North America attractions

Coyoacán, one of Mexico City’s oldest districts, is alive with color and culture. Centered around Plaza Hidalgo and Jardín Centenario—twin plazas that are perfect for people-watching—Coyoacán features museums, quaint cobblestone streets, and roadside churro vendors. Its biggest claim to fame is undoubtedly the Frida Kahlo Museum (Museo Frida Kahlo), with its iconic electric blue exterior; however, other draws include Leon Trotsky's House Museum, where the political exile was assassinated.

Admire New York City from on high at the One World Observatory, the 100th-floor viewing deck reachable in just 47 seconds by high-speed elevator. On the ride up, time-lapse technology showcases the city’s transformation from the 1500s to the present day via immersive, floor-to-ceiling screens. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the city’s waterways, iconic skyline, and renowned landmarks.

More than just one church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an expansive site on the edges of Mexico City, containing shrines, museums, and chapels. From the sweeping green copper roof of the modern basilica to the small, unique Capilla del Pocito (Chapel of the Well), the complex sprang up around the spot where the Virgen de Guadalupe is said to have appeared multiple times to a devout peasant.

Carved over time by the Virgin River, Zion National Park is a remarkable 148,000-acre (59,900-hectare) stretch of white, pink, and red rock formations in southern Utah’s canyon country. The state’s first national park draws hikers, birders, and nature lovers with its slot canyon walls and diversity of wildlife.

The Sunset Strip, a storied stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, first became famous as an old-Hollywood hangout, then as the center of the rock and roll music scene. Today, the 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) strip, which extends east–west from Beverly Hills to Hollywood, is lined end to end with several legendary 20th-century venues—plus comedy clubs, upscale shops and restaurants, and rooftop bars with stellar city views.

It’s no surprise that one of the oldest and largest Chinese enclaves in the US is in New York—but from there, Chinatown defies expectations. Alongside its vibrant mix of restaurants, dumpling and noodle houses, bakeries, and herbal shops, the neighborhood is home to a museum of Chinese-American history, a mall tucked beneath the Manhattan Bridge, and Columbus Park—one of the city’s oldest public parks and a gathering place for lively Mahjong tournaments.

Spanning five city blocks, the Fremont Street Experience is a massive outdoor shopping and entertainment district and home to Las Vegas’ very first freestanding casino building. Visitors come here for its 10 casinos, plenty of restaurants, and daily free concerts and live entertainment. It’s also notable for the famous Viva Vision canopy, a nightly music and light show projected onto a huge overhead canopy screen.

Renowned for its powerful shore breaks, Sandy Beach Park is one of Oahu’s most popular bodyboarding destinations. However, it is colloquially known as “Break Neck Beach” for good reason, so novices should avoid the beach’s treacherous waters and soak up the sun on its long stretch of fine white sand.

Occupying an entire city block, New York City St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a neo-Gothic masterpiece in the heart of Manhattan’s midtown neighborhood. The cathedral’s soaring 330-foot (100-meter) spires stand out among the steel and glass skyscrapers of Midtown, and each year it beckons more than five million visitors inside with its arches, altars, a colossal organ, and intricate stained-glass windows.

Known as the "Mother Church of Country Music," the Ryman Auditorium is one of Nashville's most iconic venues, helping the city transform into a legendary music destination. Since opening in 1892, it has hosted legends such as Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Van Morrison. Today, visitors can tour the historic theater, visit the museum, or experience the venue's world-class acoustics during a live performance.

The USS Arizona Memorial floats above the wreckage of the USS Arizona—a United States battleship that was attacked in Pearl Harbor during World War II. Today, the memorial commemorates the final resting place of those who perished there and features a marble wall etched with the names of those who served onboard. It also has openings looking down through the water to the sunken battleship below.

Just outside of Banff, Lake Minnewanka is everything a mountain lake should be: crystal clear, glacier fed, and surrounded by alpine forests and imposing peaks. A visit to Lake Minnewanka is a perfect introduction to the beautiful Canadian Rockies. It’s also the only lake in Banff National Park that allows privately operated motorboats.

The focal point of Bethesda Terrace, this landmark fountain—one of the largest water features in New York City—is known for its bronze statue of a winged angel, which has been a Central Park landmark for around 150 years and has appeared in countless movies and television shows. Admire the fountain from the upper level of the terrace above the Arcade, or relax next to its grand lower basin fountain and people watch.

One of the most popular waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii, Rainbow Falls is loved for its easy access and the rainbows that frequently hang over the falls on misty mornings. The Wailuku River, which powers the falls, varies dramatically based on rain, but this 80-foot (24-meter) cascade and its uber-lush environs wow visitors whether it’s a thundering torrent or delicate trickle.

Visitors flock to Coit Tower to take in views of downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge. With its perch atop Telegraph Hill in Pioneer Park, the 210-foot-high (64-meter) tower offers some of the best photo ops in the city. This 1933 landmark also draws art buffs with its cycle of lobby murals depicting life in early 20th-century California, painted by artists as part of Roosevelt’s Public Works of Art Project.

Playa Norte (North Beach) is a relaxing stretch of white sand on Isla Mujeres, a small island off the Yucatan Peninsula. Isla Mujeres was once considered a sacred site devoted to a Maya goddess, and it earned its name—meaning Island of Women—when the Spanish discovered images of the goddess on the island. Today, the Caribbean waters of Playa Norte offer a laid-back alternative to bustling Cancun.

The Grand Prismatic Spring is not only the largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, but also the largest in all of North America and the third-largest in the world. More than its size, though, the spring is famous for its colors that radiate from a deep-blue center out to green, yellow, and red. It’s a spectacular sight, and a highlight of driving the Lower Loop, along with Old Faithful.

One of the most-visited destinations in San Francisco, the multilevel Pier 39 complex is home to shops, restaurants, street performers, and a video arcade. Many boat tours depart from the pier daily, making it a key stop on the tourist circuit. Its location on the San Francisco Bay means visitors can also admire panoramic views and even watch sunbathing California sea lions.

The Bahia de Cabo San Lucas (Bay of Cabo San Lucas) is the cape’s hub for water sports and beach activities such as jet skiing, kayaking, waterskiing, parasailing, and more. Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, the bay is lined with scenic stretches of sand and swimmable beaches, with Medano Beach being the safest and most popular in Cabo San Lucas.

When it was established in 1750, Colonial Park Cemetery was Savannah's main cemetery. It expanded three times to accommodate 9,000 graves across 6 acres (2.4 hectares). A century later, the cemetery ceased burials. Today, visitors can walk among the graves, many of which have historical markers describing local people and events.

Across the bay from downtown San Diego, the small resort town of Coronado, with its wide sandy coastline and tree-lined main street, is ideal for scenic strolls, browsing boutiques, or stopping for a bite to eat on Orange Avenue. Visitors also come here to relax on the beach or explore historical sights, or just to unwind and watch the sunset.

One of the oldest national parks in the United States, Mt. Rainier National Park was established in 1899 to preserve the wilderness surrounding Mt. Rainier. Encompassing 369 square miles (956 square kilometers) of old-growth forests, wildflower meadows, glacial scenery, and wildlife, it’s a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Along with the White House and US Capitol, the Supreme Court ranks among Washington DC’s most significant, iconic landmarks. Founded in 1789 and now housed in a neoclassical building that dates to 1935, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, and visitors are welcome to visit (even when court is in session).

A must-visit on any trip to Key West, the Southernmost Point of the Continental USA is the island’s most recognizable and photographed landmark. Just off the main Duval Street strip, the brightly painted concrete buoy marks the southern edge of the contiguous United States. A photo here has become a Key West tradition, with the buoy’s signature red-and-black designs echoed throughout the local souvenir shops.

Grand antebellum homes and historic plazas lined with live oaks are just some of the sights that define Savannah’s Historic District. Considered the heart of the city, the Historic District is not only the centerpiece of a Savannah vacation but also where visitors will find a high concentration of bars, restaurants, and historic attractions. If there’s one Savannah district not to miss, it’s this one.

Yankee Stadium is more than just a ballpark—it’s a symbol of New York pride. (The current structure replaced the old-time original in 2009.) Whether you’re catching a game or touring the venue’s halls, visiting offers a chance to experience baseball’s past and its energetic present. With towering grandstands, fan-filled concourses, and tributes to legends such as Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter, this is a must-see for sports fans and anyone curious about NYC’s cultural heartbeat.

Situated on the northern end of Hawaii’s Big Island, Waimea (aka Kamuela) is the center of Hawaiian cowboy (paniolo) country. This historic area is filled with rolling green hills, endless open pastures, and spectacular valleys. With its fabulous scenery, bucolic vibes, and great local food, Waimea is one of the Big Island’s top tourist towns—it’s also the island’s north side hub.

A landmark along Vancouver’s waterfront, Canada Place is hard to miss: The complex was built to look like a ship, and its five large fiberglass “sails” are visible above the Vancouver harbor. The walkway around its exterior is lined with plaques detailing Vancouver’s history, and it’s the ideal place for photos of the harbor and the North Shore mountains.

Home to the soaring rock faces, summits, and waterfalls that Yosemite National Park is famous for, “the valley” is the heart of the action. Its well-known sights include El Capitan and Half Dome, as well as Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls, and there are endless opportunities to enjoy hiking, climbing, photography, nature walks, and more.

Famous for its white sand beaches, photo-worthy art deco architecture, and carnival-like atmosphere, South Beach is Miami’s most iconic stretch of coastline. The area blends beach relaxation with a buzzing café culture, exciting nightlife options, and endless people-watching. With 10 miles (16 kilometers) of shoreline and oceanfront views, it’s one of the most glamorous and energetic beach destinations in the United States and a must-visit for those coming to Miami.