USA Archives

One of many witches in Salem, Massachusetts.

A first time visitor’s guide to Salem, Massachusetts

Planning a trip to Salem, Massachusetts? From witch trials to maritime history, here is my essential guide for first-time visitors to Witch City. What makes Salem unique? In 1692, Salem went very dark indeed. The strange behaviour of a few children descended into a blizzard…

Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide (2026)

Discover maritime history at the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum. Check 2026 ticket prices, hours, and tips for a family-friendly adventure. When I first walked past this building on Whitehead Street, Key West, what struck me was how deliberately theatrical it looked. The facade of…

Kayaks lined up by the Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga.

Is there a direct flight from Los Angeles to the Cook Islands?

Covid put paid to Air New Zealand’s direct weekly Los Angeles to Rarotonga flight. What’s the best route to the Cook Islands from the Northern Hemisphere now? The direct flight from Los Angeles to Rarotonga I am fortunate enough to have been to the Cook…

Plan your visit to Mary Todd Lincoln House: Opening hours, ticket prices and parking

First time visiting Mary Todd Lincoln House? This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, parking, accessibility, and how to get there. History and overview of Mary Todd Lincoln House Mary Todd Lincoln House in Lexington, Kentucky was built between 1803 and 1806 and originally served…

The Tiffany glass dome inside the Chicago Cultural Center's Preston Bradley Hall.

Preston Bradley Hall: The Tiffany Dome at Chicago’s most underrated attraction

Visit Preston Bradley Hall inside the Chicago Cultural Center to see the world's largest Tiffany Glass Dome and the surrounding, intricate glass and mother-of-pearl mosaics. Chicago brims with top quality attractions. The public art in Millennium Park (including Cloud Gate) has become legendary, the Art…

Five reasons to route your flights via Dallas

Route your flight via Dallas to visit the JFK assassination site at Dealey Plaza, explore Southfork Ranch, and experience the cowboy culture at Billy Bob’s and the Fort Worth Stockyards. The worst big US city? Of the big US cities I’ve visited, Dallas is my…

Plan your visit to Miller Park Zoo: Opening hours, ticket prices and parking

The Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, Illinois offers a wide range of animal habitats, indoor and outdoor, and is well suited for a relaxed but engaging family outing. Below are all the practical details first-time visitors need to know: how to book, verified opening hours,…

Lion statue outside the Art Institute of Chicago.

Do I need to buy Art Institute of Chicago tickets in advance?

Do you need to buy Art Institute of Chicago tickets in advance? Booking ahead is recommended to avoid long lines, but the museum rarely sells out. Art Institute of Chicago visitor numbers The Art Institute of Chicago is justifiably one of Chicago’s top attractions and…

The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle, California.

Inside Hearst Castle, California: The most expensive home ever built

Discover Hearst Castle, California: William Randolph Hearst's extravagant mountaintop retreat featuring Mediterranean architecture and priceless art. Hearst Castle, in summary Hearst Castle is arguably the world’s most extravagant private home, overlooking California’s coast. It was the pet project of William Randolph Hearst, a publishing tycoon…

Route 66 sign in West Hollywood, California.

West Hollywood – the gay capital of Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, the small independent city of West Hollywood has an unusual back story and a penchant for partying under the rainbow flag. Santa Monica Boulevard On Santa Monica Boulevard, a sign says: “Car wash to the stars”. It is underneath a billboard advertising,…