USA attractions

Blue herons, snowy egrets, and spoonbills are just a few of the birds that make their homes and nests in swamp-wrapped Lake Martin. It’s no surprise that the Lake Martin Rookery is a big destination for bird-watchers, but there’s more to see here, as well. The rookery is part of the larger Cypress Island Preserve that encompasses ancient cypresses, bottomland hardwood forest, and plenty of lounging alligators.

The restored opulent interior of Kings Theater is like something from a bygone era—think chandeliers, plush velvet, and art deco splendor—making this performance arts venue one of the loveliest in Brooklyn (Flatbush, to be exact). A powerhouse of cultural events, it hosts big-name concerts, comedy shows, film screenings, and red-carpet events.

The DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace is a vibrant Duluth hub set in a historic building near Canal Park’s waterfront. It offers a mix of unique shops, cafés, and galleries, with a variety of dining options. It's a perfect spot to explore Duluth’s local culture, have a meal, and shop for one-of-a-kind items.

The deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake sits in the hollows of a volcanic crater far in the eastern Oregon Cascades. Most people come to see the awe-inspiring lake itself, but beyond its shores, you can hike through old-growth forests and explore the rugged high desert of Crater Lake National Park.

Shop vintage clothes, unique collectibles, and more at the weekly, seasonal Brooklyn Flea, one of the borough's largest flea markets. The primary location is in the Dumbo neighborhood, near the scenic Brooklyn waterfront. Browse records, antiques, homewares, jewelry, art, and more on a visit to this outdoor market. Located in the Dumbo Archway, Brooklyn Flea also offers a full bar.

Zoom Flume Water Park is the ultimate destination for a busy day in the summer sun. Shoot down a winding waterslide, take a dip in the wave pool, and float down the 600-foot (182-meter) Wild River. Then, refuel with a riverside picnic before doing it all again.

Surrounded by rowdy bars housed in elegant, Gallic houses adorned with wrought-iron balconies, the Hard Rock Cafe blends right into its Bourbon Street surroundings while still staying true to its all-American roots. It's all about the burger-adjacent fare, the drinks, and the music memorabilia at this branch of the famous chain.

Midtown Manhattan’s Walter Kerr Theatre is a grand performing arts venue that’s just off Broadway. Opened in the 1920s as the Ritz Theatre, it was later renamed and refurbished in honor of a Pulitzer Prize-winning theater critic. Throughout its long history, it has put on different kinds of shows, but nowadays, it hosts musicals and plays, including the likes of Hadestown and Springsteen on Broadway.

Founded in 2018, Glacier 45 Distillery produces all-natural vodkas in a range of flavors—think blood orange, hot cinnamon, cucumber, huckleberry, and more—plus gin and bourbon whiskey. You can try it for yourself at its tasting room in downtown Baker City, Oregon.

Running from the Wisconsin–Michigan border in the north, the Wisconsin River courses for some 430 miles (692 kilometers), through the hilly Driftless Region and all the way to the Mississippi River. Ideal for rafting, paddling, fishing, and wildlife-watching, this waterway is a fine example of the scenic splendor of the Upper Midwest.

Part of the Wildlands Conservancy group of California nature preserves, Mission Creek Preserve spans more than 4,700 acres between the Sonoran and Mojave deserts. In addition to the typical arid landscape of the desert, the preserve features a patch of wetlands and is home to wildlife such as deer, bears, and bighorn sheep.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center brings an unlikely array of environments to the middle of Michigan. Walk through an indoor tropical forest, then wander around an arboretum. Or, explore the nature trails scattered throughout the 1,100-acre (445-hectare) preserve and spot native animals at wildlife viewing areas.

Artists without formal training produced the 7,000-plus works in the collection at the American Folk Art Museum, New York City’s only museum dedicated to folk and self-taught artists. The permanent collection—spanning four centuries and many mediums, from paintings and photographs to sculptures and textiles—portrays everyday American life. Diverse exhibitions change every few months.

Like other Hard Rock Cafes around the world, the Washington DC branch of the megachain has plenty of rock ’n’ roll–themed memorabilia, along with regular live music performances. In an ode to their surroundings, however, this branch has a few localized decor features, with the words "Embassy of Rock" emblazoned on a mezzanine wall.

Queens is known for its multicultural population, which is reflected in its diverse food scene. The seasonal Queens Night Market, held in the grounds of the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, is a great place to sample this local cuisine and is a must-visit for foodies. It operates from mid-April to mid-October.

You’d be forgiven for confusing this tiny island for a fishing village in New England. But no, this tranquil slice of the Long Island Sound coast is part of New York City, located in the northeastern corner of the Bronx. The area draws sailing and boating aficionados, locals looking to tuck into a meal at a seafood shack, and travelers in search of a quiet escape.

Located in the heart of downtown Frederick, just north of Carroll Creek Park, Tenth Ward Distilling Company is known for its unconventional spirits. Flagship products include absinthe, smoked bourbon, seasonal liqueurs, and canned cocktails, while all whiskey is distilled in-house with grain that comes straight from local Maryland farms. The Cocktail Bar and Tasting Room hosts regular events, including live music.

The Boulder Public Library, located along pretty Boulder Creek, is a hub of culture. Beyond offering books and learning materials, it has a modern design featuring open spaces, reading areas, and a bridge connecting different sections—great for a quiet moment in a bustling city. The library also hosts art exhibits, workshops, and other events, making it a vibrant space for learning, creativity, and collaboration.

The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse rises out of Chesapeake Bay, where it’s been an active navigational beacon since 1875. A National Historic Landmark, it’s the last screw-pile lighthouse that remains in its original position within the bay.

Penn Quarter is a lively and compact neighborhood in eastern Washington DC; its famed for its diverse selection of restaurants, bars, museums, and sports and entertainment venues. The district is a short distance from the National Mall and US Capitol.

One of Brooklyn’s most popular foodie destinations, Smorgasburg Williamsburg is a street-food market, which runs seasonally outdoors. Held on Saturdays and located in Marsha P. Johnson State Park overlooking the East River, the market is a New York summer staple. With more than 70 food vendors serving dozens of global cuisines, it offers a uniquely eclectic dining experience.

Born in Los Angeles to American-Japanese parents, Isamu Noguchi’s decades-long career as an artist saw him design everything from public sculptures to stage sets to modernist furniture. This museum and sculpture garden, located in Astoria, was designed and curated by the artist himself and remains the most significant collection of his works.

Spanning 184 miles (297 kilometers) from Washington DC through Virginia and Maryland, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park was created in 1961 as a way to preserve the once-bustling Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Active from 1831 to 1924, the canal was a major industrial route used to transport coal and timber.

In Flushing Meadows Corona Park you’ll find New York City’s Queens Zoo, a small zoo that houses animals native to the Americas. There are separate areas for wild and domestic animals, as well as an aviary, a waterfowl marsh, and a pool with sea lions. The animals aren’t kept in cages and are free to roam in natural-like habitats.

While next-door Jenny Lake gets the spotlight, in-the-know travelers to Grand Teton National Park love String Lake all the same (or more). Popular for swimming, picnicking, hiking, and beyond, String Lake offers all the fabulous scenery the Teton Range is so famous for, plus it’s easy to access and family-friendly—and did we mention gorgeous?

Established back in the mid-1980s in Long Island City, Socrates Sculpture Park boasts an open-air collection of sculptures overlooking the East River. This outdoor museum is popular with photography lovers—the Manhattan skyline makes for a stunning backdrop—while its green spaces and walking paths offer a relaxing escape from the bustle of the Big Apple.

The Amache National Historic Site is a solemn reminder of a dark chapter in American history—the unjust internment of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II. Located in Granada Colorado, it's a poignant memorial and educational resource to honor the resilience of those who endured this injustice.

The Stowe Recreation Path is a 5.3-mile (8.5-kilometer) multiuse paved greenway that runs from downtown Stowe to the covered Brookdale Bridge. It crosses over the West Branch Little River multiple times, showcasing mountain views. Popular with both visitors and locals, it is used for nonmotorized recreational activities such as walking, running, rollerblading, cycling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Step back in time at the Meux Home Museum, which showcases what life was like in the 1800s for the wealthy. This Fresno historical mansion once belonged to a Civil War–era surgeon and his family, and it features original, Victorian-style decor and furnishings throughout.

While most people associate Oregon wine with the lush Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge region, the mineral-rich soils in parts of Eastern Oregon are great for wine-growing, too. The people behind Copper Belt Winery in Baker City know this, and the winery is celebrated for producing a huge range of delicious wines from grapes grown in higher elevations.