The sheer size of the US prevents any kind of all-encompassing statement about the typical American experience. From the state-of-the-art skyscrapers of New York City to the scenic country lanes of New England, the United States of America is a place of astonishing beauty and extraordinary diversity. Nothing can remotely prepare you for your first glimpse of the glorious Golden Gate Bridge, the glistening Empire State building, the neon lights of Las Vegas, or the iconic Statue of Liberty. Not to mention the natural treasures on offer - the country’s beautiful national parks are home to some of the world’s most treasured wildlife and landscapes; the west and east coasts are strewn with spectacular beaches, and the Rockies provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. In fact, it is a country of such epic proportions that you could easily spend a lifetime in the US and still feel like you have barely scratched the surface.
Dubbed ‘America's Riviera’, Miami Beach is a coastal resort city set on a small barrier island and connected by bridges to mainland Miami. The city is at once a vibrant urban metropolis and a natural wonderland - offering world-class amenities and fringed with breathtaking beaches lined with rows of palms. Families will delight in the kid-friendly beaches and the inviting oceanfront shops and restaurants of North Miami Beach, while culture enthusiasts have plenty to keep them busy at the galleries, museums, and theaters of Greater Miami (the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Phillip and Patricia Museum of Science are particular highlights). The high-end boutiques, cutting-edge fusion restaurants, exclusive nightclubs, and Art Deco architectural delights of star-studded South Beach complete the package of this superbly sunny, seaside city.
Charleston is a seaport city in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. Its historic downtown is on a peninsula formed by two rivers, the Ashley and Cooper, flowing into the Atlantic, and protected from the open ocean by surrounding islands. Charleston is characterised by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and historic Battery area. The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbour, while Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War rang out, lies across the water.
Located on the northern coast of Georgia, Savannah is an elegant, charming city bursting with architectural sights and character-filled cafes, bars, and restaurants. Begin at Forsyth Park - with its graceful oak trees hanging with Spanish moss - before continuing on to tour Savannah's Historic District, where self-guided audio tours are available from the Visitors’ Centre. Don’t miss the stunning Gothic-Revival Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist; the Mercer-Williams House, made famous by the book (and film) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil; cobblestoned River Street, with its Antebellum buildings and public sculptures; and the Bonaventure Cemetery, a deeply atmospheric site with some notable graves. The Savannah College of Art and Design regularly hosts performances and exhibitions, while the Telfair Museum is a true cultural hub of the city.
Situated at the intersection of the Atlantic and Western railroads, deep in the heart of the American south, Atlanta serves as the capital of Georgia and is the most populated city in the state. This city of tree-lined streets and elegant homes balances sleek modernism with old southern charm and features a wide selection of historical museums, classical music venues and a thriving theatre and art scene. Take the opportunity to learn about the historical Civil Rights Movement at the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Other popular attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, Piedmont Park, High Museum of Art, and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Located in the south of the state upon the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is one of the greenest cities in the United States, making it an excellent choice for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Criss-crossed by electric buses and featuring several well-used riverfront walkways, Chattanooga itself is home to some interesting sights, including the space-age Tennessee Aquarium and the unmissable Hunter Museum of American Art, which houses a wonderful collection and provides spectacular views of the river from its location on the top of a bluff. However, the real allure of Chattanooga lies in exploring its natural bounty, with most of the action centred around Lookout Mountain. Active travellers will relish the hiking and climbing routes available at Rock City, while Ruby Falls - a gorgeous cascade located within Lookout Mountain - is an unforgettable sight.
Commonly known as ‘Music City’ and ‘The Country Music Capital of the World’, Nashville is the ultimate pilgrimage site for music fans from around the globe. Despite its association with a rather honky-tonk, cowboy boot-clad crowd, Nashville has a lesser-known culturally rich and sophisticated side bolstered by a steady influx of young people who ensure that there is constantly something new and innovative going on. Beyond the tourist-focused downtown area, designer stores, hip art galleries, trendy breweries and quirky coffee shops seem to be popping up around the city’s lively neighbourhoods and occupying its gorgeous old Classical and Neoclassical buildings. With its fabulous food scene, rich musical heritage, and wonderful historical sights, Nashville always makes for some captivating and inspiring travel experiences.
Set on the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, the wild-spirited town of Memphis offers a beguiling blend of Southern tradition and modern efficiency. Aging cotton warehouses stand alongside state-of-the-art new office buildings; old-fashioned paddle wheelers steam upriver past the city's most striking landmark, the gleaming, stainless-steel Pyramid Arena. Legendary music, hearty Southern-style soul food, and incredible vistas come together beautifully here. As the birthplace of blues and the site of much activity in the historical development of rock ‘n roll, Memphis’s musical heritage is just as diverse as its architectural delights. Highlights include the famed jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll joints lined up on Beale Street, the heavily storied Sun Studio and of course Elvis Presley’s impressive Graceland mansion.
Situated directly on the iconic Mississippi River, Natchez is one of southwest Mississippi's hidden gems. Oozing Southern charm and incredibly rich in history, Natchez is known for its antebellum mansion, like the unfinished Longwood and the Melrose estate. Fans of American literature can view Richard Wright's childhood home. At the same time, nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike can rent canoes and paddle on the mighty Mississippi, admiring the area's rich birdlife as they go, or join the popular Natchez Trace Parkway cycling route. Finally, the town is home to several trendy shops, bars and restaurants, and the Natchez Brewing Company offers excellent tours and tastings.
Resting at the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River, this truly cosmopolitan city offers a veritable smorgasbord of fascinating cultures. Settlers from as far afield as France, Spain, Africa and the Caribbean arrived here during New Orleans’ heyday as the principal port of the American South. Each group lent something unique to the mix, resulting in a vibrant, bursting-at-the-seams melting pot of old masters, modernists, bohemian street artists and of course the city’s stunning array of museums and galleries. The attractions of New Orleans are the same as they have always been – riding rattling streetcars and the Algiers ferry, steamy jazz in colonial cafes, or simply admiring the stately architecture of the French Quarter. With the allure of its world-renowned cuisine, eclectic architecture and an atmosphere that can only be described as ‘magic’, many visitors are known to come for the spectacle of Mardi Gras and, quite simply, never leave!
