Things to do in  North America

One of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations, Quintana Roo is the gateway to the Mexican Caribbean. Palm-lined beaches, Maya ruins, and family-friendly nature parks characterize this southeastern state, where you can dive or snorkel coral reefs, cool off in ancient cenotes, and party in the nightclubs of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. It’s a short hop across the border to Belize.

Known as the City of the Gods, Teotihuacán was the metropolis of a mysterious Mesoamerican civilization that believed that the gods were created here. This ancient Mesoamerican city reached its zenith around AD 100. Once the largest city in central Mexico but abandoned centuries before the arrival of the Aztecs, the pre-Columbian archaeological site of Teotihuacán boasts towering pyramids and stone temples with detailed statues and intricate murals.

Housed in Frida Kahlo’s Mexico City birthplace and home, the vibrant, blue-walled Frida Kahlo Museum focuses on the life of the artist, rather than her output. With collections that include the medical equipment she used in day-to-day life, the bed that she began to paint in, and selections from her wardrobe, the museum helps visitors to get a sense of the woman behind the bold and iconic art.

Chichen Itza is among Mexico’s most visited and iconic archaeological sites. Known for its main central pyramid, this impressive Maya attraction—once the ceremonial center of the Yucatán—also features temples, ball courts, and a cenote (freshwater sinkhole). The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular day trip from Cancun and Tulum.

Designed by Frédéric Auguste Barthold and Gustave Eiffel, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to commemorate the Declaration of Independence’s 100th anniversary. Today, this 305-foot (93-meter) statue, a USA icon, guards the entrance to New York Harbor on Liberty Island. Lady Liberty and the land surrounding her were declared the Statue of Liberty National Monument in 1924.

The Hoover Dam (originally the Boulder Dam) is one of the United States’ most celebrated engineering icons. Construction began during the Great Depression, and it was the largest project of its kind in the world at the time. Travelers have flocked to the dam—situated on the Nevada and Arizona border—for decades. Today, it receives more than 7 million annual visitors.

Made up of several historic sights and memorials, Pearl Harbor honors and educates the public about the Japanese attack on the United States on December 7, 1941, which propelled the country into World War II. It’s one of Hawaii’s most-visited attractions and one of the country’s most significant WWII memorial sites.

Situated on Navajo land in the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the best-known slot canyons in the United States. This natural wonder was formed by water over millions of years and has two separate sections: the deep (but narrow) Upper Antelope Canyon (also known as Spiral Rock Arches) and the Lower Antelope Canyon (Hasdeztwazi). With its colorful sandstone walls and winding walkways, it’s easy to see why the sight is beloved by photographers and adventurers alike.

Isla Mujeres (“Island of Women”) is known for its rich marine life and pristine beaches. Here you can snorkel at Manchones Reef, scuba dive in the Cave of Sleeping Sharks, or stretch out on the white sands of North Beach (Playa Norte). On land, you’ll find bustling nightlife and oceanside restaurants serving fresh seafood. It is a must-see destination for beach and wildlife lovers.

The French Quarter is easily the most popular area in New Orleans to visit and stay, thanks to its vibrant atmosphere and unique blend of architectural styles. It’s also the city’s oldest neighborhood, and its elegant streets are lined with an appealing mix of lively bars—especially along the legendary Bourbon Street—as well as historic monuments, hotels, restaurants, and plenty of entertainment venues.

The Grand Canyon’s West Rim, located just outside Grand Canyon National Park, is home to the vast Hualapai Indian Reservation and includes 108 miles (173 kilometers) of picturesque canyon views. The closest section of the canyon to Las Vegas, the West Rim is famous for the lofty Grand Canyon Skywalk, Guano Point, and Eagle Point.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial commemorates the life and legacy of the renowned Civil Rights Movement leader. Located in West Potomac Park and overlooking the Tidal Basin, the memorial is free to visit and centers around a commanding statue of Dr. King. A 450-foot (137-meter) Inscription Wall carved with passages from 14 of Dr. King’s sermons and speeches surrounds the statue, inviting visitors to contemplate this historic activist’s legacy.

Kailua-Kona, the second-largest town on the Big Island of Hawaii, is the epicenter of activities and tours on the Kona Coast, which lines much of the island’s western side. The counterpart to the lush, often rainy jungles of Hilo on the other side of the Big Island, dry and sunny Kona invites visitors to spend their time sampling exquisite local coffee and enjoying long, wonderful days outdoors.

Linking Lake Michigan to downtown, the Chicago Riverwalk is an open-air, pedestrian-friendly walkway that runs along the Chicago River. A popular hub for entertainment and recreation, the Riverwalk hosts a number of bars and restaurants, features fountains and public artworks, and is a departure point for river tours. It also offers views of many top Chicago landmarks, including the Wrigley Building, the Marina City towers, and the Merchandise Mart.

A signature landmark of Los Cabos, the Arch of Cabo San Lucas (El Arco) is a limestone arch carved by water and wind. The natural attraction is found at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas—which itself is at the southern end of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula in the Sea of Cortez. From a distance, the rock formation looks like a dragon; up close, the arch frames sky, sea, and sand.