January 25, 2012 - Perhaps it’s time to venture out and experience some new locations this year with your travel nursing assignments. But before you look, consider the factors that are most important to you. Do you prefer sticking closer to home or traveling somewhere new? Exploring the great outdoors or experiencing top cultural and culinary offerings?
From sunny California to the heart of Texas, to our nation’s capital and The Big Apple, there are a myriad of great choices for travel nurses to consider in 2012.
So take a look at your wish list, and before the year is out, look for assignments in one or more of these 12 unique and exciting destinations:
Austin, Texas
As the state capital and the home of the University of Texas, Austin offers a diverse blend of cultures and lifestyles. It has a personality all its own, that of a “big city meets laid-back college town.” And if you love music, Austin is the place to be, with more than 200 live music venues; it also hosts some of the country’s top music festivals, including South by Southwest (SXSW), the Urban Music Fest, Pachanga Music Festival and more.
Travel nurses can enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities here, including miles of hiking and biking trails around Lady Bird Lake and other lakes in the area. For dining and entertainment, you’ll want to experience SoCo--a colorful stretch of interesting shops, trendy restaurants, unique accommodations, art galleries and music venues. Other attractions worth seeing include the Texas State Capitol building, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library.
Burbank, California
“Ready, set, action!” This familiar phrase is heard in many locations throughout Burbank, which is just north of Los Angeles in the heart of the entertainment industry. You can be part of the audience during the taping of some of your favorite TV shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, or tour the studios of NBC and Warner Brothers. Other major studios here include Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and more.
This media mecca in sunny California is close to everything a travel nurse might want to visit, and includes a number of local choices for entertainment and dining. You can take in a performance at the Starlight Bowl, the Hollywood Bowl or other music venues; enjoy a number of fine restaurants; shop in the village shopping district; and take advantage of a variety of theaters and parks. And many of Southern California’s best beaches, sightseeing attractions, theme parks and entertainment are all within reach.
Dallas, Texas
Known to locals as simply “Big D,” Dallas is a major center for banking, finance and oil; it is also a true 21st century city with gleaming office towers, elegant restaurants, top-rate museums and soaring suburban homes.
Everything is big here, including shopping and sports. Dallas has more shopping centers per capita than any other major U.S. city, offering an endless variety of options. And sports fans keep busy year-round, between the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, the Mavericks and the Stars, which all draw huge crowds. Spring brings NASCAR to the Texas Motor Speedway and the bulls to The Mesquite Championship Rodeo.
Travelers can find an intriguing mix of cowboys and culture in neighboring Fort Worth, including rodeos, honky-tonk bars and Western-themed restaurants, along with top art museums, a modern performing arts center and phenomenal parks.
With its big attitude, wide open spaces and endless variety of entertainment, sports and recreation, Dallas has something for everyone.
Denver, Colorado
The Mile-High City, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, is the city where “urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure.” From gleaming downtown office towers and a gold-plated State Capitol dome to state-of-the-art sports stadiums and sophisticated museums and galleries, Denver offers an endless variety of entertainment options.
Travelers can shop in the Victorian warehouse district known as Lower Downtown (or LoDo) or the trendy 16th Street Mall, catch a game at Bronco Stadium or Coors Field, or try the city’s vast collection of brew pubs, sports bars and fine restaurants. There is also an impressive Performing Arts Complex to discover, including nine theatres and the world’s largest performing arts center.
Outdoor choices include concerts at the unique Red Rocks outdoor amphitheater, hiking and camping in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, and skiing at some of the country’s best resorts--including Vail, Aspen, Steamboat Springs and many more--all just a short drive away.
With its friendly ambiance, Rocky Mountain backdrop, dazzling blue skies and big city attractions, Denver has all the elements of a great assignment destination.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Known for the famous “Strip” with miles of spectacular, world-class casinos, restaurants, hotels and shopping venues, Las Vegas has numerous options to keep visitors and residents entertained. From Blue Man Group and Penn & Teller to nearly every big-name singer in the country, Vegas plays host to some of the hottest shows anywhere.
Yet most residents and long-term visitors have their fun away from The Strip, exploring the outdoors in the warm Nevada sunshine. Las Vegas is centrally located within an hour of some great recreation spots, including Mt. Charleston--offering snow skiing in the winter and hiking in the warmer months--and Lake Mead, which offers tours of the famous Hoover Dam as well as boating, swimming, sunbathing and fishing practically year-round. And a trip to the surrounding desert rewards hikers, photographers and sightseers with some spectacular scenery.
Las Vegas is one of the country’s fastest growing major cities due to its desirable neighborhoods and reasonable cost of living. So much more than a gamblers paradise, it is also a great destination for travelers.
Los Angeles, California
The City of Angels is the largest, most diverse city on the West Coast, and a travel nurse could spend weeks, months and even years discovering all this vast city has to offer.
Outdoor enthusiasts can find something to do year-round, from surfing and sunbathing on the area’s famous beaches, to snowboarding in the nearby mountains to jogging, hiking and off-roading. And the buzz and nightlife of L.A. can keep you hopping until dawn. You can rub shoulders with the rich and famous at popular Hollywood nightclubs, dance to some of today’s hottest bands, and enjoy incredible cuisine from world-class restaurants and hip new dining spots; in L.A., it’s “always on.”
Travelers can also enjoy top museums, shop at venues ranging from the famous garment district to glitzy Rodeo Drive, spend the day at Universal Studios or visit nearby theme parks--including Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Magic Mountain--or scout out celebrities’ homes. Or they can simply kick back and relax in this Southern California paradise.
New York City, New York
New York City is like no other place in the world: the incredible skyscrapers, the throngs of people, the cultural attractions and the never-ending hum of activity make living in The Big Apple a one-of-a-kind experience.
You could spend 13 weeks on assignment in New York and still barely scratch the surface of things to see and do, but there are some key attractions you won't want to miss. These include Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Broadway’s theater district, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and the new 9/11 Memorial.
Across the five boroughs that make up New York City, you’ll also find an abundance of museums, theaters and clubs, offering every kind of entertainment, plus the widest variety of dining and shopping available--from Manhattan's Chinatown and the traditionally Jewish Lower East Side to artsy areas like SoHo, TriBeCa and the East and West Villages. The choices are almost exhaustive, offering travelers a new adventure every day during your stay.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Whether your goal is to experience fine dining and cultural events or walk in the footsteps of our country’s founding fathers, historic Philadelphia has something for everyone.
Just a few blocks from downtown is where you’ll find Philadelphia’s most important historic landmarks, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin’s former printing press, Betsy Ross’s house, and numerous graveyards paying homage to famous patriots. Visitors can also tour the Philadelphia Zoo (the country’s first) and the very first U.S. Mint.
From the cobble-stoned streets in the historic district to the popular Italian Market area in South Philly to the shops and restaurants of the picturesque Delaware River waterfront, Philadelphia is a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic architecture; it offers a host of unique neighborhoods and exciting things to see and do around the clock.
Sports are popular year round, thanks to the Eagles, Phillies and 76ers professional franchises. And yes, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches are popular, as well, but so are a variety of upscale restaurants and clubs, offering some phenomenal cuisine. The finest in shopping, dining and cultural attractions are all within reach.
San Diego, California
Known by locals and visitors alike as “America’s Finest City,” this jewel on the Pacific Coast glitters with fun, sun and an endless array of things to see and do. It also enjoys the best climate in the country, with year-round opportunities to enjoy the great Southern California lifestyle.
San Diego is home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches, as well as the famous San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Sea World, and a thriving downtown, anchored by the historic Gaslamp District with an endless array of top-notch restaurants and clubs. Downtown visitors can catch a game at the Padres’ Petco Park, enjoy a harbor cruise or tour a variety of sites including the U.S.S. Midway Museum.
Other top attractions include Old Town and Balboa Park, which offer glimpses into California history accented by museums, shops and great restaurants. And just across San Diego Bay is the picturesque town of Coronado, including the famous Hotel Del Coronado. Great shopping and cultural events are also plentiful here; San Diego boasts two Tony-award-winning theaters and an enticing array of music and arts festivals.
San Francisco, California
There is so much to see and do in this City by the Bay that a traveler should never get bored. Even commuting to work offers the opportunity for sightseeing, with the city’s famous cable cars, the awesome San Francisco Bay and beautiful Victorian houses populating the hills. And of course there’s the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, stretching for a mile-and-a-quarter across the bay.
Nurses on assignment here can visit some incredible landmarks, including Alcatraz prison, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Ghirardelli Square, Chinatown, Union Square and crooked Lombard Street, just to name a few. They can also enjoy a wealth of shopping, entertainment and culinary options, as well as first class sports venues at Candlestick Park and Giants Stadium.
San Francisco is an exciting city to experience, brimming with historic and modern attractions. Day trips across the bay to Sausalito or north to the wine country in Napa Valley offer even more options for travelers, along with nearby jaunts to Yosemite National Park and the California Redwoods.
Tucson, Arizona
Experience the real Southwest in Tucson, home to the college crowd at the University of Arizona, retirees seeking the warm Arizona climate and everyone in between. With a diverse personality that caters to travelers seeking serene natural beauty with big-city perks, the city and surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the year-round sunshine.
Sightseers and outdoor adventurers can enjoy panoramic views at Gates Pass, wind through green pines and spectacular rock formations at Marshall’s Gulch, mountain bike though high desert terrain at Chiva Falls, or enjoy the cooler air and diverse eco-environment at Mt. Lemmon. Visitors can also visit an array of museums, or take a short trip to see the legendary OK Corral in nearby Tombstone.
Tucson is nationally recognized for its prestigious spas and recreational offerings; travel nurses may want to treat themselves to a day of pampering, try out the city’s numerous golf courses or go shopping for local treasures at the Kaibab Courtyard Shops. They can also enjoy small boutiques alongside contemporary art galleries, and take advantage of the city’s burgeoning culinary and nightlife scene.
Washington, D.C.
Visiting our nation’s capital is a chance to see the federal government in action, including tours of the White House, the U.S. Capitol building and the U.S. Supreme Court. It is also a chance to honor former presidents and war heroes at the many memorials on the National Mall, and experience a thriving city with historic sites, grand buildings, sprawling green parks and cheery-blossom lined avenues.
Culture and art come alive in this sophisticated international city, filled with some of the world’s finest museums, exhibitions and galleries, including The Smithsonian Institute. Each neighborhood has unique offerings of its own, from the upscale boutiques of historic Georgetown to the eclectic mix of international restaurants and late-night entertainment in Adams-Morgan, to the Victorian row houses, embassies and private art galleries in affluent Dupont Circle.
Whether you’re seeking the old or the new, the trendy or the historic, Washington, D.C., is an intriguing destination to explore any time of year.
For more details and important information links on these cities and many more, see TravelNursing.com’s Destination Highlights.
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