USA attractions

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.

The peaceful green fields of Arlington National Cemetery are lined with neat rows of simple white grave markers, shaded by towering oaks and maples. It’s a serene spot to commemorate and remember the lives of American soldiers, but it’s also a place of education and historic significance. Immaculately uniformed Sentinels guard the grand Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, adding an extra layer of ceremony.

Manhattan’s hyperhip neighborhood of SoHo (South of Houston) is renowned for its art galleries, trendy restaurants, and stylish shops ranging from big-name brands to posh boutiques. Though Broadway is often bustling with visitors in search of retail therapy, there’s more to the neighborhood than nonstop shopping. SoHo’s cobblestone streets are home to the richest concentration of 19th-century cast-iron buildings in the city.

Located in the heart of New Orleans’ vibrant French Quarter, the French Market is one of the oldest continuously operating open-air markets in the United States, making it a part of living Louisiana history. In addition to hosting vendors who sell everything from handmade goods to artisanal foods, the French Market also comprises a daily flea market, as well as a farmers market.

Carved over time by the Virgin River, Zion National Park is a remarkable 148,000-acre (59,900-hectare) stretch of white, pink, and red rock formations in southern Utah’s canyon country. The state’s first national park draws hikers, birders, and nature lovers with its slot canyon walls and diversity of wildlife.

LaLaurie Mansion is not your regular tourist attraction in New Orleans. Also known as LaLaurie House, this French Quarter spot has a particularly gruesome past that involves torture, murder, and acts of brutality. The house tends to attract horror and true crime buffs (especially after dark), as well as visitors who want to learn more about the property’s chilling history.

Once the stomping grounds of Italian fishermen, Fisherman’s Wharf is now one of San Francisco’s most popular tourist destinations. The bustling waterfront strip is filled with souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, and a wealth of family-friendly attractions—most notably a colony of sea lions that sunbathes and poses for photos on Pier 39. It’s also the departure point for many San Francisco bus tours and other sightseeing excursions.

The marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay ranks among Hawaii’s most scenic spots for snorkeling, swimming, hiking, and more. But you’ll also find it in history books: The beautiful bay, home to spinner dolphins and backed by lush-green mountain slopes, was the site where Captain James Cook landed—and was later killed—on the Big Island in 1779, forever altering the future of the Hawaiian archipelago.

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a picture under the legendary Dragon Gate, but there’s so much more to Chinatown than a photo op. One of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in North America, the neighborhood is a treasure trove of historical and cultural attractions, from Buddhist temples and art galleries to souvenir shops and Cantonese restaurants. The combined effect transports you on a trip within your trip.

The focal point of Bethesda Terrace, this landmark fountain—one of the largest water features in New York City—is known for its bronze statue of a winged angel, which has been a Central Park landmark for around 150 years and has appeared in countless movies and television shows. Admire the fountain from the upper level of the terrace above the Arcade, or relax next to its grand lower basin fountain and people watch.

San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts dates to the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition. One of the only remaining buildings from the World’s Fair, the Greco-Roman–inspired ruin is a favorite Bay Area venue. Walk under the picturesque rotunda; wander the grounds; and visit lagoons that are home to ducks, swans, and geese. And don’t forget to bring a camera to capture views overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

Downtown Nashville is the energetic heart of Music City, and it's packed with restaurants, bars, cultural hot spots, and the famous Music Row. You can explore major attractions such as the Country Music Hall of Fame, Frist Art Museum, and the historic Ryman Auditorium, or stock up on supplies at Nashville Farmers' Market. After dark, live music fills Honky Tonk Highway—promising an unforgettable taste of Nashville's legendary nightlife.

One of the most famous shopping districts in the world, Rodeo Drive attracts a well-heeled crowd of label lovers who exercise their credit-card prowess at designer shops such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Tiffany, and Gucci. Between the elegant storefronts, luxury cars, and swaying palm trees, it’s a Hollywood movie scene come to life. Come for the glitz, the shopping, or just the people-watching—it’s all a show.

Among the many monuments and memorials in New York City’s Central Park, one stands out for music fans. Named “Strawberry Fields” after one of the Beatles’ legendary hit songs, the John Lennon Memorial is a 5-acre (2-hectare) garden dedicated to the rock icon. Created by Yoko Ono with landscape architect Bruce Kelly, its centerpiece is a striking mosaic of the word “Imagine.”

Featuring the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—as well as other priceless artifacts—the National Archives Museum displays many of the United States’ most pivotal founding documents. Housed in the rotunda of a Greek Revival building on the National Mall, this Washington DC museum invites visitors to learn the stories behind the centuries-old works, engage with interactive exhibits, and more.

Forsyth Park, in the middle of historical downtown Savannah, has been a key city landmark since the mid-1800s. Named after the 33rd governor of Georgia, John Forsyth, who donated 20 acres (8 hectares) of land, the park is known for the large Parisian-style fountain located at the north end and the Spanish moss dripping from the oak trees.

This vast archive in Washington DC is not only the national library of the United States, but the world’s largest library. It houses the country’s most important historical documents—all 160 million of them. Maps, manuscripts, films, and rare prints comprise part of the collection, while 25 million books alone line miles of bookshelves in three different buildings, though many are not on public display.

Renowned for its powerful shore breaks, Sandy Beach Park is one of Oahu’s most popular bodyboarding destinations. However, it is colloquially known as “Break Neck Beach” for good reason, so novices should avoid the beach’s treacherous waters and soak up the sun on its long stretch of fine white sand.

Admire New York City from on high at the One World Observatory, the 100th-floor viewing deck reachable in just 47 seconds by high-speed elevator. On the ride up, time-lapse technology showcases the city’s transformation from the 1500s to the present day via immersive, floor-to-ceiling screens. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the city’s waterways, iconic skyline, and renowned landmarks.

Occupying an entire city block, New York City St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a neo-Gothic masterpiece in the heart of Manhattan’s midtown neighborhood. The cathedral’s soaring 330-foot (100-meter) spires stand out among the steel and glass skyscrapers of Midtown, and each year it beckons more than five million visitors inside with its arches, altars, a colossal organ, and intricate stained-glass windows.

Crowning Boston’s Beacon Hill, the Massachusetts State House is the seat of Massachusetts’ government and one of many sites on the city’s Freedom Trail: a red-brick route connecting its American Revolution-related landmarks. Designed by architect Charles Bullfinch, this National Historic Landmark is a premier example of federal architecture, and its gold dome tops an impressive interior filled with enough art and historical artifacts to satisfy any US history and culture enthusiast.

The USS Arizona Memorial floats above the wreckage of the USS Arizona—a United States battleship that was attacked in Pearl Harbor during World War II. Today, the memorial commemorates the final resting place of those who perished there and features a marble wall etched with the names of those who served onboard. It also has openings looking down through the water to the sunken battleship below.

It’s no surprise that one of the oldest and largest Chinese enclaves in the US is in New York—but from there, Chinatown defies expectations. Alongside its vibrant mix of restaurants, dumpling and noodle houses, bakeries, and herbal shops, the neighborhood is home to a museum of Chinese-American history, a mall tucked beneath the Manhattan Bridge, and Columbus Park—one of the city’s oldest public parks and a gathering place for lively Mahjong tournaments.

The Sunset Strip, a storied stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, first became famous as an old-Hollywood hangout, then as the center of the rock and roll music scene. Today, the 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) strip, which extends east–west from Beverly Hills to Hollywood, is lined end to end with several legendary 20th-century venues—plus comedy clubs, upscale shops and restaurants, and rooftop bars with stellar city views.

Built in 1713, Boston's Old State House is the city’s oldest public building and considered pivotal to prerevolutionary US history. Dwarfed by Boston’s skyscrapers and a fixture on its revolution-tracing Freedom Trail, the onetime government building is now a museum to the city’s revolutionary era and the events that kindled the American Revolution.

One of New York City’s most recognizable skyscrapers, the Chrysler Building is considered a masterpiece of art deco architecture, thanks to its ornate steel crown and spire. The tallest building in the world when it debuted in 1930, it was soon surpassed by the Empire State Building. Today, however, it remains an icon of the Manhattan skyline and a symbol of the Big Apple.

Yankee Stadium is more than just a ballpark—it’s a symbol of New York pride. (The current structure replaced the old-time original in 2009.) Whether you’re catching a game or touring the venue’s halls, visiting offers a chance to experience baseball’s past and its energetic present. With towering grandstands, fan-filled concourses, and tributes to legends such as Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter, this is a must-see for sports fans and anyone curious about NYC’s cultural heartbeat.

A must-visit on any trip to Key West, the Southernmost Point of the Continental USA is the island’s most recognizable and photographed landmark. Just off the main Duval Street strip, the brightly painted concrete buoy marks the southern edge of the contiguous United States. A photo here has become a Key West tradition, with the buoy’s signature red-and-black designs echoed throughout the local souvenir shops.

One of the most popular waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii, Rainbow Falls is loved for its easy access and the rainbows that frequently hang over the falls on misty mornings. The Wailuku River, which powers the falls, varies dramatically based on rain, but this 80-foot (24-meter) cascade and its uber-lush environs wow visitors whether it’s a thundering torrent or delicate trickle.

Spanning five city blocks, the Fremont Street Experience is a massive outdoor shopping and entertainment district and home to Las Vegas’ very first freestanding casino building. Visitors come here for its 10 casinos, plenty of restaurants, and daily free concerts and live entertainment. It’s also notable for the famous Viva Vision canopy, a nightly music and light show projected onto a huge overhead canopy screen.