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Best Places to Travel in the United States

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By Hanni Yang​
Published May 10, 2022

Hey TYWLS students! Summer is almost here! From late June to early September, the summer break is when students have the chance to get away from the same old neighborhood. It’s a great time to travel around the world to relax, however, due to COVID-19, it’s an even better time to travel in the United States. In the U.S. there are plenty of popular and famous places to visit, but most of them are hot. So I interviewed one of my teachers and he gave me some places that he thought people would enjoy visiting in America. 
 
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. — the capital of the United States — attracts plenty of tourists from all over the world. A lot of people come to visit the White House, ​​the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States, and to see the Capitol. Although the weather in summer is very hot in Washington, there are many cool museums and monuments that record the history of the United States and how it became a powerful and developed country. 
 

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Famous Museums & Monuments

  • Lincoln Memorial

  • The National Museum of the American Indian

  • The Tidal Basin

  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

  • World War II Memorial

  • The White House and the Washington Monument

  • U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

 SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

Many of the country's most iconic sights may be seen in Washington, D.C. Great food, art, cultural activities, and much more can be found in this vibrant city. There are even cherry blossom festivals held in Washington D.C. during the spring. In summer, tourists would visit Georgetown where there’s a lot of luxurious food and shopping.

 

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Arizona is known for its amazing landscape The Grand Canyon. It is a true natural wonder, measuring over 277 river miles in length, up to 18 miles in breadth, and a mile deep. The Grand Canyon has expanded and deepened for six million years with the assistance of the Colorado River. For centuries, people from all over the world have come to the Grand Canyon to gaze out at its red and orange grandeur. There are even tours where visitors can ride donkeys down to the river! The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are early Spring and Fall, but no matter when you visit, it is always spectacular!

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Fun things to do

  • Grand Canyon Village

  • North and South Rim

  • Bright Angel Trail

  • North and South Kaibab Trail

  • Rim Trail

  • Colorado River Rafting

  • Havasu Falls

  • Grand Canyon Railway

erikharrison / Getty Images

Grand Canyon, Arizona is a great place to get away from the City and the routine of technologies. It's a splendid place for youths to get in touch with nature. From the north and south rims, there are breathtaking views that change color with passing clouds. There are also hiking trails connecting to the Colorado River below. Although the Grand Canyon is hot, you can take a hike, look at sunrise and sunset, and during the night when it’s cool, watch the stars and Milky Way sparkling over the desert.
 
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is known for its baked beans which is why people gave it the nickname, “Beantown”. Boston’s baked beans are one of the popular dishes that attract many tourists who come to taste this regional specialty. Since Boston is located near the shore, it is also known for seafood like lobster, oysters, cod, and chowders. 

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Places to visit

  • Freedom Trail

  • North End

  • Boston Marathon

  • Fenway Park

  • Faneuil Hall Marketplace

  • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

  • Boston Public Garden

  • Museum of Fine Art

  • Beacon Hill

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Additionally, Boston is the home of famous universities like Harvard, MIT, and Boston College. It is a hub of baseball, brownstones, and bookish collegiate types. It is also home to the first large free municipal public library in the United States, the first subway system, the first public school, and the first park. Furthermore, Boston is a nice place for those who love history since it has many museums that showcase the history of Boston and the American Revolution.
 

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a cultural place known for music, lively nightlife, various festivals, European architecture, Creole cuisines and constant parties. Most of the population in New Orleans are African Americans and White people who introduced their cultures to the tourists through their lively version of jazz music. People who live in New Orleans hold numerous festivals such as Mardi Gras when there is always jazz music in the air. 

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Fun things & Places to visit

  • French Quarter

  • Garden District

  • The National WWII Museum

  • New Orleans Swamp Tours

  • St. Louis Cathedral

  • Audubon Nature Institute

  • Chalmette Battlefield & Jean Lafitte National Park

  • Steamboat Natchez

  • Mardi Gras World

Paul Broussard/Nocavb

New Orleans is called the Birthplace of Jazz because famous jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, and King Oliver were born in New Orleans. Additionally, New Orleans has a lot of popular spicy Creole seafood dishes such as Blackened Catfish, Seafood Gumbo and Jambalaya.
 
New York City, New York
New York City — You’re a native New Yorker, so you probably overlook some of the most interesting things that make the Big Apple one of the most popular places for tourists and youths to visit. New York’s diversity, bustling crowds, and popular places fascinate people from all over the world. This vibrant city is known for its diverse food, exclusive shops, and unlimited opportunities for people to show off their identities and talents. Its museums and architecture record America’s history for tourists to learn and enjoy.

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Popular Places in NYC

  • The Statue of Liberty

  • Central Park

  • Rockefeller Center

  • Metropolitan Museum of Art

  • Broadway Theaters

  • Empire State Building

  • Time Square

  • Brooklyn Bridge

  • Grand Central Terminal

  • St. Patrick Cathedral

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New York City is also the financial capital of the U.S. since it has economic organizations such as Wall Street, The Federal Reserve Bank, New York City Economic Development Corporation, etc. Moreover, the United Nations is headquartered in New York City, which makes NYC a popular destination for global travelers.

 

Santa Barbara, California

Summer in most of Southern California may be super hot, but in Santa Barbara, it is cooler compared to other places in the United States. As one of the best places to go in California. Santa Barbara has sunny beaches, tall mountains, and a rich variety of cultures. One can sip bubble tea at a sidewalk cafe and look at mountains on her left and the Pacific Ocean on her right. That's why Santa Barbara is a great tourist destination. A lot of people come for Santa Barbara wine because the Santa Ynez Valley is surrounded by vineyards, which attracts many wine lovers.

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Things to do

  • East Beach

  • Santa Barbara Zoo

  • State Street Promenade

  • Santa Barbara Museum of Art

  • Arroyo Burro Beach County Park

  • Stearns Wharf

  • Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

  • Santa Barbara Horseback Riding

 Blake Bronstad

Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor, Maine

Acadia National Park is known for the beauty of its Atlantic shore. Acadia is a year-round tourist destination. When autumn is cool, tourists come to see its stunning autumn leaves, in winter, there are scenic drives, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. But summer is the best time of all when giant waves crash loudly onto the rocks at Thunder Hole spraying onlookers with cool water. The views in Acadia are relaxing and comfortable. In Acadia National Park, there’s hiking, horseback riding, biking, and rock climbing, which is a best place for outdoor enthusiasts. The nearby town of Bar Harbor is famous for its lobster rolls which consist of fresh lobster salad with mayonnaise on a hot dog bun. Most tourists will come for their fresh and tasty lobsters, but there are many other types of really fresh North Atlantic seafood in Maine.

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Places to visit

  • The Beehive Trail

  • Wild Gardens of Acadia

  • Thunder Hole

  • Sand Beach

  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

  • Cadillac Mountain

  • Jordan Pond

  • Schoodic Point

  • Otter Cliff

the Visitor's Guide

Amish Country, Ohio
Amish Country is a great place for tourists to learn the history and traditions of the Amish people. There are stores where one can buy Amish traditional handicrafts, food, and clothes. In Amish Country, you can enjoy pastoral life and get back to the old times. Amish Country is a different kind of break from the big cities and their shopping malls. The historic town of Wellington in Amish country is a relaxing place where you can see America the way it was in its old styles. There’s even a buggy ride for people to fully experience the Amish Country. 

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Places to visit

  • The Farm at Walnut Creek

  • Amish Country Theater

  • Holmes County Flea Market

  • Amish Home Tours and Buggy Rides

  • World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock

  • Amish Country Riding Stables

  • Age of Steam Roundhouse

  • Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center 

Doyle Yoder

There are several universities around the Amish Country such as Oberlin College, Franklin & Marshall College, Elizabethtown College, and more. Forget all your stress from the city as Amish Country is a bucolic style. It will give you a wonderful experience.
 
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is a charming town with many fun activities. There are luxury stores, book stores, toy stores, and clothing stores for visitors in Downtown Woodstock. There are also farmhouses, great restaurants, and beautiful boutiques. In Woodstock, you can interact with animals and look around at their beautiful sceneries. Moreover, many people go to Woodstock to shop for antiques. Woodstock in the summer is a brilliant green everywhere you look. The beautiful scenery in Woodstock, Vermont will make you forget all your worries and pressures.

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joscelynb/flickr

Fun places to go

  • Quechee Gorge Village

  • Long Trail Brewery

  • Billing Farms

  • Quechee Gorge

  • Simon Pearce

“Best Things to Do in Amish Country - Plan Your Perfect Escape!” Northeast Ohio Family Fun, 25 Sept. 2020, northeastohiofamilyfun.com/things-to-do-in-amish-country/. Accessed 25 May 2022.

“How 10 Popular U.S. Cities Got Their Nicknames | Oyster.com.” Oyster.com, 14 June 2017, www.oyster.com/articles/how-10-popular-u-s-cities-got-their-nicknames/#:~:text=Boston%20goes%20by%20many%20nicknames,label%2C%20however%2C%20is%20Beantown.. Accessed 19 May 2022.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Independent-Travel-Cats/264646930344165. “Top Things to Do in Amish Country Ohio: A Great Family Destination.” Independent Travel Cats, 4 Oct. 2015, independenttravelcats.com/amish-country-ohio-planning-family-getaway/#:~:text=The%20area%20is%20generally%20referred,pastoral%20scenery%20of%20this%20region.. Accessed 25 May 2022.

“The 30 Best Places to Visit in the USA.” Usnews.com, 2021, travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-usa-vacations/. Accessed 31 Mar. 2022.

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