by Olivia Schroeder
To only pick 10 things that I would consider “must see” and “must experience” in the United States was much more difficult than I had originally thought. The list was quite extensive when I first began compiling; I had multiple things for about half of the United States! So after some deliberation and painfully crossing experiences off the list I am now left with, in no particular order, my Top 10 Musts of the US.
1. Visit Charleston, South Carolina
Quick history lesson: Settled by colonists in 1670, Charleston quickly grew in size and success thanks to its harbor and coveted exports like cotton and indigo. Jump forward to 1861 where we see a little argument between the lovely citizens of the states erupt and now we have movies like Gone with the Wind. When you visit Charleston you will be in awe of how beautiful this city is. Old Charleston Style homes sit on the bay and streets like Rainbow Row add a bit of flair. If shopping is your forte head over to King Street to find high end shopping, art galleries, coffee shops and spas. But if you are like me then you are there to eat. My two favorite restaurants in Charleston are Blossom and High Cotton, both conveniently located on East Bay Street. The dishes I would recommend are Blossom’s buttermilk fried shrimp and High Cotton’s grilled swordfish with white cheddar grits. Make sure to order High Cotton’s Charleston Cocktail, made with vodka and sweet tea. For the history buff, head out to Fort Sumter and learn more about the start of the Civil War and see where the action took place. Great food, friendly people, beautiful weather, what more could you need? The city has character like no other; it is truly a little piece of heaven.
2. Attend a music festival in California
What is more fun than hanging out with thousands of other people that share the same taste in music as you? Nothing. California is known for beautiful weather so it only makes sense that all kinds of music festivals call this state home. Possibly the most famous, Coachella, recently concluded in April. The headliners for 2014 were Outcast, Muse and Arcade Fire. Other names included Zedd, Girl Talk, Ellie Goulding, Pharrell Williams, Lorde, Skrillex and Calvin Harris. On the flip side of Coachella is another April festival called Stagecoach. This festival caters to a completely different crowd, a crowd that loves country music. Headlining the show is Eric Church, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. Some of the other artists performing include Easton Corbin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thomas Rhett, Hunter Hayes, Florida Georgia Line and Lee Brice. Music festivals are conducted nationally with others like Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee and Lollapalooza in Chicago, Illinois. Whatever genre you enjoy there is sure to be a music festival that will provide you with days of fun.
3. Eat Maine lobster in Massachusetts
When I think Maine I think lobster. But I do not want to go all the way to Maine for a crustacean that can essentially be shipped anywhere in the country. Give me a fresh lobster, some New England clam chowder and an amazing view; I cannot think of anything better. The Union Oyster House in Boston claims to be “the oldest restaurant in America.” With an establish date of 1826 it does seem quite old. The menu is extensive and there is something for everyone. While visiting Massachusetts you can be easily distracted by its rich history and charm and that is fine, just do not forget about the lobster.
4. Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Mardi Gras or ‘Fat Tuesday’ is something that New Orleans, Louisiana is famous for. Louisiana is actually the only state where Mardi Gras is considered a legal holiday. People fill the streets dressed in purple, yellow and green ready to celebrate until they physically cannot celebrate any longer. Eat King Cake and have some drinks all while adorning enough beads to hurt your neck. Enjoy the music and parties because the behavior exhibited during this time is not acceptable on any other random day.
5. Watch a MLB game
Baseball: America’s favorite pastime. You get peanuts, Cracker Jacks and an ice cold coke and watch a sport that has captivated the country since the 1800s. Most major US cities have a team to call their own and a stadium with a unique history. I have attended games at Fenway Park in Boston, Yankee Stadium in New York, Wrigley Field in Chicago, Angel Stadium in Anaheim and Turner Field in Atlanta. Each atmosphere is different yet enjoyable. If you are not fond of baseball it is because you have never watched a game in the blazing sun with thousands of your closest friends. So relax, have fun and embrace the entertainment.
6. Walk down Music Row in Nashville and visit Graceland in Memphis
Music Row is the heart of Nashville’s entertainment industry. A highlight of this street is the RCA Studio B where Elvis recorded over 200 songs. When you have decided you need a little history lesson The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is at your disposal. A 210,000 square-foot expansion was just completed so there is much to explore.Go check out the largest collection of country music artifacts in the world! If you are a fan of Elvis I suggest making the 3 hour drive to Memphis to take a tour of Graceland. Though born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis’ primary residence until he died was just north in Tennessee. Tours are given of his home and visitors expand their knowledge of the King of Rock and Roll.
7. See a Broadway play or musical in New York
Today there are 40 Broadway theatres in operation in New York City. Shows like Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, The Lion King, Mamma Mia and Les Miserables all gained fame while on Broadway. I saw The Phantom of the Opera for the first time in NYC and have since seen it again; it is my favorite. While in New York you must see the talent of these performers for it is truly inspiring.
8. Tailgate for a college football game
It is true that Americans have an obsession with football, but the south has an obsession with college football. I know that in the UK and US college and football mean two different things. College=university, football=soccer. Football games are an all day event that requires planning and preparing. Tailgating is right of passage for every sports fan. There is food everywhere, drinks flowing freely and people packed in to enjoy the pregame festivities. Every year studies are done to figure out which schools can claim the top spots in the “Best Tailgate” category. It is a coveted position and after attending a tailgate you will see why.
9. Eat pizza in Chicago
The Windy City is famous for the Sears Tower, the “bean” in Millennium Park and shopping on Magnificent Mile, but what else? Pizza! Chicago style pizza is the most important thing to come out of Chicago other than of course Walt Disney. Chicago-style pizza is made in a deep dish like a cake or a pie. But the crust is not pan pizza thick. Just imagine what a pie looks like, now imagine it is pizza. That is the gift the Chicagoans have given us. Because there are more ingredients in the pan the required baking time is longer, but it is well worth the wait.
10. Enjoy Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia could have its own Top 10 Musts list, but I have chosen something off the beaten path, literally. Number 10 on my list is Shoot the Hooch. In 1992, Georgia’s own Alan Jackson released a hit country song that is still popular today. Titled “Chattahoochee,” it is about the 434 mile river that runs through the state eventually crossing into Florida (where it becomes Flint River) and flows to the Gulf of Mexico. The lyrics of Jackson’s song go something like this, “Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee/ Never knew how much that muddy water meant to me/ But I learned how to swim and I learned who I was/ A lot about livin’ and a little ‘bout love.” To shoot the Hooch you need two things, some friends and an inner tube. Everyone gets into the river and ties their tubes together so you can enjoy an afternoon casually floating down the river. My friends and I make sure to bring an extra tube, with a bottom, that way our cooler can float down with us. If you are worried about getting out of the river or getting back to where you began your float then go with one of the many companies that rent tubes and offer transportation. Shootin’ the Hooch is a summer staple.
This trip to the Virgin Islands was organised by my partner’s family to celebrate the New Year in a different way, in a hot place. The US Virgin Islands comprise the islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, Saint Croix and Water Island, and they constitute an unincorporated territory of the United States. During our sailing we touched only the first three, visiting mainly Saint Thomas and Saint Croix.
Even when I’m not travelling to America I continue reading books on that subject. Today I would like to share with you three fascinating titles about the early colonial history of America. The first two especially are close to my interests as they investigate in depth early British – American links.
However, there was a time when Baden-Baden was la grande dame not only of Germany, but of the whole Europe. Its thermae and casino used to attract la crème de la crème of European society, such as Queen Victoria, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Otto von Bismarck, Austrian Empress “Sissi” – to name just a few. I decided to visit it exactly because of this prestigious past to try to understand what was so magnetic to les bons viveurs de la belle époque, and to see what it has to offer to the 21st century visitor.
The shortlist for the Thwaites Wainwright Prize for Nature and Travel Writing 2014 has been revealed today at London Book Fair.
The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH in short) is one of the world’s most scenic roads, if not the most scenic one. As the name suggest it hugs the Pacific Coast, often perched on top of the very steep ledges. It runs from the southern tip of Baja California in Mexico all the way to the top of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, but the most scenic, and famous, part stretches between Morro Bay in the south and Carmel in the north (both in California).
In a