Top USA Unique Experiences - page 3

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.

Avoid crowds and maximize your wildlife-viewing experience on this private Yellowstone tour led by a naturalist guide. Journey through Yellowstone National Park with hotel pickup while making frequent stops for wildlife encounters as well as scenic and secluded hikes to some of Yellowstone's best destinations and lesser-known geysers and hot springs off the beaten path.

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.

Don’t waste time looking for the ideal place to eat as you walk the cobblestone streets of Boston’s North End. Join other passionate foodies to snack your way through the neighborhood’s hidden gems. Your guide directs you to a hidden Italian bakery, an authentic Italian salumeria, and a family-run pastry shop. Visit the Old North Church (or equivalent alternative) and enjoy a rich cappuccino or bold espresso with a pastry.

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.

Satisfy your taste buds on a food and walking tour of Venice Beach, an easy day trip for visitors staying in Los Angeles. In addition to sharing trivia and stories about the area’s history, your guide brings you to popular food stands as well as hidden gems loved by locals. A small group size ensures intimate food tastings, however, it’s also possible to choose an upgraded private tour option.

Explore Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands area on this guided kayak tour. Join a small group and follow your guide around the mangrove tunnels, keeping your eyes peeled for resident manatees, dolphins, and sea birds. Learn about the ecology of the area from your guide and enjoy a relaxing day out on the water.

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.

Enjoy a nature experience beyond Las Vegas city limits—and saddle up for a scenic and leisurely Wild West horseback ride—on this small-group, morning tour. Following pickup from the Strip, head into the surrounding desert, and meet your expert wrangler guide. After an introduction, saddle up and set off for beautiful views of the landscape. Later, revitalize with a hearty cowboy-style breakfast before heading back to the city.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore Chicago's buzzing food scene—and see some of its best-known landmarks on the way—on this two-in-one walking tour. The small group size offers are more intimate experience as you stroll around the vibrant Loop area, spotting highlights from the Willis Tower to the Rookery building. Indulge in a variety of famous Chicago foods, from deep-dish pizza to the world-famous dipped Italian beef sandwiches.

Chicago dogs, deep-dish pizza, brownies, and craft beer are all sampled on this half-day bike tour through the Windy City. Cover about 13 miles (21 km), following your guide at a moderate pace through Chicago neighborhoods. On the day tour, ride through Wrigleyville, Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Gold Coast. On the night tour, visit Chicago’s Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Lakefront Trail. As you go, stop for generous food and beer tasters.

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.

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.

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.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, Oahu is a great place to do it. Practice new skills in a group setting with a small instructor-to-learner ratio. After a quick slideshow, head to the beach to develop the techniques needed to paddle, stand up, and ride a wave. Then, take to the ocean to put the theory into practice. No experience necessary and gear rental is included.

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!

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.