USA attractions

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.

Once home to the Chicago Tribune newspaper, this neo-Gothic landmark was built as a result of the 1922 International Design Competition. Before the construction of the 36-story building, the paper’s reporters brought back pieces of rock from important landmarks around the world, including the Taj Mahal, the Hagia Sophia, the Great Wall of China, and more—they are now embedded in the outer first-floor wall, a part of the tower’s enduring legacy.

One of the first established neighborhoods in Miami, Coconut Grove melds an eclectic history with a modern vibe, creating a historic, hipster hub for food, art, and culture. From its idyllic waterfront on Biscayne Bay to quaint walking streets lined with boutiques and cafés, the village is the perfect laid-back base for a Miami vacation.

Kauai’s impressive Waimea Canyon—at 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) long, 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) wide, and 3,600 feet (1,097 meters) deep—is Hawaii’s version of the Grand Canyon. Stop along the scenic drive on its winding rim road for panoramic views of a far-below river, awe-inspiring drop-offs, and waterfall-lined crevasses, all a short distance from the Garden Isle’s legendary Na Pali Coast.

Rugged, desert scenery draws off-road enthusiasts to Hidden Valley—a recreation area in the town of Jean, Nevada. While it’s just 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, Hidden Valley has miles of trails to explore, including routes leading to overlooks with soaring views of the McCullough Range and Primm Valley. Natural beauty enriches the high-powered adventures on offer here.

Built in 1797 and named by George Washington, the three-masted USS Constitution frigate in Boston is the United States Navy's oldest commissioned ship and one of the world's oldest warships. Visitors can go aboard the ship, docked at Boston's Charlestown Navy Yard and restored to its original glory, to explore an important slice of US history.

The oldest Roman Catholic church in Georgia, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is one of Savannah’s top historical, architectural, and religious attractions. Its towering twin spires and gorgeous French Gothic–style architecture set it apart against the Savannah skyline. Up close, visitors can admire intricate details dating back to 1900.

Little Havana is the epicenter of Miami's Cuban community, where Latin culture and daily life come together on Calle Ocho. Travelers come here to see cigar rollers at work, sip Cuban coffee, or watch locals debating politics while playing dominoes in the local park. Bursting with colorful murals, live music, and street food, this district overflows with energy and local flavor.

Along with the White House and US Capitol, the Supreme Court ranks among Washington DC’s most significant, iconic landmarks. Founded in 1789 and now housed in a neoclassical building that dates to 1935, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land, and visitors are welcome to visit (even when court is in session).

Centered around the grand, gold-domed Massachusetts State House and hemmed in by the scenic parklands of Boston Common and the Charles River Esplanade, Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood is reminiscent of 19th-century London—replete with cobbled streets, brownstone buildings, and flower-filled window boxes. At night, gas lanterns flicker to life, creating a romantic atmosphere for fine dining and bar-hopping.

The Grand Prismatic Spring is not only the largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, but also the largest in all of North America and the third-largest in the world. More than its size, though, the spring is famous for its colors that radiate from a deep-blue center out to green, yellow, and red. It’s a spectacular sight, and a highlight of driving the Lower Loop, along with Old Faithful.

The Yukon is the smallest, westernmost, and perhaps wildest of Canada’s northern territories. Its remote mountain landscapes, untamed rivers, and glacier-fed lakes attract casual sightseers and hardcore adventurers alike. Visitors can witness the Northern Lights, hike, snowshoe, or fish in the wilderness, and explore Canada’s First Nations traditions at cultural centers and festivals across the Yukon.

Grand antebellum homes and historic plazas lined with live oaks are just some of the sights that define Savannah’s Historic District. Considered the heart of the city, the Historic District is not only the centerpiece of a Savannah vacation but also where visitors will find a high concentration of bars, restaurants, and historic attractions. If there’s one Savannah district not to miss, it’s this one.

One of the most-visited destinations in San Francisco, the multilevel Pier 39 complex is home to shops, restaurants, street performers, and a video arcade. Many boat tours depart from the pier daily, making it a key stop on the tourist circuit. Its location on the San Francisco Bay means visitors can also admire panoramic views and even watch sunbathing California sea lions.

No trip to Charleston is complete without visiting the Battery. This public promenade wraps around the southern tip of the Charleston peninsula and packs in some of the city’s greatest hits: colorful historical mansions, moss-draped oaks, and waterfront views—it’s a quintessential Holy City combination. The adjacent White Point Garden is lined with trees and gazebos for a pleasant stop in the shade.

Sprawling and stunning, San Diego’s Balboa Park is a nexus for culture, nature, history, and recreation. The various gardens are home to flora from around the world—from the eucalyptus-perfumed paths of the Australian Garden to the delicate magnolia and cherry blossoms of the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum. Hosting more than a dozen museums, assorted sports complexes, and attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is a must-visit.

Famous for its white sand beaches, photo-worthy art deco architecture, and carnival-like atmosphere, South Beach is Miami’s most iconic stretch of coastline. The area blends beach relaxation with a buzzing café culture, exciting nightlife options, and endless people-watching. With 10 miles (16 kilometers) of shoreline and oceanfront views, it’s one of the most glamorous and energetic beach destinations in the United States and a must-visit for those coming to Miami.

Across the bay from downtown San Diego, the small resort town of Coronado, with its wide sandy coastline and tree-lined main street, is ideal for scenic strolls, browsing boutiques, or stopping for a bite to eat on Orange Avenue. Visitors also come here to relax on the beach or explore historical sights, or just to unwind and watch the sunset.

Located in the city’s North End and built around 1680, the Paul Revere House is the oldest residence in downtown Boston. It’s famous for being the house that industrialist and military officer Revere left from in 1775 on the night of his famous “midnight ride” to warn his compatriots that the British were coming to arrest them. The building now serves as a house museum alongside the adjacent Pierce-Hichborn House.

Home to the soaring rock faces, summits, and waterfalls that Yosemite National Park is famous for, “the valley” is the heart of the action. Its well-known sights include El Capitan and Half Dome, as well as Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls, and there are endless opportunities to enjoy hiking, climbing, photography, nature walks, and more.

While it may be the smallest of the three waterfalls that comprise the world-famous Niagara Falls, Bridal Veil Falls is anything but small. Located on the US side of the falls, the 50-foot-wide (15-meter-wide) waterfall thunders over a 181-foot (55-meter) drop. Its frothy white cascade is reminiscent of a bride’s veil—hence the falls’ name. This must-see natural wonder is one of the highlights of Niagara Falls and can be admired by land, water, and air.

Griffith Park is one of the largest city parks in North America, covering a vast 4,310 acres (1,744 hectares). An oasis amid Los Angeles's urban sprawl, this expansive green space offers something for all ages, with hiking trails, picnic areas, and major attractions such as the Los Angeles City Zoo, the Griffith Observatory, and views of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

Humanity’s endless curiosity is the central focus of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. A visual timeline of the evolution of flight is suspended from the museum’s high rafters—from the delicate earliest biplane to the sleek lines and rocket-cone nose of the pioneering X-15 research craft. This Smithsonian museum is proof that humans will never stop exploring and innovating.

Grand Teton National Park protects the jagged, snowcapped peaks of Wyoming's Teton Range along with glacial lakes, dense forests, 250 miles (400 kilometers) of hiking trails, and a stretch of the Snake River. A must-see for adventure travelers and outdoors enthusiasts, the park also provides excellent opportunities to spot resident elk, black bears, grizzly bears, bald eagles, gray wolves, and moose.

Fifth Avenue is more than just a street—it’s a symbol of New York City’s grandeur and style. Stretching from Washington Square Park to Harlem, this esteemed avenue offers a dynamic blend of luxury boutiques, historic landmarks, and world-renowned museums. Whether you’re window-shopping, museum-hopping, or just people-watching beneath the skyline, walking Fifth Avenue offers a fast-moving snapshot of Manhattan’s style, sophistication, and nonstop energy.

Fountain Paint Pot is one of several mud pots found within Yellowstone National Park that bursts and pops as the mud thickens throughout summer. The surrounding Fountain Paint Pot area is known for its pools of thermophiles (heat-loving bacteria) that gather to form multihued puddles in the earth, as well as mini-geysers and fumaroles.

From Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton, country music stars have helped Nashville earn its title as Music City. Dive into that legacy at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which details the evolution of this classic American music genre through archival videos, stage wear, instruments, and other artifacts displayed across permanent and special exhibits. Once you’ve read up on country-music history, look out for new and familiar names in the Hall of Fame.

Set along California’s Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica has two claims to fame: the beach and the pier. At Santa Monica Beach, miles of sand host playgrounds, parks, picnic areas, staffed lifeguard stations, and the original Muscle Beach. More than 10 million visitors frequent the area each year, most of whom follow the boardwalk to the Santa Monica Pier, whose neon-lit arch and Ferris wheel are instantly recognizable from films and TV.

Surrounded by gleaming high-rises, Trinity Church Wall Street is one of the oldest churches in the country and a Manhattan historical highlight. The building that stands today was constructed in 1846, though its origins stretch back to 1698, about 70 years after Dutch settlers first arrived in what is now New York City. The church is best known for its towering neo-Gothic steeple—and for being the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton.

Two stone lions guard the front of the main branch of the New York Public Library, an imposing Beaux Arts structure known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. The 20th-century site’s opulent interiors feature carved oak, ceiling murals, and crystal chandeliers, creating a sumptuous setting for millions of books and manuscripts relating to the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts.