North America attractions

Diamond Head—known in Hawaiian as leʻahi—is a volcanic cone on Oahu, famous for its dramatic summit views over Waikiki and the Pacific. Hikers climb a paved trail through tunnels and switchbacks to reach panoramic vistas from the crater rim. Rich in natural beauty and cultural history, it’s one of Oahu’s most photographed and memorable attractions. The moderate hike rewards you with coastal scenery and a unique sense of place in Hawaii.

Tropical foliage, black-sand beaches, rushing waterfalls, and incredible views are the calling cards of the legendary, winding Road to Hana. Also called the Hana Highway, this spectacular seaside stretch features more than 50 bridges and is regarded as one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Highlights along the route include the seven sacred pools of Oheo Gulch, the Wailua Falls, the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls, and the rainforests of the Haleakala National Park.

The US Capitol is the heart of the American government. Topped by the bronze Statue of Freedom, the Washington, DC, landmark houses both chambers of the United States Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives. When Congress is in session, visitors can watch politicians debate various legislative issues, as they've done here for centuries. Guided tours of the landmark are also a popular attraction for DC visitors.

The Dole Plantation began as a humble fruit stand in the 1950s; today, it has grown into one of Oahu’s most popular attractions, offering a sweet mix of family-friendly fun and pineapple-themed education. Ride the open-air Pineapple Express train through former plantation fields, get lost in the garden maze, or cool off with a famous Dole Whip. It’s a lighthearted stop that showcases Hawaii’s agricultural past.

The official residence of each US president since 1800, the 132-room White House in Washington DC draws visitors from around the world. Admire the sight from afar, stop by the White House Visitor Center, or request access to a public tour, which includes highlights like the East Wing, State Dining Room, China Room, and the White House Rose Garden.

The Empire State Building has long been one of New York City’s best-known attractions. Ranked among the world’s tallest buildings—One World Trade Center is today the tallest in Manhattan—the landmark is instantly recognizable for its stepped, art deco pinnacle, which is floodlit at night and displays holiday and commemorative colors throughout the year.

Chicago fashion, architecture, and history all come together on this renowned stretch of Michigan Avenue, nicknamed the Magnificent Mile. Located in downtown Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, stretching from the Chicago River to Oak Street, the thoroughfare passes several major Windy City landmarks, including the Chicago Water Tower, John Hancock Center, and Tribune Tower, as well as numerous luxury brand retailers.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk—a horseshoe-shaped, glass-bottomed walkway that juts out 70 feet (20 meters) above one of America’s most scenic sites—is not for the faint-hearted. Situated 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) above the Grand Canyon, the Skywalk offers unreal panoramic views of the West Rim and Colorado River, plus natural wonders such as Eagle Rock Formation and the Princess and the Horse shadow.

Established in 1872, Yellowstone is the country’s first national park Famous for its wildlife and geothermal activity, the park covers almost 3,500 square miles (9,000 square kilometers) and stretches over parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It’s a true place of superlatives, boasting one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America and the longest undammed river in the contiguous US—it even has its own Grand Canyon. If you’re looking for adventure or just pure, untouched wilderness, move Yellowstone to the very top of your list.

For most, traveling to Hana is about the journey, not the destination. A quiet town nestled on Maui’s eastern shore, Hana is of international fame thanks to the Road to Hana (Hana Highway)—hailed as one of the world’s most scenic drives. While the route’s waterfalls and picture-perfect volcanic landscapes are better known than Hana itself, the town makes for a tranquil escape and an excellent base for exploring the region.

You'll be reaching for your camera at every turn in Xochimilco to capture its brightly painted flat-bottomed boats called trajineras, traditional chinampas (floating gardens), and a network of flower-perfumed canals. The Mexico City borough is a reminder of the region’s past, when a sophisticated network of canals connected the city for trade and transport purposes.

Nicknamed the “Mighty Mo,” the USS Missouri—now known as the Battleship Missouri Memorial—is the site where the Japanese signed the surrender documents that ended World War II, on September 2, 1945. The ship is now a museum and a memorial to the war’s conclusion.

If one landmark embodies San Francisco’s breezy, graceful beauty, it’s the Golden Gate Bridge; you may have seen it on postcards, travel guides, screensavers, and social media, but nothing can prepare you for the real thing. This art deco structure spans the Golden Gate strait between the City and Marin County. Drive, bike, or walk across—and stop to look out onto the San Francisco Bay or as far as the Farallon Islands on a clear day.

Oahu’s North Shore is a must for travelers looking to experience the island’s more laid-back, adventurous side. Known worldwide for its legendary surf breaks, the coastline draws wave chasers in winter and snorkelers in summer. Beyond the beaches, you’ll find plantation tours, scenic waterfall hikes, and roadside food trucks serving local favorites such as garlic shrimp. It’s a popular day trip from Honolulu and a highlight of many island tours.

A former federal prison that held notorious criminals Al Capone and George Kelly, Alcatraz is now a National Historic Landmark and one of the most sought-after attractions in the San Francisco Bay Area. Highlights include touring what’s left of the maximum-security facility, hearing stories from former inmates, and sailing past the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the craggy isle.

A 19-foot-tall (5.7-meter-tall) marble statue of President Abraham Lincoln dominates the Lincoln Memorial, situated at the edge of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the western end of the National Mall in Washington DC. The most visited National Park Service site in the city is an homage to the 16th president of the United States, who helped to preserve the Union during the Civil War and delivered the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation.

A central character in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the mighty Mississippi River has long captured the American imagination. It originates in Minnesota and sweeps south past 10 states, finishing in New Orleans, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s among the largest rivers in the world, and has gained an almost mythical place in US history.

Lined with Sin City’s top hotels and largest casinos, the glittering 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) Las Vegas Strip is the main entertainment drag and the place to be if you want to try your luck at slot machines and table games. This neon-lit boulevard is known for its over-the-top architecture, wild nightclubs, and many performance venues where you can see everything from Cirque du Soleil to comedy shows and live music.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, one of Washington DC’s most visited landmarks, is comprised of three parts—the Three Soldiers statue, the Women’s Memorial, and the main attraction, the Maya Lin–designed Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, engraved with the names of some 58,000 fallen and missing Vietnam War soldiers. Visitors arrive to pay their respects and leave notes and mementos at the wall.

The heart and soul of Manhattan, Central Park spans 843 acres (341 hectares) of green space. Across that great expanse, it offers attractions and amenities ranging from running paths, a boating lake, and the Central Park Zoo to gardens, fountains, and the Wollman Rink. For more than 160 years, locals and visitors alike have gathered year-round at this National Historic Landmark to enjoy a respite from New York City’s concrete jungle.

Better known as the Punchbowl Cemetery, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is a United States Armed Forces cemetery located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Part of the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery draws millions of visitors every year, who pay their respects to the men and women who served their country.

As the gateway for some 12 million arrivals to the United States, New York City’s Ellis Island was America’s busiest immigrant-inspection station for more than 60 years. Today, the island’s restored main building houses the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, which honors the US’s immigrant heritage, chronicles the island’s role in that history, and gives voice to the people themselves.

Vancouver’s Stanley Park is beloved for its stunning natural setting, surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean and set against the backdrop of the snow-capped North Shore Mountains. At nearly 1,000 acres (405 hectares), it offers a combination of coastal rainforest, lakes and lagoons, and scenic meadows. A walk or cycle along the public park’s seawall is an essential Vancouver experience.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City stands as a place of remembrance and a somber tribute to those killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The plaza, built on the World Trade Center site, features two reflecting pools, while the subterranean museum lends a deeper understanding of the impact of that day.

The powerful border-straddling Niagara Falls is composed of the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls). A riverside park offers expansive views of the bright turquoise water, and there's always a layer of mist hovering in the air, sparkling as the sun catches it. The crowds of visitors in colorful ponchos add to the vibrant atmosphere.

Once the world’s tallest building, Willis Tower—formerly Sears Tower—is now renowned for having the highest public viewing area in the United States. From Skydeck Chicago’s 103rd floor, you can enjoy a panorama of Chicago, and, on clear days, views of Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Stick around to visit the museum, and if you dare, The Ledge—an enclosed glass balcony extending 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) from the tower.

Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most majestic natural wonders. Its three waterfalls—the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls—plunge dramatically over the Niagara River, with water that flows at a rate of 75,750 gallons per second. The falls straddle the border between Canada and the United States, with viewpoints and themed attractions on both sides.

An exclusive enclave for the rich and famous, Fisher Island is 3 miles (5 kilometers) off the coast from Miami. Its mansions, apartments, and marina filled with luxury yachts belong to some of Florida’s wealthiest residents, and the island is heavily protected. With no roads or bridges leading to it, access is only by ferry or private boat. The island also features a golf course and two upscale hotels.

On the southeastern coast of Oahu near Hanauma Bay, the Halona Blowhole is a rock formation created by volcanic activity. Its water-shooting effect comes from waves forced through the underwater lava tubes, and it can shoot water up to 30 feet (9 meters) in the air. From the lookout, you can also see nearby islands on a clear day.

Butchart Gardens, established in 1904, treat visitors to an enchanting floral show that changes with the seasons. Covering 55 acres (22 hectares) on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the botanical space is intricately laid out into separate themed gardens with landscaping that impresses and inspires gardeners and nature lovers alike.