Often, tourists traveling around the United States choose cities and interesting places along the coast of the country - East or West - as their route. About how you can get around the USA (airplanes, trains, buses, car rental and road routes), we wrote here: . Today we will talk about interesting places which are definitely worth your visit on the East Coast of the USA.
Do not forget that this region is the cradle of American culture, because it was here that the first colonies of migrants arose, which later became the first to gain independence from Great Britain. In our article today - cosmopolitan and diverse New York, classic Boston, Philadelphia filled with history, cheerful Orlando and its famous parks rides, beach Miami and not a beach at all, but insanely interesting Florida state reserve - the Everglades, and finally, the Key West resort island - all this makes up the main backbone of the attractions of the US East Coast.
Landmarks of New York
Read information on how to fly to New York on a budget here: New York is administratively divided into 5 districts: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island. Each of the districts is colorful in its own way, and each has something to see. For example, in the Bronx there is a famous zoo, one of the largest in the United States, in Brooklyn - the famous Brooklyn Bridge, where you can walk (the presence of a pedestrian zone), or you can watch from the shore how it is filled with the magic of light in the evenings.
People come to Staten Island to admire the views of Manhattan from the opposite shore, but you can admire it directly from the famous ferry, the views become especially impressive in the evening. Of course, the Manhattan area is the most dense in terms of the number of attractions in New York per square meter; financial and business centers, museums, art galleries, churches, parks and much more are concentrated here. How to get around the city public transport can be found here: . Well, we will list 3 reasons why you should definitely go to New York.
1. Skyscrapers of New York
Skyscrapers in New York are considered to be calling card cities. World shopping center is considered the tallest building not only in the largest apple, but in the entire western hemisphere. The height of its towers is 417 meters, the opening took place in November 2014. The observation deck of the center is open 7 days a week and offers stunning views of the financial part of the city. Tickets for the observation deck can be purchased online, the ticket price starts from $32, for an evening visit you will have to pay 2 times more - $59.
Another postcard skyscraper in New York is the Empire State Building. Built in the Art Deco style and located in the heart of a large apple, the building is considered to be America's most famous skyscraper. Opening hours from 8 am to 2 am. There are as many as 2 observation decks in the building - the main one on the 86th floor and the observation deck on the top of the tower on the 102nd floor! The issue price starts at $32.
Prompt: and although it is believed that the Empire State Building observation deck offers the most stunning views, few people know that the nearby Rockefeller Tower has a Top of the Rock observation deck, which offers the same views + a view of the Empire State Building itself, so experienced tourists tend to to get to the observation deck of the Rockefeller Center. Plus, Top of the Rock has a 360-degree view! Ticket prices also start at $32. In addition to the ticket to the observation deck, you can purchase a combo ticket, which will take you on a tour of the entire building of the center.
Jerry Ferguson/flickr
2. Museums of New York
Despite the fact that Europe with its Louvre, the Hermitage and other world famous museums, it would be a mistake to assume that the museums of New York do not have noteworthy exhibits. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has more than 2 million famous works in its collection. Mentions of artists such as Wag Gogh, Cezanne, Monet, Rembrandt already give an idea of the scale of this New York museum. A pleasant surprise of the museum is its conditionally free admission.
What does shareware mean? This means that you can pay the recommended fee of $25, but this fee is not mandatory, you can pay as much as you see fit, or you can get a free admission stamp. The museum is open 7 days a week, on weekdays until 17.30, on weekends until 9 pm. American Museum natural history known throughout the world for its life-size exhibits of ancient animals and early human beings. Especially popular among tourists is the wing with exhibits of dinosaurs. No less popular is the suspended exhibit of the blue whale. The museum has a planetarium, aimaks theater and others. tourist entertainment. The museum is open daily from 10.00 to 17.45. The asking price is $22.
If you are a fan of modern installations, then you should visit the MoMa Museum. The Museum of Modern Art in New York (namely, as it stands for English MoMA) presents compositions by Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Warhol, Kahlo and many others. The museum is open until 17.30, on Fridays - until 20.00. The entrance fee is $25. Prompt: Friday evening from 16.00 to 20.00 admission is free.
Another museum of modern art in New York, the Guggenheim Museum impresses both with its expositions of Chagall, Kandinsky, Picasso and Van Gogh, and with its cylindrical interiors. A walk through such a museum will definitely not become a formality. Museum opening hours: 10.00-17.45. The recommended entry fee is $25.
Sharon Mollerus/flickr
3. Statue of Liberty in New York
The Statue of Liberty is, without exaggeration, the most recognizable landmark in New York and the United States. The statue once donated by the French is located on the island of Liberty. To get to the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York, you need to go through no less than 356 steps. You can get to the statue itself on a shuttle ferry. The ferry departs from Battery Park (Lower Manhattan) and Liberty State Park (New Jersey).
There is also the Liberty Museum on Liberty Island, and the Immigration Museum on neighboring Ellis Island. A visit to these museums is more suitable for those who are interested in the history of the emergence of the United States. Tickets are recommended to be purchased in advance on the official website, because. high risk of long queues. There is another option to admire the New York Statue of Liberty from a fairly close distance - take a ferry ride on the Manhattan - Staten Island route. It will cost you nothing, because. the passage is free, but the views of the bay, the area of skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty will open up simply unique.
A. Strakey/flickr
When completing the mandatory program, do not forget to just walk a lot through the streets and parks, go to cozy cafes, listen to street musicians, watch the residents of the never-sleeping metropolis in a hurry and enjoy all this turmoil around, because such a pleasant fuss and striving forward into the future may no longer exist. no other city in the world. And if you are wondering what to do in New York on Christmas Eve, then we have a few ideas on this subject in the article: Find out more about the availability and cost of living in hotels in New York for specific dates on the booking site Booking.com.
Boston Attractions
One of the oldest cities in the United States was founded in 1630 on the coast of Massachusetts Bay. Today, Boston is part of the so-called "New England" region and is its largest city, with a population of almost 6 million people, including suburbs. How to characterize Boston? Americans themselves often joke: "In New York they will ask you how much money you have, in Philadelphia - who your ancestors are, and here in Boston - how much do you know." This capacious statement, probably, can characterize a city in which the main emphasis was placed on knowledge.
Boston can be called a city of students, about 250 thousand people become students here every year, and this is not surprising, all in the vicinity of the city there are such world-famous institutions of higher education as Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University and College. Even if you did not come here to study, then just walking, breathing the sea air, is also pleasant here. Walk along the bay or in the many parks of the city (and Boston is very green City) will bring you many wonderful minutes. So, there are at least 3 reasons not to pass by this wonderful maritime city on your journey through the East of America.
1.Boston maritime
Since the city is located on the shores of the bay, it is not surprising that many of the activities here are related to water. One of the most memorable excursions can be sea walk to places where whales and dolphins live. Such excursions are carried out almost all year round, except on days when weather conditions do not allow access to the water. Boats depart from Boston Harbor, the walk lasts about 3 hours. During the trip, you are almost guaranteed to be able to admire the life of mammals under the guide's story. Boats conduct excursions about 5 times a day, it is better to check the exact schedule on the official website. The cost of an adult ticket is $ 29, it is possible to purchase online on the official website.
Nautical lovers can continue their acquaintance with the history of the United States on the combat sailboat "Constitution". This sailboat is neither more nor less than 200 years old. The sailboat has long been laid up in Boston Harbor, but has not yet been decommissioned. Today, the sailing ship has turned into a museum, and the crew members have become guides who are happy to talk about the battles in which the ship took part. The museum is open daily from 9.00 to 18.00. Admission is free, but you can leave a donation. Brewster Island, located in Boston Bay, is home to the oldest lighthouse in the United States. You can either just walk around the island or climb the lighthouse during the tour.
There is also an oceanarium on the Boston waterfront, this option is more suitable for those who do not like to be in direct contact with water, but would like to admire underwater world bay. In the aquarium you can watch life sea lions and seals, penguins, exotic jellyfish and turtles. Also here is a large collection of fish, incl. sharks A ticket for an adult costs 27 dollars, for children - 18. The oceanarium is open from 09.00 to 18.00.
Vladislav Bezrukov/flickr
2.Boston park
The first urban park in the United States is the Boston Common in Boston. The oldest park is inferior in size to its fellow Central Park in New York, but surpasses it in age. The park spreads along the financial street Freedom Trail, diluting the skyscrapers with its magnificent view. The park is especially beautiful in autumn, when the trees are painted in unusual colors. In winter, a skating rink is equipped here, and vocal festivals are held in summer. The first subway station in the United States, Park Street Station, is also located here.
After walking through the park, you can continue your walk through the Boston Public Garden. Here is located artificial lake, on the water surface of which swans and ducks importantly swim. Here in the garden there is a monument to little ducklings crossing the road, as well as a dozen other larger monuments. Native Bostonians often rest here.
The Freedom Trail originates from the Boston Common. The trail stretches for 4 km. Walking along it, you can learn about all the significant buildings of the city associated with the struggle for independence. The trail runs through central part city and ends at the Constitution sailboat on the Massachusetts Bay waterfront. Often along the Freedom Trail are held excursion tours, however, you are free to choose whether you want to join a group or walk these 4 significant kilometers for the city on foot.
Jeff Gunn/flickr
3.Boston Scientific
There are neither more nor less than 100 institutions of higher education in the city, incl. such famous ones as Harvard or Massachusetts Institute of Technology. To feed on new ideas, you just need to go on excursions to these scientific places. Tours are conducted in groups, but you can walk alone, accompanied by an audio guide. Harvard is located in the Boston suburb of Cambridge. Getting there is simple - using the subway to the Harvard Square stop. On the territory of 85 hectares, in addition to the university buildings themselves, there is a library, astronomical observatory, laboratories, book publishing house, Botanical Garden and as many as 7 (!) museums.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is also located in the suburbs of Cambridge. The campus houses the Lincoln Laboratory, the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, the Media Lab, Simmons Hall, and the Kresz Auditorium. The territory of the suburbs of Cambridge is not only a campus, hundreds of tourists come here every day to see the famous educational institutions. The atmosphere of openness and democracy is conducive to this.
YuefengD/flickr
Boston - at the same time historical city, and modern. Here a rich history and new technological approaches are combined, traditional architecture and impressive skyscrapers coexist here, here it is not money or pedigree that comes to the fore, but, above all, knowledge. It is a must to come here, the city has its own soul, unlike any noisy New York, or cold steel Chicago, or any other city in the world. You can find out more about the availability and cost of living in Boston hotels for specific dates on the booking site Booking.com.
Attractions in Philadelphia
Philadelphia - oldest city United States, located on the East Coast, rich history formation of statehood in the country and numerous cultural attractions. The city was founded in 1682. It is worth going here in order to understand how much their history means to Americans, because the main historical sights involved in the formation of the country's statehood are concentrated here, for example, Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were adopted at one time. Philadelphia also treasures the Liberty Bell, which once heralded the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Hall of Congress is also located here, where the Bill of Rights was signed. All these historical values are very important to Americans, so it is not surprising that they are so careful about their storage. Philadelphia can rightly be called the cradle of American independence. In addition to political history, tourists will be interested to get acquainted with the glorious maritime history city and the modern architecture of Downtown, but first things first.
1. Philadelphia historical
The historical part of the city consists of narrow, quiet, well-groomed streets with low-rise brick buildings. Despite the apparent provinciality of the area, it is fraught with the power of history, because Philadelphia is one of the first US cities that rebelled against British colonization, it is not surprising that this particular city became the site of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. It is not surprising that Independence Hall, in which documents so dear to the heart of Americans were adopted, is included in the list world heritage UNESCO. And today the place is popular among tourists, the attraction is open daily from 09.00 to 17.00.
Before you enter the building, you will have to go through a serious security check, which can take up to half an hour, so it is recommended to arrive early. The excursions themselves are conducted only in organized groups. Entrance tickets are free. The only fee that you may be required to pay is one and a half dollars for an advance reservation of a place on an excursion, because. The number of tickets is limited, and there are always plenty of people who want to.
In addition to Independence Hall, there are many other architectural attractions in the historic part of the city, such as the First and Second Banks of the United States, the customs and exchange buildings, Christ Church, the house of Betsy Ross (they say that it was she who invented the first American flag), the monument to J. Washington, Girard Fountain Park, popular among local residents, is also located here.
Michael Righi/flickr
2. Glorious naval victories of Philadelphia
On the waterfront of the Delaware River, you can find many interesting things related to the city's maritime history. It is believed that it was in the town of Penns Landing that the founding father of the city, William Penn, once landed. There is also a museum of maritime military glory, where you can see the cruiser Olympia and the Bekun submarine. The Independence Seaport Museum is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00. Entrance ticket for adults - $15. The battleship New Jersey, located on the other side of the river, is also open to the public. This battleship is one of the few surviving armored ships.
Kevin Burkett/flickr
3. Futurism of the Downtown area
Philadelphia is a major American financial center, it is not surprising that such a large downtown business district is located here. The tallest building in Philadelphia is considered the Comcast Center, its height is 297 meters (that's 58 floors). Inside the building, tourists are interested in the winter garden and the huge LED screen located in it, broadcasting panoramic views of Philadelphia. Another outstanding architectural structure is the One Liberty Place building. Here it is observation deck from the 57th floor of the building. You can buy tickets to the observation deck online, the cost of an adult ticket is $19.
There are several more in the city observation platforms such as the City Hall Tower Observation Deck, which offers a 360-degree view of the city, or the Top of the Tower, located in Three Logan Square, the city's fifth tallest skyscraper. The observation deck is located on the 50th floor, but the ticket price is quite high - $ 50 for an adult, but this price includes the opportunity to have breakfast at the buffet and get a cocktail.
Dominic Lacivita/flickr
Dominic Lacivita/flickr
Why go to Philadelphia? Then, to see for yourself how strong the spirit of patriotism is in America, to see how eternal values are carefully preserved, to plunge into the traditions and values of American society, at least for a short time. And of course, Philadelphia will delight you with the weather, sea air, beautiful architecture, both classical and futuristic.
No wonder they say it's always sunny in Philadelphia. There is a reason to check it out for yourself, and then go south to the realm of fun, entertainment, beaches and relaxation. Ahead on the course is Orlando with the world-famous Disney Park and the year-round resort city of Miami, from which it is easy to get to the Americans' favorite vacation island - Key West. You can find out more about the availability and cost of living in Philadelphia hotels for specific dates on the booking site Booking.com.
Attractions Orlando 
Orlando is the capital of the world in terms of the number of entertainment events and theme parks per square meter. The famous Disney World is located here, as well as Universal Studios Florida, SeaWorld, GatorLand, Holy Land Experience and Wet and Wild parks. Millions of tourists come here every year with their children to fulfill their dream (and theirs too). Moreover, Orlando is a center of attraction not only for foreign tourists, domestic tourism is very developed here. Every middle-income American family strives to take their children to this childhood holiday at least once in their life. Why go to Orlando? The answer is quite obvious: to at least briefly return to childhood. But what exactly to expect from theme parks, we will now tell.
1.Disney park
Disney Park consists of 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, numerous hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants. All these entertainments are located on 100 square kilometers! The entertainment center is located not in Orlando itself, but 34 km from it, in the town of Lake Buena Vista. At Disney Park, you can visit the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Park, Disney Hollywood Studios, and the Animal Kingdom. In the Magic Kingdom theme park, perhaps, the largest number of attractions, here is the very Cinderella Palace, which we used to see on most postcards dedicated to Disney fairy tales, here you can take a short river cruise and ride a real railway.
Each attraction is dedicated to a fairy tale: The Little Mermaid, Tom Sawyer, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and many, many other heroes of fairy tales. Numerous shows are also held here throughout the day, incl. the famous parade of cartoon characters (at 3 pm), and in the evening a real fireworks celebration begins. On the official website of the Disney Park, you can clarify what kind of entertainment, at what time, so as not to miss the main thing.
Epcot is the territory scientific research and experiments, this is where children can not only have fun, but also try something new and learn something new. A learning lab, an imaginary space, an innovation room, space adventures, all sorts of future projects, test tracks and much more will suit curious children and adults. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, visitors can plunge into the magical world of creating movies, cartoons and their characters. All sorts of tours are provided here, telling about the creation of a particular film or fairy tale.
Well, in the Disney Park Animal Kingdom you will find yourself in a huge thematic zoo, where you can see with your own eyes the animals that became the prototypes of the heroes of fairy tales and cartoons. You can also plunge into the world of dinosaurs during a special tour, explore the island on a time train. Now a little about the prosaic. Visiting Disney Park is not cheap. A one-day ticket for an adult will cost $105, for a child under 10 years old - $99. This ticket only allows you to visit the Magic Kingdom. To visit one more of the theme parks in one day, you will have to pay an additional $ 97. You can take tickets for 2,3,4,5-10 days, for each day you need to pay a little less than 100 dollars.
To get into the water parks, you need to pay an extra $64. You can buy tickets with the necessary options directly on the site. Magic Kingdom open from 9 am to 7 pm, Epcot Future Park until 9 pm, Hollywood Studios until 7 pm, Animal Park until 6 pm, Water parks until 5 pm. If you plan to stay in the park for a few days, you can stay in numerous hotels, the cheapest room starts from $98. There are also many restaurants and cafes here, prices for obvious reasons can be somewhat overpriced. Despite the high cost of local entertainment, such an experience can become the main memorable event in the life of a child.
JeffChristiansen/flickr
2. SeaWorld Orlando Water Amusement Park
SeaWorld Orlando is both a water amusement park and a large aquarium where children and adults can get acquainted with the life of the marine inhabitants of the Caribbean. In the amusement park, you can experience hitherto unknown sensations on the crazy water rides Manta, Kraken and Journey to Atlantis. Also, all kinds of water shows are regularly held here, in which dolphins, killer whales, fur seals are involved, the Christmas show is especially memorable.
Perhaps, this park is also good because here you can communicate with marine life up close - there are special tours that include communication with dolphins, beluga, penguins, fur seals and other mammals. In the aquarium you can get acquainted with the life of turtles, dolphins, sharks, penguins, as well as see very tiny inhabitants of coral reefs. The park is open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm. Entry fees start at $70 on weekdays and $87 on weekends.
It is possible to purchase combo tickets for which you can combine visits to several parks. You can also buy a single ticket for food inside the park. A full-day ticket for children will cost about $ 20, for an adult - $ 35. Tickets for the show of your choice are also paid extra. Tickets can be bought online on the website, or at the ticket kiosk at the entrance.
Jeremy Thompson/flickr
Another theme park - Universal Studios Florida - is dedicated to the American film industry. In the park there is an opportunity to be on the "shooting" of your favorite films, to play the role of a cameraman, director or even an actor! For fans of the Pottery, a whole separate area is organized here and there is even the famous Hogwarts Express! In addition, here you can become a hero of the Simpsons family, or a member of Transformers and Terminator, Men in Black or Shrek. Each themed area has a variety of attractions for both children and teenagers. During the day, several shows are held in the park, incl. parade of favorite cartoon characters - SpongeBob, Minions, Despicable Me, Dora, Agnes, Gru, Margo and many others.
There is so much entertainment here that tourists often come here for more than one day, since there is an opportunity to rent a hotel, dine in a restaurant, go to the store, in general, all the necessary infrastructure is organized here. A one day ticket will cost $147 for adults and $142 for children, a ticket for 2 days will be $98 per day, a ticket for 3 days will be $69 per day, a ticket for 4 days will be $54, such a progressive price scale . By the way, with such a complex ticket you can visit not only Universal Studios Florida, but also the Universal Islands of Adventure theme park. If you want to visit only one thing, then the price of a ticket for 1 day will cost $102. You can buy tickets on the official website.
Jeremy Thompson/flickr
Orlando is not just a concentration of amusement parks, it is a whole world created by man for man. Be in such fabulous place It will be interesting not only for a child, but also for an adult, which is why travelers so often include this item - the point of visiting Orlando - on their Must See list in the USA. You can find out more about the availability and cost of living in Orlando hotels for specific dates on the booking site Booking.com.
Attractions Miami
Miami for tourists is traditionally associated with beaches and recreation, this city is often called a resort city. And although tourism occupies a significant share of the region's economy, yet Miami is one of the important financial centers of the United States, science, industry are also developed here. international trade, real estate and even the music industry. Miami is divided into several large areas, and in order to better navigate this large agglomeration, you need to know what South part are historical residential areas, the Western part is mainly migrant neighborhoods, the North and East parts are elite high-rise areas, while the financial and business circles are located in the city center. Miami's famous south beach is located in the Biscayne Bay area, in the central part of the city.
Miami itself is located between the bay and the Everglades wetlands, which is now declared a protected area, the so-called National Park, and deserves special attention and a visit. The climate of Florida makes the nearby Gulf Stream so mild, and if you wish, you can swim here all year round. They go to Miami the best beaches country, for exploring the mysterious Everglades and for a rich culture that mixes traditions of indigenous peoples, Hispanics and ethnic majority.
1.Miami Beaches
All Miami beaches are well-equipped from changing cabins to lifeguards at special rescue beacons, just like in the Baywatch series. Numerous training centers, located right on the shore, promise to teach you how to stand on the board, snorkel or scuba diving, as well as play any beach games from badminton to volleyball. In the same areas, various events and festivals are held annually, attracting a huge number of tourists: wine and food festivals, Miami Automotive Fashion Weeks, sports events and much more. Whatever you say, Miami beaches are good at any time of the year.
alex de carvalho/flickr
2.Culture of Miami
Curious in terms of culture Miami Overtown. The Lyric Theater is organized here, the so-called little Broadway in the local way. Most often, African-American artists perform here, because. historically, it is an area of emigrants from Africa. Eretha Franklin herself once performed here. In the neighborhood of the theater, various art projects, song festivals, farm exhibitions and many other interesting things are held. There are also such ethnic areas in the city as Little Havana and Little Tahiti. These areas are the centers of ethnic culture of the city.
Tourists can get to know Latin American culture closer, because. there are centers for the study of culture and history of nationalities, art galleries, book and music shops, monuments to the heroes of the past and present, not to mention numerous cozy restaurants where ethnic food is served. These 3 districts are truly colorful, but at the same time they are friendly and open to tourists and everyone who is interested.
Pietro Valocchi/flickr
3. Everglades Reserve
The Everglades National Park is made up of three main climate zones: rainforests, swamps, and the mangroves of the Gulf of Mexico. Rare species of plants and animals are found in the region: cypresses, Spanish mosses, cladium (saw grass), pelicans, manatees, cougars, and deeper into the prairie - huge turtles, alligators and even sharks, often swimming on the shallows. The park offers a huge amount of entertainment and ways to explore the region for tourists: here you can ride a boat, bus, kayak, you can go on a hiking tour to see rare birds, or you can go fishing. Most tours are conducted with experienced guides, and there is a reason for this, given how rare and dangerous animals and plants are found in the depths of the park.
At the entrance to the park there is a tourist center with all the necessary information, maps, audio guides and travel guides. The Everglades is an hour's drive from Miami itself and is the third largest National Park in the United States. Visiting such a biologically diverse place will be a special highlight of your trip along the East coast of the country. You can find out about this and other US National Parks here: Find out more about the availability and cost of living in Miami hotels for specific dates on the booking site Booking.com.
Carolyn Sugg/flickr
Attractions Key West
Key West is not without reason considered an American tropical paradise. The air temperature here never gives out negative indicators here, but all because it is the southernmost city of the south island USA. The archipelago is connected to the mainland by a bridge 11 km away, so you can also get here by car. Key West is a small island - only 3 by 6 km, so it will not be difficult to go around it either. Despite its compact size, Key West can surprise you not only with excellent beaches, but also with eclectic Caribbean-American architecture (be sure to look into the house of E. Hemingway, where he lived for 8 years), absolutely unimaginable water attractions and entertainment (starting from a jet ski , parasailing, kayaking and ending with a yacht tour), for its stunning sunsets (the island is famous for them all over the world, many people prefer to go on an evening cruise to watch the sunset from the sea).
Of the interesting things worth visiting in Key West, one can single out the Butterfly Observatory, where rare tropical species of these insects are collected. A visit to this place can be interesting for both adults and children. Entrance ticket - $ 12, the observatory is open daily from 9.00 to 17.30. There is also an oceanarium on Key West with tropical inhabitants such as alligators, turtles, sharks, different types of fish from the Atlantic coast, jellyfish, starfish. The aquarium is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00. The cost of tickets for adults is 13.54, for children - 7.73 (this is if you buy tickets online on the site), at the entrance to the aquarium it will be somewhat more expensive. Adult tourists interested in the history of the United States may be interested in visiting the tour in the "little white house" of F. Roosevelt. Different tours are held on different days, so it is better to familiarize yourself with the schedule in advance on the official website.
Ed Schipul/flickr
Traveling along the East Coast of the United States, you will understand how diverse America is, how many features of different peoples are combined in it, you will see the contrasts of the north and south, which are still strong.
And if you have already done a similar route along the East Coast of the United States, then advise us to add or change it?
As always,
Practical and eventful travels for you!
The car gives the driver many advantages, the main of which is complete freedom of action. An unusual trip will give an incredible drive and a lot of new experiences along the way.
An amusing trip
To explore the new and unfamiliar world of a foreign country is a very exciting activity, and the only thing that will cause some inconvenience is fatigue from a long time behind the wheel of a car.
It is best to book a car in advance, because sometimes it happens that the right option may not be on the spot. The east of the United States differs from the west in the most low prices for car rental.
What should you keep in mind before starting your trip?
There are a few things to take care of before you start your road trip on the East Coast of the United States. important points so that the trip is not overshadowed by anything:
- In some for rent vehicle it is not enough to present Russian rights, the driver will also be required to have international ones.
- Compulsory knowledge of local traffic rules is required in order to avoid violations and fines in a foreign country. It is best to get acquainted with the traffic rules in advance, that is, at home, before starting an exciting adventure.
- Take care of renting a GPS navigator, which is the best way to help you navigate in unfamiliar areas. You can not write off the use of paper cards, which are sold at every gas station.
- Plan your route at home and don't forget about traffic jams in major cities.
- visiting East Coast United States, be aware of road tolls.
- Don't rely solely on your credit card. In some places it may not be accepted, so cash will definitely be required when traveling.
- Do not put strangers in the car for personal safety reasons.
Popular tourist area
What attracts travelers to the US East Coast? The tourist zone of continuous urban development is the oldest historical part countries - in 1776 in Philadelphia, the Region was signed, in which the first colonies of immigrants were born, which is the real cradle of American culture, full of attractions.
The East Coast, which stretches from the borders of Canada to the peninsular state of Florida, contains the most big cities country. Endless expanses are diverse climatic conditions and picturesque landscapes that will take your breath away.
Memories for a lifetime
A memorable road trip along the East Coast of the United States is an exciting acquaintance with large and small cities, extraordinary natural phenomena and architectural monuments that preserve the history of America.
Making a planned trip by car, foreigners understand how diverse a huge country is. The road trip will not leave anyone indifferent, and the memories of it will be with you all your life.
Yosemite National Park
What to see on the East Coast of the USA for those who go on a long trip for the first time?
One of the most exciting sights will be the old one located in the state of California. Magnificent landscapes, on which mother nature has worked for centuries, will delight any visitor. Fantastically beautiful waterfalls, forests, mountain complexes will amaze you with their majesty and power.
It is best to come here by car in the spring, when the snow melts everywhere, feeding water flows, and in the autumn, during heavy rains. But in winter, travelers will be surprised by the frozen cascades, which will remind you of natural magic.
Philadelphia full of attractions
What else attracts the East Coast of the United States? Making road trip in America, it is impossible not to visit Philadelphia - one of the oldest. Only there you can understand how dear the history of the state is to the Americans who keep the Liberty Bell, which informed everyone about the signing of an important declaration for the state.
It is best to walk along the quiet and narrow streets with low-rise buildings, leaving the car nearby. Full of attractions, the city is famous for buildings in which the fate of the country was decided.
Memorable corners
One of them is Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th. To get into the iconic building for all Americans, you need to go through strict security control. Inside this UNESCO-listed landmark, guided tours take place daily to highlight some of the most significant events in American history.
Philadelphia is also a major financial center, and you can not ignore the business district of Downtown, which is located in the most high building cities with a height of 247 meters. The Comcast Center skyscraper is a popular tourist destination.
There are several observation platforms in the city, which offer amazing views of modern architectural structures.
Traveling around Philadelphia, you plunge into the traditions of American society, which cherishes the memory of past events. After the city filled with the spirit of patriotism, you can go on a trip to the entertainment corners of the country.
USA, East Coast: what to visit? Entertainment Capital Orlando
The city of Orlando is rightfully considered the capital of all entertainment events. Here are the most magical places where everyone wants to be. The colorful world created by human hands is interesting for both adults and children, so everyone who wants to get to the East Coast of the United States includes the city in their itinerary in advance.
The entertainment center "Disneyland", consisting of several theme parks, is located on a vast territory of 100 square kilometers near Orlando. An incredible number of attractions, river cruises around the park, colorful parades of famous Disney cartoon characters, a laser show and daily fireworks attract millions of visitors every year.
Of course, the pleasure is not cheap: for a ticket you have to pay more than $ 100, and for visiting the water park you will have to fork out for the same amount. Therefore, be prepared that returning to childhood costs a lot of money, but, despite the high cost, it will become one of the main events of the trip.
Key West - tropical paradise
After an entertaining trip through nature reserves, cities filled with history, entertainment centers the perfect end to the adventure by car will be a visit to the southern city USA.
Key West (Florida), located on the small island of the same name, is the abode of bliss and relaxed rest. The whole city, in which time seems to freeze, can be driven around by car, to consider not only the beckoning beaches, but also noteworthy architecture. Here is the house of E. Hemingway, the butterfly observatory, the oceanarium, where you should definitely look.
Here, no one will have a question about which ocean washes the East Coast of the United States. The island, located on the border of the Atlantic Ocean, fascinates with its incredibly blue water surface. paradise becomes a real outlet for many, and people come here to enjoy an incredible feeling of freedom and happiness.
The value of travel
A leisurely drive will allow you to see the magnificent views of America, known for its contrasts. Exploring a previously unfamiliar world is a very exciting experience, and only on such trips do you understand the value of travel, which brings an incredible amount of impressions.
Fort Lauderdale, USA from
298 €
The city of Fort Lauderdale with a population of 186,000 is located in the US state of Florida. Due to its large number of canals, Fort Lauderdale is often referred to as the Venice of America. The city became famous in the 1970s, when students came here en masse to celebrate spring vacation. Later they were replaced by vacationers traveling on cruise ships. Apart from beautiful beaches and museums, Fort Lauderdale offers a huge flea market and the world's largest car theater with 13 screens.
New York, USA from
465 €
New York is one of the largest and busiest cities in the world. Many different nationalities and cultures live side by side in this stunning city on the Hudson River. The most famous and popular sights of the city are: Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Broadway, central park and the Statue of Liberty. Amazing museums and parks, panoramic views, gardens and stone jungle await you. It is worth visiting the unusual restaurants and bars of the city, as well as heading to Coney Island.
Key West (Florida), USA from
233 €
The city of Key West is located on the island of the same name, the westernmost in the Florida Keys archipelago. Tourists are attracted here, first of all, by the azure sea and white sandy beaches. Fans of snorkeling and diving should definitely visit the underwater snorkeling park. in Mallory Square and pedestrian street Duval is home to many shops and restaurants, where you should definitely try the Key Lime Pie with the unique taste of sweet lime. Fans of a more relaxing pastime will be able to ride around the city on a resort train.
Boston, USA from
559 €
Boston lies on the east coast of the United States and belongs to the oldest and most culturally rich cities in the country. Along with historically important sights, you can also admire the architectural structures, as well as the fabulous landscape around Boston. The two most important attractions are: the Freedom Trail and the National Historical Park with monuments and buildings. You will be enchanted by the Little Italy district and the city garden, the ancient university and the narrow streets of the old part of the city will impress you.
Port Canaveral, USA from
247 €
A huge and modern cruise port, from where millions of tourists annually go on cruises in the Caribbean or come here along the route. Florida is famous for its amusement parks and great weather, while Port Canaveral is also famous for launching satellites and cargo space rockets. NASA built a real rocket station here. You can visit the Space Center with a museum, a park and a cinema. Along with this, you will find wonderful nature, many beaches, a lighthouse and numerous amusement parks in the vicinity.
Bar Harbor, USA from
567 €
Bar Harbor is located in Maine and was considered in the 19th century, with its Victorian manor houses, the summer residence of high society. Today, the port city is popular thanks to the Acadia National Park. A visit to the National Park will remain an unforgettable and intense experience. You can go cycling, hiking, horseback riding and admiring the seascape. From the cliffs there is a beautiful view of the amazing Bar Harbor.
Portland (Maine), USA from
642 €
Portland is located in the US state of Maine, known for its old harbor and numerous lighthouses, the most famous of which is Portland Head Light. Especially fans of art will be happy to stay here: the museum of art exhibits works of the Impressionist era and modern works. On the streets of the city and in its environs, you can admire the mansions of the 18th and 19th centuries, be sure to try the famous local cuisine and visit one of the festivals. The famous writer Stephen King was born in Portland.
Newport, USA from
759 €
Newport is located in Rhode Island and is considered the sailing capital of the East Coast. rich architectural history is reflected in the narrow streets and colonial houses. It is worth seeing the magnificent villas at Beechwood and Rosecliff. Along the 16 km Ocean Drive, passing through Bellevue Avenue, you will see very interesting summer houses. beautiful coast, wonderful beaches, great restaurants and bustling city center life make this place amazing tourist destination and a favorite vacation spot for Americans.
Tampa (Florida), USA from
268 €
On the west coast of Florida, the city of Tampa is a city with a variety of opportunities for recreation and entertainment. The city with two universities offers a vibrant nightlife And bright holidays. Attractions such as the Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens, the zoo, and the Museum of Science and Industry attract many tourists every year. Good weather awaits you developed infrastructure, many restaurants, eateries and cafes, amusement parks, a popular festival and various holidays.
Cape Liberty, New Jersey, USA from
634 €
One of New York's three cruise ports, Cape Liberty is located in Bayonne, New Jersey. Being a large suburb of New York, people settle here for a more calm and measured life, and tourists first of all go to see the main attractions of the Big Apple. If you manage to visit the cities of the state of New Jersey, then resort places, college campuses and industrial centers, beautiful parks and picturesque coast, nature reserve and numerous casinos - a state of contrasts and numerous attractions.
Charleston, USA from
324 €
There are many old estates with large gardens in the city, which create that charming flair of the southern city of old times. The city has many cultural and historical attractions, as well as various festivals that annually attract a large number of tourists. In several museums of the city you can learn a lot about the history of the city. Particularly picturesque are the parks of Charleston: Waterfront Park and White Point Gardens. Here you can sunbathe on the beach, stroll through the old market and see the numerous churches.
Baltimore, USA from
507 €
7 months before travel
Every big idea starts with “What if…?”
Somehow at the beginning of 2012, on one of the cold February evenings, when you don’t want to show your nose on the street, we gathered in a close company at the house of our friends. Over a glass of wine, we poisoned each other's stories, and in again I remembered how I went on a student program in the USA for 4 months. My enthusiastic stories inspired my husband and our friends, and I no longer remember who first suggested:
“What if we go to America together?”
Hooray, we're going!
3
We selected "iconic" American cities for the trip because we wanted to cover only the best in 15 days. So, our golden list included New York (the cradle of American civilization), Washington (the capital, it's like coming to Russia and not seeing Moscow), Austin (at the suggestion of Misha, a music lover and a great connoisseur of the blues. As it turned out later, this city made our list for a reason), Los Angeles (Hollywood!), San Francisco (disco city), Las Vegas (the city of sin, which had the highest expectations), Chicago (gangster chic).
Travel itinerary
1
In order for a company trip to be successful, each member of the team is important. We had to be with each other 24 hours a day, sleep in the same room, use the same toilet, decide where to go to eat, what to see. It is important that no everyday trifles violate the harmony of relationships, otherwise the whole trip, no matter how exciting it is, will be ruined. But we were lucky with our companions - we got along well and understood each other perfectly.
Meet the participants of the trip
3
Yuri, 27 years old (Anna's husband)
2
Michail, 27 years old
2
Svetlana, 25 years old (Mikhail's wife)
3
Anticipating the main story, I want to emphasize that we did not have any special problems with obtaining visas. No additional documents were required, the whole procedure (interview) took no more than a minute.
Chapter 1 In which we discover the "sneaker rule"
For the thousandth time I look at the printout of the ticket: Domodedovo Airport, 11.10 am, Transaero Airlines. My heart skips a beat - I'm returning to the USA, the country that I dream about so often! This trip will be much shorter, but, I was sure, much more exciting, since the guys were to discover America, and I myself would see and learn more about it.
November 3, early morning. Behind a full-fledged working week, which makes you feel tired and have a strong desire to sleep. The suitcase was packed on Thursday, the last check - did you take everything? Of course, they forgot something, and most importantly, they pierced with the suitcase itself. But more on that later.
Has our journey begun? I can't even believe it - after all, 7 months of waiting are behind us! How long have we been waiting for this moment, with what impatience we counted last days and even a watch (all avid travelers will certainly understand me)…
The last photo taken on Russian soil. Waiting for flight UN-1111 sitting right on the floor
3
The first photograph taken on American soil. We are met at Kennedy Airport with the Stars and Stripes
1
Passport control passed in some 15 minutes: everything was fast, correct and polite. Feeling of relief immediately after the cherished Welcome to the United States! In fairness, it should be noted that a friend who flew a flight 3 hours later than ours stood in line for passport control for more than 2 hours.
14.00. The day in New York is in full swing. And New York itself, so far incognita terra for my companions and a city of vivid memories for me, insistently calls us.
Since there are four of us, we decide that it would be more reasonable and not much more expensive to get to the hotel by taxi than by public transport. In America, a queue is organized at airports for a taxi, which is led by a person specially trained for this - a dispatcher. And we, obedient to his instructions, sit down in a cab that drove up to us.
By the way, we often had to use taxi services, but we never got a taxi driver, not only from Russia, but even from Eastern Europe. Ethnic composition A: 80% Indian, 10% African American, 5% Arab, and 5% white.
Our ne rye Yellow Cab
1
In our first cab in America, the driver was an Indian. He brought us to the address, but charged prohibitively expensive - 90 bucks, explaining that because of Hurricane Sandy, the Brooklyn Tunnel was closed, and he had to take a detour. Perhaps he thought that we were rich Pinocchio, as he brought us to the hotel Bowery Hotel- the most stylish hotel in New York, which looks something like this:
3
1
Then I still had the idea that rooms in such a luxurious hotel could not cost 2000 rubles for two. But it arose and somehow immediately disappeared, dissolving in that mixture of euphoria (from the fact that we are finally in the USA and we have such a cool hotel!) And panic (from the fact that we forgot to print bookings and at the hotel reception can find my reservation).
The lack of paper bookings, however, turned out to be not the biggest problem - we were armed with modern technologies in the form of tablets, laptops and smartphones, and Wi-Fi in the USA is not only in almost every hotel, but even on buses and planes. Showing our booking on the screen of the tablet, the girl at the reception smiled and noticed that this was not their hotel. The hotel we need is across the road.
But just across the road turned out to be a hotel, or rather a hostel, the rooms in which could well cost 2000 rubles for two. Remember this name - Bowery's WhiteHouse Hostel.
Judging by the photos on Booking, it seems that this hostel is quite nice. In this case, I will tell you: do not believe your eyes!
3
However, in reality, unlike the pompous neighbor of the Bowery Hotel, the Bowery hostel is inconspicuous and unsightly: old loose glass doors, a tiled room, like in Soviet sanatoriums, unfriendly staff and a bunch of restrictions such as “no drinking in the corridors” and “after 10 don't make noise. We should have been alerted by this very thing “in the corridors” and cash deposit, but we were too tired after the flight to adequately analyze the situation.
Since we arrived early, the check-in was delayed by an hour. Thank God, at least there was Wi-Fi in this hole. At that time, each of us felt it was our duty to check in to the FourSquare app and get points for a new place before the rest, and I did not fail to take the opportunity to check in at the hotel opposite. As it turned out through the tips that users can leave about a particular place, Lindsay Lohan recently visited this five-star hotel. It was naive to think that for 2000 rubles we would have broken off a hotel room, where Lindsay herself visited, and even before the heap and Rihanna :)
3
Well, our hostel could with all certainty claim the title of the worst hostel of all times and peoples. It is clear that one should not expect the luxury of its five-star namesake from him, but what I saw there, I have not seen anywhere else, and I have stayed in hostels in Europe and Asia.
Let's start with the fact that the rooms there represent, both in appearance and in interior decoration, cubicles in a public toilet. Imagine that the rooms are divided among themselves by thin plywood partitions, over which there is no ceiling. In shock, we couldn't even take a picture of it, so I'm attaching a photo from Booking.com (although it does not convey all the sensations of what I saw)
When we entered one of the booths in which we were to spend the night, then even the steel male nerves could not stand it. First - silence, and then selective Russian mat.
Our booth
1
Cabin guys
1
After the Bowery Hostel, sneakers became a household name for the worst thing that could happen. All the rest of our places of residence seemed not so terrible. Someone's forgotten sneakers instantly turned us into undemanding Spartans, rejoicing in the simple benefits of civilization - clean sheets, a separate soul and a normal ceiling above our heads.
Needless to say, we immediately went down to the reception, took the deposit for the night and went out into the street - into the arms of a city unfamiliar to us.
Chapter 2 In Which We Learn About the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy
Our first reasonable impulse was to try to rent a room at the nearby Bowery Hotel, but the prices there turned out to be just 2 times higher than the maximum amount that we were willing to pay.
16.00, no place to stay for the night. But, thank God, the Internet today replaces a thousand calls and personal appeals. In search of the Internet, we find our first catering establishment - an Italian restaurant, which, on the occasion of Saturday, was crowded with large noisy companies.
Without further questions, they let us in with our suitcases. That's what the country of emigrants means!
1
Our first meal in the form of a delicious thin pizza turned out to be quite successful. The search for lodging for the night was also successful. Due to Hurricane Sandy, the devastating impact of which also affected tourism, the Holiday Inn Soho hotel has reduced prices by 2 times - one night for four for the price of only 6,000 rubles! Compared to the damned "sneaker" it was Queen Elizabeth's apartment :)
Before I leave the Bowery for good and move to Chinatown, I will tell you a little about the area that we had to leave due to housing problems.
Bowery is both a street and an area located in the middle part of Manhattan. Outwardly, an unremarkable place, which at first even scared us a little with its urban aggressiveness.
2
But, despite its homeliness, the Bowery is still of some interest to those who are fond of the history of cities. The Bowery is the first thoroughfare that arose in the 17th century as a road from New Amsterdam to the farm (nid. bouwerij) of Governor Stuyvesant.(information from Wikipedia)
In this area, as well as in Soho in general, the creative elite and the aesthetically prosperous bourgeoisie settled ...
2
But during the years of the Great Depression, “prosperous” houses had to make room under the onslaught of rooming houses. Now it is clear why a wretched hostel could, on quite legitimate historical rights, coexist with a chic five-star hotel!
However, Bowery, goodbye. Nihao, Chinatown!
1
Praise to the Internet and built-in jeepies that show how and how long the road will take! It turned out to be no more than 15 minutes to walk to our new place of lodging for the night on foot at a leisurely pace. Along the way, we finally got to know New York a bit.
1
The stamp "city of contrasts" can often be heard in the same sentence with the Big Apple. But the first hours of our acquaintance did not coincide with the splendor and eternal holiday of Times Square, but with the negativity of the poor streets.
2
We saw a bunch of garbage bags along the roads, beggars begging, some half-crazy old people.
1
I don’t want to say that we deliberately looked for some shortcomings and noticed only negative points, trying to prove that “they” are not as rosy as they show in life-polishing films and Hollywood productions.
1
It just so happened that our journey did not start with iconic sights or beautiful, tourist-friendly avenues with luxury boutiques and expensive cars, but from ordinary New York streets, along which ordinary New Yorkers go about their business.
This comrade, although walking around Times Square, clearly belongs to the “proletariat”. Perhaps this is the future Brad Pitt, who began his career in much the same way :)
3
New York is similar to any other metropolis in the world, but at the same time it has those unique features that make it stand out from the rest and make it unmistakably recognizable. multifaceted and unequal in itself.
2
3
I don’t know why, but looking at them, I was reminded of my favorite childhood movie, Ghostbusters.
3
2
The famous yellow taxis, into which heroes of all kinds of films and TV series jump into literally on the run, trying to catch a love date or running away from the chase ...
2
Distribution of humanitarian aid to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
1
By the way, the obvious consequences of the hurricane, which, let me remind you, swept over the East Coast just a few days before our arrival, were not visible - no fallen trees, broken shop windows, mangled cars. Maybe all this happened, but the Americans somehow quickly cleaned up after the raging Sandy. And even the subway, flooded with salt water, was restored to the maximum short time…
3
Holiday Inn exceeded all our expectations: softer beds with feathers than the Princess and the Pea had. Brilliantly clean bathroom fluffy towels with which it is not shameful to wipe the most intimate places. After the “sneakers”, even the view from the window to the wall did not particularly bother us, but seemed to be a completely natural element of the urban landscape.
1
Chapter 3
Tired after a tiring flight, we were unable to carry out the planned march through the sights. Overpowering ourselves, we nevertheless decided to take a little walk around Times Square in order to decorate our first day in the States with at least one bright and beautiful experience.
Near the hotel is the Canal Street metro, where we went down. I must say right away that it is difficult for beginners to navigate the New York subway, so it is better to travel around the city, especially for short distances, by taxi. If you have time to figure out what is the difference between routes A, B and C, which can move simultaneously along a branch of the same color, then feel free to go down to the subway.
2
I remember that when I first came to New York back in 2005, I was scared in the subway because of the abundance of blacks and just beggars around, and I pressed an mp3 player expensive at that time with 124 MB of memory to my chest. In 2012, I was no longer afraid of anything.
But an unexpected obstacle on our way was the same ubiquitous Hurricane Sandy, or rather, its consequences. The tunnel flooded, and we had to switch to another metro line.
The scene that played out in the subway car on the way to Times Square became a vivid impression. Some young girl turned to the passengers with a request for help. In appearance, she was not a beggar, but she asked for alms, explaining this by the fact that she had small children in her arms, there was nothing to feed them with. The crisis, and she, like many Americans, lost her job.
At first I listened to it with interest. But then I, as, apparently, other passengers, began to be annoyed by her pathetic speech flowing in a continuous stream. Finally, someone broke down and besieged her: "Go work like all the other New Yorkers, and stop complaining." I think Americans, just like us, dislike those who are used to living at the expense of others or at the expense of the state, finding thousands of reasons not to fight for their well-being.
Chapter 4
We go to Times Square. It is already dark outside, which, however, is to our advantage. During the day, the area does not look so impressive.
5
2
For some reason, I associate Times Square with the New Year, kissing and hugging people and a machine-gun burst of opening bottles of champagne
South America is the fourth largest continent on Earth. Its length from north to south is more than 7000 km, from west to east - about 5000, and total area reaches 17.8 km². Most of the mainland is in the Southern Hemisphere. The total number of inhabitants is more than 385 million people: according to this indicator, South America ranks fourth among the continents. But if we discard the dry facts, one thing can be said: this is a whole world, unknown, bright, alluring and frightening at the same time. Each country of this continent deserves the closest study, the most curious tourists and the most enthusiastic reviews.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
How to get there
The cost of air travel to South American countries varies significantly on regular days and during sales periods. If a regular ticket can cost 1700-2000 USD on average, then sale and promotional tickets can be bought with a discount of up to 50%. The most profitable for Russians is to buy a ticket to Venezuela (the cheapest one can be bought for 500-810 USD on the days of maximum discounts). Or fly to the relatively massive countries of the Caribbean, such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic, from where you can already move to the mainland by domestic airlines.
If you have time and money, you can arrange an unforgettable ocean trip: a boat trip to Buenos Aires will cost 1500-2000 EUR. Such a voyage will take much more time than a flight, because most often it is not just sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, but a full-fledged cruise calling at the ports of Europe and Central America.
Transport in South America
Inside the continent, air travel is quite expensive, but cruise travel by sea is widespread (the cost depends on the class of the liner). Railways are used mainly for cargo transportation - there are very few passenger trains, but bus service is very common. Traveling by bus, of course, is less comfortable, but very economical (prices vary depending on the country and destinations - tourist or domestic). In addition, car rentals are very cheap here.
Weather
The climate is different in different parts of South America. In the north - the equatorial zone with the highest temperatures in January, in the south - the frosty polar zone. This is where you can meet New Year in a bikini under the scorching sun, and then go to a more familiar climate zone for ski resort in the Andean highlands. In the south of the mainland, plump king penguins roam with might and main - Antarctica is close!
Hotels
If you find yourself in South America for the first time and are accustomed to the international class of service, choose large hotel chains (preferably international ones). Rooms in them cost from 50-90 USD per day. Students and exotic lovers often settle in small hotels or private apartments - the cost can start from 15-20 USD per day. Appearance and amenities of housing will depend on the country, proximity to popular resorts and personal luck. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
Iguazu Falls
South American countries
Venezuela- a state in the north of South America, washed by the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The capital is the city of Caracas. Here there are conditions for a beach holiday - the luxurious beaches of the Caribbean coast, a luxurious secluded vacation on Margarita Island, and for active: national park Avila near Caracas, Amazonian jungle, the highest waterfall on the planet - Angel, the longest in the world cable car 12.6 km long and the country's highest mountain peak - Pico Bolívar (4981 m).
Guyana- a state on the northeast coast of South America. The capital is Georgetown. Almost 90% of the country is occupied by wet jungles. It is precisely because of the unfavorable conditions for tourism in the traditional sense that Guyana is visited primarily by ecotourists. They have chosen the waterfalls of the Guiana Highlands, the Pacaraima mountains, National parks Kaieteur and Ivokrama, where visitors learn the wisdom of rafting, as well as hiking and horseback riding through the Rupununi savannas.
Guiana(or French Guiana) - the largest overseas region of France, located in the northeast of South America. A French visa is required to enter Guiana. The administrative center is the city of Cayenne. 96% of the country's territory is occupied by tropical forests - this region is one of the most forested and environmentally friendly in the world. Tourist centers and settlements of local residents are concentrated in the coastal strip, central regions practically deserted.
Colombia- a state in the north-west of South America, named after the great traveler. The capital is Bogotá. Allowed for Russians visa-free entry to the territory of Colombia for up to 90 days. This country is famous for its historical heritage, many museums and an amazing fusion of European culture, brought by the Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century, and Indian culture, still carefully preserved in some parts of the country. Colombia has amazing nature: national parks, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the Amazon River basin, palm valleys and coffee plantations.
Paraguay called the heart of America, because this country has no access to the sea. Its population has retained its identity: the Indian dialect of Guarani is here official language on par with Spanish. The capital is Asuncion. "Guiana" is translated from Guaran as "great river" - meaning the Rio Paraguay (the third most full-flowing and longest river of the continent), dividing the country into the arid plain of the Gran Chaco and wet areas between the Rio Paraguay and the Rio Alta Parana. The country was chosen by ecotourists and connoisseurs of superbly preserved architectural monuments period of the Jesuit state.
Peru a country on the west coast of South America. The capital is Lima. Fans of antiquities know Peru as the place of the Inca settlement - the Inca state of Tahuantinsuyu was the largest empire of pre-Columbian America and still remains a mystery to ethnographers and archaeologists. Here is the famous Machu Picchu, which has become one of the new wonders of the world, and landscapes with mysterious Nazca lines, the origin of which scientists still cannot explain. In total, there are more than 180 museums in Peru and many archaeological parks lost in the Andes valleys.
Visa-free entry to Peru is open for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.
Suriname- a state in the northeast of South America. The capital is Paramaribo. People come here in search of ecotourism unusual places: Tropical forests, Atabru waterfalls, Cau, Wanotobo, Galibi reserve, Sipaliwini region, which occupies most of the territory, Trio, Acurio and Wayana Indian reservations.
Uruguay- a state in the southeast of South America. The capital is Montevideo. If you want to relax on the beach, come to Uruguay between January and April. Connoisseurs of colonial architecture will surely enjoy the sights of Cologna and Montevideo. Every year, a month and a half before Easter, two days before Lent, Catholics in Uruguay host a colorful carnival.
Visa-free entry to Uruguay is open for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.
Chile- a state in the southwest of South America, occupying a long strip from the coast Pacific Ocean to the Andean highlands. The capital is Santiago. In Chile, balneological tourism is widespread (33 sanatorium bases with water and mud treatment), beach holiday(regions of Arica, Iquique, Valparaiso), as well as trips to the national parks of La Campana, Torres del Paine, to Lake San Rafael, to the places of Altiplano and San Pedro and, of course, to the famous Easter Island. For lovers of skiing - 15 resorts with slopes from the most extreme to the simplest.
Ecuador located in the northwest of the mainland and got its name from the Spanish "equator". The capital is Quito. Particularly noteworthy are the Galapagos Islands, famous not only for their fauna, but also for their fantastic beaches, Oriente National Park and a trip to the Amazon, the El Kayas region with 200 lakes and lagoons, a monument ancient culture Ingapirca and museums of the colonial and pre-colonial eras in Quito.
A visa-free regime for visiting Ecuador has been introduced for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.
In addition, South America includes the disputed island territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands, which are still disputed by Great Britain and Argentina. Tourists arrive on the islands as part of cruise tours. The most common activities are mountain climbing, hiking and rafting in kayaks and kayaks. The Falkland (Malvinas) Islands are places almost forgotten by tourists. In terms of climate, their territory is close to Iceland: it is cold, strong winds, and not only seagulls, but also plump king penguins scurry along the coast.
Nature of South America
After the breakup of the Gondwana mainland at the end of the Cretaceous into Africa, Australia, Antarctica and South America, the latter remained a separate continent. Connecting the current North and South America, the Isthmus of Panama appeared about three million years ago, significantly affecting the flora and fauna of the continent.
The variety of landscapes and climatic zones strikes the tourist's imagination. Andes, the longest in the world mountain range, also called the "ridge" of South America, stretching almost along its entire length for 9 thousand km. The highest peaks - Aconcagua (6960 m) in Argentina and Ojos del Salado (6908 m) are covered with snow all year round. A movement that continues to this day earth's crust in this region causes earthquakes and eruptions of active volcanoes.
The famous Amazon flows here, the second largest river on the planet, always full-flowing thanks to its numerous tributaries. On its shores, the endless Amazonian jungle rises, so dense that some of their areas remain unexplored to this day.
The Amazonian jungle is called the "lungs of the planet."
In contrast to the Amazonian rainforests on the mainland is one of the driest places on the planet, the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. In Argentina and Uruguay, the pampas are hot and dusty.
There are vast lakes in South America, and high waterfalls, and rocky islands. From the north the mainland is washed warm waters Caribbean Sea, while its southernmost point - the island of Tierra del Fuego - is subject to frequent storms of the cold Atlantic Ocean.
