Need a true answer from anyone who lives in the U.S.A?

Show all answers

CHRIS

Portland, Maine, U.S.A. is actually back in 1953, so you would be fairly safe here. The island tours on a series of ferries called Casco Bay Lines are a great way to explore the coastline, and you can actually get off the ferry boat and explore any of seven or so nearby islands in about an hour or so, and then get the four o'clock (about) ferry boat back to Portland (on the mainland) as the afternoon begins to wind down. We have many people coming here during the summer because it costs less to eat in a restaurant and rooms are affordable and Portland Headlight is about a mile from where I am writing this e-mail to you. I have directed many people in their cars to it. There is Bradbury Mountain State Park. There is Reid State Park near Georgetown, down the coast ("Downeast") a bit, toward Wiscasset and beyond... about two hours from Portland by car. There is Popham Beach State Park, just beyond Bath a bit, about an hour and a half from Portland. There is also public transportation. There is The Cat which will take you by hydrofoil (I believe it is) to Nova Scotia. You and your children can visit the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (the great poet). There is The Tate House. There is The Victoria Mansion. For your children down near Saco, Maine, there is Funtown (a huge amusement park with waterslides, rides and such). These are all options if you come to Portland, Maine, and in closing I would strongly suggest you type the two words "Portland, Maine" into your Search Bar on your computer and just explore what you find. We have a municipal pipe organ which was the fourth largest in the world when it was built back in 1921 (I think that is when). The Cyrus Herman Kotzschmar Curtis Municipal Organ, located centrally for your convenience right in the auditorium at Portland City Hall. If you arrive by plane, you would put in at Portland International Jetport. If you would like to take a peek that municipal pipe organ, type its name from right above here into your Search Bar and click "Go." Concerts are in the evening and they are free to the public, although a donation is suggested, you can just go and hear beautiful music for free, if you would like. On Commercial Streert, we have a narrow guage railway train which goes a couple of miles around the perimeter of Portland. There is The Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill for you and your children to view outlying areas. That is a lot of fun for the children. I hope this gives you some new ideas about America. New Englanders are a bit reserved but very kind and honest and when you get to know us, we make great neighbors who will never let you down. We are always there when you need us. If your truck gets stuck in a snowdrift in the winter out of nowhere will come six strong men and we will pull your truck back onto the road in about five minutes. That is the way we are here. I have seen it happen, and my friend from Bradenton, Florida couldn't believe his eyes when they appeared and did exactly that once when he and I got stuck in a bad snowstorm. I told him "Just wait a minute and relax, and watch..." we were not disappointed, sure enough the guys all showed up, and we were back on the main road in about seven minutes. My friend remembers the event to this day. It made him into a believer. Take good care, and wherever you wind up this summer, have a good time! Sent with positive energies from Chris in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A. (I am 63 years old, so have had plenty of time to enjoy my home town. I have always lived here in South Portland. I am what you call a "native." We say it here a "native MAIN-nuh!" ("A-yuh!") which means "Yes!"

Tommiecat

You can also check out Branson, Missouri at Branson.com
Branson has a lot of Las Vegas type shows and are very family oriented. This town was built for tourism. They have Go-Cart tracks there that are really more than just Go-Carts for kids 4 to adult. Thet do have an amusement park called Silver Dollar City that is not quite as over whelming as Disney. Tons of stuff to do. friendliest people you can find

dunno

well it depends if you want to go to historial places the northeast side is good for that..if not you can always go to LA theres always things to do like universal studios, disneyland??, knotts, beaches, and many more. or hawaii. hope this helps

bookgirl924

Wow, you've really had a terrible time here! I'm so sorry!

As to suggestions where to go with children, that depends on what you (and they) like. There's a big selection of destinations here.

If you like mountains and beautiful scenery then I suggest Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. The nearest city is Boone, North Carolina and it's really nice. On top of Grandfather Mtn. they have hiking trails, beautiful scenery, a zoo, a museum and a scary swinging bridge.

If you like beach-y stuff then I recommend Key West., Florida. There's LOTS to do like the scenic tram ride, a treasure museum, snorkeling, jetskiing, Ripley's Believe it or not museum , street performers at sunset, and, of course, the beach is everywhere. It's a little less safe than N.C. but more active. Just stay in late night and you and your kids should be OK.

Also, I suggest ordering some pepper spray online to squirt any would be attackers.

Good luck!

rukidding

Philadelphia is nice. It's got a lot of early American history and lots of it is in downtown walking distance. The zoo is not far from there and even Sesame Place is not too far and that's geared to small ones. Look into it on the Internet. It's not far from the beaches, an hour to three hours away and the city is much cheaper than New York City or Washington.

unknown

i am a teenager and have a six year old brother. We really enjoy going to pigeon forge tennessee or galtinburg just in that area. Ur up n the mountains with down to earth country folk and there is tons to do i really think u and ur fam would enjoy tennessee!!!

TAMPABAYLADY

You can take your two small children to Six Flag's an Adventure, Amusement, Theme Park, Located in several States,in America. You can buy your Tickets and Season Passes on-line,if you prefer.

The states where they are located are,Texas was the first state to have theses theme Parks. One is called Six Flags Fiesta Texas,San Antonio,Texas, an other is called Six Flags Arlington,Texas
located between Dallas,Texas and Fort Worth Texas.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Arlington, between Dallas Texas and Fort Worth,Texas.

There are three located in California, one in San Francisco and two in Los Angeles. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom,located in Vallejo near San Francisco,California. Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor,located in Los Angeles,California.

Look up the other names of the Theme Parks located in the following states:
Altanta,Georgia,
Chicago,iIIinois,
Louisville,Kentucky,
New Orleans,Louisania,
Baltimore,Maryland/
Wasington,D.C. Area.
Springfield,Mass,
St. Louis,Missouri.
Jackson,Mississippi.
Two located in Lake George,New York State.
One located Darien Lake,Buffalo,New York State.
Two in Oklahoma City,Oklahoma.
Seattle, Washington State.

And two Theme Park out of the U.S.A.
located in
Mexico City,Mexico,
La Ronde,Montreal,Canada.

mr_fartson

There are places in any country which attract criminals. But there are lots of safe places in the US, including big cities such as New York. Look through a guide book, and decide where you want to go. Then post again for advice.

For my fellow poster from Ontario. I have lived in both Toronto and NYC. I like Toronto, but to say it is free of crime is nonsense. Just two weeks ago, a 15 year old was murdered in his own high school, and there have been a slew of murders and gang violence over the past few years.

I have traveled in both Canada and the US often without incident, But lay off the finger pointing.

ddlmu

Try Rhode Island - lovely beaches, quiet towns and a glorious place to unwind - and VERY safe. Friends who live in NY have bought a summer place there where they and their two children will spend the summer - I was there househunting with them last year and loved it. The kids are going to do all sorts of things - sailing, kayaking, riding etc - so plenty on offer. You have Newport and Providence as the major towns to visit, and are not too far from eith er Boston or New York.

bindiya

It really depends on where you plan on vacationing. Busch Gardens is an amazingly fun to be in. It is very diverse and full of culture of Africa and Europe. You can also visit Six Flags Theme Park. It is also a great adventure, definitely go to the Six Flags in California. Another place I recommend is Universal Studios. Universal Studios and Six Flags are both located in California and other states but Busch Gardens are only located in Williamsburg, Virginia and Tampa, Florida. Williamsburg is full of colonial history. If you are coming to America with children and want to show them a good time along with a sense of history of the US in the old days Williamsburg is a good place to go.

gary r

if you are looking to relax then go to norther California. its nothing like southern cal....

redding ca is a great place to get a house boat for the weekend. they are so much fun. they have everything you need in them, and you are in the middle of the lake! all you do is bring the food. you can rent boats and go skiing or just relax. people are very nice and no one should take your hand bag...... you can fly into sacramento, and drive 2 hrs north on I-5. there are 2 lakes, both are giant. there are mountains, and trails. it is a great place. my sister and law just had her family come in from out of town and they loved it. it does get very hot. 100-120. but it is a dry heat, its not sticky at all. you just jump in the water. have a good time

Yolanda L

We haven't been many places, but my children really enjoy the coast. (I have 5 children between ages 2 - 14) We have gone to a small place called Port Aransas on the Texas coast. It's a good place to just relax and play in the gulf. I would suggest looking for less busy places that are family friendly. Maybe smaller towns or communities rather than more touristy places. I'm so sorry about what happened to you and your family. I hope your future vacations are much better.

swksmason

I recommend a trip through Rapid City, SD. You can see Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mountain. Custer State Park. There is some fun things to do in Hill city that would interest younger kids. There is also Reptile Gardens which is a zoo of sorts for reptiles. The Cosmos is interesting as it takes your sense of perception from sight and Scrambles it. Plenty to do and see and it is pretty safe area.

Colorado Springs is another fun area with plenty to do and see. From Pikes peak and The North Pole(a very small theme park) to Garden of the Gods and Cave of the seven winds. PLenty to do in another very safe place.

chipshot

i have lived in san francisco,ca. dallas texas, virginia beach, va., memphis,tn, pensacola fl. spain and toronto,on. i spent considerable time in paramus, nj, atlanta ga. sante fe nm.
chicago il. st louis mo, nashua nh. all these places have excellent vacation qualities for a family. of them all i would say i too love toronto, on great zoo takes many days to cover. very nice amusment park out on the lake and 150km down the road is niagara falls. it is kind of pricey in toronto however. as for the states the pensacola, fl area hands down for family and children. beautiful beaches not crowded like a tourist trap. beaches are free. a really great aviation museum. to the west
about 90km is a world war II battleship for touring. you can also canoe the blackwater river for miles. the river is actually quite shallow (may come up to small childs waist. many aviation military bases in the region as well as many other family oriented activities. est part of all is it is not crowded and it is safe. as for accomodations log on to hotel-guide.com and type in the city that you decide to visit.
oh did i mention that the beaches are on the crystal clear blue waters of the gulf of mexico. if that doesn't interest you come to my home town of lancaster,pa and visit the quaint amish and mennonite communities, world famous hershey amusement park, lots of outlet shopping for the wife, excellent food, auctions authenic railroads both museum and rides.
wherever you decide to go i hope your next visit to our country will leave you with a far better impression than your last unfortunate stay.

chipshot

dina22

If you never visited California, try to take your 2 kids in this states. There's a lot of amusement park..beaches..and sightseeings you can go to namely;

San Francisco- Golden Gate
Seaworld & Zoo in San Diego
Six Flags
Knotts Berry Farm
Legoland
Universal Studios
Disneyland

We would Welcome you with open arms. It's really diverse state. Once you find a place to stay in, just take extra precaution by not leaving your important belongings at a hotel/small apartment when going out (i.e money, camera, jewelry,passport)and walk and act like a local not a tourist, so you won't get rub or hurt your kids on your way home. Though I hardly hear anything about a robber on a motorbike. It depends if you're in a downtown or farm or somewhere in the city. Hope this helps. Have a great vacation with your family.

T M

First let me say, sorry to hear your past experiences have been not so welcoming. Ever consider the south...say South Carolina? I love the Carolinas..the people are friendly and welcoming. If your family loves the beach..try Myrtle Beach/Hilton Head, SC or Charleston, SC ( Foley Beach) Both places are family friendly..and fun for all. There is lots of activities for children and adults.

Perhaps the mid-west area..say Chicago, IL. Navy Pier is great this time of year for the family!

HO HO HO HIC

dont holiday in the usa visit ontario canada its much safer

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: