United States are one of the most important countries in the world. This huge land has everything from tropical beaches, desserts and prairies to thick pine forests and is home to some of the biggest metropolises in the world. America is inhabited by interesting people that are creating the culture which is being spread around the world 24/7 by the powerful US media and Hollywood. Some of these places and festivals you probably saw already on TV, which makes this list even more interesting.

Demolition Derby Madness

These motorsports events will take you directly to the heart of the American consumerist culture. Everybody knows that in United States having a car is almost necessary and that each year thousands of older models get scraped, some other old models are becoming the main stars of events like these, where drivers are ramming them into each other in an attempt to make other driver’s vehicle totaled.

All this is usually followed by large amounts of beer and snacks that crowds consume during the show. The mad, turbocharged atmosphere might be a little scary in the beginning, but only for a few minutes after which you adjust to the right frequency.

Take Me To The Ball Game

Another typical American pastime. If you are not to familiar with baseball, try to watch some of the famous baseball movies before visiting the States and learn typical slang that comes with this sport, so you can engage a conversation with other fans about the game. You can also bring a foam hand, home or away team jersey or cap and try to catch the fly ball.

If you decide to go on a baseball game you should first pick the stadium with a good atmosphere and the teams you want to watch. Dodgers stadium in LA can be very interesting. One of the biggest rivals of LA Dodgers are LA Angels of Anaheim, and Dodgers vs Angels games are known for the great atmosphere which is nicknamed the Freeway Series, after New York’s Subway Series, and since stadiums of these two rival teams are connected by interstate 5.

Find Out Who You Are, Than Take It One Step Further

Black Rock Desert in Nevada is home to one of the most famous and the most controversial festivals on Earth- the Burning Man. This festival started in the weirdest possible way, when Lee Harvey and Jerry James burned a 8 feet tall wooden man effigy on the Baker Beach in San Francisco. They described their actions as “spontaneous act of self-expression” and since then tens of thousands of people come to Nevada on Labor Day to spontaneously express themselves. Some other words that follow this effigy burning festival are: community, art, and radical self-reliance. During the week of the festival all these individuals live, breathe, and eat as one and all of their creative energy is united in a big bone fire event.

Appalachian Trail

This hiking trail goes through some of the most interesting parts of eastern United States, and it takes people far from the comfort of NYC. Becoming a thru-hiker on your first trip to United States will definitely make you proud of yourself and it will enable you to see parts of this country that you can rarely spot on popular TV. Awe inspiring scenery and interesting flora and fauna are trademarks of this 2,200 miles long mountain road. You should also be aware of brown bears, deer ticks and poison ivy, but stay open for close and personal encounters with less dangerous animals and interesting people who live along the trail.

Get Your Kicks on the Route 66

This route goes through the heart of real America and it is the most famous historical road route in the whole world. The old road starts in Chicago and ends up in California while going through many interesting locations from Amarillo, Texas where roadtrippers can try to eat 72 oz beef steak to Barstow, California where “drugs began to take hold… and huge bats, are swooping, screeching and diving around cars”. On this road you’re also going to see a lot of artifacts of old and long gone America, from old water towers to almost deserted gas stations and road-side bars.

Concrete jungles may have their monumental sky-scraping beauty, their ever-changing culture, and as life bustles between the streets of a city, day and night, this cultivated environment can eventually feed up and bore its citizens, because what we truly feel connected to is nature and all her wilderness. So if you want to unwind, get yourself in tune with your senses and surroundings, an open road can get you anywhere, and Australia is full of places to visit, landscapes to behold. All you need is a good car, a spare tire and, let’s face it, a decent amount of fuel, because this continent is vast. Since travelling cleanses the soul, here are some of the most rewarding driving experiences Australia can offer…

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This coastal route lives up to the reputation as one of the greatest areas to drive by and relish the natural scene. The 12 Apostles stand like sculptured static giants, as they stick out from the coast to greet the passers-by. Alongside beautiful beaches, there are also countless historic shipwrecks, magnificent rainforests and places to grab some good food and relax.

Road from Sydney to Melbourne

Simply follow the ocean between these two populated urban zones and you will find yourself passing through a string of coastal towns, rich with turquoise colored lagoons on one side of the road and lush preserved national parks on the other. This region is full of fishing spots, birdlife, Aboriginal culture, camping spots and wild scenery, as kangaroos pose for photographing, especially at Pebbly Beach.

The Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia

You will definitely need a four-wheel-drive vehicle for this adventure if you plan on abandoning the highway, because the road to Perth, or should I say – all the way to the shores of the Indian Ocean, is an expanse that’s dry and harsh for newly-bred adventurers. Bear in mind, this is not entirely a desert, but series of plateaus covered with bluebush and wedge-tailed eagles that soar the skies.

The Heritage Highway, Tasmania

Way down south, on the island of Tasmania, between Hobart and Launceston are a series of stone villages, emitting an old atmosphere in the lovely green countryside. Excellent local food can be found here, even though, historically speaking, this region was established and built by convicted gangs and criminals who preyed and looted on these highways.

The Alpine Way, New South Wales

If you ever wanted to camp among wombats and wallabies near the Snowy River, this is the place! The hills of Corryong in Victoria are an alpine sight to behold, especially when the snow melts and spring awakens nature from its slumber. Then you can ride mountain bikes to hurtle through the scenery, or grab a good walking stick to explore the forest trails by foot.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

You can board a ferry with your car from Adelaide to reach this island full of wild animals – kangaroos (obviously), fur seals, penguins, koalas, etc. Alongside remarkable flora and fauna in Flinders Chase National Park, you can also visit rock formations which have been sculpted by wind-erosion. This is where nature is kept in its most pristine state, so explore its beauty at your leisure.

Great Alpine Road, Victoria

From Wangaratta you can embark this trip on a previously used railway track, which is now a haven for bicyclists and reach valleys full of wineries and alpacas. Up on Mount Buffalo you can mount a horse to witness the specific rock formations and waterfalls, while at the bottom, along Ovens Rover you can find many local breweries.

Uluru to Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Now this is a real treat, because if you want to cross this red earth with your car, you should supply yourself for a multi-day drive. Make sure to choose from wide variety of tyres if you ever wish to challenge yourself on the road. This journey starts off at Alice Springs, in the middle of the continent, and for five days you can stop at old towns and ancient sites where Aboriginal art is displayed on the rock walls. Also, watch out for wild camels, because they can pop out of nowhere along the route.

Grand Pacific Drive, New South Wales

Not far from Sydney, you can find the Royal National Park if you follow this route. Beautiful beaches, white sands, blooming blowholes at Kiama, cliffs and mesmerising lookouts. Nothing could be more perfect, since this raw nature is really close to an urban jungle and doesn’t require much strain and preparation to get there.

I’m sure you’re pretty much familiar with all of these locations, but words can never fully describe what eyes can witness. So prepare your car, or rent an appropriate one if terrain requires such conditions and go get your lifetime experience. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the natural beauty Australia possesses, since it’s undisputedly, without much needed discussion, one of the leading continents in terms of biodiversity and uniqueness.