Lonely Planet guidebooks call Queens, NY the best travel destination in the United States

New York Daily News; CNN Photos ^ | Wednesday, December 10, 2014 | BY ELI ROSENBERG , CHRIS ERIKSON

[SeekAndFind]

It's the city's largest, and most diverse, borough. Now it’s … the best tourist destination in the nation?

That's the word from Lonely Planet tour guides, which has anointed Queens as the Best U.S. Destination for 2015.

"Queens is finally emerging from the shadows of Manhattan to take its place as one of New York's most fascinating boroughs," the guidebook’s writers said.

True, there are only five boroughs, but still.

"I've watch it change from forgotten to an exciting destination," said Regis St. Louis, Lonely Planet’s coordinating author — and a resident of Brooklyn.

St. Louis said Queens has the tourism “momentum" thanks to recent upgrades of the Queens Museum and the Museum of the Moving Image, the creation of the Kaufman Arts District and the Emerging Arts Festival, and the modern-art Mecca PS 1.

Also, Lonely Planet touted:

The beer: Borough brewers such as Transmitter, SingleCut, and Finback offer “new and cutting edge” brews.

The hotels: There’s “new boutique hotels and upmarket hostels" — and more to come.

The beach: Rockaway is New York's best beach, says the guide, noting the "burgeoning eating and drinking scene." And unlike three other boroughs, Queens has a baseball team (alas, it’s the Mets).

Queens officials were crowing Wednesday — though they hoped the other shoe wouldn’t drop.

[SeekAndFind]

[SeekAndFind]

Here’s the full list of top travel destinations:

1. Queens, New York

2. Western South Dakota

3. New Orleans

4. Colorado River region

5. North Conway, New Hampshire

6. Indianapolis

7. Greenville, South Carolina

8. Oakland, California

9. Duluth, Minnesota

10. Mount Shasta region, California

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Oakland? I’ve seen it on TV for the last few weeks. Broken windows and all. No thanks.

[P.O.E.]

“I’d retire first. It’s the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark looking like you’re riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It’s depressing... The biggest thing I don’t like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?”

- John Rocker, 1999

[SeekAndFind]

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE WEST... HERE's THE SECOND PLACER...



A stunning natural wonder where the buffalo roam, western South Dakota has much to celebrate in 2015. It's the 50th anniversary of the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally -- the largest in the world -- where 500,000 motorcycle enthusiasts meet annually.

[SeekAndFind]

OAKLAND?

Here's what CNN tells us....

Cross the Bay Bridge during your visit to San Francisco to see why Oakland is a known haven for adventurous food and fun art (Art Murmur anyone?) to Bay Area residents. Better yet, land at Oakland's sunny airport and stay on this side of the Bay. Bicyclists can also ride the newly opened Bay Bridge trail to enjoy the views on the new span of the Bay Bridge.

[Conservative4Ever]

Oakland???!!!! Is this guy on crack?

[SeekAndFind]

To John Rocker: If you don’t want to have to leave the USA to see the world... WELCOME TO QUEENS, NY.

[FreeReign]

Queens is good for going to its airports and flying far away.

[EternalVigilance]

I’ve sat a number of times and watched the buffalo herd grazing out in the Badlands of western SD. If you look away from the road, out across where they’re scattered across the plains, it has a really prehistoric feel to it. Beautiful. Unforgettable.

[FreedomPoster]

That’s some good eatin’ on the hoof!

[Caipirabob]

I’d say the author needs to get out more. What a crap list.

[Beowulf9]

hahahahaha!

[Caipirabob]

The American West is every bit as spectacular as it has been described since it was first crossed by pioneers.

I have been blessed to have seen as much of it as I have in my lifetime (not my photos!)

Some viewing music

[FlingWingFlyer]

You beat me to it. Those are the greatest travel destinations in the US in my humble opinion.

[wardaddy]

Rushmore

NOLA

Colorado river...maybe

Conway NH used to be cheesey like Gatlinburg or Kissimmee or sadly now even Jackson WY:

6-9?

That’s nuts.

Shasta area....I like it......pot growing area meets Ben Hoss and little Joe.....and this huge lump sticking up....lotsa Garden Flag types

I like the area especially from Susanvile to Yreka to Shasta

Good part of the Peoples Republic of Kali

I used to travel overseas for adventure and profit and women

Lonely Planet came out late in my day but we knew it was hippy bull shite straight away

Fodors or the fat Jewish guy.....he was great....or just Michelin

Decent guides....

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

Lonely Planet has some good guidebooks, but I just don’t think much of this list. Some of my choices:

Glacier National Park

Mountains of western North Carolina

North Shore of Kauai

Eastern portion of Maui

Grand Tetons

[EternalVigilance]

[2ndDivisionVet]

New Orleans is a high crime $#^+-hole. Oakland? Hahahahaha!

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

My list.

Northern Rocky Mountains.
South Rocky Mountains,
Sierra Nevadas.
Black Hills
Southern Utah
All points in between.
NYC.