Around the United States:
There are several sites located in 1 general large area at the Grand Canyon. You can try to take in all of them with 1 trip, but we recommend seeing the Grand Canyon as a separate trip. Either way, the summer months can get hot. Late spring and early fall are good times to visit. There is snow in the winter. Do check out the link on our web site (above) to "Photos & Videos" and look for the link to "Southwest U.S." to see our photos of this area.
1. The Grand Canyon -- the world famous canyon carved by the Colorado River is about 1 mile deep. There are 2 sides to view the canyone. One is the more famous South rim and the other, naturally, is the North rim. The roads leading to them both can be reached from Las Vegas, Nevada, which is often referred to as an adults’ Disneyland. The north rim is closed in winter and the south rim can also have fair amounts of snow. The south rim offers views down into the valley and the river below is visible, therefore it is the more popular side to visit. The north rim offers long views of the canyon, but one does not get a sense of the depth and the river is not normally visible. Raft trips are available on parts of the Colorado and need to be arranged a long time before the raft trip.
2. Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks are located in the state of Utah. Bryce is spectacular with its red coloring and immense spires. One can take a trail down into the canyon. A good one which is not too difficult is the "Navajo trail". There are ranger-led walks as well, but you can easily do this on your own. Stop at the visitor centers first for information. Zion park has excellent trails to hike and one can explore natural bridges formed by wind and water erosion. There are also some "slot canyons" which are relatively safe to hike along. They are beautiful. We do NOT recommend going down into the slot canyons on your own. They are known for their flash flooding. The rain falling many miles away (in spite of the sky being blue above you) can result in devastating sudden flooding through the slot canyon. You do NOT want to be caught in there at such a time, so only go with experienced guides unless you know what you are doing and have checked the local weather report. Walking along the trails above the slots is safe, however, even in times of sudden flooding.
3. Natural Bridges National Monument is an area in Utah where one can drive and/or hike to some of the areas most spectacular rock bridges formed by wind and rain erosion.
4. Ever wonder where the old "Cowboy and Indian" movies were shot? Today's "Indians" (correctly referred to as Native Americans), have a reservation which includes Monument Valley. Upon entering, you pay a fee and pass a check point monitored by the Navajo Tribal Nation. The scenery is stunning!! You can either take one of their guided tours which depart from the tribal visitor center OR you can drive the well maintained dirt road yourself. There are self guided brochures and tapes or cd available at the center so you can follow the numbered stops along the route through the valley.
5. Mesa Verde National Park is an area of abandoned cliff side dwellings of the ancient inhabitants. They built these amazing structures on the sheer sides of cliffs. There is controversy as to the proper name of the people who lived there. Most commonly, they are referred to as "Anasazi" people, but in the Navajo language, that translates to "enemy of my people". The descendants of these tribes cannot agree, but some call themselves the "Heubi" tribe and others as the more general "Ancient pueblo people". The Park Service operates tours through the dwellings. You need to have good shoes for climbing as the tour includes climbing up ladders and a bit of walking, but it is well worth the effort.
6. Yellowstone National Park is located mostly in the state of Wyoming. A small part juts into Montana. It is considered one of the nation's most popular parks by Americans and foreign visitors. Nearby is the Grand Teton National Park and it would be well worth a drive through it. Hiking in either park can be difficult as trails become steep very quickly. Yellowstone offers many easier worthwhile walks. There are shuttle busses that take visitors through the more popular areas where cars are prohibited. Educate yourself about what to do if you encounter a bear especially if you don’t hike with a guide.
7. Chicago is known for its amazing architecture. There are many exciting things to do and see in this mid-western city, located in the middle of the country. One can take varying types and lengths of architecture walking tours with volunteer guides. Some walks are sure to include buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright. Additionally, you can go to the top of the Sears Tower building, one of the tallest buildings in the US, to get a view of the city. One of the more beautiful buildings is the B’hai Temple. The Institute of Art contains remarkaable masterpieces.The winter can be very cold and snowy and the peak summer months can be very hot and humid, so choose your time well.
8. San Antonio, Texas - we have not been there, but we hear it is a wonderful place to visit. There is a well known river walk as well as museums. Check it out and let us know what you think - it's on our list of places to visit.
9. Charleston, South Carolina & Savannah, Georgia -- 2 unforgettable cities of the "South". In Charleston, see old plantations, explore inlets with alligators (safely of course), visit Fort Sumter (where the first shots were fired to start the Civil War) On foot or in a horse drawn carriage visit the old Antebellum Houses. Don't miss visiting the old town of Savannah, Georgia with its charming iron work grilles and southern charm. Ride on the city’s tour bus which stops at many of the famous houses. You can get on and off at will.
10. Boston, Massachusettes is an excellent place to begin a tour of the colonial days of early America. You can walk the famous "freedom trail" past historic cemeteries and sights made famous in revolutionary America. It is a very interesting city.
11. Near Washington, D.C., we HIGHLY RECOMMEND a visit to Colonial Williamsburg which has been restored to its pre-revolutionary appearance, complete with people in period costume performing their trades such as silversmithing, horseshoeing, training of new recruits for the revolutionary continental army. There is even a court house which holds trials for people chosen from the crowd of tourists accused of all sorts of "crimes". It all sounds as if it is just for children, but quite the contrary, it is intended as a period reconstruction which both adults and children can enjoy. It is a lot of fun and very educational.
12. Washington, D.C. our nation's capitol has so much to see and do from visiting houses of Congress, the White House, Supreme Court, the famous Smithsonian Institutes, the holocaust museum, Ford's Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated) to name a few of the many interesting historic sites. There is so much to see and do in the capitol from visiting houses of Congress, to tours of the White House, see the Supreme Court, visit the famous Smithsonian Institutes, visit the holocaust museum, Ford's Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated), and so many interesting historic sites.
13. Thomas Jefferson's home in Monticello, Virginia -- near Washington, D.C., is fascinating. This home, designed by Jefferson (the 3rd president of the U.S. who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution) is open to the public. You must make reservations in advance to secure a time to tour this very interesting home and gardens.
14. New York City is obviously one of the favorite sights for foreign as well as American tourists. There is so much to see and do including taking in a play "on" or "off" Broadway. Review the link and see what there is to see.
15. Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Amish Communities are quite interesting to visit. The Amish still preserve their simple way of life which was how their ancestors lived. They still use horse driven plows on the farm, Horse drawn buggies. They do not use electricity or telephones. They are also known for their beautiful handmade quilts. Adult males are expected to grow and maintain a beard.
16. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area runs along the Oregon and Washington State border and offers beautiful views along the route. There are suspension bridges to cross the river as well as many trails for hiking and exploring this pristine area. It often rains there.
17. Olympic National Park is an extremely scenic rainforest environment in Washington State. There are many hiking trails and beautiful scenery in the forest as well as along the coast. It is the only rainforest in the US. With three distinct ecosystems and nearly one million acres to explore, there's a lot to see and do at Olympic National Park. The "Plan Your Visit" section is a great place to start. Be prepared for rains.
There are several sites located in 1 general large area at the Grand Canyon. You can try to take in all of them with 1 trip, but we recommend seeing the Grand Canyon as a separate trip. Either way, the summer months can get hot. Late spring and early fall are good times to visit. There is snow in the winter. Do check out the link on our web site (above) to "Photos & Videos" and look for the link to "Southwest U.S." to see our photos of this area.
1. The Grand Canyon -- the world famous canyon carved by the Colorado River is about 1 mile deep. There are 2 sides to view the canyone. One is the more famous South rim and the other, naturally, is the North rim. The roads leading to them both can be reached from Las Vegas, Nevada, which is often referred to as an adults’ Disneyland. The north rim is closed in winter and the south rim can also have fair amounts of snow. The south rim offers views down into the valley and the river below is visible, therefore it is the more popular side to visit. The north rim offers long views of the canyon, but one does not get a sense of the depth and the river is not normally visible. Raft trips are available on parts of the Colorado and need to be arranged a long time before the raft trip.
2. Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks are located in the state of Utah. Bryce is spectacular with its red coloring and immense spires. One can take a trail down into the canyon. A good one which is not too difficult is the "Navajo trail". There are ranger-led walks as well, but you can easily do this on your own. Stop at the visitor centers first for information. Zion park has excellent trails to hike and one can explore natural bridges formed by wind and water erosion. There are also some "slot canyons" which are relatively safe to hike along. They are beautiful. We do NOT recommend going down into the slot canyons on your own. They are known for their flash flooding. The rain falling many miles away (in spite of the sky being blue above you) can result in devastating sudden flooding through the slot canyon. You do NOT want to be caught in there at such a time, so only go with experienced guides unless you know what you are doing and have checked the local weather report. Walking along the trails above the slots is safe, however, even in times of sudden flooding.
3. Natural Bridges National Monument is an area in Utah where one can drive and/or hike to some of the areas most spectacular rock bridges formed by wind and rain erosion.
4. Ever wonder where the old "Cowboy and Indian" movies were shot? Today's "Indians" (correctly referred to as Native Americans), have a reservation which includes Monument Valley. Upon entering, you pay a fee and pass a check point monitored by the Navajo Tribal Nation. The scenery is stunning!! You can either take one of their guided tours which depart from the tribal visitor center OR you can drive the well maintained dirt road yourself. There are self guided brochures and tapes or cd available at the center so you can follow the numbered stops along the route through the valley.
5. Mesa Verde National Park is an area of abandoned cliff side dwellings of the ancient inhabitants. They built these amazing structures on the sheer sides of cliffs. There is controversy as to the proper name of the people who lived there. Most commonly, they are referred to as "Anasazi" people, but in the Navajo language, that translates to "enemy of my people". The descendants of these tribes cannot agree, but some call themselves the "Heubi" tribe and others as the more general "Ancient pueblo people". The Park Service operates tours through the dwellings. You need to have good shoes for climbing as the tour includes climbing up ladders and a bit of walking, but it is well worth the effort.
6. Yellowstone National Park is located mostly in the state of Wyoming. A small part juts into Montana. It is considered one of the nation's most popular parks by Americans and foreign visitors. Nearby is the Grand Teton National Park and it would be well worth a drive through it. Hiking in either park can be difficult as trails become steep very quickly. Yellowstone offers many easier worthwhile walks. There are shuttle busses that take visitors through the more popular areas where cars are prohibited. Educate yourself about what to do if you encounter a bear especially if you don’t hike with a guide.
7. Chicago is known for its amazing architecture. There are many exciting things to do and see in this mid-western city, located in the middle of the country. One can take varying types and lengths of architecture walking tours with volunteer guides. Some walks are sure to include buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright. Additionally, you can go to the top of the Sears Tower building, one of the tallest buildings in the US, to get a view of the city. One of the more beautiful buildings is the B’hai Temple. The Institute of Art contains remarkaable masterpieces.The winter can be very cold and snowy and the peak summer months can be very hot and humid, so choose your time well.
8. San Antonio, Texas - we have not been there, but we hear it is a wonderful place to visit. There is a well known river walk as well as museums. Check it out and let us know what you think - it's on our list of places to visit.
9. Charleston, South Carolina & Savannah, Georgia -- 2 unforgettable cities of the "South". In Charleston, see old plantations, explore inlets with alligators (safely of course), visit Fort Sumter (where the first shots were fired to start the Civil War) On foot or in a horse drawn carriage visit the old Antebellum Houses. Don't miss visiting the old town of Savannah, Georgia with its charming iron work grilles and southern charm. Ride on the city’s tour bus which stops at many of the famous houses. You can get on and off at will.
10. Boston, Massachusettes is an excellent place to begin a tour of the colonial days of early America. You can walk the famous "freedom trail" past historic cemeteries and sights made famous in revolutionary America. It is a very interesting city.
11. Near Washington, D.C., we HIGHLY RECOMMEND a visit to Colonial Williamsburg which has been restored to its pre-revolutionary appearance, complete with people in period costume performing their trades such as silversmithing, horseshoeing, training of new recruits for the revolutionary continental army. There is even a court house which holds trials for people chosen from the crowd of tourists accused of all sorts of "crimes". It all sounds as if it is just for children, but quite the contrary, it is intended as a period reconstruction which both adults and children can enjoy. It is a lot of fun and very educational.
12. Washington, D.C. our nation's capitol has so much to see and do from visiting houses of Congress, the White House, Supreme Court, the famous Smithsonian Institutes, the holocaust museum, Ford's Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated) to name a few of the many interesting historic sites. There is so much to see and do in the capitol from visiting houses of Congress, to tours of the White House, see the Supreme Court, visit the famous Smithsonian Institutes, visit the holocaust museum, Ford's Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated), and so many interesting historic sites.
13. Thomas Jefferson's home in Monticello, Virginia -- near Washington, D.C., is fascinating. This home, designed by Jefferson (the 3rd president of the U.S. who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution) is open to the public. You must make reservations in advance to secure a time to tour this very interesting home and gardens.
14. New York City is obviously one of the favorite sights for foreign as well as American tourists. There is so much to see and do including taking in a play "on" or "off" Broadway. Review the link and see what there is to see.
15. Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Amish Communities are quite interesting to visit. The Amish still preserve their simple way of life which was how their ancestors lived. They still use horse driven plows on the farm, Horse drawn buggies. They do not use electricity or telephones. They are also known for their beautiful handmade quilts. Adult males are expected to grow and maintain a beard.
16. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area runs along the Oregon and Washington State border and offers beautiful views along the route. There are suspension bridges to cross the river as well as many trails for hiking and exploring this pristine area. It often rains there.
17. Olympic National Park is an extremely scenic rainforest environment in Washington State. There are many hiking trails and beautiful scenery in the forest as well as along the coast. It is the only rainforest in the US. With three distinct ecosystems and nearly one million acres to explore, there's a lot to see and do at Olympic National Park. The "Plan Your Visit" section is a great place to start. Be prepared for rains.
