I do not know about you, but I have the Bernie blues--that’s right, I am still “Feeling The Bern,” even though it seems Senator Sanders does not seem to have a chance at being part of the general election anymore. With political defeats in mind, sometimes it is easy for us to think about how life might be better if we moved to a different country (who’s coming with me to Canada once a Trump presidency becomes inevitable?).
Nevertheless, we have to give the U.S. some credit where credit is due.
Where else can you have the opportunity to check out the world’s largest active volcano, the launch pads from which the famous Apollo missions launched to the moon, the city that started the international movie industry or the inspiration for the classic song “Route 66” all in one country? None other than the good old United States of America. Here are nine of my favorite places you can visit this summer in the U.S. to help keep your patriotic spirits high.
1. NASA Visitor Centers
When I planned on visiting the Kennedy Space Center last month, I assumed it would just be a fun little place to learn some cool stuff about space ships and science. It turned out to be one of my fondest memories of my trip to Florida because of its emphasis on the U.S.’s incredible feats in space exploration and collaboration with countries around the world. Consider going to other visitor centers too, like Space Center Houston in Texas or the Space Shuttle Endeavor at the California Science Center.
2. National parks
Some of my favorite vacations in my life have been at national parks. So far, I have visited Yosemite in California, Yellowstone in Wyoming, Haleakala in Hawaii and Zion in Utah. Not only are these places part of our nation’s political history, but they are awe-inspiring features of the landscape that make up our country. Visit your local national park and have a picnic! You will not regret it.
3. Historic American cities
I may be a bit of a book nerd, but I find there is something endlessly fascinating about visiting old cities in our country that we find throughout history books and classic literature alike. Some of my favorites so far are visiting the old stomping grounds of past presidents and fictional characters in New Orleans, New York City and Washington D.C.
4. National memorials
Historical cities are also home to some of the most humbling war and terror memorials in our country. The first memorial I ever visited was on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, which is home to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Washington D.C. has the following war memorials, which are enough to fill up a one-day trip: the National WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans memorial. One of the most heartbreaking memorials I visited was the National September 11 Memorial and Museum next to the new Freedom Tower in New York. Eating lunch with my best friends underneath the new Freedom Tower is an experience I will never forget.
5. Hollywood
I may be biased as a Los Angeles native, but I think some of the most important things the United States has contributed to the world are the movies that have come out of Hollywood. There are so many museums, movie theaters, concert venues, theme parks and restaurants in the area for you to explore that it may become overwhelming, but taking the time to simply wander around the Walk of Fame will be enough to remember how many awesome and inspiring artists have come out of our great country.
6. Route 66
Unfortunately, I have never traveled along the entirety of Route 66, but I imagine it would be amazing to pack up a big car with several friends (and maybe even a dog) to go on a month-long road trip starting in Chicago and ending up at the beach in Los Angeles. Nothing says "USA" like a good old-fashioned road trip!
7. Classic burger joints
Why not do a taste test on some burgers while you are on that Route 66 road trip? You could also just visit a local burger joint in your city. My favorites in southern California are In N Out, The Habit, Bob’s Big Boy, Five Guys and Hodad’s. For those of you out there who are vegetarian or vegan, I know that most of these places also offer options for you! You can always ask your favorite burger place to make you a grilled cheese with all of their normal fixings.
8. Summer festivals
Attending the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival was one of the best experiences I had during college because I got to get a little taste of all the good things about Louisiana--music, food and art. Since moving to San Diego, I have visited local festivals such as the Del Mar Fair, the Little Italy Festival and the Ocean Beach Chili Cook Off Festival. Someday I hope to visit more music festivals across the nation, such as Coachella and Bonnaroo, with a big group of friends to hangout and camp for a week. When you think about it, the original Woodstock music festival in the U.S .started the tradition of camping out at the venues.
9. Your own hometown
Visiting my hometown always makes me feel warm and happy. I remember the times I bicycled to my neighborhood park with my childhood friends, waited in line at "Harry Potter" movie premiers with my best friends and went out to my favorite local mom-and-pop restaurants with my family. My hometown of Santa Clarita also happens to be the home of Six Flags Magic Mountain, where bigger is better as far as roller coasters are concerned. All of these things in my hometown remind me of how lucky I was to grow up in America.
Hopefully you will get a chance to visit at least one of these places this summer because it is important to remember the beautiful things and places in this country during times of political stress.
This brings me to my favorite beautiful thing in this country--the freedom to vote! Remember, your votes will count this fall (let’s not end up regretting our votes like our friends across the pond did with “Brexit”). If you are not registered to vote yet, check out this video for some help:
Happy visiting and voting!
