Things to Do in Usa

The South Rim is the most popular area of Grand Canyon National Park, boasting easy access to the canyon, the bulk of available amenities and services, and the panoramic vistas for which the natural wonder is famous. One of the most famous attractions in the American Southwest, the area offers breathtaking views over the Colorado River and the chance to immerse yourself in Native American culture.

Proudly referred to as Chicago's "front yard," Grant Park is home to three world-class museums - the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium - as well as the Museum Campus, a 1995 transformation of paved areas into beautiful greenspace. It’s also among the city's loveliest and most prominent parks.

Centered between the sparkling blue waters of Lake Michigan to the east and Chicago’s stunning skyline to the west, Grant Park is a lovely open space with walking paths, elm trees, and formal rose gardens.Grant Park's centerpiece is the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, built in 1927 to provide a monumental focal point while protecting the park's breathtaking lakefront views.

Throughout the summer, Grant Park is also the site of many of the city’s largest outdoor events, including the annual Taste of Chicago, the Lollapalooza music festival, and Chicago Jazz Festival.

At an elevation of nearly 1,000 feet, Greenville sits on the front doorstep of the Appalachian plateau. Within a 45-minute drive from town, visitors can be flying through the trees on a zipline and splashing through Class III rapids, or kayaking to waterfalls that spill directly into nearby Lake Jocassee. The convenient proximity to adventure, however, isn’t Greenville’s only perk; the city itself has recently emerged as a burgeoning Southern hub, where shopping, dining, and local art all thrive in Greenville’s downtown. Take a stroll or ride a bike on the city’s Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 19-mile, multi-use trail that passes the waterfalls of Greenville’s Falls Park and the iconic Liberty suspension bridge. Escape to the hills of Caesars Head State Park for a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and return for an evening of perusing the shops and restaurants of tree-lined Main Street. Though this upstate town has endured its share of economic unrest, it’s now in the midst of a healthy revival where cycling, shopping, dining, and art are welcome staples of a new economy and new, much improved Greenville.

Built in 1928 as the lavish wedding present from oil tycoon Edward Doheny to his son Edward “Ned” Doheny, Jr. and his wife Lucy, this 55-room, 16-acre Tudor estate was, at the time, the most expensive home in California. Just five months after the couple moved in, in early 1929, Ned was tragically shot to death in the mansion, killed by a distraught friend who in turn killed himself. Lucy continued living in the home until 1955, but Ned’s ghost is still thought to roam the property.

Ned’s murder was often rumored to be a ripple effect of the Teapot Dome Scandal, a rate-fixing bribe between Albert Fall, the Harding Administration’s Secretary of the Interior and, among others, Doheny, Sr.’s company, Pan American Petroleum, over oil reserves in California; when exposed, this shocking deal resulted in Fall’s imprisonment and the public disgrace of Doheny, Sr.

However, Ned’s murderer, Hugh Plunkett, was his own personal aide and increasingly close confidante; just prior to the murder, Plunkett had (reportedly) been exhibiting signs of a nervous disorder and had filed for divorce from his wife. Gossiped about as a cover-up of either Lucy’s crime or a homosexual affair, the facts surrounding Ned’s death were never fully publicized, as his father’s fortune was enough to keep the most lurid details out of the papers.

Purchased by the City of Beverly Hills in the 1960s (in order to save it from demolition by commercial real estate developers) and later added to the National Register of Historic Places, the grounds of Greystone have been designated as a public park since 1971. Always facing a financial deficit, these grounds host a variety of annual fundraising events, such as the Beverly Hills Flower and Garden Festival and a vintage automobile show called the Concours d’Elegance.

On weekends, the mansion’s grounds are often closed for special events. If you’re planning a weekend visit, call ahead to (310) 285-6830 to avoid disappointment.

The Grand Ole Opry began as a radio broadcast in 1925 and is now a world-renowned stage show in Nashville, Tennessee, where hundreds of stars have begun their careers. It’s the longest-running radio show in the US, showcasing the genres of country, bluegrass, folk, comedy, and gospel both live and on the radio. Unlike a typical concert, the Grand Ole Opry presents six or more artists during each show, giving the audience a variety of great music to enjoy at one event. Superstars who have performed here include Patsy Cline, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, and Carrie Underwood.

The Basics

Taking in a show at the Opry house is a bucket-list item for not only fans of country music, but music lovers in general. A guided tour of the Opry may give you the opportunity to step on stage, into the famed wooden circle, as countless musicians have done for many years, while a backstage tour is a great way to hear stories about the music venue. You can take a peek inside the dressing rooms and get an exclusive look at other backstage areas.

Things to Know Before You Go

• FM Assistive Listening Devices are available to borrow during the shows.
• A combo tour of the Opry and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is a popular way to visit two of Nashville's must-see attractions—the lifelike figures of greats such as Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, and Reba McEntire will leave you guessing at the wax museum.
  
• You can also listen to the Opry live on the radio by streaming 650 AM WSM The Legend.

How to Get There

The Grand Ole Opry House and Opry Entertainment Complex are located just off Briley Parkway at 2804 Opryland Drive in Nashville, Tennessee. Most tours include transportation from your downtown Nashville hotel.

When to Get There

The days and hours of the Opry House and its ticketed shows vary. The Opry show is presented at the nearby Ryman Auditorium during the months of November, December, and January.

Greenwich Village is one of the most charming residential neighborhoods in New York City. The quarter's reputation for the bohemian persists, but these days only the affluent can afford to live in these sought-after leafy streets.

Manhattan's truly wonderful Grand Central Station (meticulously restored in the 1990s) is a train terminal in the grand tradition from the glory days of the nation's railroads.

Built for the New York Central Railroad between 1903 and 1913, Grand Central is the world's largest train station and a vital New York attraction (even if catching a train is the last thing on your mind).

The main features of the lofty, opulent Main Concourse are its huge arched windows, ticket booths, the famous four-faced clock, grand staircases, chandeliers and, up above, the cerulean blue ceiling gilded with astronomical details. Statues and a Tiffany glass clock dominate the Beaux Arts exterior.

Join a public or private tour of the terminal's highlights, drop into the famous Oyster Bar while you're here, grab a snack at any number of food outlets, or join the 125,000 commuters who pick up a train or subway from Grand Central every day.

Located in the southernmost point on the Grand Canyon’s south rim, Grandview Point is accessible via a one-mile side road off of East Rim Drive. Travelers agree the panoramic views from this famous vista are some of the park’s most impressive. Easy hiking trails wind through narrow ridges and well-preserved nature, giving travelers the opportunity to stretch their legs while driving the popular pass along Highway 64. But it’s the epic views and scenic landscape that make Grandview Point a quintessential Grand Canyon stop.