North America attractions

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.

Cannery Row is a tourist-friendly strip running along the atmospheric Monterey waterfront. Once home to a series of bustling commercial sardine canneries, the famous street changed its name from Ocean View Avenue to its longtime nickname, Cannery Row, in 1958 to honor the John Steinbeck novel of the same name. It’s now a popular place to stroll, admire ocean views, snack on saltwater taffy, and access the coastal beaches.

This trendy district was once a gritty industrial area, known for its warehouses and factories. Starting in the 1960s, artists began to populate the neighborhood’s large, light-filled lofts as live-work spaces, triggering a transformation. Today, TriBeCa is considered one of downtown Manhattan’s coolest and most exclusive addresses. The neighborhood is filled with trendy cafés, restaurants, and bars, cutting-edge art galleries, celebrity-owned penthouses, and hip boutiques.

Built in the mid-19th century for shipping merchant Francis Sorrel, the Sorrel Weed House became one of the first State Historic Landmarks in Georgia in 1954. It’s also believed to be one of the most haunted buildings in Savannah; it has been featured on TV shows such as Ghost Hunters and the Travel Channel’s Most Terrifying Places in America—making it a must-see for fans of dark history and the paranormal.

Part of Battlefields Park, the grassy expanse of the Plains of Abraham (Plaines d'Abraham) was the setting for a major military clash in 1759, which led to the British takeover of New France—a battle that is well-documented in the Plains of Abraham Museum. The park is an outdoor playground for Quebec City residents who come here to stroll, cycle, jog, sled, and cross-country ski.

Overlooking Downtown Halifax, this strategically set hilltop fortification has presided over the capital of Nova Scotia since 1856, with earlier versions of the fort having stood here since 1749. Today, the former British citadel remembers the military history of Halifax, with exhibits focusing on life within the 19th-century fort.

The clear blue of the Pacific Ocean provides a backdrop for the natural spectacle put on by La Bufadora, one of the world’s largest marine geysers. La Bufadora (Spanish for “The Blowhole”) shoots seawater up to 100 feet (30 meters) high into the air every few seconds, though sometimes the interval lasts a few minutes. Dramatic and scenic, the falling mist is a refreshing change from the hot Mexican sun.

On the west side of Manhattan, New York City’s Hudson River Park stretches 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) along the waterfront and comprises 550 acres (220 hectares) of protected urban parkland. The park is the setting for a range of activities, from taking a yoga or fitness class on the riverfront to enjoying a nostalgic spin at the Pier 62 Carousel.

A concentrated cluster of grand government buildings overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is the centerpiece of Downtown Ottawa. At the heart of the complex is Centre Block, a neo-Gothic riot of greening copper turrets, stone-carved gargoyles, and pointed arches built around a soaring central campanile (bell tower) known as the Peace Tower. Parliament Hill is not just a pretty sight; it’s also home to Canada’s most important democratic institutions, including the Library of Parliament and the chambers of the House of Commons and the Senate.

Located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, 200 Clarendon—formerly known as the John Hancock Tower—is the tallest building in the city (and all of New England), and a well-known creation of starchitect I.M. Pei. Once notorious for its now-fixed falling windows and a destination for its since-shuttered observation deck, the tower still serves as eye candy for design fans, and a symbol of the city, today.

John F. Kennedy’s presidency and his untimely assassination in Dallas profoundly shaped American history. Located on the site of the Texas Book Depository, from where Lee Harvey Oswald shot at the presidential motorcade, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas explores JFK’s personal and political life, along with the tragic events of November 22, 1963.

Designed by architect Jacobo Gálvez during Mexico’s theatrical heyday, the neoclassical Degollado Theater (Teatro Degollado) remains one of downtown Guadalajara’s most popular concert halls, tourist attractions, and landmarks. While the facade is fronted by a marble relief of Apollo and the nine muses—as well as 16 magisterial Corinthian columns—the gilded interior is even more opulent.

One of Brooklyn’s most atmospheric and well-heeled neighborhoods, Brooklyn Heights is also conveniently located just one subway stop from Lower Manhattan, making it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing. Featuring streets of centuries-old brownstone buildings, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade (which offers panoramic Manhattan skyline views), cultural stops like the New York Transit Museum, and an enviable dining scene, it provides visitors with a taste of the borough’s best.

Dedicated to representing American Indians from throughout the continent, the National Museum of the American Indian houses one of the world’s largest collections of Native artifacts, photographs, and media. From a striking exterior designed to resemble sandstone rock formations to state-of-the-art interior exhibits, the museum attracts everyone from passers-by to travelers from far and wide.

Atlanta’s first planned suburb—and the first “electric trolley neighborhood” in the country—Inman Park was established in the 1880s, and is now one of the city’s most desirable areas. The neighborhood is known for its grand Victorian homes and the annual Inman Park Festival, plus a wealth of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and boutiques.

Sandwiched between the sizzling beaches of Miami and the white sands of Key West, Everglades National Park stands in stark contrast to its seductive neighbors—but don't make the mistake of passing it by. Visit the park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States—to discover for yourself why it draws more than one million visitors every year.

A hotbed of musical talent, this historic New Orleans neighborhood is one of the best spots in the city to catch a live show. Anchored by Frenchmen Street, it’s popular with locals for its jazz and blues scene without the French Quarter crowds—at top-rated music venues such as the Spotted Cat, Blue Nile, Three Muses, and the Maison.

Your quest for the Fountain of Youth is over once you’ve visited this park in St. Augustine, Florida. This site where Spanish explorer Ponce de León came in search of the elusive fountain in the 16th century, founding the oldest European settlement in the US. Sip the legendary waters while you learn about the area’s indigenous history.

In the heart of downtown Honolulu, Kewalo Basin is a small boat harbor that is the launching point for popular water-based adventures. Begin a deep-sea fishing charter, whale-watching expedition, or snorkel excursion from this private harbor. A stroll along the street-side dock displays tour options from parasailing to sunset cruises. Visitors won’t find beach access here, but a popular surf spot draws locals with their boards.

You can explore the Ten Thousand Islands Archipelago, which covers more than 35,000 acres (14,164 hectares) of Florida’s southwestern tip, by boat, kayak, or canoe. A national wildlife refuge occupies the northern portion, while the southern area features the Everglades National Park. There are no facilities on the islands—which number in the hundreds, not thousands—making them a perfect place to decompress in nature.

Seattle’s funky, irreverent, and always colorful Fremont neighborhood is a vibrant place to explore. The area bills itself as the “Center of the Universe,” and it’s a hotbed of interesting landmarks. Visitors stroll along the scenic Ship Canal and grab coffee, artisan chocolate, craft beer, or a full dinner at one of Seattle’s best restaurants.

The former Lorraine Motel—where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968—is a fitting location for one of Memphis’ most important museums. Through interactive exhibitions and multimedia displays, the National Civil Rights Museum tells the stories of the American Civil Rights Movement, from the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision and the Little Rock Nine to the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and the famous sit-ins of the 1960s.

The brick, Italian-villa style Andrew Low House was built for wealthy cotton farm Andrew Low in 1847. Now a timepiece preserved in Savannah’s Historic District, the mansion provides today’s visitors with a look into the opulent lifestyle of a wealthy 19th-century Georgia household. You can visit parlors, dining rooms, and bedrooms that are decorated as if frozen in time.

Located in upstate New York, the Corning Museum of Glass presents the history of glassmaking through its galleries, workshops, and live demonstrations. With over 50,000 pieces in its collection, you can see a diverse range of artworks, some of which date back over 3,500 years. Here you can explore interactive galleries, watch glassblowing demonstrations, and try hands-on classes.

With panoramic views of the desert, Airport Mesa is a rock formation where you’ll find Sedona Airport and a popular hiking area. According to some it’s also a vortex, an area of high electromagnetic energy. Whether you see Airport Mesa as one of Sedona’s spiritual highlights—or just a scenic one—it’s certainly a gorgeous spot.

Sitting on Maui’s northwest shore, Honolua Bay is a marine‑protected sanctuary prized for its emerald-blue waters, thriving coral reefs, and abundant marine life—including sea turtles, tropical fish, and occasional manta rays. In winter, the bay draws expert surfers to its legendary waves. Whether you're drawn underwater or drawn to incredible vistas, Honolua Bay offers a pristine, unforgettable slice of Hawaiian coastal beauty.

Caladesi Island is a protected barrier island off Florida’s Gulf Coast, known for its unspoiled beaches, clear and calm Gulf waters, and natural coastal habitats. Accessible only by boat or ferry, the untouched island offers a quieter alternative to nearby mainland beaches, with opportunities for swimming, shelling, hiking, and wildlife viewing (including sea birds, dolphins, and occasionally manatees) in a natural setting.

Just offshore from downtown Toronto, the Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands beside Lake Ontario that feel a world away from the buzz and high-rise skyline of Toronto. Once part of a single peninsula, the islands were separated from the mainland by violent storms in the 19th century. Today, visitors come here to enjoy sandy beaches, car-free areas, and beautiful parklands that are ideal for walking, cycling, or having a picnic.

Once the tallest building in Latin America, the Latin-American Tower (Torre Latinoamericana) was originally built in 1956 and remains a major landmark of downtown Mexico City as well as remarkably earthquake resistant. Here, visitors can marvel over panoramic views from the 44th floor observation deck, sip cocktails at the 41st floor bar, and stop by the two on-site museums.

The Presbytère is a must-visit historic museum situated next to St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The museum’s striking Spanish colonial-style building, which flanks Jackson Square, is the former residence of Capuchin monks that has been owned by the museum since 1911. Visit to explore two compelling sides of Louisiana’s heritage: the lively spectacle of Mardi Gras and the emotional resilience of life after Hurricane Katrina