Things to See in USA

Huge and often overwhelming, The Smithsonian encompasses 14 museums and galleries in DC alone. The two big drawcards are the Museum of National History and the Air and Space Museum, but leave time to explore the Asian art of the Freer Gallery, and marvel at the earnest patriotism of the Museum of American History.

Cleveland's top attraction, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum is more than a collection of memorabilia, though it does have Janis Joplin's psychedelic Porsche and Ray Charles' sunglasses. Interactive multimedia exhibits trace the history and social context of rock music and the performers who created it.

Misty sprays and the majestic scale of this roaring cascade make it a marvellous spectacle. Split between New York and Canada, the Canadian side of the Falls has the more stunning views (as well as a strip of Vegas-like attractions including a towering casino), while the New York side has a handful of low-key, natural-park offerings.

Carved 18m (60ft) tall in the granite of a Black Hills outcrop, the stony faces of past presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, look like they're emerging from the mountain. One of the most famous images in the USA, Mt Rushmore is visited by over 3 million visitors a year.

The majority of the Black Hills' attractions lie within a 1875-sq-mile mixture of protected and logged forest, perforated by pockets of private land along most roads. The best way to explore is on any of the 568km (353mi) of hiking trails or along the many scenic byways and gravel 'fire roads'. Good camping abounds in the forest.

This great statue is an American icon and New York's best-known landmark. Unfortunately, visitor experience has been significantly marred by post-September 11 concerns. You can no longer go up into the body of the statue, just glimpse it from the base, where a specially designed glass ceiling lets you look up into the striking interior.

This enormous gem of a park right in the middle of Manhattan is for many what makes New York liveable and lovable. The park's 843 acres were set aside in 1856 on the marshy northern fringe of the city. The landscaping was innovative in its naturalistic style, with forested groves, meandering paths and informal ponds.

This fascinating museum explores the history of voodoo, the exotic form of spiritual expression first brought to New Orleans by West African slaves who came on ships via Haiti. Live out all your spell-casting fantasies. It is still operational post-Hurricane Katrina, but call ahead for tours.

This sprawling campus presents triple delights: a respectable art collection (Renaissance to David Hockney), the fabulous architecture of Richard Meier and beautiful gardens. On clear days, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of city and ocean.

The name itself evokes all that is harsh and hellish - a lifeless place hotter than Satan's hoof. Well, not quite. Closer inspection reveals Death Valley as a timeless medley of canyons, sand dunes, oases and sculpted mountains. Bring plenty of water for yourself and your vehicle. Wildflower groupies will want to visit in March and April.

HI-AYH runs about 125 hostels in the US. Reservations are accepted and advised during the high season. If you're in the US, you can reserve most affiliated hostels through the central booking service; you need the hostel's access code, which is listed online and in the HI-AYH handbook.

The Adventure Cycling Association is the best point of contact for two wheel junkies visiting the US. They organise tours for cyclists, sell great bike routes and they also publish the Adventure Cyclist Magazine.

A national network of private campgrounds with a full range of facilities.

An excellent website with many links for disabled travellers.

Offers advice on medical issues and referrals to clinics throughout the country.

Advises disabled travellers on mobility issues and runs an educational exchange program.

A national hotline for help, counselling, information and referrals.

Visa office situated around the corner from the embassy, at 19 Observatory Circle NW.