The state of Kansas is understood as the center of the USA and is at the same time a fundamental part of the folklore around such American classics as the cowboy. The sprawling Great Plains still tell of the sheer incomprehensible size of the USA and if you want to understand the United States, you will definitely have to stop in Kansas. It is also above all this nature that attracts most vacationers to Kansas. Larger cities are the rarity here, but it is very easy to see why the Native Americans were almost all settled in this region of the states.

The folklore around Kansas

If you take a look at typical American stories, you will notice that many of them are closely connected to Kansas. There are, for example, the cowboys, who today are mainly associated with Texas , but actually had their origins in Kansas for years. The farm from The Wizard of Oz was also in Kansas. This is probably because every child has some connection to the state, which is so typical of the image of the USA that many people have. Above all, however, Kansas is now the Sunflower State. The sprawling sunflower fields are a quintessential sight of the Great Plains and have given Kansas one of many nicknames.

By the way, Kansas is also the country of the German-speaking minority in the USA. Many emigrants settled here after 1857. Previously, this was not possible, as it was a state that was assigned exclusively to the indigenous peoples after they had been expelled from other parts of the national territory. Since then, however, a very special culture has developed here and the traces of the “Indians” can still be found everywhere in the state. In addition, there are some reserves where the indigenous people can now live according to their own rights and often offer tourists a guided tour and talk about the fate of their people.

Top attractions in the state of Kansas

From historic trade routes with a close connection to the Wild West to untouched prairies, the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else in the USA, Kansas has a lot to offer. It should be mentioned here that you should always rent your own car for the exploration tour. Although Topeka is a huge urban region, the expansion of public infrastructure, especially in traffic in Kansas, is rather rare. This is not least due to the sheer size of the state, where you can also travel for a few hours by car until you reach your next destination.

The Santa Fe Trail is one of the last testimonies of the journey to the West. During Kansas City when the gateway to the west was considered, the merchant wagons moved here towards the west coast and not only had to be protected from attacks by the natives, but one or the other trading post was created, which can still be visited today if you follow this path yourself. A visit to Fort Larned, where one of the most important meetings between the natives and the new Americans took place, also fits in with this.

Even though the state borders the Rocky Mountains, it is relatively flat. Hiking and mountain bikers will therefore get their money’s worth less here. But it is mainly hikers who find the vast prairies a great way to discover this almost forgotten form of nature in the United States.

Cities, culture and other sights in Kansas

A visit to Topeka is of course an absolute must, even if it is only to take in the historic parts of the city. This is where life in the state began, and the historic State Capitol alone is worth a visit. Above all, however, you can discover some museums here, which show, for example, the eventful history of the state in connection with the tornadoes. Kansas is one of the most tornado-stricken parts of the USA and the destruction of natural phenomena is sometimes immense.

Even though Topeka is the capital of the state, Wichita is the actual urban center. Here you will not only find the international airport and thus the gateway to a visit to Kansas, but also an interesting division of the city. The Wild West meets the modern aircraft industry that has become so important to Kansas. Great restaurants and very hearty and home-style cuisine can be found in the restaurants, with the city’s excellent steakhouses in particular deserving of a special mention.

Last but not least, Hutchinson should also be mentioned. The slightly smaller city, for example, is home to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center and is therefore one of the most beautiful and interesting museums when it comes to space travel and the history associated with it in the USA. All in all, this state is an excellent way to switch between natural spectacle and urban region and experience and explore a wide variety of things.

When you think of New York, you naturally think of the Big Apple with its many sights, the many millions of people and this unique melting pot of cultures. But the state of the same name, from which the name “New York City” is actually derived, also has its very own form of highlights and sights to offer. The Empire State, as it is called, with its capital Albany is one of the oldest areas of today’s USA with an eventful history and an extremely capricious nature. And even though a trip to NYC is of course a must when visiting, you should definitely embark on an adventure in “Upstate” New York.

Life in the shadow of the Big Apple

The state of New York was one of the thirteen colonies that today play an important role in the founding myth of the USA . It was not so much the British as the Dutch who built their first base in the New World here. After some back and forth and various wars, it finally became part of the British colonies in America and quite quickly New York City developed into one of the most important ports on the east coast of the new country. Gradually, however, the state developed its own identity independently of the big city and above all the city dwellers themselves enjoyed the excursions to the countryside to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.

A visit to upstate New York is likely to offer a variety of surprises for most visitors. Because even away from the big city, the state has a lot of sights to offer. From historical testimonies of the early days of the USA to breathtaking spectacles of nature, everything can be found here. In addition, of course, there is the advantage that a trip to New York City or New England only takes a few hours and therefore you have a perfect base for traveling around the northeastern part of the USA.

The most beautiful natural spectacles in New York State

One of the most famous sights in New York State is certainly Niagara Falls State Park. The famous waterfalls, which can be found next to the city of the same name, are probably one of the most impressive natural spectacles you can find in the USA and the journey from New York City is done quickly. In general, it is surprising what a diverse nature the state has to offer its visitors. Hikers and adventurers on bicycles in particular get a varied landscape to offer, which is interrupted from time to time by historical monuments.

The Long Island area also plays a special role in the state. In recent years, it has become one of the most popular retreats for city dwellers and today offers not only a wide selection of hotels and holiday homes, but above all some impressive beaches that invite you to linger. From here, you can start a deep-sea fishing tour or take advantage of one of the many offers to explore the coast by boat and discover even more of New York. But if you are just looking for a little relaxation after the strenuous sightseeing, you will get your money’s worth here and spend a great day.

The Indian Summer, the time at the beginning of autumn when the leaves change color and the entire state presents itself in rich shades of brown, is the time of hikers and hikers in New York. Especially in the Adirondacks State Park, the mountain range in the east of the state, there are many opportunities to experience this spectacle of nature first-hand. In addition, the area offers many great climbing opportunities or invites you to take an extensive mountain bike tour through the mountains.

Albany and other cities outside New York City

NYC is by no means the capital of the state, even if one would assume that, of course. Albany is the historic hub of New York and offers some interesting testimonies to history. Especially the State Capitol, which can now look back on several hundred years of history, is a real eye-catcher on a walk through Albany. Anyone who takes this opportunity to walk through one of the many shopping streets or sit down in one of the restaurants will also notice that the melting pot of cultures did not stop in NYC. From typical Italian-American cuisine to the classics of New England, everything is represented on the city’s menus and therefore offers a good selection.

Finally, of course, you should also have visited New York City itself. There is not enough space to describe all the must-see sights in the city. In general, it can be worthwhile to plan several days just for visiting upstate New York and then go to New York City. The contrasts that are lived and can be experienced here in the state are one reason why a visit to this region of the USA is always recommended.

Located in the Midwest, the US state of Iowa might seem a little boring at first glance. But far from it. Although Iowa is rural and known outside its own state borders mainly for corn cultivation and sprawling fields and landscapes, Iowa nevertheless combines some interesting to curious sights on its grounds. For example, the largest bull statue in the world and the longest double-track railway line in the world can be found there.

In addition, there are some first-class art museums to visit in Iowa, such as the Des Moines Art Center. And nature lovers will not miss out in Iowa either. With the Missouri River and the Mississippi River, there are two rivers here that can be navigated by ships. In addition, there are a large number of lakes and hiking areas. In the two major cities of the state, in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, art and culture await visitors from all over the world.

Discover the federal capital of Des Moines

The Moines has about 215,000 inhabitants, making it the largest city in Iowa. The city was named after the river of the same name that flows through it. Des Moines is internationally known above all for the Des Moines Art Center. This world-class art museum opened in 1948 and specializes primarily in paintings and sculptures. The works of American and European artists are primarily exhibited here. There are works by Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, Claude Monet, Gerhard Richter, Mark Rothko and Paul Gaugin to marvel at.

Architecturally impressive is the Iowa State Capitol, located in the city center, which is considered the most historic building in the entire state. It can be visited both from the inside and from the outside. Particularly popular with visitors is the somewhat enchanted-looking library of the Iowa State Capitol. Des Moines is surrounded by several parks where you can hike and enjoy nature. Recommended here are, for example, the Des Moines Water Works Park and the Walnut Woods State Park, where you can also camp. In winter, the slopes of the Sleep Hollow Sports Park are full of fans of skiing and snowboarding.

The Effigy Mounds National Monument

If you are going to visit the state of Iowa, you should not miss the Effigy Mounds National Monuments on your way. This is a nature reserve that comes close to a national park in its structure and attractiveness. The Effigy Mounds National Monument is located directly on the Yellow River, on the border with the neighboring state of Wisconsin. The nature reserve is a popular destination that invites you to go camping, among other things. Bird lovers can meet a variety of different bird species here. For example, warblers, bald eagles or wood thrushes cavort here. The Effigy Mounds National Monument Information Centre provides interesting information about the Native Americans who once lived in the area. Furthermore, several well-signposted hiking trails crisscross the Effigy Mounds National Monument. These can be discovered on your own or walked as part of a guided themed hike. The local rangers offer, for example, so-called bird migration hikes, during which information is provided about the bird species that can be seen in the park.

Sports and film fans make a pilgrimage to the Field of Dreams

There is hardly anyone who does not know the 1989 film success Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner, which was filmed in Iowa. The film, which was nominated for three Oscars at the time, is one of the most famous and at the same time one of the most emotional sports films ever made in the USA . In the film, a baseball field was built in the middle of a cornfield, on which players who had returned from the past were soon cavorting, who had been victims of a sporting bribery scandal 68 years earlier. The filming location of this cinematic worldwide success is in Dyersville.

Guided tours are offered here, which lead over the original baseball field of the film, the adjacent corn fields and through the farmhouse, which is very present in the film. If you arrive in September, you can also watch high-ranking athletes at work here. Because then a baseball tournament takes place on the Field of Dreams , where no longer active baseball stars once again grab baseball bats, baseballs and gloves.

Breathe in art and culture in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa with just under 140,000 inhabitants, and it has a lot to offer. And not only because a whole host of great actors were born here, of which Ashton Kutcher and Elijah Wood are only the two most popular. Cedar Rapids combines several art museums and galleries in its city area. You should definitely visit the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. The permanent collection includes more than 7,800 works from a wide variety of eras. From Roman antiquity to the present day, everything is represented here. In addition, there are temporary exhibitions that focus primarily on North American artists. The city’s Czech Village is buzzing with life. Bars, restaurants and small shops are lined up here. In the past, a large number of Czech and Slovak immigrants lived here. Some of their descendants still reside in Cedar Rapids. The Czech heritage of the district is still recognizable and tangible in many cases today. For example, in bars that exude European flair or in bakeries that offer Czech baked goods. In the evening, the Czech Village turns into a paradise for night owls who love bar concerts, stand-up comedy and theatre.

A US contrast to sunny California and Florida awaits in New Hampshire, where the colourful autumn nature of the so-called Indian Summer in a scenery of mountains, lakes and covered bridges provides unique photo motifs. As a neighboring state of Maine and Vermont, New Hampshire spreads the typical charm of New England’s Atlantic coast. The Granite State is more than just the scenic link on Interstate 95 between Boston and Portland: from the colorful autumn worlds of the White Mountains to the picturesque Lakes Region and the white winter sports worlds of Mount Washington, a unique natural paradise unfolds here. A region that has unmistakably inspired local poets and authors such as Robert Frost, Dan Brown and John Irving.

New Hampshire’s Nature – Colorful Autumn Scenery and White Winter Sports Worlds

New Hampshire is an outdoor paradise on the Atlantic coast. The tranquil shore of the eastern US state unfolds over a length of about 29 kilometres – the shortest coastline of the US states located on the ocean. But even along these only 29 kilometers, some of the most beautiful places on the US East Coast unfold. These include Hampton Beach, which is especially worth visiting in summer, as well as beautiful beach worlds at Rye and North Hampton State Beach. Inland, however, are the real natural highlights of New Hampshire. Deep in the interior of the state, natural elevations present themselves that have always attracted the interest of nature lovers, hikers and winter sports enthusiasts. One of the most climbed mountains in the world is Mount Monadnock, which rises 965 meters in the southwest of New Hampshire. South of the White Mountains rises the mountain that once inspired Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau – and is now climbed by more than 100,000 nature lovers and hikers every year. Only well-known surveys such as Mount Fuji in Japan and the Tai Shan in China can surpass such figures.

All the allure of New Hampshire’s nature unfolds in the White Mountains, whose landscapes spread out in the White Mountain National Forest. The highest peak is the 1917-meter-high Mount Washington, which is known for its distinctive ski resorts in winter. The natural beauty of red, yellow and green in the so-called Indian Summer, the warm autumn time of the North American East Coast, unfolds visually, especially in the White Mountain National Forest, through which routes such as the scenic Kancamagus Highway lead. New Hampshire is particularly impressive at this time of year with a natural panorama including the typical covered bridges that characterize New England – whether the Albany Bridge, the Bath Covered Bridge or the Groveton Covered Bridge. Many of these bridges are located in the White Mountains, some in the Lakes Region – they provide the characteristic romantic flair of New Hampshire.

Home to a population of about 1.3 million, the Granite State owes its nickname to its many quarries, as well as the distinct rock and mineral shapes that are hidden in the midst of New Hampshire’s natural formations. In addition to the Appalachian Mountains and the White Mountains, the lakes of the Lakes Region also shape the local nature. One of the most famous is Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest of the local lakescapes. In addition, Squam Lake and Newfound Lake also make New Hampshire’s nature a multifaceted recreational region on the US East Coast.

Concord, Manchester, Portsmouth – Urban New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s historic colonial architecture gives an indication of the long history of the US state: The eastern coastal region was once one of the historic English colonies, founded in 1629 as the Province of New Hampshire. Later, it was considered the first U.S. state to present an independent government and constitution. Although New Hampshire has a much larger city in Manchester and a prominent capital in Concord, a deep historical insight can be gained especially in Portsmouth. The city on the border with Maine, located on Interstate 95 between Portland and Boston, has the historic Strawberry Banke, an open-air museum with early colonial settlements from the 17th century. The museum is one of the most famous in New Hampshire. In addition, Portsmouth offers touristically attractive urban destinations in New Hampshire’s north with its historic buildings in the city center, the historic Market Square and the tranquil Prescott Park.

The fact that New Hampshire has deep British roots is proven not only by Portsmouth but also by the name of the largest city Manchester. With the Currier Museum of Art, the city has perhaps the most important art museum in New Hampshire. The permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Monet and Matisse, as well as American art greats John Singer Sargent, Georgia O’Keeffe and Frank Lloyd Wright. Historical flair also unfolds in the centrally located capital Concord, home to about 43,000 inhabitants. Here you can discover sights such as the historic New Hampshire State House or the historic Eagle Hotel: US President Ulysses S. Grant, the famous First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and the aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh once stayed in the latter. Parks like Story Land near Glen and Santa’s Village near Jefferson prove that New Hampshire also has highlights for the family. In this way, New Hampshire forms a fascinating contrast to classic US travel destinations such as California or Florida. Especially when the warm autumn shows its colors in natural New Hampshire.