Sights of the American West
Sights of the American West
If you've been in the habit of traveling abroad on vacation, it can be all too easy to forget how many amazing things there are to see right here in America. From natural wonders to historical sites, amazing industrial achievements and cultural monuments, there are fascinating places that can help you better understand your heritage as well as providing a great holiday experience. Take your children to encourage their love of discovery, or go with friends and get into the spirit of adventure.
The Grand Canyon
The most impressive natural phenomenon in North America, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and a mile deep, with spectacular rock formations along much of its length. You can travel to it from Phoenix or Las Vegas – either way, the southern side offers most of the best views and has well developed facilities for visitors, which you'll really appreciate in the desert heat. For a truly spectacular perspective on it, consider a helicopter tour, or get really up close and personal with a rafting trip. There are gentler versions of this available for beginners, but if you're feeling up to it, white-water rafting in the Grand Canyon is the ultimate thrill.
Hollywood
There's so much to see in Hollywood that it's hard to know where to begin. Even before you arrive, you'll see the famous sign shining in the hills. Hit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and look out for your favorite stars' stars embedded in the ground, or visit Grauman's Chinese Theater where you can see their preserved handprints. You can take an open-top bus tour around famous locations and celebrity homes, visit the Dolby Theater where the Academy Awards are presented, or tour Universal Studios, whose theme park is great fun for kids and adults alike. There's plenty of good hotel accommodation to be found in Los Angeles and you might consider renting an apartment to share with friends or family during your stay.
Taos Pueblo
Just outside Taos in New Mexico, you can find one of America's most intriguing historical sites, thought to have been built around 1,000 years ago, with impressive multi-story dwellings. It's still inhabited today but parts of it can be explored by visitors and it offers the chance to see first-hand some of the ways that people lived in the Americas before Columbus. You can buy examples of traditional arts and crafts, including silver jewelry, pottery and musical instruments. Taos Pueblo is celebrated by the World Heritage Organization as one of the most important cultural landmarks in the US.
The Hoover Dam
Built between 1931 and 1936, the Hoover Dam was astonishingly ambitious for its time and still looks stunning today. Providing power, controlling floods and making it possible to irrigate land in the area, the dam came to symbolize America's recovery from the Great Depression. It has also appeared in several iconic movies and is a magnet for movie fans. As it's just a short drive away from Las Vegas, you can stay there in style when you visit. Hotel owner Stephen A Wynn has reinvented the city's approach to accommodation and you'll find every luxury on hand. The billionaire developer has business interests all over the world but this is the city where his heart is, and no expense has been spared.
Giant sequoias
After glittering cities and stunning geological wonders, you might feel strange traveling across country just to look at some trees, but the giant sequoias of the West Coast will truly astound you. The biggest of them all is the General Sherman in Sequoia National Park, which is over 2,000 years old. Standing next to its roots will make you feel like a mouse. Nearby you'll find the Tunnel Tree, which fell and was cut through so that cars can drive under it, like toys driving under a regular fallen tree. While you're in the area, you can also explore the spectacular Crystal Cave. Although it's up in the Sierra Nevada mountains and some distance from the nearest city, you'll find great hotels within the park itself.
Taking an American vacation makes the trip shorter, is usually cheaper and means no messing around with visas or special driving licenses. It means you have more time, money and energy to spend on enjoying yourself. These great sites are just a handful of the many exciting places you can find in the West, so why not follow in the spirit of the old frontiersmen and head out there to see what you can find?