25 Best Places in USA
What associations do you have when you hear "The United States of America"? Freedom? Disneyland? Obama? The lights of Las Vegas? Or maybe the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Wadav.com offers to know the entire color of the States, visiting, at least virtually, the top 25 places in the version of the guidebook Lonely Planet.
1. New York
A house for beginners, a refuge of stock magnates and immigrants from all over the world, New York is constantly changing but remains one of the world's centers of fashion, theater, food, music, book publishing, advertising, and finance.
In five urban areas - a striking number of museums, parks and ethnic neighborhoods. Follow the example of the inhabitants: walk the streets. Each quarter in this dazzling kaleidoscope reflects the nature and history of the city, and even a short walk will take you through various continents
2. The Grand Canyon
You saw him in the cinema, you heard about him from any traveler. Does it deserve such an obsession? The answer is a loud "yes". The Grand Canyon is huge, and its age is almost impossible to imagine: it was formed over 6 million years, and some stones within its walls - 2 billion.
Look over the edge, and you will come across the great power and mystery of the land on which we live. Having seen the Grand Canyon, you cannot compare it to any other miracle of nature.
3. Highway 66
In 1926, combining Chicago and Los Angeles, this concrete tape became the main US route. Along the way, you will see neon signs, car parks, snack bars and cinemas for motorists.
Since 1984, I-40 has been used instead of this road, but much remains to this day. Today, a trip on Highway 66 is a journey through the American outback. Having done all the way or only a part, you will come across classical America. The National Museum of Highway 66 is located in Elk City.
4. New Orleans
New Orleans live to eat. The French, Spaniards, Sicilians, Filipinos, Haitians, citizens of the former Yugoslavia, the Irish and the Germans - all contributed to this feast of the stomach, making New Orleans one of the most food-loving cities in the United States.
Yes, the city has a unique history, magnificent architecture, amazing music, but the trip here is connected only with food. Leave the French Quarter - the oldest part of the city - and grab a snack at Riverbend, Uptown, Faubourg Marigny and Bywater to experience the true taste of New Orleans - a crab in a soft shell with young potatoes and almonds.
5. Yellowstone National Park
The enchanting beauty of nature, amazing geology, the best places to observe wild animals of North America are just a few reasons why Yellowstone attracts more than other world national parks.
Divided into five clearly visible regions, it occupies a huge area - almost 5,600 square kilometers. A lot of days can be devoted to the study of its beauties. Among the highlights of Yellowstone are impressive geysers, waterfalls, Rocky Mountains, scenic heights with an excellent view of the area, gurgling mud boilers, and 1600 kilometers of hiking trails that give you the opportunity to see it all.
6. Autumn in New England
An important occupation, which takes on an epic scale in New England, is the observation of how the leaves change color. You can do this anywhere - just one tree. However, I want to see a lot. From Litchfield Hills in Connecticut and Berkshire Massachusetts to Stow in the north of Vermont, the hillsides are buried in crimson, orange and yellow crowns. Bridges, churches with white spires, thickets of maples in Vermont and New Hampshire - the terrain seems like a gateway to paradise.
7. San Francisco and the "wine country"
Drowning in the thump of old-fashioned trams and creeping into the evening thick fog, San Francisco extends to the hills and valleys. He invites to a long journey, to an acquaintance with music shops, world-class restaurants and the nightlife of Bohemia.
Turning around the corner to enjoy the view of the coastline, you are caught. If you can tear yourself away, visit the lush vineyards in the valleys of Napa, Sonoma Rush River, lying to the north of the city. Travel, wonderful wine, fresh vegetables from the garden - this is the "wine country".
8. Chicago
The city of winds will make you admire your appearance: buildings that touch clouds, beaches on the shores of lakes and world-class museums. Chicago is a mixture of high culture and joys of the earth. Is there another city where the sculpture of Picasso is dressed in the form of a local sports team? Where else do the residents stand in lines for hot dogs, like in the best restaurants in North America? Winters are harsh, but it's worthwhile to come flying, as Chicago celebrates warm days with food and music festivals.
9. The World of Walt Disney
"The happiest place on Earth" is exactly the name of "The World of Walt Disney", where you get the impression that you are the most important character in the show.
In addition to the crazy attractions, entertainment, and nostalgia, the magic is also to see: here is your own child is full of confidence from Gulf's smile, turned to him, Cinderella curtsy to him, here with Baz Leather he guards the galaxy or fights Darth Maul, like a real Jedi Knight.
10. Deep South
Steeped in history, the smug Deep South connects America's most enchanting features: moss-covered marshes of South Carolina, slag-block dives of the Mississippi Delta, the hidden French-speaking enclaves of swampy Louisiana.
Known for its slowness, the Deep South knows everything about the little pleasures of life: about the taste of fresh oysters in the hut near the Gulf, about walks along the avenues of the pre-war Savannah, about the sweet tea that you sip, chatting with new acquaintances.
11. Las Vegas
The city of sin is the heart of American dreams that radiates the neon light of a brilliant life. Here the names of the billionaires are flickering on the roofs of luxury hotels. Here, the noise of the slot machines, the tinkling of glasses from the martini and the hypnotic rhythms of the DJs that have not ceased until dawn merge into a single sound.
12. Pacific Highway
Coastal highways originate in Canada and snake along the West Coast of the United States to the Mexican border, revealing a landscape to motorists. From the tops of the cliffs, gaze opens up the raging waves, sunlit hills, eucalyptus forests, and lush redwoods.
The road leads past wild beaches, idyllic small towns, fishing villages, virgin tropical forests. Contemplation of nature can be combined with adventures in big cities, plunging into the lives of Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
13. Miami
What a lucky city! Others are satisfied with one or two merits, but Miami got everything. Pass the beaches and the historic area of Art Deco, and every turn will open new faces. On the smoke-filled dance floors, Havana emigrants dance sleep and boleros, in Brazilian nightclubs, Brazilian models with flashing eyes dance hip-hop latino, and in the park, the old men clap their dominoes. To top it all off in the streets and in restaurants - dishes of Caribbean, Cuban, Argentine and Spanish cuisine.
14. National Alley
Three-kilometer, framed with cult monuments and sacred marble buildings, the National Alley is the focus of Washington's political and cultural life. In summer, there are major music festivals, food festivals, and all year round visitors wander through the halls of America's richest museums, located among the greenery.
15. Yosemite National Park
The famous valley of Yosemite is of glacial origin. Here the heart always beats often, often, even in the summer, when roads are blocked by vehicles. In spring, plunge into the stream of roaring waterfalls with melted snow water; circumnavigate the high mountain meadows, drowning in wildflowers, singing the main theme from the musical film "Sounds of Music". The landscape of Yosemite intoxicates, dizziness is caused by sheer rocks, rock layers, ancient giant redwoods. If you are looking for solitude and space, 1770 square kilometers of pristine nature is what you need.
16. The Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains - home of the highest mountain peaks of continental America: steep peaks, turbulent rivers, centuries-old gorges, national parks. In winter, skiing and snowboarding on snowy slopes, in the spring - a hiking trip or a mountain bike trip to where everything blooms. On a sunny summer day, take a dip in the raging white waters. And besides, you can recharge on refreshing thermal springs and in small breweries, restaurants, where vegetables are served directly from the garden.
17. (Blue Ridge Parkway) Blue Ridge Highway
Near the southern Appalachian mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, you can enjoy the magnificent sunsets, view fauna and lose a sense of reality at the sight of wasteland stretching on the sides of this 750-kilometer highway.
18. Austin and San Antonio
One of the brightest stars in Texas, ecologically clean Austin is a city of food, drink, and shopping, full of creative and bohemian spirit thanks to the university's nonconformist sub-culture. This is one of the musical capitals of America: from its scenes every night a dizzying variety of melodies is heard. Two major music festivals collect the best of the best.
South-west of Austin is the city of San Antonio, fascinating tourists with a charming promenade, lively festivals (among them the ten-day festival of San Antonio) and a rich history (from serene Spanish missions to the battle for the Alamo).
19. Boston and Cape Cod
Direct your feet along the famous Freedom Trail, as if members of the long Boston tea party Paul Revere and Sam Adams. Feeling the history of revolutions, round the campus of Harvard University and defuse in any of the famous city clubs. Then relax on the beaches of the national coast of Cape Cod, go on a whale watching cruise and get lost in the wild dunes of Provincetown.
20. Native American cities
Southwest with its fantastic ancient and modern attractions - the country of Native Americans. In Colorado and Arizona, one can see ancient houses on the tops of cliffs, whose Indians lived among this impressive rocky landscape. Once there, you can hire a guide and make a trek to the sacred Canyon of De Schei, spend the night on the reservation and purchase handmade products from the masters.
21. Seattle
A modern city on the Pacific coast, Seattle has the ability to transform the ideas that originated here into global brands. He earned a place in the pantheon of the "great" megacities of the United States with the world famous music industry, a vibrant coffee culture and a propensity for Internet innovation.
22. Los Angeles
Although Los Angeles is the world's capital of entertainment, it's still not just a movie industry star. It is the city of the eccentric Veniz Beach, a district in the west of the city with beaches, canals, basketball courts and bicycle paths, art galleries and restaurants in Santa Monica, independent suburbs like Los Feliz and Silverlake, surfers like beaches like Malibu, Griffith Park.
Dig deeper, and discover a huge number of museums of all kinds of art, experiencing a cultural revival of the city center and full of life multi-national areas - there to find excellent food, just turn around the corner.
23. Texas barbecue
Texas is the state of the world-famous barbecue. Countless varieties of combinations of sauces and meat allow you to experiment endlessly with tastes. Our advice is to get hold of the plate and choose something to your liking. And do not bother searching for the newest and best: real treasures are combinations that have been popular for decades. Also, do not look for a way to eat barbecue without getting dirty: a pair of napkins - and go.
24. Central America
Endless open roads, mesmerizing parks like the Badlands and delicious food in Kansas City - these are just a few pearls on the beads of the Great Plains. There are plenty of surprises around, and some may surprise you more than you expected: Karhenge in Nebraska, the Corn Palace in South Dakota and the stunning Space and Space Museum in Kansas. Take a ride on the legendary old roads like the US50, and you will get an unforgettable experience.
25. Hawaii
Hawaii is a magical place. Where else in such a small area will you find tropical rain forests, smoking volcanoes, tumbling waterfalls and beautiful beaches? Beautiful hiking trails and opportunities for kayaking with ancient coastal rocks, surfing (for pro and beginners), and full of the elusive charm of the island: you slowly contemplate the world and enjoy a wonderful meal.
In addition, Hawaii has its own culture, imbued with the Polynesian atmosphere of relaxation. Set up to spend more time here than expected.