Surrounded by the cacti-dotted valleys of the Sonoran Desert, the jagged peaks and sheer cliffs of the Superstition Mountains are one of Arizona’s most photographed natural wonders. Hugging the southern borders of the Tonto National Forest and reaching heights of 6,266 ft (1,910 meters, the mountains are a firm favorite among hikers and rock climbers.
Located on the edge of Lincoln Park, the Chicago History Museum (formerly the Chicago Historical Society) has celebrated and showcased the Windy City's rich heritage since 1856. Although it suffered heavy damage during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, it has since been reborn as a valuable home for manuscripts, artworks, and other artifacts. Its vibrant exhibits and events offer an immersive way for Chicago locals and visitors to step into the city's past.
Spanning half a city block on South Street, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG showcases the work of mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar. Featuring both an outdoor sculpture garden and an indoor gallery, PMG is a unique, urban art space constructed from glass and ceramic fragments, handmade tiles, and all manner of discarded and found items.
Kapaau is a small village on the northern tip of Hawaii’s Big Island, famous for being the birthplace of King Kamehameha. The town’s main draw is the original King Kamehameha statue that stands in front of the visitor center. Built in Florence in 1880, the statue was lost during a shipwreck off the coast of the Falkland Islands and was miraculously recovered 32 years later.
For an authentic and lively Puerto Vallarta beach experience, Los Muertos Beach (Playa Los Muertos) can’t be beat. Located just south of Olas Altas Beach in the Romantic Zone, this gay-friendly stretch of sand fronts a pier and is lined with bars and restaurants. Locals and families also love this beach and its diverse crowd.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Houmas House was once one of southern Louisiana’s most significant sugarcane plantations. It was home to more than 750 enslaved people and formed part of the transatlantic sugar industry’s brutal legacy. Today, the grand house and gardens are open to visitors, offering guided tours that reveal the stories of its complex past and serve as a reminder of a dark chapter in American history.
The Canadian War Museum is an architecturally unique building showcasing the history of Canada’s past conflicts. Honoring those who have served the country and putting focus on the topics of regeneration and building a better future, this Ottawa museum is home to themed exhibits, historical artifacts, military tools, weapons, and vehicles.
Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery is an 80-acre (32-hectare) organic sugar cane farm paired with the world’s only vodka distillery that uses deep ocean mineral water. An upcountry Maui gem on the slopes of Haleakalā, you can visit for a guided tasting that showcases its sustainable farming and solar-powered production, plus take in sweeping views of Maui’s north and south shores.
Perched on the northern end of South Carolina’s Grand Strand, North Myrtle Beach offers a relaxing place to enjoy the beauty of South Carolina coastal living. Many come here to learn how to surf thanks to the long slow-rolling breakers, while others come for the shopping, dining, and live entertainment at Barefoot Landing.
There’s only one place where you can step into the shoes of a spy: the International Spy Museum in Washington DC. Hear stories about real operatives and intelligence officers, see the gear and gadgets they use, and learn the techniques of espionage. The immersive experience even sends you undercover on a covert mission—with a formal debriefing at the end to evaluate your work.
Similar to San Antonio’s popular riverwalk across the border in Texas, the Mexican city of Monterrey boasts its own popular esplanade, known as the St. Lucia Riverwalk (Paseo Santa Lucía). The pedestrian walkway, which runs along an artificial river and connects the Macroplaza to Fundidora Park (Parque Fundidora), attracts tourists and locals with its relaxing setting, restaurants, boat rides, murals, and museums.
Housed in the restored 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, the Museum at Eldridge Street tells the stories of the Jewish families that immigrated to the Lower East Side in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Now a National Historic Landmark, the synagogue was the first built by Eastern European Jews in New York City and is celebrated for its blend of Gothic, Romanesque, and Moorish architectural styles.
Capitol Hill is one of Seattle’s most vibrant neighborhoods—and it’s one of contrasts. There’s the quiet, leafy streets sporting mansions and well-manicured lawns, and then there’s a happening restaurant, bar, and nightclub scene at the neighborhood’s center. There’s something for everyone here.
With some of Canada’s wildest white water, the Kicking Horse River boasts numerous Class III and IV+ rapids that thrill even the most experienced paddlers. Originating high in the Wapta Icefields of the Canadian Rockies, the river winds through picturesque valleys, gorges, and steep canyons, offering fantastic views as well as adventure.
From a Moorish-style exterior of domes and minarets to an auditorium decked with twinkling crystal "stars," the Fox Theatre draws inspiration from the East—and it numbers among Atlanta's cultural icons. Shows spanning Broadway-style spectaculars, ballet, and musical acts draw crowds, while occasional classic films pay tribute to the venue’s original function as a movie theater. Guided architecture and history tours of Fox Theatre explore that legacy.
In 1875, the North West Mounted Police built a wooden fort—and it became the birthplace of Calgary. Visit Fort Calgary today to learn more about the city's formative years from 1875 to 1914 through interactive exhibits, replica barracks, guided tours, and an interpretive center.
One of Brooklyn’s most notable industrial landmarks, the Domino Sugar factory, has been transformed and repurposed into scenic parklands at Domino Park. Looming relics of the old refinery frame the grassy lawns and recreational areas, which line the banks of the East River and provide panoramic views of the Williamsburg Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and Manhattan’s glittering skyscraper skyline.
As one of the four theme parks that make up Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios® is all about experiencing movie magic in real life. The park doubles as a working movie studio where animation and motion pictures are made, and the attractions and rides are all inspired by Hollywood films, television shows, and the best of musical theater.
Covering the southern half of the Houston Museum District, Hermann Park comprises 445 acres (180 hectares) of green space not far from downtown. With a golf course, several gardens, and a lake for pedal boating, the park is an idyllic spot for city dwellers to escape the crowds or spread out a picnic blanket. It’s also home to two of the city’s top sights: the Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Step inside the Walt Disney® Family Museum to understand the man and innovator who created Mickey Mouse and Disney World® and revolutionized the movie industry. Interweaving Disney’s personal history with early drawings of Disney’s animated works, this museum takes visitors back in time to Hollywood’s earliest days.
At Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, you can explore pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and desert landscapes, and spot an abundance of fish and sea life. This protected park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its snorkeling and diving opportunities.
Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, the granite face of Stawamus Chief Mountain looks out over the waters of Howe Sound. The coastal rainforest smells of cedar and petrichor, and panoramic views of sea, sky, and forest await once you reach the top of the mountain.
Starting in the San Juan Mountains at 11,000 feet (3,353 meters), the Animas River winds for 126 miles (203 kilometers) down valleys, along shrublands, and even through the heart of Durango, Colorado. To best explore all that this mighty river has to offer, choose between fly fishing or tackling Class I, II, and III rapids in a kayak, canoe, or even a paddleboard or tube.
Anini Beach is a tranquil coastal stretch on Kauai’s North Shore known for its calm, reef‑protected waters and excellent snorkeling. With Kauai’s longest fringing reef forming a natural barrier, the bay often enjoys gentle surf even when nearby beaches are rough. It’s a favorite spot for swimmers, snorkelers, paddle‑boarders, and those simply seeking a peaceful beach day away from tourist hubs.
Considered one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Boston, Louisburg Square in Beacon Hill consists of multi-million-dollar, 19th-century townhouses and a private park. The area was first settled back in the 1600s when Rev. William Blaxton moved to this part of Beacon Hill from Charlestown, where the Puritans had settled, to enjoy more peace.
Numerous sea caves are carved into the sandstone cliffs along San Diego's La Jolla coast, but Sunny Jim Sea Cave is the only one accessible by land. To reach the natural attraction, walk through a man-made tunnel allegedly used for bootlegging during Prohibition. The souvenir shop that houses the tunnel entrance displays historic photos and information.
Once a tangle of industrial warehouses and scuba shops, this waterfront district just off Santa Barbara’s main drag has morphed into a hip haven for foodies, wine lovers, and urban explorers. Art galleries, restaurants, microbreweries, and wine tasting rooms now fill the walkable neighborhood, making it a popular gourmet destination.
Whether you’re choosing drive-through nuptials, an Elvis impersonator, traditional trappings, or an outdoor ceremony amid sweeping desert landscapes, getting married at A Special Memory Wedding Chapel is a quintessential Vegas experience. While the chapel itself looks more like an actual church than many Vegas wedding venues—it has a white steeple and everything—couples here can tie the knot with personalized ceremonies.
Vast, wild, and barely touched by humans, Canada’s Yukon Territory is one of the best places to view North American wildlife. At the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, many species native to the region—such as musk ox, Canada lynx, elk, and bison—can all be seen at relatively close range in spacious natural habitats. The 700-acre (283-hectare) is located just a quick trip from Whitehorse, making it accessible to visitors.
Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art dazzle at the free-to-visit Getty Villa, a Los Angeles art museum that recreates an ancient Roman retreat. Visitors check out statues, frescoes, and mosaics in a collection that goes from the Stone Age to the end of the Roman Empire, plus temporary exhibitions with artifacts sourced around the globe. It’s not just art: Travelers can also browse the manicured grounds featuring fountain-filled gardens.
