Framed by the graceful arch of a footbridge, Multnomah Falls looks like something out of a fantasy novel. One of the most popular attractions in Oregon, it spans 620 feet (189 meters) and plunges two tiers down a steep, moss-covered cliff. Each new season brings new beauty to the spot—icicles sparkle in the winter, autumn leaves seem to glow, and the spring and summer bring lush greenery—drawing hikers to explore the surrounding trails year-round.
Built on Aztec temple ruins, no building better exemplifies the history of Mexico City than the Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana). The vast stone edifice blends architectural styles and building innovations across four centuries. Highlights include the gilded Altar of Forgiveness and the painted canvases lining the sacristy.
The city of Puebla, 90 miles from Mexico City, is home to baroque and Spanish colonial–style buildings, including the historic Puebla Cathedral (Catedral de Puebla). Wander through its 14 chapels, admire the 16th century paintings, and marvel at the tallest twin bell tower in Mexico; it’s said angels lifted the three-ton bell in place.
Teotitlán del Valle—best known for the handwoven rugs, blankets, and textiles made here—has been a historic weaving town since the pre-Hispanic period and remains a key Oaxacan handicraft destination. Visitors can browse and buy handmade products throughout the town, admire the surrounding Sierra Juárez scenery, and visit the modest colonial church.
Its name may suggest cartoon elephants, but Dumbo—short for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass"—is actually one of northern Brooklyn’s most stylish and photogenic neighborhoods. Formerly an industrial area, the now-regenerated Dumbo boasts cobblestone streets and converted warehouses that contain trendy galleries, boutiques, and coffee shops. Its views of the Manhattan skyline (and both the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge) are hard to beat.
Once home to the Chicago Tribune newspaper, this neo-Gothic landmark was built as a result of the 1922 International Design Competition. Before the construction of the 36-story building, the paper’s reporters brought back pieces of rock from important landmarks around the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Hagia Sophia, the Great Wall of China, and more—they are now embedded in the outer first-floor wall, a part of the tower’s enduring legacy.
Just a short boat ride from the tourist-packed beaches of Isla Mujeres and the high rises of Cancun, Contoy Island (Isla Contoy) is an undeveloped natural paradise off Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. Visit this national park to enjoy white-sand beaches, follow wild hiking trails, and marvel at manta rays sliding across the shallows. It’s also home to more than 170 species of birds, which range from brown boobies to red flamingos.
The Sea of Cortez (or Gulf of California) lies between the Baja California Peninsula and mainland Mexico. This stretch of the Pacific, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most diverse seas in the world and home to more than 3,000 marine species, including hammerhead sharks, sea lions, and sea turtles.
The main hub of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston’s Quincy Market has attracted locals and visitors alike since it opened 200 years ago. Located within a Greek Revival–style building, the historic food hall is packed with dozens of shops, restaurants, food court stops, and stalls and pushcarts selling everything from coffee and artisanal bread to lobster rolls, clam chowder, and pasta.
With expansive white-sand beaches and warm, turquoise waters, Florida's Clearwater Beach, a waterfront community on the Gulf of Mexico, is an ideal launching pad for kayaking, parasailing, boating, and biking. It's known as being more low-key than its southern neighbor, the bustling St. Pete Beach, and many consider Clearwater Beach to be among the best beaches in the United States.
A landscape of tropical jungle, mangrove forests, and crystalline waters, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve stretches 75 miles (120 kilometers) along the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. While visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can take in the area's rich biodiversity, go on eco-adventures, and explore a collection of Maya ruins. Bird-watchers delight in spotting the 300 species that call the reserve home.
Miami Beach’s Art Deco District is a colorful section of the trendy South Beach neighborhood, with around 800 designated historic buildings to admire—including nautical–themed hotels and pastel mansions dating back to the 1920s. The district has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, and visitors come here to dine, stay at fancy hotels, and explore the photo-worthy buildings.
The distinctive red tezontle exterior and red window awnings of Mexico City’s National Palace catch the eye—the grand building is home to the country’s federal executive branch, along with a wealth of art and cultural belongings that are on display for visitors. Wander the elegant gardens, explore the history museum, and take in the scale of Diego Rivera’s famous mural, The History of Mexico.
Perched 545 feet (167 meters) above sea level, this well-kept park affords wonderful views over downtown Vancouver. A sunken quarry garden, a 1,500-tree arboretum, a rose garden, floral displays, and public artworks make this 128-acre (52-hectare) recreational space one of the most pleasing outdoor hangouts in the city.
A mecca for art lovers, the Wynwood neighborhood, just north of downtown Miami, has evolved from a rundown warehouse zone to a lively area known for its street art. Creative energy runs through every block, and visitors can browse independent galleries, sip craft coffee, and visit local breweries. The star attraction, though, is Wynwood Walls—an open-air museum of murals by over 100 artists.
This San Diego landmark goes beyond the typical museum experience—its collection includes a working fleet of watercraft spanning sailing ships, steamships, and one of the deepest-diving submarines in history. Inside the museum itself are exhibits exploring navigation, model ship building, and more, in both rotating and permanent exhibits. The museum is also a starting point for harbor tours aboard historic and replica vessels.
Forsyth Park, in the middle of historic downtown Savannah, has been a key city landmark since the mid-1800s—it’s the city’s oldest and largest park. Named after the 33rd governor of Georgia, John Forsyth, the park is known for its large Parisian-style fountain and its plethora of stately oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. If there’s one place to experience postcard-perfect Savannah, it’s right here.
Many cities boast art museums, but Cancun’s equivalent is a little out of the ordinary: The Cancun Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) is an ongoing project promoting both art and the creation of coral reefs. Snorkelers and divers can view its collection of more than 500 sunken sculptures below the surface of the Caribbean Sea.
The passing of centuries has had little impact on Quebec's Royal Square (Place-Royale), a 17th-century plaza that has been at the center of Quebec City life since Samuel de Champlain founded the city in 1608. The Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, the oldest stone church in North America, still stands here, and the Fresque des Québécois mural can be seen nearby.
One of Acapulco's most popular attractions, La Quebrada Cliff Divers perform daily shows. Beginning in the 1930s, these brave young men and women began leaping over 100 feet (30 meters) past craggy rocks into an inlet crashing with waves that are just 13 feet (4 meters) deep. The daredevil acts continue to elicit oohs and ahs from the rapt audience.
Known as Chicago’s Front Yard, Grant Park stretches across 300 acres (121 hectares) and is the city’s primary downtown green space. It’s in the Loop, sandwiched between Lake Michigan and soaring skyscrapers, and houses numerous cultural attractions. Highlights include its Museum Campus, Millennium Park with its shiny bean-shaped sculpture, the centuries- and globe-spanning Art Institute of Chicago museum, and the Petrillo Music Shell and Jay Pritzker Pavilion, both premier outdoor venues for concerts, festivals, and events.
The pedestrian-only Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) runs parallel to the ocean in downtown Playa del Carmen. This bustling tourist strip provides easy beach access and is within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Lining Fifth Avenue are shops aplenty, including those selling artisan crafts, fine jewelry, and cigars.
Get undisrupted views of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park, which stretches across six piers on the borough’s northern waterfront. In addition to being a popular reprieve from the city with its nature trails and gardens, the park also features family-friendly attractions such as a roller rink, recreational courts, and Jane’s Carousel.
George Washington supposedly asked Betsy Ross to stitch the first-ever American flag. The seamstress is said to have created the Stars and Stripes in 1776. Today, visitors can explore the 18th-century house where Betsy Ross purportedly lived, examine artifacts from her life, and even meet a costumed Betsy Ross impersonator.
From Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton, country music stars have helped Nashville earn its title as Music City. Dive into that legacy at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which details the evolution of this classic American music genre through archival videos, stage wear, instruments, and other artifacts displayed across permanent and special exhibits. Once you’ve read up on country-music history, look out for new and familiar names in the Hall of Fame.
The marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay ranks among Hawaii’s most scenic spots for snorkeling, swimming, hiking, and more. But you’ll also find it in history books: The beautiful bay, home to spinner dolphins and backed by lush-green mountain slopes, was the site where Captain James Cook landed—and was later killed—on the Big Island in 1779, forever altering the future of the Hawaiian archipelago.
The western gateway to the Dallas Downtown Historic District and a National Historic Landmark in its own right, Dealey Plaza is one of the city’s most-visited attractions. Its legacy is a dark one: the public plaza made headlines around the world on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade passed through the square.
One of the oldest national parks in the United States, Mt. Rainier National Park was established in 1899 to preserve the wilderness surrounding Mt. Rainier. Encompassing 369 square miles (956 square kilometers) of old-growth forests, wildflower meadows, glacial scenery, and wildlife, it’s a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
This uptown New York City neighborhood is rich in history: In the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance saw an explosion of African American art, literature, and music. Today the area remains a cultural powerhouse, with jazz clubs, theaters, and soul food spots tucked away among old brownstones and contemporary restaurants and bars. Head here to catch a show, see some art, or grab a bite.
Established in 1769, Old Town San Diego is the site of California's first European settlement, earning it the nickname "the birthplace of California." Highlights include Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, with its preserved adobe buildings and living-history demonstrations, such as blacksmithing, showcasing the city’s evolution from Kumeyaay village to Mexican pueblo to American settlement. The area is also home to restaurants, shops, and live entertainment.
