1 day to spend in any city in the USA - Which city and why?

[vicsta]

Hi all. Got an unusual request (although perhaps not so unusual, seeing how much most people have travelled here!).
I'm travelling to South America next month via LAX and MIA. Will be arriving in LAX at 8am, and have a flight leaving MIA at 4:30 the day after
EDIT: Will actually be leaving MIA TWO DAYS after - which gives about 1.5 days

If you exclude all of the time spent in airports/on the plane (i.e. YUPP fare(s) across america), and this basically leaves me around 24 hours (EDIT: 36 hours) to spend in one city.
(No, I'm not planning to spend both days doing status runs, as I will have just enough to make gold already!)

Was hoping for anyone's advice on where you would spend this extra day and why, of course keeping in mind the snowed over weather of late January / early February. (which probably means I should avoid Chicago O'Hare).
Thanks!

 

[casanovawa]

Wash DC and NYC are probably two of the more interesting for obvious reasons (well if you like historic sites, monuments, museums, touristy type things - if shopping or people watching or other interests are priorities there might be better cities)... So if you haven't been to either they would be high on my list...

San Diego was nice and probably warmer weather as would Las Vegas, San Fran is interesting perhaps although transportation might not be quite as good as NYC for getting around to see things in one day??

 

[Mal]

My faves:
- Washington D.C
- San Francisco.
- New York (but one night is way too short).
- Las Vegas

 

[Hvr]

Your timing means you will need to consider whether or not you want to carry winter clothing for a 24 hour stay.

If so then New York is the obvious choice. It is the front page of the USA and with planning you will see a few of the main sites.

However, be aware that this quick visit will increase your desire to spend a lot more time exploring the USA.

 

[deejo77]

I am going to be a little different - do a stop on the way - new Orleans, Memphis, Nashville even Dallas was OK for a 2 day stop over (JFK stuff). All the other cities.mentioned need more then a day

 

[Pushka]

If just one day, Washington DC or San Francisco.

 

[Alanslegal]

If this was me, I'd be hitting Las Vegas. Why? It's a place where I could eat, drink, party, repeat for 24 hours

 

[turtlemichael]

San Antonio if it works. May be achievable to give you a very late afternoon and morning before heading to MIA. I haven't looked at timetables. Do the Riverwalk, visit the Alamo and have a nice dinner. Also, weather should not affect it directly but who knows what might happen up the line. Another would be to on to Key West from MIA. Probably the most sensible would be to get to MIA and head out to South Beach for the evening and morning. I like the Crowne Plaza there.

 

[Anna]

I think, being practical, your best bet to see much would be to stay in LA. If you arrive at LAX at 8am you would be crazy to book an onward flight that leaves before 11 am, allowing for immigration and security lines. There's a 3 hour time difference between west coast and east coast. NYC is fantastic but you would land at 5pm at the earliest. Then you need to be checked in at MIA around 2-2.30pm the next day for your next flight which means a flight from NYC departing noon at the latest which means check in for that flight at 10am. So unless you are thinking of staying up all night, you don't have a lot of time for sightseeing if you cross the continent. IMO better to have the day in LA and an onward journey to MIA the next day.

Next most practical thing would be to go straight to MIA - you'll still land 5pm or so but it would give you more sightseeing time before your 2pm check in next day.

 

[VPS]

If you do decide to stay in LA and you like art then a visit to the Getty museum is a must - you could easily spend a full day there - otherwise NY, Washington, San Francisco

 

[vicsta]

Thanks so much for the advice so far! Interestingly enough, I miscalculated the time I have and actually have an extra day in the USA - Arriving LAX on Thursday 8am, and needing to leave MIA on Saturday at 4:30pm!
So far New York seems the most common suggestion - although I'm a bit worried about how most LAX-New York flights are via ORD (which seems the worst for getting delays from being snowed over)

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Santa Barbara, CA (home away from home)

 

[Grooba]

I'd head to SFO for the day and gorge on some chowder!

 

[Pushka]

I just think that 2 days in NY isn't long enough.

 

[erkpod]

Based on the scenario, I'd spend the extra day in LAX or MIA. I don't have a high opinion of LA as a city but you might enjoy the day relaxing.

 

[Fifa]

If you do decide to stay in LA and you like art then a visit to the Getty museum is a must - you could easily spend a full day there

I second the Getty Museum if you choose LA - amazing place.

 

[Sprucegoose]

If just one day, Washington DC or San Francisco.

Agree but DC takes more time the SFO.

 

[Jimgotkp]

LAS - The Strip isn't too far from the airport and you have plenty of entertainment and dining options within one area.
SEA - We have a light rail between the airport and the downtown area.