USA City breaks - suggestions please!

[MrBounce]

I need a bit of advice. Went to Florida and loved the the country in general and want to go back, but want to do a bit of a city break on our next trip. Holiday won't be until 2013 as already off to Fuerteventura and the Lake District next year 

Not looking to spend a vast amount of money; we're not planning on going to New York as prices are high and we would like to try somewhere a bit "different", less of a mainstream destination. We'd like to try to avoid the stag weeks in Vegas or the theme park thrill seekers in Florida - that's been done.

We're not too fussed about famous bits of history, but some nice landmarks are a must, some shopping will doubtless be done and we'd like to get a taste of normal American life. We are not into heavy drinking or nightlife too much but popping to the bar for a meal or out to a restaurant in the evenings would be ideal.

Any suggestions?

[Luke1981]

San Francisco is an awesome place! Plenty to see and do without costing the earth.

[The Mighty Elvi]

Boston.

[Len]

Chicago.

Apparently is very, very good.

[clipperjay]

Hamptons
Not cheap though.....

[J_V_Dub]

L.A 

[AlanD]

Did a massive USA road trip this summer and my two favorite destinations where New Orleans and Yellowstone nation park. Yellowstone sounds a bit too "out in the country" for what your after. New Orleans was awesome, some amazing people, insanely tasty food (especially if you like sea food) and some equally mental nights out were had. Having said that we spent 4 days there and had pretty much done everything there by the end of that. Your probably going to be better off going to one of the big cities like L.A or San Fransisco if New York isn't on your list.

Dont bother with Washington as there is f**k all there apart from the obvious land marks. Atlanta is also a total sh!t hole so dont go there either. Middle America was really intersting as you only ever hear of the big cities on the coast so it was great to visit places like Denver and Salt Lake City as well as the tiny little towns and cities along the way to see how they all live. Such friendly people. Its all bit of a mission really unless you going through that way so a big coastal city will probs be ideal.

San Fran gets my vote as people in L.A were either gangstas about to pop a cap in yo ass or insanely rich people that think they are better than anyone else (on the plus side there was A LOT of fanny around L.A to have a cheeky look at).

[Thom89]

West coast San Francisco, East coast has to be New York, only expensive if you make it so...
Or Boston, and head up to Cape Cod, and into Canada

Thom

[Kerrse]

Chicago is pretty good been there a couple times, lot to see if you like sight seeing

[haf1zur]

Chicago.

Apparently is very, very good.

+1