NEW WAYS TO ENJOY THE USA
FROM STATEN ISLAND SHOPPING TO FLYING LIKE THE WRIGHT BROTHERS IN NORTH CAROLINA, HERE ARE SOME NEW AND DIFFERENT THINGS TO SEE AND DO ACROSS THE BIG POND.
EXPLORE THE SOUTH
Thanks to British Airways’ new direct flights to New Orleans and Nashville, more British visitors are exploring southern states. They go for beaches and bayous, food and jazz. And they go to see where history was made in our lifetimes on the U S Civil Rights Trail (www.civilrightstrail.com).
CRUISE WEST
River cruising is booming. In the Pacific Northwest, travel the Columbia and Snake Rivers aboard the 223-passenger American Empress paddle-wheel steamer. Sights such as the Columbia Gorge, the 600-ft Multnomah Falls and Hells Canyon wowed explorers Lewis and Clark in 1805. They’ll wow you, too! (www.lightbluetravel.co.uk)
UTAH’S ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
States are realising that their promotion of bucket lists is creating ‘over-tourism’. For grand experiences far from the madding crowds, check out innovative routes such as Utah’s Road to Mighty, which links five stunning national parks via near-empty roads over pine-covered mountains, past stark red rock and through green valleys (www.visitutah.com/road-to-mighty).
DISCOVER THEATRE IN CHICAGO
With 250 companies and 200 theatres, Chicago justifies its claim to be the ‘theatre capital of the US’. Not only does it stage more world premieres than any other American city, improv comedy took off there at Second City. For discounted tickets, check out HotTix (www.choosechicago.com).