Things to Do in Usa

The Schuylkill River Trail is a riverfront path for joggers, walkers and bikers that runs more than 26 miles, from downtown Philadelphia and through the Valley Forge Historical Park to the town of Phoenixville. This stretch of scenic path offers a perfect way to get outdoors and enjoy the riverfront when the weather is nice. And along the city center section of the trail, the newly built Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is an extension to the trail that includes four scenic overlooks that offer great views of the city. The trail is also a great option for visitors interested in alternative transportation as they sightsee—you can rent a bicycle to explore along the river from the Rocky Statue and the Art Museum to the cafes of Manayunk.

After the great earthquake of 1925 ruined much of the city, an opportunity arose to give this beloved city by the sea something that would reflect the areas culture and beauty; something that would both honor and impress its residents. Designed in Spanish-Moorish style and completed in 1929, the Santa Barbara Courthouse is now one of the main tourist attractions on a visit to the American Riviera.

One of the most beautiful government buildings in all of the United States, the Santa Barbara Courthouse is a working courthouse, but visitors are encouraged to explore what its grounds hold in store for them. Here you’ll find the Sunken gardens where many weddings take place, an elevator to the 85-foot “El Mirador” clock tower for a panoramic view of downtown Santa Barbara, many hand-painted rooms full of detail (including the fantastic Mural Room), the Spirit of the Ocean fountain, and many wrought-iron hand-rails and window coverings which make the courthouse what it is – spectacular.

It should come as no surprise that a city hailed for its beautiful coastline should consider its waterfront the #1 tourist attraction in the area. With a variety of restaurants, boating and sport fishing tours, a bird sanctuary, bike path, and a beautiful promenade connecting the Waterfront to the rest of the downtown area, the Santa Barbara Waterfront is, without a doubt, one of the glittering gems of Santa Barbara.

From State Street (the area’s main business street) head East to see Chase Palm Park (home to Sunday art-walks and where many a pickup soccer game begins), the Santa Barbara Skate Park, and the Bird Sanctuary. Head West from State Street and find the Harbor, Waterfront Museum, several restaurants, and water sports adventure tours.

Founded in 1916 and nestled into the rock and oak of the surrounding area, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a cluster of Spanish-Revival buildings surrounding a beautiful courtyard, all set to inspire the love of nature and passion for the natural world.

Children and adults alike will enjoy the expertly preserved displays of birds, insects, mammals, and sea life of the area, while the newly renovated full-dome planetarium always inspires wonder with nightly voyages through the stars. Kids especially enjoy clambering over boulders, building forts, and making mud-pies in the Museum Backyard, while a to-scale replica of a blue whale skeleton makes for interesting games of freeze tag. Let your inner child out, and explore the natural wonder of the world we live in at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

The designation of being the most opulent plantation house in North America doesn’t come cheaply. Nor will you find the San Francisco Plantation mansion in any disrepair. A galleried house of the Creole open-suite style, this fabulous southern home’s riches aren’t just found on its sprawling property or wrapped up in its gorgeous architecture – the San Francisco Plantation has one of the finest and most extensive antique collections in the country. Reminiscent of Versailles and steeped in a history of rich antebellum living, slavery holdings, and sordid stories of love, wealth, death and honor, the San Francisco Plantation is not just a visit to any ordinary plantation home – it’s a surreal pastiche down history lane.

The most beautiful zoo in the world?  While this might sound like a bold statement, the lions with their oceanfront view wouldn’t likely quibble about it. Located on 30 acres right across from the ocean, this small zoo has repeatedly been voted one of the best in the nation, particularly for children.

Over 600 animals fill the zoo’s various exhibits. Cats of Africa feature African lions and black-footed cats, while The Forest’s Edge features western lowland gorillas of Congo fame, while California Trails proudly displays the fauna of California, including the ultra-rare Californian Condor. Also popular are the Asian elephants, the giraffe exhibit, 100-year old tortoises, a petting farm, and a colony of Humboldt penguins.

Nashville may be the country music capital of America, but the Schermerhorn Symphony Center brings a touch of class to a bustling downtown area that’s filled with gritty bars and live music venues.

Since 2006, the Center’s Laura Turner Concert Hall has been home to the Grammy Award-winning Nashville Symphony. Its natural lighting, 30 soundproof windows and custom-built organ make for a unique concert experience. The smaller Mike Curb Family Music Education Hall hosts performances for children, schools and families as part of the Center’s Music Education City initiative.

While the symphony is one of the hottest tickets in Nashville, visitors say even if you can’t catch a performance, it’s still worth touring the grand space and wandering through the beautiful public Martha Rivers Ingram Garden Courtyard on a trip to Nashville.