As an intern on the Mountbatten Institute New York Programme, I had one year to make the most of my time. I'd scour the internet for the 'the top things to see and do', 'what to see & do in USA' and the 'best places to visit in America' but seldom find anything beyond the obvious. And so after a year of exploring I decided to create this website to help people put together their own adventure. I hope the top 30 things to see and do in America inspires you and leads you on to some great experiences in the USA.
25. Be enlightened at the Liberty Museum
There are attractions in Philadelphia with far greater fame than the National Liberty Museum but few are done so well. Museums are hardly my passion as I quickly lose interest in reading all the captions. However this museum is less about reading and more about thinking and feeling. I wouldn't be able to do it justice, so the museum describes itself as 'dedicated to preserving freedom and democracy by fostering good character and understanding for all people... that illuminate the strength and fragility of democracy and recognize the role each person plays in safeguarding our freedom.' That doesn't do it justice either. I wouldn't go as far to say the National Liberty Museum is the reason to visit Philadelphia, but if you're already going to see the Liberty Bell or run up the 'Rocky steps', it should be a priority attraction. Do go when it's likely to be quietest though as the subject matter requires some quiet introspection. For $7 adults ($5 students) you can easily spend a couple of hours in here and you'll come out feeling better about the world we're striving for. http://www.libertymuseum.org/
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24. Get on the roads and stay in motels
America is designed to make driving easy: the roads are much wider than those in Europe, automatic transmission is the standard, fuel is cheap, and public transport outside of the major cities is costly and sadly inadequate. You'll also see much more of the country this way and stumble upon towns and general randomness you otherwise never would have found. When you're done for the day driving, stay in a motel rather than hostels or hotels. Movies connote the motel as a place of notoriety [maybe this is why it appealed?] and I started off with these cheap and seedy places to stay but ended my travels with cheap-but-ever-so-slightly-more-comfortable places. It's wiser to book in advance when you know your route and/or when you're traveling during the peak season. The only motel I regretted was in New Orleans. Find the right cost/comfort balance for you but don't assume cheap means bad. Click here for travel tips on driving and accommodation in the US.
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23. Cross the border into Canada
A trip to any of the Canadian cities is a worthwhile venture. Toronto is just across the border from the state of New York, it's guarded by the CN Tower, and sits next to the bluest lake I've ever seen. Montreal is French/English speaking, hosts a Formula 1 Grand Prix once a year (although there are far better tracks around the world to watch this race), and has a superb public transport system to get around. Vancouver is home to Stanley Park - the best city park I've ever been to - which looks straight out to the Pacific Ocean. If you've got the money, fly by seaplane to Alaska, go dog sledding and see the Northern Lights. If not, make sure you take a trip to the top of Grouse Mountain to see, amongst other things, the world famous lumberjack show. Whichever city you visit, one of the most notable things about all them is how clean they are.
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22. Reflect on Amish life in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Whatever your views on the Amish way of life, nobody would have wished the dreadful shootings that occurred in 2006. Watch the movie Amish Grace before or after you visit to find out more about this tragedy and visit the place to see horse drawn carriages sharing the same road as SUVs and contemplate how/why people choose an Amish way of living over the consumer driven society we're used to. You may find the lines are now blurred and that it's not as different as you think!
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21. Drive down the Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Highway from San Francisco down to San Diego via LA is a great drive. You hug the west coast along most of the route and can stop at little towns, like Carmel-by-the-Sea (where Clint Eastwood was once mayor) along the way. There are a lot of turn-offs along the route to just admire the bridges, coastline, waves crashing beneath you, or simply stare out to sea. One of the best surprises along this route was a beach crowded with sea lions! It's just a shame the hugely disappointing LA was our destination.
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