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Boston is truly a lovely city to visit; because it is relatively small compared to other cities in America (ranked 18th among US cities) it makes it easy to get around but there is still so much to see. Ideal for walkers, there are several nature walks covering the 'Emerald Necklace' of city parks. Boston manages to successfully blend old world charm and modern convenience better than most American cities. It has some of the best-preserved historical sights including the State House, the Old Meeting House and Faneuil Hall, but also has a large university contingent with over 50 colleges and universities in the area, including Harvard University. Whether you want to have a day at one of the beaches along Cape Cod, go boating on the Charles River or Boston Harbour, or take the whale-watching cruise from the Hyannis Port you can find plenty to do to fill your days here.
What to do in Boston
When to go to BostonAlthough summer is the most popular time to come, both for the warmer weather and frequent festivals, July and August can be uncomfortably hot and humid for sightseeing. Boston winters can be harsh and wet, tending to run from late November through to March. Therefore the best time to visit, and when Boston is at its most enjoyable is from September through to early November, when the weather is cooler or during the springtime (April to May) when the trees on Commonwealth Avenue are in blossom and the parks spring back to life.
Recommended ReadingThe Rough Guide to Boston - David Fagundes, Anthony Grant (Paperback 27 July, 2000)
Chicago may at one time have been known as the home of gangsters, nowadays is more famous for the arts. It is a great place to visit, whether it's visiting the museums, the Art Institute of Chicago, watching the famous baseball team or seeing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, you will not be disappointed. Visitors to Chicago often find that it is less expensive than other American cities, but every bit as good. The best way to get around Chicago is by foot as it's flat and easy to navigate your way around, it is by far the best way to get the full flavour of the city. If walking doesn't appeal then there is always the El (The Loop is an elevated train that shuttles passengers around the city), which is a quick and cheap alternative. The Magnificent Mile is the stretch of Michigan Avenue that runs from the Chicago River to Lincoln Park, and is a shopper's dream come true. By the time you leave, Chicago will definitely be 'your kind of town'!
What to do in Chicago
When to go to ChicagoProbably the cheapest time to go to Chicago is just after Christmas when the weather is cold and snow is never far away. The best time to go to Chicago for festivals is during July and August, although the weather at this time of year can get too hot and humid for some. September time is no doubt the nicest month in terms of the weather, it is nice and warm and far more bearable than July and August however, there is often less going on at this time of year than during the hotter months.
Recommended ReadingLonely Planet: Chicago - Ryan Ver Berkmoes (Paperback 29 May, 1998)
For some, the mere idea of Las Vegas is enough to bring on a cold sweat however, Vegas is not all cheap suits, big hair and gold jewellery as many people believe, there is also the gambling, the bright lights, amazing hotels and fantastically outlandish shows!! Las Vegas can boast an impressive nineteen of the world's twenty largest hotels, which are visited by over thirty million tourists each year. Visit the MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, Circus Circus or Legends for the true Vegas experience. However, if after a few days you have had your fill of the bright lights of Las Vegas there are numerous tour companies that arrange trips to its surrounding areas
What to do in Las Vegas
When to go to Las VegasAs with much of the USA, autumn and spring are the best times to visit Las Vegas, when the weather is more temperate than during the summer, when temperatures can reach over 100 degrees, or winter when its a lot cooler.
Recommended ReadingLonely Planet: Las Vegas - Scott Doggett (Paperback 14 January, 2000)
Los Angeles is California's biggest and most stimulating city, if you have ever enjoyed the movies, and wanted to know what it must be like in real life, then a trip to LA is for you. It has everything you would imagine and more; see the bronze stars and handprints in the pavement outside the Chinese theatre, and Hollywood itself, it really is the place many people's dreams are made of. An assortment of freeways, beaches and palm trees, seedy suburbs and high-gloss neighbourhoods, LA looks just as you would imagine. The city has a selection of museums, from the Max Factor Beauty Museum to the top-notch LA County Museum of Art. Beaches, without doubt, should feature in any trip to LA, and visitors can find plenty of them around, most popularly in Venice, although there are good alternatives in Malibu and along the Orange County Coast. Not just for the 'wannabe' film stars, LA is a great place to visit for all - with sun, sea and celebrities, who could ask for more?!
What to do in Los Angeles
When to go to Los AngelesIn LA the hottest months of the year are August and September, while the coolest are January and February, which can often also be wet months. Summer and autumn are basically warm and dry, also a great time to see the beaches at their liveliest, with all the wannabe Baywatch babes on full view. Winter and spring are cooler, often wetter, but still quite warm for those who want to visit LA and not have to endure crowds (and the sea of well toned bodies!)
Recommended ReadingThe Rough Guide to Los Angeles - Jeff Dickey, Jamie Jensen (Paperback 26 October, 2000) New Orleans is certainly distinct from the rest of the United States. It can be exhilarating and addictive, a fantastic jumble of cultures, peoples and influences, it's a place where visitors will find people dancing at funerals and holding parties during hurricanes. Although the pace of life is generally slow here, they still know how to have a party - never more evident than during one of the many festivals, especially, the world-famous carnival of Mardi Gras. This is an incredible time to be in New Orleans, when real life is put on hold and even the businessmen are swept along by the flurry of parties, street parades and masquerade balls. It is after dark when New Orleans comes alive, when the streets are filled with people drinking in the many bars, and enjoying live music that can rival any in the world. The combination of cultures and races that exist in New Orleans gives the city its heart and make it quite unlike anywhere else in the America - or in the world.
What to do in New Orleans
When to go to New OrleansWarm temperatures, high humidity and heavy rainfall make up the New Orleans climate. The city stays pretty full year round; the peak tourist seasons are during Mardi Gras. Between May and September, the baking heat and intense humidity prove to be unbearable for most, and although prices may be lower and the crowds thinner, there is good reason. Autumn is one of the best times to visit; October tends to be sunny and warm, though the nights can be cool. Even in winter the days never get too cold, however, the nights during winter are a different matter altogether.
Recommended ReadingThe Mini Rough Guide to New Orleans - Samantha Cook (Paperback 26 August, 1999)
New York, the city so good they named it twice! - Not surprisingly it is one of the most popular places to go for a city break, visitors never leave disappointed. When you go to New York, you will no doubt feel as though you have been there before, it is filled with so many places that have been used for films and TV shows that everything seems surprisingly familiar, if not a lot bigger! It is difficult to pick any one highlight, whether it's visiting the museums, shops, theatre, restaurants or one of the iconic landmarks, it is no wonder people return time and time again. What to do in New York
When to go to New YorkIf you are basing your trip to New York on the weather then the best time to go is either September to October, May or June. (These times of year are popular with tourists however, and the hotel prices can rise accordingly). Because New York doesn't really have an 'off-season' when the prices drop substantially, it really is an all year round destination and a great place to visit any time of year.
Recommended ReadingThe "Time Out" Guide to New York - "Time Out" (Paperback 31 August 2000)
SAN FRANCISCO One of America's most attractive cities, not as brassy as New York or as artificial as LA, even people who dislike America like San Francisco. It is surprisingly small, and yet perfectly formed! San Francisco is a cosmopolitan city with a thriving business community existing alongside its famous eccentricity, liberal attitudes and radical politics. Its hills are legendary, as are its bridges and the famous landmark of Alcatraz. Remember the car chase scenes in Bullitt with Steve McQueen, or Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage in The Rock? Well that's San Francisco. An incredible place to visit, that will leave you wanting to come back again and again.
What to do in San Francisco
When to go to San FranciscoPopular all year round, San Francisco's tourist season is generally the summer time. This is when the prices are higher than usual, the queues are longer than usual and of course, the weather is hotter than usual! Because of the inhospitable weather, summer isn't always the ideal time to visit, weather wise the better months to visit are generally September to November.
Recommended ReadingVirgin San Francisco - (Paperback 9 March, 2000)
Capital cities are not always the most interesting places to visit in a country. Washington however, is a different story. With The Whitehouse, JFK's grave and more memorials than you can shake a stick at, Washington is a great place to visit any time of year. There is always something happening in Washington , from the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Smithsonian Kite Festival to the National Frisbee Festival, whichever month you choose to visit the capital you can find always find something to see and do. It may not be as 'happening' as New York, as exciting as Vegas or as 'crazy' as New Orleans, but with the many museums, great nightlife and excellent restaurants it is an ideal destination for a city break.
What to do in Washington DC
When to go to Washington DCThe tourist season runs from April to September in Washington, this is when the queues can be long and the popular attractions can get booked up early, so booking in advance is the best way to guarantee tickets. The nicest time to visit Washington in terms of the weather is the springtime (March to May) or autumn (September to November). The summer is often hot and humid, but can be a good time to visit if you can stand the heat.
Recommended ReadingLonely Planet: Washington DC - Laura Harger (Paperback 23 February, 2001)
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