Whether your passion is food, history, art, or the great outdoors, you’ll find these United States shore excursions packed with choices.
In Alaska, the sky’s the limit. Near historic Skagway, soar over forests and mountains aboard a helicopter, then land on a glacier for the adrenaline rush of driving a team of husky dogs across the ice. Get up close to the blue-white face of the mighty Hubbard Glacier and watch in awe as vast chunks calve off with a sound like rumbling thunder. From Juneau, fly over the massive Juneau Icefield to the historic Taku Glacier Lodge for a salmon feast accompanied by drinks cooled by glacier ice.
In Astoria, Oregon, you could pedal along the shore of the wide Columbia River, stopping to sample the tasty wares of a local market. From San Francisco, visit brooding Alcatraz Island, or head across the sweep of the Golden Gate Bridge to bohemian Sausalito and the mighty redwoods of Muir Woods. Further south, the scenery around Monterey is jaw-droppingly beautiful; take a tour along 17-Mile Drive for magnificent coastal views, stopping to browse the galleries and cafés of pretty Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Outdoors lovers will be seduced by the rugged beauty of Catalina Island, where you can hike, explore the kelp forests of the underwater world, or head into the island’s wild interior in search of bison, fox, and bald eagles. Gourmands, meanwhile, should join the Little Italy food and wine tour in San Diego for a deep dive into Italian cuisine and wine, finishing with delicious gelato.
Food plays a starring role in East Coast excursions, where the lobster is abundant and the creativity of local chefs knows no bounds. In Portland, Maine, you could feast on lobster rolls and fresh-baked apple pie, or delve into the town’s culinary scene on a foodie walking tour.
From Bar Harbor, explore the wild coastline and forested mountains of Acadia National Park, or take a cruise along the coast past five of Maine’s most historic lighthouses and the waterfront summer homes of the wealthy. There’s more architecture to admire further south in Newport, Rhode Island. Take a tour to gaze at historic mansions and learn about the secrets they conceal, or go on a walking tour through the center of town to admire grand colonial buildings.
Charleston, South Carolina, is another city with stories to tell. Let a local guide regale you with spooky tales of the city’s ghosts, or join a Patriots and Pirates excursion to learn more about the turbulent past of the Deep South. Step back in time to the late 17th century at atmospheric Boone Hall Plantation, where you can learn more about the poignant times of the slave trade and explore the gardens. One thing’s for sure; you’ll return home from your cruise with memories galore.
