[Photos]: Brilliant British insider’s guide to sightseeing in the US

Nobody is better travelled than an airline’s cabin crew.

If anyone knows the sights to see, the coolest bars to check out, the best shops and markets to wander round and the tastiest restaurants to visit it’s them.

British Airways has been flying to the USA since 1946, so who better to offer an insider’s insight into US destinations than its crew?

Here some of them share their tips on how to get the best out of a visit stateside…

1 LOS ANGELES

See: Surfs up. Head to Santa Monica for a strole along its lively promenade, go surfing on the beach or grab a coffee and watch the world go by on Main Street. (Aran Humberstone, Cabin Services Manager. Favourite US destination: LA)

Shop: To feel like an A-Lister hit the shops on Third Street Promenade (you will always spot at least one celeb!) and soak up the impressive street entertainers. (Jane Lynch, Cabin Crew Manager. Favourite US destination: Chicago)

Kitson on Robertson Boulevard, is also a must-visit for fashion enthusiasts selling cool t-shirts, trainers and accessories. (Aran Humberstone)

Eat: Want to dine at Simon Cowell’s favourite restaurant? Head to The Ivy, off Rodeo Drive, for suprisingly affordable fare. It’s a bit like going to your Grandma’s house, with beautiful table cloths, chintzy furniture and a white picket fence outside. (Rebecca Wadsworth, Worldwide Cabin Crew. Favourite US destination: New York)

Drink: Sitting high above an old art deco building in Downtown LA you’ll find Perch. With its unobstructed views of the city’s skyline, its outdoor fireplaces and scattered fire pits, it is the perfect place to enjoy a late night cocktail. (Lucinda Boone, Cabin Crew. Favourite US destination: Miami) 

2 NEW YORK

See: Start with the obvious and take a trip up to the Top of the Rock in the Rockefeller building. The queues are shorter than the Empire State building and the views are better. (Lucinda Boone)

Shop: Flagship Manhattan department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s offer tourists a discount card giving shoppers 10 per cent off everything.  (Alison Chandler, Worldwide Cabin Crew. Favourite US destination: Chicago)

Eat: In the city that never sleeps, food is plentiful and the portions enough for even the heartiest of appetites! If you are splashing out, head to Oscar’s at the Waldorf Astoria. Alternatively, for the best pizza in the city head to Lombardi’s in Little Italy. For the best steak hop over to Peter Luger’s in Brooklyn. (Jeffrey Cannon, Cabin Services Director. Favourite US destination: Miami)

Drink: For a pre-theatre drink drop by Sardi’s in the theatre district where caricatures of celebrities line the walls of this New York institution. Alternatively, Jay Z’s sports bar, the 40/40 Club, is a great place to watch the game with wings! (Jeffrey Cannon)

3 CHICAGO

See: Spanning 319 acres of lake, Grant Park – known as Chicago’s “Front Yard” is one of the first stops on any visitor’s itinerary. During the summer months be sure to check out festivals like Lollapalooza, Blues Fest and the Taste of Chicago. (Jane Lynch)

The Willis tower (formerly known as Sears Tower) is the tallest building in Chicago and its viewing platform is a must-visit. This isn’t one for the faint hearted however, as some of the platforms jut out from the building and are made of glass. (Rebecca Wadsworth)

Shop: If you are in the mood for a shopping spree, head to the Water Tower Mall which has eight levels of shops, with everything from Michael Kors, to Hollister, to Banana Republic. (Jacinta Treanor, Cabin Services Manager. Favourite US destination: New York)

Eat: Head to The Purple Pig on the Magnificent Mile for modern, tapas style, sharing dishes. They don’t take reservations but it is well worth the wait! (James Bertenshaw, Cabin Services Manager. Favourite US destination: Austin)

A trip to Chicago wouldn’t be complete without sampling a proper deep pan pizza. Georgio’s in Crystal Lake is the best of the best. (Amy Saltmarsh, Cabin Services Manager. Favourite US destination: Phoenix)

Drink: If jazz is what you are after then Bandera on North Michigan Ave fits the bill. Shuffle up in one of the private booths with a cocktail and listen to the best live jazz bands in Chicago. (Jane Lynch)

Chicago has tons of lively watering holes but the Windy City’s best bar has to be Howl at The Moon, where musicians play modern twists on classic tracks on two baby grand pianos. (James Bertenshaw)

4 BOSTON

See: Boston has several beautiful walks but another fabulous way to get around is by boat. Book on to a Duck Tour with Flo, who is Boston’s best tour guide, with her great sense of humour and the most wonderful Bostonian accent! (Kimberley Lauf, Cabin Services Manager. Favourite US destination: Boston)

Whale watching is another must, especially between June and September when it is their mating season. It is a once in a lifetime experience. (Lucinda Boone)

 Shop: Newbury Street is great for shopping with its unique mix of high-street retailers and couture, but for the best clothing shops in the city head to Charles Street. With its cobbled streets and boutique bakeries it is the perfect place for a mid-shopping stop off. (Jane Lynch)

Eat: Legal Seafood on Boston’s waterfront is a fantastic place to eat. Relax on the roof terrace with a cold glass of wine before tucking in to the freshest fish in town. (Kimberley Lauf)

Famed worldwide as the ultimate dessert destination, Max Brenner, is the perfect place to indulge. Known for his unique chocolate inspired menus, Brenner serves chilli and cocoa dusted chips, choctails and the ever-popular ‘Brenner Burger’ to name a few. (Lucinda Boone)

Drink: For a cold pint nowhere rivals House of Blues! (Kimberley Lauf)

5 MIAMI

See: No trip to Miami would be complete without a visit to South Beach. The Art Deco architecture is stunningly preserved and in the evening there is a vibe like no other! Head to The Shoreclub Hotel for lunch. (Jeffrey Cannon)

Shop: Style it out at the Aventura Mall where you will find Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s. (Jane Lynch)

Eat: Nowhere rivals The News Cafe for brunch. Gianni Versace used to go there every day for breakfast. Alternatively, head to BNB Joint for the best burgers in Miami. ‘The Mustang Sally’ burger and the mac’n’cheese are to die for. (Amy Saltmarsh)

Drink: To experience the sights, sounds and smells of classic Miami, there’s no better place than Little Havana. Head to Casa Panza, a traditional Spanish tavern for flameco dancing and the best sangria in the city. (Jane Lynch)

6 SAN FRANCISCO

See: Take a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. After a pit stop in Sausalito catch the boat back to the bay and absorb the stunning city scape views. (Aran Humberstone)

Shop: Market Street, Westfield and Union Square are San Francisco’s mecca for shopaholics. Westfield houses a five-storey Nordstrom’s and some of the world’s largest American chains such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret. (Jane Lynch)

Eat: For award-winning pizza head to Tony’s Pizza Napoletana on Stockton St. Tony Gemignani is the 11-time winner of the World Pizza Championships in Naples and his inventive, modern pizzas include quail egg and wild robiola. (Becky Wadsworth)

Drink: To be transported back to the roaring 1920s visit The Wilson & Wilson on Jones St. Hidden within the famed prohibition-style Bourbon & Branch – one of the first pioneers in San Francisco’s craft cocktail movement – The Wilson & Wilson is themed around a detective-agency, with cocktail menus disguised as detective cases. (Sarah-Jane Gates)

7 LAS VEGAS

See: A visit to Vegas just wouldn’t be complete without a day trip to one of the Seven Wonders of the World; The Grand Canyon. It’s absolutely sublime. Additionally, for the best dressed tresses in Sin City head to ‘Color’ in Caesars Palace, the preferred salon for celebrities. (Carly Gyde, Customer Services Manager, Las Vegas)

Shop: Shopping in Vegas is unlike anywhere else. It is home to hundreds of luxury and affordable retailers and Nevada’s low sales tax makes it even more tempting to buy an extra suitcase. (Jacinta Treanor)

Eat: Breakfast at The Wynn is amazing, dinner at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris Hotel has the best views of the Bellagio fountains when they go off every 15 minutes, and it is definitely worth waiting for a table outside. BurGR, Gordon Ramsay’s take on an all American Burger, is also worth a visit. Their sweet potato fries are delicious. (Lucinda Boone)

Drink: If you want to party with the millionaires, then nowhere rivals The Bank at the Bellagio. The Hyde Bar, also in the Bellagio, is a fantastic place for a cocktail and to watch the spectacular fountain display. (Aran Humberstone)

8 SEATTLE

See: Space Needle. This landmark isn’t just so kitschy it’s cool, it’s 605 feet tall and its observation deck has the most stunning panoramic views over the city. Alternatively, hop on the Washington State ferry for a quick, cheap and fun sightseeing boat ride. Top tip: board the ferry at Pier 52, jump off at Bainbridge and walk into the little town of Winslow for a whole host of great restaurants, cafes and shops. (Kimberley Lauf)

Shop: Seattle has pockets of great shopping across the city, including Fremont, Pike Place and the University District. For the hardcore shoppers nowhere rivals the outlet malls so head to University Village and Bellevue Collection to grab a bargain. (Sarah-Jane Gates, Customer Service Manager. Favourite US destination: LA)

Eat: Brunswick & Hunt for fried chicken drizzled with honey, roasted beetroot with blue cheese and cashews and their to-die-for frozen S’more pie. (Lucinda Boone)

Drink: Get your caffeine fix at the first ever Starbucks. One of the world’s biggest brands started here in 1971 and the humble shop still possesses many of its original features. (Lucinda Boone)

9 AUSTIN

See: Austin Overtures Tour Austin Overtures Tour is a fantastic way of getting to see what the city has to offer. Ask for the guide called Phil who is brilliant. It’s about $25 a head and well worth it. This city tour takes you on a 30-mile narrated showcase of Austin’s must see places including the Texas Capitol Complex, the University of Texas and South Congress Bridge. (Alison Chandler)

Shop: South Congress Avenue is full of off-beat stores and places to eat.

The strip of South Congress just south of Lady Bird Lake sees Austinites of all types come together to enjoy Austin culture and music, peruse antique shops, dine in eclectic restaurants and food trailers and shop in vintage boutiques.  This has become the essential “hip strip” of the city, where you can find everything from traditional margaritas at Guero’s Taco Bar to old-fashioned candy shops. (Alison Chandler)

Eat: Lamberts Downtown Barbecue is fantastic. Located in the carefully restored historic Schneider Brothers Building, Lamberts serves up inventive BBQ cooking, and carefully prepared cocktails. Their wild boar ribs are consistently brilliant and they serve arguably Austin’s best Sunday brunch. (Sarah-Jane Gates)

Drink: The Firehouse Lounge is located in the city’s oldest standing fire station. Built in 1885 and only accessible through a hidden bookshelf, the atmosphere is warm and inviting with a selection of crafty cocktails and prohibition-era drinks and eclectic mix some of Austin’s best-kept musical secrets. (James Bertenshaw)

–

Source: British Airways