a new appreciation for high end olive oil....all in all it was a good week! Going to Montreal next weekend for my first time, stoked!!

I will really REALLY REALLY despise you if the restaurant you went to was The French Laundry.

They have a reservation list 6 months long, and that doesn't include them being closed for remodeling!

BTW: how did everything look up there after the quake?

BL.

P.S: I wouldn't despise you - I would just be insanely jealous!

 

[palmerc2]

I will really REALLY REALLY despise you if the restaurant you went to was The French Laundry.

They have a reservation list 6 months long, and that doesn't include them being closed for remodeling!

BTW: how did everything look up there after the quake?

BL.

P.S: I wouldn't despise you - I would just be insanely jealous!

No, but I wish!! I've never been to a 3 Michelin Star restaurant before. The tasting menu at The French Laundry starts at $270 per person, not including drinks! I believe the wine pairing is another $150. I dined at a 1 Michelin Star restaurant in Calistoga called SolBar. The head chef of SolBar worked under Thomas Keller at the French Laundry. The food was divine!!

As far as dining at a 3 a Michelin Star restaurant, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand Las Vegas would be a lot more accessible to dine at than the French Laundry. One time I had the desire to eat at Robuchon that night and couldn't accommodate me, as the reservations go out a few days. Way better than 6 months!!