America – land of the free. How can we escape the
influence it’s left on the entire world, be it commercially
or through the media. But it’s a vast and curious
country, with a surprisingly amount of culture, available
to everyone. To truly experience the many different facets
of the United States would require several major road trips.
New York is perhaps the world’s
most famous city, and Manhattan island is a skyscraper showcase,
with a distinctly individual, slightly arrogant and assertive
character. It’s full of icons, such as the Empire
State Building, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero and Central
Park. Areas such as Greenwich, the Bronx and Brooklyn are
all uniquely fascinating for people watching.
Washington DC, the nation’s capital,
is more corporate and takes itself more seriously. Attractions
in this tourist-friendly city include; Capitol hill, the
Washington and Lincoln Memorials, the White House and many
Smithsonian museums.
Philadelphia is historically important
– independence was declared here and the constitution
also drawn up, its magnificent old buildings reflect this
character.
Boston is perhaps the most academic and
pedigreed of all the US cities, with an interesting history
that still leaves a certain European touch to the city.
Its riverside walks, historical trails and historically
interesting buildings are all appealing. Its also home to
Harvard and MIT colleges. It’s a good gateway to the
lovely New England region including Rhode
Island, Martha’s Vineyard and the many quaint fishing
towns in the northeast.
New Orleans is famous
for its mardi gras, hedonistic French quarter and Bourbon
street, jazz, voodoo and southern bayou culture.
Los Angeles is somewhat of a illusion
– the product of Hollywood’s imagination, where
dreams are made and bust, celebrities are common place if
you hang around the boutiques of Rodeo drive, Bel air or
Beverly hills. Santa Monica and Venice are great beaches,
to the south is Disneyland and Universal studios.
San Francisco is America’s most
liberal and unusual city, laid out on a hilly terrain beside
the lovely San Francisco bay, and typified by icons such
as the Golden Gate bridge, trams, Fisherman’s Wharf,
Chinatown and Alcatraz.
Between the two cities is the spectacular Highway 1 coastal
drive, several hours inland is the glitz and glamour of
Las Vegas, an entertainment paradise, while
several hours further east in Arizona is the incredible
Grand Canyon. Northern California also
boasts the spectacular Yosemite national park.
In the interior, the Black Hills National Forest
(South Dakota), is famous for the enormous presidential
busts on Mount Rushmore. Yellowstone national park
in the extreme northwest of the country is magnificent,
with its clockwork geysers.
The Great lakes region is also lovely, but built up.
Chicago is a busy hub that is full of skyscrapers
and mafia legend.
There are many ways to reach the US from Europe and Asia
and the air options here are mind boggling. Car is the chief
means of transport, although Amtrak has a well developed
and reliable network, but far less comfortable (due the
vast distances involved) is the Greyhound bus.
Everyone has a preconceived idea about America as a land
of McDonalds, obnoxious characters, assertiveness and wealth,
but each state has a distinct identity and if you explore
the interior (mid west), you’re discover hospitable,
simple, agreeable people. Absolutely everything is available
in America, whatever your dining or accommodation tastes
and budget. Shopping is cheap and excellent, and entertainment
options are mind boggling.
