Visiting the US, any reccomendations?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Next month I'll be visiting the US for the fifth time. This time it's a political endeavor, a visit to the city that has just become the sister city of my town.

This town is in Montana, which I never visited during my trips to the US. So, any reccomendations?

For whoever is wonder what "sister cities" are - a sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities.

[MrOracle]

That's cool - my town has a sister-city in Japan.

Montana is a very large state, with the lowest elevations still being pretty high (500m or around 1600 feet) and lots of mountains and valleys. It's also pretty far north, so while it can be quite warm on a summer day, the weather can turn quite cold at night, or even sometimes during the day, so bring winter clothing as well as summer clothes.

Montana has fairly low population density. The cities are full of people, of course, but once you leave the cities, there are lots of very large ranches where you can drive miles before you reach the next piece of property. Hunting, fishing, and ranching, as well as some oil field work, are the big industries there.

Montana is called the "Big Sky State" and that's largely because if you get up on any ridge, you can see for many miles in all directions and you see a whole LOT of sky above you - and what you're seeing won't look much different than what people would have seen 500 or 5000 years ago from the same spot.

[lightbulb27]

what does this mean to be a sister.. just communications? you have a good job, very fortunate. most in your area probably cannot travel.

Montana - you are going to be amoung very very rich people! White fish montana... very nice, get a bike and ride up to the glaciers.

good timing... it's not -20F!

we are in Italy right now, not too far away I think.

you could easily deposit some of your refugees there, the population of this "huge" stage is very small. rarely see people...

Be friendly, everyone seemed happy there and glad to talk.

People there... very very rich generally...

[SaoirseS]

Montana is gorgeous! It’s quite a scenic place, you should enjoy anywhere there. Are you asking about other locations as well?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I was thinking of visiting nearby states and locations as well, since I have some free days.

[SaoirseS]

Driving distances can be pretty long, but you'll be in a scenic region. Glacier National Park is a good visit. As another user commented, southwest South Dakota is also a scenic visit. Idaho and eastern Washington state are also in reach. One thing about that part of the country is there is a lot of wide open spaces and spectacular scenery. If you're into big city life, you won't find it there. If I may ask, which Montana town/city is becoming your sister city?

[Bluemax]

If you visit South Dakota, you should see the Crazy Horse Memorial. It's not complete, but it's AWESOME!!! I recommend seeing it at sunset. You can visit Mt. Rushmore, too. It's about 20 minutes away from the Crazy Horse Memorial.

[Jamie05rhs]

I second what @Bluemax said. I have seen both of them.

[Agape93]

Haven't been there. Ducky would be more likely to know but sadly she's no longer on the site

[OlderAndWiser]

Montana is more than 3,700 km from my hometown and I've never been there, so I can't help you with your question.

[ethanallen]

Have a great time but please be cautious. Do not become a victim of violence. The United States is a violent place to live but right now, there is considerable hostility toward foreigners. We are a country of laws, police and courts but if your are killed, none of that matters. Don't take the possibility of violence directed at you because your are from another country lightly. Investigate how you will protect yourself while here and how to spot signs of danger.

There is a youtube channel on people who love guns and like guns for personal defense (a popular theme in US). The host repeatedly says " Don’t go to Stupid places, with Stupid people, at Stupid times, and do Stupid things. Break one and you might be okay. Break 2 or more Rules of Stupid, though, and you’re in trouble."

[Jamie05rhs]

Wow- that's awesome! I hope you have a wonderful trip. I don't know a whole lot about Montana, though I have been there once and I have some friends there. I wouldn't recommend going to Yellowstone National Park, just because it's so crowded and there are a lot of traffic jams there. (You can definitely go there, just not in July.). I do recommend Glacier, though.

How long will you be in the U. S? Are you open to exploring any other states while you're here?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I'll be there some 14 days, but the visit will be 10 days long. So I was thinking of visiting nearby states as well!

[Jamie05rhs]

@Sun_Kim-Ai Do you mean that you already have a set itinerary to spend 10 consecutive days in that particular city, but you have 4 extra days with no plans as of yet? Are they 4 days on the end? Or are they two days on the front and 2 days on the back end?

[Jamie05rhs]

@Sun_Kim-Ai I'm just asking for the purpose of logistics.

Also, you can send me a private message if you prefer.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

They are on the end. I will staying in an hotel in those last four days, while the first ten I will be guest of a person.

[Jamie05rhs]

Ah, okay; I see. Have you already booked the hotel? If so, is it refundable?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Yes. It's Marriott, and having a membership card I can change my stay to another location of the chain with little dues.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Sun_Kim-Ai Okay; great. So then you basically have 4 whole days -- or maybe 3, depending on your flight schedule -- to go anywhere you want and do anything you want.

Are you able to rent a car?

[Jamie05rhs]

@Sun_Kim-Ai You can either go west, or go east. But you may not have enough time to do both. Which area would you prefer?

[Bluemax]

Glacier and Yellowstone national parks. Most of Yellowstone is in Wyoming, but a sliver of it is in Montana. If you can make it to Yellowstone, I might recommend Grand Tetons. Montana is a big state. 4th largest in the U. S. It would be helpful to know whereabouts in Montana you'll be.

[Jamie05rhs]

The Grand Tetons are absolutely stunning. But he's from Italy, so I don't know if it's better than what they have there.

[WhiteSteve]

I haven’t been to Montana, but word is that it’s one of the most beautiful states in the country as far as nature goes. There’s fuck all to do there, haha, it’s pretty rural, but you should definitely take a hike at a State or National Park out there and see some of the sites.

[RasmusAiken]

Be sure not to miss Glacier National Park. You may be unable to easily enter NW Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park because the road was washed out but it's very much worth the effort. Grand Teton National Park south of Yellowstone is also well worth the effort.

[Jamie05rhs]

www.nationalparkstraveler.org/.../repairing-and-reopening-yellowstone-national-park-wont-be-easy

[Andres77]

Glacier National Park in Montana

the Black Hills in South Dakota.

[Jamie05rhs]

All of southwest South Dakota is awesome.

[Andres77]

@Jamie05rhs 👍👍👍

[Bluemax]

Badlands National Park is cool, too.

[Andres77]

@Bluemax agreed. I just didn't know how much time he has to go sightseeing or how far he can go. Yellowstone would also be great to see.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Bluemax I agree yet again!

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Great suggestions, thank you!

[OddBeMe]

Flathead lake in Montana is surrounded by cool small towns. Look up any state parks in the area as there are some wildfires and flooding (somehow at the same time)….

Drive the Pacific Coast Highway if you can. Great road trip.

[Jamie05rhs]

@OddBeMe The PCH is in California.

[OddBeMe]

@Jamie05rhs uhh... yeah

[Jamie05rhs]

Just sayin'. A loooooooong way from Montana! Haha

[Still-alive]

Yeah you should probably stick with visiting the cities more as they are more accepting than the rural parts. my recommendation. we got a lot of umm racists here as im sure you may realize lol

[Still-alive]

not that montana and rural places aren't pretty or anything. i'd just be wary of some of the people there.

[SaoirseS]

Montana is fine. People are friendly and the place is peaceful.

[Still-alive]

@SaoirseS if you say so. i've never been there.

[Fromdusktilldawn]

National parks in Utah, Colorado, Nevada. Florida with the beaches and theme parks

[KatherineJ]

I’ve only been to Montana once as a kid. Have fun, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

[jshm2]

Yeah, don't bother going to that 3rd world country.

[Agagagagaga]

Montana has more going for it than the UK and it’s not even a country 🤣

[Iron_Man]

Go to Wyoming it’s close to it go to Jackson Hole Wyoming

[KrakenAttackin]

"Sister city" seems pretty absurd.

Montana is amazing.

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

It's a good way to promote cultural relations and exchanges

[EnglishEuropean]

Never leave. They won't notice one extra person with all this illegal immigration.

[Jamie05rhs]

Lol. He has responsibilities back home.

[LeftHappy]

Yellowstone is burning or else i would say go there.

[Zeus_66]

Have a wonderful time and welcome back!

[love_conquers_lust]

What are the sister cities?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities.

[love_conquers_lust]

Not what is a sister city (the definition). What ARE the sister cities you are referring to?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I can't mention them because I'm the mayor of mine, and if I mentioned it people would know my real name. And I don't really want random strangers adding me on Facebook or doxxing me.

[exitseven]

Bring your kevlar.