The White House, Broadway, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Statue of Liberty - the sights of the United States are on everyone's lips! This country has over twenty World Heritage Sites (compiled by UNESCO), including:
- Power Point mounds;
- Independence Hall;
- The Grand Canyon;
- Yellowstone National Park.
Even if it seems to you that you know everything about the USA, this country can always surprise and inspire you! But anyone who comes here for the first time has a question: where to start? The choice is huge! What to see in the USA first?
Top 15 US attractions
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
One of the symbols of the United States and, perhaps, the most famous landmark of this country. It is under the protection of UNESCO. The famous statue was made in France at the end of the 19th century and presented to US citizens for the centenary of the Declaration of Independence. True, due to financial difficulties, the gift was ten years late: the statue was inaugurated in October 1886.
The sculpture is installed on Liberty Island (near Manhattan Island). Its height is 46 meters, the style is neoclassicism. Access to the island, where the famous landmark is located, is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Monument to Father Francis Duffy
The monument is located in Times Square (downtown New York). The monument depicts one of the heroes of the First World War, but this is not a warrior, but a regimental chaplain. He, unarmed, more than once carried the wounded out from under the shelling, was a moral support for the sick and dying. After the war, he served in the church of the most gangster district of New York.
His death was an irreparable loss for thousands of people. The church where he served did not interfere with everyone who wanted to say goodbye to him, so the funeral service was moved to another temple, much more spacious. The monument, which today is one of the main attractions of the city, was erected almost five years after the death of the priest.
Monument to the dog Balto
Monument to the dog Balto
The sculpture is installed in the Central Park of the US capital. A touching and heroic story is associated with this landmark.
The events took place at the beginning of the 20th century in one of the small towns of Alaska. An epidemic of diphtheria broke out there, children died. A medicine was needed that was not available in the town. Due to an incredible blizzard, it was impossible to transport it by plane. The only means of transport that could be used in this weather were dog sleds.
Balto the dog was the leader of the team that delivered the medicine to the town. The children were saved thanks to his courage, strength and ability to find the right direction in the midst of a blizzard (when the man driving the team did not even see his own hands!).
The monument to the heroic dog was unveiled during his lifetime, in the mid-1920s. He even attended the opening ceremony.
UN headquarters
This landmark is formally located in New York, but the territory on which it is located belongs to all UN member states.
Tourists continue to flow here, with many eager to see the headquarters' art collection. It contains works donated to organizations by various UN member states, including:
- the sculpture “Let's Beat Swords into Plowshares” (Soviet Union);
- sculpture "Bell of Peace" (Japan);
- a piece of the Berlin Wall (Germany);
- sculpture "Twisted pistol" (Luxembourg).
And those who are interested not only in art, but also in politics, can visit the halls of the General Assembly and the Security Council - the entrance there is also open to tourists.
Flatiron Building
One of the symbols of New York. Built at the beginning of the 20th century. In shape, this skyscraper somewhat resembles an iron, but from a certain point it looks completely flat.
This building was evaluated ambiguously by contemporaries of construction: someone admired it, someone spoke extremely negatively about the skyscraper. And even at the beginning of the 20th century, the building became famous for the strange aerodynamic effect observed on the adjacent street. The wind here was so strong that it lifted the skirts of women of fashion passing along the street, to the delight of the men nearby. The latter came here specially to witness a spicy spectacle.
Broadway
Broadway
It was once a trail through rocky and swampy terrain, but today it has become the longest and most famous street in the capital of the United States.
We are talking about Manhattan Broadway (after all, there are several streets with the same name in New York). Walking along Broadway can take about ten hours, including the inevitable stops for rest and food. It is best to embark on this journey early in the morning and in comfortable shoes in order to have time to see everything.
You will see the Theater District and Times Square, Union Square and Columbus Square … You will reach the end of the street, tired of a long walk and an excess of impressions, but this day will be remembered for a long time, you will be happy to remember it again and again!
Edgar Allan Poe House Museum
The house in which the famous American writer Edgar Poe lived the last three years of his life is located in New York (in the Bronx area). The works of this author, written in the 19th century, and today are read not only by the inhabitants of the United States, but also by Japan, France, England, Italy, Russia … His contribution to world literature is enormous: the writer became one of the founders of the detective and fantastic genres.
The modest house in which he lived with his family amazes fans of his talent who come here from all over the world. But at the time of Edgar Poe, his works were not very popular, he received scanty royalties and barely made ends meet.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the house was moved slightly away from its original location (due to the widening of the road). Today it is located in the park named after Edgar Poe.
The White house
The White house
This attraction does not need additional descriptions: there is not a single person in the world who has not heard of the residence of the US presidents, located in Washington. Probably, on the whole planet there is no more famous landmark than this one.
But not many people know that the presidential residence can be visited: excursions here are completely free! But you need to sign up for them six months in advance (due to the excess of applicants).
Independence Hall
This building, located in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is well known to many: its image can be seen on the reverse of the American hundred dollar bill. It was in this building that the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed in the 18th century. Today it is under the protection of UNESCO.
Walk of fame
Walk of fame
One of the landmarks of Los Angeles. On the sidewalks lined with dark slabs, you can read the names of more than 2,500 celebrities from the arts and entertainment industry. These names are written in coral pink stars embedded in dark sidewalk slabs.
Most of the names will tell you nothing: these people are unknown in our country (although they are very popular in the USA). But here you will also find the stars of Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Charlie Chaplin, Bob Marley, Sandra Bullock … There are also stars of fictional characters - Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Donald Duck … You can find your idol's star and take pictures next to her.
Monumental earthworks of Power Point
These colossal mounds are located near the town of Epps, Louisiana. They were built by the Indians long before the beginning of our era. It took centuries to build the giant mounds.
During archaeological excavations carried out here, mysterious clay objects with notches were found. Archaeologists believe that these artifacts symbolize the souls of deceased ancestors.
Grand canyon
One of the deepest canyons on Earth. Located in the state of Arizona. Protected by UNESCO. The stunning views attract about 4 million tourists every year. Some of the hikers descend into the canyon on mules - this is one of the most convenient ways to reach the bottom. Rafting is also popular: the Colorado River carries its waters along the bottom of the canyon.
Yellowstone national park
Yellowstone national park
This national park, now under the protection of UNESCO, was founded in the 70s of the XIX century and became the first national park in the world. There are several thousand geysers on its territory. Lake Yellowstone is located in the caldera of a huge dormant volcano.
The diversity of flora and fauna of the national park is impressive: several thousand species of plants grow here, hundreds of species of birds, fish, mammals, reptiles live here …
You can get to the park from Salt Lake City or Bozeman (by bus). When planning your route, keep in mind that there is no public transport in the park.
National Park "Mammoth Cave"
This Kentucky park is home to part of the longest cave system on Earth. The length of this system is still unknown: cavers are constantly discovering more and more of its branches.
Several interesting excursions are organized in the tourist part of the cave system. You can see the illuminated sections of the huge cave (such a tour takes from 1 to 6 hours), or you can go with kerosene lanterns to the dark mysterious nooks …
For lovers of the unknown, the so-called "wild" routes are provided: tourists go to the "uncultivated" parts of the cave. Those who choose such a route should know that at the end of the excursion they will have to change their clothes and take a shower: the unexplored corners of the famous cave system, in addition to secrets and mysteries, are full of dust and dirt. But the vivid impressions are worth it, believe me!
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
This area, protected by UNESCO, contains the ruins of Indian settlements built between the 6th and 13th centuries.
The national park is located in southwestern Colorado, on a plateau covered with coniferous forest. Several hundred thousand tourists from around the world visit this attraction annually.
