With such variety and a country so large, it will be easy to find a student travel destination suited to you, whether that’s a big city, a natural wonder, or a cultural experience.
Photo by Ibrahim Rifath on UnsplashBalancing these adventures with academic responsibilities is easier with the help of paper writing services like Academized.com. With Academized writes my essays online, students can focus on discovering new places and cultures, knowing their academic work is in good hands. No matter what you’re looking for, there will be something out there for you. Here’s a guide to some of the best destinations across the country, covering aspects such as budget, adventure, and widening your outlook.
New York City: The Big Apple
If a student is looking for the American capital to learn something, the first place to visit in the USA is New York City. What does the word “New York” mean to you first and foremost when you think of American cities? Its diversity, restaurants, attractions.. What not? NY never sleeps.
Start in Manhattan, home of Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park, then stroll or bike over the Brooklyn Bridge to see skyline views you won’t get anywhere else. Take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Art lovers should check out the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) – both with some of the best collections in the world.
Like New York City, where one can experience food in the form of cheap dollar pizza slices or high end haute cuisine, or that classic New York bagel or some genuine dim sum in Chinatown.
Aside from a few clichés, there are plenty of world-class experiences in the city that are either free or very reasonably priced, so students who are savvy can do New York very affordably. There are several free museum days a year and you can walk along the High Line or have a picnic in Central Park. You can buy a weekly or monthly subway card and see all five boroughs.
San Francisco: The City by the Bay
For student travelers in the USA, finding the best spots to visit is as important as finding top essay services to keep up with their writing tasks. Further up on the West Coast, San Francisco, with its Golden Gate Bridge, steep hills and quirky neighborhoods, calls. Here, the city is progressive, innovative in the world of tech and blessed with breathtaking natural beauty.
Ride a cable car, one of the most iconic symbols of San Francisco, then head to Fisherman’s Wharf to eat fresh seafood and watch the sea lions bask in the sun. Go to Alcatraz Island to learn more about San Francisco’s history, once home to a former prison.
Another must-see place is Golden Gate Park, which has miles of walking trails, museums and even a herd of bison. You can’t come to San Francisco and not bike across the Golden Gate Bridge for a gorgeous view of the bay and the city skyline.
Each is unique. The mission district has colorful murals. In the Haight-Ashbury, students can browse the vintage shops. Dim sum is available in Chinatown. Students interested in technology might take a trip south of the city to Silicon Valley.
San Francisco is an expensive city, to be sure, but there are lots to do on a student budget (many museums offer free admission days, and hiking in the adjoining Marin Headlands or along the coastal trails is free).
New Orleans: The Big Easy
New Orleans, Louisiana is a unique American destination that offers a taste of unique American culture. Characterized by its vivid music heritage, exemplary food, and rich history, New Orleans is one of the best places to visit for relaxed travelers and student travelers.
Begin your journey in the French Quarter (the heart of the Big Easy), then take Bourbon Street for some of the city’s most famous nightlife; or walk through the cobbled streets filled with colorful buildings and wrought-iron balconies. Check out Jackson Square, home to many artists and street performers.
Music is the lifeblood of New Orleans, and there is live music most places you go, and on almost every corner in the French Quarter. The tourist-filled bars and clubs near Bourbon Street and along Royal Street specialize in jazz, but there is live music all over the city. To find music with a little more local flavor, head over to the Frenchmen Street area.
New Orleans is a foodie’s dream, too: try the classic dishes of gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets. Or sample some budget-friendly eats, like the picnic-ready po’ boy or make sure you’re around on a Monday for a tradition of ‘red beans and rice’.
An above-ground cemetery tour will offer a glimpse into the city’s past, as well as the National WWII Museum (an eye-opening look at US history); for something different, ride a streetcar to the Garden District for stately homes and green splendor.
Washington, D.C.: The Nation’s Capital
The nation’s capital is a must for students interested in history, politics and culture. Washington, D.C. is the capital of the USA and is well-known for its numerous museums, monuments and government structures.
The hub of any D.C. visit is the National Mall: famous for its stamina-draining lengths, it contains the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool, but also a stroll among dozens of war memorials.
Perhaps the best thing for a student traveler to Washington, D.C. about experiencing so many museums for free is the knowledge that it may mark the first chapter of a lifelong readiness to learn.
To really understand how the US government functions, schedule a tour of the Capitol Building or the White House (you’ll need to plan ahead); pay a visit to the Supreme Court; sit in on a Congressional session; try to enter the White House, to witness the government in effigy.
There are, of course, plenty of political tourist draws, but D.C. is also rife with picturesque neighborhoods begging to be explored. The old-fashioned houses and shops of Georgetown make a sweet afternoon destination. For an authentic local experience, you can peruse fresh produce, handmade crafts and an assortment of vintage junk on Saturdays at Eastern Market.
| Destination | Must-See Attraction | Budget-Friendly Activity | Local Cuisine to Try |
| New York City | Statue of Liberty | Walk the High Line | New York-style pizza |
| San Francisco | Golden Gate Bridge | Hike in Marin Headlands | Clam chowder in sourdough bowl |
| New Orleans | French Quarter | Listen to street musicians | Beignets at Café du Monde |
| Washington, D.C. | National Mall | Visit Smithsonian museums | Half-smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl |
| Los Angeles | Hollywood Walk of Fame | Griffith Observatory | Fish tacos |
Los Angeles: The City of Angels
A typical student tour of the United States would not be complete without a visit to Los Angeles, the heart of entertainment and the home of glitz in the United States. LA is an enormous city with a mix of beach culture, hip neighborhoods and glamorous movie stars.
Begin in Hollywood for the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, and the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s) to see celebrity handprints. To go behind the scenes of the movie business, take one of the studio tours offered at Universal Studios or Warner Bros.
What LA lacks in beach offerings, it makes up for in things to do near or on the sand A sky-high Ferris wheel ride on Santa Monica Pier, some people-watching and street performances at Venice Beach followed by a stop at the canals or, if beach-goers desire a less popular experience, they can drive north up the coast to Malibu.
LA has some fantastic museums to warrant a visit, too. The Getty Center is famous for its spectacular architecture and views, as well as its art. And, of course, there is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) with its eclectic exhibitions and the iconic Urban Light installation.
For access to nature in the city, hike in Griffith Park and stroll to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping views of the city and the chance to look out at the stars. The nearby Hollywood Hills also provide longer, more challenging hikes with associated breathtaking views.
You’ll never go hungry in LA: foodies can craft an itinerary composed solely of food trucks and pop-up eateries, or choose to dine in some of the city’s best restaurants, from inexpensive ethnic joints to fine-dining establishments, offering diners the chance to eat the cuisines of the world and sample trends on the cutting edge of the food zeitgeist.
Make sure to use your student ID to get discounts when exploring the world, take advantage of the free attractions and spend your pennies wisely in each of the cities. A lot of cities offer passes for multiple attractions which can save you money. Get lost; explore local neighborhoods and meet the residents.
Traveling as a student is not just about visiting places; it is about opening your mind to a whole new world, broadening your horizons, seeing things you might have never seen before, and making unforgettable memories. So, whether it is by plane, train or automobile, gather your belongings and head out to explore the magnificent variety and beauty of the United States. Enjoy your American adventure!
