North America attractions

This storied entertainment district in downtown Memphis is generally considered the birthplace of a distinctly American music genre: the blues. From 1920 to 1940, artists descended on Beale Street to collaborate, creating this new music style that blended smooth jazz with hard-charging rock ‘n’ roll. Today, this National Historic Landmark District is home to clubs where legendary greats such as BB King, Louis Armstrong, and WC Handy once played.

One of just two so-called “petrified waterfalls” in the world—the other is Turkey’s Pamukkale—Hierve el Agua is the kind of natural wonder that blurs the line between reality and imagination. What appears to be a waterfall frozen in time is actually a unique travertine rock formation created by centuries of spring waters bubbling up in the rock, trickling over the cliffs, and leaving behind cascades of mineral deposits.

Housed in an 1820s French Quarter townhouse, this museum sits on the site of America’s first licensed pharmacy. Inside, visitors can find shelves lined with antique medicine bottles, voodoo potions, herbs, surgical tools, and even a vintage soda fountain. Comprising over 18,000 items, the collection offers visitors a fascinating look at the blend of science and folk healing traditions in early medicine.

One of the many waterfalls lining the Columbia River Gorge, Latourell Falls is a narrow stream of water that plunges for 224 feet (68 meters) onto slippery boulders covered with bright green lichen. A short bridge over the resulting stream is the perfect place to snap a few pictures or simply enjoy the spray of water on your face on a hot day.

Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex is a marina and sports facility on Manhattan’s West Side, along the Hudson River. Originally a passenger ship terminal, it’s now a sports and entertainment hub with ice skating, bowling, rock climbing, golf, and field sports—making it a great place to come for families and friends. There are also TV production facilities and event spaces.

Posh Coral Gables, called the “City Beautiful,” is filled with old European-style homes: Italianate villas, Mediterranean mansions, mini-Alhambras, and cookie-cutter Cordobas shaded by living walls of banyan trees and ficus copses. You’ll also find 1920s-era historic landmarks like the Biltmore Hotel.

This larger-than-life bronze statue standing at the top of the steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art has become an essential stop on any visit to the hometown of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa. Modeled after the famous shot from the first film, with both arms raised, the Rocky Statue was made for the movie Rocky III (1982) and gifted to the city by Sylvester Stallone. More than 40 years later, it’s still drawing crowds.

Kauai’s capital city and gateway to all island adventures, Lihue is located on the eastern coastline and is home to both the main cruise port and the only commercial airport. The city is also Kauai’s primary shopping destination and boasts several historic spots, such as the Kilohana Plantation and the Kauai Museum. Kalapaki Beach, located just north of Lihue, is one of the island’s top sunbathing spots.

What began as the headquarters of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory in the 1890s is now a multilevel retail square across the street from San Francisco’s Aquatic Park. Instantly recognizable by its clock tower and large Ghirardelli sign—both popular photo ops—the red-brick complex is a destination for waterfront dining, shopping, and sampling chocolate.

A circle of granite pavers in front of the Old State House commemorates the Boston Massacre of 1770. The site marks the spot where British soldiers and colonists clashed: what started as a skirmish escalated into a riot, resulting in the deaths of five civilians. It’s considered one of the most pivotal events leading to the American Revolution.

Known as the “most photographed lake in the Yukon,” Emerald Lake is graced with vibrant hues of green water. The unique colors—created by sunlight reflecting off a layer of white calcium carbonate on the lake’s bottom—set the lake apart from the many others that dot the Yukon. The novelty draws in road trippers traveling the Klondike Highway.

Joshua Tree National Park straddles the Colorado and Mojave deserts and spans nearly 800,000 acres (323,749 hectares) of windswept Southern California plains. By day, backpackers, rock climbers, and visitors from Palm Springs and beyond admire the rich landscape’s peculiar rock formations and cartoonish yucca trees. After sundown, campers and night owls take in the park’s signature starlit skies.

The exterior of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal may look like any other Gothic Revival church, but the inside is where the true wonder lies. The pale blue ceiling is dotted and traced with gold, and the paintings, statues, and stained glass are richly colored. Despite being located in the busy streets of Old Montreal, the church is a calming respite from the buzz of the city.

A popular stop for locals and visitors alike, Seaport Village sits directly on San Diego Bay and it’s known for being a great spot for shopping, dining, and entertainment. This buzzing harborside complex has a village-style layout and features waterfront dining options, boutiques, specialty shops, and outdoor performers. Whether you’re riding the carousel, browsing shops, or enjoying a meal by the water, it’s an easy place to slow down and soak up the harbor atmosphere.

Flat-bottomed trajinera boats decked with bright lights set the festive atmosphere at Xoximilco Cancun in Xcaret Park, where revelers enjoy traditional music, drinks, and cuisine from across Mexico. It’s an experience inspired by the beloved boat parties in Mexico City’s canal-lined Xochimilco neighborhood—complete with hosts and an energetic soundtrack of live music provided by mariachi, marimba, and norteño musicians in colorful garb.

The Banff Gondola delivers panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies. After an 8-minute ride of 2,292 feet (698 meters) to Sulphur Mountain’s summit, you'll arrive at a complex with several viewing areas, interactive exhibits, and restaurants. With views of towering mountains and glittering rivers, the gondola displays the scope of the region’s natural beauty. Themed events also take place, including the winter Nightrise experience and the summer Sunset Festival.

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park commemorates the life, work, and legacy of the Civil Rights Movement leader. Walk in the footsteps of a legend as you explore the home where King was born and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where both his father and grandfather served as ministers. The site is also home to the crypt where Dr. King is buried alongside his wife, Coretta Scott King; their graves feature an eternal flame.

If Brooklyn is New York City’s coolest borough, then Williamsburg is its ultimate hipster mecca. Packed with galleries, music venues, and art spaces, the neighborhood has long been a prime destination to soak up the borough’s eclectic culture. Today, locals and visitors come to admire the street art, head to destination restaurants, hit trendy dive bars, and shop indie boutiques and thrift stores.

Officially dedicated on October 14, 2006 by President George W. Bush, the U.S. Air Force Memorial is located in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. This place of remembrance features three stainless steel spires that reach 402 feet (122.5 meters up into the sky.

Founded in 1695 and located in the heart of Old City, Christ Church is one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most significant religious landmarks, formerly attended by Founding Fathers including George Washington. Christ Church Burial Ground serves as the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin, George Ross, and other American luminaries.

This scenic stretch of British Columbia’s Highway 99 extends from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton, an 83-mile (134-kilometer journey past Howe Sound, Squamish, and Whistler’s rugged peaks. It’s not just a pretty drive; with so many stops along the way you could spend a week exploring hiking trails, towering waterfalls, and the region’s First Nations cultures.

Just north of Jackson, the National Elk Refuge is a federally protected wildlife refuge that provides a critical winter range for the largest elk herd in North America. Each year, thousands of elk migrate here from the surrounding mountains to survive the harsh Rocky Mountain winter. Visitors can observe the elk herd in an open landscape framed by the Teton Range, which makes the refuge a must-see for nature lovers.

Leafy pedestrian walkways, historical monuments, and numerous open-air art and photography exhibitions characterize Paseo de la Reforma, one of Mexico City’s busiest thoroughfares which splices Chapultepec Park and connects it with the historic center. Lined by towering skyscrapers and luxury hotels, Paseo de la Reforma is also home to Mexico City landmarks like the Ángel de la Independencia.

Rising more than 900 feet (274 meters) above San Francisco, Twin Peaks provides a panoramic view of the city and beyond. On clear days, you can see for miles from these two hills, taking in the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio, Alcatraz, downtown San Francisco, and Berkeley, Oakland, and Sausalito across San Francisco Bay.

30 Rockefeller Plaza, one of New York City’s most famous buildings, boasts incredible views from its sky-high vista point: the Top of the Rock observation deck. Visitors can access three levels of both indoor and outdoor platforms offering unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and sprawling metropolis below. Top of the Rock also has a rooftop restaurant, The Weather Room, where you can enjoy all-day fare with a view.

The atypical architecture of Guadalajara’s stunning 16th-century cathedral—formally known as the Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Virgen María—looms large over the city’s historic center. Built predominantly in the Spanish Renaissance style, with several stained-glass windows, the most emblematic features of all are the two yellow, neo-Gothic spires which sit atop the building.

Cherry trees and walking trails hug the edge of Washington DC’s 107-acre (43-hectare) Tidal Basin, a manmade reservoir surrounded by major landmarks. Steps away from its shore are the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Yet its blockbuster attraction is the bumper crop of pink-and-white cherry blossoms that arrives each spring, drawing strolling crowds to admire one of the capital’s most striking natural wonders.

The first planetarium in the western hemisphere, this premier attraction for astronomy enthusiasts was built in 1930 as part of Chicago’s lakefront Museum Campus. Its family-friendly planetarium shows, celestial artifacts, and Grainger Sky Theater attract visitors of all ages, and permanent exhibits span from antique telescopes to cutting-edge space visualizations. The planetarium’s seven sky shows are its biggest draw, focusing on everything from the local night sky to the far reaches of the universe.

On the edge of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, the Maya ruins of Muyil are one of the oldest yet least-crowded archeological sites in the Riviera Maya. Dominated by the steep-walled El Castillo—one of the region’s tallest pyramids—the site showcases the distinctive Peten architectural style, which is similar to that seen at Tikal in Guatemala. Travelers are also drawn to the peaceful jungle setting, a quieter alternative to Tulum and Coba.

Billed as the oldest residential street in the United States, Elfreth’s Alley dates back to 1702. A National Historic Landmark and a living museum, the narrow, cobbled alley features 32 buildings in Georgian and Federal styles. It’s also home to Elfreth's Alley Museum House.