At the Gettysburg Heritage Center, interactive exhibits, historic artifacts, and technologically advanced displays offer insight into the Battle of Gettysburg, which was key to the Union’s victory in the Civil War. Visitors can explore engaging installations and photographs that tell the stories of both civilians and soldiers, as well as relay information about one of the country’s bloodiest battles.
Thought to be the highest lighthouse in the Americas, El Faro in Mazatlán sits 523 feet above sea level and has been in operation since 1879. Now a Mazatlán landmark, visitors can walk along the glass lookout platform, admire panoramic views over the port city of Mazatlán, and catch some of the city’s best sunsets.
Ruddy cliffs frame the 286-acre (116-hectare) Red Rock State Park on the banks of Oak Creek, where nature trails explore ecosystems that change with every bend in the path. Hikers aren’t the only ones that love its varied habitats—birds do, too: Hummingbirds frequent feeders hanging outside the visitor center, black hawks glide over meadows, and dozens of migratory species make the most of the lush riverbanks.
One of the oldest squares in Mazatlán, leafy Plazuela Machado dates from 1837 and is a jumping-off point for further exploration of the Mazatlán Old Town. Surrounded by brightly colored restaurants, galleries, and the Ángela Peralta Theater, visitors can soak up the laid back, family-friendly atmosphere at Plazuela Machado by day, and enjoy live music performances by night.
Whether carrying out science experiments, discovering foreign cultures, or constructing elaborate LEGO inventions—kids will be in their element at the Children's Museum of Houston. Designed as a ‘Playground for the Mind’, the museum focuses on child-centered learning through hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, and fun activities.
Situated in the heart of historical Philadelphia, the Dolley Todd House was the 18th-century home of Dolley Madison—future First Lady of the United States. Built in 1775, it offers an authentic glimpse into Dolley’s and middle-class life in Philadelphia at the time.
Relished by rafting enthusiasts as one of the best whitewater destinations in the US, Browns Canyon National Monument is a forested swath of central Colorado that’s carved by the Arkansas River. The nearly 22,000-acre (8, 903 recreation area is also the state’s newest national monument and a popular natural playground for hiking, snowshoeing, and fishing.
On the outskirts of Victoria, close to the University of Victoria, Mt. Tolmie Park draws visitors for its views of Victoria, Saanich, and the Gulf Islands, which you can see in the distance on clear days. It’s also a fantastic spot for hiking, with plenty of trails, many of which go straight to the summit.
A roulette ball’s throw from the Las Vegas Strip, Horseshoe Las Vegas has been smack-bang in the heart of the action since it opened its doors in the 1970s. Formerly known as both MGM Grand Hotel and Bally’s, it’s a quintessential Vegas casino–resort complex, home to a hotel, a huge casino and gaming arcade, several show and entertainment venues, plus bars, restaurants, and shops.
Housed in the historical Max Factor Building, the Hollywood Museum is a popular destination for visiting cinephiles and Old Hollywood enthusiasts. Home to thousands of objects, from costumes and photographs to movie props—and even a Rolls-Royce once owned by Cary Grant—it also features makeup rooms once used by Max Factor himself.
This anthropological museum details Quebec’s social and political history. Objects, films, and interviews are used to explain key topics in the province’s history, such as the influence and control of the Catholic Church, the rise of the sovereignty movement, and the experiences of Quebec’s Aboriginal, First Nations, and Inuit communities.
One of San Francisco’s main thoroughfares, ever-pulsating Market Street cuts a diagonal line from the Embarcadero on the city’s northeastern edge to the Twin Peaks neighborhood. It’s home to everything from big-name shops, restaurants, and cafés to offices, theaters, and plazas—attracting visitors and locals both day and night.
The Ernest Tubb Record Store has been in business since 1947, when it was founded by Grand Ole Opry star, Ernest Tubb. Visit the one-stop shop to browse or purchase country, bluegrass, and gospel music, records, and memorabilia. The shop in historic downtown Nashville also offers works by contemporary and classic artists.
Replete with museums, concert venues, and even an amusement park, Fundidora Park (Parque Fundidora) is one of the most multifunctional urban green spaces in a predominantly industrial city. Take advantage of the designated bike paths, attend lively music festivals, and more at a park which combines culture, nature, and history with ease.
The 18th-century Governor’s Palace in downtown Guadalajara is an essential destination for visitors interested in the politics and history of one of Mexico’s most important cities. While appealing from the outside—the imposing baroque building is decorated with a number of carved gargoyles—the draw of the building for most travelers comes from the José Clemente Orozco murals which decorate the interior.
Set within the elaborate Greek-revival style William Scarbrough House, the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is a tribute to Savannah’s role in maritime history. Visitors can browse exhibits on 1800s shipping, model ships, the Civil War, and William Scarbrough—once president of the Savannah Steamship Company. Surrounding the museum, expansive gardens offer a nice place for a stroll or private event.
Journey through Asia—without embarking on an overseas trip—in this museum dedicated to art from the region. During your stay in San Francisco, view artworks spanning different periods in history and contemporary art from cultural regions, such as India, Japan, China, and Korea.
What started out as an effort to save one injured bald eagle in a Sitka local’s backyard, the Alaska Raptor Center is now the state's largest bird center, rehabilitating between 100 to 200 eagles, falcons, owls, and other birds of prey each year. Visitors are drawn to the center to see raptors up close, hear their stories, and watch them relearn how to fly.
The melodious sounds from Spreckels Organ Pavilion float across San Diego’s Balboa Park, treating passersby to a free symphony. One of the world’s largest outdoor pipe organs, the instrument is set in an ornate structure and was gifted to the city in 1914 by the Spreckels family, who ran the Spreckels Sugar Company.
Tucked away in a Texas city known for its vibrant Mexican-American culture, San Antonio’s Japanese Tea Garden showcases traditions from across the Pacific. The peaceful gardens, koi pond, and stone paths lined with greenery provide a refreshing break from the busy downtown River Walk. Head to the 60-foot (18-meter) waterfall for a photo op, then stop at the on-site restaurant to refuel over sushi and margaritas.
Established in the late 19th century as New Orleans' official red-light district, Storyville was once the city's most notorious neighborhood, known for its brothels, saloons, and other houses of ill repute (more positively, it's also considered the birthplace of jazz). The area, adjacent to Tremé, was shuttered by the US government at the outset of World War I. Today it's the site of a number of housing developments, though a few historic landmarks remain.
The University of Washington is not only one of the West Coast’s oldest and most prestigious universities, but it is also an idyllic place for Seattle visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Set on the Union Bay waterfront, the campus boasts historic architecture, tranquil gardens, and extensive walking trails.
A premier destination for arts enthusiasts, the Jepson Center (one of Savannah's Telfair Museums) is a cultural hub devoted to showcasing contemporary art. See diverse exhibitions that span genres, and visit TechSpace, a gallery devoted to digital art. Family days, talks, and guided tours are offered regularly.
Situated 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca proper, this former Dominican convent in Cuilapam de Guerrero is an impressive complex which includes cloisters and a roofless chapel. Once home to praying monks and the place where former Mexican president Vicente Guerrero was executed, the 16th-century Cuilapam Convent is now a place to enjoy religious murals and sweeping views over the valley below.
In the early 20th century, the Oregon side of the gorgeous Columbia River Gorge was opened up to vehicular traffic, turning this famously gorgeous expanse into a popular attraction. Although a major interstate freeway has since upstaged this road, it’s still the best to take if you want to slow down and soak in the scenery.
Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a Smithsonian-affiliated living history museum complex that portrays the English settlers who arrived in the New World in the 1600s and the original inhabitants of the land, the Wampanoag people. You’ll meet historical reenactors in the reconstructed 17th-century English village and the Historic Patuxet Homesite, both with docents in period dress offering interactive talks and demonstrations to illustrate a chapter in American history.
Because El Caracol means “snail” in Spanish, there persists a myth that a giant conch shell once sat on top of these Mayan ruins, which are located in Cozumel’s Punta Sur Eco Beach Park. However, the name and snail sculptures that adorned the dome of the tiny temple actually refer to the rows of real snails that were embedded in the stucco.
For exceptional views out over Oak Creek Canyon, make your way to Oak Creek Vista, just off Route 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona. While the views alone are worth a visit, there’s also an artisan market led by Native American craftspeople to visit plus a seasonal information booth run by the Arizona National History Association to see.
If you want to follow in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers, head to Powel House. One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the county, this historic house was once home to one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest families. Powel House regularly hosted George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, and is now a well-preserved emblem of 18th-century life—it glitters with hundreds of years of history and glamor.
The 1850 House museum offers a snapshot into the life of an upper middle class family in mid-19th-century New Orleans. Housed in an antebellum row home, its rooms have been meticulously furnished with New Orleans silver, Old Paris porcelain, and period antiques. Visitors can walk around the exhibits and learn the stories of past residents, and influential locals, including Baroness de Pontalba.
