InterExchange - Cultural Learning Opportunities in the Eastern U.S. 
The InterExchange Top Cultural Picks in the U.S. > Cultural Learning Opportunities in the Eastern U.S.
1. New York City
New York is "the center of the universe." And although this may be a figurative, not literal, saying, there is so much going on here and so much to see, it can be overwhelming. Lucky for you, New York is also the home of the InterExchange offices and our staff knows all the best places to go! The tourist attractions in Manhattan are must-sees, but if you are ready to be a bit more adventurous and see the "real” New York, there are a few places our staff recommends. After you spend a couple of days walking around Times Square, the museums, Central Park and the Empire State Building, make sure not to miss Little Italy, Koreatown and Chinatown for amazing food and fun stores. You can venture outside Manhattan and take the subway to Brooklyn, where you can visit the music scene in ultra-cool Williamsburg, the brownstone houses in beautiful Park Slope and the Caribbean immigrant neighborhood of Fort Greene. More "must-sees" are the P.S. 1 Contemporary Arts Center in Long Island City and one of the country's oldest amusement parks, Coney Island, at the southern tip of Brooklyn. |
2. Boston, Massachusetts
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3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The City of Brotherly Love is a short 2-hour train or bus ride from New York City. The country's first capitol, Philadelphia is home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (where the Constitution was signed) and Betsy Ross's house - where this famous figure sewed the first American flag during the American Revolution. Once you are done with all the historical sites, eat a famous Philly Cheese Steak - first at Geno's, then across the street to Pat's. They are old rivals. Then, exercise off that Cheese Steak like Sylvester Stallone, running up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art that was featured in the movie, Rocky. |
4. Cape Cod Region, Massachusetts
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5. Washington, D.C.
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6. Atlanta, GA
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7. Miami, Florida
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8. New Orleans, Louisiana
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Catching a Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Park and going to the waterfront are on the top of our list for things to do in Boston. Be sure to try the fresh seafood, especially “chowdah” (clam chowder). If you like history, we recommend following the Freedom Trail, a self-guided walking tour that connects about 25 historical sites pertaining to the American Revolution. Also, don’t miss visiting Harvard University and all the smart-people watching you can do there. The campus is beautiful and no one will know you aren’t a student.
The quintessential New England coastal area, 
Visit the country's 
Perhaps the unofficial southern capitol of the country, 
Famous for its Cuban immigrant community, club scene and pretty people-watching on the beach, 
This historic InterExchange Picks for Off the Beaten Path Sites
1. Key West, Florida
Perhaps most famous for being the home of Ernest Hemingway during his later years, this little island off of the Florida coast is great for quiet, lazy beach days and has the best sunsets on the East Coast.
2. The Coast of Maine and Acadia National Park
About 8 hours north of New York City, the coast of Maine is a world away. Full of rocky beaches and pine tree-covered roads, the little towns along the coast are reminiscent of Ireland's fishing villages and forgotten, fog-ridden scenes from a Herman Melville novel. Make sure you get a famous lobster tail sandwich - they are cheap and delicious and can only be found in Maine!
3. Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, North Carolina
North Carolina is a great state to begin your introduction to Southern culture in America. With mountains on the state's western end and the beach on the east, the short 4-hour drive that separates them will take you through: Charlotte, the capital; the Triangle District, named for Duke University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University; and historic tobacco fields that are still active today. Biltmore Estate, built in the 1800s outside of Asheville, is a huge mansion with famous gardens situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountain range. It is a must-see for anyone traveling through the Southern states.
4. Savannah, GA
Known for its misty gardens and Spanish Moss-covered trees, Savannah is a quaint, quintessential Southern town. Gentle and quiet, the city is a famous tourist stop for anyone looking to see traditional Southern culture.
5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A city famous for its steel factories and American football, there are few other places that you can't miss if you visit Western Pennsylvania. The Andy Warhol Museum is the world's only museum dedicated to works by pop artists (his hometown is Pittsburgh). The neighborhood around the museum has many interesting shops and restaurants, one being Primanti Brothers, which makes a famous sandwich with french fries and coleslaw. There is always a line here for lunch, so come early! You can also make your way to The Incline; the bright red cars that take you up to the top of the Mt. Washington neighborhood can be seen everywhere in the city and offer the best view of the famous three rivers that meet at Pittsburgh.
6. Charleston, South Carolina
A beautiful port city on the South Carolina coast known for good seafood, historic southern homes built around the Civil War period and a downtown market that was used by traders and southern farmers. Sellers at the market now sell regional food and handmade products.
7. Cherokee Indian Reservation, North Carolina
If you have ever been interested in the history of this country's Native American people, the Cherokee Indian reservation in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina is a great introduction to the most famous American tribe.
8. Bucks County, Pennsylvania
If you want to step back in time and see a people completely separated from modern culture, visit the many towns in "Amish Country," west of Philadelphia (http://www.padutchcountry.com/index.asp). New Hope is a staff favorite!
