THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 5 страницаIf you're wondering where to get started or you want to formulate a plan for visiting these Washington DC attractions, you should make your way to the Smithsonian Castle. A visitor center and attraction in its own right, the castle offers an array of details about the various museums as well as a video narrated by Ben Stiller, of Night at the Museum fame. You also can find out about the various tours that depart throughout the day, a fun way to see the attractions in a whole new light. Other top attractions are connected to the Federal Government. The Library of Congress and National Archives both have intriguing exhibits honoring the heritage of the country. The Capitol Visitor Center, which opened in 2008, quickly became one of the most popular attractions in town. Here, you'll have the chance to watch the House of Representatives at work, meander through the exhibits, and grab a meal. The White House is also open to tours, as long as advance reservations have been made through your Congressperson. You also can drop by the visitor center without notice, which is a great way to learn more about the president's home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Beyond the museums and monuments, the city supports a thriving theater scene. The Kennedy Center, one of the most visited Washington DC tourist attractions, hosts a full schedule of shows and special events. Throughout the year, people flock to this elegant theater to watch Broadway-style shows, operas, and other stage shows. The theater scene also includes edgy, experimental theaters and family-friendly matinees, meaning no matter your age or taste, you'll have the chance to see something amazing on stage. If sports are more your scene, you'll find Washington DC major attractions that fit the bill. The Verizon Center welcomes sports fans throughout the year for NBA, WNBA, and NHL games, as well as Georgetown Hoyas college basketball. The Redskins play football at RFK Stadium in the fall and winter. When the weather's warm, you can join with others fans to watch the Nationals play baseball in America's capital city. New York New York City, New York is one of the world's major global cities, leading the world in almost every category including a wide variety of New York City hotels. New York City is the center of global commerce; with numerous international corporations and the most important stock exchanges in the world. It is one of the four major cities London, Paris, and Tokyo that control international finance. New York City New York is a preeminent international political center and home to the United Nations global headquarters. New York is the leading city for mass media in the United States, and its film industry is second only to Hollywood. New York City events are around every comer. With almost limitless cultural attractions including museums, galleries, sporting arenas, and performance events, New York is a magnet to both tourists and immigrants from around the world who come to see the city's iconic attractions, such as the New York City skyline at night. New York City New York has an area of approximately 321 square miles and consists of five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Each borough contains several neighborhoods that each has their own unique New York style. When visiting, it's a good idea to purchase a good New York City guide, as a New York City trip offers a number of choices; the places to visit, events to see, and urban life to experience can be overwhelming, especially for the first-time traveler. Major attractions include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building, Central Park, shopping on Fifth Avenue, and Times Square. Prominent New York City events include professional sports games (with more than one team in each of the four major sports-baseball, basketball, hockey and football-there are no shortage of games in the New York metro area), Broadway theater productions (New York is the center of American theater with 39 large-scale theaters), numerous music, dance, and comedy performances scattered throughout the city. New York City attractions are abundant, meaning that you’ll never run out of things to do while exploring one of the most vibrant cities in America. Including cultured natural settings, a wealth of museums, and famous landmarks such as Times Square, New York City sightseeing is endlessly entertaining. With such an array of tourist attractions in New York City, sufficient planning is essential to ensure that your favorite sights be included on your vacation itinerary. Five boroughs - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island - make up the entirety of New York City, and each one offers a unique set of NYC attractions. Stroll through Central Park in Manhattan, one of the largest parks in the country, or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, which connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. Witness some of the most beautiful and artistic graffiti ever done at 5 Points in Queens, tour the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx before you take in a baseball game, or visit the living Historic Richmond Village on Staten Island. Depending on your personal interests, any or all of these boroughs can create the perfect vacation among the many New York City attractions. Tourist attractions in New York City come in a great variety of types, such as landmarks, museums, and parks, meaning that there is something for every traveler, whether you’d rather learn about history or spend time wandering through the city parks. Many of the landmarks are buildings or monuments, including such well known attractions as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, and the World Trade Center site. Covering a variety of interests, the array of museums in New York City is unparalleled. These are among the most informative attractions and they run the gamut from art museums to scientific exhibits. Popular spots include the Metropolitan Museum of Art; The Cloisters, a medieval extension of the Metropolitan; the Guggenheim, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology; the New York Hall of Science; and the American Museum of Natural History. There are a quite a few parks located throughout the city, but the largest and most popular of all is Central Park, offering a large selection of outdoor activities and sights. Main attractions of New York City include: Times Square The bright lights of the big city. Even at 4 am, this giant square is the epicenter of New York City, the skyscrapers, ads and giant televisions all combining to block out the darkness of early morning. The busiest intersection in the city, the combination of art and corporate presence is another of the square’s defining features, and no matter what time you come by, it’s one of the most popular New York City tourist attractions, day or night. Empire State Building Getting to the top of this building is one of the most well-known things to do in New York City. Located on the fabled Fifth Avenue, it rises almost a quarter mile into the air and is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city, especially when it's on display in the New York City skyline at night. The best views of New York are from the observation decks here, and almost no one comes home from the city without pictures of one of the most famous New York City attractions. The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) Located on the Eastern edge of Central Park, taking a tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is an absolute must when it comes to things to do in New York City. The home of America’s most important art collection, the admittance fee is cheap and the artistic wonders plentiful. Combined with a stroll through Central Park, this is a great way to spend an afternoon in the big city. Greenwich Village The Village - as it is colloquially known - is one of the best New York City tourist attractions. During the day, it has a long stretch of popular hangouts like Washington Square and quiet brownstone-lined streets, while at night; it is transformed into one of the best centers of nightlife in the city. And that’s really saying something. Central Park This enormous park is another of New York City’s enduring landmarks. Outside of it being completely free, there are a number of other reasons a walk through Central Park is one of the top things to do in New York City. There’s a zoo, a sprawling reservoir, mile after mile of expertly crafted lawns and there’s always some kind of gathering going on. Rockefeller Center A collection of skyscrapers stretching from 48th to 51st, every building in Rockefeller Center is famous for something - probably none more so than the Radio City Music Hall. During the winter, the adjacent ice skating rink is the biggest New York City tourist attraction in Rockefeller Center. Broadway Theater District Thirty nine theaters make up Broadway, the New York City attraction that is synonymous with the best that American theater has to offer, or, at least, the most well-known. At any time of the year, the America’s most talented and well-respected performers take up residence in one of the theaters, bringing to life plays and musicals for tourists from all across the world. Tickets are not always easy to come by, so make sure you do some research ahead of time before heading off to Broadway. Statue of Liberty The essential symbol of everything America stands for, this is certainly the most patriotic of New York City attractions. Take a ferry to Ellis Island and see Lady Liberty for yourself. Visitors can do their New York City sightseeing in a number of ways, including several discount vacation passes or just going on a self-guided tour of the city and visiting their favorite spots along the way. City Pass is offered in a number of cities around the US, and the version created for the Big Apple provides guests with discounted access to six tourist attractions in New York City; all coupons in the pass are valid for nine days from the first use of the pass. Explorer Pass presents the option to choose seven, five, or three favorite attractions at varied prices, with an extended period of use: 30 days. Providing access to more than 50 New York City attractions, the New York Pass is purchased by time periods, such as one day, two day, or up to seven days. This pass also allows^,'%* visitors the privilege of line skipping - it’s a great option for New York City sightseeing if you don’t have a lot of time to lose waiting in line during your trip. Historically significant, fascinating, intriguing, and an incredible experience, New York City sightseeing allows visitors to walk through the pages of history straight into the present, creating some of the most unique and memorable vacations, desirable for every visitor. New York is one of the most iconic destinations on the planet, and it is well worth a visit. Shopping in New York begins and ends in Manhattan! New York shopping is a beloved pastime of both residents and visitors, and there are enough stores in New York City to keep even the most ardent and veteran of shoppers busy for the season. Many of the well-known department stores in New York City are located on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan, and are collectively referred to as the Fifth Avenue Shopping District. Here, you will find stores and merchandise to fit every need and whim on any budget. It should be noted, however, that a Fifth Avenue New York shopping spree could make a bit of a dent in the pocketbook! New York shopping is so reliably popular, and has been since the mid-19th Century with the humble beginnings of Macy's Department Store, that one of the country's-and perhaps the world's most-recognized parades has been sponsored by one of New York City's department stores for decades: the Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade that, since 1924, has followed its same route, in part, along Central Park, Broadway, and 34th Street. Aside from the traditional department stores in New York City, there are other, smaller shops in New York that cater to all manner of shopping needs - from trendy boutiques to specialty shops that stock hard-to-find items. Toy stores in New York City often boast not only bigger inventory and most up-to-date stock, but also can include charming public displays such as a giant stuffed teddy bear, or an impressive animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex. Shopping in New York seems to offer something for every one of all ages. Furniture, electronics, and camping recreational equipment stores are also found in Manhattan, along with familiar national names in bookstores and theme stores. Standard shopping malls are found not only in Manhattan, but in all other boroughs of New York City as well, including Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and The Bronx. Shopping in New York is a vibrant industry and favorite activity that also contributes to the thriving nature of big-city commerce and trend setting. Los Angeles Second in size only to New York, Los Angeles is a large, bustling metropolitan area in Southern California. Everything is on the grand scale in Los Angeles and there are so many things to do. This county and sprawling city is situated in an area that has worldwide for its entertainment industry, high- end shopping areas, and theme parks, making this area the setting of the best highlights of a Southern California vacation. LA is one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County. There are neighborhoods like Beverly Hills and Hollywood that only add to the reputation of this big city. Hollywood, in Northeast Los Angeles is known for Hollywood Boulevard and the famous bronze stars with the name of famous Hollywood actors on them on the Walk of Fame. Also on Hollywood Boulevard is the Mann's Chinese Theatre. This is an impressive Asian- styled theatre that has elaborate decorations on its front. The plaza in front of the Chinese Theatre also bears the marks of Hollywood stars. Many of them have their handprints in the cement, similar to ceremonies of the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame. Outside, there are actors dressed in interesting costumes from a movie, or as a star like Superman or Marilyn Monroe. They're happy to take a picture with you, and they appreciate the tips they get from tourists on a Los Angeles Vacation. Southern California is home to mega-attractions and theme parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. The largest movie studio in the world is Universal Studios, and you can come close to the excitement of movie making when you visit here on a Los Angeles Vacation. Most of the movie theatres are in the Westwood part of Los Angeles, and this is also where major movie premieres are often held. At night, the near by Universal City Walk comes to life. The bright lights of this glittering promenade advertise the cool stores, nightclubs, eateries and movie theatres. This is an entertaining place to spend a weekend while you visit on your next Southern California Vacation. If you include the large nearby ocean side cities such as San Diego, and the miles of California Beaches, one can easily understand why a Los Angeles vacation is a fun and family friendly way to spend a week or two. With a diverse population, there is a whole side of the city besides the lure of the big Los Angeles attractions. West Hollywood has a hot nightlife and is home to gay and lesbian clubs. You might also catch some actors in the area enjoying VIP treatment at the most exclusive Los Angeles nightclubs. Anyone who knows about Los Angeles has heard of neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills and Bel Air, which are affluent communities, as are the private areas on Malibu Beach, which are closed to the public. Adding to the unique environment you can enjoy on a Southern California Vacation, these posh, manicured neighborhoods are home to some of the biggest Hollywood stars. Downtown Los Angeles is the center of it all, and there are a lot of hotels in the area within walking distance to nearby attractions and Southern California Beaches. A comfortable and conveniently located Los Angeles hotel is the Westin Bonaventure. There are 1,350 rooms, each with the plush Heavenly Bed that is a Westin trademark that you can expect to find when you stay at these hotels. The 35-story Westin Bonaventure is centrally located, so you can access the nearby Los Angeles attractions. When you factor in the elegant fa9ade and its enormous size covering a whole city block, this recently renovated- Los Angeles hotel is spacious and fresh. To accommodate guests, there is an excellent spa onsite, and over 20 bars and restaurants to enjoy. Enjoy the unmatched views from L.A. Prime Steakhouse, which is on the roof level, or the rotating Bona Vista Lounge. If you're looking for something more Hollywood the Four Seasons Beverly Hills fits the bills. Celebrities frequent this posh Los Angeles hotel that is site of a hot late night scene and a-list gatherings. From star-studded movie premieres to the famous neighborhoods where celebrities have made their mark, Los Angeles is a place unlike any other. Experience perfect weather, see beautiful people and enjoy the world-famous places in Los Angeles California. Other than New York City, this is the most symbolic city of America - from Hollywood to the urban sprawl to huge nearby attractions like Disneyland, there are so many fun things to do in Los Angeles: • Stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame The most emblematic section of the most heavily romanticized section of any American city, the bronze stars that lead up and down Hollywood Boulevard speak to both legends of the past and present. Finding free things to do in Los Angeles is also a real luxury, so take advantage when you can. • Get a drink at the Beauty Bar Not as imposing or exclusive as the name would suggest, one of the hippest bars is a converted salon, and makes for some of city’s best nightlife. So grab some friends, or make some new ones, while taking part in one of the many fun things to do in Los Angeles. • Shop on Rodeo Drive Sure, it’s packed with tourists, but just like New York’s Park Avenue, it’s still something that needs to be done. Even if you are not interested in making lavish purchases, window shopping here is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, and is another of the few free things to do in Los Angeles. • Check out the crowds at Venice Beach One of the most visited beaches in America, a stop here can be one of the most fun things to do in Los Angeles. An extensive stretch of sand, Venice Beach is a microcosm of the city - glamour, tourist traps and pleasant bars and restaurants all converge here, and taking a walk down the boardwalk will keep you entertained for hours, and if you feel like getting a tan, you won’t be alone. • Sunset Boulevard Another of the best free things to do in Los Angeles is exploring the renowned Sunset Boulevard, where some of the city’s first high rises were built, and is now home to some of the city’s most famous architecture, from towering hotels to historic buildings. • Get into Koi If you are not rich or part of the Hollywood set, it might be difficult to gain entrance into Koi. But if you do, it will definitely be a highlight of your Los Angeles trip. One of the places that best exemplifies why so many people are so single-minded in their infatuation or loathing of Hollywood, this is one of the top places to see and be seen in the city, and you will pay dearly for the chance. But it’s about the atmosphere when you step into Koi, and nothing shows off Hollywood elegance and excess like this hotspot. • See a movie at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences For being the annual home of the Oscars, the adjoining theater is not as hard to get a ticket to as one would expect. Other than that, the halls are carefully adorned with decades of movie memorabilia and other behind the scenes looks at the history of American cinema. • Tour NBC Studios Everyone who travels to Los Angeles makes a stop here, where so many of the cornerstones of television history were filmed. You can see the Tonight Show Theater, sets of some of your favorite shows, and likely a wide array of notable actors and actresses. For over an hour, lose yourself in the glamour of television production - it is no surprise that this tour is one of the most popular things to do in Los Angeles. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE USA • Jimmy Carter was the first president bom in a hospital. • The first confirmed landing in America was by Christopher Columbus in 1493. • The first English settlement was in Jamestown Virginia in 1607. The Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620 and then came the Puritans. • In 1918 a flu epidemic killed 548,000 people. • The Girl Scouts used to be called The American Girl Guides. • The largest city in the U.S. is Juneau, Alaska. It covers 3,000 square miles. According to the U.S. • Geological Survey there are 140 towns and cities with the word “Christmas.” The first holiday celebrated in the U.S. was the 100th anniversary of George Washington’s inauguration in 1889. • The oldest city in the U.S. is Santa Fe founded in 1610. • Hollywood, California is the movie capital of the world! • The U.S. has the largest tourist industry. It ranks third in the world. • The State of Florida is bigger than the country of England! • The average person in the States uses 80-100 gallons of water each day. • 300 million gallons of water are needed to produce a single day’s supply of newsprint. • The first water plant with filters was built in 1872 in New York. • Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act were in 1986 and 1996. The Act started in 1974. • The first iced tea was served in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair! • The first televisions were in New York City in 150 residences and happened in 1936. • There are no poisonous snakes in Maine. • There is a telephone booth in the middle of the Mojave Desert! • There is really no star on the flag that represents any one state. • During the Civil War more men died from disease than from gunshots or fighting. Alcatraz was originally used as a military fort! • If you want to see Egyptian ruins just visit Central Park in New York. There is a 3,000 year old obelisk named Cleopatra’s Needle. It stands 66 feet tall and weighs 220 tons! • The largest oil producing field is located in Taft, California. The first gold rush happened in Georgia in 1828. EXERCISES I Answer the questions: 1. What is the total area of the USA? 2. What mountains are located in the USA? 3. What are major US rivers and lakes? 4. What is the climate of the country? 5. Describe the US flora and fauna. 6. What are the largest cities of the country? 7. Characterize the US English. 8. What examples of common American English loanwords do you know? 9. What are the main religions in the country? 10. What are the major governmental institutions of the USA? 11. Characterize the US economy. 12. What types of schools are there in the USA? 13. What US universities are the most popular? 14. What is the largest library in the country and world? 15. What are the most eminent museums in the USA? 16. When and where did the world’s first commercial motion picture exhoibition take place? 17. What are the most commercially successful US movies? 18. What music styles are popular in the USA? 19. What US designer labels do you know? 20. Where do tourists usually go for shopping? 21. Give brief description of some regional US cuisine. 22. What US attractions are the most popular among tourists? 23. What are the most popular costal resorts of the country? 24. How many national parks are there in the USA? 25. What sights do historical attractions include? 26. What is Florida famous for? 27. What activities can tourists enjoy in California? 28. What sights and things to do would you recommend tourists while in Hawaii? 29. What are the most exciting attractions of New York? Los Angeles? Washington? 30. Why do you think the USA is a popular tourist destination? Q Match the proper names with the definitions: 1. Pascua Florida the largest department store in the USA 2. Little Havana a historic street in Washington, DC where most rare antiques shops and boutiques are located 3. Typhoon Lagoon a theme park in Orlando which offers popular entertainment Interactive rides to the postcard pavilions of various countries 4. Epcot a water park in Orlando 5. Mt. McKinley the highest peak in North America 6. Levi Strauss a Cuban community district in Miami 7. Tex-Mex the Spain’s Easter celebration “Fest of Flowers” after which Florida was named 8. Georgetown a German immigrant in San Francisco who invented blue jeans 9. City Pass a variant of southwestern cooking that is most popular in Texas and along the Mexican border 10. Macy’s a discount vocation pass with discount access to six tourist attractions in New York City III What places (state / city) are the most suitable for the following activities? Fishing, hunting, boating, rafting, canoeing, camping, hiking, surfing, diving swimming, skiing, skating, exploring the underwater world, whale watching, entertainment and casino, shopping, visiting theme parks, beach activities. (Choose from the list: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Maine, New York City, Nevada, Texas) IV Where are the following sights located? Grand Canyon National Park; Central Park; Bush Gardens; Key Biscayne; Hollywood Beach Boardwalk; Tropical Park; Disney World; Epcot; Universal Studios; Sea World; La Jolla Beach; Heavenly Ski Resort Lake Tahoe; Channel Island National Park; Dole Plantation; Waikiki Beach; Times Square; The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met); Greenwich Village; Statue of Liberty; Hollywood Walk of Fame; Sunset Boulevard; Malibu Beach; Beverly Hills. (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando) V Write a short summary of American culture. VI Make a presentation on: a) US Top Destinations; b) Popular Resorts of the USA; c) US Cuisine; d) Attractions and Things to Do in the USA. VII Promote the USA as a tourist Destination.
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