North America attractions

Kilauea Volcano is the star of the Big Island’s Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The volcano remains active—in fact, it’s one of the most active volcanoes in the world—spouting orange lava, venting steam, glowing, and sputtering with near regularity. When conditions are safe, you can drive around the volcano’s edge on the 11-mile (17-kilometer) Crater Rim Drive.

Home to a half-dozen heritage villages, Île d’Orléans feels like a relic of the past. Measuring 21 miles (34 kilometers) long and 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide, this finger-like sliver of an island charms visitors with its expansive, fertile farmland, dotted with vineyards, apple orchards, and sugar bush. Located on the St. Lawrence River just downstream of Quebec City, it’s an easy escape from city life, even if for an afternoon.

This arty, gritty enclave is one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods. In the 1960s, hippies, artists, and musicians flocked to the area, and many countercultural icons have called the area home, from photographer Nan Goldin and beat poet Allen Ginsberg to music legends like Patti Smith and Lou Reed. The neighborhood is chicer now, but the indie vibe remains strong. Dive bars, tattoo parlors, vintage clothing retailers, and record shops mingle with top-notch restaurants and boutiques.

Spanning eight states and around 2,400 miles (3,860 kilometers), Route 66 has become a cultural touchstone, immortalized in song and on the silver screen. This romanticized road from Chicago to Santa Monica offers drivers an inside look at classic America, with kitschy attractions, diners, motels, and plenty of 1950s nostalgia. Though only segments of the original highway remain, Route 66 is alive with culture, views, and history.

More than just the second-largest lake in all of Washington State, Lake Washington defines Seattle as a city intimately tied to the water. From fishing, sailing, and water sports to swimming at a lakeside beach or hiking one of the lakeside trails, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures here—often with a view of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.

All too often overlooked in favor of New York City’s more famous bridges, Williamsburg Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was built in 1903. Crossing the East River between Manhattan’s Lower East Side and Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, it’s a major thoroughfare for cars, trains, bikes, and pedestrians, known for its distinctive pink-painted raised walkway and cycleway and panoramic city views.

The Fraunces Tavern Museum is the oldest surviving building in the Big Apple. George Washington was a regular here back in the mid-1700s, during the American Revolution. Today, the upper floors of the mansion are a museum dedicated to Revolutionary artifacts, while the downstairs operates as a restaurant and tavern. Visitors can also see the room where Washington bade farewell to his officers at the end of the Revolution.

The Verde Canyon Railroad winds its way along the scenic Verde River for a 4-hour rail journey, offering passengers a uniquely scenic way to experience the Arizona wilderness. The refurbished heritage railroad cars make the round-trip journey through the pristine gorge, with unobstructed canyon vistas out panoramic windows and open-air viewing cars as the train passes over bridges, through tunnels, and past soaring formations of red rock.

Optical illusions and other sense-inspired experiences bring visitors to the family-friendly Xenses Park. It all unfolds in a series of 50 “scenes,” ranging from a soaring zipline, a cave waterslide, a warm clay river, and a village where everything is just a little bit off kilter. In the cavern-like Xensatorium, you can explore a series of world ecosystems in total darkness.

Just 55 miles (89 kilometers) outside of Anchorage, the famous Portage Glacier is often the first glacier travelers see on a trip to Southcentral Alaska. The natural phenomenon towers 10 stories over the pristine, iceberg-studded Portage Lake, and it is the focal point of Portage Valley, known for stellar wildlife watching, a variety of water activities, and scenic hiking trails overlooking glaciers and mountains.

Hollywood’s Golden Age still glitters at this historic theater on Hollywood Boulevard. After opening in 1930, the Art Deco landmark went on to host Academy Awards, glittering galas, and other star-studded Tinseltown events. Now it’s a top venue for musicals and theater in Los Angeles, frequently drawing big-name performers and shows.

Housed within the Santo Domingo Church (Templo de Santo Domingo), the 17th-century Rosary Chapel (Capilla del Rosario) is a magnificent example of Mexican baroque. Admire the gilded stucco, talavera tiles, and recently restored oil paintings which surround the altar at this chapel that was once considered the eighth wonder of the world.

Iconic Half Dome rises 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) above the floor of Yosemite Valley. Perhaps one of the most famous hikes in Yosemite National Park, the sheer-faced rock formation was once considered impossible to climb. Now hundreds of park visitors reach the summit of this magnificent hunk of granite each day, and countless more gaze in awe at its towering face from below.

Aboard a Cancun-based Captain Hook pirate ship, spend a family-friendly evening that includes a buffet dinner served by salty seamen, dancing on the deck, and imbibing at an open bar. The 18th-century Spanish galleon replicas cruise the Caribbean while “pirates” entertain the crowd with tales of past escapades and dramatic sword fights.

One of Los Angeles’ pre-eminent shopping and entertainment complexes, Hollywood & Highland boasts two heritage movie theaters—the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre—and dozens of shops and restaurants. It’s also located steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and hosts the annual Academy Awards,

Part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, the USS Oklahoma Memorial pays tribute to the USS Oklahoma and the 429 marines and sailors that perished when the USS Oklahoma sank during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Dedicated on December 7, 2007, the memorial is located on Ford Island, next to its former berth.

Behind its understated dark red facade, the 16th-century Santo Domingo Church (Templo de Santo Domingo) hides some of the country’s most ornate interiors. Highlights are the life-sized altarpiece statues and the lavishly decorated, gilded, and tiled Rosary Chapel (Capilla del Rosario), itself a stellar example of Mexican baroque art and architecture.

The majority Tzotzil-speaking Maya village of Zinacantán is known for its traditional customs, lively markets, and regional dishes. Visit with a local guide to learn more about the lifestyle—both past and present—of the Tzotzil Maya people who make up 99 percent of Zinacantán’s population, try your hand at weaving or tortilla-making, and eat alongside a local family.

The Mauna Kea Summit and Observatory is a top destination for stargazing. Located on Hawaii’s tallest mountain at 13,796 feet (4,138 meters), the observatory information center is a highlight of many visitors’ trips to the Big Island of Hawaii. Here, you can see some of the world’s largest telescopes, including equipment from Canada, France, and the University of Hawaii.

At the very tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is one of New England’s most colorful and welcoming destinations. This bustling town is a haven for LGBTQ+ visitors, though all are welcome. Walk Commercial Street and delight at the galleries, cafés, and local shops, or climb the Pilgrim Monument for panoramic views. Provincetown is also a top spot for whale watching and sunset sails, making it a prime destination for coastal adventures.

The Dallas Arts District is a hub for performing arts, museums, and architecture, and at 69 acres and 19 blocks in size, it is one of the largest urban arts districts in the United States. Visitors interested in the arts will want to check out the Winspear Opera House, Meyerson Symphony Center, and the Wyly Theatre, among others.

Named after a legendary 19th-century French pirate, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve includes six sites across southern Louisiana, each highlighting a different part of the region’s culture and landscape—from Cajun traditions to battlefield history. The standout is Barataria Preserve near Marrero, a 23,000-acre (9,300-hectare) expanse of wetlands and forest. Visitors can spot local wildlife on boardwalk trails or explore the bayou on swamp tours, by kayak, or by canoe.

One of the country’s first science museums, the Franklin Institute takes its name from inventor and former Philadelphian Benjamin Franklin. Today, it serves as an entertaining and educational destination for visitors of all ages—its hands-on exhibits, temporary exhibitions, planetarium, and other offerings make it a family-friendly must.

Built between 1826 and 1832 to offer secure passage for British ships from Montreal, the Rideau Canal—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is an engineering masterpiece. It extends for 126 miles (202 kilometers) between Ottawa and Kingston. Ottawa’s most visited stretch lures boaters, cyclists, and strollers in summer, and ice skaters in winter.

This location in Banff National Park is far more than a place to enjoy the scenery: The First Nations who discovered the cave consider the hot springs a sacred site. Along with exploring the boardwalks along the steaming waters, visitors can engage with interpretive exhibits that tell the story of the birthplace of Canada’s national parks system—known today as Parks Canada—which began right here.

Stretching into the calm waters of Kailua Bay, this expansive pier is a launch point for ocean tours and a scenic place to take in the coast. It also offers some of the best views of Kamakahonu, the former seaside residence of King Kamehameha I, located just a short distance away. Whether you’re heading out on the water or enjoying a sunset stroll, Kailua Pier is a natural gateway to Kona’s history and beauty.

Just south of the city center, Zona Romantica is Puerto Vallarta’s most walkable and social neighborhood. Cobbled streets wind past art galleries, sidewalk cafés, taco stands, and boutique hotels. Los Muertos Beach and its landmark sail-shaped pier draw a lively mix of locals and visitors day and night. The area is widely recognized as the center of the city’s thriving LGBTQ+ scene.

With its warm, clear waters and white sands, Miami Beach has some of the best urban beaches in the United States. Located just over the bridge from the city of Miami, it is also known for its vibrant neighborhoods, fine dining, pulsing nightlife, and an architectural claim to fame: The area boasts the largest concentration of art deco buildings in the world.

With interactive exhibits, plus an extensive selection of weaponry and other objects from major battles including the D-Day landings, New Orleans’ National WWII Museum offers deep insights into the role of the US in the Second World War. The museum is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, and currently spans seven pavilions and 7 acres (3 hectares). Its exhibitions cover topics from wartime aircraft to the Pacific Theater.

After winning the Revolutionary War, America’s founding fathers established their original government in Philadelphia—among their goals was creating a single currency and founding a national bank to help build the nation. Today, the First Bank of the United States still stands on Independence Mall. Proposed by Alexander Hamilton, the bank was built in a Roman style to make the institution intentionally imposing.