Arguably the world’s most famous coffee chain, Starbucks got its start in 1971 in downtown Seattle—it’s one of the reasons the city is synonymous with coffee. There’s often a line out the door at what’s called the original location, with coffee drinkers eager to say they’ve had a cup of joe at the birthplace of a worldwide phenomenon.
Beyond the Lens may be one of Pigeon Forge’s lesser-known attractions, but it certainly is one of the most exciting ones there. With more than 140 interactive, tech-fueled exhibits, including a hunt for Bigfoot, a pop-culture walkthrough, conspiracy theory setups, virtual reality opportunities, and Jurassic Park photo ops, you’re sure to have a fun time with your visit.
Between Cody and Powell in Park County, you’ll find the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center. It’s a former WWII Japanese-American confinement site that looks back at the history of anti-Asian prejudice in the US. There’s a museum, a memorial, and the original relocation camp areas where you can explore photographs, artifacts, and interactive exhibits, including the old hospital and root cellar, plus a replica guard tower.
The deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake sits in the hollows of a volcanic crater far in the eastern Oregon Cascades. Most people come to see the awe-inspiring lake itself, but beyond its shores, you can hike through old-growth forests and explore the rugged high desert of Crater Lake National Park.
On the outskirts of Ashland, a city best known for hosting the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Belle Fiore is a sprawling winery with multiple tasting rooms and dining options, plus a massive main building that resembles a castle. It produces a variety of wines—including Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat—in French, Spanish, and Italian styles.
Fans of the TV series Breaking Bad will be well aware that Albuquerque served as the backdrop for the antics of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, so it’s fitting that The Breaking Bad Store ABQ is located near the city’s Old Town Plaza. The gift shop features an array of merchandise and memorabilia and is a must for any Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul affectionados.
The Red House (Chichanchob) at Chichen Itza is an ancient residential structure with remnants of red paint that decorated the inner walls. It’s believed to have been the former residence of high-ranking Maya and features intricate carvings and murals that provide insight into the culture and daily practices of this ancient civilization.
Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, travelers flock to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for its chic rooms, shows and entertainment, three pools, in-house casino, and exceptional spa. It’s also a foodie destination: You’ll find 28 different eateries inside, ranging from casual cafés to cocktail bars and fine-dining restaurants.
In the heart of Sin City’s glittering Strip, House of Blues Las Vegas is a multifaceted venue that caters to eclectic tastes. The club showcases live music across a range of genres, performed by up-and-coming artists as well as legendary acts, and honors its connection to American blues culture by serving a menu with Southern flavors.
The Lucas Oil Raceway—technically Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park—is one of the premier drag racing venues in the world. Outside of downtown Indianapolis, the raceway offers high-speed events throughout the year, from NASCAR double-headers to sprint racing to the NHRA US Nationals. Auto fans also assemble here for classic car gatherings and family events.
On the outskirts of Ashland, Dana Campbell Vineyards is a great stop if you're looking for a low-key place to sip wine while taking in beautiful views. Here you can sample wines made from a variety of grapes grown on-site, including tempranillo, malbec, mourvèdre, and viognier.
Designed by Harry Teague in 1993 as a seasonal amphitheater, the Riverwalk Center was renovated in 2008. Now a 750-seat performance venue in downtown Breckenridge, it hosts events throughout the year. This music hall in Blue River Plaza has indoor concerts in the cooler months and opens its glass doors for outdoor shows when it gets warmer.
Celebrated in New Orleans and beyond for its piping-hot beignets (airy dough fritters covered with powdered sugar) and chicory-infused coffee, Cafe du Monde is possibly the city’s best-known culinary attraction. It opened in 1862 in the French Market, and while there are plenty of branches around town (and at the airport) with the same offerings, visiting the original location is part of the quintessential NoLa experience.
One of largest sports and entertainment venues in Columbus, the Nationwide Arena is home to the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL team. Built on the site of the historic Ohio Penitentiary, the venue not only hosts hockey games, it’s also a destination for other sporting events, concerts, and festivals.
Rainbow flags, painted flower stencils, and an eclectic montage of paper lanterns welcome you to the Cubbyhole, one of just a handful of lesbian bars left in New York City. Starting life as DT’s Fat Cat in 1987, it changed into the Cubbyhole in 1994, continuing to be a safe haven for LGBTQ+ folks and anyone else who wants to swing by.
The Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, California, are a network of underground rooms, courtyards, and passageways built in the early 1900s by Baldassare Forestiere that are just as impressive today as they were way back when. Trees, shrubs, and vines still grow throughout, making for quite the sight next to the garden’s massive stone walls.
With its movie memorabilia, video walls, sing-alongs, and a celebrity chef–designed menu, the Disney Springs™ outpost of this world-renowned restaurant chain is the place to eat American comfort food while enjoying tributes to Tinseltown. Visitors can plan on seeing movie montages, music videos, and regularly performing live music acts.
Gain a better appreciation of Russian culture at the Museum of Russian Art, the only museum in North America devoted to preserving and presenting all forms of Russian art and artifacts. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, the museum features a dynamic rotation of temporary exhibitions and special programs.
Indeed Brewing Company is a Twin City mainstay, and you’ll find their beers in more than 300 bars in the metro area. The Minneapolis taproom is located in the artist-heavy (and historic) Solar Arts Building. Pop inside to clink pints of lagers, pale ales, and even wood-aged sours in a communal space that’s all about good friends and good beer.
A family-run park just north of El Paso, Wet n' Wild Waterworld has appealed to families for four decades. The seasonal, outdoor water park offers dozens of rides and attractions, including slides, wave pools, and volleyball courts. Bring a cooler, and grill beneath the park's trees, book a cabana, or grab a tube for a speedy ride.
A favorite haunt for garden enthusiasts, nature lovers, and families, the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of the premier outdoor attractions in Columbus. Explore its 40 acres (16 hectares) of lush gardens and greenhouses, home to hundreds of species of plants, flowers, and trees, its elegant 19th-century palm house, and the children’s garden. Visitors can also admire rotating installations from the largest private collection of Dale Chihuly glass artwork in a botanical garden.
Right on Hartford’s Main Street, you can step into the 18th century as you walk through the historic Butler-McCook House & Garden. Built in 1782, the property contains original colonial furnishings, Victorian-era toys, and other mainstays of home life during the four generations when the Butler-McCook family resided there. See family bedrooms, admire period artwork, and learn what the area was like nearly 250 years ago.
Nestled in Southern California’s wine country, Vindemia Estate Winery in Temecula produces premium red wine varietals from estate-grown grapes. This family-operated winery offers tastings, plenty of beautiful space to picnic or relax in, and even hot-air balloon rides over Temecula. Many visitors enjoy a stop here before taking on other wineries or exploring Old Town Temecula.
One of Brooklyn’s most popular foodie destinations, Smorgasburg Williamsburg is a street-food market, which runs seasonally outdoors. Held on Saturdays and located in Marsha P. Johnson State Park overlooking the East River, the market is a New York summer staple. With more than 70 food vendors serving dozens of global cuisines, it offers a uniquely eclectic dining experience.
You know what you’re getting at a Hard Rock Cafe, and this Las Vegas chain restaurant doesn’t disappoint. In a prime spot along the Las Vegas Strip, the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas is decked out in one-of-a-kind rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia and boasts the biggest Rock Shop across the entire Hard Rock universe. Look out for the signature neon-lit guitar out front.
California’s El Dorado wine-producing region is situated at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. With a low-alpine climate—warm days and cool nights are ideal for growing grapes for wine—the area is home to about 50 wineries, producing dozens of celebrated wine varietals.
Hard Rock Cafe Orlando is inside the Universal Orlando Resort City Walk dining, shopping, and entertainment complex. It opened in 1990 and includes the namesake restaurant and a 3,000-person live music venue. Local bands, global acts, and other live events fill the venue’s calendar. The restaurant is open all year for patrons.
Good times in Vegas aren’t just for grown-ups. Located downtown, the Discovery Children’s Museum promises a captivating and enriching experience for younger visitors. The 3-story museum houses nine themed exhibition halls filled with interactive, hands-on displays that are designed to stimulate creativity and curiosity while kids learn, explore, and play.
Sand Falls in Cabo San Lucas is a rare underwater phenomenon where golden sand cascades down steep submarine canyon walls like a surreal waterfall. Positioned near famous landmarks such as the Arch of Cabo San Lucas (El Arco) and Neptune’s Finger, this natural spectacle blends geology and marine currents for a truly mesmerizing sight beneath the waves. It’s a bucket-list dive for anyone curious about marine wonders beyond the ordinary.
Tomales Bay Oyster Company, which dates back to 1909, is California’s oldest shellfish farm. It’s situated north of San Francisco on the shores of Tomales Bay, an inlet between Point Reyes National Seashore, on the western edge of Marin County. Its proximity to San Francisco means city-dwellers flock here on the weekends to purchase oysters fresh from the sea.
