In December, I made a trip to Los Angeles. Film and television have always been intriguing, and it finally worked out to make the visit. Chicago and New York City have already been checked off the visit list. With these cities being the three largest cities in the United States, it feels right to make the comparisons.

Chicago feels like a larger Des Moines – plus trains. It is the most Midwestern city, obviously. Most of the tourist action takes place near downtown Chicago, and it is easy to walk around this part. If going to a sporting event, either driving or public transportation is the way to go. Visiting Chicago is better in warmer weather than in the colder months. While Chicago is spread out, it is not as bad as Los Angeles, and nothing like New York City.

The beauty of New York City is that the public transportation is phenomenal. It is cheap, and there is no headache of driving through traffic. The trains and buses also run all night. It is important to look out for train cars which are empty while the others are full. Do not get in the empty car. While commuting via public transportation, one can focus on other tasks. New York City also has many attractions to see, and all five boroughs are worth exploring. Outside of Manhattan, Brooklyn is the next best one. With so many people living in this city, entertainment is always happening.

If you do not mind driving, Los Angeles is the way to go. The destination might only be 10 miles away, but it will take 45-50 minutes to drive to it. Traffic can be busy at any time of the day, but the best part is it never stops. It is only slow moving. Do not have a hard schedule because it will always take longer to get to where one is going. Driving in the hills around Los Angeles provides a cool view of the city, landscape, and the preposterousness of houses which are built into the side of a hill. Seeing the different studios interspersed throughout the Los Angeles area is also unique.

Visiting these three cities is worth it. Each has their own vibe. Chicago feels the most like Iowa. New York City is bustling. Los Angeles feels like New York City but feels cooler, calmer, and collected. The best city to visit out of the three is New York City. This city has action going on around each street corner and feels entirely unique compared to any other city in the United States. It is worth the trip.

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.