The United States of America is a very large country not only in terms of population but in terms of area. While people in the international community might primarily recognize a few places in particular – New York, Washington, D.C., and Hollywood, perhaps – the truth is that there’s a stunning variety of different places and types of places to visit. Because of this, we wanted to look into some of the most unique options.

Kauai, Hawaii

It’s well-known that Hawaii is unlike the rest of the U.S. – a legitimate paradise of islands, more akin to the famous destinations of the South Pacific than the mainland U.S., at least in visual appeal. And of the Hawaiian islands, Kauai (sometimes written Kaua’i) is the most striking. Indeed, some argue that it’s the best overall as well, on the grounds that it has legendary sunsets, wonderful hiking and watersport activities, and generally stands for much of what makes Hawaii famous. Essentially, it’s the most noteworthy island in what many would call the most beautiful state in America – a visual treat on par with any other in the world.

Savannah, Georgia

There’s a concept known as “southern charm” in the United States, which essentially speaks to the friendly, communal atmosphere and hospitality of some of the communities in the southern states. Savannah, Georgia is an old town that in some ways exemplifies this atmosphere even if many other southern communities sometimes fall short of it. And on top of that, it’s also got a palpable sense of history to it, emanating from everything from the majestic Southern Live Oak trees dotted around the city, to the horse-drawn carriages you’ll see on occasion, to the guided ghost tours of old buildings and neighborhoods. It’s an intoxicating and culturally rich destination, not to mention a place where the weather is good almost all year round.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

There are a lot of spectacular ski towns in the U.S., primarily along the extensive Rocky Mountain range in the western part of the country. Most of them make for excellent donations, but Steamboat Springs in Colorado may be the most unique. This is because it’s a world-class ski spot, nearly on a level with some destinations in the European Alps, yet it doesn’t tend to have some of the massive crowds you’ll find in other famous spots like Vail, Park City, or Lake Tahoe. This, combined with the fact that there are very real hot springs for which the area is named, make it quite special even among the top ski destinations in the U.S.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas has long been known as the primary gambling destination in the U.S., and there’s a chance that it may actually become less unique in this regard. Sports betting is currently being legalized in many more states, and there’s every chance casino gaming will follow. Meanwhile, Nevada itself is also considering accepting wagers from outside the state, which could decrease the need for people to actually go there. For now though, Vegas remains an unrivaled entertainment city, built on casinos but featuring so much more. Live performances, sporting events and concerts, five-star restaurants, casinos, spas, shops, bars, clubs, pools…. It’s all there, in decadent abundance, and beneath millions of flashing lights. There really isn’t a place like it in the world.

Portland, Oregon

It’s a little bit harder to describe Portland’s uniqueness, or to define it with any single feature. It is essentially just a very pleasant city, embodying the spirit of the Pacific Northwest region and in close proximity to gorgeous scenery. It’s also seen as a very progressive city however, as seen in everything from its having led the charge toward craft breweries that has since swept the U.S., to having an expansive layout of biking paths in order to persuade people to be environmentally responsible. There’s just a culture to the place that is unlike most of the rest of the country.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Many don’t realize it, but Puerto Rico is very much a part of the U.S. – though it has not yet been granted statehood. Puerto Ricans are Americans, and in a sense this makes San Juan one of America’s most interesting cities. It is arguably the premier colonial city on the Caribbean islands, and that’s saying something. Remnants of historical occupation are among its most striking sights, and yet the city also has a vibrant modern culture, not to mention easy access to beautiful Caribbean beaches and inland forests. Some may be under the impression, from the international news, that traveling to Puerto Rico would be inadvisable given that it was largely devastated by a hurricane in 2017. However, for those interested, there are actually arguments that tourism can help, which in a way makes San Juan more appealing than ever!

Silvassa, the capital city of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is a popular weekend getaway for most travelers around southern parts of Gujarat. But that doesn’t mean people like me, who live in Ahmedabad don’t visit the place often. It is one of my family’s favorite destinations, when we need a quick break from city life, or if there’s a long weekend without much to do. So a few weeks ago, a few of my cousins and I planned a weekend retreat in this beautiful town, sandwiched between the edges of Maharashtra and Gujarat. We had undertaken short treks to Silvassa and around, but never to just roam around, like a typical tourist. On this trip, we changed that routine and explored Silvassa like a tourist. We availed of the best and most reliable Ahmedabad taxi service for the entire trip, including travel. It was quite reasonable and the cabbie was also a nice guy who helped us explore the place better. 

Silvassa Through the Eyes of a Tourist

The Indo-Portuguese town is perhaps the only remaining traces of Portuguese history in Gujarat. The place derived its name from the Portuguese word ‘silva’ which means ‘wood’ and with its ample wooded areas, (probably more in those days), the moniker made sense. Most of the crowd we found at the resort we stayed at, were weekend travelers from neighboring cities, like us, and a few tourists who were exploring the place for the first time. There was not much to do at the resort, except drink and be merry.

Despite recent industrial intervention and rampant modern constructions, the town has managed to preserve its heritage in its architectural splendors like the church of Our Lady of Piety. The early 19th-century church is definitely a must-visit attraction, and we wondered why and how we missed it earlier. The beautiful archways and the serene ambiance made it more exquisite to roam around or take a moment to sit and absorb the peace.

Silvassa Tribal Museum

The town has a rich history of Indo-Portuguese culture, and all of it is preserved at the Silvassa Tribal Museum. And if you are visiting Silvassa for the first time, definitely check this off from your ‘must-see’ list. Although not too expansive, the museum housed prominent instances and antique collections from the days of Portuguese rule. It sat right at the center of the city, so people can easily access it from any corner. There were hunting weapons, jewelry, fare from ancient merchants, and many utility items the locals used in those days. There were also wax models of daily life scenes of tribal villages and the influence of foreign rule. One of the sets that caught my attention was the exorcism of a village woman, which seemed to be a common practice (and shockingly it still is many parts of the country). The museum will also expose you to the local tribal community, who once occupied this town in large numbers. Now, most of them have adapted to the modern, urban life, moved on to become a part of the mainstream population. It didn’t take too long to explore the small museum, but I was fascinated by the collection of old photographs, paintings, and a lot of artifacts.

The Greener Patches

One of the things, which I had noticed in my earlier trips as well, was the dedication to beautifying the city with gardens and natural enclaves. Take the Hirwa Van Gardens for instance. The lush greenery, surrounded by roaring waterfalls make for a lovely spot for a picnic, or for solo travelers to sit and read or take a walk through the wooded areas. Then there is Dudhni Lake. It is a little outside the town, at about a 40Km drive. It is a huge lake, but more like a tourist-oriented community with small resorts and boating options. We took a boat ride and could feel the fresh monsoon air filling our sore city lungs.

A day of Safari

The entire state of Gujarat is rich in wildlife, and no matter where you go, you will find something that would intrigue you. While Silvassa is no Gir Forest, it still stands proud with its lion habitat at the Vasona forests. It is no sanctuary or an open zoo, but a raw, untended patch of forested lands, where you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. This was our next day’s agenda. Thankfully, we had managed to get a car on rent in Ahmedabad with an experienced driver so we could easily tour the area without much ado. Also, our cabbie knew where to spot the wild cats. There are also safari tours in Jeep/Tempo Traveler, depending on what you opt for. We spotted three lions, who seemed more scared than we should have been.

And thus, our weekend came to a quick end. Who would have thought that a place we had frequented so many times earlier will present itself in a completely new way if only we change our agenda! 

Author
Neha Singh is a full-time writer cum blogger with a keen interest in making friends and penning articles on any topic under the sun. She believes in living life to the fullest, and is on a constant lookout for new skills that she can acquire.