North America attractions

One of the oldest cities in the Americas, dating back to 500 BC, Monte Albán is perhaps the most important archaeological site in Oaxaca. The ancient Zapotec capital, which was also occupied at times by the Olmecs and Mixtecs, is among the largest of its kind in Mexico, featuring temples, tombs, underground tunnels, and a ball court that sprawls across a mountaintop just south of the city.

Denver's Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a music venue unlike any other—a sandstone stadium forged by the elements and blessed with natural acoustics. Many musicians have taken to this stage, and when shows are in town, concertgoers are also rewarded with stellar views of the Colorado landscape. The best part: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre tickets are only required for concerts or special events.

It is virtually impossible for Savannah visitors to miss River Street. A broad waterfront promenade lined with shopping, dining, and entertainment venues, River Street is one of the main arteries of this pretty and historic city. The street also features a pedestrian-only path, perfect for leisurely strolls with unbeatable Savannah River views, plus a hop-on, hop-off trolley for even easier exploration.

Encompassing more than 1,000 square miles (2,700 square kilometers), Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park is named after its numerous glacial-carved fjords—beautiful ice valleys unlike anywhere in the Lower 48. The fjords run down the mountains into the iconic Harding Icefield, where some 30 active tidewater glaciers flow. The fabulous landscape is also a wildlife watcher's dream, thanks to its abundant marine animals, birds, and other native wildlife.

Step into one of America’s most pivotal moments at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, where restored aircraft and interactive exhibits reveal the story of aviation during and after the 1941 attack. Set inside original hangars on Ford Island, the museum offers a rare chance to see bullet holes from the battle, climb into cockpit simulators, and connect firsthand with the legacy of World War II aviation.

In the heart of downtown Boston, Copley Square is a public park flanked by some of the city’s most notable buildings. Composed of lawns, a fountain, and the imposing 19th-century Trinity Church, it serves as the finishing point for the Boston Marathon and a relaxation, shopping, and dining hub for locals and visitors.

Stretching around a secluded cove, Santa Maria Beach (Playa Santa María) is a protected marine sanctuary and an excellent spot for snorkeling or a relaxing day on the sand. Santa Maria’s serene setting offers an alternative to the noise and excitement of Cabo San Lucas’ beaches, and you can snorkel to spot colorful fish just a short swim from shore.

This public park at the southern tip of Manhattan offers unbeatable views across New York Harbor, including the Statue of Liberty, as well as plenty of space to spread out across its 25 acres (10 hectares). It’s an ideal place for a stroll or picnic on the grass, and also serves as the gateway, via ferry terminal, to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Staten Island.

Chelsea Market is a food hall and marketplace that played a key role in the revival of the Meatpacking District’s reputation as a culinary destination. Today, it’s popular among both city dwellers and visitors for its top-notch food vendors and restaurants. Bring your appetite—and a sense of curiosity—to get the most out of your visit.

A century-old lighthouse and a collection of First Nations totem poles—one of Vancouver’s most-visited attractions—sit on this exposed knob of land at the eastern tip of Stanley Park. The waterfront lookout, set between the Burrard Inlet and Coal Harbour, offers views of North Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains.

One of La Paz’s last undeveloped seafronts, Balandra Beach has some of the most pristine shores in Mexico. With calm waters sheltered from the Gulf of California and a shallow sandbar stretching from one side of the bay to the other, it’s an all-ages favorite for swimming, wading, and kayaking. Water activities abound here, but you can also hike in the surrounding hills with views of protected mangrove forests and the turquoise bay below.

The home to San Francisco’s hipster scene and the hub of the city’s Latin community, the Mission District is one of the city’s most interesting neighborhoods. It’s known for its outstanding and diverse food scene, buzzing nightlife hot spots, and a scenic park that’s a popular weekend hangout for locals.

Radio City Music Hall is a glitzy landmark that has entertained the masses since the Rockettes dance troop first kicked up their heels here in the early 1930s. The 6,000-seat theater was a gift from the Rockefellers to New York and continues to host nightly shows to this day. Performers range from stand-up comedians to chart-topping musical artists.

Known as the Great White Way because the theater lights burned so brightly in the early days of electricity, Broadway has been home to the New York City theater district for more than 100 years. The history-drenched street is one of Manhattan’s most famous thoroughfares, and many consider seeing a show—whether a popular musical, Tony Award-winning play, or up-and-coming production—an essential part of the New York experience.

With postcard views across the Caribbean, Playa Delfines is among Cancun’s most beloved beaches. And, since it’s just beyond the gleaming high rises of the city’s hotel zone, it’s a chance to experience the area’s less commercialized side. Here, you’ll find travelers sunbathing alongside locals and families lounging in the shade of palapas planted in the sand—plus iguanas soaking up the rays and occasional dolphin sightings just offshore.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada’s oldest state park, covers around 40,000 acres (16,190 hectares) of red rock formations, sandstone cliffs, and dramatic canyons. Big draws include the ancient petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and its hiking trails, which wind past the colorful sandstone landscape that gives the park its name. In addition to being one of the most popular hiking destinations near Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire also attracts picnickers, campers, and photographers.

More than 10,000 Bostonians are interred at Copp's Hill Burying Ground, a colonial cemetery on the National Register of Historic Places. This Boston landmark is a stop on the famed Freedom Trail. It's located steps from sights like the Paul Revere House and Old North Church, and offers easy access to the area's standout Italian eateries.

A wide swath of beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area backed by restored wetlands is just part of Crissy Field’s story. An integral part of San Francisco’s waterfront, Crissy Field hosts a yacht harbor, a tidal marsh, and Crissy Promenade—a popular bike and pedestrian path that climbs from the beach to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

The turquoise gem of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise sits nestled between glaciers, beckoning visitors with its mirror-like waters, serene setting, and plethora of summer and winter activities, from hiking to snowshoeing. Lake Louise is quintessential Canadian beauty, and you’ll feel like you stepped into a glossy postcard.

Located in the Flatiron District, Madison Square Park is a bustling, leafy square packed with benches, playground equipment, and open space to soak up the sun. Visitors come here to enjoy public art, use the Wi-Fi, relax over a picnic, or wait in line at Shake Shack. The park offers easy access to landmarks such as the Flatiron Building, but most people plan a visit here to enjoy the green space and people-watch.

Dating back to 1917, when it was created to protect the city from erosion, Vancouver’s Seawall is the highlight of Stanley Park. The 5.5-mile (9-kilometer) stone wall hugs the edge of the park’s entire waterfront, providing a wonderful place for walkers, runners, and bikers to get their exercise with views of the harbor, sea, and forest.

Restored buildings in brick and stone flank the tree-lined streets of Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood—the city’s original downtown and a National Historic Landmark District. Today, it’s a hub for art and nightlife, known for its galleries, clubs, and wine bars. Plus, on the Pioneer Square waterfront, manmade Pioneer Square Habitat Beach is a haven of native plants in the heart of the city.

Once a busy shipping hub, the Old Port of Montreal (Vieux Port de Montréal) is now an entertainment center stretching along the St. Lawrence River. In addition to the promenade, the port is also home to the Montreal Science Centre, La Grande Roue de Montréal, an observation wheel, a boat spa, and seasonal outdoor attractions including an urban beach and an ice rink.

Founded by Lillian Disney to honor her husband Walt's commitment to arts and culture in LA, the Walt Disney® Concert Hall stands out from the Los Angeles cityscape with its striking stainless steel exterior. Designed by Frank Gehry, inside its Douglas fir–lined auditorium ensures world-class acoustics, and the venue is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, as well as hosting an eclectic range of international singers and musicians

George Washington's Mount Vernon estate is among the most important historic landmarks in the US. Set along the Potomac River, this complex includes George and Martha Washington's former mansion, a museum and education center, farm and gardens, a forest walking trail, a slavery exhibit and memorial, a Revolutionary War encampment, and Washington's tomb. Visitors can also see Washington's reconstructed waterwheel gristmill and learn about small-batch rye whiskey distilling traditions at the nearby fully functioning distillery.

Fort Sumter National Monument is famed for being the site where the Civil War began, and today is a top attraction off the coast of Charleston. The sea fort retains much of its original stone structure, plus a few lodged cannonballs, letting visitors experience a piece of US history firsthand. The Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center provides historical context and harbor views while you wait to board your ferry.

Acting as both the waterfront and major road along the eastern edge of San Francisco, the Embarcadero stretches from Fisherman’s Wharf to South Beach, passing through some of the city’s most popular destinations. It attracts visitors and locals with its restaurants, bars, hotels, tourist attractions, event spaces, bay cruises and ferries, and a wide pathway for walkers and joggers.

Flagler College is a private college in St. Augustine, but it’s also an architectural landmark—the site was originally built as a luxury hotel by industrialist Henry Flagler. The campus is open to the public via history tours, during which you’ll visit a selection of rooms filled with opulent interiors, such as Dining Hall with its Tiffany stained-glass windows, and the Rotunda, featuring a 68-feet (21-meter) domed ceiling.

The USS Bowfin, a fleet attack submarine, was launched from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. This earned her the nickname of the Pearl Harbor Avenger. Fittingly, the USS Bowfin’s permanent home is at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum in Pearl Harbor on Oahu, where she serves as a memorial and National Historic Landmark.

Kualoa Ranch is an adventure playground and highlight for Oahu travelers. Stretching from the Koolau Mountains to the sea, the 4,000-acre (1,619-hectare) cattle ranch is one of the largest tracts of accessible nature on Oahu. The property spans several verdant valleys and offers everything from ATV rides and zipline adventures to film-location tours.