10457 Best Sights in USA

Since it opened in the early 1990s, this nonprofit community art gallery has mirrored Twisp's growth into a renowned artists' colony. Set along the town's charming main commercial drag, the gallery hosts a half-dozen exhibitions each year. The outstanding gift shop stocks an impressive selection of works, from paintings to postcards to pottery.

Directly adjacent to the visitor center and parking lot, a covered pavilion includes picnic tables, trash cans, and access to restrooms. Groups can rent it for $25 for the morning or afternoon. Reservations can be made at  recreation.gov.

Along the Boardwalk Trail, benches built into the handrails offer idyllic spots to stop for a picnic along your walk.

Congress Hall was the meeting place of the U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800, one of the most important decades in our nation's history. Here the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution; Alexander Hamilton's proposals for a mint and a national bank were enacted; and Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee became the first new states after the original colonies. On the first floor you can find the House of Representatives, where President John Adams was inaugurated in 1797. On the second floor is the Senate chamber, where in 1793 George Washington was inaugurated for his second term. Both chambers have been authentically restored.

Italian gardens, ponds, fountains, and statuary punctuate wide lawns at this park in the heart of the city. Fifty cents buys you a ride on a carousel with 28 horses that were carved and painted about a century ago.

Established in 1807 "for all denominations of people," this cemetery is the final resting place for such notables as U.S. Capitol architect William Thornton, Marine Corps march composer John Philip Sousa, Civil War photographer Mathew Brady, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, and many members of Congress. Air Force veteran and gay rights activist Leonard Matlovich is also buried here under a tombstone that reads "When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men, and a discharge for loving one." The cemetery is about a 20-minute walk from the Capitol. You can take a self-guided tour year-round during daylight hours; pick up a map at the gatehouse or download one from the cemetery website. On Saturdays and some Sundays from April through October, you can join a one-hour docent-led tour at 11 am. Check the website for all kinds of themed tours and other events, including film screenings during the summer. 

The indoor, walk-through South American rain forest alone justifies a visit to this zoo. It comes alive with dozens of species, some rare and endangered such as keel-billed toucans, broad-snouted caimans, and black-and-gold howler monkeys living in a lush environment of waterfalls, ponds, greenery, and bamboo. The zoo itself has 36 acres of exhibits featuring more than 300 animals: bison, tigers, leopards, timber wolves, sloths, a red panda, bald eagles---and proud peacocks that freely roam the property right along with you. There's also a colorful carousel and a New England farmyard.

Although it's just over an acre, this beautiful, volunteer-run botanical garden makes for a relaxing, colorful, and fragrant encounter with nature—it's hard to believe you can find such a quiet spot just a block off Lincoln City's busy main drag. Visit with the artfully arranged rhododendrons, magnolias, Sitka spruce, and flowering perennials, or take a guided tour. You're also welcome to come enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds. There's a cute on-site gift shop that's open March through November. Although admission is free, the garden thrives thanks to donations. 

A town highlight is the Conrad Mansion National Historic Site Museum, a 26-room (13,000 square feet) Norman-style mansion that was the home of Charles E. Conrad, who made a fortune in shipping and freighting on the Missouri River and founded Kalispell. Docents lead entertaining and informative guided tours, including a variety of special theme tours offered throughout the year.

The country's oldest rice mill that's still in operation, dating from 1912, produces distinctive wild pecan rice. Tours are conducted on the hour between 10 am and 3 pm, and includes a presentation about the surrounding area and a guided walk-through of the mill. The adjacent Konriko Company Store sells Cajun crafts and foods.

Here you can connect with nature by taking a 45-minute boat tour (ages two-plus) along the Gordon River, renting a kayak, or going on a guided nature walk. The Dalton Discovery Center highlights six Florida ecosystems in its exhibits, which include a spectacular aquarium that's home to a loggerhead sea turtle and a touch tank where you can learn about the many animals found on local beaches. Preschoolers can have hands-on fun at the Little Explorer Play Zone. The on-site wildlife hospital's viewing area gives you a peek at staff working on any number of animals. Check out Cinema Sunday and other events in the Nature Center.

This is a great place to meet some of the park's animal handlers and to gather round for a critter encounter. You'll learn about the park's veterinary care, ongoing research, and food preparation for hundreds of animal inhabitants. Interactive exhibits are simple fun for younger children and have messages about worldwide efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats. Here, you also can find out how to connect with conservation efforts in your own community. At The Animation Experience at Conservation Station, a Disney artist leads a class in drawing a famous (animal) Disney character. For people with disabilities: Guest may remain in wheelchairs or ECVs. Begin a family conservation project here.

The 6-acre formal garden is known for its ever-changing seasonal plantings, including tulips, lilacs, crabapple trees, summer perennials, and chrysanthemums. Opened in 1937, it is named for the large greenhouse built at this location in 1899 to grow plants for the park's landscapes and to offer seasonal displays to the public. Each of the garden's three areas has a distinct design: the French-style North Garden, the Italianate Center Garden, and the English-style South Garden. The ornate Vanderbilt Gate at the main entrance was donated by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney; it once adorned the Vanderbilt mansion on 5th Avenue.

Take a guided tour of a real mine, which ceased operations in 1904. With 5 miles of underground tunnels, Consolidated is said to be the largest gold mine east of the Mississippi. Enter the mine (which has been reconstructed for safety), pass through a breathtaking stone passage, and then begin a descent of 120 feet into the mine's geological wonders. Knowledgeable guides expound on historical mining techniques and give demonstrations of tools, such as the "widowmaker," a drill that kicks up mining dust and caused lung disease in many miners. After the tour, guests are invited to pan for gold, prospector style, from a long wooden sluice. Gemstone mining is also available for an additional fee.

Many ideas were proposed to develop this 52-acre site near the Reflecting Pool and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Winding paths along tree groves and a 1-acre island on the lake pay tribute to the signers of the Declaration of Independence, with all of their 56 signatures carved into a low stone wall. This spot is charming in the fall, with vibrant red colors, and it's a quieter part of the Mall for picnics. You can get hot dogs, potato chips, candy bars, and soft drinks at the circular snack bar just west of the lake.

An extensive boardwalk leads you deep into the reeds and rushes of this lush, wildlife-filled tidal marshland. In winter the boardwalk is a prime lookout spot for bald eagles. Tromp through the 280-acre sanctuary's bluffs and woodlands, or visit the educational center, where a 500-gallon aquarium offers an up-close look at fish, crabs, and other resident wildlife. Note: parking is quite limited.

Housed in an aluminum-sheathed trapezoid, this non-collecting institution hosts traveling avant-garde art shows. Previous exhibitions have included "Design Life Now: National Design Triennial," showcasing the experimental projects, emerging ideas, major buildings, and new media that were at the center of contemporary culture from 2003–06; firms represented in the show included Apple and Nike. The museum also throws "Steel Lounge," an evening get-together of music, drinks, and mingling masses, on the final Friday of every month.

Architect Daniel Libeskind designed the postmodern CJM, whose impossible-to-ignore diagonal blue cube juts out of a painstakingly restored power substation. A physical manifestation of the Hebrew toast l'chaim (to life), the cube may have obscure philosophical origins, but Libeskind created a unique, light-filled space that merits a stroll through the lobby even if the current exhibits (the museum is non-collecting and does not have permanent holdings) don't entice you into the galleries. Exhibits, usually two or three at a time, vary, from a look at the history of famous puppeteer Frank Oz (Star Wars and the Muppets) to an immersive series about the 19th-century Jewish immigrant and photographer Shimmel Zohar. San Francisco's best Jewish deli, Wise Sons, operates a counter in the museum. Try their smoked salmon bagel sandwich or a slice of chocolate babka.

This 3,100-mile corridor, which extends from Montana's Canadian border to the southern edge of New Mexico, enters Rocky Mountain National Park in two places, at trailheads only about 4 miles apart and located on either side of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center on Trail Ridge Road, at the park's southwestern end. Within the park, it covers about 30 miles of spectacular montane and subalpine terrain and follows the existing Green Mountain, Tonahutu Creek, North Inlet, and East Shore Trails. Moderate.

For a break from the beach, or as a pleasant way to spend a cool or cloudy day, take a 15-mile day trip inland to the historic town of Conway. A huge source for lumber in the 1870s, the town is now an eclectic hub for art studios and the arts (take a glassblowing class at Conway Glass!), antiques stores, and a growing number of foodie hot spots, including the celebrated Rivertown Bistro. Conway's Riverwalk, along the Waccamaw River, offers a peaceful respite for walkers, joggers, and bikers. If you're charmed and want to stay the night, the elegant Cypress Inn is a luxurious respite worlds away from the busy attractions of the Grand Strand.

Departing from historic North Conway Station, the railroad operates various trips aboard vintage trains. The Notch Train to Crawford Depot or to Fabyan Station travels through rugged territory yielding wonderful views, which are best enjoyed from the premium-class Upper Dome cars. The shorter Conway Valley Train offers glimpses of Mt. Washington during a 55-minute round-trip journey to Conway or a 1¾-hour excursion to Bartlett. The 1874 station displays lanterns, old tickets and timetables, and other artifacts. Reserve early during foliage season. Some rides include box lunches or full dinners.

Take this 1-mile, wheelchair-accessible, looped path around Cook's Meadow to see and learn the basics about Yosemite Valley's past, present, and future. A trail guide (available at a kiosk just outside the entrance) explains how to tell oaks, cedars, and pines apart; how fires help keep the forest floor healthy; and how pollution poses significant challenges to the park's inhabitants. Easy.

The restored 2-acre complex includes a house dating from the 1820s, a gift shop, bakery, and a large garden enclosed by a high adobe wall. The mostly Victorian-era antiques and memorabilia that fill the house provide a glimpse into the life of a prosperous sea merchant's family. The museum is open weekends for self-guided tours; docents are available to answer questions. If the house is closed, you can still pick up walking-tour maps and stroll the grounds.

Water cascades through this rest area's namesake canyon on the outskirts of the Rangeley area. On hot days, folks cool off in the swimming holes and soak up the sun on the smooth, striated rocks. There are picnic tables, bathrooms, paths, and a bridge. The geological formation is along the Swift River, a popular gold panning destination. Across the road from the rest area, seasonal Coos Canyon Rock and Gift ( www.cooscanyonrockandgift.com) sells and rents gold panning equipment and provides free prospecting demonstrations. The shop also sells ice cream, snacks, gifts, and souvenirs. Visitors often combine a stop at Coos Canyon with one at Height of Land overlook 11½ miles north of here and also right aside Route 17.  

A must-visit for fans of the early '80s TV sitcom The Dukes of Hazzard, Cooter's offers a plethora of collectibles and Duke Boys ephemera. After seven seasons portraying the amiable mechanic Cooter on the show, Ben Jones served four years as a U.S. congressman representing Georgia's 4th District. After retiring from public service, Jones opened this museum and gift shop filled with memorabilia, props, and autographed items from the show. Some are for sale and others are too rare for Jones to part with, but they all tell the story of the fictional Hazzard County. Visitors can even get a photo in the General Lee for an added cost.

The reputation of this winery whose name means "friends" in French rests on its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Syrahs. Copain occupies an enviable slope in Northern Sonoma County—one that begs guests to sit, sip, and take in the Russian River Valley view—but for years most of its wines derived from grapes grown in hillside vineyards near the coast in Monterey and Mendocino counties. Since the winery's purchase by Jackson Family Wines, fruit from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast has joined the mix.

The 0.3-mile hike to these Wild Basin Area falls is a good option for families, as the terrain is relatively flat (there's only a 15-foot elevation gain). Easy.

Two modern structures dominate Copley Square—200 Clarendon (still referred to by its former name, the Hancock) off the southeast corner and the even more assertive Copley Place skyscraper on the southwest. An upscale, glass-and-brass urban mall built between 1980 and 1984, Copley Place includes two major hotels: the high-rise Westin and the Marriott Copley Place. Dozens of high-end designer shops, restaurants, and offices are attractively grouped on several levels, surrounding bright, open, indoor spaces.

Every April thousands find a glimpse of Copley Square the most wonderful sight in the world: this is where the runners of the Boston Marathon end their 26.2-mile race. The civic space is defined by three monumental older buildings. One is the stately, bowfront, 1912 Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel, which faces the square on St. James Avenue and serves as a dignified foil to its companions, two of the most important works of architecture in the United States: Trinity Church—Henry Hobson Richardson's masterwork of 1877—and the Boston Public Library, by McKim, Mead & White. The 200 Clarendon (Hancock) Tower looms in the background. To honor the runners who stagger over the marathon's finish line, bronze statues of the Tortoise and the Hare engaged in their mythical race were cast by Nancy Schön, who also did the much-loved Make Way for Ducklings group in the Public Garden. From May through October, a popular farmers' market draws crowds.

An ancient and melancholy air hovers like a fine mist over this Colonial-era burial ground. The North End graveyard incorporates four cemeteries established between 1660 and 1819. Near the Charter Street gate is the tomb of the Mather family, the dynasty of church divines (Cotton and Increase were the most famous sons) who held sway in Boston during the heyday of the old theocracy. Also buried here is Robert Newman, who crept into the steeple of Old North Church to hang the lanterns warning of the British attack the night of Paul Revere's ride. Look for the tombstone of Captain Daniel Malcolm; it's pockmarked with musket-ball fire from British soldiers, who used the stones for target practice. Across the street is 44 Hull (Boston's historic Skinny House), the city's narrowest house, measuring at just a mere 10 feet wide, which fetched a selling price of $1.5 million in 2021. This is Freedom Trail stop 14.

Situated in the community of Copper Center near the town of Glennallen and 87 miles south of Slana (gateway for the Nabesna Road) and 52 miles north of Chitina (gateway for the McCarthy Road), the main visitor center is an excellent place to learn about the park's geography and natural and cultural history. The complex includes an exhibit hall, a theater and amphitheater, and the Ahtna Cultural Center, with displays on the region's Native peoples. It also has a bookstore that sells crafts as well as a good selection of titles by local authors, restrooms, a picnic shelter, and tables. It's open daily from 9 to 5 between May and September (exact opening and closing dates vary).