Spanning New York City’s East River and connecting Midtown Manhattan with Long Island City in Queens via Roosevelt Island, hundreds of thousands of vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians cross the Queensboro Bridge—officially the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge—every day. The early-20th-century bridge is also significant from an architecture and engineering standpoint.
Santa María la Ribera is a so-called barrio mágico (magic neighborhood) home to verdant parks, mansion houses, multiple museums, and the impressive and elaborate Kiosko Morisco bandstand. A more off-the-beaten-path alternative to the city’s other hotspots, Santa María is an ideal place to escape the crowds in the Mexican capital.
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway winds its way from Estes Park at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park to Interstate Highway I-70, past dense forests, pristine lakes, and the towering peaks of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, and the Indian Peaks. It travels 55 miles (89 kilometers) along the Continental Divide and provides excellent views of the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range.
Reconnect with nature at Georgia's Callaway Gardens, a lush 2,500 acres (1,1011 hectares) oasis that boasts gardens, 13 lakes, and lots of outdoor activities. Marvel at the colorful blooms in the Overlook Azalea Garden, stroll the nature trails that wind through the woodlands, or soak up some sunshine at Robin Lake.
Home to the Baltimore Orioles Major League Baseball (MLB) team since 1992, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is one of Baltimore’s major sporting venues. Situated in a historic former railyard right next to the Inner Harbor, Oriole Park was modeled after retro stadiums like Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Boston’s Fenway Park and is considered one of the league’s best.
Located in the city of Edmonton, the Alberta Legislature Building is home to the province’s legislative assembly and is known for its striking architecture, the opportunity to watch live parliamentary debate, and free tours covering Alberta’s political history. The pretty grounds, spread over 57 acres (23 hectares), are reason enough to visit this Canadian landmark.
Juneau’s waterfront is a hub of activity, and Franklin Street is its most famous thoroughfare. This historic heart of the Alaskan capital comprises a collection of Gold Rush–themed restaurants, old-time saloons, clapboard balconies, and Victorian architecture, making you feel like you’re stepping into another era.
Glimpse into Mexico’s complex past in historically rich La Antigua, thought to be one of the first Spanish towns in Mexico. Highlights include some of the country’s oldest surviving colonial buildings, such as the 16th-century home of Hernán Cortés and what’s thought to be the oldest church in the Americas, Ermita del Rosario.
Near the east entrance of the Grand Canyon, Lipan Point offers some of the most expansive canyon views, and the longest Colorado River views, on the South Rim. Ideal for sunrise, sunset, and stargazing, it also offers great views of the unique tilted rock strata of the Grand Canyon Supergroup.
Head south from the French Quarter and you'll soon find yourself in the Warehouse District, home to some of the best museums in New Orleans, including the National WWII Museum, Mardi Gras World, and the Contemporary Arts Center. This hip neighborhood is also home to loads of art galleries and boutiques, along with plenty of award-winning restaurants.
With the largest pier in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) of white-sand beaches, and opportunities for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities, this is one of the region’s most impressive state parks. It’s a vibe that’s part Caribbean splendor, part honky-tonk—a combo you can only find in Alabama.
At the end of Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road in Sequoia National Park, you’ll find this gentle trail around lovely Crescent Meadow, home to ancient sequoias such as the Chimney Tree. The trail is a flat alternative to the Moro Rock climb and links with other trails to Tharp’s Log and Squatters Cabin; it’s also technically the beginning of the much longer High Sierra Trail.
Bunche Beach Preserve is a 718-acre (290-hectare) natural tide wetlands area on San Carlos Bay. Beach, mangroves, and salt flats create this natural, non-invasive area of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Everything from swimming and shoreline fishing to kayaking and photography are permitted at the preserve.
New York City’s Belasco Theatre is a historic Broadway gem that’s drawn theatergoers for more than a hundred years. The venue boasts ornate decor, intricate ceiling designs, and plush seating. Here, guests are captivated by the acclaimed performances as well as the theater's unique history, including rumored ghost sightings.
The Lower East Side’s Essex Market has been a neighborhood meeting and eating hub since the 1940s. First built on the site of a previous outdoor market as a way of bringing street vendors together, the multilevel indoor space continues to be a one-stop shop for quality food and produce, and has grown into a modern food hall full of choice eats.
Among New York City’s most storied streets, St. Mark’s Place has been a haven of countercultural cool for decades and was frequented by luminaries ranging from Patti Smith and Yoko Ono to Thelonious Monk. Today, the East Village thoroughfare is lined with late-night restaurants, tattoo parlors, and quirky souvenir shops that attract NYU students, tourists, and locals in equal measure.
Beaufort National Cemetery was originally a burial site for Union soldiers who died at a nearby hospital while fighting in the Civil War’s Battle of Port Royal. Confederate soldiers were later buried there, leading to its designation as a National Cemetery in 1863. Soldiers from every major US conflict are now interned in Beaufort National Cemetery.
Carving its way through the Great Smoky Mountains, the Newfound Gap might as well be the bold, black line marking the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina. This low mountain pass has a 31-mile (50-kilometer) roadway, making it the highest driveable route through the Smokies. You’ll see the colors of the evergreen spruce trees as you drive through the center of the national park.
With a focus on Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander art and history, the community-based Wing Luke Museum showcases stories spanning oceans and generations. The diverse experiences of Asian Americans in the Pacific Northwest are displayed across three floors of exhibitions covering traditional culture, cutting-edge arts, and music. Offerings extend beyond the museum walls, and museum admissions include tours of the surrounding Chinatown-International District.
One of just three of its kind in Mexico, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Mexico City is a family-friendly attraction located in a conveniently central neighborhood. Over nine exhibition rooms in a building designed to look like a medieval castle, marvel over the vast selection of oddities and intrigues—such as shrunken heads—before exploring the swivel tunnel and more.
Home of the beloved St. Louis Cardinals, Busch Stadium is a must-see for baseball fans. Though its classic style hints at a long history, this 46,000-seat ballpark was built in 2006 (replacing Busch Memorial Stadium). Catch a game or take a tour of the stadium to see areas that aren’t open to the general public, plus pick up team merch at the on-site shops.
Renowned as one of the wildest and most pristine swamplands in the United States, Honey Island Swamp is just a quick trip from New Orleans, and is best explored by boat tour. The atmospheric swamp is prime habitat for native wildlife, including alligators and wild boar. Plus, according to local folklore, it houses an even more menacing resident—the notorious Honey Island Swamp monster.
The Vail Pass Path is a bicycle pathway that cuts through the Vail Pass, between Vail and Copper Mountain. A popular way to see the area around Breckenridge, the path runs about 15 miles (24 kilometers), though cyclists can extend their ride when continuing on the Vail Pass National Recreation Trail.
Washington Dulles International Airport, or Dulles, is one of three major airports in the Washington, D.C. area (the others being Reagan National Airport and Baltimore Washington International Airport. The busiest airport in the region, it’s a major domestic and international hub, with more than 130 destinations on around 40 airlines.
Avenida Revolución (Revolution Avenue) is the main thoroughfare of historic downtown Tijuana. Lined with cafés, restaurants, hotels, and fast-food chains, it serves as the city’s tourist center. The metallic Tijuana Arch stretches over Avenida Revolucion, greeting visitors. A recent remodeling of the avenue has brought wider sidewalks, the addition of rapid bus lanes, and a reduction in car traffic.
Big Bend National Park boasts more than hiking trails—scenic driving routes lace the park, with none more spectacular than Ross Maxwell, a curvy 30-mile (50-kilometer) stretch showcasing the region’s renowned geological features. A journey along the road takes you past sights including historic districts, vista points and overlooks, canyons, volcanic rock formations, and the Chisos Mountains.
If you like shopping, Knoxville’s Market Square is the place to be. This pedestrian-friendly area was developed over several decades in the second half of the 19th century, and is full of boutiques ranging from women’s clothing stores to gift shops. There are also plenty of restaurants, many with outdoor seating for warm summer days, plus a fair few bars and pubs and a kid-friendly wading fountain for summertime play.
Located at Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, Devil’s Den is a rocky hill that played a vital role during the Battle of Gettysburg. Visitors come here to climb the large boulders, hike the trails, and learn about Civil War history. With its striking views of the surrounding battlefield, the site is popular among photography enthusiasts and history buffs.
Stretching along the Long Island Sound, Ocean Beach Park is considered one of the best beaches in the US. One of only two beaches in New London, Ocean Beach Park offers easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and recreation facilities such as a boardwalk, pool, classic rides, arcade, mini golf, dining, and numerous events.
Situated in central Charlotte, Independence Square is the ideal launch point for many of the city's highlights, including nearby museums, restaurants, and cultural venues. The square originated as the intersection of two major American Indian trading paths in the mid-1700s, and today the intersection is the symbolic heart of the city, where Trade and Tryon Streets meet beneath four corner sculptures that celebrate Charlotte’s past.
