July 4, 2017
For Western Australians wanting a slice of American Pie, there are more travel options than ever before, with a variety of flights to the USA. Whether the West Coast, East Coast, or south takes your fancy, we've selected some fantastic highlights to get you on your way.
One option is to start or end your trip in tropical Hawaii, which is perfectly placed between the US and Australia.
Hawaii
A string of islands in the Central Pacific, Hawaii makes for a perfect stopover for Aussie travellers. Snorkel Hanauma Bay, surf Waikiki Beach, explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, visit Pearl Harbor’s memorials and museums and unwind in luxury beach resorts. Hawaii is also a great cruise destination, so go island-hopping aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, relaxing onboard as you take in the sights.
WEST COAST WONDERS
Spanning the Pacific coastline, this stunning region with its equally pleasing climate is a must for visitors. The only problem is narrowing down where to start.
San Francisco
The ‘City by the Bay’ ranks as one of the most desirable places to live and visit in the US. Once the spiritual home of the hippy movement, you'll find great dining, trendy bars and cool coffee shops abound. The striking Golden Gate Bridge is a sight to behold, take a ferry to ‘The Rock’, home to Alcatraz, the former prison whose past inmates include Al “Scarface” Capone. Ride a cable car through the rolling city hills taking in the elegant Victorian homes. Alight at Fisherman’s Wharf where weathered boats unload their fresh seafood haul daily while sea lions work on their tans – be sure to try steamed crab from a sidewalk cauldron.
Yosemite National Park
California is also home to some of the world’s most loved national parks and there are plenty of opportunities to get out-and-about in the great outdoors. Yosemite is a famous favourite, known for its granite faces and plunging waterfalls. Set off on a hike along one of the trails or take a drive through the Tioga Pass for scenic views of Yosemite’s peaks.
Grand Canyon
Las Vegas
Take a driving detour via historic Route 66 from its official ending point at Santa Monica Pier to so-called ‘Sin City’, a hedonistic resort town in Nevada’s Mojave Desert. Elaborate themed hotels and 24- hour casinos, this entertainment hub has something for everyone. Peruse Bellagio’s Gallery of Fine Art or try some fantastic outlet shopping nearby at The Shops at Crystals. Descend to the Grand Canyon floor at sunset by helicopter and round out the evening with a headline music act or Cirque du Soleil show.
Seattle
Nestled south of the US-Canada border, Seattle in Washington state offers a very different experience from southern California’s sun-drenched cities or hip San Fran. Home to sitcoms Frasier and Grey’s Anatomy and the birthplace of grunge, today Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in the US. See the city’s beautiful skyline either aboard a Washington State Ferry or via a "flightseeing” seaplane trip. Sea kayaking is also popular with locals and visitors alike.
Top West Coast Experiences
Couples: Hike or bike the 2.7km Golden Gate Bridge
Families: See sea otters and seals at the Seattle Aquarium
All travellers: Bus tour of Yosemite National Park
EXCEPTIONAL EAST COAST
The coastal stretch along which the Eastern United States meets the North Atlantic Ocean is a perennial favourite with visitors from all over the world.
New York City
Home to iconic sites such as the Empire State Building, Times Square and the Statue of Liberty, the ‘city that never sleeps’ is a fast-paced hub of art, culture, food and fashion. Explore the city’s five distinct boroughs on foot, unearthing numerous delights, especially in Manhattan, the Big Apple’s core. Highlights include The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) and MOMA (Museum of Modern Art), the Theatre District, and for sports fans, Madison Square Gardens and Yankee Stadium. After dark take a stroll over Brooklyn Bridge to fully appreciate the city skyline, or head skywards to the Top of the Rock observation deck above the historic Rockefeller Centre for breathtaking 360-degree city views.
Boston
Board a train from New York’s Grand Central Station to take in New England’s gateway city. Walk the Freedom Trail, a red-lined American Revolution-centric route of historically significant sites. America’s first public park, Boston Common, offers acres of green space, while Boston Harbour is home to legendary warship USS Constitution, Charlestown Navy Yard and the Bunker Hill Monument. Take a day-trip to Cape Cod and the islands for white sandy beaches, lobster shacks and whale watching, while Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are favourites with the city slickers and celebrities alike.
Niagara Falls
While on the East Coast, escape the big cities with a detour to Niagara Falls, a collection of three waterfalls overlapping the international border between Ontario (Canada) and the state of New York (USA). The best way to experience the falls is to soak up the scenery with a Maid of the Mist boat ride.
Washington DC
Visit the buzzing capital of the USA - an easy flight or train trip from New York City, DC is defined by its political history, with attractions, landmarks and museums (of which there are many) easily accessible by foot. Wander the National Mall, some three kilometres of iconic historical monuments, anchored at each end by the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Hill respectively; the Washington Monument in its centre. Take a self-guided tour of the White House before committing to at least one of the 19 museums and galleries that make up the Smithsonian Institution (plus, there’s a zoo in there too!).
Top East Coast experiences
Couples: A Broadway show in New York’s Theatre District
Families: Animal spotting at Central Park Zoo
All travellers: Boat cruise on the Boston Harbour
SOUTHERN STYLE
From well-mannered South Carolina to vibrant New Orleans, the southern states are rich in history and hospitable to the core.
Nashville
The heart of country and western, don your cowboy boots and bar hop the famed Lower Broadway Street honky tonks, Robert’s Western World, Tootsie’s Orchard Lounge and Legends Corner for quality live music. Other musts for music-lovers include the Johnny Cash Museum, Musicians Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry, where on a Tuesday or Friday you can be part of the live-broadcast radio show. Take a daytrip to Memphis’ Graceland, the “humble” former residence of Elvis Presley, and Sun Studios, the birthplace of rock’n’roll where Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and the King himself recorded hits.
The Carolinas
From the sprawling mountains of Asheville to the coastal port of Wilmington, the Carolinas are abundant with sights and experiences. Meander Durham’s Duke University gardens, unwind in the Outer Banks and indulge on the Barbecue Trail. Neighbouring South Carolina is Charleston, the quintessential Southern city with cobblestone streets, the painted townhouses of Rainbow Row and high-end shopping on King Street. Stroll Gateway Walk with its ancient churchyards or dolphin-spot from the pier at Waterfront Park.
Florida
Though the state is not technically in the south, as the home to the world’s most popular theme park, Walt Disney World, it is a must-do, particularly for families. Space-enthusiasts flock to Cape Canaveral’s Kennedy Space Centre, while Miami’s South Beach boasts Cuban-inspired glamour and colourful Art Deco buildings.
The Mississippi Delta
Explore this storied region known for its cotton production, hallowed authors, blues legends and the Civil Rights Movement via the Great River Road. Swing by Tunica, home of the Gateway to the Blues Museum, before stopping in Clarksdale where highlights include the Delta Blues Museum, Morgan Freeman’s juke joint and Ground Zero Blues Club. Head inland for the state’s bustling capital, Jackson or continue on to period-perfect Natchez. The oldest settlement on ‘Big Muddy’, highlights include Frogmore Plantation and antebellum mansion house tours.
New Orleans
Jazz’s birthplace, from famed Bourbon Street with its 24-hour party vibe, to the elegant French Quarter and its 18th century architecture, the ‘Big Easy’ has it all. Feast on sugary beignets at Café du Monde, have your fortune read in the ‘city’s heart’, Jackson Square, listen to street-performers in Louis Armstrong Park and sip hurricanes after dark. Plan your trip around Mardi Gras, the most colourful festival on the calendar, and feast year-round on Cajun and creole fare that features delicious Caribbean, French and African influences.
Top Southern Experiences
Couples: New Orleans swamp tour
Families: Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
All travellers: Asheville’s Biltmore Estate
