3966 Best Sights in USA

This six-building complex just outside Toppenish has a fascinating museum of history and culture related to the Yakama Nation, which occupies a 2,200-square-mile reservation. (It's a little bigger than the state of Delaware.) Holdings include costumes, basketry, beadwork, and reconstructions of traditional lodges. Tribal dances and other cultural events are often staged in the Heritage Theater. The complex also includes a gift shop, restaurant, and library.

Exhibits at this history museum on the west side of town focus on Yakama native, pioneer, and 20th-century history, ranging from horse-drawn vehicles to a "neon garden" of street signs. Highlights include a beekeeping exhibit, a wealth of Yakama Tribe art and artifacts, and a model of Yakima native and Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas's Washington, D.C., office.

The state's oldest wooden lighthouse was only in commission for three years (1871–74), because it was determined that it was built in the wrong location. Today the well-restored lighthouse with a candy-apple-red top shines a steady white light from dusk to dawn. Open to the public, it's the only Oregon lighthouse with living quarters attached.

Learn about the park’s ecology, geology, history, and wildlife from expert instructors, including well-known geologists, biologists, and photographers. Most classes take place at Lamar Buffalo Ranch, which serves as the institute’s field school, though some are held elsewhere in the park. Programs run from a few hours to several days and are typically centered on the north side of the park. Family- and youth-focused options are also offered, and rates are reasonable.

See eye to eye with mountain lions, black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and bison at this nonprofit center sheltering injured animals that cannot be released in the wild. A summer camp for children and daily educational programs can be booked online.

This small, somewhat secluded stretch with gentle surf is favored by locals, particularly families. It's near a shady park, restaurants, and other attractions. Between late May and late September leashed dogs are allowed only before 8 am and after 6:30 pm. Amenities: lifeguards (seasonal); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

On the western edge of Yorktown Battlefield, the Yorktown Victory Center has wonderful exhibits and demonstrations that bring to life the American Revolution. Textual and graphic displays along the open-air Road to Revolution walkway cover the principal events and personalities. A Declaration of Independence entrance gallery and long-term exhibition, The Legacy of Yorktown: Virginia Beckons provide background information. Life-size tableaux show 10 "witnesses," including an African American patriot, a loyalist, a Native American leader, two Continental Army soldiers, and the wife of a Virginia plantation owner. The witnesses' testimony is very dramatic and makes the American Revolution real for children. This presentation brings the personal trials of the colonists to life more effectively than the artifacts of the war.

The exhibit galleries contain more than 500 period artifacts, including many recovered during underwater excavations of "Yorktown's Sunken Fleet" (British ships lost during the siege of 1781). Outdoors, visitors may participate in a Continental Army drill at an encampment with interpreters costumed as soldiers and female auxiliaries, who reenact and discuss daily camp life. In another outdoor area, a re-created 1780s farm includes a dwelling, kitchen, tobacco barn, crop fields, and kitchen garden, which show how many Americans lived in the decade following the end of the Revolution.

This small but fascinating gallery showcases area climbing history and the evolution of gear with an impressive collection of artifacts and historical photography.

These historic buildings reflect different eras of Yosemite's history, from the 1850s through the early 1900s. They were moved to Wawona (the largest stage stop in Yosemite in the late 1800s) from various areas of Yosemite in the '50s and '60s. There is a self-guided-tour pamphlet available for 50 cents. Weekends and some weekdays in the summer, costumed docents conduct free blacksmithing and "wet-plate" photography demonstrations, and for a small fee you can take a stagecoach ride.

Travel back to a time when powerful steam locomotives hauled massive log trains through the Sierra. This 4-mile, narrow-gauge railroad excursion takes you near Yosemite's south gate. There's a moonlight special ($75), with dinner and entertainment, and you can visit the free museum.

This small museum consists of a permanent exhibit that focuses on the history of the area and the people who once lived here. An adjacent gallery promotes contemporary and historic Yosemite art in revolving gallery exhibits. A docent demonstrates traditional Native American basket-weaving techniques a few days a week.

This state park has the remains of a circa-1851 sugar mill and other remnants of a 5,100-acre sugar plantation owned by Florida's first U.S. senator, David Levy Yulee. Interpretive panels spaced throughout the mill ruins describe early methods of the sugar-making process, the plantation's role in the Civil War, and the harsh conditions endured by the 1,000 enslaved people who worked here.

The most notorious tourist sight in town is now an Arizona state historic park, but it was built for the most part by the convicts who were incarcerated here from 1876 until 1909, when the prison outgrew its location. The hilly site on the Colorado River, chosen for security purposes, precluded further expansion.

Visitors gazing today at the tiny cells that held six inmates each, often in 115°F heat, are likely to be appalled, but the prison—dubbed "the Country Club of the Colorado" by locals—was considered a model of enlightenment by turn-of-the-20th-century standards: in an era when beatings were common, the only punishments meted out here were solitary confinement and assignment to a dark cell. The complex housed a hospital as well as Yuma's only public library, where the 25¢ that visitors paid for a prison tour financed the acquisition of new books.

The 3,069 prisoners who served time at what was then the territory's only prison included men and women from 21 different countries. They came from all social classes and were sent up for everything from armed robbery and murder to polygamy. R. L. McDonald, incarcerated for forgery, had been the superintendent of the Phoenix public school system. Chosen as the prison bookkeeper, he absconded with $130 of the inmates' money when he was released.

The mess hall opened as a museum in 1940, and the entire prison complex was designated a state historic park in 1961.

The cultural center hosts a range of community and art events, including classes, movie screenings, summer camps, concerts, and summer Saturday markets. It's open only when events are held, but the on-site library and the gift shop run by the Kuskokwim Art Guild are open most days of the week.

Providing a scenic opportunity to stretch your legs and breathe in fresh sea air, this 1.2-mile loop starts at the southern end of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. After following the California Coastal Trail for a short stretch, the path forks off toward False Klamath Cove—keep an eye out for shorebirds and migrating whales here. Just north of False Klamath Cove, there's excellent beachcombing at Wilson Creek Beach. Easy.

Although only about 710 feet in elevation, this is one of the park's most scenic spots, overlooking a striking panorama of wrinkled, multicolor hills. It's a great place to watch the sunrise, but it can be bustling any time of day. From the parking lot, there's a short walk up a paved trail. Pair your Zabriskie Point visit with a drive out to magnificent Dantes View.

If it's a hot day, take a drive to the falls section of the Zapata Falls Recreation Area, about 7 miles south of Great Sand Dunes National Park (and about 10 miles north of Alamosa). From the trailhead, it's a ½-mile hike to the 40-foot waterfall and a mildly steep trail, which can include wading in a stream and walking through a narrow gorge to view the falls (depending on water levels). Air temperatures in the gorge are always cool and inviting, and the falls are beautiful, but be careful of the current (and slippery rocks) here. A picnic area and restrooms are at the entrance. The trailhead is 3½ miles off Highway 150, between mile markers 10 and 11.

Across from Zilker Park, this botanical garden has more than 28 acres of horticultural delights, including butterfly trails, bonsai and Japanese gardens, koi-filled ponds, riparian stream beds, and cultivated rose gardens. The enchanting gardens are open year-round (attracting 150,000 annual visitors), but it's best enjoyed outside of the peak Texas summer months. There are also various family-friendly programs and hands-on learning opportunities here, as well as a lively seasonal calendar of special events and festivals.

Learn about the area's geology, flora, and fauna at the outdoor interpretive exhibits next to a gurgling stream. Inside, a large shop sells everything from field guides to souvenirs. Zion Canyon shuttle buses leave regularly from the center, which is just a five-minute walk from Zion Canyon Village, from which you can pick up the Springdale Line shuttle bus. Ranger-guided shuttle tours depart once a day from late May through September. Within a short walk you can also access the small Zion Nature Center, the park's two main campgrounds, and both The Watchman and Pa'rus hiking trails. During busy periods, the visitor center and surrounding plaza can feel like a bit of a zoo (and spaces can be tough to come by in the parking lot); try to arrive very early or late in the day if you can.

This zoo has more than 1,500 animals and 200 species from around the world living in naturalistic habitats. The gorillas and tigers are always a hit, as are the giant pandas named Yang Yang and Lun Lun (though they are expected to go back to China in 2024). Children can ride the Nabisco Endangered Species Carousel and meet new friends at the petting zoo, and the whole family can take a ride on the Zoo Train.

At this leafy, 735-acre retreat, hiking paths wind through the trees, paddleboats navigate Porter Lake, and hungry ducks float on a small pond. The zoo, where Theodor Geisel—better known as Dr. Seuss—found inspiration for his children's books, is home to nearly 200 animals, from camels and bobcats to lemurs and wallabies. It's manageable in size, and spotting animals in the exhibits is fairly easy, which makes this an especially good stop for families with small children. Another plus: you can purchase small cones of food from the gift shop to feed many of the animals. Leave time to explore the park after you finish the zoo.

Concise enough to see in a morning but big enough to fill a full day, this top-notch zoo is home to more than 800 animals, including elephants, giraffes, lions, and gorillas. A highlight is the sprawling gibbon exhibit with rope bridges that stretch over pedestrian paths. The petting zoo, miniature train, and splash pad are hits with kids. A permanent exhibit with 22 realistic dinosaurs opened in 2023.

Don't miss a visit to this top-notch zoo, 14 miles southwest of Coral Gables in the Miami suburbs. The only subtropical zoo in the continental United States, it has 320-plus acres that are home to more than 2,000 animals, including 40 endangered species, which roam on islands surrounded by moats. Amazon & Beyond encompasses 27 acres of simulated tropical rain forests showcasing 600 animals indigenous to the region, such as giant river otters, harpy eagles, anacondas, and jaguars. The Wings of Asia aviary has about 300 exotic birds representing 70 species flying free within the junglelike enclosure. Kids love visiting the meerkats and participating in the thrice-daily camel feedings at the Critter Connection exhibit.

Ranging over 70 acres of zoological park and botanical gardens, the zoo has inhabitants evenly divided between those native to the region, such as grizzlies, gray wolves, and bighorn sheep, and the exotic, including Amur tigers, red pandas, and a laughing kookabura. One of the most popular residents is a two-toed sloth named Winston. You’ll also find free-range peacocks and a farm and ranch area featuring a petting zoo. Because there are few zoos in the region, it can be extremely busy here in summer. In winter, the last admission is at 2 pm.

Natural-habitat exhibits such as Safari Africa, where a herd of elephants roams, make the 56-acre ZooTampa one of the country's best midsize facilities. Visit the Asia Gardens to see Komodo dragons and Indian rhinos. Stars of Primate World range from cat-size lemurs to heavyweight Bornean orangutans that love to ham for the camera. The free-flight Main Aviary features up-close looks at myriad winged creatures, as well as a resident sloth.

ZooTampa also emphasizes rehabilitation. The Florida Wilds area offers unobstructed views of panthers, black bears, owls, skunks, and other rescued animals. The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center, the world's first nonprofit manatee hospital, cares for critically injured, sick, or orphaned Florida manatees.

This museum, just a few minutes west of Maitland, is in Eatonville, the first African-American town to be incorporated after the Civil War. It showcases works by artists of African descent during five six-week-long exhibitions each year, with one reserved for up-and-comers. The museum is named after former resident Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960), a writer, folklorist, and anthropologist best known for her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. This is the home of ZORA!—a three-day cultural, arts, and music festival that's held in late January to celebrate Hurston's life. The museum also has a roster of other events throughout the year.

This former archaeological site includes portions of an Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) village occupied most likely sometime between AD 1050 and 1200, a small but informative museum with artifacts discovered on-site, and a reconstructed pueblo dwelling.

At the height of mating season, upward of 4,000 elephant seals congregate at Año Nuevo, one of the world's few approachable mainland rookeries. The seals are both vocal and spectacularly big (especially the males, which can weigh up to 2½ tons). A moderate, 3- to 4-mile round-trip walk takes you to the dunes, from which you can look down onto the animals lounging on the shoreline. During mating season (from mid-December through March), visitors may do the hike only as part of a 2½-hour guided tour, for which reservations should be made. The area's visitor center has a fascinating film about the seals and some natural-history exhibits (including a sea otter's pelt that you can touch). Dogs are not allowed.

Hand puppets, rod puppets, body puppets, shadow puppets, marionettes—this museum has more than 2,500 puppets in its extraordinary collection. Many are the work of Frank Ballard, a master of puppetry who established the country's first complete undergraduate and graduate degree programs in puppetry at the University of Connecticut. If you're lucky you might even catch Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street on display.

Sitting on 7½ acres of national park land at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, this indoor-outdoor nonprofit children’s museum offers entertaining and enlightening hands-on exhibits for younger children. Kids can stretch their creativity and develop early STEM skills as they navigate wind tunnels, fish from a boat at the indoor wharf, configure oversized foam blocks in the Imagination Playground, and play outdoors among the tide pools, gravel pits, shipwrecks, and caves of Lookout Cove. At the multisensory Tot Spot, toddlers and preschoolers dress up in animal costumes and crawl through miniature tunnels.