Many
of America’s great cities were designed with the pedestrian in mind. To enjoy
these sites without the hassle of traffic jams, roaring buses and blaring
sirens, see these unique and lively cities from a different perspective – from
the sidewalk.
The
Loop: Chicago
Most
of Chicago’s greatest attractions are located in the heart of the city and are
within walking distance of one another. Shoppers will enjoy Michigan Avenue –
the Magnificent Mile – for its upscale shops, world-class department stores
and five-star restaurants, while sight-seers can look to the sky to see some of
the tallest buildings in the world, such as the John Hancock Building.
If
you walk through Grant Park on a summer afternoon you might just see a 16-inch
softball game, the Taste of Chicago food festival or the landmark Buckingham
Fountain.
As
is typical of a world-class city, you won’t see all of the sites in one day.
But your walking tour of Chicago would not complete without a visit to
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the
observation deck of the Sears Tower;
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the old Water Tower (survivor of the Great Chicago Fire);
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the Children’s Museum and Ferris wheel at Navy Pier;
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the
famed Art Institute; and
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the
Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium “campus.”
A
visit to Chicago’s attractions (both world-famous and under appreciated) will
prove to you that this Windy City is second to none.
The
Strip: Las Vegas
Walking
along the Strip you’ll notice the diversity of the hotels and casinos as well
as the people who visit Las Vegas. Theme resorts and towering hotels have
replaced most of the hotels that were built during the 1920s and 1930s. While
walking down the Strip you can see the Eiffel Tower, the Sphinx and the New York
skyline. At night, the city sparkles and is the perfect setting for stargazing
or picture-taking.
If
you plan on staying indoors, you can literally spend an entire week walking
through the various casinos and shops that are located in many of the hotels.
The Venetian boasts in indoor shopping center and gondola rides while the
5000-room MGM Grand Hotel has StudioWalk, a Hollywood soundstage and Farmer’s
Market.
Or,
go from hotel to hotel via motorized walkways and connecting bridges located in
many of the resorts. For example, you can cross from the Luxor to New York, New
York and then to the Excalibur.
Las
Vegas is a city that is accessible to the first-timer as well as the seasoned
high-roller. A walk down the Las Vegas Strip would not be complete without:
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a
ride atop the roller coaster at the Stratosphere;
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a show by an Elvis impersonator at the Riviera; or
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the
battle on a pirate ship at Treasure Island.
The
Las Vegas Strip is an exciting adventure situated on one long boulevard.
The
Great White Way and More: New York
If
there’s one word to describe New York, it’s “energy.” You feel the
energy from the hustle and bustle of the dealmakers and stock market players.
You see the energy from the thousands of lights that make the city sparkle. And
you’ll need plenty of energy if you want to see New York by foot.
Walking
through Manhattan is an experience you won’t soon forget. If you get caught in
the morning rush hour, you’ll be carried along by the waves of commuters
rushing to get to their high-rise offices. It is a busy city, just as you would
expect of the home of Wall Street and the World Trade Center.
Take
the time to plan your walking tour of New York City. This way, you’ll be sure
to catch all of the world-famous museums, shops and restaurants. Along the way,
you’ll see
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Times
Square, where hundreds of thousands celebrate each New Year;
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Broadway,
where you can catch anything from Cole Porter’s earliest to Andrew Lloyd
Webber’s latest;
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5th
Avenue, home to Tiffany and F.A.O. Schwartz; and
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the Statue of Liberty.
A
visit to Manhattan is as hectic a vacation as you are bound to get – seeing
the city from the sidewalk will quickly put you in a New York state of mind.
The
French Quarter: New Orleans
One
of the city’s best features is the ease with which you can get from site to
site.
Perhaps this is most evident in the French Quarter, New
Orleans’ unique historical district. Your walking tour of the French Quarter
is abetted by the fact that automobile traffic is limited and in some areas,
prohibited.
Streetcars
provide a quick a pleasant journey from the French Quarter to the Garden
District or to Audubon Park and the zoo. Along the way you’ll see many
historic New Orleans landmarks and neighborhoods.
If
you plan on taking a walking tour of New Orleans that doesn’t include the
French Quarter and Bourbon Street,
-
St.
Charles Avenue is filled with enough activity and scenery to make a pleasant
walk. You can see the sights from one of the city’s streetcars, which run
from the Riverbend section all the way to the Central Business District.
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The
Moonwalk, which stretches the entire length of the Quarter along the
Mississippi River, offers easy access to shops and restaurants, the Aquarium
of the Americas and the riverboats. The Moonwalk is a favorite stretch for
an evening stroll for both locals and visitors, particularly on a clear
night with a full moon.
-
The
Riverwalk is located on the edge of the Central Business District. Walkers
can take in sights along the river, including the mighty twin-bridge
construction of the Crescent City Connection. This ribbon of land is premium
space each July 4th, since it offers the best vantage for the fireworks
display.
It
won’t take you long to see why New Orleans is called “The Big Easy.”
It’s an easy-going city that will charm you with its accessibility,
friendliness and southern hospitality.
The
Capital: Washington, DC
Washington,
D.C. packs a plethora of historical and cultural attractions within a short
distance from one another, making it one of the country’s most accessible
cities.
Washington is packed with impressive government buildings
(the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court); with inspiring monuments
to American leaders (Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln); and with world-class
museums (the Smithsonian Institution). Most key sights are located on or near
the National Mall, the great grassy strip stretching from the U.S. Capitol to
the Lincoln Memorial.
While
walking along the National Mall, you’ll pass the
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National
Archives;
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Vietnam
Memorial;
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Library
of Congress;
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National
Air and Space Museum;
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National
Gallery of Art; and
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Washington
National Cathedral.