NORTH AMERICA

Discover the Hidden Quirks of America

USA

About

The United States is one of the most famous countries in the world. Known for its attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Central Park, Walt Disney World and Times Square, America has something for everyone.

New York City is filled with Skyscrapers, great food, world-famous attractions, and lively atmospheres. Visit New York and shop till you drop in Times Square and along Fifth Avenue! Climb to the top of the Empire State Building to see the best views of the City That Never Sleeps. Or take a trip to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the former location of the Twin Towers that were destroyed during the September 11 attacks.

California, the Golden State is known for Hollywood, stunning Santa Monica beaches, the Golden Gate Bridge and Beverly Hills! Visit Los Angeles and walk along Hollywood Boulevard, and gaze down at the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, you never know who you might see!

Take a trip to Florida if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In Orlando, you will find dozens of theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and Aquatica. Travel down south to Miami, home to the beautiful Miami Beach and some of the best nightlife in the whole of America. Along the southern tip of Florida lies the Everglades, two million acres of subtropical wetland. It is the perfect place to take an airboat ride to spot alligators and wildlife.

Another way to experience this beautiful country is by road-tripping! The classic US road trip, Route 66 starts off in Lake Michigan and takes you all the way up to Los Angeles, bringing you past all the top attractions. The Great River Road is a perfect road-trip route if you want to travel alongside the Mississippi River and immerse yourself in nature!

Things to Know Before You Go

  • The official language is English.
  • The official currency used is the US Dollar ($).
  • Tipping is common in America. 15-20% is expected in restaurants, $1-2 per drink in bars and 10-15% for taxi drivers.
  • Major airports include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Orlando International Airport (MCO).
  • Expect to pay more than the price tag! Most prices are listed excluding sales tax so when you get to the till you will be paying more money than you might have thought. Although the tax will vary from state to state, expect at least an added 10% to the total cost.
  • In New York, summer months average at daily highs of 28°C/82°F and lows of 20°C/68°F. In winter months there are average daily highs of 12°C/54°F and lows of 5°C/41°F.
  • In California, summer months average at daily highs of 27°C/81°F and lows of 16°C/61°F. In winter months there are average daily highs of 18°C/64°F and lows of 8°C/46°F.
  • In Florida, summer months average at daily highs of 32°C/90°F and lows of 22°C/72°F. In winter months there are average daily highs of 23°C/73°F and lows of 10°C/50°F.
  • The United States drives on the right side of the road.
  • The drinking age is 21 years old.
  • Power plugs are of type A, and B. Voltage is 120 V and frequency is 60 Hz.

The Quirky and Unusual

Slab City

Slab City, located in California, was initially built in 1942 as Camp Dunlap, a training facility during World War II. In 1956 the buildings were demolished, and wooden frames were taken away, leaving only the slabs.

As you pass the ‘Welcome to Slab City’ sign and enter the Slabs, you will enter a community where there is no electricity, water, food, and absolutely no laws. The land here is not managed, meaning that it’s the last free place in the USA, so you can do anything!

This city is home to the National Folk Art Site, Salvation Mountain. This 50-foot man-made mountain was created by Leonard Knight in 1984 and is decorated with biblical quotations and designs. The artwork is made up of haystacks, adobe bricks, tyres and over 100,000 gallons of paint.

Salvation Mountain is not the only unusual thing to experience in Slab City. Here you will also see trees made of shoes, a library that works on a donation service, a lazy river that takes 6 hours to float down and an internet café that is the only place to get internet and electricity in the city.

Expect the unexpected at Slab City, the city secluded in the desert!

Please keep in mind that Slab City has absolutely no laws, meaning that this place can be dangerous, so plan your travels carefully.

Address: Beal Road, Calipatria, California, 92233, United States

Coordinates: 33.2589, -115.4664

ABC Travel

18 Upper Mount Street,
Dublin 2.
Eircode: D02 ER26

Telephone: 086 8522 189
E-mail: kieran@concise.ie

 

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