Top North America Unique Experiences - page 4

Spend a few hours out on the water off Panama City Beach's coast on this sightseeing cruise. Get your captain's assistance in spotting local marine wildlife such as dolphins, manta rays, manatees, and sea turtles. This family-friendly cruise includes the chance to play games and dance on the deck on the way back to land.

Ride into the sunset on a Las Vegas horseback-riding tour in the Nevada desert, led by a professional wrangler. Set your gaze on quintessential Wild West landscapes and search for wildlife such as bighorn sheep, jackrabbits, and roadrunners. Conclude your evening ride with a barbecue dinner followed by a cowboy campfire under the stars. Includes handy round-trip transportation from select Las Vegas hotels.

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.

Set out from Oahu’s scenic North Shore to the depths of the big blue Pacific, where you have the chance to observe wild sharks from inside an underwater shark cage. Thanks to your professional, experienced crew, the Oahu shark dive is completely safe as they know the predators’ behavior, and the underwater cage provides proven safety against all different species of sharks. Whether you’re in the cage with sharks right in front of you or watching from up in the boat, Oahu shark diving is a Hawaii activity you’ll definitely never forget.

Plunge into the waters off Kailua-Kona to swim with manta rays. During this sunset to moonlight tour, slip on the provided wetsuit and snorkel gear and follow your expert instructor into the water. Watch as the enormous vegetarian animals, some with wingspans of 20 feet (6 meters), swim in loops around you, taking in clouds of plankton for their evening meal. All gear and light snacks and refreshments are provided.

Enjoy easy skip-the-line access to the California Academy of Sciences with this pre-paid ticket. Walk right in to explore the museum's 4-story rainforest, planetarium, and aquarium, plus the new Tiny Chef, Big Impact exhibit celebrating small actions for the planet.

Vancouver Island is known for producing great wines in a beautiful environment. Visit well-regarded wineries on Saanich Peninsula on this tour from Victoria, which includes private wine tastings at each location, a behind-the-scenes tour of a local winery, and a guide with extensive knowledge about the industry. This small-group tour is limited to 15 passengers or fewer for a more intimate experience.

Discover the most legendary vampire haunts in New Orleans on this 2‐hour evening walking tour! Your local guide will lead a lamplit promenade through the French Quarter to visit places imbibed in vampire lore such as the filming location of Interview with a Vampire. You’ll also hear some ‘real’ stories of the undead from public archives and police reports, and peek in at a known vampire tavern. Think twice before accepting any free drinks!

Have the special opportunity to see the Mendenhall Glacier up close—and make the most of your limited time ashore in Juneau—on this immersive, half-day shore excursion. Travel across the waters of Mendenhall Lake in a traditional Tlingit-style canoe that permits unobstructed viewing of the glacier, icebergs, Nugget Falls, and perhaps some Alaskan wildlife. This tour includes all equipment, snacks, and port pickup and drop-off for your ease.

Taste Cancun’s top tacos and enjoy cold Mexican beer on this 3-hour small-group tour. Visit four local taco spots, skip the lines, and learn the stories behind each recipe. Includes drinks, churros, and optional hotel pickup. Vegetarian options available.

Swimming with whale sharks on your own can be daunting, from finding the best locations to ensuring safety in open water. This small-group tour solves that by guiding you to prime spots with experienced instructors, letting you snorkel safely alongside these sea creatures (conditions permitting). Enjoy snacks, coffee, and a Caribbean lunch on board to keep you fueled during your experience.

Immerse yourself in American history on a JFK–themed tour of Dallas, with stops at Dealey Plaza, President Kennedy’s memorial, and the location of Lee Harvey Oswald’s arrest. Your guide, who navigates for you, provides a history of JFK’s assassination and outlines the multitude of conspiracy theories that followed.

Don't leave Maui without trying out your surfing skills on the waves of the Pacific. During this lesson in Kihei, learn the basics from an instructor, who also tells you about ocean safety before heading into the water. Instruction is tailored to the skill level of each participant so you can enjoy a worthwhile experience.

Experience a stunning Hawaiian sunrise from the top of Maui's Haleakala National Park and then bike down the dormant volcano during this exciting adventure. Transportation is provided to the top of the crater to watch the sunrise before riding your bike down the slopes on a guided tour. Your bike ride ends in the historic town of Makawao where you can explore and have breakfast at your leisure.

Make the most of your time in the birthplace of surfing by learning to surf, Hawaiian style. In a small group of no more than five people per instructor, you will learn the fundamentals of surfing and ocean safety before getting into the water to ride your first wave. Lessons are timed to avoid crowds so you can enjoy plenty of space.

Experience the best of Los Angeles, and make the most of your time, on a private day tour with your own guide and vehicle. Tailor the itinerary to your interests, skipping any stops you're not interested in. Get an insider’s glimpse of Tinseltown as you stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame, watch for celebrities as you tour Rodeo Drive and the city's exclusive neighborhoods, then take in views of the Hollywood sign and towering downtown skyscrapers.

Combine mezcal and Mexican wrestling on a half-day Lucha Libre tour in Mexico City. Discover the fascinating history, rules, and personalities of Lucha Libre over mezcal and guacamole (nonalcoholic options are available) with your former semi-pro luchador guide. Then catch a live match at Arena México, often called Mexico’s “cathedral of Lucha Libre”. Leave with a souvenir luchador mask.

Haleakala's summit sits at over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) on Maui, and catching sunrise from the crater requires a pre-dawn drive up the mountain road plus a National Park reservation for sunrise viewing—logistics that are hard to manage solo on limited sleep. This tour covers the drive up Haleakala for sunrise, then a bike ride downhill from 6,500 feet (1,981 meters). Finally, hop aboard a shuttle to explore the town of Makawao.

Visit a former plantation and ride through the swamp during this two-in-one tour. Start with a visit to Oak Alley Plantation for a tour of the antebellum mansion. Follow the oak-shaded paths to the blacksmith shop during your free time. Lunch is available to purchase at the restaurant on-site. Next, head to the dock for your swamp tour. Search for alligators and other wildlife and stop for photo ops while aboard an airboat. Round-trip hotel transport provided from New Orleans.

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.

Test your skills out in the waves on this beginning surfing lesson in Maui. Led by an expert instructor, learn surf techniques and timing as you hit the warm waters of Lahaina Harbor. Receive personal attention from your instructor and top-of-the-line equipment to practice on. Photos of your small-group experience are also available for purchase.

Hip-hop music began in New York City, and there's no better way to explore this iconic music genre than this insider’s tour led by one of rap's Grandmasters. Visit more locations than you could possibly find on your own as you embark on an interactive musical journey through Manhattan, Harlem, and the Bronx to uncover the origins and evolution of hip-hop and rap music.

Swim with giant manta rays in their nighttime habitat on this boat tour from Kona. Travel offshore to watch the colorful Kona sunset, then jump in to swim with the docile rays as they feed on microscopic plankton. Follow your guides around the manta habitat and watch as the animals are attracted to the bright lights. All snorkel equipment, including flotation devices and wet suits, is included.

Take an open-air bus tour through Hollywood and Beverly Hills and explore some of the area’s landmarks and celebrity homes. See famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, and the Chinese Theatre. Keep an eye out for celebrity sightings as you drive through Beverly Hills and view the homes of Tom Cruise, Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio and many more.