Where to Find Inspiration in the USA

In one of my previous posts, I have mentioned that one way of rekindling your passion for creativity is by travelling. I thought the idea was too general. So now, I have decided to research places to give you specific examples of where you should book your next flight to if you’re eager to get inspiration through travel.

Seven continents,  and a total of 196 countries in the world today, but let’s see the sights in the USA first. If I could, I would list down all the cities and states, but that would take forever and I want to makes sure to pick out the top destinations that have an inspiring prospect written all over them. (If you think I missed a place which you think is worthy of this roster, feel free to write it in the comments section.)

• The White House – You don’t have to be a devotee or be into politics to be able to appreciate the Presidential residence.  There is so much you can get from looking at the place and its surroundings. It will help stimulate your thoughts on democracy and its foundation. With a little reinforcement from historical facts, you might even be able to write an essay or a novel following a plot that is parallel to a significant event in history.
• Las Vegas Strip – In the gambling mecca of the world, you will learn that one bet can change your fate. The same thing can happen when creating something. One risk you take can take your art to the next level. Some names and themes of the casinos can inspire either romance, mystery, or even fantasy. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always have to stay in Vegas. You can take the experience and the lessons along with you and apply them in your work.
• Niagara Falls – It has more than 14 million visitors yearly. Many of these tourists are just after the beauty to behold, or only to take one dream destination off of their checklist. But as an artist, you are to think of yourself as a special tourist with a deeper reason for witnessing this water form of wonders. Writing fantasy? Why not add this element to your setting and just change its name?
• Golden Gate Bridge – Bridges in general are inspired by people who value connection. It is important to note that an artist must have an intimate connection with his work, and maintains a good relationship with other artists that he or she is collaborating with. The symbolic bridge connecting San Francisco and Marin County has a bright red-orange color, intended to make it more visible through thick fogs. Like the link between you and your creation, it must be very obvious.
• Space Needle – Can’t start getting creative on an empty stomach? No problem. At 500 feet above ground, you can eat at the SkyCity Restaurant. Once you’ve had a taste of satisfaction inside this one-of-a-kind skyscraper, you can start getting ideas for your next sci-fi novel. Physically, you are right at the heart of Seattle, but your mind can go to as far as an imaginary galaxy.
• Grand Canyon – It’s impossible not to include this on the list. The intricacy of its landscape gives its visitors a remarkable panorama that leaves you in nothing but pure astonishment. It is not the only canyon in the world but it truly deserves to be called ‘Grand’. It doesn’t matter what kind of art you are working on, the Grand Canyon will give you an outburst of ideas. One thing that it can particularly contribute to your creativity is that it will prod you to pay closer attention to details, because the most minute of them can disturb the entirety of the project.

The United States of America is one of the largest and most diverse countries in the word. You can choose more than one destination to look for inspiration. It is the land of the free and the home of the brave, two of the many key characteristics of a great artist.

“Yet America is a poem in our eyes; its ample geography dazzles the imagination, and it will not wait long for metres.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson