USA attractions

At first glance, Paia might seem like nothing more than a stop along the famous Road to Hana (Hana Highway), but for keen surfers (and those who like to watch them), it’s a major destination—the central hub of the North Shore and its world-renowned surf breaks. The town is filled with all the amenities that go along with the surfer lifestyle, from health food markets and homely burger joints to yoga studios and art galleries.

This Oahu landmark is an active US Coast Guard lighthouse on the eastern tip of the island. It features a popular 2-mile (3-kilometer) paved hike that offers scenic views of the ocean and nearby islands, and it’s a great place for whale sightings during the winter months. The lighthouse itself is fully automated, with one of the largest Fresnel lenses in the country.

Situated right on Biscayne Bay, the open-air, 2-story Bayside Marketplace is one of downtown Miami's most popular shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations. It's home to dozens of shops, selling everything from apparel and watches to cosmetics. It also offers a wide range of dining options, while its proximity to highlights, including the Skyviews Miami Ferris wheel, makes it a popular stop for families.

One of the most recognizable pieces of American revolutionary history (thanks in part to its famous crack), the Liberty Bell represents freedom in the city where the Declaration of Independence was drafted. Today, the Philadelphia icon is located within the free-to-visit Liberty Bell Center, a highlight of Independence National Historical Park and home to exhibits in addition to the bell itself.

The Manhattan skyline is New York City’s shining beacon, designed to impress and inspire. It’s one of the most instantly recognizable backdrops, immortalized in countless films, and features historical fixtures such as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, as well as modern masterpieces like One World Trade Center and 432 Park Avenue. See it sparkle from vantage points in New York and New Jersey.

Flowing east from its source in West Virginia to where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River is rich in American history and lore. Known as "Our Nation's River," it passes the Mount Vernon, birthplace of George Washington, and the capital city of Washington DC. It also once marked the border between the Union and Confederacy, making it an important landmark from the American Civil War.

Spanning 1,000-plus acres (412 hectares) between Haight-Ashbury and Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park is one of the city’s largest and most popular green spaces. The park is home to museums, botanical gardens, hiking and biking paths, and more. From the attraction-laden east end to the wilder west side where bison roam, the park offers plenty of ways to relax, get a culture fix, exercise, or gather with friends.

When it was established in 1750, Colonial Park Cemetery was Savannah's main cemetery. It expanded three times to accommodate 9,000 graves across 6 acres (2.4 hectares). A century later, the cemetery ceased burials. Today, visitors can walk among the graves, many of which have historical markers describing local people and events.

Despite its name, San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood does not border the water and has no sandy spots. But its position between Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and the Embarcadero makes it one of the city’s most popular areas for visitors and locals, all of whom enjoy its Italian eateries, Beat history, quiet park, and nightlife scene.

New Orleans’ infamous Bourbon Street, also known as Rue Bourbon, conjures up images of endless partying, drinks of all shapes and sizes, bachelorette parties, and bead-throwing on Mardi Gras. Outside of Mardi Gras season, you'll want to visit this French Quarter playground for its Creole restaurants, live music venues, souvenir shops, and storied bars. No wonder it’s a staple of most New Orleans sightseeing tours.

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial lies on the National Mall in Washington DC, on the edge of the Tidal Basin. The sprawling site comprises four distinct parts, portraying each of the 32nd president’s terms in office. Bronze sculptures and quotes engraved into the stone walls take visitors on a journey through FDR’s presidency and era.

With its chaotic crowds, neon lights, and video billboards, Times Square is one of New York City’s best-known landmarks. It’s near many of the Big Apple’s famous theaters and hosts the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop—an essential Manhattan experience. Whether you thrive in crowds or would rather avoid them, you should experience the NYC area at least once.

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s most prestigious art collections. Five million annual visitors stroll the Met’s 17 acres (6.9 hectares) of gallery space, gazing upon pieces representing 5,000 years of art and human history. From Egyptian tombs to American abstract expressionist paintings, the museum’s permanent collection has more than 2 million objects.

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.

Greenwich Village is a popular downtown Manhattan neighborhood known for its cobblestone streets, historic brownstones, and charming feel. Formerly a hub of 1960s counterculture, the Village is home to arts organizations such as the Whitney Museum of American Art and Film Forum, LGBTQ+ landmarks such as the Stonewall Inn, and New York University. Today, it additionally boasts a range of upscale shops, destination restaurants, and lively bars.

Visitors flock to Coit Tower to take in views of downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and other landmarks. With its perch in Pioneer Park atop Telegraph Hill, the 210-foot-high (64-meter-high) tower, built in 1933, offers some of the best panoramic photo ops in the city.

The Granary Burying Ground was founded in 1660 and the cemetery is a key stop on the Freedom Trail. This colonial sight is perhaps best known for its esteemed residents, and the gravestones are a who's-who of 17th- and 18th-century New England notables. Important Bostonians interred here include Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, among others.

One of the oldest national parks in the United States, Mt. Rainier National Park was established in 1899 to preserve the wilderness surrounding Mt. Rainier. Encompassing 369 square miles (956 square kilometers) of old-growth forests, wildflower meadows, glacial scenery, and wildlife, it’s a must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park, nestled just off the famed Hana Highway (around mile marker 22.5), offers travelers a refreshing rainforest stop on the Road to Hana. This compact rest area features a paved trail that leads to a scenic waterfall and plunge pool framed by lush tropical foliage. With picnic tables and restrooms, it’s a convenient and relaxing stop for those seeking a break in nature without straying far from their journey.

In the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is one of New Orleans’ most famous meeting points. A National Historic Landmark, it looks up to the fairy-tale spires of St. Louis Cathedral, as well as the Cabildo and Presbytère museums. Stroll through Washington Artillery Park on the banks of the Mississippi River, then wander around the square or take a seat to watch the many buskers, street performers, and artists.

The easily recognizable spire of One World Trade Center stands 1,776 feet (541 meters) high; it’s currently the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and boasts one of New York City’s most incredible observation decks. Ride an elevator up 102 stories to see panoramic views of Manhattan, and don’t miss interactive exhibits within the observatory.

While Lake Mead may be the most famous landmark in the scenic Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the sprawling 1.5 million-acre (607,000-hectare) landscape features desert canyons, reservoirs, and mountains. Just driving through offers fabulous views, but the recreation area is also a hub for outdoor activities, such as kayaking, hiking, and off-roading. It’s all within day-tripping distance of Las Vegas, making adventures here accessible for anyone on shorter trips.

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.

Towering high above the Grand Canyon, the South Rim offers fantastic views of the natural wonder and is one of the most convenient spots to start exploring the national park. You can get your bearings (and pick up maps) at the South Rim Visitor Center, take in vistas from different viewpoints, or hike along the popular Rim Trail or challenging Hermit Trail.

Named for its frequent and predictable eruptions, Old Faithful Geyser is the gold standard of geysers and a star attraction of Yellowstone National Park. The steaming, multicolored pool looks impressive even when dormant, but it’s worth sticking around to see the spectacle: The geyser erupts around every 1–2 hours, shooting boiling water up to 180 feet (55 meters) in the air.

Scottish-born conservationist John Muir, who spearheaded Yosemite National Park’s founding, famously wrote, “No temple made with hands can compare.” While the phrase may seem cliché, many would argue it’s true. Of Yosemite’s natural landmarks, Half-Dome, the mammoth rock formation that looks like a mountain from another planet, is best known, but hardly less inspiring than the high-altitude meadows, giant sequoia groves, and waterfalls dispersed over this expanse of protected wilderness.

Dating from 1729, Boston’s Old South Meeting House was a congregational church and a gathering place for protestors who sparked the American Revolution with the 1773 Boston Tea Party. A key site on Boston’s Freedom Trail, the brick building is now a museum where visitors can chart the beginnings of the country’s 1776 revolution.

Waikiki, where most vacations in Hawaii begin, is everything all at once: white sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, high-rise resorts, world-class shopping, top-notch dining, Native Hawaiian culture, and excellent surfing. The center of Hawaiian hospitality and full of aloha spirit, it’s no wonder this one-time retreat for Hawaiian royalty continues to be an oasis for visitors from across the globe.

Located on the east coast of Oahu, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts is set in the shadow of the Koʻolau Range. Having started as a roadside stand, today you’ll find a family-owned shop that sells locally grown macadamia nuts and products. A regular stop along many circle-island tours, and equally popular among locals, a visit here offers a unique and delicious taste of Hawaii.

Constructed in 1963 to commemorate the centenary of the first Japanese arrivals, Byodo-In Temple is a popular place for Buddhist communities from both Hawaii and Japan to celebrate together. A replica of a temple in Uji, Japan, the landmark is a testament to the island’s strong Japanese community. The temple is also a peaceful place to meditate or just wander its manicured grounds.