Discover the Hidden Gems of the USA: Top Attractions in New York, California & Alaska

The United States is a vast country comprising 50 states located in North America, with Alaska in the northwest and still extended to Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean.  As a result, it offers an immense variety of activities and destinations. Thus, choosing a perfect destination to make the best of your vacation might be difficult. If that’s the case, you don’t need to worry, as the article below will provide you with some interesting destinations in various regions of the USA to seek out unsung and overlooked treasures across the country, ensuring that your holidays are truly memorable. 

The Best Things To Explore In New York, USA

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

A friendship gift from France to the US and a symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty offers a gorgeous view of the city of New York. The statue is not just a symbol of New York but of the whole of America, and Ellis Island also represents the whole nation, as almost half of the Americans can trace their ancestry there. There are many ways to view the statue, but it is recommended to visit it closely and climb to reach the top of the statue as it is worth an incredible view. From the statue, you can take a ferry ride directly to the island to explore many amazing American getaways, like the immigration museum. 

Broadway

Broadway is widely considered the heart of the American commercial theatrical industry. This theatre district houses 40 Broadway theatres, thus assisting New York in delivering some of the best live theatre worldwide. It doesn't matter what is being shown in these theatres, whether it's a long-duration classic event, the latest smash hit, or a new musical concert, you will be transferred to your new world of fantasy from where you can't be out till the event ends. 

Brooklyn Bridge

Walking at Brooklyn Bridge, which is a bit over a one-mile walk, you will experience spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. Visiting the bridge is itself a wonder that you can experience on your own. Just walking over the bridge will make you relaxed, and you will feel the tranquillity in your own thoughts. You can always take a walk in the early morning or late evening in summer and mid-afternoon in winter, as the bridge is hot during peak sunlight hours. You can take your beautiful photos with the amazing scenery behind you. 

Little Italy and Chinatown

You will enjoy the trip to these two villages, though historic, but still completely different and unique neighbourhoods located in downtown New York City. Little Italy town can be a bit small, but it is touristy in its very nature. It has maintained many bakeries, restaurants, and shops. Some of them are as old as 100 years, thus providing a good option for dining.  However, Chinatown is a great place for bargain shopping, having delicious cuisine, and immersing oneself in Chinese immigration culture. Here, visiting a Museum of Chinese in America is worth a visit, where you can explore the history of Chinese immigration to the US, a recreation of an old Chinatown general store, artefacts from old Chinatown, and aspects of current Chinese American culture. 

Seek Out Gems of California, USA

17 Miles Drive

California's 17-mile drive is a must-visit route that goes through some of the iconic stretches of the Monterey Bay coastline. The drive will leave you spellbound as you pass by the exclusive community of Pebble Beach, ascend to the height of the Del Monte Forest, go through a historic palatial mansion, and come down along the picturesque scenery of the hilly beaches and bluffs. You can stop at various places for a perfect scenery view and for your dining, which is available along the route.

Explore the national forest

California has the largest number of national forests of any state in the US. You can visit several national parks, including Cleveland, Mendocino, San Bernardino, Six Rivers, Angeles, and Los Angeles. Apart from beautiful wilderness landscapes, these forest destinations offer various activities to their visitors, such as hiking trails and camping options. 

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is full of history. The first lighthouse of the Western US has been placed here. It used to be a fort and a military prison, which became a house for famous convicts like Al Capone and George Kalley. A visit to the island is still among the best tourist attractions in California, where visitors can tour the cell houses where prisoners were kept. The island structure is still intact with the steel bar of the prison, claustrophobic cells, library, mass hall, and dark holes. 

Universal Studios Hollywood

It is a perfect place to have fun with family, as it is the only place in the world that offers a combination of theme parks and a working movie studio in Los Angeles. The must-see attractions of this Universal Studio Hollywood include the exploration of the wizarding world of Harry Potter, rides at Jurassic World, a famous studio tour of "The World", shopping and entertainment opportunities at Universal City walk, playing the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and joining the seasonal events like Halloween Horror Nights, if possible. 

Discover the Chilled Alaska of the USA

Aurora

Alaska's arctic region is the best area to explore amazing views of the Aurora Borealis because of its unique geography and stable and clear weather. Though you can experience this superb geographical phenomenon only after complete darkness in the months starting from August 21 to April 21. Aurora Borealis is the line that has been recognized as the starting point of light in the northern hemisphere, and the light travels to another region from here. 

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

This is a non-profit wildlife sanctuary covering an area of around 200 acres to make the animals feel like their home and allow them to display their natural behaviour without any constraints. It is fully dedicated to preserving Alaska's diverse wildlife by conserving, researching, educating, and providing quality care to them. You can either take a walk or drive to locate the range of native habitats of Alaska, including brown bears while swimming, wood bison while roaming around, wolves, muskox, moose, porcupines, foxes, and many more. 

Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum

This is a must-visit museum in Alaska, and it doesn't matter whether you like cars or not. The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum exhibits stunning collections of over 100 American-made vehicles manufactured before World War II. You can locate various automobiles, ranging from horseless carriages to racecars, in beautifully restored and working condition. Apart from that, the museum also holds a remarkable collection of historic fashions that are paired with cars from each era, as well as displays of Alaska's motoring history in an entertaining way that will stun you.

Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier is a beautiful destination to spend time with your loved ones and experience soothing nature up close. Unlike other glaciers around the world, it is thickening and advancing as it accumulates a large area and thus paves a way to either melt or flow down the snow of the mountains to the end of the glacier, and assists the glacier in growing steadily. Hubbard, nicknamed "Galloping Glacier," is considered the largest tidewater glacier in North America and has thus caused the largest glacier lake outburst flood in recent history. You can even locate the sea lions and seals on the glacier if you visit it

Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary

Visiting the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is a unique and wholesome experience and a perfect way to explore the ecology, history, wildlife, and native culture of Southeast Alaska. Educational birds of prey can be found here during the summer months. You can also locate various spellbound destinations, including Eagle Creek, a fish hatchery, Wildlife Sanctuary and Eagle Centre, and Bear Country and Wildlife Expedition during your visit to the sanctuary.  

FAQs

What is the major tourist attraction in the US?

Though the USA has a great variety of tourist attractions, Times Square is the most visited public tourist site in the States, with around 50 million annual visitors. In contrast, the Grand Canyons is ranked as the best vacation spot according to US News and World Report. 

What are some common activities among Americans?

Quite a few things are considered “American things to do,” including attending a baseball game, having a BBQ, exploring national parks, hiking, watching American football, experiencing Hollywood, and many others. 

What is the best state in the US for a vacation?

Though every state of the US is excellent and offers various things to its visitors, however, according to many travel experts, California is considered the best place for spending a vacation as it offers a diverse landscape, including mountains, beaches, wine country, and bustling cities. 

Do I need a visa to visit the US?

Yes, you are required to have a visitor visa before visiting the United States unless and until you are qualified for a visa waiver program. 

Which stadium in the US is best for enjoying soccer matches?

Michigan Stadium, The Rose Bowl, and Houston Stadium are some of the best stadiums in the US that are considered best for enjoying soccer matches.