By Pamela Nandi | Apr 24, 2020

Was very nervous about my first international trip. It is my first time boarding a flight and travelling all alone internationally to the United States for a work assignment, with more than 17–18 hours of travel. I still remember that day when I landed at Newark international airport, United States – my first port of entry and post clearing my customs and immigration, it was a different world altogether. Indeed, I have always dreamt about travelling and work overseas.

MY ARRIVAL: Flew from the city of Mumbai, India to Amsterdam by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (one STOP flight duration of 9 hrs 30 mins) that transits through Schiphol Airport at Amsterdam and then the final stop from Amsterdam to Newark (flight duration of 8 hrs 30 mins). Checked-in to the CLARION HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER CHERRY HILL arranged by my employer at Cherry Hill during the late afternoon.

For the first few months, I stayed at CLARION HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER CHERRY HILL and then moved to my apartment. Cherry Hill, a township in Camden County, New Jersey, one of South Jersey’s most popular family homes located on the edge of Philadelphia, across the Delaware River.

The first thing that I wanted was to explore the neighbourhoods of Cherry Hill, the capital of United States – Washington, DC, major Atlantic Coast cities, the global finance and culture centre – New York. Getting around in the United States was a bit challenging for me as I don’t know driving and have to rely on public transport or my colleagues were so kind and took me on a road trip for sightseeing. Unfortunately, I missed making a trip to the West Coast of the United States during my stay that is famed for the best scenic landscapes.

Excited to share my experience during my stay in this vast country covering 50 states.

DESTINATION 1 : ATLANTIC CITY

Visited this awe-inspiring resort city on New Jersey’s Atlantic coast multiple times during the weekend with my colleagues, which is very close to Cherry Hill that is known for its novelty-specific attractions like the casinos. While the casinos dominate the city’s skyline, its wide beaches and bustling boardwalk are the other major attractions too.

MY ARRIVAL: Boarded the train – NJ Transit from CherryHill station to Atlantic City (1 hour 7 min) ride.

TIPS: You may avail the long-distance Amtrak train that daily commutes to Atlantic City.

If you’re not a gambler at heart, then come and hit the beach and also the prime-spot of water sports.

The iconic boardwalk connects the hotels and casinos, making it a big gambling destination.

There’s no better place for family fun than the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum showcasing more than 400 odd exhibits. A place for MUST VISIT.

Explored the vibrant beauty of the casino interiors and they are breathtaking.

DESTINATION 2: NEW YORK CITY

World’s buzzing commercial, financial heart, brimming with towering skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building, home to Wall Streets, iconic sights and bustling sidewalks sitting at the meeting point of Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean, created a great impression in my mind. Yes, it is one of the most epic cities in the world – New York City, that fuels America’s capitalist engine.

New York City Tour

MY ARRIVAL: Pre-booked a full-day tour from Starr Tours over the weekend with the option for pick-up and drop off from the Cherry Hill inclusive of admission with tickets for the attractions.

The first sightseeing was to explore the United Nations, headquartered in New York City, built by the architectural firm Harrison & Abramovitz built-in 1952.

Our next stop was to discover the fascinating history of this national historic landmark – the century-old hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge and the pride of the New York City – the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge. Simply astonished with its marvellous and phenomenal views.

Downtown Brooklyn is the-third largest central business district in New York City, that stands out creating its world-class skyline and waterfront developments.

Another scenic spot that is a must for first-time visitors is the New York Harbor, part of the Port of New York and New Jersey, one of the largest natural harbours in the world that forms the gateway to the most densely populated borough – Manhattan, where the immigrants all started to arrive in the 1600s.

Relaxing the cruise in the Hudson or the New York harbour is the best way to explore the glittering skyline and all other iconic Manhattan landmarks and Brooklyn – a quintessential New York experience.

TIPS: Board New York Water Taxi, NYC’s popular hop-on, hop-off sightseeing ferry either from Hudson or the New York harbour.

Don’t miss this immersive experience without visiting this world-famous landmark 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in midtown Manhattan – the Empire State Building designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and completed in 1931 that stands 1,454 feet tall, including its antenna.

My visit to the USA would have remained incomplete without exploring the wonders of the world at Ellis Island and Liberty Island.

Ellis Island

MY ARRIVAL: Visited this place with my colleague and his family. Thankful to them for taking me along. My colleague took the trip by road, a 1.5-hour drive from Cherry Hill, New Jersey to the Liberty State Park located at Jersey City on New Jersey. Parked his car at the Liberty State Park and we all boarded the ferry from the Old Pier dock at Jersey City to arrive first at Ellis Island and then Liberty Island.

TIPS: Arrive at any of the point of departure, Battery Park NY or Liberty State Park NJ to board the ferry and take a full-day tour to Ellis Island and Liberty Island.

Liberty State Park opened in 1976, located on Upper New York Bay in Jersey City. The park has a lot to offer – dramatic views of the Manhattan skyline and the best view of the Statue of Liberty.

Boarded the ferry from Old Pier dock to see the highlights and disembarked at the first stop – Ellis Island. An informative commentary on the history and people that have shaped New York City was available also.

Our first halt was to discover the intriguing history of millions of immigration to America at Ellis Island Immigration Museum that took place here between 1892 and 1954 in Ellis Island.

After reaching Ellis Island, explored the place deeper by wandering around the Great Hall and taking a look through the exhibits that explain further about the 12 million people that passed through here. The best possible way, Americans can trace their ancestry here.

Statue of Liberty

Hopped back on the same ferry and cruised over to Liberty Island to explore the history of the famous icon of freedom – the statue of Lady Liberty.

Liberty Island is a federally owned island in Upper New York Bay that features the living symbol of freedom to millions around the world. Named after the Roman Goddess Libertas, “The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World” – a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States, designed by the French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi in 1886 that stands tall on the 12 acres of the island. Explored the grounds at Liberty Island, but unfortunately, the observation decks located at the pedestal of the statue was closed for the day.

We wrapped up the day at Liberty State Park gorging on some views of NYC in the dark from Jersey City.

DESTINATION 3 : OCEAN CITY MARYLAND

There’s no better place to spend a dream staycation with my colleague and his family in Ocean City, Maryland. A Mid-Atlantic state, east coast’s most popular vacation spots, defined by its abundant waterways and beautiful coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean.

MY ARRIVAL: My colleague and his family drove from Cherry Hill to Maryland and the road trip took about 2 hours 15 min.

A beach getaway that offers a vast range of recreational opportunities swimming, sunbathing, surf fishing, boating, deep-sea fishing, surfing, skimboarding, dolphin watching, beachcombing etc.

MY STAY: Clarion Clarion Resort Fontainebleau, the beachfront property with scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and offers other resort-style amenities and services at affordable rates.

DESTINATION 4: PHILADELPHIA

Philadelphia, my nearest and the most visited neighbourhood from Cherry Hill during the sunny weekends with my colleagues. Also known colloquially as Philly, Pennsylvania’s largest city and the sixth-most populous U.S. city, that is notable for its rich history.

MY ARRIVAL: Boarded the bus – NJ Transit from CherryHill, stop which is about a 30 mins ride to Philadelphia.

Its was always wonderful taking a stroll through the Philly streets, admired its historical structure. A superb destination for dining, happening place for bars, events, festivals and many more.

Wildlife lovers? Don’t miss out the Philadelphia Zoo, home to nearly 1300 animals and America‘s first zoo. Spent a day on a lazy Sunday amid the charming 42-acre Victorian garden lined by the trees  and full of interesting animals.

If you are a shopping freak, must visit this 61-story skyscraper called Liberty Place, a dome-topped retail complex with a mix of shops, services & a food court in the business district of Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is another cultural heart the exhibits the history and heritage of America’s oldest cities and 19th century Impressionism art movement.

Another attraction is the large traffic circle at 19th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway – Logan Circle, also known as Logan Square, an open-space park in Centre City with the majestic Swann Memorial Fountain.

The iconic place which sits proudly at its centre-city, that brings people together with green areas, walking paths and seatings is the LOVE Park, officially known as John F. Kennedy Plaza. The public park is nicknamed LOVE Park from Robert Indiana‘s famous LOVE sculpture which overlooks the plaza.

Another Centre City’s most popular outdoor relaxing spots is Rittenhouse Square. A gorgeous landmark with the famed and trendy public park and pathways to navigate. One of five original squares in Philadelphia, with fashionable neighbourhoods that boasts high-end shops and an array of eateries.

DESTINATION 5: WASHINGTON, DC

Another eclectic neighbourhood is Washington, formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as D.C., the U.S. capital, located on the Potomac River, in the borders of the states of Maryland and Virginia. A city that boasts neoclassical monuments, memorials, eclectic neighbourhoods, iconic buildings like the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court. It’s also the home to iconic museums and performing-arts venues such as the Kennedy Centre, great dining, and fun-filled outdoor activities.

MY ARRIVAL: Thankful to my colleague and his family for taking me with them to explore Washington, DC. Took a road trip from Cherry Hill, New Jersey to the Green Belt Metro Station, Washington DC which was about 2 hours 30 mins drive. My colleague parked his car at the Green Belt Metro Station and we all boarded the Washington metro from the Green Belt Metro Station which took about 45 min to reach the centre of Washington DC.

TIP: Plan your trip by checking in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the cheapest way to explore Washington, DC.

Took a tour to explore this historic building, the United States Capitol, often called the Capitol Building, which is the home of the United States Congress, located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington on a plateau 88 feet above the level of the Potomac River.

The White House was the next stop, the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States, since John Adams in 1800. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the cornerstone was laid by George Washington in 1792.

Right next to the White House, stands the grand marble structure The Organization of American States (OAS), a multilateral regional organization founded on 30 April 1948, for political discussion, policy analysis and decision-making to promote economic, military and cultural cooperation among its member’s states within the Western Hemisphere.

Can’t miss to visiting, one of the most beloved American monuments – The Lincoln Memorial built-in 1922 to honour the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, located on the western end of the National Mall, right opposite to the Washington Monument. The site has witnessed enormous famous speeches.

The Washington Monument is an obelisk on the National Mall was built to honour George Washington, the first President of the United States.

Another memorial of national significance, located in the heart of the National Mall is The World War II Memorial, dedicated to 16 million members of the American Armed Forces who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II.

Our next stop was The American Red Cross National Headquarters, built between 1915 and 1917, a memorial to honour women who served in the American Civil War.

To get the best views of the noted landmarks – monuments and buildings, you may board a leisurely short cruise to glide down the Potomac River.

Another attraction of Washington, DC is the Smithsonian Institution, also known Smithsonian. A group of museums and research centres founded in 1846, “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge” administered by the Government of the United States.

TIPS: It has free admission and is open 364 days a year, except Christmas Day.

Catch a glimpse of the 1903 Wright Flyer and experience the world of aviation and space at the flagship building National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall.

Highlights include aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, rockets, and other flight-related artifacts.

The National Museum of Natural History is another premier attraction in Washington, located on the National Mall, to invoke discovery and education of the natural world. Highlights include the 45.5-carat Hope Diamond, Ocean Hall, Hall of Human Origins, National Fossil Hall, Egyptian mummies, Daily tarantula feedings in the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, Butterfly Pavilion.

If you are in the mood to savour authentic Chinese delicacies or take a stroll through a small, historic area east of downtown of Washington, then visit Chinatown is a must. The entrance is marked by a traditional Chinese gate arching over H Street known as the Friendship Gate is the home to just a few hundred Chinese residents.

Happy Journey !!!