North America attractions

Located on the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula, which separates the Pacific Ocean from San Diego Bay, Cabrillo National Monument honors Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. This Portuguese explorer led the first European expedition in 1542 to discover the area that’s now the West Coast of the US. Visitors come for sweeping views of the coast and the San Diego skyline, and to admire local wildlife in protected tidepools.

The site of the 1858 pioneer camp that became Denver, Larimer Square is the oldest part of the city. Passionate preservationists saved its Victorian-era buildings from demolition in the mid-20th century, turning it into a historic district that’s now home to many of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and boutiques. It’s popular among both locals and tourists, who stroll beneath its signature strings of lights and flags.

One of the first waterfalls that you'll see as you enter Yosemite National Park, Bridalveil Fall is a towering, plunge-type waterfall measuring some 620 feet (188 meters) in height. It flows year-round and reaches its peak around May. On windy days, it sometimes almost looks like the waterfall is falling sideways.

Located in Chicago’s Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago ranks among the city’s top museums. Its vast collection comprises some 300,000 works, ranging from ancient artifacts to 19th- and 20th-century icons by Georgia O’Keeffe, Georges Seurat, Edward Hopper, and beyond. More than 1.5 million visitors from across the globe flock to the museum annually, making it one of Chicago’s most-visited tourist attractions.

Located on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, this 58-story high-rise is filled with a mix of residential, shopping, and dining spaces. It once served as the filming location for the TV show The Apprentice. You’ll find four Trump-branded eateries here: Trump Grill, the more casual Trump Café, the 45 Wine & Whiskey bar, and Trump Sweets. The skyscraper also boasts Gucci’s flagship NYC location.

Standing atop Nashville’s highest hill, the Tennessee State Capitol pays homage to Greek mythology—built by renowned architect William Strickland and modeled after an Ionic Greek temple, it’s one of the few state capitols without domes. You’re welcome inside to tour its opulent murals, frescoes, chandeliers, and hallways on any given weekday.

Shady cabanas are manicured and offer relaxation—and a party atmosphere—at this Cozumel beach club. It’s all about sea, sun, and sand, minus the crowds that fill some of Cozumel’s public beaches. Along with the waterside cabanas, Mr. Sancho’s Beach Club offers sun loungers, spa services, dining, and toys such as sit-on-top kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and Jet Skis, available for use in the calm water just offshore.

The most visited of the three St. Louis Cemeteries, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is New Orleans’ oldest and most famous resting place. Among the grand 18th- and 19th-century burial sites are the graves of civil rights activist Homer Plessy, voodoo queen Marie Laveau, and other prominent New Orleanians, whose ghosts are said to be a presence in the cemetery. Unsurprisingly, this landmark is revered as one of the most haunted cemeteries in the United States.

Giant honeycomb? Elaborate staircase? M.C. Escher–inspired art installation? This sleek attraction in the heart of the Hudson Yards development is all three and more—climb all around its staircases and landings for fun, exercise, or to look out over sweeping views of Chelsea, Midtown Manhattan, and the Hudson River. Offering a unique visual experience from every one of its many angles, the Vessel is also a great place to snap pictures.

Set within Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park, Chanakanaab Adventure Park offers a touch of nature with the amenities, convenience, and safety features of an aqua park. While it’s open to anyone who pays entry, it’s especially popular with Cozumel’s cruise ship crowd, given its location just south of the terminal. The park’s things-to-do list is lengthy, from basking on a beach with a cocktail, to discovering replica Maya ruins, to snorkeling in sandy shallows and learning to scuba dive.

When a city has an enviable location on a large body of water, like Puget Sound, the waterfront almost inevitably becomes a top attraction. This is definitely true in Seattle, where the nearly 20-block stretch along the water is home to restaurants, hotels, markets, shops, a Ferris wheel, and more than a dozen piers. There’s always something happening on the waterfront.

The hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of Yellowstone's 11 geyser basins, Norris Geyser Basin may not contain an icon like Old Faithful, but it still serves as a wild portal to the Earth’s underworld. Home to Steamboat Geyser—which erupts upwards of 300 feet (91 meters)—and dozens more, visitors here float along boardwalks just inches above this active supervolcano.

The evergreen forest at the top of the Snoqualmie Falls provides a perfect contrast to the white water that plunges 270 feet (82 meters) into the pool below. This popular sightseeing and picnic spot outside of Seattle offers a tranquil spot to escape the city's hum. If you’re looking for luxury after spending some time in nature, the Salish Lodge & Spa is situated directly next to the falls, with several restaurants on-site.

Carved out of the limestone bedrock by a rushing river, this narrow and steep canyon—which reaches depths of up to 160 feet (50 meters)—is one of the most striking geological features of Jasper National Park. In summer, hikers flock here to follow trails that span the gorge, while in winter, the canyon freezes into an icy wonderland.

Located on Oahu’s windward (eastern) side, secluded Waimanalo Beach Park is a slice of paradise. The beach’s three miles (4.8 kilometers) of soft white sand is flanked by the towering Koolau Mountains, ironwood trees, and the azure ocean. Less developed than many Oahu beaches, Waimanalo typically has the feel of a wild, hidden sanctuary.

Traveling the length of California's 17-Mile Drive, said to be one of the world's most scenic routes, is an essential Central Coast experience. Looping around the Monterey Peninsula, the private toll road offers stellar views of Monterey Bay and passes popular attractions such as the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, the Del Monte Forest, and the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Located on Cozumel’s rugged eastern coast, El Mirador lookout is a rocky seascape dotted with natural bridges, tide pools, and stone spires. This wild, undeveloped area looks out onto the open Caribbean Sea and offers a breezy escape from Cozumel’s more touristy areas.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is headquartered in the J. Edgar Hoover Building in downtown Washington DC. The famous Hollywood-ready bureau is tasked with protecting the United States from threats both foreign and domestic, drawing on both intelligence and law enforcement in its daily work. Tours definitely require navigating some red tape to arrange, but many visitors find the effort worth it.

Once home to Beat poets, jazz musicians, and the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, the West Village now boasts some of New York City’s most desirable real estate. It’s easy to see why the neighborhood appeals to both locals and visitors while strolling its walkable cobblestone streets, lined with picturesque 19th-century townhouses, trendy boutiques, and many of Manhattan’s best restaurants.

Located in the historic French Quarter, St. Philip’s Church is home to Charleston’s oldest congregation and was the first Anglican church established south of Virginia. A National Historic Landmark, the beautiful stuccoed brick building features an impressive steeple, three Tuscan porticoes, and Corinthian columns.

Just over the hills from coastal Santa Barbara lie the Santa Ynez Valley and the Danish-style town of Solvang. Founded in 1911 by a group of Danish teachers, small Solvang (Danish for "sunny field") is now a bustling cultural destination, ripe with wine-tasting rooms, bakeries turning out aebleskivers, and all sorts of quirky shops. Downtown's windmills and half-timbered buildings give it a fairy-tale look—fitting since the Hans Christian Andersen Museum is a top attraction.

With picturesque stone bridges, botanical gardens, museums, a theme park, hundreds of centuries-old oak trees, and numerous waterways, City Park in New Orleans offers a myriad of reasons to spend a day outside. Join locals on the trails, visit the New Orleans Museum of Art, take a ride on a 100-year-old carved wooden carousel, or simply find a spot for a picnic and enjoy the park’s vast green spaces.

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is one of the must-see attractions in New York City’s Central Park. Loved by athletes for its running track, the reservoir—which spans the park and offers skyline views—is also a great place for photographers. Whether you enjoy a relaxing stroll along the water or prefer to bring sneakers for a jog, the reservoir is worth exploring as part of a Central Park tour.

High in the rugged mountains of the northern state of Guerrero, the city of Taxco de Alarcon was once an isolated Spanish stronghold. Today, it is known for its silver mines and the generations of artisans who create some of Mexico's most beautiful jewelry. In addition to the silver shops, take in the town’s architectural and natural attractions.

Tunnel View is the most visited scenic overlook in Yosemite and the site of Ansel Adams’ famous shot. When driving into Yosemite National Park from the south, Tunnel View offers your first glimpse into Yosemite Valley. At the end of a tunnel, a magical valley is revealed, with towering granite peaks and domes, and waterfalls spilling over cliffs.

It might not be Canada’s tallest or most famous waterfall, but Montmorency Falls is impressive nonetheless; at 272 feet (83 meters), the cascade measures almost 100 feet (30 meters) higher than Niagara Falls. Just minutes from downtown Quebec, Montmorency Falls Park sits at the meeting point of the Montmorency and St Lawrence River, affording spectacular views of the natural wonder from all angles.

Covering 630 square miles (1,630 square kilometers), Lake Pontchartrain is one of the largest inland saltwater bodies in the United States. It’s a favorite spot for fishing, sailing, and swimming, and a big draw for wildlife fans—the lake’s shores and waters are home to a diverse ecosystem, including blue crabs, Atlantic stingrays, pelicans, ospreys, and occasionally bull sharks.

Known as “America’s most historic square mile,” Independence National Historical Park comprises the most significant landmarks linked to the Revolutionary War and the founding of the United States. Highlights of the park, located in Philadelphia’s Old City and Society Hill neighborhoods, include Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

San Francisco's man-made Treasure Island was created for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition and then became home to a naval training station and other military sites. In recent years, the small isle has become a trendy destination for its urban wineries, cultural events, and unbeatable views of downtown San Francisco and the bay. Though it’s grown in popularity, the area still maintains a neighborhood feel that makes it a welcome escape from the city.

Sheer natural beauty is just the start of the appeal of of Beacon Hill Park, which sprawls across the southern edge of Victoria, British Columbia. It’s a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, with a petting zoo, splash parks, playgrounds, sports fields, seemingly endless footpaths, and one of the tallest totem poles in the world.