Must-visit awful U.S. cities

That looks like where they shot that scene in Superman II where Ursa arm-wrestles the rednecks.

 

Ten pages in and no one has mentioned Memphis?

There are some great blues clubs and BBQ joints on Beale Street, and Mud Island is a nice little excursion, but the city as a whole is a crime-ridden dump.

Also, New Orleans, for all of its charm, has a lot of areas that are must-stay-away. Even the French Quarter has areas (generally the corners furthest from the river) that should be avoided.

 

Did a Tunica/Memphis extended weekend trip last December that was depressing as hell, and not just for the table games that were colder than the 0-degree wind chill outside.

 

Hey, I'd go for the music.

 

/@QYFW

 

New Orleans has really taken a nosedive in the last 6-7 years. Used to be you could at least feel reasonably safe in the touristy parts of the Quarter. Now the crime and violence is creeping in there, too. There's just an air of menace that wasn't there before. Last few times we've been there we barely even cared to wander around, especially after dark.

 

Myrtle Beach...,millions flock there...no one knows why.

 

Amarillo ain't my cup of tea, but if you're going through there you gotta take a longhorn limo and go to the Big Texan Steak Ranch. Don't try the 72 oz. challenge, though. You're not gonna be able to do it.

 

Because of the Gay Dolphin, of course!

 

Was there for JazzFest last year and you're spot on. The Quarter characters have upped (downed?) their game. I tried to spend most nights on Frenchman Street, bc down near Bourbon is just too touristy and pretty trashed up. Of course that whole hurricane thing in '05 didn't help the city's trajectory.

 

I'm frankly amazed (and relieved) that wasn't demolished for a 30-story condo years ago.

 

I once turned my last $10 into $750 playing blackjack in Tunica when I was 21 back in the mid-90s. Fond memory. Otherwise that place is a shithole.