Things to Do in Usa

Formerly the Washington Park Zoo, Portland’s Oregon Zoo is the oldest zoo in the western United States. In total there are more than 2,200 animals with 260 species represented, though the stars of the zoo are more often than not the herd of Asian elephants. The youngest elephant was born at the park in 2012, so she’s still toddler size, while the rest impress with their spotted ears and unique personalities. There’s also a very unique California Condors exhibit which showcases the local and endangered birds.

The animal exhibits are easily explored and grouped geographically, ranging from the Great Northwest and Pacific Shoes to the wildlife of Asia and Africa. With specialized gardens and an extensive plant collection, there is a variety of plant life as well. The zoo’s narrow gauge railway connects to the International Rose Test Garden inside Washington Park. The park often holds special events, including the seasonal zoo summer concert series and holiday Zoolights show.

Kauai, is green, and Kauai is wet—and that's why it's so beautiful. Parts of the island receive over 400 inches of rainfall every year, and all that rain means the Garden Isle is dripping in dozens of waterfalls. While some of these waterfalls require trekking through mud just to gain a glimpse of their splendor, others ones such as Opaekaa Falls only require stepping out of the car. Tumbling just over 150 feet, Opaekaa Falls is a year-round waterfall that is guaranteed to be flowing. The falls usually feature two separate streams that splash their way down the cliff face, but after periods of especially heavy rain, the two falls can merge into a single, explosive cascade. Whatever the size, the best time to visit is usually in the late morning when the falls are bathed in sunlight—and if it happens to be cloudy day, the falls are so close and easily accessible it’s easy to pay another visit.

Los Angeles is a city that stretches on for miles and miles, an urban sprawl with dozens of unique neighborhoods. One of the best ways to see the city from above, the OUE Skyspace is an observation deck with both indoor and outdoor lookouts. The panoramic views of Los Angeles provide a full 360-degree visual. On a clear day, it’s possible to see the mountains and sea that surround the city,  and even the Hollywood sign. It is California’s tallest open-air observation deck.

Because of the expansive views, it’s also a popular spot for photography. Visitors stand almost 1,000 feet above the ground below. There’s also a time lapse and an infinity mirror to experience on your way to the top. For additional adrenaline, it’s also possible to take a ride down an outdoor glass slide that runs on the exterior of the U.S. Bank building (the tallest in Los Angeles.) The Skyslide allows you to experience the views while zipping down from the 70th to the 69th floor.

The OUE Skyspace is included on most architectural tours of the city and has quickly become an essential stop in downtown Los Angeles.

The Orlando Eye is the brand new Ferris wheel in Orlando and is the biggest observation wheel on the east coast of the United States. At 400 feet above the ground, the Orlando Eye offers a completely new vantage point of Orlando and the rich landscape of Central Florida. On a clear day, you can see from the lively theme parks, glittering lakes and the downtown skyline all the way to Cape Canaveral on the coast. Additionally, iPads inside the 30 capsules let visitors learn more about the surrounding landmarks in several languages. 

The Ferris wheel is part of a whole entertainment complex, which apart from the ride with a view, also includes Madame Tussauds wax museum, the Orlando Sea Life Aquarium, shops and a food court. At night, the Eye lights up in a rainbow of colors and adds another 64,000 LED lights to the theme park capital of the world. Thus, the attraction is also worth a visit in the dark – not only for those wanting to see the city turn its lights on, but also for photographers wanting to capture the Ferris wheel itself.

Standing tall in three brightly-colored blue, red, and green modern structures, the Pacific Design Center is widely considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Los Angeles. As an integral part of the design community, it houses premier furniture and decor marketplaces along with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA.) The latest innovative designs are all on display. At more than one million square feet in size, opportunities for inspiration and collaboration. The space is an interior decorator’s dream.

The main structure, designed by Argentinean architect Cesar Pelli, has been nicknamed both ‘Center Blue’ and ‘The Blue Whale’ for its massive size and  impressively detailed, blue glass surface. Often large-scale events, screenings, and conferences are held inside as well. There are more than 120 showrooms filled with leading fabrics, furnishings, and architectural styles. Combined with the other two buildings that comprise the center, it is one of the largest gallery districts in Los Angeles.

Catch a show and a slice of local history at the Pabst Theater in downtown Milwaukee. The venue is not only a National Historic Landmark, but it’s also the largest theater in Milwaukee’s Theater District and the fourth oldest continually operating theater in the 

country. Beer magnate Frederick Pabst built the Pabst Theater in 1895 as a German-style opera house. It is opulent both inside and out, and today the interior still boasts its most glamorous accessories, including a two-ton Austrian crystal chandelier over the auditorium, a staircase made from white Italian Carrera marble, and a proscenium arch  framing the stage that is highlighted with gold leaf. 

Once considered the world’s greatest naval ship thanks to its powerful weaponry, heavy armor, and advanced fire control systems, the USS Iowa served the U.S. Navy during World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Today it’s docked in Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro, California. 

USS Iowa visitors have their choice of several tours: a self-guided tour (just board the vessel and following an easy, well-marked path), a guided kid’s tour, a guided highlights tour, the Full Steam Ahead tour, and the Big Stick Tour, which offers the best behind-the-scenes access, including lunch in the captain’s or admiral’s cabin. 

Whichever you choose, you’ll walk in the footsteps of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and President Reagan as you see where daily operations took place, where officers spent their free time, the galley, and the flying bridge. Go below deck to play an interactive combat game in the digital theater, then explore exhibits that reveal more about the ship’s fascinating history. Former military personnel are usually on hand to answer questions. 

The museum is located at Berth 87 at the Los Angeles World Cruise Port Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles, about 30 miles (48 kilomters) south of downtown Los Angeles. Take I-110 South to exit 1A, then turn onto North Harbor Boulevard. Paid parking is at the lot on 1st Street and Harbor Boulevard.

This site is open from 10am–5pm daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Weekdays tend to be less busy than weekends; on some days, it’ll feel like you have the entire vessel to yourself. Fleet Week, when there are typically several free events planned, can be an exciting time to visit.

The USS Iowa, escorted by three destroyers—including the William D. Porter, also known as the “Willie Dee”—was carrying President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Nov. 14, 1943. During a routine mock torpedo run, one crew member didn’t remove a crucial priming pin, which launched a torpedo toward the USS Iowa. Thankfully, the Willie Dee crew radioed to the Iowa, and the vessel made a safe, sharp turn to avoid impact.

Nestled in between Los Angeles and San Diego, the Orange County Coast is best known for its stretch of cities that run along the scenic Southern California shoreline. With 40-plus miles to lay your towel in the sand, life here is centered around the beach. 

Some of the best known cities that make up the Orange County Coast include Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and San Clemente. Along with the expected beach activities like surfing, swimming and soaking up the sun, the Orange County Coast has numerous beach trails for avid hikers. Piers dot the coast and downtown main streets loaded with shopping and restaurants are typically only steps from the sand.

A nine-foot-tall golden-helmeted and spear-wielding bronze depiction of King Kamehameha the Great stands on the North Kohala Civic Center lawn in the tiny town of Kapaau. Though there are similar statues honoring the King throughout the state—including notably in Hilo and fronting the State Supreme Court in Honolulu—this site is perhaps the most significant to the king’s own story: He was born not far from here in 1758, and lived his first few years in hiding deep within a nearby valley where he was safe from battling tribal factions. Kamehameha would later prove his strength, acquiring each of the Islands for the Kingdom of Hawaii by 1810.

The statue, originally intended for a site in Honolulu and constructed in Europe, took several years to make. However, the ship transporting it to Hawaii wrecked in a storm near the Falkland Islands and the heavy sculpture sank to the bottom of the sea. Insurance money was used to quickly replace the missing statue with an even taller one, and that arrived in Honolulu in 1883 where it still stands today. Meanwhile, entrepreneurial fishermen lifted the original and sold it back to the Kingdom of Hawaii for a bargain price. Seeking a spot for the ill-fated statue, the state decided to place the original commissioned bronze here. Each June 11th—the state holiday honoring Kamehameha—all statues of the King, including this one, are draped in community-strung floral lei to celebrate his legacy.

On Ford Island in the heart of infamous Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Aviation Museum’s two massive hangars totaling more than 120,000 square feet house military aircraft from the WWII Vietnam and the Korean War. Given its setting, the highlights here are Pearl Harbor related: Hangar 37 houses Japanese Zero planes, a civilian plane that was shot down during the Pearl Harbor attacks, and a P-40 fighter plane similar to those that took flight on Dec. 7th, 1941. On the door of Hangar 79, it’s still possible to see bullet holes left from that day. But there are plenty of other planes to pique the aviation-enthusiasts interest including an authentic F4F Wildcat, the actual Stearman N2S-3 piloted solo by former President George H.W. Bush and several MiG planes from the Korean conflict. You can even learn about ill-fated aviator Amelia Earhart, who visited the airstrip here on several occasions, including during her Round-the-World Flight—each year, the museum hosts a birthday party in her honor. Additionally, incredibly popular combat flight simulator experiences are available for an additional fee; the experience lasts 30-minutes including a flight briefing. 

Arguably the world’s most famous coffee chain, Starbucks got its start in 1971 in downtown Seattle—it’s one of the reasons the city is synonymous with coffee. There’s often a line out the door at what’s called the original location, with coffee drinkers eager to say they’ve had a cup of joe at the birthplace of a worldwide phenomenon.

Though not actually the first Starbucks location, this is the so-called original, the oldest remaining store of the thousands around the world. Located in famous Pike Place Market, this Starbucks is a tourist draw and has a feel unlike any other. Often you’ll find buskers playing lively music just outside the front door. 

Throwback logos are the theme here, and the decor takes a similar bent. The bar is covered in leather sourced from scrap at nearby shoe and automobile manufacturers; the walnut on the doors, tables, and bar top came from a local farm; and the signage on the bar is recycled slate from an area high school. In all, it’s a humble birthplace for a commercial powerhouse. 

Located in Pike Place Market, in downtown Seattle, the original Starbucks sits at 102 Pike Street, near the corner of 1st and Pike. It’s easily accessible on foot or by a slew of Seattle city buses running through downtown.

The café is small and gets crowded quickly. Come in the early morning hours, before the downtown area has truly woken up and filled with tourists, though if you do encounter a line, know that it moves quickly.

Pike Place Market is a worthwhile diversion if you’re visiting the original Starbucks. Opened in 1907, the sprawling marketplace is one of the country’s oldest continuously operated public farmers markets. In addition to fresh produce, dozens of stalls sell fresh flowers, jams, honey, jerky, pasta, olive oil, and more. Craftspeople offer worthwhile souvenirs, and small, independently owned restaurants and shops make up several levels of the market. 

Stretching for more than 350 miles along the Pacific Ocean, the Oregon Coast winds down from the Columbia River to the border of California — offering some of the United States’s most beautiful coastal scenery. Multiple state parks along the way grant even closer encounters with local wildlife and natural landscapes. There are also plenty of small towns and villages located throughout, including lighthouses, ports, beaches, and communities ripe for exploration. 

Much of the coast can be driven alongside the ocean, making it one of the most scenic driving routes in America. Seasonally, whale watching is a popular draw, as is golf, art, dining, wine, horseback riding, hiking, antique shopping, and visiting the sand dunes year-round. Many available activities allow for the area’s hidden beaches to be discovered, and a variety of unique plant and animal species can be spotted throughout.

The Pacific Coast Highway—also known as PCH or, more commonly, Highway 1—runs north-south along most of the United States’ West Coast. The incredibly scenic California stretch is known for its oceanfront locales, rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and numerous beaches, making it one of the nation’s most popular road-trip routes. From San Francisco to San Diego and the many charming stops in between, it’s truly one of the most naturally beautiful places on the planet to take a drive.

Using major cities such as San Francisco or Los Angeles as a base, a trip up or down the PCH makes for excellent day trips. From beachside towns to national parks, there is plenty to do and see. If you’re going to drive the whole route, keep in mind that the Pacific Coast Highway is best suited for unhurried, leisurely driving. Leave enough time to make plenty of stops and to enjoy the scenic views along the way.

The Pacific Coast Highway runs from the California-Oregon border to Orange County, though most travelers begin in San Francisco and end in Los Angeles or San Diego. Speed limits and road types vary along the highway. In some locations it can be a twisting, slow-moving two-lane road, while in other spots, the PCH is and moves like a freeway. 

The weather in California is famously sunny year-round, though it can get chilly once the sun has gone down, especially up north. If you’re planning your trip around any particular stops, be sure to plan your time and visit accordingly.

Besides the stellar ocean views, one of the great joys of driving the PCH is the number of beachside towns worth stopping in. From San Francisco, the towns of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey—home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pebble Beach, and Cannery Row—are must-stops. Be sure to include a drive over the Bixby Bridge, a scenic spot just outside Big Sur. Santa Cruz (and its beach boardwalk amusement park), San Luis Obispo, Cambria, Pismo Beach, and Santa Barbara are more Central Coast highlights. 

Hearst Castle, another favorite stop, stands in San Simeon, on the coast between Monterey and San Luis Obispo. Tours are required to visit the castle and can be purchased up to 56 days in advance—it is strongly recommended to do so. The state beaches in Oxnard and Ventura offer some of the best surfing in the US. And, of course, Malibu and Santa Monica are the jewels in the crown of classic California beach culture.

Built in 1928, the Orpheum Theater is a historic theater and one of America’s few remaining “movie palaces” from the 1920s era. Before it was the Orpheum, it was the site of the Grand Opera House and home to vaudeville performances for nearly two decades. Since then it has withstood the threat of bankruptcy, demolition and being burnt to the ground to become known as the “South’s Finest Theater.”

Decorated with ornate crystal chandeliers, luxe draperies, carved moldings, and a large pipe organ, the theater was restored in 1996 to its former glory along with an expansion of the stage and backstage areas. Today, the theater hosts top Broadway shows, concerts, comedy shows, and special events year-round. Many famous faces have graced the Orpheum stage, and it continues to be a center for arts and entertainment and culture of Memphis.

Considered a marvel of engineering when it was first constructed, the Overseas Highway connects Miami and mainland Florida to the Florida Keys. Originally stretching a total of 113 miles (182 km) with 42 oversea bridges, the highway was constructed over the bed of the Overseas Railroad, which was constructed by Henry Flagler as part of the Florida East Coast Railway. When much of the railroad was destroyed in a hurricane in 1935, the roadbed and bridges were sold to the state of Florida; thus, the Overseas Highway was completed in 1938 and gave motorists access to the multitude of coral and limestone islands that make up the Florida Keys. 

While most of the Overseas Highway runs to the right of the original railroad line, some of the old bridges can still be seen as you drive along through the Keys. The portions where pedestrians are allowed are now popular fishing spots; historic bridges like the Bahia Honda Bridge and Long Key Bridge are now fishing piers. 

The Highway as a whole is a destination of its own, affording views of impossibly aquamarine water, Robinson Crusoe-esque islands and plenty of examples of classic Florida kitsch in the form of roadside stands and mom-and-pop shops. The National Scenic Byways program named the Overseas Highway an All-American Road in 2009. It’s the only All-American Road in Florida and one of 30 in the entire country.   

Oxbow Public Market—with dozens of restaurants, food stalls, and shops—brings the bounty of Napa’s famed wine, food, and organic produce under a single roof. Open all day, it’s a one-stop shop for great food, to quickly experience the best of Napa Valley, or relax for a moment at this local gathering place before exploring the region.

 

Oxbow Public Market, situated on a curve in the Napa River, is a good starting point for exploring the natural beauty of Napa and a great way to taste the flavors of the region in a compact and concise way. Get an insider’s view of wine country’s culinary scene. Tours typically include many opportunities to taste Oxbow’s many artisan goods and learn about everything from Fatted Calf's handcrafted salumi to Kara's Cupcakes to Three Twins Ice Cream, among many others.

 

You can tour the market on foot, independently or as part of a group, or visit as a stop on a Napa Valley wine trolley tour.

 

 

Situated east of downtown Napa on First Street past McKinstry Street, Oxbow Market is highly visible and easily accessible by foot from town. Walk over First Street Bridge, pass two blocks, and the market is on your left. If driving a car, there’s ample parking in an off-street, no-fee parking lot.

 

Oxbow comes alive in late spring when local produce is at its peak. Mornings are usually quieter with fewer crowds than later in the day. Tuesday is Locals' Night with happy-hour specials from 5 to 8pm. In September, Oxbow hosts its annual Fork It Over benefit, a fundraiser for the Community Action of Napa Valley (CANV) Food Bank. It includes a reception, garden tour, and 4-course dinner at the Culinary Institute of America.

 

Stop by Hog Island Oyster Bar for small plates, a glass of wine, or the Hog Island sweets that give the company its name. For Locals’ Night on Tuesdays, chef’s choice half-price oysters from nearby Marin County, and beer and wine specials make a stop here a must.

Designed for science fans of all ages, OMSI features five separate halls, eight hands-on science labs, a real submarine, an OmniMax giant-screen theater, and a planetarium. The museum is a science playground, with 200-plus interactive exhibits covering subjects such as climate change, chemistry, the human body, and technology. 

Watch the stars come alive at Kendall Planetarium, see a blockbuster or nature documentary in the IMAX theater, or tour the USS Blueback submarine—the US Navy’s last non-nuclear, fast-attack sub. Older children enjoy Turbine Hall’s interactive building, engineering, and problem-solving exhibits, while the colorful Science Playground provides art materials, a cave to explore, and a giant sandbox for kids 6 and under. 

Visit on a Portland hop-on hop-off trolley tour to explore the museum at your own pace. To experience the Pacific Northwest outdoors, you can combine hop-on hop-off trolley tickets with a Columbia River Gorge tour. 

OMSI is located on SE Water Avenue on the eastern bank of the Willamette River, roughly 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) by road from downtown. The museum is accessible by TriMet, Portland’s public transportation system, via the MAX Light Rail, bus, and Portland Streetcar lines. 

The museum is open year-round and is most crowded on weekends and school holidays. To avoid crowds, opt for an early morning or weekday visit. OMSI After Dark events typically occur every month and are geared specifically toward adults aged 21 and over. 

The USS Blueback submarine spent 31 years prowling the Pacific before retiring at the OMSI. Today, you can see the inside of the Blueback on a submarine tour, and get a glimpse of how a crew of 85 lived on the vessel for months at a time.