Things To Do In Your Favorite City

Image via Wikipedia

More and more people are realizing that cities are a great place to spend a vacation. You don’t have to automatically head to the beach with the kids, many US cities are packed with weird, wonderful, exciting and interesting stuff to see and do, so whether you’re booking next years vacation or just fancy spending a long weekend away from home, don’t forget to take a look at the fantastic things to do in US cities. They say that the “best things in life are free” – and that’s just what you can find in many of Americas city . . . great stuff to see and do for no charge whatsoever (or maybe a nominal fee in some cases . . . but hey, you’re on vacation, live a little).

Museums – all great US cities have them, and no, they’re not just for people in anorak’s who don’t mind the fusty smell of old rocks . . . there are great museums across America which can educate and entertain young and old alike.

• The Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History are great places to visit whilst on a trip to New York City.
• Boston has the Museum of Science and the fantastic “hands on” Children’s Museum.
• Washington DC is a museum lovers paradise – 19 of ‘em in total, all open to the public and they won’t cost you a dime. The Museum of Natural History, the Air & Space Museum, the Museum of American Art etc. etc. etc., not to mention more monuments than you could shake a stick at . . . take the kids to bring their school history lessons to life (it really does make that stuff much more interesting).
• Chicago is definitely “my kind of town” ‘cos that’s got some great museums too . . . . the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum for example, are fascinating places to visit.
  

  Exhibit at The Field Museum, Chicago

Parks & Zoos – are great for all the family to enjoy.  I mean, who doesn’t love a good animal park or zoo . . . and there are plenty of great zoos and parks in the cities of the United States.

• There’s the Children’s Zoo and the Central Park’s Zoo and Wildlife Center in New York. Well, there will be from early 2012 anyway, the Children’s Zoo is going through a bit of refurb so I can’t wait to visit afterwards and see the improvements.
• The country’s largest aquarium is in Atlanta, where you can enjoy the spectacular scene of beluga whales gently gliding by – magical.
  

  Image via Wikipedia

• Miami has it’s share of animal attractions too (not to mention the obvious attractions which can be spotted along the world famous beaches). Dolphin World, Everglades Alligator Farm and the Miami Seaquarium are all great places to visit.

Music & Theaters – you can’t possibly take a vacation in a US city without taking in a show or exploring the music roots of the city. How about;

• Broadway – needs no introduction, but there really is something there for everybody, from The Lion King to Mary Poppins.
• New Orleans – Hurricane Katrina really knocked this great city for six, but it’s now well and truly on the up again and is a great place to immerse yourself, and your family in Jazz music. You’d better ride a steam boat on the Mighty Mississippi while you’re there . . . you’ve just got to give it a go

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Other Stuff To Do in US Cities

Many of the cities of America are treasure troves just waiting to be explored. You’ll never cease to be surprised at what you find just around the next corner. Don’t forget to check out the;

• markets – always colorful, always noisy and a great place to get a real feeling for whichever city you’re visiting
• churches – interesting and historical churches and other places of worship are dotted about everywhere, and you don’t even have to be deeply spiritual to appreciate the wonder of many of these glorious buildings. Just stop for a second, gaze around and drink in the peaceful atmosphere found in the majority of these wonderful places
• parks – cities are, by nature, bustling and overcrowded places filled with people going about their daily business at around 90 miles per hour, but the other side to cities includes glorious parks where it’s okay, hey, it’s mandatory that you take time out to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings and marvel at the havens of tranquility which are often found slap bang in the middle of a bustling metropolis.
• beaches – if the kids don’t call a vacation a vacation without spending a day on the beach munching sand filled sandwiches, then that’s okay too, ‘cos there are lots of fantastic US cities which have all of the above (and much more) to offer . . . and glorious beaches too.
• sports – major cities in the US have other thing in common . . . major sports teams. Time your vacation right and you’ll be able to take in a game of your favorite team, if not you should still be able to pay homage at their playing arena or visitors store.
• shopping – don’t forget the amazing shopping opportunities which all great US cities have to offer. The phrase “shop till you drop” was invented here . . . then eat a little (at a fantastic restaurant), then shop a bit more.

Well he’s certainly well organized and knows how to make the most of his time on a US city vacation.