Iolani Palace is the United States’ only official royal residence, located in the heart of Honolulu. Restored to its 19th-century grandeur, the palace showcases richly furnished staterooms, private suites, and the room where Queen Liliʻuokalani was once imprisoned. Whether you're interested in Hawaiian history or exploring Oʻahu’s cultural landmarks, it’s one of the most immersive and meaningful sites on the island.
The waters of Cabo San Lucas may be wild elsewhere, but at Medano Beach (Playa el Médano), there’s plenty of safe, calm swimming, along with beach fun for the whole family. One of Los Cabos’ most popular beaches offers up a long stretch of golden sand that’s colorful with towels, sun umbrellas, volleyball, and bars, backed by resorts and high-rise apartment buildings.
Rainbow Row’s cluster of pastel-hued townhomes is one of the most photographed spots in historic Charleston. The 13 colorful Georgian row houses along East Bay Street date back to the 1700s, when they were built as residences and commercial spaces; they were restored in the early 20th century. A must-see for architecture lovers and first-time visitors, this designated historic landmark is made up of private residences that can only be admired from the outside.
St. Paul’s Chapel opened in 1766, one year into the American Revolution—George Washington once attended services here. Located in what is now Lower Manhattan’s Financial District, it is an active place of worship and part of the parish of Trinity Church. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the chapel became a place of refuge for firefighters and emergency workers. Today, it’s known as Manhattan’s oldest public building still in use.
Built in 1797 and named by George Washington, the three-masted USS Constitution frigate is the United States Navy’s oldest commissioned ship. It’s also one of the world’s oldest warships, and is still known by the nickname it earned during the War of 1812: Old Ironsides. Today, visitors can go aboard the ship, which is docked at Boston’s Charlestown Navy Yard, to explore an important slice of US history.
From the Hills to the Sign, the Los Angeles neighborhood of Hollywood is synonymous with the entertainment industry and its glamorous appeal. Match your handprints and footprints to those of 2,800 Hollywood stars on the Walk of Fame; look out for local celebs; and visit famed theaters, such as Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards, Grauman's Chinese Theatre—now the TCL Chinese Theatre—and adjacent to it, the Egyptian Theatre.
Hiking trails, scenic drives, horseback rides, and overlooks take in the eroded red-rock wonderland of Arches National Park in southeastern Utah, which contains more than 2,000 natural stone arches. Geological marvels abound—here, you will find hundreds of soaring pinnacles, the iconic Delicate Arch, and Landscape Arch, one of the largest natural arches in the world at 290 feet (88 meters) across.
Dating back to around AD 600, Coba is believed to have once been home to around 50,000 inhabitants, making it one of the Yucatan’s most significant and historic Maya sites. Surrounded by thick jungle, Coba today is a work in progress, and archaeological excavations are ongoing. However, visitors can discover a host of foliage-fringed ruins, from the super tall Nohoch Mul pyramid to a network of ceremonial limestone paths and well-preserved ball courts.
While it may be the smallest of the three waterfalls that comprise the world-famous Niagara Falls, Bridal Veil Falls is anything but small. Located on the US side of the falls, the 50-foot-wide (15-meter-wide) waterfall thunders over a 181-foot (55-meter) drop. Its frothy white cascade is reminiscent of a bride’s veil—hence the falls’ name. This must-see natural wonder is one of the highlights of Niagara Falls and can be admired by land, water, and air.
A popular stop en route to the Grand Canyon, the historic Cameron Trading Post combines American Indian art and culture with a modern travel stop. Browse the expansive souvenir shop, eat at the restaurant, or even stay overnight in the hotel—all while experiencing the traditional food, crafts, and decore of Navajo and Hopi tribes.
Tucked along the coastline of the expansive Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas), Los Arcos National Marine Park is a popular destination for visitors to the Puerto Vallarta region. It features a dramatic collection of steep-sided granite islets and vibrant coral reefs, all surrounded by clear water. The park may look small from a distance, but the islands are full of hidden caves and tunnels, while the underwater world offers endless chances to explore.
The Alamo is one of the most famous historic sites in the United States, forever linked to the 13-day Battle of the Alamo, and a visit is essential for understanding the history of early Texas and the Texas Revolution. Today, the 18th-century Mission San Antonio de Valero complex welcomes more than 1.6 million visitors per year to its chapel, barracks, gardens, and small museum.
The most significant landmark on Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange is both a striking historic building and a hub of today’s financial activity. While security measures mean that the stock exchange is not open to the public, it is possible to experience the daily buzz of the financial district by planning your visit to coincide with the ringing of the morning bell (9:30am) or the closing bell (4pm).
Cenote Ik Kil is a lush swimming hole surrounded by tropical vines, which is located in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula near the Chichen Itza UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is popular with Riviera Maya tourists, and features two restaurants, a gift store, and bungalows, although most guests visit only for a quick dip and a buffet lunch en route to or from Chichen Itza.
Though the peak of Italian immigration passed long ago, and many first- and second-generation families have since moved to the Bronx, Staten Island, and beyond, the heart of Italian-American culture still beats here. Stroll through this historic enclave to find beloved old-school eateries, the landmark “Old” St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and cultural touchstones like the annual Feast of San Gennaro.
Perched atop Vista Rock in Central Park, this miniature castle looks more medieval than Manhattan—yet Belvedere Castle has become one of the park’s most iconic landmarks. Its visitor center doles out helpful info to travelers, and the gift shop is stocked with Central Park-themed souvenirs. Most people come for the view from the castle’s terraces, which gaze out across Turtle Pond, the Ramble, and the Great Lawn.
In a city famous for its architecture, Marina City still stands out. The Chicago landmark features two concrete towers whose grooved surfaces are reminiscent of corn on the cob, and which once numbered among the tallest high-rises in the world. Today, the mixed-use residential and commercial space contains restaurants, bars, apartments, and shops, and is an unmissable part of the Chicago skyline.
Humanity’s endless curiosity is the central focus of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. A visual timeline of the evolution of flight is suspended from the museum’s high rafters—from the delicate earliest biplane to the sleek lines and rocket-cone nose of the pioneering X-15 research craft. This Smithsonian museum is proof that humans will never stop exploring and innovating.
Hollywood's Dolby Theatre (formerly the Kodak Theatre) is best known as the home of the Academy Awards. This 3,400-seat entertainment complex features an incredible sound system comprising 215 powered speakers. Although it's best known for the Oscars, the Dolby Theatre hosts all sorts of other live entertainment, from concerts to comedy shows.
Locals and visitors flock to Washington Square Park, a New York City gem known for its arch (echoing the Arc de Triomphe), street performers, and prime people-watching. The heart of Greenwich Village, the park blends city energy with neighborhood charm, making it ideal for a relaxing stroll or kicking back in the sunshine. Whether you come for the music, chess matches, or a chance to see NYU life in action, it’s a quintessential New York experience.
Mexico City’s Plaza de la Constitución (better known as the Zócalo) is the cultural and historic heart of the city. This large open-air square is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Centro Historico, and home to some of the capital's top attractions, including the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, with its gloriously gilded altar, and Templo Mayor, an Aztec site of great significance.
What remains of the Aztecs’ Great Temple (Templo Mayor) sits right in the middle of Mexico City, but many tourists miss it. In 1978, a massive, 8-ton (7,000-kilogram) stone depicting Coyolxauhqui (the Aztec goddess of the moon) was unearthed, marking the location of the temple, a gathering place sacred for the Aztecs during the 1300s and 1400s.
At Mammoth Hot Springs, geothermal waters heated in Yellowstone’s caldera valley emerge through cracks and fissures, depositing minerals that create constantly changing terraced travertine formations. In summer, visitors traverse boardwalks above these steaming hydrothermal features, taking in one of Yellowstone National Park’s most impressive natural wonders; in winter, snowmobiling or snowshoeing along the whiffs of sulfur is another wild park experience.
Built on the site of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlán, the Centro Histórico is both the historical heart and the modern epicenter of Mexico City, dating back to the 14th century. The attraction-packed neighborhood is centered on the grand Zócalo—Plaza de la Constitución—and is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of monuments, museums, parks, and hotels.
With a proud reputation for serving up some of the most memorable sunsets in Florida, Mallory Square is the only place to be as the sun sinks over Key West. Overflowing with Key West quirkiness, the nightly Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square always pulls in a crowd, and it’s packed with street performers, food carts, and arts and crafts stalls.
One of three major bridges that connect Manhattan to Brooklyn—alongside the Brooklyn Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge—the Manhattan Bridge is a key part of the New York City skyline. Built in 1909 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the suspension bridge today carries more than 450,000 commuters across the East River by subway, car, bike, and on foot. It’s a popular landmark on Dumbo walking and photography tours.
Few buildings capture as much of Charleston’s history as the Old Exchange, which has witnessed everything from banquets with George Washington to the ratification of the South Carolina Constitution. Today, the museum shares pieces of Charleston history through galleries of period artifacts, paintings, and historic documents that bring the city’s early days to life. Down below, the Provost Dungeon holds a piece of the city’s original seawall, tucked below the rooms where prisoners were once held.
Amatitán—a prolific tequila-producing town just outside Guadalajara—often goes overlooked in favor of nearby Tequila. However, this charming destination is a key stop on Jalisco’s famous Tequila Trail, one which travelers hoping to fully explore the UNESCO-listed Tequila Country shouldn’t miss. As well as picture-perfect agave fields, Amatitán is also home to several high-profile distilleries, such as Casa Herradura.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1833 and ripe with ghost stories and the graves of notable New Orleans residents, this graveyard serves as the final resting place for more than 7,000 people. It’s situated in the leafy Garden District, which is home to many of the city’s most notable historic buildings.
Framed by the graceful arch of a footbridge, Multnomah Falls looks like something out of a fantasy novel. One of the most popular attractions in Oregon, it spans 620 feet (189 meters) and plunges two tiers down a steep, moss-covered cliff. Each new season brings new beauty to the spot—icicles sparkle in the winter, autumn leaves seem to glow, and the spring and summer bring lush greenery—drawing hikers to explore the surrounding trails year-round.
