North America attractions

Surely one of the strangest museums in the United States, the Mütter Museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of medical oddities. Affiliated with The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, it’s named for Thomas Dent Mütter, a 17th-century pioneer of reconstructive surgery and medical education who was fascinated by human anomalies and collected them in a wide variety of forms.

Stretching for several miles along Portland’s East End, this scenic trail connects the city’s cobblestoned Old Port with Fort Allen Park, East End Beach, and beyond. Along the way, sweeping views of Casco Bay and its islands provide a picturesque backdrop for joggers, cyclists, and picnickers enjoying this easy-to-access greenway.

One of the most prized wine regions of California's Central Coast, the Santa Ynez Valley is a fertile landscape of hillside vineyards and forested valleys nestled against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains. The diverse microclimates of the Santa Ynez Valley—known by locals as SYV—produce upwards of 50 different grape varietals, and more than 120 wineries make it a popular wine-tasting destination from Santa Barbara and other towns on the “American Riviera.”

For a genuine glimpse of everyday life in most cities, head to the local food market. While Mexico City is packed with such spots, it’s La Merced Market that offers the most bang for your buck. With a maze of street food stalls selling goods from local produce to pinatas, this traditional spot is the city’s largest market and a major tourist draw.

Once considered the world’s greatest naval ship thanks to its powerful weaponry, heavy armor, and advanced fire control systems, the USS Iowa served the U.S. Navy during World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Today it’s docked in Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro, California.

Originally built as a copper trade route, the Apache Trail now guides travelers past steep desert mountains, cliff dwellings, lake shores, eroded canyons, and old mining towns. This scenic road winds 120 miles (193 kilometers) through Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, from the outskirts of Phoenix to the vast Theodore Roosevelt Lake.

Set on the scenic slopes of Haleakala Crater in upcountry Maui, Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm is a must-see for garden lovers. The bluff-top estate bursts with blossoms, including 20 varieties of lavender, plus other Mediterranean and native Hawaiian plants backed by ocean views. Explore the garden to admire the various species cultivated here, plus browse the lavender-laced treats and other products at the farm store.

The 10-story Harold Washington Library Center is the main branch of the Chicago Public Library system, and it offers a welcoming public space for reading, research, and special events. This celebrated South Loop landmark houses a permanent collection of 1.2 million books and media, artworks, plus a dedicated YOUmedia teen space, children’s storytime area, Maker Lab, and the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, which hosts workshops and lectures.

One of the five original squares drawn up by Philadelphia’s founder William Penn in the 18th century, today Logan Square is one of the city’s most vibrant and cultural districts. With Logan Circle—a public park and fountain—at its heart, the neighborhood also encompasses many leading museums along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

While visiting one of America’s most historic cities, take an opportunity to shop for unique antiques along Philadelphia’s Antique Row. The heart of this downtown district stretches along Pine Street, from Ninth and Eleventh Streets, where collectors can find shops packed with colonial-era wares and hard-to-find antique furniture.

Spread across 33 acres (13 hectares) in the Buckhead district, Atlanta History Center combines a history museum, historic homes, and landscaped gardens on a single campus. Its centerpiece is the Cyclorama, a 49-foot (15-meter) high, panoramic painting of the Battle of Atlanta—one of the world's largest oil paintings. Nearby, the 1920s Swan House and the restored 19th-century Smith Farm show how Atlantans once lived.

Located at the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Adventuredome is one of the largest indoor theme parks in the country. Spanning 5 acres (2 hectares), it features more than 25 rides and attractions, including a corkscrew roller coaster, bumper cars, a pirate ship, and a 4-D theater. There are plenty of family-friendly options, including junior rides for smaller visitors, making this an all-ages favorite with something for just about everyone.

Discover the history of Texas at Sam Houston Park, a unique oasis in the heart of downtown Houston. It’s the oldest park in the city and serves as a portal through time, with nine historic buildings on-site. The buildings are landscaped into a Victorian wonderland, with rustic bridges, streams, water fountains, and plenty of walking trails.

Washington DC’s Chinatown is immediately recognizable by its towering traditional Chinese gateway, known as the Friendship Archway. Step through the arch and join the throngs of pedestrians exploring the eclectic shops and Chinese restaurants in this small but accessible downtown enclave. The neighborhood is also home to some of the city’s best entertainment and cultural venues, including the Capital One Arena and the National Portrait Gallery.

From totem poles to ancient fossils, British Columbia’s history is on display at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. Explore vast collections covering the natural world and human heritage, with dioramas that place historic artifacts in context. A soaring IMAX screen and special exhibitions add to the museum experience.

Just 22 miles (35 kilometers) outside of Ketchikan lies the vast and remote Misty Fjords National Monument—a collection of sea cliffs, deep-cut fjords, glacial valleys, coastal rainforests, and roaring waterfalls. Situated within Tongass National Forest and accessible only by boat or floatplane, Misty Fjords is an outdoor playground for hikers, kayakers, and day cruisers.

Featuring spectacular views of the Florida Bay and the Atlantic, this 113-mile (182-kilometer highway crosses a necklace of islands and 42 bridges from Key Largo to Key West. Along the way, find turquoise water, postcard-perfect beaches, and swaying palm trees, along with the kind of kitschy roadside attractions found only in Florida.

Situated among rolling hills in the Carneros region of Sonoma, Gloria Ferrer was the first sparkling wine house to plant roots in the area back in the early 1980s. Today, visitors can sip flights of bubbly on a spacious patio overlooking the vineyards, or head underground on guided tours of the estate’s expansive wine cellars.

The New York Historical has a claim to fame as NYC’s first museum. Visitors come here to discover over 400 years of American history, including artifacts, documents, and artwork. From Indigenous heritage to subjects such as the Hollywood blacklist, and exhibitions and activities for kids on the lower level, the museum offers an immersive experience, making it a fascinating stop for anyone curious about the history of New York and the country as a whole.

The Central Park Conservatory Garden provides a lush escape from New York City’s bustling streets. The only formal garden located inside Manhattan’s beloved Central Park, its 6 acres (2.4 hectares) of carefully manicured gardens feature seasonal flower beds, woodland plants, and stone walking paths dotted with fountains, sculptures, and benches perfect for sipping coffee and soaking up the sun.

One of the highest indoor slides in New York City and a swimming pool packed with rainbow sprinkles draw visitors to the Museum of Ice Cream in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan. This is a destination for sampling sweet treats (including vegan options) and exploring colorful installations such as a sprinkle cave and a banana jungle; these technicolor rooms are popular as photo backdrops.

Halifax’s Old Town Clock has faithfully kept time for the city since its installation in 1803. The clock is manually wound twice a week, and you can hear its chimes throughout the downtown area. With its copper dome, Palladian symmetry, and bright white exterior, the beloved landmark is a fixture of downtown Halifax.

Tracing the northernmost portion of the Big Island of Hawaii, the Kohala Coast boasts Hawaii’s most desirable characteristics, from white-sand beaches lined with resorts to lush mountains bursting with wildlife and waterfalls. Go beyond nature to explore the island’s culture and history at restored temples and ancient villages.

On a dramatic expanse facing Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle features massive works of art by influential modern artists such as Ellsworth Kelly, Beverly Pepper, Tony Smith, and Richard Serra. In addition to the art, visitors enjoy walking and biking paths, a pocket beach, and picnic areas.

Roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers long and 2 miles (3 kilometers wide, Chokoloskee Bay is located along Florida’s Gulf Coast and is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by the Ten Thousand Islands. The bay is known for its fishing and water sport activities.

Situated fittingly beside the allegedly haunted Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! brings oddities, artifacts, and haunted history to St. Augustine. This museum is one of dozens of global Ripley’s-branded attractions, and this one offers haunted tours, a mini-golf course, and a Red Train Tour around the city.

Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a 14-acre (6-hectare) complex that pays tribute to both natural wonders and human ingenuity. The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, it features lifesized working replicas, a 5-story domed movie theater, and more than 35,000 artifacts. The museum is designed to spark imaginations and inspire creativity, and is a great choice for a family day out in the Windy City.

Cancún is full of places to party, but the decor at the Mandala nightclub—a multilevel venue in Cancún’s hotel zone—sets it apart. Guests enjoy the wide-open dance floor, glittery lights, and impressive entryway. The club is also known for weekly pool parties, when guests dance to live DJ sets beside the pool or soak in the Jacuzzi.

Home to the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson Provincial Park and Protected Area draws in mountaineers, photographers, and sightseers. The 12,972-foot (3,954-meter) Mount Robson stands out both because of its size and dramatic geological rings that spiral up the mountain. Visitors frequently spot moose, elk, bear, and caribou.

On the northernmost point of Kauai, the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place to see seabirds such as the Laysan albatross, the red-footed booby, and the Hawaiian goose, the state bird. While birding is the main attraction for many people, there's plenty more to do at the refuge, from whale-watching to photography.