USA attractions

You don’t have to brave the Skywalk or take a helicopter flight for a view of the Grand Canyon—one of the best lookouts over the East Rim can be reached at the Desert View Watchtower. Climb the 85 stairs to the top of the National Historic Landmark, and you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping panorama that includes the Colorado River, the North Rim, the Painted Desert, and Little Colorado Gorge.

This larger-than-life bronze statue standing at the top of the steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art has become an essential stop on any visit to the hometown of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa. Modeled after the famous shot from the first film, with both arms raised, the Rocky Statue was made for the movie Rocky III (1982) and gifted to the city by Sylvester Stallone. More than 40 years later, it’s still drawing crowds.

Step into one of America’s most pivotal moments at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, where restored aircraft and interactive exhibits reveal the story of aviation during and after the 1941 attack. Set inside original hangars on Ford Island, the museum offers a rare chance to see bullet holes from the battle, climb into cockpit simulators, and connect firsthand with the legacy of World War II aviation.

The 2.5-mile-long (4-kilometer) Freedom Trail winds through downtown Boston, from southerly Boston Common, the nation's oldest public park, to the Bunker Hill Monument on the north side of the Charles River. The red-brick path and its designated stops, including colonial-era churches, museums, and meeting houses, make for an excellent introduction to Boston and its role in the American Revolution and United States history.

With 21 museums, several research centers, and the National Zoo, it's no surprise that the Smithsonian Institution is one of the most famous curatorial institutions in the United States and around the world. Whether you're a history buff, a science lover, or an art enthusiast, you'll definitely want to spend at least a few hours—or maybe even a few days—in these world-renowned collections.

In the heart of downtown Boston, Copley Square is a public park flanked by some of the city’s most notable buildings. Composed of lawns, a fountain, and the imposing 19th-century Trinity Church, it serves as the finishing point for the Boston Marathon and a relaxation, shopping, and dining hub for locals and visitors.

Closely associated with LGBTQ culture, San Francisco’s vibrant, brash Castro district is a lively neighborhood of shops, bars, rainbow flags, and hilly streets lined with impressively restored Victorian homes. Harvey Milk—California’s first openly gay elected official—was a famous Castro resident, honored here with Harvey Milk Plaza.

Madison Square is one of the 22 remaining public squares designed in Savannah's historic district in the 1830s. Named after President James Madison, it’s known by locals as Jasper Square, referring to Savannah native Sgt. William Jasper who fought in the Revolutionary War. Today, Madison Square is a popular stop for sightseeing.

Known as the Great White Way because the theater lights burned so brightly in the early days of electricity, Broadway has been home to the New York City theater district for more than 100 years. The history-drenched street is one of Manhattan’s most famous thoroughfares, and many consider seeing a show—whether a popular musical, Tony Award-winning play, or up-and-coming production—an essential part of the New York experience.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada’s oldest state park, covers around 40,000 acres (16,190 hectares) of red rock formations, sandstone cliffs, and dramatic canyons. Big draws include the ancient petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and its hiking trails, which wind past the colorful sandstone landscape that gives the park its name. In addition to being one of the most popular hiking destinations near Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire also attracts picnickers, campers, and photographers.

Oak Alley Plantation is one of the New Orleans area’s most significant historic landmarks. Located along the Mississippi River, and featuring a historic house flanked by 300-year-old live oak trees and acres of leafy grounds, the plantation’s idyllic setting belies its dark history. Guided tours shed more light on topics from enslavement to the Civil War, and are a great way for visiting history lovers to learn more.

Dubbed the “House of the Sun” by Native Hawaiians, Haleakalā Crater is an ancient, 10,000-foot (3,050-meter) volcano—the highest peak in Maui. Some of the best views in Haleakalā National Park can be found at this massive erosional feature, where you can hike across cinder desert landscapes, admire endemic silversword plants, and see some of the best sunrises and starscapes in Hawaii.

Chelsea Market is a food hall and marketplace that played a key role in the revival of the Meatpacking District’s reputation as a culinary destination. Today, it’s popular among both city dwellers and visitors for its top-notch food vendors and restaurants. Bring your appetite—and a sense of curiosity—to get the most out of your visit.

One of the many waterfalls lining the Columbia River Gorge, Latourell Falls is a narrow stream of water that plunges for 224 feet (68 meters) onto slippery boulders covered with bright green lichen. A short bridge over the resulting stream is the perfect place to snap a few pictures or simply enjoy the spray of water on your face on a hot day.

30 Rockefeller Plaza, one of New York City’s most famous buildings, boasts incredible views from its sky-high vista point: the Top of the Rock observation deck. Visitors can access three levels of both indoor and outdoor platforms offering unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline and sprawling metropolis below. Top of the Rock also has a rooftop restaurant, The Weather Room, where you can enjoy all-day fare with a view.

One of Maui’s first resort towns, Kaʻanapali offers high-rise hotels lining idyllic white-sand beaches—the most famous among them being Kaʻanapali Beach. While not as remote as other West Maui beaches, this long stretch of coastline is a hub for activities on both water and land. Most visitors come for swimming and cliff-diving, though you can also stay busy with shopping, golfing, and ziplining—plus whale-watching and a host of water sports.

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, also known as the Cooper River Bridge, is an 8-lane, cable-stayed bridge spanning the Cooper River. At 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, it’s one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the Americas and a symbol of Charleston. It connects downtown to Mount Pleasant and the beaches beyond, plus offers protected bike and pedestrian paths that lead to unobstructed views of Charleston Harbor and the city skyline.

This public park at the southern tip of Manhattan offers unbeatable views across New York Harbor, including the Statue of Liberty, as well as plenty of space to spread out across its 25 acres (10 hectares). It’s an ideal place for a stroll or picnic on the grass, and also serves as the gateway, via ferry terminal, to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Staten Island.

One of the largest museums in the world, the American Museum of Natural History has everything from a life-sized replica of a blue whale hanging from the ceiling to towering displays of dinosaur skeletons. It’s also a first-class research institution, devoted to fields like paleontology and zoology. The museum has been a New York City institution since its founding in 1869 and shows no signs of slowing down. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rush to visit.

Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge is home to roughly 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats, forming one of the world’s largest urban bat colonies. Summer evenings draw big crowds of spectators, who gather here with cameras to watch the bats fly out from beneath the bridge. The nightly emergence has become a defining Austin experience and a favorite activity for both tourists and locals alike.

Eagle Point, a popular stop in Grand Canyon West, is the site of a Native American village, amphitheater, and the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk—a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that extends 70 feet (21 meters) over the canyon for views of the Colorado River 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) below.

Joshua Tree National Park straddles the Colorado and Mojave deserts and spans nearly 800,000 acres (323,749 hectares) of windswept Southern California plains. By day, backpackers, rock climbers, and visitors from Palm Springs and beyond admire the rich landscape’s peculiar rock formations and cartoonish yucca trees. After sundown, campers and night owls take in the park’s signature starlit skies.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the historic Seaport District was New York’s original commercial hub. Old ships docked at the South Street Seaport Museum are evidence of the area’s international trade dating back to the 1600s, though today’s Seaport is a 21st-century shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Find endless activities along the district’s cobblestone streets, and don’t miss the stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Big Apple skyline from Pier 17.

The home to San Francisco’s hipster scene and the hub of the city’s Latin community, the Mission District is one of the city’s most interesting neighborhoods. It’s known for its outstanding and diverse food scene, buzzing nightlife hot spots, and a scenic park that’s a popular weekend hangout for locals.

George Washington's Mount Vernon estate is among the most important historic landmarks in the US. Set along the Potomac River, this complex includes George and Martha Washington's former mansion, a museum and education center, farm and gardens, a forest walking trail, a slavery exhibit and memorial, a Revolutionary War encampment, and Washington's tomb. Visitors can also see Washington's reconstructed waterwheel gristmill and learn about small-batch rye whiskey distilling traditions at the nearby fully functioning distillery.

Located on the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula, which separates the Pacific Ocean from San Diego Bay, Cabrillo National Monument honors Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. This Portuguese explorer led the first European expedition in 1542 to discover the area that’s now the West Coast of the US. Visitors come for sweeping views of the coast and the San Diego skyline, and to admire local wildlife in protected tidepools.

One of San Francisco’s prettiest neighborhoods, the Marina District enjoys a prime perch on San Francisco Bay with pastel-colored, low-rise architecture, stylish shops, and upscale restaurants. Surrounded on three sides by either green space or water, the area draws active locals who enjoy walking, running, and biking with bay views.

A wide swath of beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area backed by restored wetlands is just part of Crissy Field’s story. An integral part of San Francisco’s waterfront, Crissy Field hosts a yacht harbor, a tidal marsh, and Crissy Promenade—a popular bike and pedestrian path that climbs from the beach to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

The oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley, the Old Ursuline Convent in New Orleans' French Quarter also once functioned as a school for girls, a hospital, and an orphanage. Today, it houses a museum, whose rich collection of devotional art and artifacts makes it a treasure of the city's Catholic community. Ghost hunters also routinely investigate the historic site for reports of paranormal activity.

Standing atop Nashville’s highest hill, the Tennessee State Capitol pays homage to Greek mythology—built by renowned architect William Strickland and modeled after an Ionic Greek temple, it’s one of the few state capitols without domes. You’re welcome inside to tour its opulent murals, frescoes, chandeliers, and hallways on any given weekday.