Top USA Unique Experiences - page 2

Have the rare opportunity to hop behind the wheel of a supercar during this guided track-driving experience in Las Vegas. Choose from a range of exotic cars, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches, and hit the course for at least five laps. All necessary equipment and instruction is provided, with a race coach in the car to provide advice and support as you reach top speeds.

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.

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.

Learn how to surf during your Hawaii vacation with a lesson at one of the best surf beaches on Maui. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, learn the basics and practice your skills in the gentle waves. Necessary equipment is provided.

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 1.5-hour experience.

Experience a side of Alaska that most tourists miss, with a dog sled ride pulled by a team of huskies and mushers along the Godwin Glacier, offering sweeping views of Alaska's snowy landscape. Your Alaskan tour includes round-trip travel to the glacier from Seward by helicopter for a thrilling bird's-eye view of the state and its rugged landscape. Plus, you also get some time with the pups before you go dogsledding, too.

Spend some time in the great outdoors and soar over an old-growth forest during this thrilling zipline tour in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Head to the adventure park and watch a safety briefing before gearing up for your adventure. Then, ride several ziplines through the forest and over water, with short hikes in between.

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.

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.

Get an aerial view of two scenic Hawaiian Islands on a helicopter tour of Maui and Molokai from Kahului. Watch surfers riding Maui’s breaking waves, capture aerial images of Kahiwa Falls and the isolated North Shore, then turn towards the emerald-green Halawa Valley. Watch for whales and dolphins as you cross the Pailolo Channel, swoop over Maui’s lush rainforest, and take in views of waterfalls and volcanoes.

Step beyond the French Quarter and discover the hidden side of New Orleans on this private city tour. From colorful Bywater to historic Bayou St. John, your guide takes you off the tourist trail and into neighborhoods full of culture, history, and character. Along the way, gain insider tips to make the most of your trip and experience the Crescent City like a true local.

Watch daylight appear above the Rio Grande 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 down after your flight, and celebrate with sparkling wine before returning to your launch site.

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 Maui’s underwater world even if you’ve never snorkeled before or aren’t confident in the water. Designed for beginners and non-swimmers, this guided tour provides instruction, support, and flotation equipment to help you explore coral reefs and marine life comfortably. With expert guidance throughout, you can focus on spotting sea turtles and tropical fish instead of worrying about technique or navigation.

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.

Imagine exploring the ocean floor without getting wet. On this submarine tour in Maui, you can descend over 100 feet (30m) in an air-conditioned sub and press your face against circular portholes in search of reef sharks and fish. Experience the sights, sounds, and scenes of life beneath the waves. Note: all passengers must be 36" (90cm) or taller to ride the submarine, a fantastic adventure for all.

An excellent way to start your time in Hawaii, this Kauai private food tour offers options from different locations based on the date you book. With a local guide, sample artisan foods, meet chefs and farmers, and indulge in some of the best cuisine the island had to offer. Locations and dishes vary by season, and dietary preferences can be accommodated with advance notice.

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.

Indulge a passion for both nature and chocolate on this tropical tasting tour of Princeville Botanical Gardens in Kauai. Explore the plants and flowers on a tour of the garden’s terraces, creek beds, and valley floor, stopping along the way to taste fresh Hawaiian fruit and honey. Rest your feet in a shady outdoor tasting area as you sample single-origin gourmet chocolates from around the world and learn how cocoa beans are transformed into delicious chocolate products.

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.

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.

With its iconic hills, architecture, bridge and bay, it’s no wonder so many movies have been filmed in San Francisco. See filming locations from numerous productions on this movie sites tour from Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch clips on the tour bus as you pass by the real locations with an informative actor-turned-guide who shares stories about the city and cinema history.

Embark on an adventure and go off the beaten path in this small-group rappelling excursion. Learn how to descend down the numerous waterfalls and cliffs along the Road to Hana, starting small then scaling up to a slightly-more difficult 30-foot (9-meter) waterfall.

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.