We will list the top U.S. attractions and give them small descriptions, emphasizing the features and diversity of tourist opportunities.

Grand Canyon

Talking about the most popular attractions in the United States, in the first place we will put the Grand Canyon. It has been created for thousands of years by the Colorado River. Tourists love this attraction because it stretches across the state of Arizona. The canyon is 446 km long and as much as 1,300 meters deep. It is considered the largest and deepest in the world. The canyon is located in the northern part of the state, on the Colorado Plateau. The authorities of America declared it a National Park, it is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In this part of the state, tourism is well developed. The local authorities have equipped viewing platforms, some of them have a transparent floor, as if they are hovering over the abyss. Tourists are given the opportunity to descend into the canyon on mules or fly over it in a helicopter.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is world famous; it is a unique eco-system that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was included in it in 1984. The park is home to dense forests, unique granite cliffs, and huge century-old trees. But its main highlight is the rich flora and fauna. The highest waterfall in America is right here – the water falls from the 800-meter height.

Yosemite Park captivates with its unique beauty, it resembles a jewel box of natural treasures. Here you can see the rocky granite remnants, Mount Half Dome, which travelers love to take pictures of.

Yellowstone National Park

Everyone has probably heard of Yellowstone National Park. It is located in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. The park owes its popularity to its many geothermal features: volcanoes, geysers underground, and springs bursting to the surface. The park is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, which looks like a big geyser field. This is where 2/3 of all the geysers in the world and half of the geothermal springs on earth are concentrated.

Travelers include this park in their itineraries to see the giant Yellowstone Caldera, the basin of a huge volcano. About 2 million tourists visit the natural attraction each year.

Niagara Falls

There are a lot of attractions in the U.S. and one of the most famous among them is Niagara Falls. They are located on the border with Canada on the river of the same name, which connects Lake Ontario with the Erie. The name of the falls sounds like “rumbling water.” There are a total of three water streams, the largest of which is the Horseshoe, which is about 800 meters wide. There is also the American Falls, which is 323 meters wide, and the seventeen-meter Fata.

This waterfall is not the highest on earth, only 53 meters, but the widest and most powerful, it attracts travelers with its picturesque scenery. There are many viewing platforms in its vicinity, there is a cable car, if you want you can make a helicopter tour, fly in an airplane or ride in a boat at the foot of Niagara. Local guides tell interesting stories about the falls.

Death Valley

Death Valley is a national park in California located in an intermountain trough near the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is considered the hottest and driest wilderness area in America. Death Valley is part of the Mojave Desert. During the summer, the temperature here reaches 46 degrees.

The park is home to the beautiful rocky Badwater Hollow. Picturesque scenery can be seen from Mount Dante’s View at its eastern end. But what travelers like best is the area called Fenes Creek and its attractions – colorful mountains with canyons.

Many paranormal hikers come to the park for the phenomenon of moving rocks shifting on a thin layer of ice on cold nights.

Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park belongs to the state of California. It is recommended for anyone who enjoys nature walks, multi-day mountain hikes. Here you can admire the grandeur and beauty of the Sierra Nevada, California’s mountain range. Next door is another famous park, Sequoia Park.

Iowa Grays Wells

Another American attraction Grace Wells is located in the state of Iowa. This is an area that is a lot of fun to walk through. It is worth coming here for anyone who loves hiking. There are a large number of viewpoints and waterfalls. It is easiest to get to this attraction by renting a car.

Monk’s Mountain

Monk’s Mountain is actually located in Salzburg, but we are talking about the United States and there is a landmark on the American continent with a similar name. This creation of nature attracts thrill-seekers and photographers. Many dream of conquering its peak. The mountain, located in the state of California, attracts, including spiritualists. Some people climb it to pray, but most people climb it to admire the spectacular views from the top.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park deserves special attention and is on the list of recommended attractions in the United States. Its area consists of unique glaciers, snow avalanches, sea gulfs, mountain gorges and icebergs, it is about 2800 square meters. Here live large mammals: whales, polar bears. The park boasts a rich marine flora and fauna.

Structurally, it consists of three zones: the Hardwing Ice Field, the coastal part and the Vanishing Glacier. More than 200,000 tourists visit this place each year, the devotees of glacial wilderness cruises.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful is the most popular geyser located in Yellowstone Park. It is also called the “Old Clerk.” It is the most photographed geyser on the planet. Thousands of travelers from all over the world come to it every year. Water column with hot steam appears as scheduled, its height is several tens of meters. The sight is truly unforgettable. Living fountain of boiling water appears on the surface of the earth every hour and a half. This geyser is notable for its punctuality.

Come to the United States to admire the local sights. This continent is famous for its natural beauty, many of which are unique.

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Architecture in the United States is an amazing mix of different eras and a variety of styles that are in harmony with each other. Famous and top architects have created many masterpieces that remain some of the most outstanding and memorable through the ages.

Top 5 popular American landmarks:

1. Statue of Liberty. The full name of the statue is “Freedom Illuminating the World.” The monument was erected by the French to a design by Spanish sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The author’s design was inspired by the victory of anti-slavery forces in the American Civil War. Copper, steel structures and a concrete base were used for the construction. The height of the monument is 107 meters. The sculpture looks like a woman dressed in long robes. The statue holds a torch in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand, with the date of the declaration of independence (July 4, 1776) inscribed, and at her feet are broken slave chains. The face of the statue, according to several versions, belonged to the author’s mother or to the sitter Isabella Boyer. The project was financed by the Franco-American Union. The statue was completed in 1884 in France, but only arrived in New York two years later and was installed on Liberty Island. The inauguration of the sculpture took place on October 28, 1886. The statue is a symbol of freedom and democracy for past, present and future generations. Over the centuries, the monument has been restored and repaired several times. Visitors walk 365 steps to the crown of the Statue of Liberty or 192 steps to the top of the pedestal. The statue is a U.S. national monument and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. The Empire State Building is a 381-meter tall skyscraper with over 6,500 windows! Earthwork on the site began on January 22, 1930, and construction was completed 410 days later. The project was financed by entrepreneur John Rockefeller Jr. At the time, the 102-story building was the tallest in New York City and the first building in the world with more than 100 stories! The official grand opening of the skyscraper took place on May 1, 1391, when U.S. President Herbert Hoover turned on the lights in the building, and a year later the newly elected leader of the country, Franklin Roosevelt, came here. For the first few years, the project was unprofitable because of the global economic crisis. It wasn’t until ten years later that all the office space was rented out! In 1694, a floodlighting system was installed and turned on on special days (holidays, movie premieres, a visit from the Queen of Great Britain, etc.). Since 1986 the Empire State Building is an architectural monument of national importance, and the floors can be visited by tourists for a fee. Inside, visitors can see several interesting rooms: the Guinness Hall of Records, the New York Skyride, etc. The imposing skyscraper has been portrayed in computer games and movies: “King Kong”, “The Day After Tomorrow”, “Armageddon”, “Life After People”, etc. There is a wonderful panoramic view through the large windows, more than 100 kilometers over four neighboring states.

3. Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) and his creations. The American architect worked in a unique prairie style: the use of environmental materials, asymmetrical protruding sections and unique designs. Buildings in this style are characterized by a large number of glazed surfaces, as well as open interiors that do not include partitions between the kitchen and living room. Another difference is the unity with nature. The houses are not located in cities with skyscrapers, but in unique and beautiful places and fit perfectly into the local landscape. The author has realized more than 120 projects, including: the Guggenheim Museum in New York, a house over the waterfall in Pennsylvania, the Robie House in Chicago and the Ennison House, which has appeared more than once in the movies (“The Ghost of House on the Hill”, “The Thirteenth Floor”, “Razor Blade Runner” and others). The architect created innovative building projects for businessmen and their families who wanted to live in houses with unusual interiors. After the owners died and were resold, the buildings became national monuments of American culture and are open to tourists.

4. The Los Angeles Chorus Temple is one of the oldest buildings, founded in 1867 but not finally designed until 1932. The architects of the project were Edward and David-Clark Ellison, who designed the building in the Gothic style. Four towers, massive concrete structures – the object became a historical and cultural monument in 2002. Shows and movies have been filmed here many times. In the temple is the largest church organ by Skinner, built in 1931. Today about 20,000 trumpets with five manuals are played, although the number is growing all the time. People of all faiths are welcome to join the choir.

Museums and Galleries

It’s not just 20th-century and late 20th-century architecture in the United States that can interest travelers. There are more than 35,000 museums and quite a few art galleries. The museums belong to different historical periods and themes: fine art, observatory, certain subjects, etc.

Here are just a few of the sites worth visiting:

• Madame Tussauds Museum;
• Woolworth Walk and Britto Central galleries;
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, etc.

Conclusion

Cultural heritage sites are an element of cultural tourism.

Architecture in the U.S. continues to be actively developed, and there are restorations and renovations to restore and preserve historic sites.

Come to America to see building masterpieces with your own eyes!

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A bit of history
The history of the Chinese Theatre of Hollywood began in 1927. The successful impresario Sid Grauman, who had by then built several buildings – the Million Dollar Theatre in downtown Los Angeles and the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood – decided to realize his dream of creating a Chinese pavilion of unparalleled beauty for movie premieres. Raymond Kennedy the architect developed the plan, a long lease of land was taken from the Los Angeles City Hall, 2 million USD were invested and 18 months later Grauman’s Chinese Theater shone at its grand opening. Today it remains the site of all the big Hollywood movie premieres, and the Walk of Fame in front of the theater is graced with the hand and footprints of celebrities. Every year more than 4 million people visit Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

What to see
The Grauman Chinese Theater complex consists of the theater itself and the courtyard in front of the building. The courtyard is surrounded by curved walls 12 meters high, topped with turrets with copper domes, and in the interior you can see 3-meter lotus flower fountains. Don’t forget to look under your feet – you’ll be walking on the hand and footprints of movie stars.

To stroll straight to the footprints of your favorite actor, it is recommended to take a map of “footprints” at the entrance to the courtyard.
The theater building is 27 meters high and the entrance is marked by two coral-red columns with capitals in the shape of masks, supporting the bronze roof canopy. Above the portico, an elaborately carved stone Chinese dragon 9 meters long is worth noting. The entrance to the theater is guarded by two giant “dogs of paradise” brought from China. The rich interiors of the theater, especially the auditorium, reproduce the style of imperial China with meticulous precision – pay special attention to the fantastic painted ceiling, relief columns and the stage mirror.

The easiest way to see the interiors of the Chinese Theatre is on a group tour, which takes place every 15 minutes to half an hour seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The cost of the tour is 15 USD.
Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a working movie theater and not only hosts movie premieres, but also has regular movie screenings. Since September 20, 2013, the latest IMAX 4D system has been in operation.

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A Little History
The history of Alcatraz started at the end of the 18th century when the island was discovered by a Spanish navigator and named after Pelicanos (which is how “Alcatraz” is translated from Spanish). A century later, during the Gold Rush, a lighthouse appeared here and a little later, construction began on a fort to protect the goldfields, which was later equipped with 110 long-range guns. The gold dried up and the fort was no longer needed – so in the early 20th century the first prison appeared here, first for prisoners of war and then for especially dangerous federal criminals. Not a single successful escape from Alcatraz has ever taken place – the perfect security system and natural isolation by the stormy waters of the San Francisco Bay left no chance for fugitives. The most famous prisoner of Alcatraz is the legendary Al Capone who spent seven years in prison.

What to see
Tours of Alcatraz prison are one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. There are regular “motorboats” with tourists departing from Pier 33 to the island, with at least 15 departures every half hour per day. You can also visit Alcatraz at night or combine your trip with nearby Angel Island.

The Alcatraz experience begins on the pier: a steep ascent leads to the prison, and the surrounding gardens are full of blooming plants. Alcatraz also inherited huge cannons from the military period and a lot of museum exhibits – binoculars, military uniforms, household items of the fort’s inhabitants, etc. Visiting the prison quarters, you will see blocks of cells where prisoners were held, isolation cells and punishment cells, the kitchen, dining room and Sunday Mass hall, as well as a vast courtyard. The Alcatraz Museum features original keys with the letter “A,” wardens’ whistles and weapons, handcuffs and shackles, photographs, daily routines, inmate artwork and materials on failed escapes, such as fake heads made by prisoners from soap, wire and hair that they intended to put on the bunk to conceal their absence.

The most famous Alcatraz inmate is the legendary Al Capone, who spent seven years in prison.

Information for visitors
Tickets cost $39.90 USD for adults and $24.40 USD for children. The way to Alcatraz takes about 15 minutes and it is worth 2-2.5 hours to see the prison. You can return to San Francisco at any time of the return motorcoach departure until 6:30 pm.

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A little history
The Avenue of the Stars didn’t spring up spontaneously: the idea for the new attraction came from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, both as a way of keeping celebrities in the public eye and as a way to provide the city with an extra infusion of money. The original plan was not to use a star shape with the actor’s name written in it, but a brass caricature, but they proved to be quite complicated and costly to execute. So the Hollywood City Hall decided not to be sly, and took an ordinary five-pointed star as a model, “drawing” it from the ceiling of the Hollywood Hotel.

The stars include one of five icons in addition to the celebrity’s name: a movie camera, television, phonograph, radio microphone and two masks, thus indicating to which area of show business the owner of the star belongs.

The first commemorative plaque appeared on the Walk of Stars in 1958. More precisely, these were the first eight slabs of the 1,550 celebrities chosen by the members of the Chamber of Commerce who would in the future be honored with their “star”. Since 1960, the regular laying of the slabs began, continuing to this day. However, the history of the Alley knows a lot of defeats: in the 60-70’s there was almost fifteen years of stagnation, complicated by litigation, and then the heyday began again. Today, the Avenue of the Stars has more than 2,500 nameplates.

It is not free to get your name on the Walk of Stars: the lucky recipient will have to pay 30 thousand USD in “organizational costs”.

What to see
The Hollywood Walk of Stars is one of the longest tourist attractions: its total length is more than 18 city blocks! The main part stretches for 15 blocks along Hollywood Boulevard, and since its length was obviously not designed for numerous bohemians, there is also a three-block “tail” of the Alley on Vine Street. Only avid showbiz fans are capable of seeing them all, so before you go to the Alley, it makes sense to consult the official site of the landmark and find out the exact location of the “star” of the idol.

Some particularly prominent members of the entertainment industry have two stars each on the Walk of Stars: for example, John Lennon, Ringo Star and George Harrison are immortalized as members of The Beatles and as solo performers. And in exceptional cases, the Walk has also included stars who do not fall into any of the show-business categories – for example, Mohamed Ali (in his case, the Committee equated the boxing duels of the prominent athlete with theatrical art).
And of course, we could not do without mythical characters: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Snow White and the Gnomes, Shrek, The Simpsons and many other cartoon characters are on a par with the names of real people.

Getting to the ceremony of laying the nameplate of the star is quite easy: just read the schedule of events on the website of the Alley of Stars in advance and come to the place early. Ceremonies usually begin at 11:30 a.m. and last about 45 minutes. Admission is free; you should keep in mind that climbing on anything (companion shoulders, a chair or a ladder) will not be allowed. The prerequisite for laying the “star” is the personal presence of the celebrity.

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