Things to Do in Usa

A gift to New York from the Rockefellers, this glitzy landmark has been entertaining the masses since the Rockettes dancing troop first kicked up their heels here in the early 1930s. The 6,000-seat theater still hosts nightly shows, with performers ranging from stand-up comedians to chart-topping musical artists. 

Getting a photograph of Radio City Music Hall’s famous neon sign is a rite of passage for first-time visitors to New York City. The iconic landmark is featured on many sightseeing tours of the city, as well as on hop-on hop-off bus tours. Travelers who want to explore the venue’s hallowed halls can join a Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour, when they may even get to meet a real-life Rockette.

For those who want to catch a show, the ultimate Radio City Music Hall experience is the annual Christmas Spectacular, during which the Radio City Rockettes put on a festive one-of-a-kind show.

Radio City Music Hall is located in Midtown Manhattan. The best way to get there is by public transit. Take the subway to 50th Street/Broadway (1) or 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, or M). MTA buses M5, M6, M7, and M27/M50 all stop at Rockefeller Center/50th Street. 

There is no bad time to visit Radio City Music Hall, with an exciting program of tours and events happening year-round. Consider coming during the holiday season to witness the Christmas Spectacular and to see Rockefeller Center decorated for the season. Ticket holders should arrive at least 30 minutes before their show. 

Designed by acclaimed industrial designer Donald Deskey, the Radio City Music Hall interior is an art deco masterpiece. Among the highlights are the sophisticated Grand Foyer and the auditorium itself, whose column-free design ensures that every seat in the house has an uninterrupted view of the Great Stage. 

With seats for 20,000, The Pyramid is an arena that sits on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis. Designed to resemble the Great Pyramids of Giza, it stands tall at 321 feet high and is one of the largest pyramid structures in the world. It is slightly taller than the Statue of Liberty and has become an icon of the Memphis skyline.

The arena was first constructed as the Great American Pyramid in 1991 with an exterior of stainless steel and was originally conceived by a local artist to replicate the Great Pyramid of Memphis in Egypt. A statue of Ramesses II stood at the Pyramid’s entrance until it was moved to the University of Memphis campus in 1991. The interior has nearly half a million square feet of space and was used primarily for sporting events up until 2004.

Queens is New York City’s most diverse borough and only one museum is dedicated to the people, history and stories of this iconic destination. Whether it’s artistic or educational, the Queens Museum offers up something for just about everyone and those is the know say it’s worth venturing beyond Manhattan.

Exhibitions cover a wide range of topics from Tiffany glass to the ins and outs of urban water systems. Travelers will find photo galleries showcasing images of the city skyline and even nods to pop culture with installations about the Ramones and punk rock. it may be off the traditional Manhattan tourist path, but the Queens Museum celebrates one of New York’s best boroughs.

As you pass by rare primates, towering giraffes, and striped zebras, you might forget that you’re in Branson, Missouri, when you visit Promised Land Zoo. Perfect for a family outing or a chance to unplug, Promised Land Zoo offers intimate animal encounters that are sure to please curious kids and animal-loving adults alike.

 

There are many ways to explore Promised Land Zoo. Basic entry includes a walking safari past animals, an aviary feeding exhibit called Parakeet Paradise, and a 2-mile (3-kilometer) drive-thru safari for viewing animals from the comfort of your car. Tiered upgrades give you the chance to feed, hold, and pet animals under the careful supervision of trained staff or take an off-road ATV tour of Promised Land with a zookeeper guide.

 

A fully trained and conservation-minded staff ensure that your visit is more than just good family fun, but also a great educational opportunity to learn about animals from around the world.

 

Things to Know Before You Go

• Ideal for kids and families.
  
• Partly wheelchair accessible; wheelchair users are encouraged to book a VIP Experience for the best experience.
  
• On-site dining is currently limited, so plan to bring your own food.

Branson’s Promised Land Zoo is a short drive from Downtown Branson, and parking is available on-site. Public transportation is not available. Other nearby cities include Springfield, Missouri, and Fayetteville, Arkansas. Be sure not to confuse the address with Promised Land’s second location in Eagle Rock, Missouri.

 

The zoo is open every day from 8:30am to 6pm. Plan your visit for the springtime to see the most baby animals. Because the zoo is largely outdoors, visit while the weather is nice for the most pleasant experience. Promised Land also has a special holiday lights exhibit every November and December.

 

In addition to animal viewings and feedings, Promised Land Zoo puts on informative animals shows. Knowledgeable zookeepers bring animals in front of a live audience for a quick educational talk. These live animal shows are a hit among visitors and are included with the basic entry pass.

Built atop one of Seattle’s steepest hills, this neighborhood is named for its abundance of Queen Anne–style architecture—charming, well-maintained homes with manicured gardens. In this inviting area you’ll discover leafy staircases, viewpoints, and quaint parks, and at its very top perch restaurants, cafés, and boutiques. 

Queen Anne Hill contains several neighborhoods in one. At the base, Lower Queen Anne sits under the famous Space Needle and near several major Seattle attractions, including the Museum of Pop Culture and the Key Arena. West, East, and North Queen Anne are quiet residential areas with stately homes and tucked-away parks. At the neighborhood’s heart is a thriving dining and café scene. 

On clear days, the view from Kerry Park is one of the best in the city. Photography enthusiasts gather here at sunset for a classic view of the Seattle skyline frequently seen on postcards, with the Space Needle prominently in the foreground. On cloud-free days, Mount Rainier’s glacier-capped summit looms eerily behind the city, turning pink as the sun sinks. Queen Anne Hill is a popular stop on city tours, including those specially designed for cruise ship passengers embarking in Seattle.

Queen Anne Hill is north of Seattle Center and south of Fremont and encompasses four smaller neighborhoods: North, West, and East Queen Anne on the hill, as well as Lower Queen Anne, which is adjoining downtown. It’s serviced by city bus numbers 2, 13, and 29.

Queen Anne is lovely any time of year, in any weather. But if it’s views you’re after, come on a clear day. The neighborhood can be surrounded by bumper-to-bumper traffic on weekdays during evening rush hour, so that’s worth working around.

Queen Anne’s dining scene has several neighborhood gems. Find upscale Italian at How to Cook a Wolf, or skew toward clean eating and organic cuisine at Bounty Kitchen, where farm-fresh fare and juices make up the menu. Date night is best at Eden Hill, with its cozy dining room and multicourse menus. 

The main hub of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market has attracted locals and visitors alike for nearly 200 years. The historic food hall located within a Greek Revival-style building is packed with more than 50 shops, 14 restaurants, and 40 food court stops—plus stalls and pushcarts selling everything from exotic coffee to fresh seafood and artisanal bread. 

There’s no better way to experience this marketplace than to grab a bite at one of Quincy Market’s many restaurants or food stalls. Stop by on a hop-on, hop-off bus or trolley tour and watch street performers execute acrobatic and musical feats at the historic Faneuil Hall, sit in the rotunda while enjoying a cup of coffee, or step outside to soak up sunshine and enjoy the festive street atmosphere. 

Visit on a narrated coach or city bike tour and let a guide show you the best hidden spots, or delve into Boston’s past on a Freedom Trail history tour. Because of its central location, Quincy Market is also an excellent jumping-off point for visiting other nearby attractions such as the New England Aquarium, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Public Garden, and Museum of Fine Arts.

The public market is centrally located in downtown Boston, next to the Financial District, the waterfront, and the North End. Limited parking is available nearby and some marketplace vendors offer validation coupons. The easiest way to get to Quincy Market is via the subway, also known as “the T.” Take the blue line to Aquarium/Faneuil Hall; the green line to Haymarket, North Station, Park Street, or Government Center; the orange line to State Street or Haymarket; or the red line to Park Street.

Quincy Market is open year-round. Summer, fall, and springtime visitors can enjoy outdoor seating, and the weather can be ideal for walking and bike tours. Winter visitors can cozy up indoors and see seasonal events such as ice sculpture contests and holiday light shows. 

Boston is packed with attractions and historic sites from America’s revolutionary past. Besides being a historic destination in itself, Quincy Market is located on the city’s famed Freedom Trail, within walking distance of the Old State House, Boston Common, Beacon Hill, and numerous museums. 

A pleasant stop on the road to Hana, the Puaa Kaa Park offers the chance to take a scenic break from the long drive. Stretch your legs on its dirt path to nearby waterfalls and natural pools. The farther you're willing to walk, the taller the waterfalls become and many people bring a picnic to enjoy as a part of this diversion.

Totaling five acres the area here is lush with tropical plants which, with the sound of the waterfalls, create a distinct rain forest feel. Picnic tables are set against scenic backdrops, and fish and tadpoles are visible in the shallower pools. Watch for wild birds and mongoose. The walking paths here are not rigorous, but a refreshing dip in one of the pools is a highlight for many on a hot day.

This 585-acre park in the heart of the borough of Brooklyn is as much a destination for locals seeking an outdoor urban escape, as it is for travelers seeking to experience the beauty of the Big Apple’s other famous park. Regardless of the season, this epic landscape in the heart of Brooklyn offers up plenty to do, see, and enjoy. Well-paved loops and picturesque trails make for ideal traffic-free bike, running and walking paths. A great green lawn is the perfect place for sunbathing, picnics or an afternoon kickball or baseball game, and free outdoor grill space means warm-weather barbecues are always on point.

The much-loved Summer Stage series invites some of the biggest names in music to the park for free performances, and winter months mean free ice-skating and sledding, too. There are nature programs for children, a small zoo for family fun, horseback riding, and plenty of other family-focused activities available in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

This iconic St. Augustine attraction is perfect for the whole family. With some 160 wax sculptures that run the gamut from actors and actresses to historical personalities, famous politicians and more, Potter’s is widely recognized as the first wax museum in America.

Travelers who enter this wildly entertaining museum will learn the story of the wealthy George Potter, who ventured to Europe with his family, where he paid a visit to the original Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Fast-forward to 1948, when this quirky institution was opened, and you have the short version of how Potter’s Wax Museum came to be. Visitors can wander the halls, check out top exhibits and marvel at how lifelike these figures truly are!

Encompassing an entire city block in downtown Portland, Powell’s City of Books is the world’s largest independent new and used bookstore and a top attraction for book lovers visiting the city. Here you’ll find upwards of a million books, including rare finds, first editions, and autographed copies of bestsellers and little-known titles alike, all under one roof.  

Launched by Michael Powell in 1971, Powell’s has long been a Portland institution. Although there are multiple outlets, the flagship location in downtown Portland offers by far the best selection. Here you’ll also find a rare-book room and a coffee shop where customers are welcome to read books before buying. Many tours of downtown Portland stop here, though bibliophiles could easily dedicate an entire afternoon just to wandering the shop’s seemingly endless aisles.

 

Powell’s City of Books, the shop’s flagship location, is located on West Burnside Street, at the edge of the Pearl District in downtown Portland. The Portland Streetcar stops just outside, but it’s easy walking distance from most city center hotels. There’s also a small parking lot for shoppers and plenty of street parking in the neighborhood, though it can be hard to find a spot during the dinner hour.

 

Powell’s is a year-round destination, and it’s open late most nights, making it a good option for those looking for some late-night book browsing. It can get crowded on weekends and during the pre-Christmas rush. Regular readings and author events are held at the store throughout the year, usually in the early evening.

Although most people head to the flagship location on West Burnside, Powell’s also operates a few smaller outlets. There’s a small one at the Portland International Airport as well as a larger branch at Cedar Hills Crossing in the neighboring suburb of Beaverton. Powell’s also has a quirky scaled-down version of its main store on trendy Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard and an adjacent specialty store, also on Hawthorne, focusing on cookbooks and gardening.

Rainbow Falls create a rare instance where a Hawaiian name and an English name actually mean the same thing. Known to Hawaiians as waianuenue, the name is a reference to the arcing rainbows that can be seen in the waterfall’s mist. The image, it seems, is a natural occurrence of such beauty and wonder that it transcends linguistic lines, and today the waterfall is one of the most popular attractions when visiting the town of Hilo.

Only 50 yards from a paved parking lot in Wailuku River State Park, a large viewing area provides the best platform for gazing out at the falls. To see the waterfall’s namesake rainbow, visit the falls around 10 a.m. when the angle of light is just right. Behind the falls, a large cave forms the home of Hina—the mythological Hawaiian god who gave birth to the demigod Maui—and the turquoise pool and surrounding rain forest are the trademark photo of paradise. 

The Basics

Visitors to the DC area can experience the Potomac River right from the surface of the water aboard a river cruise. Hop aboard a water taxi, a Washington monuments cruise, a sunset dinner cruise, a DC duck tour, or even a cherry blossom sail in springtime. Those who prefer to keep their feet on solid ground can still enjoy views of the waterway from the Mount Vernon Trail (great for cycling) and from the East and West Potomac parks (separated by the Tidal Basin). The latter is home to several popular monuments (the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial) and is a stop on many sightseeing tours of the nation's capital.

• Well-timed visits will bring spectacular views of spring cherry blossoms and fall foliage.
  
• Many boat tours are not wheelchair accessible; it's best double-check before you book.
  
• Don't forget sunscreen and a hat when you're out on the water.
  
• Keep in mind that some Potomac River activities are seasonal.
  

How to Get to the Potomac River
The Potomac River has many access points throughout the DC area, including in the East and West Potomac parks (both easily accessed on foot from the National Mall). For visitors riding the Washington Metro, the station nearest the river is Foggy Bottom/George Washington University. Various sightseeing cruises and boat tours on the river depart from the downtown waterfront, Georgetown, Alexandria, and Mount Vernon.

When to Get There

While the Potomac River is free to enjoy throughout the year, the views are arguably at their best during the spring cherry blossom season and in autumn when colorful leaves create a picturesque frame for the monuments on the shore. Expect temperatures in the upper 80s° F with high humidity from June to August.

Where to Get the Best Views of the Potomac

To get a feel for the Potomac, plan to see it from multiple locations. Besides downtown DC, the river flows through the National Zoological Park, Mount Vernon, and Great Falls, where the waterway cascades down a series of beautiful rapids. Public park land lines both sides of the river, offering ample places for a picnic.

Because of the constant volcanic activity, sand comes in a variety of colors in Hawaii—along with white, you can also find green and black, the latter of which is found on the well-known Punaluu Black Sand Beach.

Located on the southeastern Kau coast, between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the town of Naalehu, this beach should be on your list of places to visit when on the Big Island of Hawaii. The coastline is framed by coconut palms, but what is often found at the edge of the sand tends to steal all of the attention. Large honu, or Hawaiian green sea turtles, basking in the sun are a common sight here. Take as many pictures as you’d like, but be sure to stay a safe distance away.

Swimming isn’t ideal here due to waves and currents. There is an area for picnics, so plan ahead and come prepared to enjoy lunch with a view. Don’t take any black sand from the beach—legend says that a curse will also go home with you.

Up until 1819, ancient Hawaiians adhered to religious laws that were generally known as kapu. Everything in Hawaiian life—from which fish you could eat in which season to the clothes you were allowed to wear—was regulated by thousands of different kapu that carried stiff penalties if broken. Should your shadow ever have fallen on a chief, or if you failed to kneel while he was eating, it was a broken kapu punishable by death since you had disrespected the will of the gods.

Once a sacred kapu had been broken, the only way to redeem yourself was to find a puuhonua—a city of refuge where an elder or priest could cleanse you of the offending sin. Should you be found before your arrival, however, the punishment was often death.

As you can imagine, puuhonua were popular places during the days of ancient Hawaii, but a few are popular visitor attractions in this modern era of tourism. At the Puuhonua o Honaunau on the Big Island of Hawaii, the entire complex has been restored to reveal its original sacred grandeur. On a self-guided tour of the historic complex, walk around a lava rock wall that is 17 feet in width, and admire the massive wood-carved kii (tiki) that guard a sacred heiau (temple).

Once finished exploring the grounds and learning about ancient Hawaii, head next door to the black sand beach for some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii.

This street of brightly colored homes in Charleston is easily the most photographed spot in the city, and it’s easy to see why. The 14 colorful Georgian row houses along East Bay Street date back to 1730, when they were built as merchant stores.

Situated in near Waterfront Park in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, Rainbow Row features on just about every Charleston walking tour and carriage ride, along with other popular points of interest like the Dock Street Theatre, White Point Gardens, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and the Waterfront Battery. Once commercial buildings, the houses today have all been converted to private residences—meaning you can only gawk at them from the outside. 

Rainbow Row is located on the stretch of East Bay Street between Tradd and Elliot streets in Charleston. It’s located a short walk from Waterfront Park, and it’s easily accessible on foot from just about anywhere in the historic district. 

For the best light for your photo—and sparser crowds to interfere with shot—plan to visit early in the morning or around sunset. In summer, expect hot, humid weather with highs in the upper 80s.

No one’s sure just why the Rainbow Row houses got their signature sherbet-hued paint job. One theory posits that the houses were painted like this so drunken sailors returning from the port could easily find the right one. Another suggests the colors once indicated the type of goods sold within each house, making it easier to attract illiterate shoppers. 

Puget Sound is a complex of inlets, bays, and harbors that includes not only Seattle, but also Tacoma, Olympia, and plenty of charming little towns and unique islands. The region is home to sparkling blue waters, lush green forests, sandy beaches, and a relaxed, slow-paced way of life. 

 

Puget Sound stretches approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) from Deception Pass in the north to Olympia, Washington in the south. Distances between islands aren’t great, but you should still allow at least a day to explore a few of the islands and absorb the amazing views of the Olympic Mountains or the San Juan Islands.

 

Take a boat tour to Tillicum Village on Blake Island for a traditional Native Pacific Northwest dance performance, or sail to Bainbridge Island for an afternoon picnic. As you explore the sound, you’ll come across old fishing villages turned into yacht havens, and idyllic rural settings ripe for exploration. Wildlife aficionados will love tours focused on the Puget Sound’s endemic flora and fauna. Or spy it all from above on a thrilling seaplane tour. Many Seattle sightseeing tours combine Puget Sound boat tours with visits to city highlights such as Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and Pioneer Square, as do tours farther afield on the Olympic Peninsula.

 

Washington Ferries handle most of the traffic in Puget Sound, and you can get out on the water from the Seattle waterfront. Head to Pier 52 for Washington State Ferries, Pier 55 for harbor cruises and trips to Tillicum Village on Blake Island, or Pier 56 for boats to Chittenden (Ballard) Locks.

 

Although the Seattle area has a reputation for being rainy, most of that precipitation falls between November and May; the rest of the year can be beautiful. Consequently, summers can bring hordes of travelers and lots of waiting in line. Ideal months for a visit are September and October.

Puget Sound seaplane tours, which take off from locations such as Lake Union or Friday Harbor, are arguably the best and most unique way to see the sound and its surrounds. These planes, as their name suggests, have the ability to take off and land on water—a special experience for those not accustomed to this mode of transportation. Whale-watching tours, typically held May through November, are another Puget Sound specialty, offering the chance to spot humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas.

Built in 1847, Queen Emma Summer Palace is one of Oahu’s last remaining examples of Greek Revival architecture. The summer retreat of Queen Emma and the Hawaiian royal family from 1857 to 1885 is now a historic landmark and museum showcasing many of Queen Emma’s personal belongings, royal antiques, furnishings, and other objects.

Queen Emma inherited the palace, located in the Ko’olau foothills, from her uncle in 1857. The secluded location and elevation made the home a royal retreat from the heat of Honolulu. After Emma’s death the palace slipped into disrepair, and the Daughters of Hawai’i took it over in 1915. After extensive renovations, the palace opened to the public as a museum. It also serves as a cultural institution, offering guided and self-led tours, educational programs, and community events.

Admission to the palace is included with a Go Oahu card. 

Queen Emma Summer Palace is located in Nu’uanu, right off the Pali Highway and about a 10-minute drive from downtown Honolulu. City buses run from Honolulu and Waikiki regularly and stop near the palace. There is also on-site parking.

Queen Emma Summer Palace is open daily year-round except for major holidays. Oahu has a mild, tropical climate with hotter days in the summer and a rainy season typically from November to March.

Queen Emma Summer Palace is a 5-minute drive from the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, one of Oahu’s most visited viewpoints and a historic site. In 1795 during the bloody Battle of Nu’uanu, hundreds of Hawaiian warriors were pushed off the cliffs to their deaths. Today visitors to the lookout are treated to panoramic views of Oahu’s windward side and the Ko’olau Mountains.