[Drew]

I'm thinking of visiting the USA next year, have never been there but think it's time. Alright I'm very European so don't want to visit a major city and fight gangsters  ( okay I watch too much tv) more just want to hire a car and drive around a bit but don't know where. I am as said very European so don't want to have to run away from bears or be terrified of poisonous snakes.....they do creep me out a lot! Snakes scare me.
There are a lot of US people here so am asking for advice from the people in the know....where should a naive European go? or definitely not go.Will I have to smuggle a hedgehog through customs to protect me, am really, really afraid of snakes have been bit once and it felt like being electrocuted but hedgehogs hate them too and are really good at killing them. I want to visit and enjoy the rural nature but have absolutely no idea of where I should go.

My 2 cents(in New York State).....

No bears in these parks.....(unless you go looking, you won't come across any snakes)

All these offer overnight camping options(tents and cabin rentals)

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/letchworth (Good hiking, views)

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/watkinsglen/maps.aspx (Great little canyon, very photogenic)

Then there's more north......

https://parks.ny.gov/regions/adirondack/default.aspx (Huge "park", if you can consider a
24,281 km²

region that encompasses several towns and mountains). Tons of mountains and hiking trails, brown bears tend to avoid human areas)
There are tons of little towns and villages throughout this area. Two larger ones would be Lake George and Lake Placid, both offer plenty of out door activities, and Lake Placid has an Olympic training center.

Another out of the way town is Old Forge, NY. It has a camp ground, and a water park.
..............
Out west, Colorado Springs, Colorado is great visit. "Garden of the Gods" and "Pikes Peak" are the favorite tourist destinations. Pikes Peak is
4,302 m in height and you can drive to the top, or take the Cog Railway for a more leisurely time. I suggest the Railway. Denver is an hour away by interstate, which runs along side the Rocky Mountains. You should be able to find a white water rafting company for a fun adventure. There are also a few other parks in the Colorado Spring Area.

Yosemite National Park (YO - SEM - I - TE)

https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

In California, fairly close to major airports. Offers good hiking, and wildlife avoids human areas. Awesome views and nearby...

Redwood National Forest.

https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm

Park with trees larger than buildings. Taller and wider in some instances.

Finally, there's Yellow Stone National Park.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

Offers spectacular views, and crazy wildlife. Yes, there are bears, Grizzy Bears, but as long as you are in a group or guided tour, they won't be a problem. Yellow Stone also has Bison, which is about the size of a small elephant, but furry. They are mostly passive, but if you get to clase you can spook them and that's when the bad stuff happens. "Old Faithful" is here, which you've probably seen in a movie.

Warning - This one is seriously out of the way, major driving required to access.

WOW! Bash that is highly informative and quite impressive. I would have never considered New York as I only see it on Television as big and bad city where horrible things may happen. Now am really confused as to where I should go, my thoughts were initially Alabama but thats only because I like the song. But thanks, you have sold me can't wait for covid to end and my covid, am in week 2,  and travel. You have seriously taken some time and thought into that post and I do appreciate it very much. Thanks

While I don't think highly of the current state of New York (though the state is likely in a better state than the city), West Coast, or pacific northwest, I must admit that theres not much reason to go to alabama. Listen to the song in a different state.

As for horrible things, just stay out of the big cities, prices (and crimes) are higher there, and not all of them are worth the price. National Parks are great, I'd like to add Carlsbad Caverns to the list, and maybe the Smoky Mountains, though I dont remember how good those are. Caves, mountains, and canyons are great places to go. Beaches and historical architecture are hit or miss.

Yes big cities can be very expensive, I love London but gosh it's expensive if you don't know where to go. Berlin is quite nice too but also has areas you should stay away from. Hamburg is our second largest city and only about an hour drive but I think it's pretty crap. There is the famous red light area the Reeperbahn, as prostitution is legal here that's where tourists go. But Venice is lovely, people who have never been there say it stinks, whenever I was there it didn't pong at all.
But yes National parks sound like my thing, I live rural and work mostly in Cities. Not sure where this is coming from, still in hospital and very, very seriously bored now that I'm finally awake, and shocked too at what has been happening here as I was 'out of it' so many lost because of rain??? Been almost everywhere but the closest I have got to the US is Canada. But that was military so I didn't see much just mostly the inside of my tank turret, a turret looks the same no matter where you are.