USA attractions

Diamond Head—known in Hawaiian as leʻahi—is a volcanic cone on Oahu, famous for its dramatic summit views over Waikiki and the Pacific. Hikers climb a paved trail through tunnels and switchbacks to reach panoramic vistas from the crater rim. Rich in natural beauty and cultural history, it’s one of Oahu’s most photographed and memorable attractions. The moderate hike rewards you with coastal scenery and a unique sense of place in Hawaii.

Thanks to its calm, crystal clear waters, bright coral reef, and 250-plus species of tropical fish, Molokini Crater is the most popular spot for snorkeling tours on Maui. Spend a day on a snorkeling excursion to explore the protected marine preserve around this sunken Hawaiian volcano and come face-to-face with some of the island’s most colorful marine life.

The Empire State Building has long been one of New York City’s best-known attractions. Ranked among the world’s tallest buildings—One World Trade Center is today the tallest in Manhattan—the landmark is instantly recognizable for its stepped, art deco pinnacle, which is floodlit at night and displays holiday and commemorative colors throughout the year.

With steep emerald cliffs, lush valleys, and remote cascading waterfalls, the Na Pali Coast is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful regions, and no trip to the island of Kauai is complete without a visit to this magical coastline. There are only three ways to explore the Na Pali Coast—by air, by sea, and on foot—and each offers its own unique perspective.

The Dole Plantation began as a humble fruit stand in the 1950s; today, it has grown into one of Oahu’s most popular attractions, offering a sweet mix of family-friendly fun and pineapple-themed education. Ride the open-air Pineapple Express train through former plantation fields, get lost in the garden maze, or cool off with a famous Dole Whip. It’s a lighthearted stop that showcases Hawaii’s agricultural past.

The US Capitol is the heart of the American government. Topped by the bronze Statue of Freedom, the Washington, DC, landmark houses both chambers of the United States Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives. When Congress is in session, visitors can watch politicians debate various legislative issues, as they've done here for centuries. Guided tours of the landmark are also a popular attraction for DC visitors.

The official residence of each US president since 1800, the 132-room White House in Washington DC draws visitors from around the world. Admire the sight from afar, stop by the White House Visitor Center, or request access to a public tour, which includes highlights like the East Wing, State Dining Room, China Room, and the White House Rose Garden.

Oahu’s North Shore is a must for travelers looking to experience the island’s more laid-back, adventurous side. Known worldwide for its legendary surf breaks, the coastline draws wave chasers in winter and snorkelers in summer. Beyond the beaches, you’ll find plantation tours, scenic waterfall hikes, and roadside food trucks serving local favorites such as garlic shrimp. It’s a popular day trip from Honolulu and a highlight of many island tours.

Once the world’s tallest building, Willis Tower—formerly Sears Tower—is now renowned for having the highest public viewing area in the United States. From Skydeck Chicago’s 103rd floor, you can enjoy a panorama of Chicago, and, on clear days, views of Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Stick around to visit the museum, and if you dare, The Ledge—an enclosed glass balcony extending 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) from the tower.

A former federal prison that held notorious criminals Al Capone and George Kelly, Alcatraz is now a National Historic Landmark and one of the most sought-after attractions in the San Francisco Bay Area. Highlights include touring what’s left of the maximum-security facility, hearing stories from former inmates, and sailing past the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the craggy isle.

The Colorado River winds through red-rock canyons and desert landscapes, offering some of the Southwest’s best opportunities for outdoor adventures. Kayak through calm waters, soak in riverside hot springs, or take a rafting trip through dramatic scenery and past geological wonders. Whether visiting from Las Vegas or venturing deeper into canyon country, the Colorado River delivers a refreshing change of pace, surrounded by spectacular natural scenes.

If one landmark embodies San Francisco’s breezy, graceful beauty, it’s the Golden Gate Bridge; you may have seen it on postcards, travel guides, screensavers, and social media, but nothing can prepare you for the real thing. This art deco structure spans the Golden Gate strait between the City and Marin County. Drive, bike, or walk across—and stop to look out onto the San Francisco Bay or as far as the Farallon Islands on a clear day.

An exclusive enclave for the rich and famous, Fisher Island is 3 miles (5 kilometers) off the coast from Miami. Its mansions, apartments, and marina filled with luxury yachts belong to some of Florida’s wealthiest residents, and the island is heavily protected. With no roads or bridges leading to it, access is only by ferry or private boat. The island also features a golf course and two upscale hotels.

As the gateway for some 12 million arrivals to the United States, New York City’s Ellis Island was America’s busiest immigrant-inspection station for more than 60 years. Today, the island’s restored main building houses the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, which honors the US’s immigrant heritage, chronicles the island’s role in that history, and gives voice to the people themselves.

The heart and soul of Manhattan, Central Park spans 843 acres (341 hectares) of green space. Across that great expanse, it offers attractions and amenities ranging from running paths, a boating lake, and the Central Park Zoo to gardens, fountains, and the Wollman Rink. For more than 160 years, locals and visitors alike have gathered year-round at this National Historic Landmark to enjoy a respite from New York City’s concrete jungle.

A central character in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the mighty Mississippi River has long captured the American imagination. It originates in Minnesota and sweeps south past 10 states, finishing in New Orleans, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s among the largest rivers in the world, and has gained an almost mythical place in US history.

Lined with Sin City’s top hotels and largest casinos, the glittering 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) Las Vegas Strip is the main entertainment drag and the place to be if you want to try your luck at slot machines and table games. This neon-lit boulevard is known for its over-the-top architecture, wild nightclubs, and many performance venues where you can see everything from Cirque du Soleil to comedy shows and live music.

A 19-foot-tall (5.7-meter-tall) marble statue of President Abraham Lincoln dominates the Lincoln Memorial, situated at the edge of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the western end of the National Mall in Washington DC. The most visited National Park Service site in the city is an homage to the 16th president of the United States, who helped to preserve the Union during the Civil War and delivered the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Better known as the Punchbowl Cemetery, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is a United States Armed Forces cemetery located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Part of the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery draws millions of visitors every year, who pay their respects to the men and women who served their country.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City stands as a place of remembrance and a somber tribute to those killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The plaza, built on the World Trade Center site, features two reflecting pools, while the subterranean museum lends a deeper understanding of the impact of that day.

Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most majestic natural wonders. Its three waterfalls—the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls—plunge dramatically over the Niagara River, with water that flows at a rate of 75,750 gallons per second. The falls straddle the border between Canada and the United States, with viewpoints and themed attractions on both sides.

Mokolii Island is a small islet located just off the coast of Oahu’s Kualoa Regional Park. It is only reachable by swimming, kayaking, and even wading during low tide if you’re feeling adventurous. Visitors to the cone-shaped island can hike to the top to enjoy sweeping, panoramic views or relax on its pristine beaches. Its cultural Hawaiian name is officially Mokoliʻi.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, one of Washington DC’s most visited landmarks, is comprised of three parts—the Three Soldiers statue, the Women’s Memorial, and the main attraction, the Maya Lin–designed Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, engraved with the names of some 58,000 fallen and missing Vietnam War soldiers. Visitors arrive to pay their respects and leave notes and mementos at the wall.

For decades, Waikiki Beach has been Oahu’s tourist mecca, all thanks to its palm-fringed white-sand beaches and high-rise luxury hotels that stretch from downtown Honolulu east toward the towering peak of Diamond Head. Here, all the spoils of beach life in Hawaii are within steps of world-class shopping and dining; think sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and fruity-cocktail sipping. Most trips to Oahu start right here.

Home to one of the world’s last remaining coastal redwood forests, Muir Woods National Monument allows travelers to hike, relax, or picnic among giant Northern California trees only minutes from San Francisco. This protected nature reserve is also part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, home to Fort Baker and Stinson Beach—the park’s only lifeguarded beach.

A prominent landmark on Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral stands tall and proud, beckoning French Quarter visitors to pause the revelry and admire the oldest continuously used cathedral in the United States. The seat of the city’s Roman Catholic Archdiocese, the church was built in 1789 and rebuilt in 1850. Today, its all-white, Spanish colonial facade—topped with three black spires—is one of the most recognizable landmarks in New Orleans.

As indispensable to the Windy City as deep-dish pizza or Wrigley Field, the Chicago River is an attraction in its own right. It runs straight through the city’s downtown loop, affording front-seat views of architectural icons such as Tribune Tower or the Jewelers Building from its pedestrian waterfront, known as the Chicago Riverwalk. Along with Lake Michigan, the river gives this landlocked city an airy, almost coastal feel.

Located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku in the Hawaiian language) is the most accessible lava tube on the Big Island. Discovered in 1913, this 500-year-old tube was created by subterranean magma that once flowed through this section of ground. Today, the tube is illuminated to create an eerie glow for visitors.

On the southeastern coast of Oahu near Hanauma Bay, the Halona Blowhole is a rock formation created by volcanic activity. Its water-shooting effect comes from waves forced through the underwater lava tubes, and it can shoot water up to 30 feet (9 meters) in the air. From the lookout, you can also see nearby islands on a clear day.

Located on the North Shore of Oahu, Banzai Pipeline, also known as Pipeline or Pipe, is one of the most famous surf reef breaks in the world, known for its massive barreling waves that break over shallow reefs. Every winter, visitors flock here to watch some of the best surfers in the world ride and compete on Pipeline.