502 Best Sights in USA

This 2-mile-long sandy beach has a view of Cape Cod across Nantucket Sound. Occasional food vendors and calm, warm waters make it a popular spot for families. Arrive early or late in high summer: the parking spots fill up quickly. It's best to bike, walk, or take the shuttle here. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: swimming.

An angler's dream, this beach has a 990-foot pier that's open daily, like the beach, from sunrise to sunset—but from November through February, the pier gates open at 6 am and don't close until 10 pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends, making it an awesome place to catch a full sunrise and sunset (that is, if you don't mind paying the small admission fee). A concession stand on the pier sells fish food as well as such human favorites as burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream. Rods and tackle are rented here. Families adore this shoreline because of the amenities and vibrant atmosphere. There are plenty of kids building sandcastles but also plenty of teens gathering and hanging out along the beach. Pets are not allowed here, but they are allowed on Jupiter Beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; sunset; swimming.

This busy beach has everything: famous for the Canoes surf break, it's the launching spot for most of the catamaran charters that sail out to Diamond Head several times a day, as well as the place for surfing lessons and outrigger canoe rentals. Chair and umbrella rentals are available, and great music and outdoor dancing beckon at the lively Duke's restaurant, where shirt and shoes not only aren't required, they're discouraged. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Moana Surfrider are here. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; surfing.

Shallow and easily accessible, this salt-and-pepper beach is one of the Big Island's most popular swimming and snorkeling sites, thanks to the fringing reef that helps keep the waters calm, visibility high, and reef life—especially honu (green sea turtles) and colorful fish—plentiful. Kahaluu was a favorite of the Hawaiian royal family, too. Because it is so protected, it's great for first-time snorkelers. Avoid areas marked off for coral regrowth and be sure to use reef-safe sunscreen. Outside the reef, very strong rip currents can run, so caution is advised. Listen to lifeguard instructions. Never hand-feed the unusually tame reef fish here; it upsets the balance of the reef.

Experienced surfers find good waves beyond the reef, and scuba divers like the shore dives—shallow ones inside the breakwater, deeper ones outside. Snorkel equipment and boards are available for rent nearby, and surf schools operate here. A community group has provided reef-safe sunscreen dispensers on-site. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (small fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; swimming.

Local parents often bring their children here to wade safely in the very shallow, protected waters. This pretty beach cove, surrounded by mountains, has a long arc of sand that is great for walking and a cool, shady grove of tall ironwood and pandanus trees that is ideal for a picnic. An ancient Hawaiian fishpond, which was in use until the 1920s, is visible nearby. Note, though, that the water here is not generally a clear blue due to the runoff from heavy rains in the valley. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

Directly across from the electricity plant—hence its nickname, Electric Beach, this beach is a haven for tropical fish, making it a great snorkeling spot. The expulsion of hot water from the plant raises the temperature of the ocean, attracting Hawaiian green sea turtles, spotted moray eels, and spinner dolphins. Although the visibility is not always the best, the crowds here are often small (though growing), and the fish are guaranteed. It's best to wear reef shoes here because of the sharp rocks. Unfortunately, there can be a strong current, so it's not very kid-friendly. This is also a great place to stop for a picnic and admire the views. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunset.

You wouldn't know it today, but this beach on Kilauea Bay was once an interisland steamer landing and a rock quarry. Today, it's a fairly quiet beach—although when the surf closes out many other North Shore surf spots, the break directly offshore from Kilauea Stream near the abandoned quarry is still rideable. For the regular oceangoer, summer's the best bet, although the quickly sloping ocean bottom makes for generally treacherous swimming. The stream estuary is quite beautiful, and the ironwood trees and false kamani growing in the generous sand dunes at the rear of the beach provide protection from the sun. It's a wonderful place to observe seabirds. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; surfing; walking.

Across from the zoo, at the eastern end of Waikiki along what is known as the Gold Coast, this small rectangle of sand is a local-favorite sunning spot for beach lovers of all ages. Although it's usually quieter than the stretches of beach in the heart of town, it's also close to the conveniences of Waikiki. Children can splash safely in its shallow waters, which are protected (for now) by the walls of the historic natatorium, a long-closed, Olympic-size, saltwater swimming arena. Serious swimmers and triathletes also train in the channel beyond the reef here. The Kaimana Beach Hotel and popular Hau Tree lanai restaurant are next door. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

This fairly accessible 8-mile stretch is a favorite local diving spot, though the offshore reef and rocks make it a poor place for swimming. The rusting World War II tanker abandoned in the waters here is an example of how the strong trade winds have propelled vessels onto the reef since at least 1824, when the first shipwreck was recorded. You can wander the sands hunting for shells or other washed-up treasures like glass-ball fishing floats. Indeed, owing to the convergence of Pacific currents, a lot of debris washes ashore here, so it's a great place to show Lanai some love with a bit of trash cleanup (bring a bag and gloves). Photographers take note: you can get great shots of Molokai, just across the Kalohi Channel. Beyond the beach, about 200 yards up a trail past the Shipwreck Beach sign, are the Kukui Point petroglyphs, marked by reddish-brown boulders. To get here, take Highway 440 to its eastern terminus, then turn left onto the dirt road and continue to the end. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; windsurfing.

With a lodge and restaurant, a huge campground, miles of coastline, and easy access from the highway, this beach area is a popular spot. Keen-eyed beachcombers may spot sea otters just offshore. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: walking.

Stocked with grills and picnic pavilions, this 36-acre beach park is great for families. With its extensive lawns and sports fields, it attracts volleyball, basketball, baseball, and tennis players, and it also has a playground, skateboard park, and roller hockey rink. The beach itself is all but nonexistent, but swimming is fair—though you must brave the rocky steps down to the water. If you aren't completely comfortable with this entrance, stick to the burgers and bocce ball. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers.

Five minutes south of the airport in Lihue, you'll find this wide beach and sandy-bottom bay fronting Marriott's Kauai Beach Club. It's almost always safe from rip currents and undertows because it's around the back side of a peninsula, in its own cove. Tons of activities take place here, including all the usual water sports—beginning and intermediate surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and swimming. In addition, two outrigger canoe clubs paddle in the bay, and the Nawiliwili Yacht Club's boats sail around the harbor. Kalapaki is the only place on Kauai where double-hulled canoes are available for rent (at Kauai Beach Boys, which fronts the beach next to Duke's Kauai restaurant). Visitors can also rent snorkel gear, surfboards, bodyboards, and kayaks from Kauai Beach Boys, as well as sign up for surf lessons and sunset boat tours. A volleyball court on the beach is often used by a loosely organized group of local players; visitors are always welcome. Avoid the stream on the south side of the beach; it often has high bacteria counts. Duke's Kauai is one of only a couple of restaurants on the island actually on a beach. The restaurant's lower level is casual—even welcoming beach attire and sandy feet—making it perfect for lunch or an afternoon cocktail. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (limited, no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

This tiny beach was the site of Kalepolepo Village, the prized property of King Kamehameha III in the 1850s. Here the makaainana (commoners) farmed, fished, and raised taro. Today, community stewards are working to restore the ancient fish pond. The park has shade trees, as well as picnic tables and grills, but it stays pretty quiet. There's only a sprinkling of sand, and swimming in the often-murky waters isn't recommended. Kaleopolepo is just south of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude.

A winding road leads down a cliff face to picture-perfect Kalihiwai Beach, which fronts a bay of the same name. It's another one of those drive-up beaches, so it's very accessible. Most people park under the grove of ironwood trees, near the stream, where young kids like to splash and older kids like to bodyboard.  The stream carries leptospirosis, a potentially lethal bacteria that can enter through open cuts. In winter months, beware of a treacherous shore break. Summer is the only truly safe time to swim. The local-favorite winter surf spot off the eastern edge of the beach is for advanced surfers only. Toilets here are the portable kind, and there are no showers. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; surfing; swimming; walking.

This wide, sandy beach has an area set aside for windsurfers and a sheltered area that's good for kids. It's a great spot for watching boats go in and out of the harbor. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Three steps from South Kihei Road are three golden stretches of sand that are locally, and quite disrespectfully, according to Native Hawaiians, known as "Kam" I, II, and III. Although they're separated by outcroppings of dark, jagged lava rocks, you can walk the entire collective length of them if you're willing to get your feet wet. In the morning, the water can be as still as a lap pool, so the swimming is great. All three stretches also have lifeguards and wheelchair ramps.

The northernmost of the trio, Kamaole I (across from the ABC Store—important to know if you forget your reef-safe sunscreen) has a small parking area, a volleyball court, and a lawn; it's also the only beach on Maui with a beach-access chair for people with mobility issues. Kamaole II is nearly identical except that it has no parking lot or lawn. The last stretch, the one with all the people on it, is 10-acre Kamaole III, a great family beach, with a playground and barbecue grills. The kite-flying here is good, and the terrific breaks attract beginning bodysurfers. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunsets; surfing; swimming; walking.

Windsurfers, kiteboarders, joggers, and picnicking families like this long, golden strip of sand bordered by a wide grassy area with lots of shade that is within walking distance of Kahului Airport. The winds pick up in the early afternoon, making for the best kiteboarding and windsurfing conditions—if you know what you're doing, that is. The best spot for watching kiteboarders is at the far left end of the beach. A picnic paired with surf-watching makes a great option for a farewell activity before getting on a departing flight. Amenities: lifeguard; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: walking; windsurfing.

This beach was relatively unknown—except by local fishers, of course—for a long time, hence the common reference to it as "Secret Beach." You'll understand why once you stand on the coarse white sands of Kauapea and see the solid wall of rock that runs the length of the beach, making it fairly inaccessible. For the hardy, there is a steep hike down the western end. From there, you can walk for a long way in either direction in summer. During winter, big swells cut off access to sections of the beach. You may witness dolphins just offshore, and it's a great place to see seabirds, as Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and its historic lighthouse lie at the eastern end. Nudity is not uncommon, though it is illegal in Hawaii. A consistent onshore break typically makes swimming here very dangerous. On big-surf days, don't go near the shoreline. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

Adjacent to the highway heading north out of Kapaa, ½-mile-long Kealia Beach attracts bodyboarders and surfers year-round. It's a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Kealia is not generally a great beach for swimming, but it's a nice place to sunbathe and enjoy the beach scene. The safest area to swim is at the far north end of the beach, near the lava jetty. The waters are often rough and the waves crumbly, due to an onshore break (no protecting reef) and northeasterly trade winds. A scenic lookout on the southern end, accessed off the highway, is a superb location for saluting the morning sunrise or spotting whales during winter. A level paved section of the Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path, with small covered pavilions, runs along the coastline here and is popular for walking and biking. Amenities: lifeguard; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

You'll be one of the few outsiders at this Waianae coast beach at the very end of the road. If it weren't for the little strip of paved road, it would feel like a deserted isle: no stores, no houses, just a huge, sloping stretch of beach and some of the darkest-blue water off the island. Locals come here to fish and swim in waters calm enough for children in summer. Early morning brings with it spinner dolphins by the dozens just offshore. Although Makua Beach to the south (off Farrington Hwy.) is the best spot to see these animals, it's not nearly as beautiful or sandy as Keawaula. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; swimming.

This is one of the premier spots on Kauai for sunset walks and the start of the state's longest beach. We don't recommend much water activity here without first talking to a lifeguard. The beach is exposed to open ocean and has an onshore break that can be hazardous any time of year. However, there are some excellent surf breaks for experienced surfers. If you'd like to run or stroll on a beach, this is the one—the hard-packed sand goes on for miles, all the way to Napali Coast, but you won't get past the Pacific Missile Range Facility and its access restrictions. Another bonus for this beach is its relatively dry weather year-round. If it's raining where you are, try Kekaha Beach Park. Toilets at the west MacArthur Park section are the portable kind. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; walking.

On the northernmost stretch of the park's coastline, this lovely beach fronts an absolutely beautiful bay with crystal-clear, deep aquamarine water. It's peaceful in summer, but the park's paved entrance, amenities, and parking lot make the beach very accessible and, as a result, often crowded. Fine white sand sits in stark contrast to old black lava flows, and there's little shade—bring umbrellas. Rocky shores on either side protect the beach from afternoon winds and offer some fabulous snorkeling spots. Gates open daily from 8 to 7. In winter, surf can get rough, and often the sand washes away. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming.

Just southwest of adjacent Dunbar Beach, Kemil has good access to Dunes Ridge Trail and Indiana Dunes State Park. Amenities: parking (entrance pass required); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

Kennebunk Beach has three distinct stretches, one after another, along Beach Avenue, which is lined with cottages and old Victorians. The southernmost Mother's Beach is popular with families. Rock outcroppings lessen the waves, and a playground and tidal pools keep kids busy. This is followed by the stony Middle Beach. The most northerly, and the closest to downtown Kennebunkport, is Gooch's Beach, the main swimming beach. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

The Hawaiian name for this stretch of beach, Keoneloa, means "long sand," but many refer to this beach fronting the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa as Shipwreck Beach. Both make sense. It is a long stretch of crescent beach punctuated by stunning sea cliffs on both ends, and, yes, a ship once wrecked here. With its rough onshore break, the waters off "Shippies" are best for bodyboarding and bodysurfing experts; however, the beach itself is plenty big for sunbathing, sandcastle building, Frisbee throwing, and other beach-related fun. The eastern edge of the beach is the start of an interpretive cliff and dune walk (complimentary) held by the hotel staff; check with the concierge for days and times, and keep an eye out for snoozing monk seals below. Parking is limited. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; walking.

The Kaluakoi Hotel is closed, but you can still access its ½-mile ivory-sand beach, which is contrasted by turquoise ocean, black lava outcroppings, and magenta bougainvillea blossoms. When the sea is perfectly calm, lava ridges in the water make good snorkeling spots. With any surf at all, however, the water around these rocky places churns and foams, wiping out visibility and making it difficult to avoid being slammed into the jagged rocks. Stick to the northern part of the beach to avoid as many of the rocks as possible. If the surf is too high for snorkeling, head up the path to the bench and take it all in. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; walking.

One of the state park system's newest treasures, Kiholo Bay is still in the planning stage, so facilities are sparse (portable toilets, for example) and not yet complete. The brilliant turquoise waters of this stunning bay, set against stark black lava fields, are a cooling invitation on a warm Kohala day. The shore is rocky and the water's a bit cold and hazy due to freshwater springs, but tons of green sea turtles are in residence year-round. Swimming and snorkeling are excellent when the tide is calm. Thanks to the eruptions of Mauna Loa, what was once the site of King Kamehameha's gigantic fishpond is now several freshwater ponds encircling the bay, with a lava-rock island in the middle. Bring plenty of drinking water. Gates are locked promptly at the times indicated; weekend camping is allowed with fee and permit. Community group Hui Aloha Kiholo helps the state manage the park. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

The north shore's 28-acre Kings Beach State Recreation Area, one of the largest such areas on the lake, is open year-round. The sandy beach gets crowded in summer with people swimming, sunbathing, Jet Skiing, riding in paddleboats, spiking volleyballs, and tossing Frisbees. If you're going to spend the day, come early to snag a table in the picnic area; there's also a good playground. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; sunset; swimming; windsurfing.

You can tell from the vehicles parked alongside the road that this small, red-sand beach is a favorite local surf spot. Swimming is not recommended here, as there are no lifeguards, and the rip currents are powerful. When the tide allows, though, you can walk along the shore, and a grassy area and picnic tables are great places to watch surfers navigate the waves or spot the iwa (white-throated frigatebirds) that dart like pterodactyls over the offshore Alau Islet. Koki Beach is also well-known for its huli huli chicken stand, which serves heaping plates of food to eat while enjoying views of the rugged coastline and the sea arch. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: surfing.

Featuring a bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern-day surfing, this lively beach is bordered by a landscaped walkway with a few benches and some shade. It's great for strolls and people-watching any time of day. Check out the Kuhio Beach hula mound Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:30 (at 6, November–January) for free hula and Hawaiian-music performances and a sunset torch-lighting ceremony. Surf lessons for beginners are available from the beach center every half hour. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; walking.