USA attractions

In the wooded hills of Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains, sits the Foxfire Adventure Park with zip lines, rope courses, and a suspension bridge. Participate in adrenaline-fueled activities made for thrill-seeking travelers, including a climbing wall. For young kids, there’s an on-site playground and gem-mining treasure hunt area.

See diverse exhibits at the Bruce Museum, one of Greenwich, Connecticut’s most beloved cultural gems. Located in a wooded area near downtown and Greenwich Avenue, the museum is a thriving center of art, science, and natural history, with a notable program of kid-friendly activities and events.

The Hughes Brothers Theatre in Branson, Missouri is a home away from home for the illustrious Hughes Brothers, musicians who both manage the landmark theater and perform in many of the shows. Catch their award-winning performance, or see the other musical shows hosted here, including a gospel supergroup and a contemporary vocal band.

Branson Famous Theatre is known for its diverse lineup of shows that range from musical groups to top-notch illusionists to comedy revues. This performance space just off of Branson’s famous Highway 76 generally hosts three different live acts at a time and offers multiple performances every week.

Located north of Healdsburg in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, Soda Rock Winery offers a bucolic setting and award-winning wines. The family-owned and operated winery is where the historic general store and post office once created the community's buzzing center. Lovingly restored, it is once again a community center where Alexander Valley's famous Bordeaux varietals are savored and enjoyed.

The Smithsonian-affiliated Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center is the perfect meditative blend of natural forest, manicured landscape, and human-sculpted abstract art. Set in a leafy peninsular nook between the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, the 30-acre (12-hectare) center contains dozens of permanent fixtures as well as installations on loan from the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.

The Big Island’s Pacific Tsunami Museum offers the rare chance to explore three things: history, culture, and disaster. Sparked by two tsunamis—in 1946 and 1960—this tiny-but-mighty museum is dedicated to the understanding of tsunamis, both locally and globally. It also serves as a memorial to Hawaiian lives lost from these natural disasters, preserving aspects of the island’s past.

This scenic island off the coast of Maryland—where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay—is home to fewer than 3,000 people and is a popular destination for Baltimore and Washington DC residents looking for a weekend escape. An expansive boardwalk, easy boat access, and plenty of fresh seafood restaurants make this an idyllic spot. Once a bustling oystering and shipbuilding center, Solomons maintains its maritime heritage.

Offering gorgeous views of forests, canyons, and rock formations, Wilson Mountain is an excellent place for experienced hikers looking for a full-day hike. Once you reach the top, you'll get to take in sweeping vistas out over Oak Creek Canyon and Sterling Canyon along with Coffee Pot Rock, Capitol Butte, and Sedona.

The awe of a raptor swooping through the South Carolina Lowcountry. A Peregrine Falcon diving on the hunt. An owl taking off from your guide’s leather glove. The Center for Birds of Prey provides much to marvel at, regardless of age or experience. More than 50 species of powerful predators call this spot home—on your visit, you can try to catch ‘em all.

One of the few institutions in the US dedicated to the art and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands, the USC Pacific Asia Museum holds thousands of art objects spanning more than 5,000 years of history. The museum building resembling a Chinese imperial palace is almost as noteworthy as the collections, which range from Japanese paintings from the Edo Period to South Pacific bark cloths and Buddhist art from throughout Asia.

Covering a diverse array of themes, from the natural habitats of the mid-South to chemistry to the modern-day healthcare industry of Memphis, the Museum of Science & History (formerly the Pink Palace Museum) is one of the largest science and history institutions in the region. Even visitors who aren’t big museum buffs go to check out the building itself, a 1920s-era mansion made of pink Georgia marble.

Home to historical exhibits about the city of San Francisco and the rest of the Golden State, the California Historical Society dates back to 1871 and is headquartered in the former home of the San Francisco Builders Exchange—a historic building painted orange as a nod to the Golden Gate Bridge during its 75th anniversary in 2012.

The Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site in upstate New York offers insight into US political history. Learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady to the 32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt, by touring the sprawling grounds and buildings. The grounds are accessible year-round. To tour Val-Kill Cottage, take a park ranger-led tour.

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.

The Motor City’s main library opened in its first location in 1865, and has vastly expanded since then. Today, this landmark is home to millions of books, as well as research collections and a dedicated kids’ area, and it’s worth a visit for the art and design alone.

Drake Park in Bend is the ideal spot for attending an outdoor event, relaxing along the nearly half-mile riverfront, or wandering the acres of green spaces and trails. This community park is located just steps from downtown and features a stage, public art, and river access.

For more than 25 years, the Old Florida Museum has invited children and adults alike to discover what Florida living was like from when the first colonial settlers arrived to the turn of the 20th century. Offering interactive activities and costumed guides, the Old Florida Museum sits on a 400-acre pioneer homestead property.

This research and rescue center on the north end of Red Reef Park is one of the best ways to connect with Florida’s marine life habitats, from mangrove swamps to coral reefs. Guests can watch aquarium feedings, check out nature trails, and walk the scenic boardwalk—but the stars of the center are the naturalist-led Turtle Walk and Hatchling Release programs.

The Atlantic Ocean has played a major role in Cape Cod’s history since 1639, and that history is on full display here at the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, which explores the peninsula’s unique maritime heritage. Rotating exhibits cover topics ranging from archival histories of Cape Cod’s whaling and fishing industries, lighthouse and boat design, nautical art, and even a scrimshaw collection.

Shady paths and a children’s playground draw visitors to Tiguex Park (Tricentennial Park) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Located a couple blocks from the Old Town Plaza, Tiguex Park is near San Felipe de Neri Church and the Albuquerque Museum. Go for a stroll in this city park to use the exercise stations, play a match at a chess table, or bring the kids for a picnic.

Nestled in the heart of Napa Valley, Andretti Winery was founded by legendary race car driver Mario Andretti. The 42-acre (17-hectare) Tuscan village–style winery is an idyllic setting to sample the variety of wines produced at the vineyard, including red, white, sparkling, dessert, and port.

Whether you’re a casual drinker, home brewer, or suds aficionado, take a tour at Anchor Brewing Company for a fun blend of history, science, and passion for beer. Most tours include a historical overview of the brewery, a look at the production process—including a glimpse at the impressive copper brewhouse—and a generous tasting of any, and all, of Anchor’s 12 brews on draft.

There's no need to travel to New York to experience fantastic theater—the San Francisco Playhouse hosts several mainstage productions yearly, in the heart of San Francisco's theater district. The intimate space seats fewer than 200 guests, so it's the perfect place to take in a show. Buy tickets in advance to get great seats.

The Butterfly Rainforest is a special exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Located on the University of Florida’s campus in Gainesville, Florida, the Butterfly Rainforest lets you walk a path through tropical and subtropical trees as hundreds of butterflies flutter around you. Interpretive guides are available to answer questions and discuss which butterflies are native or exotic.

One of Sioux Falls' oldest buildings has been put to good use. The city’s gorgeous, circa-1893 courthouse was a seat of government until 1962, and now it serves as a regional history museum. Visitors can explore three floors of public exhibits—look for Sioux artifacts and more—and the building’s fabulous architecture, which includes stained glass windows, tiled fireplaces, and muraled walls.

Breakers Oceanfront Park and Environmental Learning Center is a 2.5-acre (1-hectare) park on Daytona Beach with a children’s splash pad, volleyball court, playground, and picnic areas. The city operates this public park, which was built in 2008. Its small indoor center specializes in natural exhibits for children. The outdoor park is linked to the boardwalk by wheelchair- and stroller-accessible walkways.

Building on the idea that collaboration and creativity are the basis of fun and learning, the Children’s Creativity Museum offers a range of engaging activities for kids. Visitors to the museum will find a multimedia experience focused around art and technology to support the inventive side of youngsters.

In Duluth’s Hartley Park, this peaceful retreat above the city offers interactive exhibits, a natural play area, opportunities for bird-watching, and miles of hiking trails. The center focuses on environmental education, sustainability, and connecting visitors with nature, making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts and families.

Artists Drive is one of Death Valley National Park’s most popular scenic drives, and you won’t be surprised once you’ve experienced the route for yourself. With 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) of paved road winding around colorful eroded hills formed by volcanic deposits, there’s impressive scenery at every turn—including Artists Palette, an appropriately named collection of striking rock formations.