North America attractions

Designed by architect John Norris, the Mercer Williams House Museum was built in the 1860s and restored a century later by antiques dealer Jim Williams. Considered one of the most beautiful houses in all of Savannah, Georgia, it’s now a museum, most famously known as a setting for the book and movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

One of Maui’s first resort towns, Kaʻanapali offers high-rise hotels lining idyllic white-sand beaches—the most famous among them being Kaʻanapali Beach. While not as remote as other West Maui beaches, this long stretch of coastline is a hub for activities on both water and land. Most visitors come for swimming and cliff-diving, though you can also stay busy with shopping, golfing, and ziplining—plus whale-watching and a host of water sports.

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, also known as the Cooper River Bridge, is an 8-lane, cable-stayed bridge spanning the Cooper River. At 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, it’s one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the Americas and a symbol of Charleston. It connects downtown to Mount Pleasant and the beaches beyond, plus offers protected bike and pedestrian paths that lead to unobstructed views of Charleston Harbor and the city skyline.

Sitting just below the Golden Gate Bridge on the very northern tip of San Francisco, Fort Point National Historic Site was built in the mid-1800s to guard the entrance to San Francisco Bay during the Gold Rush. Today, the small site can be explored on foot and provides a fantastic vantage point of the bridge and bay.

Mount Royal (Mont Royal), a 764-foot (233-meter) “mountain” in the midst of urban Montreal, is much-loved by locals and visitors alike, with Montrealers frequenting the leafy slopes as if the area were their own backyard. Cyclists, joggers, sunbathers, picnickers, and strollers abound in the summer, while snowshoers, tobogganers, ice skaters, and cross-country skiers dominate in winter. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted—the creative force behind New York City’s Central Park—the 470-acre (190-hectare) Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal) encompasses forest trails, monuments, and grassy meadows. On a clear day, the views from the Mount Royal summit lookout can’t be beat.

The River Walk winds through the heart of downtown San Antonio, Texas, past parks, historic missions, and other major attractions. Lined with shops, downtown hotels, bars, and restaurants, this pedestrian- and bike-friendly waterway—the United States’ largest urban ecosystem restoration—is popular with tourists and locals alike, and is a must-see for any San Antonio visitor.

Once home to Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low, this historic mansion has been restored to its 19th-century glory and offers tours and hosts Girl Scout events. Visit the first National Historic Landmark in Savannah to see exhibits that follow the Low family and the genesis of the Girl Scouts.

Looking for Charleston’s personal backyard? Check out Waterfront Park, with grassy areas for picnics, a giant pineapple fountain, and porch swings overlooking the river. Visitors and locals alike come here to watch the boats float by and enjoy the park’s family-friendly amenities. It’s an especially popular destination at sunset.

The 195,819-acre (79,245-hectare) Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada comprises a network of narrow canyons, seasonal waterfalls, rock art sites, and surreal rock formations. It offers ample opportunities for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and desert wildlife watching. And the fact that it’s a short drive from Las Vegas makes it an ideal nature escape from the city.

Downtown Las Vegas thrived as the city’s gambling district until the middle of the 20th century, when new resort-casino complexes, such as the Flamingo, began to pull crowds away from the area toward The Strip. After a period of neglect, Downtown has seen revitalization over the past few years, transforming it into a Las Vegas cultural and entertainment hub in its own right.

When you first see Peyto Lake, nestled in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, the striking blue color of the water will astound you. The hue is thanks to the geologic makeup of the silt (“rock flour”) that mixes with the runoff from nearby Peyto Glacier. Take in the spectacular view from the Bow Summit or hike in for a closer look.

With 3,000-foot (nearly-1,000-meter) canyon walls lining the Grijalva River, Sumidero Canyon National Park (Parque Nacional Cañón del Sumidero) is home to monkeys, crocodiles, and other wildlife. The best views of the canyon are from the bottom, so join the stream of boats cruising up and down the river, and take in the scenery.

Dating back to the 18th century, the Savannah City Market has long been the commercial and social center of historic downtown Savannah, Georgia. The market is known locally as the “art and soul” of Savannah, a nod to the numerous art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants that make it such an important part of Savannah's social fabric—and any visitor to the city should at least pop by.

Located in Lower Manhattan, Bowling Green has been a gathering place for Manhattanites for centuries. Its name comes from a game that was played here, known as lawn bowling (similar to the French pétanque or Italian bocce). Today, this tiny wedge of green space in the bustling Financial District is best known as the home of the Charging Bull sculpture.

Deep within a mangrove forest just 20 minutes from Tulum, Casa Cenote is a freshwater swimming spot that’s perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and snorkeling. The cenote is a great spot for experienced and novice divers alike, with an underground cave system that connects to it and abundant marine life, such as green moray eels, blue swimming crabs, and snappers.

No trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to Music Row. This is the home of the country music industry, with a slew of record labels, radio stations, and recording studios working side-by-side. This landmark area also boasts historic sites like RCA Studio B, where scores of artists recorded hits. There are also live venues on and near Music Row, to check out established artists as well as up-and-comers looking to break through.

Though many visitors stick around the bright lights of Midtown, don’t miss the chance to explore Lower Manhattan. Definitions of the parameters of Lower Manhattan can differ but generally include the buzzing neighborhoods south of 14th Street, such as Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown, the Financial District, and more. Lower Manhattan is popular for its excellent shopping, wide range of restaurants, historic sights, architecture tours, and, of course, top-notch people-watching.

Despite being one of the driest, hottest, and lowest places in the United States, Death Valley National Park—on the border of California and Nevada—is not as ominous as it sounds. Comprising otherworldly landscapes, from volcanic hills and snowcapped mountains to dunes and badlands, the area is also home to plenty of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and jackrabbits. The park also protects the largest wilderness area in the contiguous US, which measures over 3,190,400 acres (1,291,100 hectares).

Constructed in the 1890s, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings still serve as home to the province’s legislature. Built according to the designs of young British architect Francis Rattenbury, the neo-Baroque complex’s imposing size, copper domes, turrets, and stained glass ensure a commanding and stately presence.

Part of the Ko’olau Range on the windward coast of Oahu, Mt. Tantalus (Puʻuohiʻa) towers over Honolulu. A scenic drive winds to the summit, where the Tantalus Lookout at Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park offers sweeping views over south Oahu, from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor. It’s considered one of the best sunset views on the island.

Located in downtown Philadelphia, the John F. Kennedy Plaza is better known as LOVE Park, after Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture in the center of the park. Newly redesigned, with expanded green spaces, improved seating and pathways, and a programmable fountain, LOVE Park is a popular destination with locals and visitors alike.

Founded almost a century ago and located right on the National Mall, the National Gallery of Art is one of Washington DC’s preeminent museums. The museum is today home to a collection of more than 141,000 artworks, which spans the medieval period to the modern day and includes paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Its companion Sculpture Garden is also a highlight.

Olympic National Park covers a huge swath of Washington's Olympic Peninsula. It encompasses rugged coastline, towering mountain ranges, temperate rainforests, and wildflower-filled lowland meadows. Home to some of the largest stretches of old-growth forest in the US, along with black bears, cougars, and dozens of bird species, this misty Pacific Northwest park is the ultimate outdoor escape.

The largest art museum in the western United States, the size of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is matched by the breadth of its collection. Home to more than 155,000 objects dating from antiquity to the present, the exhibits represent artistic expression from across the world—and are an essential stop for art lovers. As well as exploring its vast indoor collections, you can see outdoor installations, and the museum also hosts film screenings and concerts, too.

Located in Lappin Park in Salem, the Bewitched Statue is a tribute to actress Elizabeth Montgomery, the star of the popular 1960s show, Bewitched. Unveiled in 2005, the bronze statue features Montgomery’s character, the fictional witch Samantha Stephens, sitting on a broomstick in front of a crescent moon. Fans of the series stop here to snap selfies while twitching their noses in an homage to Samantha’s spell-casting technique.

Austin’s 6th Street is the city’s legendary nightlife district, packed with live music venues, neon-lit bars, late-night food spots, and all-around good times in the self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World.” One of the best places to experience Austin’s energetic party scene, visitors flock to Old 6th Street—known locally as “Dirty 6th”—for its rowdy dive bars, while West 6th offers a more polished mix of rooftop bars, cocktail lounges, and trendy restaurants.

Just beyond Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Honokohau Beach rests Honokohau Harbor, a bustling 262-slip marina with restaurants, outfitters, restrooms, and more. Most visitors will come here for scuba and snorkeling adventures—or for their chance to reel in that trophy catch. From here, 1,000-pound marlin and billfish troll the waters, alongside dolphins, whales, and the world’s largest rays.

Back Bay borders the south bank of Charles River, southwest of Downtown Boston. Balancing commercial streets with residential avenues, the area is characterized by handsome Victorian brownstones, modern high-rises, grand 19th-century public buildings, and high-end restaurants, shops, and bars.

First established in the mid-19th century, Victoria Chinatown is among North America’s oldest. Now a National Historic Site, Victoria’s Chinatown is home to cafes, studios, herbalists, tea rooms, and shops, as well as the narrow Fan Tan Alley, which measures 35 inches (88.9 centimeters) wide at its narrowest point.

Part of the Smithsonian Institute, the National Museum of American History is one of Washington DC’s most popular museums. A highlight of the National Mall since it opened in 1964, the museum is home to nearly 2 million objects related to American history—including the original Star-Spangled Banner flag and the 1776 gunboat Philadelphia. One of the 17 free DC museums that make up the Smithsonian Institute, this eclectic collection is a must-see for history buffs.