For anyone planning a trip to America, it can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. America is such a huge country with so much choice that your biggest problem is likely to be deciding on what to do and what not to do. Home to some of the most famous cities in the world, the United States of America is a popular holiday destination for the experienced and not so experienced travellers among you. Whether you’re looking to add America to your list of countries as you tour the world, or you’re simply looking for that trip of a lifetime, here are 3 cities that should really be on every nomads list of places to see in the good old U, S of A!
3 American cities everyone should visit
- Las Vegas
Let’s face it, no trip to the United States would be complete without taking a walk on the wild side and spending time in ‘Sin City’, or Las Vegas as you are probably more familiar with. The gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas isn’t for the faint-hearted, and you best be prepared when planning to stop of here.
A city popular with all ages and with travellers visiting alone or in large groups, you’ll never feel out of place in Vegas. Get yourself checked in quickly to one of the many hotels in Las Vegas and then set about exploring the famous strip. It’s a long walk from one end of the strip to the other (approx. 7km), but you’ll not be short of things to do as you get on your way and explore the city.
From the world’s most famous casinos to some of the best shops and restaurants in America, and some of the finest music, sporting and entertainment shows on the planet, there’s never a dull second in Vegas.
Some argue that New York is the city that never sleeps, but once you visit Las Vegas, you’ll realise that there’s only one city who can really lay claim to this title, and that city, is Sin City.
- New Orleans
New Orleans is a city still in recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, but one that is very much succeeding. There’s a real charm about New Orleans, and for the music loving among you, New Orleans is full of soul, soul and more soul. So many modern music genres owe their roots to Americas Deep South, and New Orleans is one such place, as it was the birthplace of jazz.
Food is another huge part of the New Orleans scene, so if you love to explore food on your travels, then New Orleans is up there with the best of them. When it comes to a passion for food, New Orleans can certainly stand up there with some of the heavyweight cities of the world – Paris, London, Tokyo and Barcelona.
New Orleans is also home to some amazing boutique shops, as well as antique and vintage shops that are regularly packed out with keen shoppers looking for something a little different. Magazine Street is the most popular shopping area, but if you are simply looking for a city to come and relax for a few days and enjoy a friendly atmosphere, look no further than New Orleans.
French Quarter is the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans and the most popular place to go if you want to enjoy a night out like a local. Bourbon Street is also a popular place to enjoy a night out in New Orleans, and when the time does come for a bit of R&R, get yourself to Jackson Square and take in this wonderful park.
That being said, as New Orleans was the city that gave us Mardi Gras, expect lots of partying and entertainment in this great city. Try to plan your trip to New Orleans for early in the year so you can get to enjoy the wonder of Mardi Gras. If you are visiting later in the year, be sure to check out Mardi Gras World, the only place where Mardi Gras takes place all year round.
- Los Angeles
Last on our list is one of the most famous cities in the world, Los Angeles, a city that if you are planning on touring America, you simply must see. Home of the rich and famous, what better way to spend a few days than rubbing shoulders with the stars! Take a walk down Hollywood Boulevard and the famous Walk of Fame.
When you’ve had enough of living it up like a famous one (because that’s how you roll in LA), relive your youth and connect with the child inside you again by heading to one of the many famous amusement parks in LA such as Universal Studios and Disneyland.
With the amusement parks complete, and the shops, bars and restaurants of LA ticked of your to do list, all that remains for you to do is lie back and relax at the famous Santa Monica beach. Up there with the most famous beaches in the world, Santa Monica is almost 5km long with parks, picnic areas and play parks dotted along this stretch. If you’re feeling up to it, you can even take part in a public game of chess, using human size chess pieces; quite the attraction.
Los Angeles truly is on of America and indeed the world’s most popular cities. It can also be an expensive place to visit but like anywhere, if you do your research before you go, and set yourself a budget, you’ll certainly have a trip that you can look back on for many years to come.
Time to get planning
So there you have it guys, 3 cities that any keen traveller really needs to consider adding to their bucket list for the next time you are planning on visiting the USA. From the bustling casinos of Vegas, to the Jazzy bars of New Orleans, and the golden beaches of LA, America truly has us spoilt for choice.
Images via Pixabay.com
