Things to Do in Usa

When Larz Anderson, a wealthy American diplomat, died in 1937, his widow donated their 50-room mansion - the Anderson House - and its contents in Dupont Circle to the Society of the Cincinnati - a prestigious male-only organization for descendants of officers in the American Revolutionary War, of which Larz was a long-time active member. By 1939, the Society opened it to the public as a museum and library, showcasing the Andersons' impressive collection of Chinese, Japanese, French, and Italian art, as well as the importance of the family in American history.

The stately Anderson House was designed in the Beaux-Arts style and has been described as a "Florentine villa in the midst of American independence." The Anderson House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996 and is considered to be one of the city's hidden treasures. Today, the Anderson House serves as the Society's headquarters and aims to preserve Larz's legacy of patriotic service and entertaining guests and offers several free concerts a year in the grand ballrooms and on the expansive grounds.

To get an up close and personal view of wildlife in the Everglades, particularly the bird life, the Anhinga Trail is one of the premier wetland trail in the National Park Service. A self-guided walk of about .8 miles (1200 meters) round trip, the trail is easily completed in about 45 minutes. The paved boardwalk curves through Taylor Slough, one of the few waterways that retain water year-round, making it particularly attractive to a variety of wildlife.

The saw-grass marsh is teeming with an abundance of Everglades residents, including alligators, turtles, anhingas (a type of water bird found in the Everglades; the name means snake bird or devil bird), herons, cormorants, egrets and many other birds. Because the boardwalk allows visitors to wander among the wildlife, it consequently makes the animals and birds less afraid of humans, allowing closer viewing of alligators, anhingas and other native species.

Exploring the Anhinga Trail also allows guests to view the flora of the Everglades, from the saw-grass prairies towards the end of the trail to the pond apples, a native tree that has apples that appeal to wildlife, but not humans. If you have a limited amount of time, walking the Anhinga Trail is a must-do for wildlife viewing and for a taste of all that the Everglades has to offer.

There’s colonial flavor and heritage 18th-century buildings galore in Maryland’s capital, Annapolis. Sailors flock to dock at the city’s 17 miles (27 km) of waterfront, and the US Naval Academy was established here in 1845.

Take a walking tour of 3 centuries of history, past grand historic buildings like St. John’s College, the 1735 Old Treasury Building and the African-American history displayed at the Banneker-Douglass Museum.

With scores of sailing schools, Annapolis is a better place than most to learn how to crew a yacht, and the array of cruises on offer includes schooners and dinner sails.

In 1901, Angeles Flight began its run as a funicular called the Los Angeles Incline Railway, offering a one-cent, one-minute ride up or down steep Bunker Hill in Downtown Los Angeles. Closed in 1969 when the then-decaying district around it underwent a full-scale renovation, the Angels Flight signature black-and-orange cars (named Sinai and Olivet) stayed in municipal storage for 27 years.

After a long battle by city conservationists for its return, Angels Flight was re-opened in 1996, just a half-block from its original site, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Despite its completely modernized and re-designed operating system, Angels Flight experienced a tragic accident in 2001, when Sinai reversed without warning and plummeted downhill into Olivet, killing one passenger and injuring several others.

After immediately shuttering, Angels Flight would remain closed to the public until March 2010, undergoing yet another complete re-design and rigorous testing in the interim. Today the "Shortest Railway in the World" connects Downtown's Broadway commercial district with Bunker Hill's California Plaza Watercourt and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

Run by L.A.'s Metro system, the cost of a one-way ride is currently 50 cents or 5 rides for 2 dollars. It is open every day from 6:45 am to 10 pm.

Alaska’s largest city is located in the south-central part of the state, at the foot of the Chugach Mountains. Shore excursions will get you into Alaska’s wild outdoors — see Mt McKinley (Denali) on a helicopter tour, go hiking on a glacier or check out gold-mining country.

If you prefer to stay in the city, there are plenty of museums, parks and heritage sites to keep you busy.

How to get to Anchorage
Cruise ships dock in the industrial port near downtown. Some cruise lines offer a free shuttle; there are cabs available if yours does not.

One Day in Anchorage
Take a cab from the port to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. This is a good place to start your day in port, as it’s much more than a museum. Across the center’s 26 acres, you can watch artists work, see a native dance performance and check out the replica villages. Enjoy a walk around the lake and discover what life was like in native Alaskan cultures.

Grab a taxi back to downtown and the Anchorage Museum (or take the shuttle that runs between the two properties). Admire the displays of Alaskan paintings and learn about the state’s long history. When you’ve had your fill of Alaskan culture, head to the Anchorage Zoo (shuttles run from downtown). Explore the zoo’s collection of northern animals, including caribou, moose and bears, of course. When you’re ready to rest your legs, enjoy a picnic in Valley of the Moon Park.

Take a trip into the genteel living of the 19th-century southern gentry with a stop to the Andrew Low House. Built in 1847 for a wealthy cotton farmer, this site is now an operable museum dedicated to the plush livings of Savannah, Georgia in the 1800s. Hear the history of the Low family, and learn how Andrew Low came into his wealth before exploring day-to-day living of the genteel, including how they ate, slept and lived. Like stepping into a well-preserved doll house complete with two parlor rooms, a library, dining room and bathing room, the Andrew Low House is an exquisitely preserved stop in historic downtown Savannah.

Owned by former champion race car driver Mario Andretti, Andretti Winery is a showcase for the owner's love and appreciation for fine, food-friendly wines. Together with winemaker Bob Pepi, Andretti has produced outstanding wines, with a focus on wines that pair well with food.

The winery itself resembles a Tuscan-style villa, with bright yellowish orange structures, fountains, and beautiful gardens surrounding the primary tasting area. The relaxed tasting room is shrine to Andretti, with racing photos and assorted memorabilia. Pull a seat up at the L-shaped bar and taste the latest vintages.

Andretti Winery produces wines from some of the best vineyards in California, including such flavorful reds as Cabernet Savignon, Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Pinot Noir. White vintages include Savignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay. The winery also produces a variety of special wines, as well.