Top USA Unique Experiences - page 2

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.

Watch daylight appear above the Rio Grand Valley during a sunrise hot air balloon ride from Albuquerque, and see the first rays illuminate the rugged Sandia Mountains. Take in stunning aerial views and dip low enough to skim the Rio Grande, then rise back up above the desert landscape. Touch town after a 1-hour flight, and begin the day with sparkling wine before returning to your launch site.

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.

Experience Waikiki like a local with a private surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach. Hit the beach for a short lesson on land followed by further instruction in the water. 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.

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.

Enjoy a delectable introduction to Denver's hip RiNo Arts District—and follow your guide straight to its culinary highlights—on this small-group walking tour. You’ll visit five award-winning local restaurants to taste dishes ranging from fried chicken and sourdough pizza to mochi donuts and beyond. In between tour stops, your foodie guide will share stories about Denver’s growing culinary scene.

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.

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.

Portland has long been known for its donuts, and with this tour, you'll get to visit some of the city's best donut shops. Your tour guide will take you not only to the most famous of them all, Voodoo Donuts, but also to lesser-known, but no less delicious spots that locals love.

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.

Discover some of Boston's most notable historic landmarks—and pair your sightseeing with a pizza crawl—on this time-saving, two-in-one walking tour. With just a guide and small group for company, stroll through the city’s oldest neighborhoods, including Little Italy on the North End. Walk along the Freedom Trail to sights including Paul Revere House and the USS Constitution, and head to local pizzerias for three full-size slices along the way.

An afternoon ghost tour in Savannah is a less-spooky experience that’s perfect for kids and families. Though this tour skimps on scares, it’s still packed with history, sightseeing, and insight into Savannah’s rich past, including looks at top attractions such as Colonial Park Cemetery and haunted mansions in the historic district.

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.

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.

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.

Dig into New Orleans' centuries of history—and discover some of the city's most frightful tales—on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in the heart of the atmospheric French Quarter, and set off after dark. Head to neighborhood landmarks like Jackson Square, visit the chilling LaLaurie Mansion, and discover other lesser-known sights and ghost stories that you wouldn't encounter on your own.

Watch sunrise from one of the most scenic locations in Maui with this half-day sightseeing and bike tour of Haleakala. Begin with a drive in an air-conditioned vehicle to the top of the dormant Haleakala Volcano. Witness the sunrise from this vantage point, then continue the excursion with a bike ride downhill from 6,500 ft. Stop along the way for photographs, and to explore the town of Makawao.

Experience the thrill of riding a specially equipped dune buggy through the Nevada desert during this private, adrenaline-fueled tour from Las Vegas. On your own in a 1-seat dune buggy or with friends in a 2- or 4-seat dune buggy, navigate through the area's most challenging terrain wearing full safety gear. Opt for 30 or 60 minutes of high-speed action. Round-trip transportation from Las Vegas hotels is included.

Wake up early to experience a Sonoran Desert sunrise, and transform it into a story by seeing it from a birds-eye view. This hot air balloon ride from Phoenix takes you into the air with a professional guide who will narrate your trip. You’ll learn about the wildlife and history of this unique desert, then celebrate with Champagne and breakfast hors d’oeuvres.

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.

Zip around by snowmobile on the outskirts of the North Pole during a 1-hour guided tour near Fairbanks. Your guide provides driving instructions and practice time before you head out past the Alaska Pipeline and through snow-covered forests. You'll ride in comfort on a Ski Doo luxury touring snowmobile that accommodates one or two riders, and has heated handgrips and electric start. Look for Alaska's native wildlife including moose, fox, snowshoe hare, ptarmigan, grouse, and squirrels. Includes experienced guide, and use of snowmobile and weatherproof clothing.

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.

After dark is an excellent time to see manta rays in the waters around the Island of Hawaii. This tour is designed for snorkelers; Ride Alongs stay on the boat and may or may not see manta rays. Enjoy watching the manta rays feeding at night and snorkeling close to them during this approximately 1-hour experience.