Six US cities you must visit: Thousands of people around the world eagerly waited for the US to reopen its borders.
Thousands of people around the world have been anxiously waiting for the US to reopen its borders. Whether it’s meeting up with friends or families, or trips that couldn’t take place over the past two years, there’s a lot of unmet demand. Fortunately, as of November 8, 2021, travelers from previously banned countries such as the UK, much of Europe, China, and India have been able to travel to America again.
- New York: Broadway Returns
Broadway is a 41 movie theater located along this famous boulevard in midtown Manhattan. From The Lion King and Wicked to Hamilton and The Book of Mormon, this iconic show has been sorely missed during the COVID pandemic.
A year without theater meant that those working in the industry had to look for alternative sources of income. Some actors have become bakers, and unemployed costume designers have started selling their creations on Etsy.
According to a report by the New York State Comptroller (the state’s chief financial officer), New York’s employment in the arts, entertainment, and leisure industries has fallen 66% during the pandemic.
So now that Broadway is back, it’s a relief for the arts sector and good news for ticket sales. With the opening up of international travel, the industry is slowly coming back to life as 50% of Broadway’s sales come from tourists.
The City That Never Sleeps is launching a $30 million recovery plan to help the tourism sector recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, under the slogan “New York misses you.”
- Washington DC: where history comes alive
The District of Columbia has more museums per square mile than anywhere else in the country, and most of them are free to the public.
Notable institutions such as the Smithsonian Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the Air and Space Museum attract visitors. The International Spy Museum is also a favorite. You can crack codes, spot spies in disguise, and be the subject of covert surveillance throughout your stay.
The National Children’s Museum has just reopened after 18 months of the pandemic, which is a great option if you’re traveling with kids. There’s a “Lights, Camera, Ocean” exhibit featuring SpongeBob SquarePants, a “virtual slime” in a sensor-filled slime laugh room, and a host of interactive exhibits covering science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Washington is a great city for walking because it is very walkable and surrounded by greenery. It’s full of people who love to make the most of their surroundings by getting outside to walk and bike, and Rock Creek Park is the perfect place for hiking and biking, and exploring.
- Atlanta: a city of exciting experiences
Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia and a popular destination for international travelers. Atlanta played a major role in both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Many come here to visit monuments and memorials such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
In recent years, it has become a major economic and cultural center and an air traffic hub with the busiest airport in the world.
The Georgia Aquarium has much marine life, including rare albino alligators and California sea lions. But sharks are the best – you can dive or swim in an aquarium with whale sharks. Visitors wishing to go diving must have a snorkeling qualification, but if you don’t want to get too wet, you can walk through the aquarium’s acrylic tunnel to see the creatures swimming from all directions.
Another exciting must-see attraction is the Illuminarium Safari, which takes place on the Atlanta BeltLine (a former railroad corridor in the city). This visual experience combines techniques used in old movies with virtual reality to enhance the image. In fact – VR without glasses.
The show takes visitors on an African safari where you see exotic animals in their natural habitat using real footage filmed in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, and Tanzania.
- Orlando: Where Disney is a way of life
There’s always a good reason to go to Disneyland, but 2022 is as special as ever.
There’s Cirque du Soleil, new rides like Remy’s Adventure at Ratatouille, and a Disney-themed kite-flying show. All of them are located in four parks: Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT.
In addition to Disney, there is another attraction in Orlando that thrill-seekers will love. VelociCoaster is a roller coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure that only launched in June 2021. Rushing through the jungle above the highlands, you race past Jurassic dinosaurs, squirming and hovering over land and water.
It has been called “America’s scariest roller coaster”, with one reviewer stating, “Honestly, the ride is so scary I barely spotted the dinosaurs.” Orlando boasts 450 hotels for all budgets, so it’s a very accessible city to visit, no matter where you come from. It is located right in the sunny state of Florida, so the climate is warm all year round.
- San Francisco: the place to eat
San Francisco is known for its culinary reputation. But recently, six of his restaurants have been awarded three Michelin stars. This is more than in any other city in the world. The French Laundry is one of the most famous fine dining establishments in Napa with a multi-month waiting list. It attracts gastronomy lovers from all over the world with tasting menus worth over $350 (300 euros).
Atelier Crenn is another establishment run by Dominique Crenn, America’s only three-star female chef. In addition to fine dining, there are many delicious restaurants, especially in the Bay Area. Since the pandemic, most have introduced outdoor seating so that visitors feel safe and can eat in a well-ventilated area. And given the warm weather in San Francisco, al fresco dining is just as inviting as it gets.
Since the majority of San Francisco’s population is between the ages of 25 and 44, and it has the lowest percentage of children of any major city, good food and high-quality wine are great for an adult getaway.
- Los Angeles: a paradise for film lovers
Los Angeles is the place to go if you want to meet celebrities as there are many actors living here.
West Hollywood is the best place to see them, whether strolling down Sunset Boulevard with a latte in hand or dining at one of the most exclusive restaurants. The APL Restaurant is one such hotspot frequented by Jake Gyllenhaal and directors like Jon Favreau.
But if you don’t like chasing celebrities, you can get a more cultural introduction to cinema by visiting the newly opened Academy Film Museum on Wilshire Boulevard. In museums, visitors can see some of Hollywood’s most iconic props, costumes, and memorabilia.
These include the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, the sled from Citizen Kane, and the droids from Star Wars. Movie artifacts from films such as Star Wars and The Extra-Terrestrial are on display at the AFP Academy Film Museum.
In addition, next to the iconic Hollywood sign, there are studios worth visiting such as Paramount Pictures, Universal, and Warner Brothers. They do backstage tours. And on Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame honors thousands of movie stars, and vendors sell tickets to celebrity homes. Los Angeles is a lively and welcoming city with a multicultural population speaking 220 different languages.
Similar Articles
