USA attractions

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.

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.

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 Grand Canyon Skywalk—a horseshoe-shaped, glass-bottomed walkway that juts out 70 feet (20 meters) above one of America’s most scenic sites—is not for the faint-hearted. Situated 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) above the Grand Canyon, the Skywalk offers unreal panoramic views of the West Rim and Colorado River, plus natural wonders such as Eagle Rock Formation and the Princess and the Horse shadow.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Constructed prior to the American Revolutionary War, Faneuil Hall Marketplace has served as a bustling market for centuries. Today, the attraction, located on the city’s Freedom Trail, actually comprises four individual buildings: Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market, and South Market. It is a popular place for sightseeing and dining, and it features an ever-changing lineup of street performers outside.

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.

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.

Nicknamed the “Mighty Mo,” the USS Missouri—now known as the Battleship Missouri Memorial—is the site where the Japanese signed the surrender documents that ended World War II in September 1945. Located within the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, the ship is now a museum that commemorates the vessel’s roles in WWII, the Korean War, and the Liberation of Kuwait.

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.

The 1920s were a pivotal decade for Chicago’s architectural scene, and when the Wrigley Building opened in 1924, it set the pace for the city’s development. When owner William Wrigley Jr. (of the Wrigley gum company) scouted locations for his company’s headquarters, he chose a unique triangle shape of land—it would eventually become the heart of the bustling Magnificent Mile.

Marking the starting point of Boston’s Freedom Trail—a brick-lined walking trail around the city’s American Revolution landmarks—Boston Common unfolds across 50 acres (20 hectares) of public green spaces and walkways in the heart of downtown. As well as serving as Boston’s green lungs, its venerable past and attractions draw visitors keen to escape the downtown bustle, view historical monuments, and enjoy the Frog Pond, which offers wading in summer and ice skating in winter.

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 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 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.

One of the largest natural harbors along the Pacific Ocean—and celebrated as one of the country’s most picturesque locales—the San Francisco Bay is the defining feature of Northern California’s Bay Area. Spanning a whopping 550 square miles (1,425 square kilometers), and spanned by the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, it’s a popular place for sightseeing boat tours (including trips to Alcatraz), wildlife-spotting, and other recreational activities.

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 Maya Lin–designed Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, whose black granite surface is engraved with the names of some 58,000 fallen and missing Vietnam War soldiers. Many visitors arrive to pay their respects and leave notes and mementos at the wall.

Few New York City landmarks turn heads like the Brooklyn Bridge, an 1883 beauty spanning the East River between Lower Manhattan and DUMBO. While architecture buffs can marvel at the neo-Gothic stone arches and 19th-century engineering, most travelers will simply see an essential piece of the New York City skyline—and head straight for the walking promenade to take a whole lot of photos.

Step aboard a floating piece of American history at the USS Midway Museum, one of San Diego’s most visited attractions. This retired aircraft carrier offers an up-close look at life at sea, with more than 60 exhibits—including more than 30 restored aircraft—and interactive displays throughout the ship. From walking the flight deck to climbing into cockpits, the experience brings naval aviation to life in a way that’s hands-on, family-friendly, and unforgettable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sitting within an extinct volcanic crater known as Puowaina (or the Hill of Sacrifice), the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific honors tens of thousands of US military personnel who served in the Pacific theatre, including in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Its sweeping lawns and courts overlook Honolulu and offer a mix of natural setting and national remembrance.

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.