Travel overview: what to visit in USA in 30 days?

With no regrets I now remember our summer trip to US. It was so well planned and with so many beautiful places to remember. 30 days, 5 major cities visited and 7 flights.  

1. Washington. 
The landscape of DC is relatively flat which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on who you ask. You also won’t find any really tall buildings in DC so you don’t get that big city feel. The good thing though is that there are some great monuments and things to see outside such as the White House. You basically have to walk in a line and visit all the monuments. The idea is that the line is soo long, you will need several days to consciously visit all the monuments. Basic things to visit are the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the United States Capitol, the Washington Monument, different sorts of museums, all part of the National Mall. 

I liked that all the museums are free to go to and there are certainly plenty of them to visit. I was impressed by the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum.

2. New York. 

After Washington we took a bus (it takes a night) to get to NY. We stayed for only 2 days and it was blow minding, very intense and active.  We took a metro card for 7 days and used it for our 2 days and it was very helpful. In the first day we went to the Empire State Building and then to Times Square where we spent the evening and night. We also took a night bus tour (relaxation for our feet). Very impressive by night.

When you are in New York, you have to see Times Square to take in the spectacle of it; however it is the loudest, busiest and smelliest spot I have ever been to in my life! It is impressive! In the night you get the full impact of the publicity signs and the lights. It is as bright as daytime at Midnight. You realize it's nigh time only because the blackness of the sky above the lighting of the sky scrappers.

The Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Island 

Visiting the Liberty Island is one of the most rewarding experiences of any trip to New York city. We went to the grounds only (which took us around 2-3 hours), but having more time, you can visit the pedestal and the crown. You also enjoy a boat ride to get to America's symbol of freedom, but if it is summer, be sure to protect against the sun and heat.

The Love Sculpture is one of the most famous pieces of pop art and just happens to be sitting on the corner of Sixth Avenue at 55th Street in midtown Manhattan.

The metro terminal named the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, or World Trade Center for short. On the place of the destroyed 9/11 buildings, it has symbolically the shape of a as a bird being released from a child’s hand.

The Bull and the Wall Street -a metonym for the financial markets of the United States as a whole, the American financial sector (even if financial firms are not physically located there), or New York-based financial interests.

Perfect spot for the end of our NY visit was the Brooklyn Bridge for a evening walk and the sunset which offers a safe and scenic passage to millions of commuters and tourists, trains and bicycles, pushcarts and cars.

3. Chicago. 

The Famous Bean or the Cloud Gate, located in the Millennium Park, reflects Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds above. Inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture is among the largest of its kind in the world and perfect spot for great pictures.

Also in the Millenium Park - the Crown Fountain is a major addition to the city's world-renowned public art collection. The fountain consists of two 50-foot glass block towers at each end of a shallow reflecting pool. The towers project video images from a broad social spectrum of Chicago citizens, a reference to the traditional use of gargoyles in fountains, where faces of mythological beings were sculpted with open mouths to allow water, a symbol of life, to flow out.

Offering spectacular views spanning up to four states, a one-stop Chicago experience full of interactive exhibits and…The Ledge, a glass balcony extending four feet outside the 103rd floor of Willis Tower!

Navy Pier is an adventure whether you’re a two-some or a ten-some. Great place for children and adults or maybe a brunch cruise on a boat.

The '90s blockbuster hits "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2" are synonymous with the holiday season. That red brick house, located at 671 Lincoln Ave., in Winnetka, Illinois, is easily recognizable  decades later. The Home Alone house!

The Coldplay concert- A Head Full of Dreams 2016 Tour- on Soldier Field! The football stadium has a capacity of capacity of 61,500, which is truly massive. The A Head Full of Dreams Tour boasts extensive laser light and pyrotechnic visuals. Highly recommended anywhere you catch a Coldplay concert.

4. Las Vegas. 
Our next stop was the city of lights. First impressions came already in the plane. 

The Bellagio Music Fountain.

The Cirque du Soleil Performance. 

5. Grand Canyon- The South Rim

Amazing awe inspiring incredible breathtaking bucket list experience. Very impressive view, as well as hot and dry air. Compared to the North Rim, the South Rim is more accessible and visitor friendly, and closer to Las Vegas. I wanted to include in our tour the North Rim as well as the impressive Waterfalls: Havasu Falls, Navajo Falls, Mooney Falls and the Navajo Bridge, but we were too limited in time. You need at least a full day to spend at Grand Canyon National Park, and if you want additional guide tours, helicopter tours or walking tours, you have to find accommodation nearby. 

The South Rim was accesibile because there is a free bus service (included in the Grand Canyon car entrance free) to take you to around 7  stops and perfect photography spots. 

6. Los Angeles. 

California is different from what I previously ever visited. Maybe because we saw it more in movies, maybe because of the best suitable climate and so may other reasons. To catch a glimpse of stardust, stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where more than 2,400 figures from the entertainment world are immortalized in pink terrazzo with symbolic gold lettering. If you're a film buff, look out for the famous hand and footprints at the Chinese Theatre.

Organize yourself a half day walk in Beverly Hills. No need of a tour, the region itself is so beautiful, you just need to enjoy it. Walk through the residential areas surrounding the Golden Triangle and see if you can identify the trees planted on each block. From Queen Palm to Pink Cedar to Southern Magnolia, each street has their own designated variety.

Rodeo Drive. Photos speak themselves better than any word. In the heart of Beverly Hills, three blocks of Rodeo Drive are home to the epicenter of luxury, fashion and lifestyle.

For many visitors to Los Angeles, there is no more coveted photo than a shot of the world famous Hollywood Sign. Though it is visible from all over the city from its lofty perch on Mt. Lee, it can actually be surprisingly difficult to get a well-angled shot.

Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier. Both places request your attention. Venice Beach, California is a desired destination for travelers from all over the world. It is unlike any place on Earth, well known for its artists, street performers and funky atmosphere.