One of the hardest things about living in a country of such great diversity, with so much to offer in term of sightseeing and of such great size is how do you take it all in and really enjoy everything to see and experience? Many have taken on the challenge of a cross country journey to scratch that itch. There is nothing like traveling by car from one coast to the other to give you a deep appreciation of the magnificence God has put into the American landscape.

But to really make that cross country trip an adventure that will stay with you forever, you might consider planning such a trip and combining it with those well developed camping skills you have developed. By "camping across America", you can enjoy that same sense of getting close to nature but broaden your experience by camping at different state parks from Washington to Florida or New Jersey to California or whatever route works best for you.

Of course, such an adventure will take plenty of planning. For starters, you should carefully map out your route so you know from night to night where the next camping location exactly is. The great thing about the National Parks System is that you can virtually visit any campsite in the country using the internet and view the locations of the campsites and even make your reservations on the computer so you know you have a campsite waiting for you at every stop along the way.

Other preparations fit in with your existing camping discipline including how to prepare for meals, the equipment checklist and emergency preparedness. A camping trip of this scope can take several weeks and you don't want to rush it because part of the joy of camping coast to coast is getting to know the land at every stop along the way. If you are new to camping, taking a good amount of time to work out your camping skills, your equipment checklist and building your campsite abilities will pay off well when you set off on this kind of great adventure.

A couple other words of advice will pay off well that pertain to being prepared for any contingency. While camping is clearly less expensive than staying in hotels, you should be sure your budget is sound should an emergency arise and you find you need to use hotels or buy new equipment to replace things that get damaged. Always be aware of accommodations nearby should the weather take a turn for the worse. If you are caught in a flood in your campsite half way through your coast to coast adventure, that can throw off the entire trip. So be prepared to make other arrangements in a hurry.

With good preparation and plenty of well rehearsed emergency fall back plans, you can be ready for just about any circumstance that might come up during your big trek across the American continent. But even with those adjustments, you will look back fondly on this great undertaking and the many nights you became close to nature in yet another of the scenic and soul inspiring camping locations across this great land. And don't be surprised if after you get home, you are already starting to plan your next great outing camping coast to coast.

633

Related posts:

1. The Top Ten Tips For Camping In Spain
2. America's Amazing New England Coast
3. Aspen Colorado Camping

New Mexico is a state of many geographies. You can find mountains that you can drive to the top of and enjoy snow in the middle of summer. But there are desert locations virtually adjacent to those locations that give you the tremendous diversity of setting that a desert state is capable of. So a driving tour of New Mexico can be a delightful and fulfilling trip full of surprises and new experiences.

The pueblos of the Indian tribes that make their homes in New Mexico tell a story of an ancient people who lived in a manner unlike anything you have ever seen. You can actually visit active pueblos where Indian families continue to live their native lives in the purity of their ancestors even though they are surrounded by the modern world. This is both fascinating and an outstanding educational experience for the children because where else can you experience first hand a culture completely unlike our own but thriving right here inside the borders of the United States?

The big cities of New Mexico are full of interesting sites that reflect the unique culture and history of this state. You will find it tempting to spend your tourist dollars at the many shops that sell unique crafts that use the local gems and the Indian art styles of New Mexico. You will be able to appreciate how so many have been charmed by that "Sante Fe Style" of art and cuisine. Perhaps as you get a good exposure to how this architecture and artistic style came into being you will recognize the decorating style in restaurants or other public places in your own town. It is truly addictive and you will come away a convert as so many have in their trips to New Mexico.

The food of New Mexico is as unique as the people and the art. The first time you enjoy Wavos Chorizo for breakfast you will find your eyes watering as the hot Mexican style cooking wakes up your mouth with spices that take your taste buds by surprise. But don't be surprised when the next day you want a fresh batch along with recipes on how to prepare these taste treats for yourself.

To the north of Sante fe and Albuquerque are the majestic mountains of New Mexico. It is a closely guarded secret that these mountains offer just as many opportunities for camping, hiking and even skiing as their cousins to the north but the crowds are not nearly as numerous and the prices not as out of control. A driving tour of those mountains perhaps even with a stop to enjoy some lodging in those hills will be as refreshing as any mountain top vacation you have had anywhere in the country.

New Mexico is a beautiful land full of history and culture. Yes, you can head south to Los Alamos and see the location where the early tests of the Atomic Bomb were conducted. This may be both an educational and sobering visit in light of the effects of that research on mankind. But it is an important part of both American and world history that you will enjoy exposing yourself and your family to while in the area. But be careful not to ask them about Area 51, that mythological holding area for alien space craft that is supposedly kept somewhere in southern New Mexico. That inquiry might not be popular in Los Alamos.

In all, your trip to New Mexico can give you a chance to climb mountains, meet a unique and fascinating Native American people, enjoy, and buy, some terrific art works and enjoy one of the most beautiful states in the nation. Be sure to step out on your patio of your hotel at sunset, as New Mexico is well known for having some of the most beautiful sunsets in the country. As you watch that breath taking sight you will be able to reflect on the amazing diversity and beauty of America as it is reflected in this, one of its most beautiful states.

746

Related posts:

1. Regional Cuisine Of India
2. Staying At A Vacation Home During Your China Vacations
3. Balboa Park; A Great Cultural And Entertainment Experience

For many people, the mere mention of the words "New York City" is synonymous with one thing and that is Broadway. This relatively small section of the city contains some of the finest and well known theaters in the world. The shows that make it big on Broadway commonly become national and international sensations as well. The stars that stand out in big shows on The Great White Way very often go on to big success in the movies and television work. The Tony Awards, Broadway's version of The Academy Awards garner so much attention that they are shown nationally and watched eagerly by millions all around America and the world.

Not many know, however, that great theater is available all over New York, not just on Broadway. The term "Off Broadway" refers to theatrical productions being shown in other very popular parts of the city such as Soho or Greenwich Village. Greenwich Village or "The Village" as locals call it, is one of the most eclectic and exciting areas of town for the tourist to explore. The history of this part of New York includes its famous residents including some of the most renounced figures in the theater, writing, political theory, poets, artists and even political figures. If you take a tour of Greenwich Village, you will find that almost every building there had a famous resident at one time or another.

But no tour of New York City is complete without spending some time in the famed Central Park. As you stroll the famous walkways of this delightful green space right in the middle of New York, you will recognize locations that were used in dozens of movies that were filmed right here in Central Park. This park emphasizes one of the truly great things about New York that makes it distinctive from so many international cities. And that is that New York is a city that is best experienced on foot. Using taxies, busses and the subway you can move from section of town to another. But make sure you put your shoe leather to the sidewalks of New York to genuinely get a feel for the heart and soul of the city.

In addition to the most exciting theater in the world, New York boasts some of the finest museums in the world as well. So along with the may other great sights you will want to see in New York including the Empire State Building and Grand Central Station, be sure to allow plenty of time for the world class museums that dot the city through out the area they call "Midtown". Just off of Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the premier museum in the city, Housing great art form every era of art history you can in the same building see a pharaohs tomb, dresses worn by all the first ladies of our history or stirring modern art by Warhol or Pollack.

But that one great museum is not the end of great art available in New York. Other great museums such as the Guggenheim, the Whitney, The Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Natural History are not only famous but they will astound you as you take them in on your whirlwind visit to The Big Apple.

There is so much to see, hear and taste in New York that you will want to schedule many return visits. But even though it is one of America's biggest cities, New York has a charm and an intimacy that seem to reach out to its residents and visitors alike and create a bond with you once you open your heart to this wonderful town. That is why a great mayor of this town once said, "We are all New Yorkers". After your visit there, we think you will count yourself in as a citizen from far away of this exciting place called The Big Apple.

741

Related posts:

1. The Best Family Fun In The Big Apple
2. Central Park
3. New York Wildlife

For one of those sightseeing trips where you get the feeling you are discovering something for the very first time, a trip up and down the east coast of North America can't be beat. Route one from Acadia State park in far northeast Maine all the way down to Cape Cod offers so many out of the way places to discover that your spirit of adventure will definitely be challenged.

One of the most charming things about the coast of Maine and Massachusetts is the little towns that populate that rugged coast line. As you travel the winding trail of route one you will pass through dozens of fascinating New England towns that will call to you to explore them. So give in to the call and take some time to enjoy what these seaside communities have to offer. And don't overlook those small ocean view diners. Some of the best seafood that can be had in America will come out of those folksy kitchens.

A popular photo diary of your trip up the coast of New England will include the many lighthouses you will see. These are not there just for their scenic beauty. There was a time when these were crucial for the protection of seafaring vassals to keep them from shipwreck in foggy or stormy conditions. Each one has a story to tell and if you take the tour, you will be transported to a different time full of colorful characters and wonderful adventures as well. And don't miss that photograph because the lighthouses are indeed beautiful as they stand majestically against the backdrop of the mighty ocean.

Many of these quaint seaside communities have much to show off to their honored guests so you may find quite charming accommodations along the way. You can visit the memorials or even current resident towns of several American presidents such as Campobello Island, home of the Roosevelt International Park or Kennebunkport, Maine, current residence of former President George Herbert Walker Bush or Bush 41 as many call him.

Along with great food, wonderful gift shops and great sights to see, it's easy to find excursions out to sea offered at reasonable prices along the coast of New England. A whale watching tour can be a real thrill if you are successful in finding the mighty ocean animals ready to surface and thrill a boat load of sightseers. Keep that camera ready because they can come up at any time and be gone just as fast. It almost seems like they are showing off as they blow their might columns of spray into the air. And you know what? They probably are.

In addition to an exciting boat ride out to sea to snap photos of those phenomenal whales, a deep sea fishing trip can scratch the itch for a seafaring adventure for many a landlubber. In little New England towns like Gloucester, Massachusetts or Ogunquit, Maine, you can join a charter boat that will take you and hour and a half out to sea to drop a line and land some of those beasts that call the Atlantic waters their home. Be careful about seasickness and be prepared as you see the shoreline disappear and you look around to only the sight of water in all directions. But store these memories in your sightseeing fond recollections because it will be experience you will not soon forget.

These are just a few of the many fun and fascinating things you will discover up and down the New England Coast. From the reenactment of a pilgrim village to the chance to take a photo standing next to Plymouth Rock, the mixture of adventure, the out of doors, the spray of the ocean and history guarantee a trip that the whole family will treasure for years to come. And it will be an outstanding addition to your sightseeing book of memories as you take in the wonderful things to see and do in this amazing country in which we live.

749

Related posts:

1. Camping Coast To Coast
2. The Greatest Beaches In The World
3. Regional Cuisine New England Clam Chowder

That historic eruption is one of those history stopping events that you can remember exactly where you were when you became aware that a major volcanic eruption was going on right here on the mainland of the United States. We watched with wonder as the volcano created rivers of steaming gas, magma and boiling rivers for miles in its wake and leveled acre after acre of trees in a wave of destruction that reminded people more of an atomic bomb than of an act of nature.

Now as the devastation has somewhat become a civilized place and as the Mount St. Helens has returned to its brooding state, this can be one of the most inspiring sightseeing trips you can take your family on in any of the fifty states. Prepare to gasp and stand in awe as you drive up the prepared pathway to the devastation area. You will see that the Parks Service has worked hard to preserve the site exactly as nature left it when the mountain exploded so many years ago.

The way the site of this incredible volcanic eruption has been handled since the event will pass along to you a deep sense of reverence for nature and her powerful forces which were at work that day. The park rangers and custodians are very careful to explain that every effort is being made not to disturb the natural setting of the devastated landscape. The idea is that this is part of the natural molding process that our earth goes through and we need to not disturb it in any way to the lands around the volcano can recover and re-grow in a natural, evolutionary way. So you can still see the thousands of trees blown down facing away from the mountain showing the power of the blast and how it literally laid everything flat in the path of the destruction.

The beautiful visitors stations at different levels of the mountain side are carefully set up to give you maximum view of what can only be described as a breathtaking landscape that looks as much like the surface of an alien planet as it does part of planet earth. You can even take walks along paths that go a short distance into the now desert like conditions of the mountains. But you must be careful not to pick up a rock or disturb the landscape in any way in keeping with the philosophy of the naturalists who do not want to see this area distracted from the natural recovery that nature has in mind.

To complete your full appreciation of the shocking power and violence of the eruption of Mount St. Helens, the visitor's center has some outstanding videos you can watch that were taken before, during and after the powerful blast. You will find yourself wanting to whistle with amazement as you see entire lakes displaced, whole forests reduced to rubble and then see the entire top of a mountain blown entirely away from an underground force as powerful as our most impressive bombs. To go from those films out to see the crater of the mountain live from the perch of the visitors center and even see plumbs of smoke still seeping out from the volcano center gives you the shivers because you know and the scientists know that this is still a powerful volcano and that it will erupt again.

691

Related posts:

1. Four Faces
2. Four Presidents And A Lady
3. Taking The Kids On A Cruise How To Prepare

Dallas reflects that great Texas saying that "everything is bigger in Texas." As you move about this fast moving town, you will observe that it's a huge area and it's people are on the go constantly in this area called "The Metroplex". Actually, the metropolitan area of Dallas takes in much, much more than just the town itself as this metropolitan area includes Fort Worth, Arlington and dozens of suburbs that have become absorbed into the excitement that is Dallas.

One of the things that will jump out at you about Dallas even as you enter the city by plane or by automobile is the amazing architecture. The city is a shining example of modern buildings of shiny glass and exciting new design concepts. If there were a city that might fit the description of "The City of the Future", it would be Dallas, Texas.

Few who have spent anytime in this large modern city ever would mistake it for your image of a hick town. Quite the opposite it true. Dallas is as metropolitan and up to date as any city in the world. And if you know the city well, you know that some of the biggest business deals in the world are made right here in Dallas in those towering skyscrapers and powerful banks that make up the Dallas economy.

But don't think because Dallas is an economic force to be reckoned with that this is not a genuinely Texas town. As you walk about downtown, you will see businessmen sporting the characteristic cowboy hat and fancy boots. No, they are not "playing dress up". That is a normal mode of dress here in the heart of the southwest. But at the same time that you see people dressed to the height of southern fashion, you will see many who are adorned in the finest that the fashion worlds of New York, Paris or London have to offer.

Sightseeing in Dallas can be a rich and rewarding experience. Dallas boasts some world-class museums and their theme parks have set the standard for family entertainment that even Orlando and California have to work hard to try to top. But one moving experience that is a "must do" of your sightseeing plans is to visit the memorial to President Kennedy and take a walk on the grassy knoll and up into the book repository where that assassin changed the course of American history forever. It is a sobering reminder of the greatness that was lost that day but also a time to show your affection for one of the greatest presidents this country has serve it in it's long and illustrious history.

After paying your respects, its time to kick up your heels and have some fun. And no city on earth knows better how to show you a great time that The Big D. The restaurants in this town offer the most diverse menus and the finest chefs this side of Paris. And the nightlife is not just isolated to one part of town. You can disco in the suburbs, country line dance in Fort Worth or bump and grind to the best of modern music in downtown Dallas all night long if you have the inclination. There is even a hidden treasure that is a section of downtown that locals can help you find called "Deep Ellum" that will have you convinced you have been teleported to the hippest parts of New York or Piccadilly Circus in London. But before long you will realize where you are when you look up at the huge green neon lined downtown buildings of downtown Dallas and realize that you, like the song says are, "deep in the heart of Texas." And we think it will be a place you will want to return to again and again.

688

Related posts:

1. The Big Apple
2. Is There Really A Lot Of Fog In London
3. The Center Of The Universe

Of all of those places, none other is quite as exotic as sunny Florida. As soon as you step off the airplane in Miami, you know you have landed in a place that is as different from the rest of America as the moon is from the earth. There is a feel of being far away, where the world melts away and you can give in and be a Caribbean creature for a little while.

This is what is glorious about sightseeing in America. There are so many exotic and very different locations that you can stay in one country and virtually see and experience almost every climate and environment in the world. Florida brings you into the exotic feel of living on a desert island far away from civilization. But then you can get up from the beach and within a short drive be in the middle of a modern, sophisticated city full of the most exciting nightlife in the world.

You can go on dozens of vacations to sightsee in America and not repeat an experience. But when making your list of great sightseeing spots in America to visit, make sure Florida is near the top. And while you are at it, plan to spend some time there because there is a lot to take in including…

* Snorkeling in the warm clear gulf waters on one side of the Florida peninsula and in the ocean waters on the other.

* The amazing theme parks of Disney, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and many more.

* Ancient mansions up and down the beaches of Florida from the early days when Spanish ships landed here to discover this big new world.

* Wonderful foods from Cuba, the Caribbean and all across South America.

* The always unforgettable Everglades that seem like a trip to the Jurassic Period during your brief tour there.

The fun goes on and on. One thing is for sure, you will have at least one new experience each and every time you do some sightseeing in Florida. One time you may thrill to the sight of dolphins or a whale on a whale watching tour. The next time you may go deep sea fishing so far out to sea that the land disappears entirely.

The next visit you may become completely fascinated in the history of this very unique peninsula and the role it has had to play in the development of America. And then the next time you may just want to lie on the virtually perfect sands on the gulf side and let the cares of the world drift away.

You talk about sights you have never seen before. What about the sight of your family becoming carefree and full of fun as they literally transform into Caribbean natives wanting nothing more than to frolic in the waters of the gulf or ocean for as long as God lets the good sun shine down on them? And when you see that family you love reach that perfect level of relaxation that a visit to Florida can give them, you know you will have chosen well your vacation destination for that year.

603

Related posts:

1. Caribbean Cruise An Access To A Captivating World
2. The Greatest Beaches In The World
3. A World Without California

Washington is such a phenomenal experience for a visitor that you literally have to plan for many days of exploration and still not see all that lies within just a few miles of each other. One of the really outstanding developments that the planners of Washington prepared for its visitors is that the city has one of the best subway systems in the world. IT is called The Metro and you can quite literally get to the city center quickly and cheaply from virtually anywhere in the Washington area.

Washington was built from its inception to be a city that was for the people of America. When you walk the Mall or gaze on the many memorials all around the city, it is more than just a wonderful vacation spot, there is a holiness and a reverence that comes over you because the city is built to give honor to the great heroes of this country and to reflect the quiet dignity and grace that is part of the history of this country.

You can plan an entire day or many days just walking the many paths around the mall area taking in the dozens of statues that are there to honor the great figures of history of this country. That alone is an art tour worthy of the price of your trip to Washington. But mixed in with those wonderful statues are memorials to the fallen in the many wars of our country that will bring tears to your eyes and inspire you at the sacrifice America's young soldiers across the centuries have given to keep this country strong and free.

In the center of the beautiful Washington Mall area is the majestic Washington Monument. This huge spire is literally impossible not to see for miles around as it stands tall among the many buildings around it proclaiming the pride we Americans feel in our country and its history. You can take a trip to the top of that slender structure if you have the time and get the view of a lifetime. And from that amazing view you can see the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon and all of the other buildings that house the seat of government for the greatest nation on earth. Take a moment and reflect that you are looking at buildings that house a government that determines the fate not only of all Americans but influences world history all around the globe.

There is so much to see and do in Washington that you will get worn out before you get bored. The beautiful mall area and reflecting pool has been the sight of many gatherings, demonstrations and historic events over the years. And each of those was viewed in silent dignity by the statue of Abraham Lincoln from inside the elegant Lincoln Memorial at the far end of the reflecting pool. As an American, this is not just federal land, this is YOUR land and you are free to enjoy the setting at your leisure, dip your finger in that historic pool, lean against a tree that a great diplomat who meets in one of those buildings may have leaned against and even have a picnic at this the center of the universe for America. So take in the sights, plan some days for the wonderful Smithsonian museum and come away with a new appreciation for this great sightseeing spot, Washington D.C., the center of the universe

647

Related posts:

1. Four Presidents And A Lady
2. Kansas City Here I Come
3. Touching Three Oceans

That popular mythology of getting out there and discovering the world of America surfaced in a lot of popular ways. The book "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac, while about more than just travel and sightseeing, spoke to an exploding need and desire in all Americans to know their country better face to face. A little later that urge to travel that was bubbling to the surface in all kinds of ways became more popularized by a TV show "Route 66".

That part of being American which comes out as the urge to travel and see everything there is to see is part of our patriotism. But it is also a big part of the American spirit of adventure that is what brought our ancestors over here from the home country. The courage and desire to explore is just part of what makes Americans tick and it is one of the many reasons we love to get out there and see everything we can see.

That desire to get out there "on the road" is just as much part of how you and I as Americans tick today as it was when travel was new. Even though we have ample travel options especially by air, there is something irreplaceable about driving across the country, discovering its amazing sights from the front seat of an automobile.

So if you think we are suggesting you actually plan a cross country car safari for nothing more than the sheer joy of being "on the road again", you are exactly right! When we talk about the great sightseeing high spots in America, it's easy to talk about the big ones such as the Washington Monument or Niagara Falls. But there are hundreds of tucked away sights that are a sheer delight to "discover" when you just come across them in your cross country car trip.

Small towns and out of the way highways and byways have some unique and unforgettable sights of their own. Think of how you will wow your friends when you come back from your road trip adventure with pictures of…

* The strange but oddly beautiful Cadillac Ranch of song fame. As you drive along the badlands of Texas, don't drive off the road when you look out and see a field full of Cadillacs buried upside down in the Texas soil back ends sticking up like some bizarre experiment in farming.

* An off the road spot where you can actually mine for gold in the black hills of South Dakota.

* A desert in the middle of Oklahoma with sand dunes suitable for dune buggy rides.

* A massive replica of the pyramids of Egypt. And you don't need a turban to see it. Just take a few minutes off from the Grand Ol' Opry and visit this sight in the heart of Nashville Tennessee.

The fun sights you can see on the road in a car trip across the majestic expanse of America will be sights that will stand out in your mind as much as the great and very well known sights that everybody enjoys. And don't be surprised if you see a look of envy in your friend's eyes when they realize you were the one who had the guts to get out there and put your tires to the road and discover America all over again.

650

Related posts:

1. Why Have A Road Map
2. The Road Trip That Began All Road Trips
3. The Center Of The Universe

The very layout of Boston is a study in history. It is a city that is seemingly impossible to find your way around in. The roads twist and turn, change names and take on new routes as though they have minds of their own. The reason that Boston's streets are such a maze is that they reflect the days when the city was built around trails to accommodate farmers and merchants. So the roads were not laid out to be logical, they were made to be efficient for a people who lived there two hundred years ago. Today, travel around Boston can be as much fun as it is confusing as you see it as a challenge to try to learn the layout of this complex town.

Unlike many cities that exploit their natural attractions, you can absorb Boston's rich historical past for free or for the low cost of a shuttle bus ride that will take you around to the sights at your own pace. For starters, you can step out onto the street at many corners in downtown Boston and look down and find what they call "The Freedom Trail". This is a two and a half mile walk marked clearly in red on the streets below that takes you by some of the great historical locations in the city.

To make your experience with The Freedom Trail more meaningful, pick up one of the many guides and commentaries that you can use to follow along the trail and "re-learn" your history of what happened at each location. It is almost impossible not to get goose bumps as you stand near or inside such historic locations as The Paul Revere House, the location of the Boston Massacre, The Old North Church and many more.

No trip to Boston would be complete without taking some time out of the car to enjoy the out of doors in the huge park in the middle of everything known as the Boston Common. Just as with almost everything in Boston, there is a rich history to this park. It is the oldest public park in the USA. It's designation as a public park dates back to 1640. Boston Common was originally used by the British as a place where their troops could camp during the Revolutionary War. Today it is the jewel of this great city with the city hall on one side and the Freedom Trail running along the other taking you gracefully to your next location for sightseeing.

There are numerous tour operations that give you from a lot to a little, with the price difference to match, to enhance your ability to appreciate the history of this great town. One of the best is the local shuttle of historic locations. For one low price you can get on and get off of the shuttle all day long, taking your time at the sights you really want to savor and moving along at your own pace. This is the perfect solution to renting a car and it gives you a wider range of things you can see than if you go by foot alone.

Of recent historic note, you may wish to give in to have a brew at that bar where everybody knows your name. The very popular TV show Cheers was based on a historic pub right off of the Boston Common itself. Now you will have to look for it. The name of the pub is not Cheers but The Bull and Finch. But when you see it from the street, you will immediately recognize the outer fa

Related posts:

1. The Incredible History Of San Francisco
2. Nyc National Parks Offer Glimpse Of History
3. Kansas City Here I Come