You can use Steem blockchain API methods this way:
https://steemapi.esteem.app/getAccounts?names[]=ned
https://steemapi.esteem.app/getState?path=/trending
https://steemapi.esteem.app/getDiscussionsByHot?query={"tag":"photography","limit":"10"}
Test Steem REST API on Steem API UI created by @good-karma here: