Top five tourist attractions in the USA – Part 15

The United States has numerous tourist attractions designed to satisfy everybody’s interests. Here are my choices for the top five tourist attractions in the United States. I have personally been to all of these attractions.

1. Niagara Falls, New York. I realize that most of this natural wonder is located on the Canadian side of North America but there are plenty of attractions on the American side too. There is an aquarium, a haunted house, a family fun center that has mini bowling lanes, a video arcade and several other family oriented areas. Niagara Falls also has a wax museum, a casino and several museums dedicated to the history of the falls. If you have never been to Niagara Falls, you are missing an awesome sight. The website www.Niagara-USA.com offers plenty of information that is very useful for planning your visit.

2. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Indiana. The birthplace of the Indianapolis 500, the Speedway is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. This race, held on Memorial Day weekend, brings thousands of motor sports fans and visitors to Indianapolis not only for the race but also for the parade held the day before. The Indianapolis 500 Parade features floats, bands, equine marchers and all thirty three drivers riding through downtown Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway website, www.indianapolismotorspeedway .com, can give you plenty of information on hotels, restaurants and shopping during your stay in Indianapolis.

3. Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. Home of the Kentucky Derby, the fastest two minutes in sports and the first race in the Triple Crown races. The Kentucky Derby is held on the first Saturday of May and is restricted to three year old Thoroughbreds, colts and fillies. Churchill Downs opened in 1874 and the first three races held were the Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Oaks, and the Clark Handicap. All three races are still run at Churchill Downs with the Clark being held in the fall. The Kentucky Oaks is open to three year old fillies and is run the Friday afternoon on Kentucky Derby weekend.

4. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville, Tennessee. This museum originally located at the corner of 16th Avenue and Division Street, opened on April 1, 1967 and closed on December 31, 2000. The museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of country music through several floors filled with numerous interactive exhibits. In addition to touring the museum, visitors are also offered the opportunity to visit the Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Old Opry and Studio B, where legendary country music artists like Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, Waylon Jennings and Charley Pride all recorded some of their major hits.

5. The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George, New York. This theme park was originally known as Storytown, USA and featured areas dedicated to nursery rhymes and children’s stories. Now this park is part of the Six Flags chain and offers visitors all kinds of roller coasters, thrill rides and entertainment. Some of the rides that were operating when it was Storytown, like Cinderella’s Coach, are still in operation today. Splashwater Kingdom offers a place for visitors to cool off during the hot summer months. I have also visited Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts and I prefer the Great Escape. In my opinion, The Great Escape is cleaner, prettier and the staff is much more friendlier.