Your USA Bucket List
3rd November 2017
The USA is full of iconic sights and has a fascinating history, so it’s no wonder thousands of people flock there each year for their holiday (or vacation!). Each state and city has something to completely unique to offer, from fine art museums and music festivals, to historical statues and unforgettable national parks.
Our travel experts have put together some of the best locations to go to in the United States of America and the top things to do when you’re there! Consider it your very own USA ‘Bucket List’…
You can’t go to the USA without visiting Los Angeles a.k.a La La Land, the City of Angels and the City of Dreams. L.A. has something for everyone, from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood Boulevard, to the wondrous magic of Disney World.
Start your trip off with a day at the beaches of Santa Monica or Venice Beach topping up your sun tan. Once you have had a hefty dose of vitamin D, it’s time to head off onto the famous streets of LA for lunch! From American style burgers, hot dogs and ribs, to juice bars, sushi, Thai and some of the best vegan restaurants in the world, you’ll never be stuck for choices. Whilst you’reaching in LA you also need to check out the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM machines – they really do give you a cupcake from a machine! Amazing – only in LA!
Whilst staying in LA you can’t miss out on taking a tour of Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures or Sony Pictures to check out many of the famous locations/buildings from your favourite movies and TV shows. After a jam packed day of sunbathing, eating and touring LA you can hit the town at night! Downtown LA is home to a variety of cool bars and clubs, while Hollywood is all about the glamour – so dress to impress!
If you’re a Pretty Woman fan (who isn’t?) then you know that Rodeo Drive is famous for its high-end shopping. You’ll find brands such as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and many more. If you don’t have the budget for shops like this, don’t worry – LA is home to dozens of boutique bargains, air-conditioned malls, and shopping districts.
If you are visiting California on your holiday, Las Vegas isn’t that far of a detour! Famous for its casinos and pool parties with world-famous DJ’s, it has museums, shopping, fantastic food, attractions and renowned shows!
Las Vegas has came a long way since the Rat-Pack days, drawing people into their smoky showroom to listen to legendary performers. If you are looking for something more to do in Vegas, you need to check out the Cirque Du Soleil or the many other world-famous shows that dominate the Vegas strip. From the girls of Fantasy to the guys of Thunder from Down Under, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
The political capital of the US and home to the President of United States (we still can’t believe it’s Donald Trump!), but there is more to do than just a visit the White House. Although to be able to take a tour of Mr. Trump’s abode, you best be quick! Tickets get booked up months in advance.
When you get to DC you need to experience the Old Town Trolley Tour, where you can visit many of the capital’s monuments and memorials. You will be taken past more than 100 different sights including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the US Supreme Court, and the Botanic Gardens.
Practically all American cities are full of fantastic restaurants and Washington is no different; it is filled with American-styled restaurants, New Orleans style bakeries, and seafood restaurants. If you fancy seeking something a little more alternative, the Union Terminal Market is for you. It’s an indoor food market selling Korean tacos and craft beer from a local micro-brewery. You can also count on the Americans to have giant pancakes stacked in maple syrup, so that’s definitely something you need to dive into.
The sport-crazy city of Boston is renowned for being the home of the Red Sox baseball team and the Celtics basketball team, so whilst you’re in town we’d definitely recommend checking out a game. Whilst visiting Boston you should also check out the world-famous colleges that it’s home to, in Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), even if you aren’t at college-age it’s still worth a visit. Both universities have over 100 buildings!
You can also take a tour of the Freedom Trail, which is paved into the sidewalks. The trail is a yellow line that connects 16 locations significant in American History. You can easily take this tour by yourself, without a guide and get a real taste for American history! Even though Dunkin Donuts is a rare store to find in America, you’ll find one on every street corner in Boston.
New York City is the most popular tourist destination in America and for good reason. There are many reasons why people love the city of New York, one of them being the shopping. New York has some of the best shopping and has fantastic high-end fashion, particularly during New York fashion week, which sees A-list celebrities and thousands of fashionistas flock to the city each year.
Whilst in town, make sure to check out Grand Central Station. Even if you aren’t planning on travelling anywhere, it’s a must-see. The station has been used in numerous famous movies and TV shows, and it’s easy to see why with its’ amazing architectural features.
Once you have visited some of New York’s finest sights, such as the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and 5th Avenue, make sure you head to the 9/11 Memorial. It’s one of New York’s most beautiful, cultural, and poignant monuments with its devastating past and the impact it has had on the city. It is such a beautiful place to remember those involved, and a place not to be missed.
Central Park is well known to everyone; a serene greenery in the centre of the concrete jungle where you can take a stroll around and soak up the outdoors with a coffee from one of the many indie coffee shops that line the streets.
In our opinion we think visiting New York in winter is as good as it gets, when Central Park is a winter wonderland, you can ice skate at Rockefeller Centre and get a first hand glimpse of the New York Christmas decorations.
Hopefully, after reading this blog, you’ll be itching to book your next trip! Here at Pillinger World Travel we have lots of offers available that include city breaks, twin-centre or even multi-centre trips.
Get in touch with our team and let our travel experts help tailor your next holiday of a lifetime!