Travel to the USA is open again for fully vaccinated British travellers
It has been almost 20 long months since travel to the USA has been banned for British travellers, but today, November 8th 2021, that all changes for fully vaccinated passengers.
With a whole country to explore after such a long gap, here are 10 great sporting and adventure experiences you should have on your USA to-do list.
New York
New York is a short hop from Europe and the city is well and truly moving on from the Pandemic. The streets are bustling, restaurants and bars are full and there are countless sporting and adventure activities to embark on.
Tackle the Breakneck Ridge hike
The Breakneck Ridge hike is an incredible trail and the best part? It's only 90-minutes from Manhattan's Grand Central station on the train.
The hiking trail itself will see you climb for the first 3 hours, mostly scrambling steeply upwards as you get higher and higher above the Hudson River below. Once you reach the top end of the climb, where the USA flag is situated and then another high point slightly higher up, the views of the Hudson Highlands are incomparable.
Make sure you visit Cold Spring for a pre-hike coffee and post-hike refreshment at the Cold Spring Depot bar.
Watch a New York Red Bulls soccer match
Through November and December you can catch an MLS Cup game in which both New York teams are involved.
As featured above, attending a New York Red Bulls game is one of the city's great sporting events. Based across the Hudson from Manhattan in New Jersey, it's an easy journey on the PATH trains and once you arrive, you'll be thrust into the pre-game tail gate party.
3-inner city adventures in New York City
If you don't want to venture outside of Manhattan itself, there are still plenty of inner-city New York adventures to embark on.
From rowing in Central Park - look where you're going when rowing! - to cycling using the city's Citi bike hire and walking the High Line, you're never far away from an adventure in New York City.
READ MORE: 3 inner-city adventures to do in New York
NOTE: Masks are still a requirement on public transport and to enter a restaurant or bar in New York, you will need your vaccination certificate.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania really does offer the sports and adventure fan so much. From Pittsburgh's great sporting venues and hiking routes, to the USA's oldest golf course.
Ideally located in the North East of America, it's easy to explore Pennsylvania on the train from New York.
Play America's oldest golf course at Foxburg Country Club
Foxburg Country Club is a fascinating golf course. Established in 1887, it is officially the oldest golf course in America still in continuous use.
It will cost you $12 a round for 9 holes, a little more if you want to use a golf buggy. The nearby Foxburg village has a great Inn to stay at, and some perfect places to eat located on the river.
Hike Pittsburgh's Mount Washington
There is no better way to see the great city of Pittsburgh than a hike on Mount Washington. Pittsburgh is the city that has more bridges than any other city in the world, not surprising as 3 rivers run through Pennsylvania's capital and when hiking Mount Washington, you'll experience amazing views of the city's rivers and bridges, although not all of them - there are 446!
The Emerald Park View hiking trail will see you take the Duquesne Incline to higher ground from river level. You'll then tackle the paths through the woods of Mount Washington where you'll be greeted by further views back to the city.
To extend this hike, cross the West End Bridge and walk back towards Downtown on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. READ MORE: The Pittsburgh hike that puts you at the top of the city
Washington D.C.
Hike Rock Creek Park
Washington D.C. is perhaps not a city you think of when looking for sport and adventure. But don't be fooled. Just 30 minutes by bus north of Downtown, you'll reach Cold Spring and from here you can embark on an epic hike from top to bottom of Rock Creek Park.
It is a world away from city-life, where you will follow Rock Creek all the way down to the southern edge of the park, stumble across Civil War ruins and cross famous bridges. One of those bridges, the Boulder Bridge, is where President Roosevelt lost a gold ring, which has never been returned. Look hard enough and you might just find it!
READ MORE: Hike from top to bottom of Rock Creek Park
Kayak the Potomac and take in D.C.'s sights
Washington D.C. is a city that is full of great monuments, government buildings and museums, but one great way to explore the city and see the sights from a different angle is from the water.
You can rent a kayak on the Potomac River for a couple of hours and pass sights such as Georgetown's riverside, The Watergate buildings, the JFK Centre of Performing Arts, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument all from the comfort of your kayak. READ MORE: Tour Washington D.C.'s iconic monuments from your own kayak
Georgia
How about hiking the Appalachian Approach Trails?
If you fly into Atlanta, you are close to the world's most famous hiking route, the Appalachian Trail. And whilst the 2,000 mile + trail may be a bit too much to chew during a visit the USA, you can still explore the incredible approach trails.
Head 90 minutes out of Atlanta and you'll find the Amicalola Falls State Park. Home to the Amicalola Falls, the 3rd tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River and it is within this State Park you will find the famous arch that symbolises the start of the Approach Trail to the Appalachian Trail.
Book a night at the Hike Inn too for a brilliant stay in the middle of the forest where you'll be fed and find comfort for the night after a long day's hiking.
South Lake Tahoe
5 family-family friendly hikes in South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe really is a adventure paradise. The amount of outdoor activities is unrivalled and if it is hiking you love, you've come to the right place.
There are countless trails, and something for everyone around the shores of Lake Tahoe, America's largest Alpine lake.
Trails such as the Rubicon, Van Sickle and Eagle Lake have are all well worth your time.
Los Angeles
Take a tour of The Dodger Stadium
The MLB season may be over, but that doesn't stop you taking in the biggest ballpark in the world, and the 3rd oldest ballpark in America.
The Dodger Stadium is a colosseum of baseball, home to the LA Dodgers and can accommodate 56,000 fans. The stadium does tours everyday which last 90-minutes and with brilliant tour guides, you'll not only get to see the complete workings of this great sporting venue but also learn about the incredible history of the Dodgers and the stadium.