10457 Best Sights in USA

In late May and early June, Ft. Ebey State Park blazes with native rhododendrons. West of Coupeville on Point Partridge, it has three miles of shoreline, campsites in the woods, trails to the headlands, a freshwater lake for fishing, World War II gun emplacements, wildflower meadows, spectacular views down the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and miles of hiking and biking trails. A Washington State Discover Pass is required.

Starting with movie sets from the epic Dances with Wolves, this attraction is evolving into the South Dakota Film Museum, chronicling some 50 films produced in the state since 1914. See props, posters, and historical photos. A seasonal chuckwagon dinner show is also held here, and a Buffalo Hunt coaster ride soars above the surrounding scenery

Stately clapboard homes stand against a mountain backdrop on the sloping parade grounds of Alaska's first U.S. Army post. As you enter you'll soon see the gallant, white-columned former commanding officer's quarters, now part of the Hotel Hälsingland. Circle the parade ground if you like, passing the other homes along Officers Row. On the parade ground's south side at Alaska Indian Arts, you can watch artists at work. The Haines Alaska Convention & Visitors Bureau has a walking-tour brochure of the fort.

A bustling center for food processing and distribution as recently as the 2000s, this former industrial district transformed into an upscale stretch of gleaming corporate offices, luxury condos, and Michelin-star restaurants with remarkable speed. The last of the seafood, produce, and meatpacking plants were gone by the end of the 2010s; Fulton Market is now a full-on dining and nightlife destination.

You can see the neon-lit rides from miles away as you approach International Drive. Four go-kart tracks offer a variety of driving experiences. Though drivers must be at least 10 years old and meet height requirements, parents can drive younger children in two-seater cars on several of the tracks, including the Conquest Track. Nineteen rides range from the dizzying Enterprise to an old-fashioned Ferris wheel to the twirling toddler Teacups.

Fun Spot, reminiscent of an old-fashioned fair, features Central Florida's only wooden roller coaster as well as the Freedom Flyer steel suspension family coaster, a kiddie coaster, and SkyCoaster—part skydive, part hang glide. There's also an arcade, and throwback rides such as the Tilt-a-Whirl. Gator Spot, created in partnership with the iconic Gatorland and starring several live alligators and other Florida wildlife, is a throwback to the old days of Orlando roadside attractions.

A formerly run-down industrial neighborhood near Santa Barbara's waterfront and train station, the Funk Zone has evolved into a hip hangout filled with wine-tasting rooms, arts-and-crafts studios, murals, breweries, the Cutler's Artisan Spirits distillery, restaurants, and small shops. It's fun to poke around the 3-square-block district.  Street parking is limited, so leave your car in a nearby city lot and cruise up and down the alleys on foot.

Bumper cars, a carousel, Skee-Ball, and plenty of cotton candy are just part of the mix at this amusement park hosting 19 rides and 16 games. Dating from the early 1960s, the park is an enduring piece of history that the whole family will enjoy. Rides cost from one to five tickets, which cost 35¢ each, and are good for life. If you don't use them one summer bring them back the next.

The mothership of Lake Winnipesaukee's family-oriented amusement parks, Funspot's more than 600 video games make it the world's largest arcade—there's even an arcade museum. You can also work your way through an indoor minigolf course and 20 lanes of bowling. Rates vary depending on the activity.

Comprising two parks—an amusement park and a water park—this sprawling complex of 50 thrill and kiddie rides, waterslides, play pools, and more evolved from a single drive-in restaurant built in 1960 that the founders have kept expanding ever since. Admission is by bracelet, which can be purchased for one park or both (the combo is a good deal). On the Funtown side, the Astrosphere—an enclosed scrambler-style ride and one of the park’s best known attractions—features a fantastic and dramatic multimedia experience, while the Wild Mouse is the largest roller coaster in the state. On the Splashtown side, up to five people can ride the Mammoth Thrill Slide water coaster together, while the 60-foot drop of the single-person Poseidon’s Plunge is stomach-churning. In both parks, height and weight restrictions vary by ride. Dining and snacking options abound. Note that heavy rains may temporarily put a halt to rides (gift shops and arcades will remain open). Admission is discounted after 3 pm.

The young republic began to take shape through conversations and choices being made in these hospitality spaces, a circa-1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel, that comprise today's museum. Named for the Englishman John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808, the tavern businesses were central to Alexandria’s port-based economy, offering places to dine, entertain, and spend the night. A large enslaved labor force made Gadsby’s renowned hospitality possible. Notable patrons included George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and the marquis de Lafayette. The taproom, dining room, assembly room, ballroom, and communal bedrooms have been restored to their original appearances. Opt for a self-guided tour to dig deeper into early America. A variety of public programs are held throughout the year.

This internationally renowned modern gallery has two large Chelsea branches (the other is at  522 West 21st Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues) as well as three galleries on the Upper East Side and more than 10 outposts in cities around the world. Perhaps the most powerful dealer in the business, Gagosian Gallery shows works by heavy hitters such as Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Urs Fischer, Richard Serra, and pop-art icon Roy Lichtenstein, in addition to less well-known artists.

This contemporary art gallery, owned and directed by the legendary Larry Gagosian, features cutting-edge artists in a minimalist-styled space. It’s free to enter, exhibits rotate every six weeks, and the gallery has displayed everyone from Richard Avedon and Takashi Murakami to Frank Gehry and Jeff Koons. During Oscar season the gallery is known for its celeb-filled openings.

If you are looking for ambitious works by the world's most acclaimed artists in a gallery that easily competes with the city's top museums, you have to visit Gagosian. Perhaps the most powerful art dealer in the world, Larry Gagosian has galleries in Beverly Hills, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, and Hong Kong, among other cities, as well as multiple galleries in New York City. The 980 Madison Avenue location, the contemporary art empire's headquarters, is a multifloor gallery that has shown works by big names like Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein, Cy Twombly, and Damien Hirst.

The 1,800-acre Gainey Ranch, straddling the banks of the Santa Ynez River, includes about 100 acres of organic vineyards: Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The winery also makes wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah grapes from the Santa Rita Hills. You can taste the latest releases—the estate Pinot Noir is especially good—in a Spanish-style hacienda overlooking the ranch. Gainey's Evans Ranch tasting room in Los Olivos showcases their six limited-production wines from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. 

There are plenty of ripe reasons to make a stop at Galena Cellars: nearly 20 award-winning wines in 2011 alone; best white wine from Illinois; and winemaker Christine Lawlor-White, who was twice voted Illinois Winemaker of the Year. In-season vineyard tours guide you through the growing grapes and let you in on the winemaking process. Turn your visit into a romantic retreat by booking the upstairs guestroom. A downtown Galena location (515 S. Main St.) holds tastings daily.

Nestled 23 miles north of Ketchum in the Boulder Mountains, at the base of Galena Summit, this historic day lodge offers a range of summer and winter activities in the Sawtooth Wilderness—backcountry skiing, snowshoe day passes, 50 km of groomed Nordic trails, cross-country rental gear, mountain-bike and hiking trails, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Lunch is served on the patio picnic tables in the summer and four-course “full-moon dinners” are available in the winter. You can stay in one of the overnight “semi”-backcountry yurts where staff will deliver dinner by snowshoe. Drive to the top of Galena Summit on a nice day for spectacular northern valley views.

There's not much that beats the hushed thrill of a hot air balloon ride. At more than 3,000 feet above it all, you'll feel like you're on top of the world. Though flights are weather-dependant, pilot Andy Williams and his crew typically launch during spring, summer and early fall at sunrise and sunset—when winds are most desirable. Upon landing, a van picks you up for a champagne toast and flying certificate. The bird's-eye views are breathtaking, so don't forget your camera.

Sit back and relax as you roll past historic sites and architectural splendor. Discover how Galena boomed as a lead-mining town, fell into economic depression and turned itself around and into the charming getaway it is now. A 1-hour tour makes the most of your time, while the 2-1/2 tour stops for 30 to 45 minutes at the Belvedere Mansion, the Dowling House and the Ulysses S. Grant Home.

The challenging installations at this large gallery feature works by mid-career and established artists. Look for art by Yoko Ono, Alfredo Jaar, Andy Goldsworthy, Jaume Plensa, Cildo Meireles, Ana Mendieta, Tariku Shiferaw, and Petah Coyne.

West of downtown, this redbrick former jail, built in 1911, serves as a reminder of the rough-and-tumble days of the past. Inside, the Gallatin Historical Society displays Native American artifacts, a model of Fort Ellis, a life-size reconstruction of an 1870s log cabin, a research library, photo archives, and a bookstore.

Gallery 110 works with a collective of 30 contemporary artists (primarily Northwest-based) showing pieces in its small space that are energetic, challenging, and fresh. On-site exhibitions change monthly, and once a year the gallery hosts a juried exhibition.

This gallery at the City Market showcases Gullah art, ranging from inexpensive prints to original works by artists like Jonathan Green. The vibrantly colored paintings of this highly successful South Carolina artist have helped popularize Gullah culture.

Guitars are a dime a dozen in Nashville, but the axes on display at the Gallery of Iconic Guitars on Belmont University's campus are truly one-of-a-kind. From vintage instruments to guitars owned by legendary musicians, the guitars in Belmont's collection live up to their \"iconic\" name. The gallery sits within the heart of Belmont University, internationally renowned for its various music programs. Check the GIG's website before visiting, as University closures or holidays may affect hours.

This Greek-Revival building, modeled on the Erechtheion of Athens, was built in 1845 by the architect James Gallier Sr. It served as City Hall in the mid-20th century and today hosts special events. It's the mayor's official perch during Carnival parades, where kings and queens of many krewes stop to be toasted by city officials and dignitaries. The grand rooms inside the hall are adorned with portraits and decorative details ordered by Gallier from Paris.

Irish-born James Gallier Jr. was one of the city's most famous 19th-century architects; he died in 1866, when a hurricane sank the paddle-steamer on which he was a passenger. This house, where he lived with his family, was built in 1857 and contains an excellent collection of early Victorian furnishings. During the holiday season, the entire house is filled with Christmas decorations. If you have watched the new TV series Interview with the Vampire, you may recognize the house as that belonging to Lestat de Lioncourt.

Sometimes dubbed Salt Lake City's "living room," the John W. Gallivan Center anchors downtown and offers an amphitheater, ice rink, and various art projects, and it hosts numerous events, including popular Food Truck Thursdays and several annual festivals. Down the stairs on the south side of this bustling plaza, you'll also find a strip of popular fast-casual restaurants, including Monkeywrench ice cream and Bangkok Terrace.

Housed in a replica of the town's 1880s-era train station, this museum displays Galloping Goose No. 5, one of only seven specially designed engines built in the 1930s. The "Geese" were motored vehicles built from touring-car bodies that could operate for much less than steam-powered engines.

The Gallup Cultural Center, a project of the Southwest Indian Foundation, is inside the restored 1918 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway station. (A quintessential Fred Harvey House—architect Mary Colter's fabulous El Navajo hotel—was added on to the depot in 1923, but has long since been demolished.) Trains still run in and out of the station (this is where riders pick up Amtrak's historic Southwest Chief on its daily run). The cultural center includes a café (where you can lunch or sip coffee out of replicas of the china used on AT&SF trains), a gift shop that sells the work of Native American artisans (many local), and exhibits that reflect the art and history of area native peoples, westward expansion, and the building of the railroads. Stop to appreciate the statue of revered Navajo chief Manuelito, which stands witness as you enter.

Galveston Island State Park, on the western, unpopulated end of the island, is a 2,000-acre natural beach habitat ideal for birding, walking, and renewing your spirit. It's open daily from 8 am to 10 pm. The Nature Center is open weekends from 10 to 2.

Housed in the carriage house of the historic Ashton Villa, one of the city's historic Victorian-era mansions, the exhibit ("And Still We Rise ...") tells the story of the origin of Juneteenth, the day in 1865 (June 19, 1865 to be exact), when Union General Gordon Granger and others read General Order No. 3, announcing that the formerly enslaved residents of Texas had been emancipated two and a half years earlier by Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation (Confederate general Robert E. Lee had surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in April of that year). June 19 has since been declared a federal holiday in the U.S. to commemorate this event.