Thinking of spangling your stars and mapleing your leaves on a big road trip across North America?
Big skies, incredible cities and a huge array of awesome sights and amazing experiences; if you are planning to travel to the United States and Canada, make sure you put these 10 at the top of your great American bucket list.
*For a chance to WIN return airfares on your North American trip, click here
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New York, New York
If it feels like a movie set, it’s because it is. Productions like Sex & the City, Law & Order and Spiderman were all filmed here and for good reason. Home to everything from Ralph Lauren to the Italian mafia, New York packs an eclectic punch of international flavours, hipster culture and world class shopping.
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You say Yosemite?
If giants roamed the world, this would be their hunting ground. The USA’s most famous wildlife reserve is probably better described as a wizard’s playground. With cliffs towering thousands of metres above sea level, thundering waterfalls and the largest trees in the world, all magic here is provided courtesy of Mother Nature.
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Niagara Falls
Two countries, three waterfalls, 500,000 litres of water per second. The world’s fastest moving waterfall doesn’t really need an introduction. It’s not the biggest waterfall in the world, but what it lacks in height, it makes up for in volume and rainbows. Head over to the Canadian side for the best chance to spot one.
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Ghostbusters
Everyone has a few ghosts in the closet, but Quebec’s history will make your blood freeze. Follow your guide through the city’s old streets and re-live 400 years of executions, murders and haunting tragedies. These are the stories the history books have been trying to forget, but will you?
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Lake Tahoe
This is not just another ski resort. With world class skiing, plenty of snow and the most positive weather in the US, Lake Tahoe is a no-brainer at any time of the year. For aspiring winter warriors, there’s snowshoeing, dog sledding, helicopter tours and breathtaking views. Bring a camera and don’t feed the bears.
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This is Vegas, baby!
In the age of social media, what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas. But don’t let that stop you from having a good time. The desert never sleeps and neither should you as you take on Sin City. Prepare for an evening of glitz, glamour and some of the best nightlife on earth.
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Alligator snaps
It’s man vs. handbag on the Florida Everglades. Shaped by floods and fire, the Everglades wetlands are home to more than 200,000 alligators and a number of rare to medium rare species feeding the local mangrove ecosystem. Jump on an airboat tour for a face-to-face meeting with T-Rex’s second cousin.
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The Grand Canyon
Scientists aren’t exactly sure how it got there, but that’s okay. What we do know is that the rock formations of the Grand Canyon carry 40 percent of Earth’s history on their shoulders. You’ll get the best view from the air so take Arnie’s advice here and get to da choppah!
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A taste of Amish life
Sorry, but your beard is not from Brooklyn. Every Amish person would tell you that beards are grown by married men and not 20-something baristas. Join the 250,000 strong, bearded society for a day and get a glimpse into a simple way of life, long forgotten by young city-slickers.
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Slap it like Gretzky
They say you will never really understand the US or Canada until you’ve been to a sports game. If you can, hit Dodger Stadium or Maple Leaf Gardens for the playoffs, or just go and cheer for the local college team. Grab a beer and a hot dog and watch the crowd go wild.
