North America attractions

The country’s only amusement park dedicated toSesame Street, Sesame Place is one of the Philadelphia area’s top family-friendly attractions. Located in Langhorne, Penn.—roughly 20 miles (33 kilometers) northeast of Center City—its offerings including water rides, meet-and-greets with popular characters such as Elmo, and more.

Experience a whirlwind of musical talent at The Dutton Family Theater in Branson, Missouri. Run by the multi-talented Dutton family, this vibrant hub bursts with energy and showcases diverse musical skills. From foot-tapping country tunes to soulful gospel and rock ‘n roll, their shows (acclaimed on America’s Got Talent) promise a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.

Ascend the iconic Rendezvous Mountain with ease on the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram. This cable car transports visitors to the summit in 12 minutes, with sweeping panoramic views of the Tetons and Jackson Hole Valley along the way. At the top, enjoy world-class skiing in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer. The tram is a popular attraction, beloved for both its scenic ride and its stunning summit destination, complete with waffles at Corbet’s Cabin.

The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center is a full-package experience that ushers visitors into the world of one of Hawaii’s signature foods: the humble macadamia nut. Through expansive orchards and a self-guided tour, guests will learn all about the production process, from harvest to package. Of course, no visit is complete without sampling the treasured Hawaiian nuts and visiting the gift shop to pick up a tasty souvenir.

The Toronto Zoo, located in Scarborough, is the largest zoo in Canada. Representing seven domains from the Americas to Africa and encompassing a whopping 710 acres, the zoo is home to over 5,000 animals, including leopards, tortoises, and camels. The zoo's mission is to educate the public about protecting endangered species and preventing extinction.

Housed in a historic manor in the heart of Washington DC’s Dupont Circle neighborhood, The Phillips Collection is one of the city’s highlight art museums. Founded in 1921, it is home to a 3,000-strong permanent collection of American and European artworks, including pieces by van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, O’Keeffe, and Rothko.

One of the most popular hikes in the Lake Tahoe area, the Eagle Falls Trail is an easy to moderate hike featuring cascading waterfalls, lush forest scenery, and breathtaking views of Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, and the Sierra high country. Experience the best that Tahoe has to offer in this short but rewarding hike.

Located on the southern end of Mud Island—which is actually a peninsula between the Mississippi River and Wolf River Harbor—Mud Island River Park is a gathering place that is home to a museum, an amphitheater, water features, and outdoor spaces perfect for picnicking and admiring views of the river and the Memphis skyline.

Northern New Mexico's Chimayó may just have a few thousand residents, but it makes up for its small population with an extremely rich culture. The town is known for the sacred Catholic site El Santuario de Chimayó, a centuries old weaving tradition, and a village-like atmosphere with beautiful adobe architecture. Another local signature is the Chimayó red chile pepper.

A branch of the Cook Inlet just south of Anchorage, the Turnagain Arm is known for its high tides, incredible marine life spotting opportunities, and unparalleled access to outdoor recreation. A 50-mile (80-kilometer stretch of the Seward Highway hugs the Turnagain Arm from Anchorage to Portage Glacier and is one of the top scenic drives in Alaska.

A scenic stretch of Marin County across the bay from San Francisco, Tiburon is a relaxed seaside community with charming architecture and homes that feel more like New England than California. Bay cruises, hikes, and bike tours abound, and ferries run during the week, making it easy to visit this laid-back, affluent town.

The most popular cruise port on the so-called Mexican Riviera, Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port welcomes liners from around the world. Known for its natural beauty, nightlife, and endless beaches, Cabo San Lucas marks the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula and acts as a gateway to the region.

As a city perhaps best known for its 1692 witch trials, Salem has a dark history that dates back centuries. Visitors can unpack stories of this colonial era at the Salem Wax Museum. Encounter wax figures from Salem's past in this quaint museum, and check out a small exhibit on the history of Salem, its witch hunt, and maritime industry.

The oldest continually operating winery in the Napa Valley wine region, Beringer Vineyards was established in 1876 in St. Helena and sits on a regal estate listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Head to a tasting room to explore a flavorful selection of winery-exclusive wines and special reserve vintages produced by the winery’s prized vineyards.

One of the top ski resorts on the West Coast, Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) was the host of the 1960 Winter Olympics. With 3,600 acres (1,457 hectares) of terrain, over 170 trails, and a village boasting over 50 restaurants and 40 shops, as well as a multitude of activities and festivals in the summer, there’s plenty to keep visitors occupied year-round.

Bodies: The Exhibition reveals the inner workings of the human body in an intensely visual, educational experience. Using preserved real human specimens, the exhibit guides you through the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, and organ systems, much like an anatomy lab. Located at the Luxor, it’s the largest permanent human anatomy exhibition in the US, offering you a chance to confront mortality, science, and health in a way few museums allow.

Halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte—and between the mountains and the sea—you might say Greenville hit the “Goldilocks zone.” But it’s not just what’s around Greenville that makes it so attractive—this 70,000-person town brims with restaurants and a popping arts scene. The massive waterfall running right through downtown helps, too.

Some of Oahu’s most incredible views await on the Ka’au Crater trail. With three waterfalls, a small crater, and a thrilling ridge, this challenging trail has it all for adventurous travelers who can experience the best of Hawaii’s natural features in just one (long and steep) hike.

Sometimes billed as “Earth's largest space museum,” the US Space and Rocket Center showcases a collection of more than 1,500 items, including rockets, engines, spacecraft, and other artifacts relating to the US space program. Visitors learn about the program’s achievements through simulators and interactive exhibits.

Considered by many to be the best mountain bike park in the world, Whistler Mountain Bike Park features over 60 trails covering 124 miles (200 kilometers) and nearly 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) of lift-serviced vertical. With four separate zones and five skills centers, there’s something for mountain bike riders of every ability level.

One of the early independent breweries that helped kickstart America’s craft beer revolution, Samuel Adams remains a beloved Boston staple among beer lovers. The Boston Brewery was its original production space when the brewery got its start in the 1980s; today, it’s home to the company’s innovation brewhouse, where experimental new releases are produced (and served on site). Tours are also available for anyone curious about the brewing process.

Home to the renowned University of California, Berkeley, this free-thinking college community across the bay from San Francisco is known for its liberal attitude, campus culture, and role in 1960s politics. Today, students and visitors alike are drawn to Berkeley’s bohemian shops, cultural festivals, and eclectic dining scene.

Spanning just 1.5 acres (0.6 hectares, the Green is a pocket-sized, literary-themed park in Uptown Charlotte. A lovely little oasis in the heart of the Second Ward, the Green features lush landscaping, grassy areas, shady paths, benches, fountains, and whimsical sculptures. It is popular with locals and visitors alike.

A dusty town tucked into the volcanic valleys northwest of Guadalajara, Tequila is the birthplace of the eponymous drink and has been producing Mexico’s national beverage since the 16th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town is surrounded by Jalisco’s blue-agave plantations, which produce some 50 million gallons of the spirit each year.

A family-friendly way to beat the heat in Tampa, Adventure Island water park is home to a variety of waterslides, pools, and other splashy attractions for all ages. It’s a great alternative to the beach for those looking to cool off without making the drive out to the coast.

At the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, the story of the Silver State comes to life through immersive exhibits and rare artifacts. Visitors can walk through a recreated mine, see a historic coin press in action, and explore everything from ancient fossils to Indigenous art. It’s a compelling stop for travelers interested in the state’s natural wonders, cultural roots, and mining legacy.

The Isaac Bell House should delight anyone fascinated by architecture. One of the country's best examples of shingle-style architecture, its designers sought to birth a new architectural movement that combined global influences to create something quintessentially American. The result was the Isaac Bell House, now maintained by the Preservation Society of Newport County and open to visitors.

As one of the oldest commercial ships in the United States, the whaleshipCharles W. Morgan is a living testament to the legacy of the American whaling industry. The ship—now a National Historic Landmark—is among the most popular attractions at the Mystic Seaport Museum and a must-see historic attraction for visitors to coastal Connecticut.

The only museum in the country dedicated to Islamic Art, the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture and Design contains nearly 4,500 pieces collected by heiress and philanthropist Doris Duke. The museum, formerly Duke’s opulent waterfront estate, features special exhibitions, lectures, and performances by artists in residency.

This stately Georgian manor is surrounded by carefully tended gardens and lush lawns, and serves as the official residence of the Canadian monarch when in Halifax. Built primarily using local materials and centrally located in downtown Halifax, the historic house highlights Nova Scotia’s past and its rich culture.