President Trump’s recent decision to ban those from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States has sparked protests the world over.
Whether the ban affects them personally or not, people have taken to the streets to express their opposition to the controversial policy.
The current unrest may prompt some British holidaymakers to rethink their travel plans for this year, preferring to avoid the US if possible.
The States has many incredible tourist attractions, both natural and manmade – however, there are other options to be found if you look hard enough.
Express.co.uk reveals some of the best alternatives to America’s most popular tourist spots.
New York City
It’s one of the most popular cities in the world, with visitors flocking in their millions every year. Offering art, museums, fine dining and world-class architecture, New York City is irreplaceable. However, there are other modern cities to try instead.
Alternatives
Singapore has incredible restaurants, rooftop bars and off-beat attractions such as a huge biodome growing tropical plantlife. Meanwhile, Sydney in Australia boasts its much-loved harbour with the iconic Sydney Opera House, plus the arched Harbour Bridge and Royal Botanic Garden. It even has an equivalent to New York’s popular High Line – Sydney’s Skywalk offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs. Finally, Toronto, Canada, is a dynamic metropolis with a skyline of soaring skyscrapers, the biggest being the iconic CN Tower. It also has many green spaces to rival Central Park, including the 400-acre High Park with its trails, sports facilities and zoo.
Los Angeles
This mecca for all things celebrity is the centre of the US’s film and television industry. It boasts the famous Hollywood sign and all the major studios, plus plenty of gorgeous beaches.
Alternatives
Nothing can truly mimic LA, but if it’s warm weather, sandy beaches and Hollywood stars you’re after, the French city of Cannes might be the answer. At least, for 10 days out of the year. Visit during the Cannes Film Festival and you can brush elbows with the stars and work on your tan. This year’s event runs from 17 to 28 May.
Las Vegas
The gambling wild card of the United States, there is nowhere quite like Las Vegas. Set in the middle of the desert, this outrageous party town combines sizzling heat with 24-hour casinos and over-the-top architecture. Along the strip visitors can see a replica Eiffel Tower, Venetian Grand Canal and Egyptian pyramids.
Alternatives
It may be unique, but it doesn’t have a monopoly on gambling-fuelled fun. The Macau Region in China is nicknamed the “Las Vegas of Asia” – and for good reason. Across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong, it boasts 18 casinos along the Cotai Strip, plus amusement parks, shopping malls and bars that never close.
Hawaii
This island paradise is the 50th and most recent state to join the US. It has six main islands, known for their waterfalls, tropical foliage and beaches with volcanic sands.
Alternatives
Although beautiful, there are volcanic islands much closer to home for British holidaymakers. Spain’s Canary Islands lie off the coast of Africa, and boast year-round sun, rugged volcanic landscapes and an abundance of beaches. Visitors can choose from the better-known islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, or for the slightly smaller La Palma, La Gomera or El Hierro. For those who fancy travelling further afield, Bali, Samoa and Barbados are all good options for a taste of paradise too.
Grand Canyon
The immense Grand Canyon, with its layered bands of red rock revealing millions of years of geological history, is one of the natural wonders of the world. It attracts thousands of tourists every year who arrive simply to marvel at its vastness. As the Grand Canyon National Park says on its website: “Grand Canyon overwhelms our sense through its immense size.”
Alternatives
Those who want to experience a whopping great canyon outside of America have plenty of options. Although the Grand Canyon is the most famous canyon in the world, it is not the biggest. That title goes to the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Tibet. High in the Himalayas, this beast winds its way down to the Brahmaputra River in Northern India and is 240km long. Its average depth is 4,876m. Other alternatives include the majestic Capertee Valley in Australia and the Kali Gandaki Gorge in Nepal, which some consider the deepest canyon in the world.
