Things to Do in Usa

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas focuses on the aquatic life of both North and South America. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River on the edge of the French Quarter, it is run by the Audubon Society and is one of the United States’ best known aquariums.

There are over 10,000 animals from more than 530 species on display, including sea otters and African penguins. Exhibits are grouped by habitat, including a Gulf of Mexico section with a 40,000-gallon tank showcasing the sharks, rays and turtles of the region. There is also an Amazon River and rain forest exhibit complete with a greenhouse; a colorful Caribbean reef area with a glass tunnel to walk through; and a Mississippi River gallery featuring area wildlife such as catfish, paddlefish and the famous white alligator. Whichever area you visit, you will be immersed in the underwater world.

The city of Astoria sits near both the Pacific Ocean and the mouth of the Columbia River, and is the oldest permanent Pacific Coast settlement in the United States.

Astoria takes its name from John Jacob Astor, who established Fort Astoria in 1810 for his Pacific Fur Company. Of course, Astor was following in some pretty famous footsteps – the Lewis and Clark Expedition had spent a brutal winter in 1805-1806 nearby at a spot they dubbed Fort Clatsop. They had reached the Pacific Ocean and then headed back east in 1806 to report on their findings. Reconstructions of both Fort Clatsop and Fort Astoria are popular attractions in and around Astoria today.

While Astoria is still an important port for the area, it's growing as a cultural destination, too. There is an annual Fisher Poets Gathering, the culinary scene is growing, and the former cannery has been turned into a boutique riverfront hotel. Movie buffs may also recognize the town as the setting for such films as “The Goonies,” “Free Willy,” and “Kindergarten Cop.” Don't miss a visit to the Astoria Column, built in 1926 by the Astor family, and offering excellent river views from its 125-foot-tall viewing platform.

The Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium is an entomology museum home to more than 50 live, interactive exhibits. Inhabiting a space of more than 23,000 square feet, it is the largest freestanding museum dedicated to insects in the United States.

Walk through an oversized underground gallery full of giant animatronic insects to get a “bug’s-eye view” of the world; see termites eating through a wooden New Orleans skyline; learn about the stages of insect life in the Metamorphosis Gallery; or see some of the world’s largest, most fascinating insects preserved within the Hall of Fame. There is also area called “Bug Appetit,” in which guests can see and taste the creation of meals using insects. Don’t miss the Louisiana Swamp Gallery, complete with local, aquatic animal life, or the famous Butterfly Gallery, a garden home to hundreds of different colorful butterflies.

One of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Boston, Back Bay is famous for its architecturally significant buildings, including a series of Victorian brownstone homes. Back Bay is considered one of America’s most desirable areas, and it’s not uncommon to spot celebrities along the prime shopping streets. With that, one of the best ways to explore the neighborhood is to book a Back Bay photography tour, which will take you to the most important and significant buildings.

Some of the most exclusive real estate in Boston is located in Back Bay, which was once just a stagnant pool of water behind the Public Garden. Newbury Street, Boylston Street and Commonwealth Avenue are now among the most popular spots in the area.

Be sure to visit the Boston Public Garden, the largest and oldest botanical garden in the country, established in 1837. It's where many visitors start their tour of Back Bay. Another landmark to visit is the Old South Church at Copley Square, which holds local historical significance as one of the original meeting places of the Sons of Liberty during the Revolutionary War period, and it’s also an important example of classic Northern Italian Gothic architecture. Other buildings worth visiting in Back Bay include Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library, and the neighborhood is also home to the John Hancock Tower and Prudential Center, the two tallest buildings in Boston’s skyline. For shopping, hit Newbury Street, which runs the length of the entire neighborhood. This street is where you will find the historic brownstones and lots of shopping and restaurants.

Showcasing the wealth of marine life found throughout North and South America, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. From the colorful recreated Caribbean reef to a penguin colony, there’s plenty to entertain all age groups.

 

Run by the respected National Audubon Society, the Aquarium of the Americas opened in 1990 and is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the United States, housing an incredible 10,000 creatures representing more than 500 different species. The exhibits are grouped by habitat, and information panels offer detailed insights about the different ecosystems. Highlights include the Great Maya Reef, an Amazon Rainforest habitat, and the Stingray Touchpool, where visitors can interact with the rays.

 

Many combine a visit to the aquarium with trips to some of the other Audubon Nature Institute’s attractions in the city, including Audubon Zoo, butterfly garden, and insectarium. Combined entry passes make it easy to switch between the different parks. You can purchase skip-the-line admission in advance.

 

 

Aquarium of the Americas is at 1 Canal St. in NOLA’s Central Business District. The Riverfront and Canal St. streetcar lines, and bus line 5, Marigny-Bywater, run close by. The aquarium is within walking distance of Downtown New Orleans, and there are paid parking lots nearby for those planning to drive.

 

The aquarium is open from Monday to Sunday, 10am–5pm. Weekends can get very busy, and school trips often visit on weekday mornings. Visit on weekday afternoons to enjoy plenty of space. The aquarium is closed on selected holidays, so check before visiting.

 

Located in Uptown New Orleans, the Audubon Zoo brings together animals from across the world for a memorable day out. Visitors can feed the giraffes, explore the swamp habitats native to New Orleans, and see animals, including rhinos, tigers, elephants, zebras, and more. Children will love the “Cool Zoo” splash park, with lazy river, splash pads, and a huge alligator water slide.

If you’re looking for a dose of retail therapy while in Miami, Aventura Mall is the place to go. This expansive shopping complex exudes sophisticated style, with upscale boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry alongside trendier favorites including Apple, Anthropologie, and Topshop.

Aventura Mall’s vaulted interior contains retail shops alongside restaurants and a collection of art installations from local and international artists. Inside you can peruse designer boutiques, enjoy a quick bite or formal sit-down meal, and stroll past a varied assortment of paintings and sculptures. Visit on a private Miami tour to shop at Aventura Mall and also see city highlights such as South Beach, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, and Ocean Drive. 

Aventura Mall is near Oleta River State Park, Sunny Isles Beach, and Golden Beach, roughly a 30-minute drive from downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Public transportation is available, although car travel is typically faster. 

Aventura Mall is open seven days a week, with shorter hours on Sundays. To avoid crowds, arrive in the morning or opt for a weekday visit. 

Luxury brands at Aventura Mall include Burberry, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel, Givenchy, Missoni, and Tiffany and Co., while other popular shops include Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Gap, H&M, Splendid, Ugg Australia, Urban Outfitters, and Zara. 

Adjacent to Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden comprises a stunning 30 acres (12 hectares) of indoor and outdoor themed gardens, woodland areas, brooks, fern glades, and walking paths. A highlight is the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory, a massive collection of plants from tropical rain forests and deserts from around the globe.

 

The leafy Atlanta Botanical Garden is a pleasant place to wander and escape the Atlanta traffic. While many travelers visit independently, a guided tour of the garden ensures you explore all 30 acres (12 hectares) while learning more about the plants, animals, hidden sculptures, and water features that make this one of the best gardens in the nation.

 

Nature-themed tours of the city include the botanical garden, as well as Olmsted Linear Park, Grant Park, and Centennial Olympic Park.

 

 

Atlanta Botanical Garden is located in Midtown Atlanta, adjacent to Piedmont Park on Piedmont Avenue. You can easily get here by car, Bus 27, and the MARTA transit system.

 

The botanical garden is closed on Mondays, except for certain public holidays; hours are reduced during the winter months. Springtime tends to be the most colorful season, but there’s always something in bloom.

 

The garden provides a habitat for a dozen or so species of native birds, including red-tailed hawks, blue jays, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and chickadees. Early mornings are the best time for birdwatching, particularly in the Perennial Gardens, Fuqua Conservatory, Children’s Garden, and Storza Woods.

The Atlanta CNN Center serves as headquarters for the cable TV news giant, CNN. Inside, visitors can see the 24-hour news cycle in action with an insider’s look at newsrooms, control rooms, production studios, and sets, all in addition to the interactive exhibits that chronicle the network’s history.

The 14th-floor CNN Center is an Atlanta icon and one of the city’s most popular attractions. On a guided, behind-the-scenes tour, visitors can learn how television news is written, produced, and delivered. Highlights include the special effects studio, which reveals the technology behind weather maps and on-air graphics; the option to take a souvenir photo behind a news desk; and the glass-walled observation tower in the main newsroom, from where travelers can see writers composing new scripts, camera operators in action, and maybe even a live broadcast taking place. For added value, combine a CNN tour with a visit to the World of Coca Cola, or see the studio with the Atlanta CityPASS, which also includes entrance to other popular attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

The Atlanta CNN Center is located in downtown Atlanta on Marietta Street, just south of Centennial Olympic Park. You can get there via bus or the MARTA train.

The center offers several tours throughout the day, and behind-the-scenes tours depart every 20 minutes. While there’s not really a bad time to visit, the studio is particularly appealing as a mid-afternoon, air-conditioned escape from the Atlanta heat.

While you probably won’t catch a glimpse of hosts Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper, it is still possible to spot some of CNN’s other anchors and hosts giving a live broadcast. Your best bet is to book a VIP tour around 9am or noon.

Journey through Asia—without embarking on an overseas trip—in this museum dedicated to art from the region. During your stay in San Francisco, view artworks spanning different periods in history and contemporary art from cultural regions, such as India, Japan, China, and Korea.

The Asian Art Museum takes visitors on a comprehensive tour of the major cultural regions in Asia. From Iran to Indonesia, the Himalayas to Malaysia, galleries include sculptures and paintings, sacred objects, and historical photographs, arranged to provide a detailed picture of the vast region’s differing cultures. Masterpieces, such as the Buddha Triumphing over Mara, a stone sculpture from India dating to the 900s, are interwoven into the collections.

The San Francisco Explorer Pass and Go card include admission to the Asian Art Museum. Hop-on-hop-off bus tours also stop here.

 

The Asian Art Museum is located at San Francisco’s Civic Center and is easily accessed by public transportation. On BART, exit at Civic Center/Larkin Street. Muni J, K, L, M, N, and T streetcar lines all stop within a block of the museum near Larkin and Market streets. San Francisco Muni bus lines, 5, 6, 7, 21, 47, and 48 also make stops at Civic Center.

 

The Asian Art Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10am–5pm, extending until 9pm Thursdays, February through September. The museum is closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. During events and festival days, such as Lunar New Year, the museum and on-site restaurant are extremely busy. Booking tickets in advance is highly recommended.

 

The museum recently invited local chef Deuki Hong and restaurateurs Andrew Chau and Bin Chen of Boba Guys milk tea to take over its on-site restaurant, Sunday at the Museum. A sample of the menu of Asian flavors include Hong’s classic Korean fried chicken sandwich, soy-chili-garlic chicken wings, and miso avocado toast on Japanese milk bread, and milk tea, of course.

Home to the San Francisco Giants major league baseball team (winners of the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series Championships), AT&T Park is known for its waterfront setting on San Francisco Bay. This ballpark also features better-than-average stadium food, from Dungeness crab tacos to Hawaiian-style poke to Ghirardelli chocolate sundaes.

 

Located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, AT&T Park is set apart from most of San Francisco’s tourist attractions. To visit, attend a baseball game or take a behind-the-scenes tour. Alternate views can be enjoyed from a seaplane or helicopter tour, or on a bay cruise. Visitors with access to a boat or kayak can even drift around McCovey Cove and wait for homerun balls (“splash hits”) that drop into the water.

 

 

AT&T Park sits at the southern end of the Embarcadero, bounded by King Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, and San Francisco Bay. N and T light-rail lines stop at the King and Second station, and a Caltrain station is one block away. Or, take the 10, 30, or 45 city bus. Paid parking lots are just south of the stadium but this is a congested urban area and public transport is recommended.

 

The Major League Baseball season runs from roughly early April to early October, followed by the postseason, which extends through the month of October. If you can’t make it to a game or aren’t interested in baseball, you can still visit the venue at one of the other events held throughout the year, such as concerts, festivals, and Cirque du Soleil shows.

 

Pre-gaming is one of the best parts of going to any sporting event, and 21st Amendment Brewery is a popular spot to enjoy beer and pub-style food before a Giants game. Located on 2nd Street just two blocks from the ballpark, 21st Amendment produces local favorites like Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer, Brew Free! or Die IPA, and El Sully Mexican-style lager.

Stretching more than six city blocks and housing almost 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, the sprawling Austin Convention Center hosts a variety of events and conferences. It’s an ideal location for meetings and conventions, with more than 54 meeting rooms and seven ballrooms, and it’s within close proximity to the hotels, restaurants, and bars of downtown Austin.

Those planning or attending a trade show, convention, industry meeting, or event at the Austin Convention Center find its downtown Austin location convenient for exploring the rest of the city. Experience downtown Austin on any number of guided tours, including a Segway, bus, walking, or food tour. Some experiences focus on specific Austin highlights such as music, barbecue, or beer, while others focus on outdoor experiences such as kayaking or biking.

The Austin Convention Center is bordered by Cesar Chavez and 4th Street, and Trinity and Red River streets in downtown Austin, Texas. It’s 8 miles northwest of the airport. There are two paid parking garages nearby, one on 2nd Street and the other on 5th Street. The Capital Metro light rail stops in front of the convention center on 4th Street.

Some of the biggest events at the Austin Convention Center are South by Southwest in March, DreamHack in April, and Wizard World Austin Comic Con in fall. If you can, tack a few extra days onto your visit for more time to explore downtown Austin and the surrounding areas.

South by Southwest is one of Austin Convention Center’s largest events, bringing 150,000 people to downtown Austin. SXSW (or “South By”) started in 1987 as a music festival. Over the years, the conference/festival expanded its reach into multimedia, film, education, and interactive sessions. Twitter was introduced at SXSW in 2007.

Small by beach standards, Asilomar State Beach still packs a sandy punch. At just a mile long, it delivers scenery and all the favorites beach goers tend to love like surfing, kite flying and sandy strolls. The beach lies within the boundary of the Asilomar Marine Reserve and is a great spot to go tide pooling, but no fishing or collecting is allowed.

A popular activity for visitors is walking along the quarter-mile boardwalk at Asilomar Natural Dune Preserve. There are numerous scenic outlooks with panoramic Pacific views, so have your camera handy as you make your way to the Asilomar Conference Grounds where the boardwalk ends. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, the buildings were designed by famed architect Julia Morgan between 1913 and 1928. 

Made from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, the Aurora Ice Museum is the largest year-round ice structure in the world. Completed in 2005 by world ice-art-carving champion Steve Brice and his wife, Heather, the museum features furniture, life-size knights on horseback, chandeliers shifting colors to mimic the Northern Lights, and even a bar, all made of ice. 

Aurora Ice Museum tours are offered daily, and tickets are available at the Activity Center Desk or as part of a guided Chena Hot Springs tour from Fairbanks. On the tour, you’ll learn about the art of ice sculpting, view the impressive collection of ice art, and enjoy endless creative photo opportunities. After the tour, relax on the caribou fur–covered ice stools at the Aurora Ice Bar and warm your toes by the ice fireplace. 

The Aurora Ice Museum is located at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, 60 miles (97 kilometers) from downtown Fairbanks. Most visitors arrive by car or as part of a guided tour from Fairbanks or the town of North Pole. There is also a shuttle service from Fairbanks to the resort. 

The Aurora Ice Museum can be visited year-round and stays a cool 25°F (-7°C) inside at all times. During the summer, the museum receives more than 10,000 visitors, making it one of the most popular attractions in Fairbanks, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Tours of the museum are offered every two hours throughout the day. 

Most visitors come to the Chena Hot Springs Resort to soak in the legendary mineral-water baths with the hopes of viewing a spectacular Northern Lights show. Chena’s dark skies and ideal geographic location make it one of the best places in Alaska to view the Northern Lights. The resort also offers a wide array of activities including hiking, fishing, biking, and horseback riding adventures during the summer months, and dog sledding, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling during the winter. 

Since 2003, Artists and Fleas has been bringing together creators and the creative to showcase their handmade wares for locals and visitors in search of something that’s truly unique. More than 100 vendors gather in this Brooklyn warehouse each weekend to create one of the most diverse shopping experiences around. Wander the diverse and colorful stalls, where local designers sell anything from vintage clothing to silkscreen shirts and handmade jewelry. 

Stop by one of the stands selling homemade treats just outside the doors and spend a morning, afternoon—or even an entire day—exploring some of the best of local artists while you listen to tunes spun by a live DJ for this one-of-a-kind truly Brooklyn shopping experience.

An ambitious “rails-to-trails” project, the Atlanta Beltline transforms the city’s trash-collecting tracks into more than 22 miles of footpaths for bikers, runners and pedestrians. The Beltline, a work in progress, merges the city's parks and green spaces, connects neighborhoods to each other and makes public transit more accessible. The Beltline shows off the very best parts of Atlanta.

The popular Eastside Trail and the Historic Fourth Ward Park are two projects, among many others, that have been completed. A planned streetcar is in the works, an addition that will connect the furthest reaches of the Beltline to more popular, central attractions in Atlanta. Some of the other highlights include 33 miles of multi-use trails, 1,300 acres of parks, more public art and historic preservation efforts.

Atlantic Station is a district in Atlanta, GA west of midtown. It is one of the newest areas of the city with plenty of apartments, lofts, and condos for those who want to live there. The neighborhood also has a focus on shopping, and you can find a wide variety of stores set up as an open-air mall. You'll find smaller boutiques, chain stores, and department stores. When you get hungry, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, including sit-down establishments and cafes where you can get a quick bite. 

If you're looking for entertainment, Atlantic Station has you covered. A movie theater shows the latest hit movies, and several bars provide a fun place for a drink. Atlantic Station is the permanent home for BODIES The Exhibition and often hosts Cirque de Soleil. Concerts and festivals are held here throughout the year, and in the winter there is an ice skating rink. A grocery store, fitness center, and several medical facilities round out the neighborhood. 

The Atlanta History Center is an interactive educational complex devoted to sharing the history of Atlanta and the Southeast. The center includes four historic buildings, a research center, and a museum with one of the world’s largest collections of American Civil War artifacts. Its large grounds offer walking trails and lovely gardens.

The Atlanta History Center’s permanent and temporary collections of photographs, maps, books, newspaper clippings, and decorative arts tell the history of the Southeast through an everyday lens. Hands-on discovery areas make this a good stop for families, too. You can book a single admission ticket to all of the center’s attractions—including the Atlanta History Museum, the Swan House mansion, Smith Family Farm, Wood Family Cabin, Atlanta Cyclorama, Margaret Mitchell House (located 13 miles/21 kilometers away), and 22 acres (9 hectares) of grounds—or book separate admission to just the Margaret Mitchell House. 

The Atlanta History Center is located in the Buckhead area, roughly 10 minutes north of downtown. It is easily accessible by MARTA bus 110 or by private vehicle. On-site parking is included with admission.

The center is open from 10am to 5:30pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:30pm on Sunday. The historic houses have more limited hours: 11am to 4pm Monday through Saturday and 1pm to 4pm on Sunday. A variety of events, films, and festivals are always on the calendar, so be sure to check with the center before planning your visit.

Many visitors spend most of the day exploring the center’s numerous exhibits. But for a break from the museum and historic homes, take a stroll along the Swan Woods Trail, which is filled with many plants native to Georgia. 

At 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the United States. It connects downtown Charleston to the city of Mount Pleasant and the beaches beyond, plus it provides bike and pedestrian paths that lead to unobstructed views of Charleston Harbor and the city skyline. 

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, also known as the New Cooper River Bridge, is an 8-lane, cable-stayed bridge spanning the Cooper River. You can walk, bike, or drive across it—a sectioned-off portion protects people from cars during the slow-and-steady uphill climb—to reach gorgeous vista points of the Charleston skyline, USS Yorktown, and Charleston Harbor. Or you can pass right under the bridge while enjoying a harbor sightseeing cruise or stand-up paddleboard tour. No matter how you choose to see it, the bridge is worth a visit for its beautiful architecture and stellar views. 

The bridge is located on US Route 17 between Charleston and Mount Pleasant. From Charleston, access the bridge on East Bay Street; drive right up to it and park on the street, or park downtown and walk to the bridge. On the Mount Pleasant side, park at nearby Waterfront Park. You can also take CARTA bus 40 from either side of the bridge.

If you’re walking the bridge, plan to leave early in order to give yourself plenty of time and stay out of the midday heat. Sunset is a beautiful time on the bridge, too. Look out for special events at the bridge, too, such as the annual Cooper River Bridge Run, which interferes with regular public access.

Popular Charleston itineraries use a trip across the bridge as a great excuse to explore Mount Pleasant highlights such as Waterfront Memorial Park, the USS Yorktown, and Patriots Point. You can also drive across the bridge on your way back from Sullivan’s Island beach, Shem Creek, or other Mount Pleasant attractions.