Fast Food in America

Fast Food in America

Burgers, fries, pizza, raw fish. Raw fish? Fast food in America is changing. Sushi, the thousand year
old Japanese delicacy, was once thought of in this country as unpalatable and too exotic. But tastes
have changed, for a number of reasons. Beginning in the 1970s, Americans became increasingly more
aware of diet and health issues, and began rejecting their traditional red-meat diets in favor of
healthier, lowerfat choices such as fish, poultry, whole grains, rice, and vegetables. The way food was
prepared began to change, too; rather than frying food, people started opting for broiled, steamed, and
raw versions. Sushi, a combination of rice and fish, fit the bill. In addition, that same decade
saw Japan become an important global economic force, and companies began flocking to the country
to do business. All things Japanese, including dcor, clothing, and cuisine, became popular.
Sushi started small in the United States, in a handful of restaurants in big cities. But it caught on.
Today, sushi consumption in American restaurants is 40% greater than it was in the late 1990s,
according to the National Restaurant Association. The concession stands at almost every major league
stadium sell sushi, and many colleges and universities offer it in their dining halls. But were not just
eating it out. The National Sushi Association reports that there are over 5,000 sushi bars in
supermarkets, and that number is growing monthly. This incredible growth in availability and
consumption points to the fact that Americans have decided that sushi isnt just good for them, or just
convenient, but that this once-scorned food is truly delicious.
The origins of this food trend may be found in Asia, where it was developed as a way of preserving
fish. Fresh, cleaned fish was pressed between rice and salt and weighted with a heavy stone over a
period of several months. During this time, the rice fermented, producing lactic acid that pickled and
preserved the fish. For many years, the fish was eaten and the rice was discarded. But about 500 years
ago, that changed, and hako-zushi (boxed sushi) was created. In this type of sushi, the rice and fish are
pressed together in a box, and are consumed together.
In 1824, Yohei Hanaya of Edo (now called Tokyo) eliminated the fermentation process, and began
serving fresh slices of seafood on bases of vinegared rice. The vinegar was probably used to mimic
the taste of fermented sushi. In fact, the word sushi actually refers to any vinegared rice dish, and not
to the fish, as many Americans believe (the fish is called sashimi). In Japanese, when sushi is
combined with a modifier, it changes to the word zushi.
Chef Yoheis invention, called nigiri zushi, is still served today. It now refers to a slice of fish (cooked
or uncooked) that is pressed by hand onto a serving of rice. Popular choices include ama ebi (raw
shrimp), shime saba (marinated mackerel), and maguro (tuna). In addition to the vinegar flavor in the
rice, nigiri zushi typically contains a taste of horseradish (wasabi), and is served with soy sauce for
dipping. Maki zushi contains strips of fish or vegetables rolled in rice and wrapped in thin sheets of
nori, or dried seaweed. Popular ingredients include smoked salmon, fresh crab, shrimp, octopus, raw
clams, and sea urchin. Americans have invented many of their own maki zushi combinations,
including the California roll, which contains imitation crabmeat and avocado. They have also made
innovations in the construction of maki zushi. Some American sushi bars switch the placement of nori
and rice, while others dont use nori, and instead roll the maki zushi in fish roe. These colorful,
crunchy eggs add to the visual and taste appeal of the dish.

Most Visited Tourist Destinations in America

Most Visited Tourist Destinations in America
Here is the list of top 25 most visited tourist destinations in America according to Forbes.
The list includes the thundering falls of Niagara, it also features the harrowing water-chutes of
Disneylands and Pirates of the Caribbean. Seven of the 25 attractions are amusement parks; Disney
Worlds Magic Kingdom, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, remains on top in the theme-park world.
Tourists appreciate renowned art collections and sunny beaches in equal measure. Many foreign
visitors are interested in seeing the natural scenic attractions like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and
Yellowstone National Parks.
1.Times Square, New York City, N.Y
Times Square, the most bustling square of New York, is known for its many Broadway theatres,
cinemas and super signs. Times Square has all sorts of fun, exciting and informative tours to explore
other parts of the city. You can Choose from walking, bike, bus, food, limo, TV, landmark, ethnic or
water tours.
Times Square Alliance estimates an average of more than 2,000 pedestrians traversing a block of 7th
Avenue during a 15-minute weekday period.
2. The Las Vegas Strip, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an
internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and entertainment.
Enticing over 31 million visitors,about 80 percent of the citys total (39.2 million) visitors, a year with
its million-gigawatt smile and globetrotting attractions, Las Vegas Strip is more than glitz and
gambling. [Source: National Scenic Byways Program]
3. National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C.
National Mall & Memorial Parks contains some of the oldest protected park lands in the National
Park Service.
Many of the nations iconic public landmarks are found in the 1,000-plus acres of the National Mall
and Memorial Parks, including the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials, and the Korean
and Vietnam War Veterans Memorials.
4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which gets 20 million visitors, encompasses four historic places in one
location Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market, all set around a quaint
cobblestone promenade where jugglers, magicians and musicians entertain the visitors. There are
more than 100 places to eat, shop and drink at this historic site.
5. Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL
The most popular of Disneys Florida attractions saw a 2.5 percent increase [17.1 million] in visitation
compared with 2006, according to the TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report.
How the Magic Kingdom has managed to maintain its charm and appeal over the years is a lesson in
simplicity. It has stayed true to its original vision, a place where families could gather in a clean and
safe environment to enjoy the time they spend together.

6. Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA

Walt Disneys original theme park features eight themed lands with classic Disney characters, favorite
attractions, live entertainment, and parades. With nearly 15 million visitors last year, the original
Disney park, had a record season according to the TEA/ERA. Currently the park has been visited by
more than 515 million guests since it opened, including presidents, royalty and other heads of state.
7. Fishermans Wharf/Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is a U.S. National Recreation Area
administered by the National Park Service that surrounds the San Francisco Bay area. The Golden
Gate National Recreation Area, which includes the famous orange bridge along with numerous other
spaces throughout the Bay Area, draws 14.3 million visitors annually.
8. Niagara Falls, N.Y.
The Falls, which straddle the U.S.-Canadian border, have been a tourist mecca since the mid-19th
century. With statistics from the Niagara Falls Tourism Bureau and Niagara Falls Brige Commission,
visitors are approximated at 12 million a year.
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tenn./N.C.
Americas most visited national park is neither the Grand Canyon nor Yosemite. The natural beauty
and the four distinct seasons enjoyed in the GSMNP is unmatched! With more than 800 miles of
protected trails, this natural wonder hosted nearly 10 million hikers, birders and drivers last year.
10. Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Opened in 1916, this Chicago landmark on the shore of Lake Michigan has served as a campus and
military training facility. With 8.6 million visitors, From rides to restaurants, exhibitions to
entertainment, shopping to dining cruises and tour boats Navy Pier has it all in a location unlike any
other!
11. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Ariz./Nev.
Thirty miles southeast of Las Vegas lies the U.S.s largest man-made lake and reservoir, a recreational
mecca for boaters, swimmers, fishermen and naturalists attracts 7.6 million. Lake Mead flooded a
large area of desert, covering many canyons, several small villages and relics of ancient settlements.
Some more views of lake mead.
12. Universal Studios Orlando/Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, FL
Like its rival Disney, Universal houses what ERAs Christian Aaen calls a destination complex in
Orlando, where two theme parks, Universal Studios Orlando and Universals Islands of Adventure,
vie for 6.2 million thrill-seeking tourists.
13. SeaWorld Florida, Orlando, FL
Attendance was up one percent from the previous year for this watery theme park-one of several
Orlando sites on our list. The TEA/ERA puts SeaWorlds 2007 attendance at 5.8 million.
14. San Antonio River Walk, Texas
The Riverwalk is one of the most visited places in all of Texas and the greater San Antonio area has a
world of fun and exciting things to do and see. The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del
Ro) is a network of walkways around the San Antonio River, linking several major attractions one

story beneath downtown San Antonio, Texas. Lined by bars, shops and restaurants. The River Walk
proclaims itself the Number One entertainment destination in Texas, with 5.1 million visitors a year.
15. Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT
Temple Square is the most popular attraction in the state with five million annual visitors. This tenacre block located in the middle of downtown Salt Lake City is Utahs number one tourist attraction.
The Mormon churchs headquarters are here, but Temple Square is more than just a destination for
Latter Day Saints.
16. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Penn./N.J.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a beautiful part of the Appalachian Mountains with
all kinds of outdoors recreation available. This park preserves 40 miles of the middle Delaware River
and almost 70,000 acres of land along the rivers New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores. River-focused
recreation is what draws nearly five million tourists to this Appalachian-ridge park on the border of
New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
17. Universal Studios,Hollywood, CA
Its official marketing headline is The Entertainment Capital of LA, though during the summer it is
often advertised as The Coolest Place in LA. Nearly five million star gazers and thrill seekers came
last year to tour the sets of Desperate Housewives, King Kong and other Universal productions.
18. Metropolitan Museum, New York, N.Y.
Founded in 1870 (and moved to its current home in Central Park in 1880), the Mets vast stores of art
include more than two million works in its two-million-square-foot building. It has a permanent
collection containing more than two million works of art, divided into nineteen curatorial
departments. The museum is also home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes
and accessories, and antique weapons and armor from around the world. Four and a half million
visitors came to peruse some of the worlds greatest art collections, from American and European to
Egyptian and the newly refurbished Greek and Roman Galleries.
19. Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
Waikiki Beach is a legendary tourist zone on the south shore of Oahu in Hawaii. This iconic Hawaiian
tourist destination, on the edge of the Honolulu neighborhood that shares is name, offers splendid
views of the volcanic cone, Diamond Head. With its droves of tourists, it also made Forbes Travelers
list of over-hyped beaches. Upwards of 4.5 million sunbathers try to relax on its sands each year.
20. Grand Canyon, AZ
The canyon is the most famous natural attraction in the USA and possibly in the world. The Grand
Canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is largely
contained within the Grand Canyon National Park one of the first national parks in the United States.
Tourists have arrived at a much quicker rate since the canyon achieved National Park status in 1919. A
horseshoe-shaped glass Skywalk, opened in 2007, allows the nearly 4.5 million visitors a chance to
experience vertigo.
21. Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa Bay, FL
Busch Gardens is the ultimate family adventure park offering an array of fascinating attractions based
on exotic encounters with the African continent. This Africa-themed park, which houses over 2,700
animals alongside the usual array of rides, restaurants and shows, attracts 4.4 million every year.

22. Cape Cod National Seashore, MA

Cape Cod National Seashore is made up of a number of beautiful beaches. It is a land of parabolic
sand dunes, 19th-century lighthouses, shipwrecks, pilgrims, and piping plovers. Sightseeing, trail and
beach walking, swimming, historic building tours, fishing, and bicycling are all key activities that can
be enjoyed here. The bicycle and hiking trails and sandy beaches enticed more than 4 million visitors
last year.
23. SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, CA
SeaWorld San Diego is one of the worlds premier marine adventure parks with 200 acres of worldclass shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters. More than 4 million visitors explore
the mysteries of the sea every year, with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating thrills.
24. American Museum of Natural History, NY
American Museum of Natural History, which attract 4 million visitors, has been one of the worlds
preeminent science and research institutions, renowned for its collections and exhibitions that
illuminate millions of years of the earths evolution, from the birth of the planet through the present
day. The AMNHs 45 permanent exhibit halls contain a vast record of world history, from dinosaur
fossils to the human genome. The 18-acre campus is located in Theodore Roosevelt Park on
Manhattans Upper West Side, and its popular overnight program gives eight-to-12-year-olds the thrill
of falling asleep in the darkened halls of one of the worlds most famous museums.
25. Atlantic City Boardwalk, New Jersey
The Boardwalk (immortalized in the Monopoly board game) runs along the beach for four miles,
skirting past casinos, hotels and shops, and connects with the Garden Pier, home to the Atlantic City
Historical Museum and the Atlantic City Art Center. Although boardwalks can be found around the
world, they are especially common along the East Coast of the United States in North America, where
they have many of the functions of a city street and are often tourist attractions themselves. It get 4
million visitors every year.