Things to do and see in the USA

Made up of 50 states, the United States is one of the top destinations for those who love to travel. It occupies a vast expanse of North America, concentrating everything from the most impressive natural spaces to the most outstanding cities and cultural centres. There are too many things to do in the USA, so this post focuses on some of the most renowned national parks and the most important cities in this country.

Among the main cities to see in the United States, New York stands out as the most important global financial and cultural centre. It is also a world reference for the film industry, as well as for its architectural influence. Be that as it may, it is a destination that no one in the world should miss, and one that seems to be made to come back again and again and again.

Things to do in the USA

New York City, a visit to do in the USA

This is the most famous and most visited city to see in the United States. Beyond knowing everything there is to see in New York, the charm and magic of this city will leave you spellbound from the moment you set foot in it. Located on the east coast of the country, in New York, you will be able to visit the imposing island of Manhattan. It is the most representative district of New York.

Also, located in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park gives oxygen to this frenetic island. It is one of the largest and most famous urban parks on the planet. Moreover, it is one of the most important points of the city. This city is the most important global financial and cultural centre in the country and one of the most important in the world.

The list of places to see in this city is endless. But you can’t set foot in New York without visiting the legendary Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty, another of New York’s most iconic symbols. Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge is another classic activity. This famous bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world and the point where the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn meet. If you want to know what more film sets and emblematic monuments you can discover in this city, don’t miss our post: What to see and do in New York.

Niagara Falls

Considered one of the most beautiful natural sites to do a visit in the USA, Niagara Falls is located on the country’s border with Canada. Located just 4 hours away from New York, this is a place worth visiting on your trip to the United States. It is a beautiful natural park where you can not only admire the falls, but also do different activities. Such as the Cave of the Winds or Maid of the Mist, a boat trip that will take you as close as possible to the falls.

Washington D. C

Washington is the capital of the United States and a city that borders the states of Maryland and Virginia. Founded just over two centuries ago, Washington D.C. is not part of any of the 50 states but is a federal district. Washington is noted for its imposing monuments and neoclassical buildings, including the famous Capitol. As well as the White House and the Supreme Court.

Washington is the city where America’s most important decisions are made and a destination that holds the country’s political history. It is not a typical capital city compared to other world capitals, as it is small in size and is not among the most visited destinations in the country. However, its size allows you to visit Washington in a short time and with the ease of walking. Its proximity to New York makes it a popular day trip.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a great city both for its tourist value and its size. Also, it is undoubtedly one of the main places to see in California. Moreover, Los Angeles is divided into four areas where we enter. Downtown, where the most impressive skyscrapers are located. Santa Monica is the most animated zone located next to the sea. And on the other hand, Hollywood and the film studios where you must walk along the Walk of Fame, looking for the stars of your favourite artists. This long avenue captures the essence of Los Angeles, completely influenced by its film culture.

As one of the most important and iconic avenues to see in Los Angeles, you should visit Sunset Boulevard. Of course, this elegant city is a must-see on your trip to the United States. Moreover, you can’t be in Los Angeles and miss a visit to the Griffith Observatory to see the city of stars at your feet. In addition, the scandalous Beverly Hills neighbourhood where you can gaze at the imposing mansions. If you want to know what else you can see in Los Angeles, visit our post: What to see and do in Los Angeles.

Death Valley

Death Valley is the largest national park in the United States and is considered the lowest and driest area of the country. Also, Death Valley is an impressive place, which offers an almost desolate image that will surely not leave you indifferent. It is a work of art of nature that holds the record for being the hottest spot in the United States, where it has reached 57ºC. This is the lowest point in California, 86 metres below sea level at the Badwater location. This is a unique landscape, replete with water-carved canyons, sand dunes and a vast plain of pure salt.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a city in Northern California, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. Moreover, San Francisco greets its visitors with the iconic and imposing Golden Gate Bridge, offering a unique setting in the world. The Golden Gate Bridge is the city’s most iconic landmark and one of the most famous postcard visit you should do in the USA Located on San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was a maximum-security prison where prisoners considered incorrigible and dangerous like Al Capone were held. It is now the most famous prison in the world.

The Painted Ladies’ Quarter, Alamo Square is possibly one of the most charming neighbourhoods in the world, and another must-see on your tour of the United States. Likewise, the legendary Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood, the birthplace of the hippie movement, is another must-see. If you want to know more about San Francisco and the most interesting places to see, take a look at our post: What to see and do in San Francisco.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places to do a visit in the USA. Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has impressive granite cliffs, waterfalls, and a great diversity of flora and fauna. Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada 320 km east of San Francisco, covers an area of 3081 km2. The park was created in 1890 as the first national park enacted by the US government. It currently attracts 4 million visitors each year.

Geological activity in the park has led to the creation of interesting rock formations such as the Lost Arrow and Washington Column. But, undoubtedly standing out among them all is the El Capitan rock formation, one of the national rock climbing sanctuaries.

Las Vegas, a stop to do in the USA

Las Vegas is the city of sin and extravagance, but above all it is the city that never sleeps. As Elvis Presley says, if you visit Las Vegas even once, you’ll never be the same again. This Nevada city is famous for its casinos and endless nightlife, a must-see destination in the United States. Las Vegas has an endless supply of tourist attractions, worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.

Officially known as Las Vegas Boulevard, the Las Vegas Strip is the most famous street in the city. It is home to Las Vegas’ most famous hotels and casinos, making it one of the most photographed and visited avenues in the world. The Strip is approximately 5 kilometres long and concentrates most of the city’s points of interest. Such as the Stratosphere Tower, or the New York New York hotel in the south.

If you are thinking of going to Las Vegas, don’t forget to check out our post: What to see and do in Las Vegas, to learn more about this curious American city.

Grand Canyon of Colorado, an excursion to do in the USA

The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world and is a must-see excursion from Las Vegas. Carved by the Colorado River for more than 2 billion years, the Grand Canyon is an incredible 446 kilometres long with a maximum gorge height of 1,500 metres. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado presents different routes and areas to visit.

The West Rim is the western part of the Grand Canyon. It is the most popular part for travellers visiting Las Vegas, as it is the closest point to the city. Located 180km from Las Vegas, this area is characterised by its incredible cliffs and deepest straits. It is also famous for being the site of the Skywalk, a glass-floored observation deck located on a 1,300-metre deep cliff.

Chicago

Located in the state of Illinois, Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States, and one of the favourite destinations to visit in this country. Chicago’s architecture and defiant structures, along with its skyline of skyscrapers and towering buildings, make it a favourite destination for visitors to Lake Michigan. Millennium Park is part of Grant Park and is the lungs of Chicago. This park combines natural spaces with the most impressive architecture, right next to Lake Michigan, in the heart of the Loop.

Also, the Cloud Gate is a must-see on any trip to Chicago. This sculpture has become the city’s current icon. When it comes to the great thoroughfares of the world, Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is on par with New York’s Fifth Avenue and is a must-see in the United States. Discover the fantastic spaces this city has to offer by reading our post: What to see and do in Chicago.

San Diego

San Diego is considered one of the best cities in the United States to live in, and thanks to its perfect climate, incredible beaches and warm people, it is also an idyllic city to travel to. Pacific Beach is located to the north of the city and is undoubtedly one of the nicest neighbourhoods to see in San Diego.

The Carlsbad Flower Fields is one of the busiest places in San Diego, offering a vast space filled with flowers of all colours and scents. La Jolla Cave is one of San Diego’s most beautiful natural wonders and is made up of several beaches offering an idyllic setting. This large cove is one of the most beautiful of the best things to see in the USA. If you are curious about what else you can do in the city of San Diego, visit: What to see and do in San Diego.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, is one of the most striking cities in the United States. Situated on the banks of the Delaware River, it is the perfect city to explore on foot. Philadelphia is home to some of the most important symbols of American history, including Independence Hall. This is the most characteristic visit to do in Philadelphia, and also in the USA; the most symbolic places for Americans.

Independence Hall was where in 1776, the Declaration of Independence from the British Empire and later the Constitution of the United States was signed. In this city, you will also find the first post office in the United States, Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest street in the country, as well as the Betsy Ross House, the house-museum where the first American flag was sewn.

If you are curious about the history of what was the original capital of this fantastic country, don’t forget to visit our post: What to see and do in Philadelphia.

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Routes to do in the USA

Route 66, the route you should do in the USA

Route 66, with almost a hundred years of history and 4,000 kilometres long, has become one of the most desirable destinations in the world, and is part of the Federal Highway Network of the United States. It is one of the original U.S. federal routes and was established on November 11, 1926. This route traces a path from the East Coast of the United States to the West Coast.

It is the perfect way to get to know the true soul of the country, as well as its most representative landscapes and places. Route 66 stretches from Chicago, at the junction of Jackson Boulevard and Michigan Avenue, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and ends at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, California completing a journey of 3,939 kilometres.

Pacific Coast Highway, the trip to do in the USA

This route along the mythical Californian coast starts in San Francisco and ends in San Diego, passing through Los Angeles. The Pacific Coast Highway is a journey away from the crowded motorways through the best cities and the most characterful coastal towns of the Pacific. On this Californian highway you will find everything from bohemian spaces to elegance and glamour at its best, as it connects the main cities of California; San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

The stretch known as the Big Sur is the best known region through which the Pacific Coast Highway passes, connecting the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Located on the central coast of California, it is a beautiful route through the forests of the Santa Lucia Mountains, past cliffs and along the Pacific Ocean. Big Sur is home to towns and cities such as Carmel-by-the-sea, from where the route starts, to Hearst Castle, or the city of Monterey.

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most beautiful roads in the world where you can admire California’s scenery at every turn. You’ll find waterfalls, cliffs, hidden beaches and surfing paradises, places to eat fresh fish and wooden piers from which to watch sunsets over the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.

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