Top USA Unique Experiences - page 2

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Head off the tourist trail and get a taste for Brooklyn's food culture on this small-group or private walking tour. Come hungry, and follow your guide to eclectic foodie hotspots in the Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO neighborhoods—many of which only the locals know about. As you go, sample a range of sweet and savory delights, and discover locals-loved food businesses and markets that many visitors overlook.

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.

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.

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.

Get a different perspective on Oahu by riding your own self-propelled electric submarine scooter through Maunalua Bay. Cruise past Diamond Head Crater, Koolau Mountain Range, and Koko Crater on a comfortable catamaran before an underwater adventure spotting green sea turtles, tropical fish, and coral reefs. After diving, relax on the boat with snacks and drinks while enjoying island stories.

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.

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.

Paddle alongside the wild dolphins of Virginia Beach on a small-group kayak tour from North End Beach. Watch for sea birds and other wildlife as you steer an easy to use, sit-on-top kayak along the coast to the Cape Henry Lighthouses. Learn about the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that swim past the Virginia coast each summer, and explore the shore with an experienced guide.

Don’t just learn about New Orleans’ spooky history of ghost stories and voodoo—have the rare opportunity to go inside a haunted location on this one-of-a-kind tour. Led by a historian guide, discover some of the city’s most historic (and frightful) destinations, from the Lalaurie Mansion to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. Then, head inside a haunted location, all while your guide shares the creepy stories behind the sights.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Uncover San Francisco’s haunted history on this thrilling ghost-hunting tour, complete with your own EMF detector. Explore eerie alleys, historic neighborhoods, and infamous sites like Gold Rush cemeteries and Chinatown’s old red-light district, while hearing chilling tales of paranormal activity, murders, and mysterious deaths. Perfect for thrill-seekers, this tour blends ghost stories with true crime and the city’s darker past.