One of the United States' premier science and natural history museums, the California Academy of Sciences holds a fascinating collection of natural wonders. With its Morrison Planetarium, Steinhart Aquarium, four-story rain forest dome, interactive natural history museum, and open-air, green "living roof," the academy promises surprise and delight for visitors of all ages.
The Scotiabank Arena (formerly the Air Canada Centre) is Toronto’s major concert and professional sports venue. The facility clocks in at 650,000 square feet (60,387 square meters) and seats nearly 20,000 event-goers. The adjacent Maple Leaf Square hosts a variety of shops and restaurants, plus a hotel and condominiums.
Mature oak trees and a central fountain are charming features of Columbia Square, one of Savannah’s more peaceful historic squares. Beautiful preserved buildings and luxurious bed-and-breakfasts lure visitors to this neck of the woods, and the square offers plenty of park benches for people-watching or picnics. Shaded paths offer a place to relax during a wider exploration of the Savannah Historic District.
Hugging the shoreline of Lake Michigan for nearly 19 miles (31 kilometers), the Chicago Lakefront Trail is a popular recreational path in the Windy City for walkers, runners, and cyclists. It connects various neighborhoods with green spaces, downtown attractions, and some of Chicago's best lakeside and skyline views, making it a great place for sightseeing or a workout.
If walls could talk, the Whaley House could fill history books. Completed in 1857, the Greek Revival House in San Diego’s Old Town has served as a family home, general store, theater, and county courthouse. Today, visitors mostly come looking for a good scare, as the Whaley House is considered one of the most haunted places in the US.
Made of red-orange Navajo sandstone, Corona Arch (also known as Little Rainbow Bridge) is a spectacular rock formation near Moab, Utah. Just getting to Corona is an adventure. The 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) round-trip Corona Arch Trail crosses open slickrock with the aid of fixed cables and carved stone steps.
Based in downtown Dallas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers a variety of exhibits at its Victory Park campus, from dinosaur skeletons and gemstones to space exploration and 3D films. The massive museum features five levels of hands-on activities, interactive displays, and games, and hosts various special events throughout the year.
Despite its small size, the Johnny Cash Museum manages to hold the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts, including the singer-songwriter’s Grammy and Country Music Association Awards, guitars and other musical instruments, and stage costumes. In addition to perusing Cash’s personal effects, you can check out interactive exhibits, watch archival footage, and listen to recordings of historic performances at this popular Nashville attraction.
Linked by a verdant stream, the Emerald Pools of Zion National Park are three freshwater pools that offer a picturesque contrast to the surrounding red cliffs. To access the pools, choose between three hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate; options include a short paved route and a longer, more strenuous loop. Flowing waterfalls reflected in crystalline surfaces make the Emerald Pools one of the most popular hiking areas in Zion National Park.
The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop gained fans worldwide after being featured on the hit TV show, Pawn Stars. Join the many visitors who flock to the shop in hopes of spotting cast members while browsing the eclectic mix of items. The shop is packed with curiosities—from antiques and vintage toys to historical firearms, jewelry, and rare fossils—making every visit a surprise when it comes to what you might find.
This 26.4-acre (1-hectare) park located along Ocean Avenue is perched above sandstone bluffs in Santa Monica. The waterfront Palisades Park offers guests the opportunity to explore the coast in a delightful outdoor setting. Whether it’s meandering along its paved paths, stopping to smell the roses in the rose garden, or admiring the Pacific Ocean from atop the promenade, the park is a welcomed respite.
Nestled on the shores of Bennett Lake and surrounded by rugged mountains, Carcross is a hub of gold rush history, First Nation culture, and outdoor adventure. The small town is a popular stop for visitors who come for gold panning, totem poles, world-class mountain biking, and relaxing on the lake’s renowned beaches.
Life revolves around the water at this laid-back coastal community north of Victoria. The action centers on the seafront where you’ll find a sculpture-dotted walkway, a beach scattered with sea glass, and a pier where locals crab and cast fishing lines, as well as an aquarium housing marine life native to the Salish Sea.
Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is Hollywood's only cemetery and serves as a burial ground for some of the city's most famous deceased citizens, including Rudolph Valentino, Judy Garland, and Mickey Rooney. Today, it's also a gathering place for community events such as its Dia de los Muertos (Mexican Day of the Dead) celebration and summer outdoor movie screenings.
Fashioned after a 14th-century Tuscan castle, Castello di Amorosa looks like it belongs on an Italian postcard instead of in the heart of California wine country. The Napa Valley winery produces a selection of premium red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert wines, but many visitors are drawn by the eight-level structure itself, which includes five defensive towers, a drawbridge, and a moat.
A short drive east of Portland will take you to one of the best places for views of the Columbia River Gorge: the Crown Point State Scenic Corridor. At the top of this 693-foot (211-meter) promontory stands the Vista House, which features interpretive displays about the Gorge, gift shops, and fantastic views.
Chelsea is known for its creative spirit and its deep-rooted ties to New York City’s LGBTQ+ culture since the 1980s. Today, the neighborhood offers plenty of chic restaurants, contemporary art galleries, and independent boutiques. It’s also home to the High Line—an elevated park built on a former rail line with gardens and outdoor art—making it a prime destination neighboring the West Village.
With miles of untamed jungle, the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve (Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh) is one of the best places to get up close to the Yucatan’s varied wildlife. The 12,355-acre (5,000-hectare) reserve is home to more than 600 spider and howler monkeys, as well as pumas, crocodiles, coatimundi, white-tailed deer, and a large variety of tropical birds.
NYC visitors looking for an art museum downtown will find much to love at this substantial museum. Set in a Renzo Piano-designed building overlooking the High Line, the Whitney Museum is a champion of contemporary American art. It’s home to works from big names such as Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keeffe, and its celebrated biennial serves as a launchpad for lesser-known artists.
Stretching for 11 miles (18 kilometers) from the Orlando Premium Outlets to near Walt Disney World® Resort, Orlando’s International Drive (I-Drive for short) serves as the city’s major tourist hub. Several of the city’s top theme parks and attractions—including SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida™, ICON Park, and more—are all located along this stretch, and many visitors spend the bulk of their trip exploring its various offerings.
Marked by holy cloisters, intricate gilt interiors, and a baroque facade, the Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church (Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán) is perhaps the defining landmark of Oaxaca City. Located just off Oaxaca’s “tourist corridor,” Santo Domingo adjoins the Oaxaca Culture Museum and is backed by the scenic Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Gardens, making it a must-visit for any traveler in the city.
Located in Houston's attraction-filled Hermann Park, the Houston Museum of Natural Science features five floors of exhibit halls, the Burke Baker Planetarium, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center. The permanent collection teaches visitors about everything from dinosaurs and Texas wildlife to the culture of ancient Egypt, while a stellar lineup of special exhibitions covers topics far beyond the scope of traditional natural science.
Meandering paths weave through this tranquil green retreat in the heart of Vancouver, where more than 7,500 plant varieties grow in themed displays, ranging from a Canadian heritage garden and a Japanese garden to a formal rose garden. Wildlife species, including blue herons, ducks, and turtles, live within the garden limits.
Maguey Bay (Bahía Maguey) is an easily accessible bay with a popular beach of the same name. A handful of busy seafood shacks line the beach, and visitors can sip cold beers on patio chairs, or splash around in the bay’s calm, clear waters. You’ll find lots of amenities here, too, as Maguey tends to be one of Huatulco’s busier bays.
Located in Lower Manhattan’s Brookfield Place, just steps from One World Trade Center, the elegant Winter Garden Atrium offers an attractive place to shop, grab a bite, and relax. With sweeping views of the Hudson River, this oasis of tranquility, set amidst the bustle of downtown, is home to upscale restaurants and designer boutiques. It hosts an array of cultural events, from art exhibitions and concerts to food festivals.
Sandwiched between Civic Center and Alamo Square, Hayes Valley is one of San Francisco’s trendiest neighborhoods. Both residential and commercial, the area is home to boutiques, wine bars, coffee shops, gourmet and casual restaurants, and parks, attracting a mix of locals and visitors, from moms with strollers to young professionals.
As the name suggests, this stretch of sand in San Diego’s upscale La Jolla neighborhood was once a swimming spot for families, thanks to a seawall that shelters the cove. Nowadays, Children’s Pool Beach is a favorite resting and breeding ground for harbor seals and a popular wildlife-watching area.
Pay homage to distinguished artists, writers, and politicians from Jalisco at Guadalajara’s neoclassical Rotunda of the Illustrious Jaliscans (Rotonda de Los Jaliscienses Ilustres). Close to 100 urns are contained within the rotunda, which is encircled by leafy trees and 22 bronze statues depicting other famous Jalisco-born figures.
With spindly, cross-topped spires and intricate stonework, the 20th-century Templo Expiatorio del Santísimo Sacramento is one of Mexico’s most striking examples of neo-Gothic architecture. Stick around for the march of 12 miniature Apostles when the German church clock strikes the hour and admire the impressive stained-glass windows both inside and out.
Stuffed critters and a shooting gallery make having a drink at this 130-year-old saloon a memorable experience. The historic locale is also home to two museums: the Buckhorn Museum, showcasing some 520 species of taxidermy wildlife, and the Texas Ranger Museum, highlighting artifacts from a century of Ranger history.
