Don't even bother looking for the ?real? America because such a notion really does miss the point of this vast and varied nation. However expensive the USA's physical parameters it still manages to pack in more cultural diversity across its 50 states than many continents. Imagine spending one day reveling in the decadent tropical heat of Miami and the next bracing the arctic wilderness of Alaska then boggle at the fact that two such disparate experiences are somehow contained within the borders of one country.



Yep, it's pretty much impossible to accommodate the awe inspiring breadth of the American experience in one visit but, on the upside, this is a nation that really does have something for everyone. The only thing left for anyone considering a visit is to decide which version of America they fancy. Below is an overview of three of our favourite cities in the US, our attempt at some sort of an introduction to the many and varied possibilities:

New York

What is there to be said about New York City that hasn't already been said a thousand times? The Big Apple's reputation precedes it to such an extent that it's more or less impossible for any first time visitor to arrive with anything less than an overwhelming sense of excitable anticipation. For any other city such a burden of expectation could easily prove too much to live up to, for New York however any such fear is almost immediately dispelled. This is a city whose unique energy grabs you irresistibly, a city whose ambience is at once thrillingly familiar from a thousand movies and yet still, somehow, pulse-racingly unexpected.

Of course New York boasts a plethora of worthwhile attractions, many of which will prove hard to resist even for those determined not to succumb to the usual tourist checklist destinations. But there really is something to be said for simply absorbing this great city's invigorating hubbub rather than dashing from one photo opportunity to the next.

Chicago

You might say that Chicagoans have a bit of a chip on their collective shoulder with regards the global perception of the Windy City's ?greatness? relative to the limelight stealing metropolises on either coast. But then you can hardly blame them ? Chicago, as visitors will very quickly recognise, simply doesn't deserve the frankly rather galling ?second city? tag it's often given. In pretty much every respect this is as rewarding and wholly incomparable a city as America has to offer.

So, how does Chicago measure up in comparison with America's more frequently visited metropolitan centres (I'm talking about New York and LA by the way)? Well, it has culture by the bucket load: For a start its justly celebrated musical riches run from the legendary blues scene that gave the world the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin? Wolf and Bo Diddley (check out still thriving clubs like the Checkerboard and Lee's Unleaded Blues for an authentic taste of Chicago Blues and don't miss Blues Fest in June) to consistently innovative and soulful Jazz to more contemporary sounds (notably, Kanye West emerged from Chicago and the city plays host to a thriving Indie rock scene).

Chicago also boasts a diverse array of museums that can hold its own next to any city in the world. In particular, the Art Institute of Chicago which houses a spectacular collection that spans classical, impressionist and Modern art, and the Museum of Science and Industry are must-visit attractions.

Boston

It would be easy to characterise Boston as a city defined by its history and, hell, it does have an awful lot to offer on that front. From its origins as the puritans ?shining city on a hill? Boston (dubbed rather imposingly ?The Cradle of Liberty?) has consistently commanded a position at the forefront of America's cultural and political landscape and still exudes an undeniable gravitas.

Given this steadily acquired image one could be forgiven for imagining a city weighed down by a sense of staid historical self importance. Such off-putting preconceptions do Boston a great disservice however; visitors will find a city that is indeed rich in history, pretty green expanses and period architecture but equally overflowing with a more contemporary energy. In fact Boston is experiencing something of a cultural renaissance right now, with a thriving visual arts scene, forward thinking architectural developments and impressive new landmarks like the Institute for Contemporary Arts.