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Which of these US Cities should you visit?

With fifty states and approximately 20,000 cities in the United States, trying to decide where you want to go can be a little overwhelming. Let this handy quiz help you pick the perfect city for your next vacation!  

1. Pick a pizza

A) Inches of cheese, toppings and chunky tomato sauce – in that order – piled atop a flaky, buttery crust. B)  A layer of sauce and cheese baked on a thin crust till crispy, with fresh toppings added to it before serving.

If you picked A, pack your bags for Chicago, Illinois! The land of deep dish pizza, the Windy City is an urban playground with a ton of cultural landmarks and Instagram-worthy icons, including the world famous Chicago Bean. Fans of theatre and music will also be spoilt for choice here.

If you picked B, the bright lights of New York City await. Attractions like Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are just the tip of the iceberg. Pizza isn’t the only thing that New Yorkers are passionate about – there’s also hot dogs, bagels, and every cuisine you can think of. Be sure to make like a New Yorker and fold your pizza before eating!

2. Pick an attraction

A) The Smithsonian – 19 museums holding 138 million objects with historical and cultural significance. B) The Beer Can House – a piece of folk art that took 18 years and more than 50,000 recycled beer cans to make.

If you picked A, you’ll feel right at home in Washington, D.C. The country’s capital is host to attractions and landmarks that abound with historical and political significance. You’ll get to see some of the most iconic sights in the country in DC, as well as the city’s impressive art and food culture. Plan your visit around spring, as that’s the best time to see the city in all its glory.

If you picked B, head on south of the Mason-Dixon line to Houston, Texas! Houston is America’s fourth largest city by population, but that doesn’t mean they’ve done away with good old-fashioned Southern hospitality. Home to the NASA Space Centre, a shopping haven in the form of the Houston Galleria, and of course, the famed Beer Can House, there’s certainly something for everyone here.

3. Pick an outdoor activity

A) Hiking in snow-capped mountain ranges. B) Riding the waves on a summer’s day.

If you picked A, make Seattle your first-choice destination. There are three National Parks within a 2-hour drive of the city offering everything from winter skiing to summer hiking, perfect for active travellers like you.

If you picked B, the pristine beaches of Los Angeles will be right up your alley. With weather that remains moderate to warm all-year round, you’ll be able to sunbathe, swim, and surf to your heart’s content. Keep a day or two aside for the world-famous Universal Studios Hollywood – the much awaited Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set to open this year!  

4. Pick a TV show

A) Silicon Valley B) Portlandia

If you picked A, the Bay Area is the place to be. Dotted with iconic landmarks, world class cuisine, and cultural events to fill up your calendar, the city of San Francisco is definitely a place that will surprise and delight every visitor. Dubbed ‘The Paris of the West’, the city was rated one of the most liveable in the world by a 2015 study.

If you picked B, get ready for a dose of weird. Nicknamed the ‘San Francisco of Oregon’, there is no shortage of cultural and culinary delights in Portland. Portland’s attractions are eclectic but no less iconic, with a diverse yet friendly and welcoming populace. Just remember to pack for rainy weather.

If this quiz has piqued your interest, you’re in luck. Singapore is linked to seven cities across the United States via three airlines – Delta Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. Between them, they operate more than 50 weekly services that will connect you to anywhere you want to go in the US. Start planning your trip today! 

This story was produced in partnership with Changi Airport.

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5 things Seattle does better than coffee

You may know Seattle as the birthplace of Starbucks, but this seaport city is so much more than a coffee chain. Rich in history and culture, there’s a ton of awesome things you can do in this fast-growing city!

Get your shop on at Pike Place Market

First opened in the fall of 1907, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmer’s markets in the United States. Packed with everything from colourful produce stands to stalls selling interesting knick-knacks, this is the place to go if you want to get your groceries, fresh flowers, and vintage toys all at once. There are even stores selling antiques and comic book collectibles, making the market one that truly caters to everybody.

Take in the sights at the Space Needle

Even if you’re not familiar with the Space Needle by name, you’ll recognise it the minute you see a picture. The 605 feet-tall (approximately 184m) observation tower is one of the most distinctive icons of Seattle, and consists of an observation deck and a rotating restaurant, giving breath-taking views of the downtown Seattle skyline as well as the various mountains and surrounding islands. It’s certainly an attraction not to be missed.

Be one with nature at the National Parks

Seattle has three national parks that are within a two-hour drive of the city centre. Of the three, Mount Rainier National Park is the closest and stands at 14,410 feet, one of the highest peaks in the country. Visitors can hike trails that range from easy to challenging, or go biking, camping, fishing, or boating. Fair warning: it’s also an active volcano, although its last recoded volcanic activity was in the 1800s, and as of 2010, it hasn’t given any evidence of an imminent eruption.

All aboard the Washington State Ferries

Ferries are a crucial means of transportation for the people residing in the state of Washington. Hop on a ferry at the downtown Seattle waterfront and take in the sights around the Puget Sound – that’s the interconnected waterways and basins along the northwestern coast of the state of Washington. On a clear day, you’ll even be able to see snow-capped Mount Rainier off in the distance!

Go global at Chinatown-International District

Seattle’s Chinatown-International District emerged a mere few decades after the establishment of the city itself, with the first Chinese immigrants coming in from the Pacific Northwest. Over the years other Asian immigrants arrived at the city, resulting in the formation of three neighbourhoods – Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon, collectively forming the Chinatown-International District.

This is where you’ll get your fix for bubble tea (or boba) and dim sum.

Thinking of visiting these attractions, and all the rest that Seattle has to offer? With three airlines operating more than 50 flights weekly to connect you from Changi Airport to major cities in the United States, there’s no reason not to start planning your trip!

This story was produced in partnership with Changi Airport.

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Eat your way through San Francisco

New York has its bagels, Philadelphia is known for its Philly cheesesteaks, Chicago for deep dish pizza. What about San Francisco? You’ll be surprised to find that the city is more than the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and earthquakes, but a literal gold mine for the gastronome. Here are some of the Golden Gate City’s culinary claims to fame!  

Sourdough bread

Forget any variation of sourdough bread you’ve eaten over the years, because you’ll never want any other version once you’ve tasted the sourdough bread from San Francisco. Dating all the way back to the Gold Rush, the sourness of the bread is what makes it stand out amidst a sea of imitators. Some say it’s due to the yeast used, some say it’s technique, but we’re pretty sure it also takes a sprinkling of magical San Francisco air.

Mission burrito

Less of a burrito on a mission, and more a type of burrito that originated from the Mission District in San Francisco, the Mission-style burrito became wildly popular in the 1960s. The Mission burrito is larger than most, and comes stuffed with chicken, pinto beans or rice or both, and pico de gallo, all wrapped in a steaming tortilla. Just make sure you leave the foil wrapper on, or you’ll be in for a messy lunch break!

Steam beer

Known better as the California common beer, modern steam beer (not to be confused with historic steam beer, also produced in San Francisco) originated from the Anchor Brewing Company and is a real San Franciscan institution. The alcoholic beverage is purported to get its name from the steam that is emitted during the production process, due to the high pressure and temperature that is needed to produce this effervescent brew.

Fortune cookies

Although often given out at the end of a satisfying meal at Chinese restaurants, fortune cookies were originally invented by a Japanese man in San Francisco, and are practically non-existent in China. If you’re visiting San Francisco, make sure to drop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, where they make up to 20,000 cookies a day. They open every day and admission is free.

With Singapore Airlines flying to San Francisco daily via Incheon and 6 times a week via Hong Kong, and United Airlines making daily direct trips starting from 1 June 2016, you can easily plan your trip to San Francisco. Besides indulging in the culinary delights and Michelin-starred restaurants, make sure you pay a visit to the city’s cultural institutions too!

This story was produced in partnership with Changi Airport.

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5 things Minneapolis birthed

If Minnesota were to ever cross your mind, it would probably bring with it images of snow, water, and perhaps the Mall of America. What you might not know is that Minnesota is the birthplace of dozens of innovations that we use every day. Many of these inventions come from Minneapolis, one half of the Twin Cities, and the biggest city in the state of Minnesota. Here are a few things that originated from the City of Lakes!

Automatic pop-up toaster

If it weren’t for Charles Strite, who patented the technology for the automatic ejection of toasted bread from a toaster back in 1919, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy perfectly browned toast today. Still, it took Minneapolis-based Waters Genter Company until 1925 to introduce a redesigned version of Strite’s toaster, bringing the world the 1-A-1 Toastmaster. The Toastmaster brand is still one of the most relevant brands for home appliances today.

Milky Way

Introduced in 1923, after three years of research, the beloved candy bar was invented by Frank C. Mars and manufactured right in the heart of Minneapolis by Frank’s company Mars. The Milky Way was the world’s first “filled” candy bar, and rapidly became a firm favourite with the kids for its firm chocolate shell and gooey centre. One interesting titbit about the snack is that it wasn’t named for the galaxy, as most would think, but for a milkshake that was popular at the time. Mars would go on to produce other popular chocolate treats like the Snickers bars, M&M’s, and of course, the Mars bar!

Betty Crocker cake mix

The General Mills company, the mastermind behind Betty Crocker cake mixes, singlehandedly took everything everyone has ever said about baking being hard and threw it out the back door. The Minneapolis company introduced the first cake mix with a longer shelf life, through a fictional American housewife who would become a cultural icon for the country. The Betty Crocker brand flourished through the years, and now boasts a line of products that includes instant mashed potatoes, ‘shake and make’ pancake mixes, and microwaveable desserts.

Jucy Lucy

If you’ve never tasted a Jucy Lucy - you’re missing out. The burger boasts a patty with cheese sealed into it, which melts when the burger cooks to give you an explosion of flavour in your mouth. There’s actually an ongoing rivalry about who invented the burger – Matt’s Bar or the 5-8 club, located within miles of each other in South Minneapolis. Whoever came up with the idea, our taste buds thank you!

The Minneapolis sound

The Minneapolis sound was pioneered by the artist “formerly known as Prince, then formerly known as the Love Symbol, and now known as Prince again”, who born in Minneapolis. The style of music is known for its sultry blend of funk, rock, pop, synthpop, and new wave. The style dominated the late 70s and into the 1980s, and though it was overtaken by R&B and hip hop in later years, the Minneapolis sound is currently experiencing a revival through the likes of Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson’s uber-popular Uptown Funk.

You could get a taste of Minneapolis and other American cities for yourself. Changi Airport is linked to the USA via three airlines – Delta Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. Between the three carriers, you can choose from over 50 weekly services to major cities in the United States, such as New York, LA, Houston, and of course, Minneapolis, among others. Your Great American Vacation awaits!

This story was produced in partnership with Changi Airport.