Things to Do in Usa

Little else speaks to the diverse abundance of Florida’s waterways than a trip to the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Alligators, herons, wild pigs, otters, butterflies and more all compete for more than 2,200 acres of prime Florida wetland. With 1.2 miles of boardwalk, you can wander these intimate habitats in an accessible yet noninvasive way while pointing out wildlife to loved ones. A photo blind allows visitors to get incredibly close shots of some of the animals, and two observation towers keep kids entertained with mile-long views of this unique environment. 

This half mile (.8 km) stretch of pristine white sand is the largest public beach Key West has to offer. Located on the south side of the island, against the shimmering turquoise waters of the Atlantic, Smathers Beach is the perfect place to relax while in Key West.

Thrill seekers can rent out water sports gear, kayaks, and mini sail boats from vendors along the beach. There are also numerous opportunities to parasail and snorkel. If you're looking to just relax on the sand, the vendors also offer beach chairs to help make your lounging more comfortable. There are also three volleyball nets scattered along the beach. All of these attractions make Smathers Beach the ideal sport for either a day trip or to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Stretching 1,080 miles (1,735 kilometers) from Yellowstone National Park to the Oregon border, the Snake River is one of North America’s longest rivers. It serves an important role in the ecosystem as a home for tons of wildlife, including wild salmon, and is also a top location for water recreation like rafting, fishing, and kayaking.

The Basics

Snake River activities are all about the water and one of the most popular ways to enjoy the rushing white water is rafting through Snake River Canyon. Join a guide to safely navigate Class III rapids from Jackson Hole in Wyoming, or head out on trip from Grand Teton National Park for amazing mountain views. Floating trips offer a calm alternative with chances to see animals like moose, deer, and river otters in their natural habitat, while jet boat tours cover the most miles in the least amount of time. Or, make a full day out of exploring Grand Teton National Park from Jackson Hole to combine a Snake River white-water rafting trip with hiking and sightseeing.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Dress for the weather, as this is an outdoor activity.
  
• Find a tour that matches your comfort level, from easy floats to fast rapids.
  
• Consider bringing a waterproof camera and binoculars. 
  

How to Get There

Though the largest portion of the Snake River is in Idaho, the river also runs through Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Washington, where it joins the Columbia River. It is most readily accessed from a number of US parks, including Yellowstone National Park and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area—roughly six hours from Portland. Other popular put-ins include Clarkston, Washington; Lewiston, Idaho; and Astoria, Oregon.

When to Get There

Visit during the summertime for the most pleasant weather and best chance of joining a guided tour, as many are only offered seasonally from May through September.

Snake River Origins

The Snake River was created by a volcanic hot spot that today sits under Yellowstone. Once known as the Lewis River, the name Snake River actually comes from a mix-up: Early pioneers misunderstood the Shoshone peoples’ hand signal for fish and thought they were signifying snakes.

At Clearwater’s SimCenter, you’ll find cutting-edge technology in the form of incredible simulator programs that make it possible experience what it’s like operating otherwise out-of-reach vehicles like jetliners, race cars and fighter planes. The simulators are highly realistic; in fact, the Boing 737 simulator is like the ones used to train actual pilots and SimCenter even offers airline interview preparation programs. Some of the most popular simulators among visitors are the fighter jets and a 360-degree 3D space simulator that lets you pilot a virtual spacecraft form an orbital carrier and fly through the solar system. SimCenter also has kid-friendly activities, including an electric race car track.

Sitka National Historical Park is Alaska's oldest national park. Established in 1890 to commemorate the 1804 Battle of Sitka, as well as to preserve Native totemic art, the park strives to combine beautiful temperate rainforest with history. Northwest Coast totem poles line much of the coastal trail here, and the Russian Bishop’s house stands as one of the last existing examples of Russian Colonial architecture in North America. Visitors can also attend ethnographic exhibits and the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center, where guests are allowed to watch native artists at work. In addition, you can still visit the site of the Tlingit Fort and battlefield near the heart of this 113-acre (45-hectare) national park, and though not much remains of the last major battle between Europeans and the Alaskan Natives, it remains an interesting glimpse into the past, surrounded by towering spruce and western hemlock.

For stunning views over Skagway and its environs, take a scenic drive along the road to Dyea and follow the turnoff to the Overlook.

The viewing platform at the Skagway Overlook takes in the town of Skagway, waterways and surrounding peaks dusted with snow.

Bring your camera and set it to panoramic to capture wide-angle shots of the Skagway River, and inlets and waterways like neighboring Smugglers Cove.

Tours heading to the White Pass summit take time so visitors can appreciate the views over Skagway from the Overlook observation platform.




Photo by Bill & Vicki Tracey, sourced from Wikimedia Commons

The Pacific Coast town of Sitka sits on Baranof Island in Alaska’s Inside Passage and is only accessible by air and sea. Its combination of Russian settlement history, native Tlingit culture and breathtaking natural landscapes makes it one of the Inside Passage’s greatest hits.

Shore excursions like sea kayaking cater to outdoor enthusiasts, while culture and history buffs will enjoy a walking tour of town.

How to get to Sitka
Most cruise ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers to the harbor in the downtown area, which can be explored on foot.

One Day in Sitka
Start your walking tour of town at Castle Hill on Lincoln Street, near the tender drop-off point by O’Connell Bridge. Snap some photos of Sitka and the waterfront at the lookout spot, where the Russian flag was lowered and the American flag raised when Alaska was transferred to the US in 1867. Then continue along Lincoln Street, the town’s main drag.

Pass by St Michael’s Cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House, both of which date back to the 1840s, as you make your way to Sitka National Historic Park. Check out the Russian and indigenous exhibits before taking a walk on the park trail that winds its way past several traditional totem poles.

For more town scenery, make your way to Katlian Street, which will take you along the Sitka Channel, full of fishing boats. Before getting back on your ship, don’t miss a performance by the New Archangel Dancers if you didn’t catch them when you disembarked.

Who can resist the siren call of a rollercoaster theme park? Six Flags Magic Mountain is all things a roller coaster park should be – dozens of white-knuckle rides, a pleasant ambiance, great food, and friendly staff. Though the lines may be long, Six Flags Magic Mountain earns its reputation as one of the best rollercoaster parks in the country with a great mix of traditional wooden roller coasters (like the APOCALYPSE) and modern cutting edge twisters like “X” and “The Goliath.” Complete with a Kids Rides section that keeps fun at a maximum, Six Flags Magic Mountain is a true theme park for the whole family. Grab the kids, wear close-toed shoes, and get ready to have a ball.

The Sixth Floor Museum chronicles the events leading to the assassination of President Kennedy in November 1963.

It’s a moving and eerie experience to visit the museum, taking up the very spot Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that perhaps killed the president.

Film, photographs, artifacts and exhibits examine the event and the ensuing investigations.

Oral history and eyewitness accounts form an important part of the museum’s collection, and you can take an audio walking tour of the area.