America’s 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson, once said that America is not merely a nation but a nation of nations. When one enters downtown anywhere in the US, it’s not hard to see that he was right. From the panoramic New York skyline to the awe-inspiring Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, from the majestic splendor of the Great Lakes to the grandeur of the Alamo in Texas, America offers a wide variety of attractions for the avid explorer, the intrepid tourist or the laid-back vacationer. Here’s our list of ten attractions you cannot miss in the US.
Central Park, New York
With 25 million visitors each year, Central Park is first on our list of attractions you cannot miss. The iconic Times Square ‘The Crossroads of the World’ is about a mile to the North-East at West 59th Street, but this historic park is where New Yorkers come to unwind and it represents the true diversity of the US. The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre is a cultural landmark which hosts one of America’s oldest marionette companies. For the naturalists, Central Park is a rare treat with ‘The Ramble’ a thick wood which is known for bird-spotting, the lake, where a boat ride ensures tranquility and a wonderful view of the park’s various activities and the zoo, which among other attractions contains a Polar Bear pool. Classical Music concerts hosted on the Great Lawn, and free performances from the world’s best musicians at Central Park Summer Stage, complete a visit to what is the greatest park in the world.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C
The Lincoln Memorial is a must-see attraction in the US and is a memorial to America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. The memorial is free to visit and open to the public all day and night. Modeled on a Greek temple, this impressive building has a statue of a seated Lincoln 19 feet high. This memorial to a great American President was opened in 1922 and overlooks the reflecting pool and the towering obelisk of the famous Washington Monument. The Lincoln Memorial is also the site of Martin Luther’s unforgettable speech, "I Have a Dream" which was a landmark in the America’s Civil Rights Movement. Nearby, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the seat of power in the United States. No visit to the US of A is complete without a visit to the official residence and primary office of the President of the Unites States of America.
Disneyland Park, California
The sign as you enter says “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy”. Named after one of the giants of entertainment, Walt Disney, Disneyland Park often called ‘Disneyland’ is a wondrous attraction and delight offering fun for the entire family. The sheer magnitude of this fantasy world begins with Main Street and the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle with worlds such as Adventure land, the tropical paradise and Fantasy land. Step into Frontier land and enjoy a trip back in time to the pioneer days. Tomorrow land offers a glimpse into the future while Critter Country showcases the culture of America’s indigenous people. A particular favorite is the Pirates of the Caribbean show in New Orleans Square. No matter what age you are, this is one place you cannot miss.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Carved by the mighty Colorado River, the Grand Canyon truly lives up to its name. This breathtaking landmark is one of America’s natural wonders and is nearly 300 miles long with the valley surrounding the winding meanders of the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon is best seen from the 2000-meter high vantage point called the South Rim. Apart from being a major attraction in the US, it is also of historical and archaeological importance. Located a short distance away is the Grand Canyon Village. Apart from the awe-inspiring and panoramic scenery, several buildings of historical importance are worth a visit. The Buckey O'Neill Cabin, the oldest structure on the South Rim, the Desert View Watchtower and The El Tovar Hotel from 1905 are a few worth mentioning. There are daily helicopter tours which fly over the canyon and offer many photo opportunities to capture the grandeur of this great natural landmark.
Niagara Falls, New York and Ontario (Canada)
These massive waterfalls, which divide into two falls, the Horseshoe Falls and American Falls stand between Canada and the United States on the Niagara River. Widely considered one of the most stunningly beautiful waterfalls in the world, this is a tourist attraction which draws millions of visitors from across the world. The best place to get a good view of the falls is the Prospect Point Park observation tower. For those who want to get closer to the falls, the famed Maid of the Mist offers cruises to the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls and is the biggest attraction here.
Yosemite National Park, California
Set in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, this National Park is one of America’s largest and biologically diverse ecosystems. It is designated as a World Heritage Site and is about a 6 hour drive from Los Angeles. The Mediterranean climate and rich ecosystem along with the towering granite rock structures make Yosemite a must-see destination. No visit to Yosemite is complete without seeing El Capitan, the towering cliff which stands overlooking the valley. Rock climbing, trekking and other forms of eco-tourism form the key attractions at Yosemite. This region is also home to the Giant Sequoia trees which are among the oldest and largest living beings on earth. While there are many lookout points in the park, Glacier Point is one of the popular ones.
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
The Kennedy Space Center is the hub of NASA and the launch site of every manned space mission. The visitor center of this mammoth facility displays spacecraft and other exhibits which chronicle man’s reach into the final frontier: Space. The exhibit area draws millions of visitors each year and features the largest rocket known, the Saturn V rocket, as well as mock-ups of several spaceships. The ‘Today & Tomorrow Tour’ and the ‘Cape Canaveral: Then & Now Tour’ are the definitive guided tours for any space enthusiast. Attractions include a visit to launch areas, reserved lunch with an astronaut and tickets to view an actual space shuttle launch. Adding a touch of realism is a space flight simulator which simulates a launch and flight of a space vehicle.
The Las Vegas Strip, Nevada
Las Vegas is home to the most exciting entertainment, the hub of gambling and high-stakes living and a must-visit destination in the United States. The Las Vegas Strip is the name for Las Vegas Boulevard South and contains almost all major Casinos, Hotels and Resorts in Nevada. The Cirque Du Soleil, who describe themselves as “dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment” are the major attraction in Las Vegas and top acts from the music and entertainment industry perform regularly at the many hotels and casinos here. The MGM Grand is one of the largest hotels in the world is located on the strip along with several marquee names such as Caesar’s Palace, Mandalay Bay and Casino Royale.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
The famous carving of four former Presidents of the United States into a rock face is one of the greatest man-made tourist attractions in the United States. Each of the faces of the Presidents is 60 feet in height. The sculpture depicts the first one hundred and fifty years of U.S political history and is located near Keystone in South Dakota. Mount Rushmore is the source of many tales and legends of significant historical importance.
The Statue of Liberty, New York
We round up the do-not-miss attractions in the United States with the national icon of American culture, the Statue of Liberty. A gift from the French to the Americans, the statue was completed in October of 1886 and is a national monument. Lady Liberty, as the statue is affectionately called, is a symbol of freedom to the American people. This massive statue stands on a pedestal at a combined height of 93 meters and is open to the public to climb to the top of the crown and look out over the ocean and the New York coastline. Access is through a paid ferry service, although entrance to the statue itself is free. A beacon revered and loved by the American people, no visit to the land of the free is complete without visiting Lady Liberty.
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