North America attractions

Comprising a series of man-made canals located just steps from Venice Beach, the Venice Canals are one of LA’s loveliest attractions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980s, the Venice Canal District dates to 1905 and was built by a local developer seeking to recreate the romantic ambiance of Italy. Today it’s an oasis where you can escape from the urban bustle.

Resurrection Bay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula—dotted with glaciers, fjords, and secluded coves against a backdrop of snowy mountains and dramatic fog—is a haven for those who enjoy striking landscapes. Not only is this pristine wilderness beautiful, but it’s also filled with opportunities for outdoor recreation, from wildlife-watching to fjord-cruising, hiking, and paddling. And with Seward at its base, it’s accessible to boot.

With its scenic streets, traditional architecture, and indigenous community, San Juan Chamula is a popular day-trip destination in Chiapas. The undeniably highlight of any tour is the central Church of San Juan, which blends colonial Catholic practice with Mayan tradition and ritual to create a truly unique and pew-less place of worship—look out for the tiny mirrors, which are said to ward away evil.

It’s no wonder Kauai is nicknamed the Garden Isle. In the center of the island sits Mt. Waialeale, one of the wettest places on Earth. Beautiful jungle expanses characterize this emerald mountain and a massive cliffside dubbed the Weeping Wall, where countless waterfalls rush to their depths. Movie buffs, take note: Areas near the mountain were used as a backdrop for some of the scenes in Jurassic Park.

In the middle of sprawling Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo contains a whole world within its miniaturized biomes. From the gorillas roaming the rainforest to the polar bears splashing in their icy pond, the open-air enclosures create an immersive experience, allowing you to see the animals in an environment that's close to their natural habitat.

Bordered by Central Park to the east and Riverside Park to the west, the tree-lined avenues and chic brownstones of the Upper West Side are the antithesis of bustling Midtown Manhattan. Upmarket residential streets make up the bulk of the neighborhood, where you’ll find family-friendly eateries, museums, and cultural sights. Highlights include Lincoln Center, home to the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Ballet; the American Museum of Natural History; and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.

Steeped in history and mysticism, the ancient burial site of Mitla—which translates as the “Place of the Dead”—dates back to 900 BC. Notable for its mix of Zapotec and Mixtec architecture, adorned with elaborate mosaics and ornate stonework, it’s one of Oaxaca’s most important archaeological sites.

Columbia University blends Ivy League tradition with the energy of New York City. Its Morningside Heights campus is an academic enclave filled with tree-lined walkways, grand neoclassical buildings, and inviting green spaces. Visitors come to admire the historic architecture, take in views from College Walk, or simply soak up the atmosphere of one of the world’s top universities. It’s a picturesque stop in Upper Manhattan—and a window into the city’s intellectual heart.

Since John D. Rockefeller founded Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in 1955, it’s grown into one of New York City’s cultural powerhouses. Eleven different venues make up the vast complex, where lovers of the arts can enjoy performances by the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet, and New York Philharmonic. Whether a celebrity-studded film premiere, an open-air music concert, or a night at the opera, there’s always something happening at Lincoln Center.

The Kennedy Space Center has been hurtling humans and shuttles into space since 1968, and it’s still a primary site for NASA launches. Parts of the sprawling campus are open to the public. On daily tours, you can interact with astronauts, try simulated space flights and an astronaut training experience, and see artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.

A short jaunt from Portland, the Willamette Valley is known by wine lovers worldwide for its delectable pinot noirs, often produced in small batches. With more than 700 wineries dotted throughout the region, it’s a popular destination for wine tasting—with a flourishing culinary scene to match. In addition to vineyards, you’ll find hiking trails, mountain biking, and historic small towns dripping in old-timey charm.

With 100 acres (40.5 hectares) of public beach situated right between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Beach Park is a local favorite and top destination for Oahu visitors. There are paths for walking, calm water for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding, gentle waves for surfing, and plenty of soft, golden sand for sunbathing.

Thanks to its year-round summer weather, miles of sandy beaches, and enviable waves, Huntington Beach’s moniker is Surf City USA. Luckily for non-surfers, you don’t need to be good on a board to appreciate this quintessential Southern California beach town. Take a sunset walk along the iconic Huntington Beach Pier, and you’ll see why even short-term visitors can’t help but acclimate to the city’s laid-back lifestyle.

You can spend a full day strolling up and down this eclectic South Florida district, which is filled with art galleries, boutiques, and al fresco dining options. The 10 blocks that span all the way to the ocean are lined with palm trees and Mediterranean architecture, and set the stage for a relaxing day or night in Fort Lauderdale.

Though the Boston Public Library has dozens of branches, the Central Library in Copley Square draws in the most visitors. It's housed in two side-by-side buildings, the oldest of which is known for its impressive murals and 19th-century architecture. Once you've admired the Roman Renaissance-inspired courtyard and Grand Staircase decked out in yellow marble, you can cozy up with a book in the Hogwarts-like reading room.

Named after its gushing thermal springs, Sulphur Mountain rises to a height of 8,041 feet (2,450 meters), towering over the town of Banff and Bow Valley. Banff Upper Hot Springs sit on its lower slopes, while the Banff Gondola carries you up to the summit ridge for views out across the peaks of the Canadian Rockies.

One of Los Angeles’ most popular shopping destinations, The Grove is an open-air retail and entertainment complex. Stretching across 575,000 square feet (53,419 square meters), the mall hosts dozens of shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater. A trolley serves the complex—ride it for fun or just to rest your feet.

Located where the residence of the country’s first presidents once stood, The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation exhibition area is a highlight of Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park. Erected in 2010, the open-air gallery explores how slavery tainted the country’s struggle for freedom.

The landscape comes alive with the sound of bubbling mud pits and steaming fumaroles at this geothermal hotspot inside Yellowstone National Park. Natural features with names like Dragon’s Mouth Spring lend the formerly active volcano an otherworldly feel and make it one of Yellowstone’s most intriguing places to visit.

Biscayne National Park—95 percent of which lies underwater—is unique among the country's national parks, and one of the top snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba-diving destinations in the United States. Divers and snorkelers flock to this idyllic stretch of sea to experience Biscayne Bay's extensive reef system. Above the water, you can explore the Florida park's small mainland mangrove shoreline and keys by boat.

Located on Philadelphia’s historic Independence Mall, the National Constitution Center is dedicated to honoring and exploring the United States Constitution, which (ratified in 1788) is the supreme law of the nation. The sprawling, tech-savvy museum brings the Constitution to life via interactive exhibits and dramatic presentations.

The highlight of this protected, private reserve is the extensive cave system. With underground pools of clear blue water, cave fish, and intricate rock formations, Rio Secreto feels like a place where nature took its time. The cave system is surrounded by swathes of bright green jungle and rugged bike trails, offering peaceful immersion in the region’s natural beauty.

Encompassing nearly 1.87 million acres (757,000 hectares), Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah is known for its red and gold rock formations, slot canyons, and panoramic views. There are numerous outdoor activities to do here, including hiking, camping, and 4-wheel driving. The majority of visitors head for the Escalante Canyons area, the most-visited section of the monument, though the Grand Staircase region and the Kaiparowits Plateau are also worth checking out.

While New York City may be home to some of the world’s biggest celebrities, a visit to Madame Tussauds gives you a better chance of being starstruck than walking down the streets of Manhattan. Get up close and personal with the likes of Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez at this family-friendly wax museum, set in the heart of Times Square.

Every twist and turn of the spectacular 144-mile (232-kilometer) Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) reveals cloud-piercing peaks, valley-carving glaciers, teal lakes, and dense forests. Running from Jasper to Lake Louise, this scenic Alberta drive offers absolutely fabulous views of the Canadian Rockies, with lots of roadside lookouts and trailheads along the way. For most visitors to Banff and other beautiful spots, it’s a must-do.

Big Sur, a fabulous 71-mile (114-kilometer) stretch of California's Central Coast, boasts epic Pacific Ocean views and a jagged, dramatic coastline. Running from the Carmel Highlands to San Simeon, the unincorporated area is very lightly populated—in fact, it's the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the lower United States. Even though it lacks people and infrastructure, it still attracts millions of annual visitors, most of whom come for the area’s raw natural beauty.

One of New Orleans' most notable historic buildings—right on Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter—the Cabildo served as the seat of the New Orleans government during the Spanish colonial period, and was the signing site of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Today, it's home to a museum showcasing Louisiana's early history through original artifacts, photos, and exhibits.

Located on the north shore of Kauai, Hanalei Bay is one of the island’s most picturesque stretches of coast. Its crescent is lined by nearly 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of white sand backed by volcanic peaks, towering waterfalls, and laid-back towns. The beaches offer an array of watersports, while the nearby poke and shave ice stands serve island street food staples, and colorful shops stock everything from surf gear to local crafts.

An icon of Arizona, Cathedral Rock is often emblazoned on postcards and tourist materials—and rightly so, as the towering 4,965-foot (1,513-meter) sandstone butte stands sentinel over Sedona’s red-rock landscape. The formation draws camera-toting visitors to capture its glow at sunrise, spiritual travelers to soak up its healing vortex energy, and hikers to trek up the short but steep Cathedral Rock Trail.

Named after the Mayan word for “the place where the waters are born,” the Xel-Há aquatic park encompasses 14 acres (5.7 hectares) of jungle and ocean just south of Playa del Carmen. A must-visit family-friendly attraction, Xel-Há is home to cenotes, a lazy river, fish-filled lagoons, and other natural attractions where you can see the area’s biodiversity. It is a fun day trip for those looking for a break from the beach.