Top USA Unique Experiences - page 4

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.

Outside of Italy, few places in the world are as famous for their pizza as Chicago. Eat like a local as you travel off the beaten path to savor the city's best pizza, traveling by bus so you can cover more food hot spots in less time. Discover the science behind ingredient selection and baking as you sample slices from historic pizzerias, and take away plenty of tips to enhance your eating in Chicago.

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.

Learn to surf with this private lesson for two near Lahaina. Get individualized attention from an experienced instructor as you learn about catching waves, paddling techniques, and staying safe in the water. Your instructor guarantees that, by the end of the lesson, you'll have stood up and surfed a wave. A rash guard, soft-top surfboard and reef shoes are also included.

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.

Experience New Orleans from a different perspective on a carriage ride through the French Quarter. In addition to navigating for you, your guide tells anecdotes about the historic landmarks from Jackson Square to Bourbon Street. Booking a private tour ensures the itinerary is customized to your own interests, whether it be a food–themed tour or a quiet, romantic ride.

Explore Los Angeles with a tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, where you’ll spot celebrity homes and iconic landmarks. From the open-air comfort of your seat, enjoy live commentary as you take in the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, and cruise along Rodeo Drive and the Sunset Strip. It’s the perfect way to see the city’s most famous sights while learning the stories behind them.

Surf lessons can sometimes be intimidating when there’s only one instructor for a big group. This group surf lesson on Ka'anapali Beach makes sure only one instructor is assigned to three students tops, so you can get the attention you want and need from a lesson. First, spend time on the beach learning surfing techniques in a safe environment, and then hit the water once you feel confident to tackle waves. All equipment, as well as a 3-hour parking validation are included with this Hawaii surf class.

Discover Boston’s rich past and vibrant present on this small-group (or private) walking tour—a relaxed and informative way to get your bearings if visiting the city for the first time. Gain valuable insight from local guide as you explore spots such as Boston Harbor, Faneuil Hall, Beacon Hill, and the Public Garden. As you wander, learn about the city’s Revolutionary roots, architectural gems, and cultural evolution—and get an understanding of what life is like for modern-day residents.

Experience the thrill of meeting sharks face-to-face in the pristine waters of Oahu on this cage-diving adventure. See Hawaii's majestic hunters — Galapagos and Sandbar sharks in their natural environment — surrounded by the deep blue of Oahu’s North Shore. Observe from the safety of a floating cage. Stay on the surface, then using a mask and snorkel, look through large polyglass windows to watch the sharks as they gracefully glide by.

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.

Discover Brooklyn through its street art scene with this graffiti workshop. Learn different aerosol art techniques along with the history and cultural significance of graffiti from a local street artist. This beginner-friendly workshop takes place in an inviting studio that is just a 6-minute walk away from the nearest subway station.

Take a break from gambling and pool parties for a different kind of experience in Las Vegas. You'll head out to the desert to try shooting four different kinds of guns. The tour ends with lunch surrounded by the desert scenery.

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.

Get familiar with the neighborhoods of New Orleans by bike, without having to exert yourself, by signing up for this small-group tour by electric bicycle. While you'll see plenty of the French Quarter, you'll also get the chance to go beyond it, visiting historic areas including Marigny, Treme, Bywater, and Bay St. John while your professional guide tells you about the city's past and present.

Join a guided snorkeling tour at Wailea Point, Maui, designed for non-swimmers and first-time snorkelers. Spend time practicing floating and breathing in shallow water with life jackets and one-on-one guidance before exploring vibrant marine life and Hawaiian green sea turtles on a 15-foot (4.6-meter) inflatable board. This family-friendly experience welcomes all skill levels and provides high-quality gear for your comfort and safety.

Kualoa Ranch is the lush, verdant setting for films like Jurassic Park and Pearl Harbor. Visiting this Northeast Shore location by horseback will take you farther into the valley and give you an authentic ranch experience. 1- or 2-hour options give you the flexibility to fit this tour into your busy schedule, and expert horse wranglers will ensure you a safe, fun ride through the Ka'a'awa Valley.

Feel the adrenaline rush of soaring from the top of Oahu’s longest ziplines on this guided tour. Start with a short ATV ride to the top of a mountain. Then enjoy spectacular panoramic ocean and mountain views of Oahu's famous North Shore from long, high and extra-quiet ziplines ranging from 500 to 2,400 feet. Along the way, encounter rappels, sky bridges, scenic boardwalks, and a couple of surprises for some fun activities that challenge in a safe and controlled way.

Take a journey around San Francisco's top sights in a retro way with this small-group tour by vintage Volkswagen bus, decorated with long eyelashes so you can't miss your tour vehicle. You'll pass by neighborhoods like Chinatown, Union Square, Pacific Heights, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, the Marina, and Hayes Valley, plus see the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Civic Center, and more.

Combine two attractions Boston has to offer—delicious food and rich history—on this walking tour that starts in the popular North End and continues along the Freedom Trail. Taste fresh bread, pizza, and a classic Italian deli sandwich at local stops in this historic Italian neighborhood. Then, walk the Freedom Trail to learn about the American Revolution, all while enjoying scenic views of Boston Harbor and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Explore the charming architecture of Beacon Hill and experience the city's blend of old and new.

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.

Sample some of the Windy City's tastiest donuts—and head to locals-loved dessert destinations that most visitors miss—on this one-of-a-kind walking tour. With your guide in the lead, head to a number of Chicago’s tastiest donut bakeries, all while exploring the city's vibrant downtown Loop neighborhood. All tastings are included in the tour cost, and vegan, gluten-, and nut-free options are also available upon request.

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.