Where Did I Go and Review / USA and Canada 2024

Following my month trip to the USA, I wanted to share a quick review of each place, with my favourite and least favourite cities also. I started my trip in New York. I then moved onto Washington DC, Niagara Falls, San Francisco and Vancouver, before boarding the cruise. The cruise took me to Hawaii for a few days, then I finished in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. 

My number one favourite place in Niagara Falls and I would go back there in a heartbeat because it was honestly incredible. I wish I had a little longer to see the aquarium especially, and the night view from the US side also. So many people told me to just go for a few hours but I am so glad I went for a couple of days because I got to see the falls during the day, not rush the activities, plus see the illuminations and the fireworks. I would always recommend visiting for the first time between the summer months so you can go on the boats, but I do think it would be fun to see it frozen and covered in snow as well. 

I was most surprised my Las Vegas. I absolutely loved it here and would again, definitely go back. I loved exploring all the unique hotels, visiting the attractions and learning the history. The hotels were huge and had lots of things going for them. Sadly, my hotel was undergoing major instructions, but still lovely in places. I went to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam but if I went back, I would go to one of the other National Parks and hopefully be able to enjoy the casinos a little, if someone came with me for more reassurance. 

I personally wouldn't recommend New York, because it just felt like London. I think there is lots to see and do, but once you've seen them, you've kind of been. It's a bit like England in terms of the weather as well, so it's a little hit and miss. I ticked off the main attractions with things like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Empire State Building and Central Park and given the bad memories I now associate with it, I'm glad I've been, but I've done it. 

Hawaii was a huge disappointment, but it was where I was most looking forward to so it may have been because I had very high expectations. I was so excited for the relaxing nature, the beach and mountains. I ended up feeling like it was just a normal huge city. The beach was there but surrounded by skyscrapers and the rest of the island felt quite poor and run down in some areas sadly. 

The other places I went to were Washington DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles. I think Washington DC felt quite rushed because of the tour I did, so if I had of been travelling with someone, I would have driven which would have been better as I wouldn't have had to rush and I could have visited some of the additional monuments that I missed out on like WW2 and Martin Luther King. I also would have loved to have got closed to the White House, but it's sad that it's so hit or miss with security and presidential activities which then really affect the view. 

San Francisco I did enjoy and the tourist area was lovely, but the huge homeless issue was a little discomforting. Again, I think driving would be much more ideal because the Big Bus Tour in the city really let it down. Finally, Los Angeles was nice to see and do but not somewhere I feel needs much longer than a couple of days. I did however absolutely love Universal Studios and I would quite happily go back there again! 

Have you been to any of these cities? Where else would you recommend?