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Spring and summer are great times of the year to visit some of the country's most popular cities.
To make sure that you don't overspend, take time to research your vacation choice. Large metropolitan areas are filled with activities. List out everything you'd like to do and see and then start planning an itinerary. Try to take advantage of mass transportation as often as possible - it may save you time and money. While you're researching, check out each city's tourism site to see if can take advantage of any hotel or vacation packages that may be listed on the site. You may also find suggested itineraries that include everything from walking tours to special museum exhibits. Take advantage of the unique attractions that each city offers. When you're in New York City, for example, plan to visit a Broadway show or one of the city's well-known attractions such as Ellis Island, the Statute of Liberty and the Empire State Building. You'll find unique museums in most ever major city. Washington, D.C. offers a host of museums, ranging from the National Museum of American History to the National Gallery of Art. In Charleston, South Carolina, you can walk along the Museum Mile, a mile-long stretch lined with museums that includes the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, the Charleston Museum, the Gibbes Museum of Art, the South Carolina Historical Society, the Old Slave Mart Museum, the Washington Light Infantry and more. City vacations offer your family the chance to learn about the area's history and culture. Historic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for example, is home to many of the most significant historic sites in the country. From the original Independence Hall to the modern National Constitution Center, each place plays a pivotal role in telling the city'sÑand the nation'sÑstory. While you're in the City of Brotherly Love, stroll down Elfreth's Alley, the oldest continually inhabited street in America. You'll find quaint brick homes that offer a postcard-perfect peek into the residential life of Colonial Philadelphia. When you visit a major city, take some time to study the architecture. You'll find different architectural styles from various time periods. The city of Alexandria, Virginia has more than 250 18th-century buildings and 4,000 19th-century buildings that have been preserved. It's one of the largest historic districts in the country. If you're yearning for green spaces, many cities have parks and recreational areas for you to enjoy. The Greater Raleigh, North Carolina area offers more than 4,300 acres of parks. You can also spend time wandering through a botanical garden or an arboretum like the J.C. Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State University which features the most diverse collection of plants adapted for landscape use in the southeastern U.S. |
