Few of Big Bend National Park’s must-see natural features are as majestic as the Santa Elena Canyon—a deep, narrow gorge, which the Rio Grande has cut through the mountains inside the national park. Reach the canyon floor beside the river via a short hiking trail across Terlingua Creek and a series of stairs, then continue your adventure up or down the stream on rafts or canoes.
Located in Richmond, where Edgar Allan Poe lived for 13 years, the Poe Museum is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of artifacts relating to the writer’s legacy and his work, including many of his personal items. The museum is across several historic buildings and includes a shrine to Poe and an Enchanted Garden.
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus is a creative, engaging, and fun experience for visitors of all ages. Located at Easton Town Center, this hands-on attraction is perfect for families, but even adults will feel the pull of nostalgia as they immerse themselves in the colorful world of LEGO’s famous building bricks.
If there’s one image synonymous with Boulder, it’s the Flatirons. Technically the slopes of Green Mountain, the Flatirons are incredibly steep, triangular rock formations reminiscent of a clothes iron. Popular for hiking, rock climbing, and picnicking, the Flatirons are a beloved city backdrop where Boulder goes to play.
A deep and dramatic gorge in the Painted Desert that’s been cut by the Little Colorado River, one of the largest tributaries of the Colorado River, this natural landmark offers dramatic scenery reminiscent of its much larger neighbor, the Grand Canyon, without the crowds. Several overlooks allow for easy viewing.
Running along the south shore of the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia’s fertile Annapolis Valley produces some of Canada’s finest fruit and vegetables. Apple orchards and vineyards carpet the verdant valley, U-pick farms and farmers markets abound, and several historic sites recount the history of early Acadian settlers.
A former trolley bridge turned waterfront park, the Pitt Street Bridge combines Lowcountry views with a dose of local history. Come to take a walk, kayak, bird-watch, and snap photos of the surrounding marshes and Charleston Harbor. The park is especially popular at sunset when you can catch uninterrupted views of pink skies stretching out to the horizon. Note: Pitt Street Bridge is currently closed but is due to reopen in spring 2025.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum in Alexandria comprises two separate structures: a tavern and a hotel. The historic landmark served as the center of political, business, and social life during the early days of the US and hosted the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. In addition to touring the museum, visitors can also dine on traditional dishes at the first-floor restaurant.
Set amidst a world-class sea of attractions—from Mount Rushmore to Wind Cave National Park—Rapid City punches well above its size (population: 80,000). Downtown Rapid City is proof of that, with its 100+ shops, restaurants, bars, cafés, boutiques, and more. When you need a break from western South Dakota’s epic nature, head to the quickest city around.
Situated below the historic Chatham Light lighthouse, on the Atlantic Ocean side of Chatham, this Cape Cod destination is the largest and one of the most scenic beaches in the Chatham area. The expansive sandy beach offers stunning views and is ideal for strolling, fishing, and watching seals and other wildlife.
Boston’s Cheers Beacon Hill (formerly the Bull & Finch Pub) is a mandatory pilgrimage for fans of the popular television showCheers, which was inspired by this authentic neighborhood watering hole. Although the bar’s interior differs from its famous TV alter ego, you’ll find the same friendly atmosphere, good pub grub, and frothy pints of beer.
Home to a private foundation set up by automobile moguls Henry and Edsel Ford, the Ford Foundation Building—now better known as the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice—is a 12-story office building in Midtown Manhattan. Unveiled in 1967, the landmark is known for its iconic mid-century architecture. It's home to a publicly accessible garden atrium, as well as the Ford Foundation Gallery.
The Black Canyon carves a dramatic stretch along the Colorado River, just downstream from the Hoover Dam, where volcanic cliffs, emerald-green waters, and hidden hot springs create a striking natural escape from the buzz of Las Vegas. Accessible only by water or trail, it’s a place where adventurers and nature lovers find a perfect mix of beauty, solitude, and adrenaline.
While most visitors to Sonoma are there for the wine-tasting experiences, the area offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures if you know where to look. Lake Sonoma is a prime spot for water activities like swimming, boating, and fishing. There's even a fish hatchery and visitor center that tells the story of how the lake was created during the building of the Warm Springs Dam.
El Museo del Barrio, often dubbed “El Museo,” is dedicated to the art of Puerto Rican, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures, and is the oldest museum in the US dedicated exclusively to Latino art. At the end of Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile, it houses more than 6,500 pieces, ranging from Taíno artifacts to works by contemporary artists in NYC and beyond.
Stretching across the Brazos River in Texas, the Waco Suspension Bridge was built in 1870 as the longest single-span suspension bridge west of the Mississippi River. It has since been rehabilitated and turned into a pedestrian-only throughway; today, it is a popular crossing for locals and visitors alike exploring the Waco Riverwalk.
This small park in the heart of downtown Detroit is a meeting place and hub for all kinds of activity. It features an ice rink and light displays in the winter, a sandy beach in the summer, and other seasonal and social events. Whenever you’re in town, stop by to see what’s happening in the park.
Pretty as a postcard, the spires of Mahone Bay’s three churches rise above the calm harbor of this coastal town. Mahone Bay hasn’t changed much since its establishment in 1754—with its historic homes, a waterfront lined with fishing boats, and its welcoming people, it’s the perfect place to bask in the charm of the Maritimes.
Located along the southeastern coast of Florida, Port Everglades is a seaport tucked in between Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood that serves as the embarkation and disembarkation point for many Caribbean and Atlantic cruises. It’s one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, as well as one of the most active cargo ports in the US due to its access to shipping lanes.
Visit Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando to experience one of the premier arts venues in central Florida. Featuring multiple theaters and event spaces, the center hosts more than 300 performances a year, spanning Broadway, ballet, opera, symphony, popular music, comedy, and more.
Carlyle House Historic Park is home to an 18th-century historic house-turned-museum in Old Town Alexandria. The Georgian-style mansion was built by Alexandria’s founder, John Carlyle, and became a center of social and political life during the early days of the city. Visitors can explore the home to get an intimate look at life during this period, courtesy of garments, furnishings, artifacts, and more.
Stretching for 17 miles, Iron Mountain Road is a spectacularly scenic road connecting Keystone, Mount Rushmore National Monument, and Custer State Park. Along the way, you’ll encounter 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, three pigtails, three tunnels, two splits, and epic views of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and potentially wildlife.
Set at the top of State Street hill, the capitol has been the seat of New York State government since the 1880s. Featuring hand-built masonry in a blend of Renaissance and Romanesque architectural styles, the building is a National Historic Landmark, regarded as one of the most beautiful state capitols in the country.
Also called the Cenote Negro (Black Cenote) for its dark-blue waters, the cenote gets its name from a local legend about an old woman who cursed the land and all who stepped on it after being evicted from her home. The cenote has sheer drops of 100 meters (330 feet). It is the smallest, diameter-wise, of Bacalar's four cenotes.
Built to mark the turn of the new millennium, the city of Tijuana built this steel and copper arch rising 14 storeys above Plaza Santa Cecilia to revitalize the area and welcome travelers into town. Also called the Millennium Arch or the Monumental Clock, the Tijuana Arch (Arco Monumental) is often the first structure travelers see when arriving to explore the area.
Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the International Museum of the Baroque (Museo Internacional del Barroco) celebrates art’s most flamboyant movement. While the structure’s clean lines and blinding white exterior provide a contrast with the extravagant artwork inside, its curved forms and skylights connect to baroque themes; the collection ranges from masterpieces by Rubens to immersive audiovisual exhibits.
Astoria is a colorful residential neighborhood in Queens with Greek immigrant roots and a growing Little Egypt area. A hidden gem destination for travelers interested in exploring away from Manhattan, it's home to more than a few worthy museums and public spaces, such as the Museum of the Moving Image and Socrates Sculpture Park.
One of Baltimore’s most historic, grand performance spaces, the Hippodrome Theatre was built over 100 years ago. Originally designed as a vaudeville theater and movie palace, the 3,000-seat venue gradually declined before being revived. Today, the theater is part of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center and hosts touring Broadway shows, Cirque du Soleil, live comedy, and more.
Few museums are as hands-on as the Asheville Pinball Museum, where visitors can literally play the exhibits to their heart’s content. Featuring over 75 classic and modern pinball machines, plus video games, the museum offers a unique pop-culture blend of interactive entertainment and vintage charm. It is a must-visit for ball-popping enthusiasts and families alike.
A famed site of Mexican counterculture, the art deco Chopo University Museum (Museo Universitario del Chopo) is now dedicated to preserving the memory of underground cultures and movements. Known for its German–designed, iron-and-glass facade, 154-foot-high (47-meter-high) towers, and pine wood roof, El Chopo—as it’s known locally—is a must for fans of off-the-beaten-path attractions and experiences.
