The Best Things to Do in the US
Let us guide you through your next great American adventure.
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If your heart starts racing at the thought of adventuring through the Colorado mountains, pounding the pavements in Manhattan, and discovering the best clam chowder in the States, we’ve got your next holiday plans covered. We’ve made this list of the best things to do in the US with the same discerning eye as we use to curate our Plum Guide homes, so you know you’re in for a good trip.
Fort Collins, Colorado
Take the ultimate road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
Grab your car keys and make sure you’ve got a good driving playlist, because top of our list of the best things to do in the US has to be travelling through the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. If you can get your mitts on a convertible, even better – put the top down and feel the sea breeze whip through your hair as you take in some of the USA’s most gorgeous coastlines. Otherwise, roll the window down and prepare to discover the weird, the wonderful and everything in between. Some of the highlights along the route include the ostentatious Hearst Castle, a fairytale home built by a newspaper tycoon where wild zebras roam the grounds; Monterey Bay, which will be familiar to fans of HBO’s Big Little Lies and has a great aquarium to boot; and beachside shacks like Splash Cafe in Pismo, which has been serving up their legendary clam chowder to windswept surfers since 1989. Take your time, and stay for a few nights to soak up the ocean views and atmosphere in one of Plum’s beautiful homes along the way – this one is just outside Malibu, offering a peaceful respite from the road.
The Drifter, Plum Guide home in Malibu, California
Escape to the mountains of Colorado
There’s only one place for skiing in the US, if you ask us, and that’s the rugged mountain ranges that buckle and stretch through the state of Colorado. If you’re the kind to set your sights higher than even the lofty perches of Vail and Aspen, we think Breckenridge is your best bet; elevated almost 3,000 metres at the base of the Rockies Tenmile range, it’s a bustling ski town where you’ll have to get up early to be the first one on the snow. If even the bunny slopes are too intimidating, there’s plenty to do in Breckenridge that doesn’t involve hurling yourself down a mountain. Explore the painted houses in the Historic District, which tells the story of the town’s origins as a remote mining community, or enjoy a non-traditional apres-ski with a visit to Breckenridge Distillery which claims to be the world’s highest distillery. We can’t say whether that’s true or not, but the whiskey is good; take a bottle back to your Plum home on the mountain and enjoy a drink with your travelling companions as you watch the sun go down.
Rocky Mountain High, Plum Guide home in Colorado
Enjoy seaside sophistication in the Hamptons
At Plum, we value the finer things in life, and anything less than perfect simply won’t do –which is why only 3% of houses pass our scrupulous home examination. We’re equally picky when it comes to choosing where to go on our holidays, but one place that meets even our exacting standards is the Hamptons. Spending a leisurely week or so on the coast is amongst our favourite things to do in the US, and we think you’ll love the rose-strewn homes and grand mansions we’ve discovered hidden around the area. It may be where the elite of America summer, but put aside all thoughts of snobbery and embrace the relaxed nature of life on the shore. There’s plenty to do in the Hamptons, from lounging on the beaches (we like Cupsogue Beach County Park for a step off the beaten track) to admiring the works of the artistic husband-and-wife duo at the Pollock-Krasner House and Studio. And of course, one thing you absolutely must do is try the seafood – the maritime menu at chic Bell & Anchor never disappoints.
A Faithful Friend, Plum Guide home in The Hamptons
Explore New York
It would be remiss of us to compile a list of the best things to do in the US without recommending you visiting the Big Apple, so here it is. We suggest taking at least a week to properly explore the city but even if you only have a few days, the magic of New York is still more than worth experiencing. Our diligent home critics have found possibly the city’s coolest home (a refurbished church, yes please) in the coolest neighbourhood (Williamsburg, of course) for you to use as a base as you explore the boutiques, bars, and brunches of Brooklyn. This city has more culture than the bottle of kombucha you’ve just bought from the hippest cafe on the street – perhaps you’ll spend a day admiring the Warhols and Mondrians in the MoMA, catching a Broadway matinee, or delving for vintage treasures in the East Village. But let’s not pretend we’re too cool for the most touristy of attractions; there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a quick selfie in Times Square, or heading to the Statue of Liberty for that classic view of the city skyline. Maybe the tourist t-shirts are right – we don’t know about you, but we definitely heart NY.
Organ Pipes, Plum Guide home in New York
