Three Great American Cities

By Author: Roberto Raffa
Total Articles: 10
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America represents such an overwhelmingly vast patchwork of often wildly disparate possibilities for the prospective visitor that deciding where to start really can be an intimidating prospect. In the end it probably comes down to what you want from your visit because this epic nation really does have it all.

The multiplicity of subcultures crammed into this vast land means that even a single state can offer as much variety as some countries can muster in their entirety. Take California, a state which contains within its boundaries such remarkable diversity, both cultural and physical, that a thorough tour taking in everything from the arid deserts of the south to the brisk, verdant terrain bordering Washington State might not feel too dissimilar to a round the world trip.

We have compiled a summary of three of our favourite cities in the hope of providing some sort of entree into this mind bogglingly varied nation:

New York
What is there to be said about New York City that hasn't already been said a thousand times? The Big Apple's reputation precedes it to such an extent that it's more or less ...
... impossible for any first time visitor to arrive with anything less than an overwhelming sense of excitable anticipation. For any other city such a burden of expectation could easily prove too much to live up to, for New York however any such fear is almost immediately dispelled. This is a city whose unique energy grabs you irresistibly, a city whose ambience is at once thrillingly familiar from a thousand movies and yet still, somehow, pulse-racingly unexpected.

Of course New York boasts a plethora of worthwhile attractions, many of which will prove hard to resist even for those determined not to succumb to the usual tourist checklist destinations. But there really is something to be said for simply absorbing this great city's invigorating hubbub rather than dashing from one photo opportunity to the next.

Chicago
You might say that Chicagoans have a bit of a chip on their collective shoulder with regards the global perception of the Windy City's ‘greatness' relative to the limelight stealing metropolises on either coast. But then you can hardly blame them - Chicago, as visitors will very quickly recognise, simply doesn't deserve the frankly rather galling ‘second city' tag it's often given. In pretty much every respect this is as rewarding and wholly incomparable a city as America has to offer.

So, how does Chicago measure up in comparison with America's more frequently visited metropolitan centres (I'm talking about New York and LA by the way)? Well, it has culture by the bucket load: For a start its justly celebrated musical riches run from the legendary blues scene that gave the world the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Bo Diddley (check out still thriving clubs like the Checkerboard and Lee's Unleaded Blues for an authentic taste of Chicago Blues and don't miss Blues Fest in June) to consistently innovative and soulful Jazz to more contemporary sounds (notably, Kanye West emerged from Chicago and the city plays host to a thriving Indie rock scene).

Chicago also boasts a diverse array of museums that can hold its own next to any city in the world. In particular, the Art Institute of Chicago which houses a spectacular collection that spans classical, impressionist and Modern art, and the Museum of Science and Industry are must-visit attractions.

Washington
Washington, DC, the home of US government, is a fascinating city and a must-see for anyone interested in politics and the progenitors of American democracy. Many of the places of interest are free, including what must surely be the first stop for any visitor to DC - the White House. The tours operate every day except Sunday, and bookings must be made well in advance.

The Smithsonian is a remarkable achievement, comprising sixteen museums including the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of Natural History, whose dinosaur and wild animal exhibits are a perennial favourite with children of all ages. As well as free admission, all of the Smithsonian museums are linked to the metro system, ensuring that budget travellers can still have a real experience in the city without spending too much.

The National Zoo is hugely popular with children, and is also linked to the metro. It's newest addition, baby panda cub Tai Shan, is sure to be a huge draw for the Zoo - another attraction which the city offers free of charge. Washington DC offers a genuinely educational experience for all who come to visit.

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