Top North America Unique Experiences - page 2

Switch up sightseeing for an adrenaline rush with this guided zipline experience on Oahu's North Shore. Leave all the planning and organization to someone else, as you enjoy an itinerary of activities that includes a short ATV ride, rappelling, sky bridges, and multiple ziplines. Feel confident under the supervision of your guides, as you take in scenic views of the island that you can't see anywhere else.

Experience Waikiki like a local with a private surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach. Begin at the Surf Center with a safety briefing and gear-up before heading to the ocean with your instructor. Learn to paddle out and stand up on the board, or take your surfing skills to the next level if you already know the basics. Hotel pickup is available for added convenience.

Dating back to 1670, Charleston is one of the most haunted cities in America. With a history of pirates and criminals, patriots and founding fathers, the city swarms with restless souls and unexplained phenomena. On this tour, your local guide takes you to all the spookiest spots, from haunted graveyards to execution sites and more, keying you into the spirits who walk the cobblestone streets.

Whether you want to relax after a long day of sightseeing or need to unwind at the end of your workweek, a sunset dinner cruise along the Willamette River is sure to do the trick. The journey offers spectacular views of the Portland skyline and city’s main landmarks. Listen to live music while you enjoy a freshly cooked Pacific Northwest meal.

See where famous movies such as "Jumanji", "Jurassic Park", "Jurassic World", and "50 First Dates" were filmed. A guide leads you to Hollywood hot spots and provides background on the history of the ranch. Travel by vintage school bus past some of the island’s most stunning natural attractions, such as Mokoli’i Island, Kaneohe Bay, and the Ko’olau Range.

Explore Oahu's waters on this submarine-style ride aboard the Atlantis Submarine. During this family-friendly adventure, learn about the local fish, coral, and other animals in this marine habitat through your guide's informative commentary. Descend 100 feet (30 meters) under the surface of the water without getting wet in a vehicle that is quiet and pollution-free, so marine life is undisturbed.

Have a unique Big Island experience snorkeling with manta rays on this tour. Take a short cruise out to the snorkeling site before dipping into the water to watch the manta rays up close. All necessary equipment will be provided for your excursion, as well as light refreshments and snacks. If you don't see manta rays on this excursion, book again for another night, free of charge.

Hop on a '70s-era VW bus and get to know the hippie past and hipster vibe that make up San Francisco today. Starting and ending at Fisherman's Wharf, this sightseeing tour takes you around the city, including Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown and more. See the homes of The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, while listening to '60s classics. So settle into a neon-blue seat and dig your shoes into groovy shag carpet. Each bus accommodates up to just six people.

Experience the thrill of soaring through a Rocky Mountain landscape on some of the longest ziplines in Colorado. The small group size ensures more personalized attention as you whiz through fresh air and admire the scenic landscape below on a series of cables totaling more than 6000 feet (1828 meters) in length. Soak up some of Colorado’s famous sunshine while you hike between the tracks.

The Iditarod Trail is the longest and most famous sled-dog race in North America. Learn firsthand what it would be like to experience life on the trail on this 75-minute kennel tour and sled ride. Meet an Iditarod musher, learn some commands used for the dog team, and then go for a training ride in a wheeled cart.

Indulge a passion for both nature and chocolate on this tropical tasting tour of Princeville Botanical Gardens in Kauai. Explore the plants and flowers on a tour of the garden’s terraces, creek beds, and valley floor, stopping along the way to taste fresh Hawaiian fruit and honey. Rest your feet in a shady outdoor tasting area as you sample single-origin gourmet chocolates from around the world and learn how cocoa beans are transformed into delicious chocolate products.

Immerse yourself in Montreal's street art scene with this guided tour. Get greater insight than you would if exploring independently, as your guide leads you to a selection of the city's graffiti highlights. Walk down alleys and backstreets to see art that you might otherwise miss. Pick up recommendations of local eateries and bars to try as you go, which you can visit later on in your vacation.

Learn to surf Kauai’s famous waves at a private surf lesson for up to four people on the shores of beautiful Hanalei Bay. Your instructor, a local surfing expert, will meet you where you are. Beginners learn the fundamentals of paddling, reading the waves, and standing up, while more advanced students can perfect their technique. Note: please arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson time to check in.

Go behind-the-scenes and deep underground at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, with the only Catholic catacombs in New York City. See parts of the church that are otherwise off-limits to visitors. As you explore with the help of a guide, learn all about the landmark’s place in New York history and discover the final resting place of some famous New Yorkers.

Watch dolphins frolic through coastal waters on this scenic 2-hour sunset sail. Board your comfortable catamaran, and listen to music. Cruise through Grand Lagoon, passing elegant homes and St. Andrews State Park. See pods of dolphins travel together and leap above the water. Take photos and admire incredible sunset views. Don’t miss the chance to participate in games and dance when the boat docks.

Turn the dream of operating heavy machinery—from bulldozers to excavators and beyond—into fun-filled reality when you book a small-group session at a heavy equipment playground in Las Vegas. Choose from a variety of options and durations, and take part in a safety briefing. Then, get ready to dig trenches, build mounds, stack 2,000-pound tires, and even play "bucket basketball" in this life-size sandbox.

With its centuries of history, it’s no surprise Boston is packed with haunted sights, though they aren’t always easy for visitors to find. On this nighttime ghost tour, follow a guide to some of the city’s most storied landmarks, such as the Granary Burying Ground, Bostom Common, and the Massachusetts State House, and discover the hidden history and spooky sightings associated with each.

Philadelphia is famous for its murals—and on this small-group walking tour of two South Philly neighborhoods, you can look forward to discovering some of the city’s top public artworks. Meet your guide in the afternoon on South Street and head off to see colorful art in the Queen Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods. Then, finish with a trip to the Magic Garden, an immersive sculptural environment.

Discover a variety of Tennessee's moonshine and wine distilleries on a half-day tour from Sevierville. Your guide shares the history of moonshine and prohibition, tastings of wine and moonshine, and details about local breweries and distilleries. Visit multiple moonshine distilleries and wineries, in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, and enjoy tastings at each venue.

Leave your preconceptions about sharks at the door and get up close to these sleek creatures on this unique ocean experience. Head out from Haleiwa, on the North Shore of O’ahu, and spend around half an hour swimming with the sharks living in the area. Don’t worry, though: even if you aren’t swimming in a cage, you’re still in safe hands, with a guide on board and a safety diver swimming with each group.

Experience New York City's glittering nighttime skyline from the water on this evening cruise around New York Harbor. Travel aboard a 1920s-style yacht with indoor and outdoor seating areas, and sip a complimentary beverage of your choice (with additional drinks at your own expense) as you admire views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Observatory, and more.

Don’t settle for seeing Central Park through the window of a non-stop tour bus. Instead, make the most of good weather and enjoy a tour of the park in one of New York City’s iconic horse-drawn carriages. Hear about the history of Central Park and the Big Apple from your driver and take advantage of photo stops at park highlights made famous in so many movies, books, and television shows.

Experience Key West’s dark side on this fun yet frightening haunted bar crawl. Hear tales of known paranormal activity from your local guide and visit the most eerie bars in Old Town Key West – located in two haunted mansions and repurposed morgue. By the end of the 2‐hour tour, you’ll see ‘Bone Island’ in a different (and profoundly spookier) light.

Stroll the narrow streets and back alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on this small-group walking tour. Explore local markets and savor tastings that add up to a full lunch, including tea, fortune cookies, dim sum, crispy Peking duck, and other specialties. Listen to guided commentary and ask questions as you discover the neighborhood's rich culture and flavors.