I have opportunities to come back to America with a couple more birthday trips so might be able to knock a few off the ..the only major regret I have is that we did the USA last instead of first.....Samara so loved the culture and manners of the Japanese that the US was a bit of a culture shock to her (strange when it's closer to our own) and I think she was a little disappointed that it didn't live up to her expectations or the experiences we'd had in Japan and I think she would have enjoyed that leg better if we had done it the other way around. (Not that she didn't like the US....she did....but she didn't LOVE it the way she did Japan)
As far as the to do list goes I'm only covering the areas that Samara and I went to this time...I think I have heaps of things around the US on my 80 things to do list but I'm sure I can add a few here...
1/Spend the night at Bryce Canyon under the stars and from the Canyon floor, and a sunrise and sunset over that amazing place.
2/ This time do the Grand Canyon South Rim.
3/Be brave and do the rides on the top of the Stratsophere hotel.
4/See Freemont St at night.
5/Red Rock Canyon from Las Vegas
6/Ride the Maid of the Mist and walk the walkway from Cave of the Winds to Bridal Veil falls at Niagara(and although not on the US side so doesn't quite fit in the things to do in US...do the observation tower in Niagara-On-The Lake)
7/See the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall and watch the Rockettes kick it out in style.
8/Eat at the Tavern on the Green in NY
9/ Go to Carlos' Bakery and buy a truckload of pastries...(okay maybe just a box full)
10/Eat Nathan's Hotdogs at Coney Island and ride the rides.
11/Explore the other boroughs of NY like I did Manhatten and Staten and Roosevelt Islands.
12/See the Memorial Museum, and I am sure there will be observation decks at Freedom Tower, to view NY from them.
13/Spend an extended period in NY...just living and breathing it in.
14/And 101 other things I would like to do in the US :)