You should not even try to count all the sights that flaunt in the vast expanses of the United States. Most tourists pay attention only to the most famous. But, most times, places not mentioned in guidebooks, sometimes turn out to be much more interesting than famous ones. Here is a list of the some underrated American attractions that is worth visiting:
Roosevelt Island, New York
Roosevelt Island is an oasis of serenity in the midst of the hustle and bustle of restless New York. The narrow strip of land between Manhattan and Queens, stretched along the East River, has recently been a favourite vacation spot for the New Yorkers themselves. From here, a magnificent view of the metropolis opens: the skyscrapers familiar to everyone appear from an unusual angle. The architecture of the island itself is also unusual: it built residential eco-neighbourhoods, the octagonal Octagon – the former building of a psychiatric hospital, a 15-meter lighthouse and Roosevelt Four Freedom Park with a huge bronze head of the president in a cube of light marble.
You can get to the island by cable car: the panorama from the cabins is beyond praise.
Lassen Volcanic, California
About 3 hours’ drive from San Francisco, one of the best national parks in the USA – Lassen Volcanic is more impressive than even the famous Yellowstone: volcanoes of all existing types fit into its compact territory – lava, slag shield and layered. By the way, the world’s largest volcano with a lava cone – Lassen Peak – is also located here.
The cost of tickets to the national park is 12 USD for walking visitors and 25 USD for those arriving by car.
Nittany Lion Inn, Pennsylvania
In addition to being non-smoking hotel, the Nittany Lion Inn offers a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar / lounge. Free Wi-Fi in public areas, free valet parking, and a free airport shuttle are also available in Nittany Lion Inn. Dry cleaning / laundry services, a 24-hour front desk and free newspapers are also available on site. All 223 rooms of Nittany Lion Inn offer free WiFi, iPod docking stations and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Room service, coffee makers and free mineral water are just a few examples of the amenities available to you in Nittany Lion Inn.
Salvation Mountain, California
Salvation Mountain in southeastern California, in the middle of the lifeless desert of Colorado, is like a psychedelic dream come to life. A striking installation covering a hill a few miles from Lake Salton Sea is a figment of the fantasy of a local resident Leonard Knight, who was later sent to a hospital with a diagnosis of dementia. Having carefully studied the technology of the Navajo Indians, he built an eminence of straw and unfired brick, spending several thousand litres of paint. To see the mountain dotted with biblical quotes, you need to hurry: the desert climate is ruthless, and after Knight’s death, the attraction is supported only by volunteers.
Salvation Mountain became the backdrop for famous films and videos: Sean Penn filmed “In the Wild” here, and Hurts and Coldplay – video for his hits.
Computer Museum, Montana
Small and modest at first glance, the Computer Museum ( official site in English) in Bozeman , Montana , is unremarkable from the outside and incredibly interesting inside. No wonder it was sponsored by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak: ancient manuscripts, the originals of Shakespearean manuscripts, artefacts of Tesla, Edison and Bell, the first robots and ultramodern computers – it seems that all information carriers from the beginning of time to the present day are collected here. And presented to the public for free.
