North America attractions

In Miami Beach, Mango's Tropical Cafe is synonymous with live performances, late night parties, and fantastic dancing. Stop by this two-story nightclub earlier for dinner and drinks, show up rejuvenated from a disco nap for a night out with your besties, or swing by to hydrate with refreshing cocktails after tanning at Lummus Park Beach.

A wild piece of the California coast in northern San Diego, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve encompasses 1,750 acres (710 hectares) of oceanview hiking trails, dramatic sandstone cliffs, and native vegetation. It’s named after its thousands of protected Torrey pines: the country’s rarest pine tree. See them up close while exploring the park’s walking paths, and look out for whales and Catalina Island in the distance.

North Straub Park is one of a series of bayfront parks in St. Petersburg. It’s surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and museums, often hosting community events and private gatherings. Its sibling park, South Straub Park, is just opposite the Museum of Fine Arts.

In 1658, more than a dozen Jewish families, mostly refugees from Spain and Portugal, founded a Sephardic community. A century later, British-Colonial architect and local resident Peter Harrison designed a two-story Palladian house of worship for this community, the Touro Synagogue. It continues to serve Newport’s Jewish community today.

Founded in 1988, the Autry Museum of the American West—commonly known as “The Autry”—shares stories and artworks from the region’s diverse residents, both past and present. Cofounded by entertainer and actor Gene Autry (once known as “America’s Favorite Singing Cowboy”) the museum maintains two Los Angeles locations.

Designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Jasper is a stargazing paradise. Come to the 40-seat Jasper Planetarium for a glimpse at the area’s star-studded skies, with interactive planetarium shows and powerful outdoor telescopes.

The action in Montreal's Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin) centers on Saint-Denis, a street lined with funky shops and bistros. The area really comes into its own in summer when it hosts festivals. Locals, tourists, and French-speaking students from University of Quebec at Montreal pack the neighborhood’s many cafes, bars, theaters, and live music venues.

The Jewish Museum is a highlight of New York City’s ever-popular Museum Mile (which is also home to attractions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Guggenheim Museum). Offering contemporary art, panel discussions, and more, the Jewish Museum appeals to arts lovers of all backgrounds. You can explore temporary exhibitions—from monograph shows to group exhibits—as well as a permanent collection dedicated to Judaism and Jewish culture.

One of the oldest and largest markets in Oaxaca—if not the entire country—the fragrant and bustling Abastos Market is a hub of fresh produce, Oaxacan goods, and more. Also known by its official name of the Central de Abastos, this market is the perfect place to pick up Oaxacan snacks and souvenirs, from local pottery to chili-laced candies and freshly made mole.

Most visitors are drawn to Yosemite Valley's famous cliffs and waterfalls, but fewer know of the park’s pioneer history and how they shaped the future of Yosemite National Park. In the town of Wawona, the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is dedicated to these pioneers and showcases historic buildings and stories from Yosemite’s past.

The quintessential mode of travel for exploring the various islands of Puget Sound, Washington State Ferries offer transportation, sightseeing, and even regular wildlife viewing. Should you hop on a Washington State ferry in Seattle, you’ll arrive at one of the many picturesque islands across the bay within about an hour: all while relaxing, avoiding traffic, and enjoying Seattle’s best skyline views.

Situated under the iconic Space Needle, Seattle’s Pacific Science Center is a museum of delight, wonder, and mystery. Visitors can explore the diversity of life in a tropical butterfly house, gaze at the stars in the planetarium, test their puzzle-solving skills in the Puzzle Palooza, and explore hundreds of hands-on exhibits.

Known for growing organic grapes and using sustainable farming practices, Benziger Family Winery attracts visitors with its open-air tram tours that show off the beautiful property spread across the hills of Sonoma County. The winery is set in the town of Glen Ellen, making it easy to visit from both San Francisco and Napa.

Florida’s largest urban park is in Miami, offering over 1,000 acres (400 hectares for a range of outdoor activities from cycling to kayaking and fishing. Oleta River State Park is home to rugged trails, mangrove-spotted coastlines, and a 1,200-foot (350-meter sandy beach. The park is best known as a destination for cyclists, with 3 miles (5 kilometers of simple paved paths and 10 miles (15 kilometers of off-road trails.

Located in Washington DC’s grand, historic City Post Office Building, the National Postal Museum tells the story of the United States Postal Service and other international postal services. One of the city’s many Smithsonian institutions, the museum has been a popular stop for history lovers since opening in 1993.

Meow Wolf Denver (Convergence Station) can barely be contained into words, but let’s try: It’s an interactive playscape of sci-fi-esque, neon worlds. The Denver installment marks the brand’s third and largest permanent exhibition, where visitors wander through a maze of visual and textile delight, like an art museum gone rogue. You have to see it to believe it.

Made from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, the Aurora Ice Museum is the largest year-round ice museum in the world. Completed in 2005 by world ice art–carving champion Steve Brice and his wife, Heather, the cool 25°F (-7°C) museum features furniture, life-size knights on horseback, chandeliers shifting colors to mimic the northern lights, and even a bar, all made of ice. (The drinks are served in ice glasses, too, naturally.)

Dive into America’s Civil War history and pore over war artifacts during a visit to New Orleans’ Confederate Memorial Hall Museum. One of the oldest museums in Louisiana, this landmark offers insights into the war that shaped the American south. Expect in-depth exhibitions with a sizable collection of Civil War artifacts, from weapons, to battle flags, to uniforms, to official documents.

Home to monuments, historic residences, and a cultural center, the San Angel neighborhood is a charming respite from busy Mexico City. But, one day a week, the Bazaar Sábado (Saturday Market) bustles with activity, with vendors selling art and crafts, original paintings and sculptures, and cheap eats.

Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is among the premier private research universities in the world. Best known for its achievements in medicine, science, and engineering, it proudly claims more than 100 Nobel laureates among its alumni and faculty. The picturesque campus is located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, and is publicly accessible, with plenty of museums and architectural highlights worth exploring.

Home to pieces by major 20th-century Mexican artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo, the Museum of Modern Art (Museo de Arte Moderno) is a circular, domed building with a wealth of mainly post-1930 Mexican art. Here, explore permanent exhibits, the on-site sculpture garden, and regularly rotated temporary exhibitions in the heart of Chapultepec Park.

Portland’s Hoyt Arboretum is home to one of the most varied collections of tree species in the United States. This sprawling nature preserve serves as a research center, but with miles of trails easily accessible to downtown Portland, the arboretum is open to anyone who wants to spend time in nature.

Between San Francisco and Santa Cruz sits the sleepy beach resort community of Half Moon Bay. Many of the town’s historical buildings now house upscale restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques, but the coast is the real draw here. The mansion-lined stretch of cliff-backed beach—with its scenic Cowell-Purisima Trail, excellent dining, and endless waves—draws surfers and picnickers throughout the entire year.

Just north of Whistler Village, Green Lake—named for its vibrant emerald hue—is a popular recreation area for activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The glacier-fed lake, surrounded by mountains, makes for a great picnic spot too. It’s also a landing zone for seaplanes, which connect Whistler to Vancouver and Victoria.

Even if you’ve never been ice skating in New York City, you might recognize Wollman Rink. The outdoor skating rink has not only entertained New Yorkers and their families since the 1950s, but it’s featured in movies from Love Story to Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. With a backdrop of soaring Manhattan skyscrapers, it’s a winning spot to put your skating skills to the test.

One of the largest urban parks on the planet, South Mountain Park straddles a swath of south Phoenix from South Mountain Village to Ahwatukee Foothills Village. A local point of pride, the park and desert nature preserve has popular hiking, biking, and horseback trails. Inside the park, visitors will find multiple lookouts, the Mystery Castle stone mansion, and an environmental education center.

Find your zen at downtown Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden, an oasis of Chinese art, design, and architecture. Modeled after the ancient gardens of the Ming Dynasty, the garden has carefully landscaped elements that invite you to relax, reflect, and engage with Chinese culture through tea ceremonies, workshops, and performances.

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Theater District, the Ambassador Theatre is an in-demand Broadway venue known for its hexagonal auditorium and hits such as the long-running Chicago. Dating back to 1921, this historic theater is a favorite among architecture and design fans who visit to admire its interior plasterwork. Theater enthusiasts typically purchase tickets to shows at the Ambassador in advance to secure seats, and both matinee and evening performances are usually offered.

Stretching nine blocks in the heart of Richmond, Carytown is a charming district for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Known as the “mile of style,” the area features more than 230 shops and restaurants, emphasizing independently owned boutiques, eclectic shops, and the historic Byrd Theater.

For a quick introduction to Skagway’s rich and colorful past, a visit to the Skagway Museum is a must. Artifacts, photographs, and historical records bring the area's past alive, from the original Tlingit culture to the Klondike Gold Rush and present-day Alaskan life. Housed in Alaska’s first stone building, the museum’s granite facade is a sight in itself.