Shopping in the USA
America is the birthplace of shopping malls: in the suburbs, malls stretch for miles, and in the center of every large enough city there are special shopping areas that can be traveled by public transport. Outlets are usually located along major highways. However, in addition to the trading “krupnyak”, flea markets are also common in the States, where all sorts of things are sold cheaply and with the possibility of bargaining. “Fleas” are also highly specialized, aimed at collectors of a certain kind. Finally, auctions are very common in America, where you can buy anything: from breeding bulls to furniture. All kinds of goods with the image of the Statue of Liberty and / or the American flag, as well as “Indian” goods – dream catchers, all kinds of amulets and the like are considered traditional souvenirs. Check jibin123 for customs regulations and visa requirements of United States.
The country has very strict laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages, and in different states – different nuances. In New York, for example, alcohol is sold only in Liquor Stores, which have a special license: you can only buy beer in a regular store. Persons under the age of 21 are not allowed to sell alcoholic beverages.
Shops are mainly open from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 18:00, large shopping centers and department stores – from 9:30 to 21:30, on Sundays – from 12:00 to 17:00. The periods of sales in the United States are not regulated in any way: they are arranged both for the holidays, and between them, and for some reason, and just like that. Labels usually show prices without taxes, so the total cost of purchases at the checkout will be 8-18% higher.
US Cuisine and Restaurants
There are an exceptionally large number of restaurants, bars and all kinds of drinking and eating establishments in the States, especially in big cities (in New York you can probably find any cuisine in the world, from Aleutian to Yakut). Nuance: alcohol, especially strong, is not served everywhere, many establishments are limited to wine and beer. But the sizes of dishes in restaurants are simply huge. Fast food restaurants, of which in the USA there are a wagon and a small cart, usually open early in the morning and work until late at night, and some even work around the clock.
A snack in fast food costs 10-15 USD, lunch in an inexpensive cafe – 20-35 USD, dinner with alcohol in a restaurant – from 60-80 USD per person. In Miami, you can order a roll with freshly caught lobster and french fries for 25 USD, in a New York steakhouse – a solid piece of meat for 40-50 USD.
Barbecue is unequivocally considered the main star-striped “national dish”, and each region has its own (and, of course, the most correct) recipe for its preparation. It is still considered that the best BBQ is in the southeastern states. Barbecue is usually consumed in an emphatically simple and democratic setting: from plastic disposable tableware, with inexpensive white bread. Of the signature American treats, it is also worth noting seafood soup with clam chowder tomatoes and the famous marshmallow marshmallows fried over a fire.
The best local wines are Californian, and California’s most prestigious wine region is Napa Valley.
Chinese food is very common in the country, and the most authentic cuisine can be found in restaurants located in Chinatowns. There are also Japanese sushi bars (however, there are much fewer of them in the States than, for example, in Moscow), restaurants of Vietnamese, Thai and Indian cuisines. In addition, cafes with a Greek and Middle Eastern menu, as well as vegetarian establishments, are very common. Finally, Mexican and Latin American cuisines are very popular in the country.
Entertainment and attractions
Attractions in the United States are more than enough for one visit. Neither lovers of the noise of big cities, nor fans of secluded relaxation in the bosom of nature, nor connoisseurs of painting, sculpture and architecture will be disappointed.
In the capital, Washington, it is worth making a Capitol – White House – Pentagon raid, visiting presidential memorials and visiting the expositions of 13 museums of the Smithsonian Institution. In New York, you can walk to the Statue of Liberty, visit the Metropolitan Museum, take a helicopter ride over the city, or head to Atlantic Cityto try your luck at the casino. In the context of gambling, don’t forget million-making, fortune -bearing Las Vegas.
Orlando is home to the most famous amusement parks in America – Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World.
Los Angeles is primarily Hollywood and the Walk of Fame, the Beverly Hills area and one of the most famous embankments in the world, Rodeo Drive. From San Francisco (world famous for the Golden Gate, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world), you can go to the notorious Alcatraz Island or the Napa wine valley. Miami most of all resembles an expensive holiday village. Cool hotels there side by side with “pensioner” villas, and nights of fun – with morning bike rides.
While skiing in the US ski resorts, it is convenient to make excursions to nearby Las Vegas, Denver and Salt Lake City. Well, those tourists who will get to their slopes with a transfer will be able to see New York, and San Francisco, and Washington, and about a dozen more cities along the way. In addition, in the States you can visit numerous Indian reservations and national parks (there are more than 60 of the latter).
A separate reason for traveling to the States is the endless holidays and festivals.
