Local tips for 10 top cities in the USA

I first visited the States in 1992 when I went theme parks hopping in Orlando. My next trip wasn’t for another nine years when I visited Boston and New York City. Since then I’ve been back and forth, visiting most other major cities along the way. On each visit I’ve picked up some tips from the locals – here are 10 of them…

1. New York City – See the Statue of Liberty from the water for free

Photo courtesy of David Merrett

There are lots of boat tours that sail around Lower Manhattan, taking in views of the Statue of Liberty along the way. But if you want to see it from a boat without spending a cent, take the Staten Island Ferry from Lower Manhattan to the island and back. The trip takes 30 minutes each way, goes right by the famous statue and is completely and utterly free.

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2. Chicago – Get to the top of the John Hancock Building…without paying the hefty admission fee

Photo courtesy of VXLA

Chicago is known as the ‘home of the skyscraper’ due to the many buildings that loom over the downtown area. One of the most famous is the John Hancock Building on Chicago’s famous ‘Magnificent Mile’. A ticket to the observatory deck on the 94th floor costs $18, but if you want to save yourself the price and enjoy a cocktail at the same time, visit the ‘Signature Lounge’ on the 95th Lounge that is free of charge to enter. You just pay for the drink.

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3. Miami – Explore all the different beaches

NYC has Times Square, Washington DC has the White House and Miami has a beach – South Beach, to be more precise. This famous beach is essentially one giant stretch of sand broken up into different sections, each with their own characteristics: 13th Street Beach is popular with the gay community; families go to 23rd Street Beach; 2nd Street Beach is where the locals go; and if you want to go where the biggest crowd is, visit 9th Street Beach which is one of the busiest.

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4. Boston – Visit America’s oldest park

Located in the heart of downtown Boston, Boston Common is the oldest park in the US of A. Founded in 1634, it covers 50 hectares and is the anchor of the ‘Emerald Necklace’ – a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston’s neighbourhoods. Obviously, it’s full of tourists, but there are an equal amount of (if not more) locals celebrating their beloved green space.

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5. Washington DC – Soak up culture for free without spending a cent

Most cities in the States have one or two free museums. Washington DC has lots of them. These include the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art, all on Constitution Avenue.

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6. San Francisco – Enjoy a sunset and keep fit at the same time

If you time it right, and the weather is on your side, you should be lucky enough to catch a sunset in San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge as the backdrop. If you enjoy keeping fit, go for a walk or a jog while watching it. The place to do this is an area called the Presidio and is always packed with families and friends from the city.

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7. Las Vegas – Enjoy free food and drink

This tip is extremely straightforward – if you plan on gambling when you’re there (it’s inevitable that you will), don’t put your money in your pocket for food or drink. As long as you’re gambling, waitresses will be happy to provide you with free food and drink when you’re at the tables. Just remember to tip.

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8. Seattle – Spend a day in Capitol Hill

Part hip, part urban, part wooden and part stately, Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s most diverse neighbourhoods. Along thoroughfares such as Broadway Avenue East and 15th Avenue, all walks of life grace the sidewalk with their presence. Worth visiting during the day, it’s particularly entertaining at night due to a plethora of bars and restaurants. It’s also extremely popular with Seattle’s thriving gay community.

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9. Orlando – Ride the i-RIDE Trolley

Linking outlet malls to theme parks and everything in between, the I-RIDE Trolley is one of the most convenient ways to get around Orlando’s International Drive area. Single tickets cost $2, but you should pick up an all-day pass for $5, which is a far more intelligent investment.

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10. Los Angeles – Enjoy free yoga with the beautiful people in Runyon Canyon

Photo courtesy of Rachel

As you explore Los Angeles, you’ll soon realise that beautiful people adorn most streets, avenues and boulevards. Whether or not you want to keep up with them is another thing. But if you want to at least try to see how they get in the shape they’re in, go for an evening stroll to Runyon Canyon. It’s an enjoyable hike that isn’t too testing physically and one that boasts pretty amazing views. If you’re looking for something different though, try to catch one of the free yoga classes there (more info here).

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What’s your top tip for your favourite American city?

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