10457 Best Sights in USA

The world's first LEED Gold–certified art museum opened in downtown Grand Rapids in 2007, specializing in paintings and drawings from 19th- and 20th-century American and European artists. Founded in 1910 as Grand Rapids Art Gallery, its previous home was a federal building. Among the most recognized artists in the 125,000-square-foot museum's 5,000-piece collection are Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Albrecht Dürer. Each fall the citywide ArtPrize competition brings thousands of people to the museum.

Visible from many points along the peninsula, the lighthouse in Leelanau State Park is a distinctive landmark, with its white exterior and red roof. It has been a welcome sight to sailors, and guided their ships, since it was built in 1858. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase to the tower of the lighthouse, and its location at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula practically guarantees gorgeous views of Lake Michigan's and Grand Traverse Bay's shoreline.

At the end of unpaved Grand Wash Road you can continue on foot through Bear Canyon all the way to Highway 24. This mostly level hike takes you through a wide wash between canyon walls and is an excellent place to study the geology up close. The round-trip hike is 4.4 miles; allow two to three hours. Check the weather conditions before you start, as this wash is prone to flooding after thunderstorms. Another (more strenuous) hiking option from the same starting point is the rugged 7-mile round-trip trail (it's fairly steep) to Cassidy Arch. Easy.

Located within Ten Acre Farm right at the base of the Little Bookcliff mountains and next door to the Wine Country Inn, Grande River is an easy stop right off the highway. Visitors can meander the demonstration vineyard on their own or book a free tour before or after a stop at the tasting room that's open daily. The vineyard is in the process of launching a brand, Ten Acre Winery, and the combined vineyards produce a staggering variety of varietals: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot for the reds, and Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Viognier for the whites, along with their well-known red and white Meritage blends. Tasting fees range from $7 for four one-ounce pours to $12 for three three-ouncers.

There are six area trails that expose visitors to wildly scenic panoramas of the New River Gorge. Take in the views from Main Overlook, then hike north on the Grandview Rim Trail, making stops at North Overlook and Turkey Spur Rock on this moderate 3.2-mile round-trip hike. The Castle Rock Trail is a moderate 0.6-mile trail with towering sandstone rock faces and coal seams. Both hikes start steps from Grandview Visitor Center (seasonal).

Accessible from the parking area at Grandview Point, the trailhead is at 7,400 feet. The path heads steeply down into the canyon for 3 miles to the junction and campsite at East Horseshoe Mesa Trail. Classified as a wilderness trail, the route is aggressive and not as heavily traveled as some of the more well-known trails, such as Bright Angel and Hermit. There is no water available along the trail, which follows a steep descent to 4,900 feet at Horseshoe Mesa, where Hopi Indians once collected mineral paints. Hike 0.7 mile farther to Page Spring, a reliable water source year-round. Parts of this trail are icy in winter, and traction crampons are mandatory. Difficult.

The Federal-style house was completed in 1816 by Gideon Granger, postmaster general for presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. It contains what's known as a flying staircase, and its nine rooms have hand-carved woodwork and many of the original furnishings and paintings. Free guided daily tours are available. The carriage house displays 93 horse-drawn vehicles, including an undertaker's hearse. The many annual events include a Civil War encampment in September and a Festival of Trees in November and December. The museum runs 45-minute narrated carriage tours of Canandaigua on Friday and Sunday, June through September. The trips cost $20, and reservations are required. Weather permitting, sleigh rides are offered on Sunday at 1 pm, January–March.

Soothing thermal baths in pristine outback country await in the heart of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, just a short drive south of Jackson. Concerted local and federal efforts have preserved the wild lands in this hunter's and fisherman's paradise where ranches dot the Teton Valley floor. The Snake River turns west and the contours sheer into steep vertical faces. By Hoback Junction there's white-water excitement. The drive south along U.S. 191 provides good views of the river's bends and turns and the life-jacketed rafters and kayakers who float through the Hoback canyon. At Hoback Junction, about 11 miles south of Jackson, head east (toward Pinedale) on U.S. Highway 189/191 and follow the Hoback River east through its beautiful canyon. A tributary canyon 10 miles east of the junction is followed by a well-maintained and marked gravel road to Granite Hot Springs, in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Drive 9 miles off U.S. 189/191 (northeast) on Granite Creek Road to reach the hot springs. People also come for the shady, creek-side campground and moderate hikes up Granite Canyon to passes with panoramic views. You'll want to drive with some caution, as there are elevated turns, the possibility of a felled tree, and wandering livestock that can own the road ahead on blind curves. In winter, the road is not plowed, and access is possible only by snowmobile, dogsled, skis, or fat bike from the highway. The 93°F to 112°F thermal bath at the end of the road is pure physical therapy, but it's closed from November through mid-December.

Restored vintage train cars take you on 80-minute excursions along the scenic banks of the Pemigewassett River. A Santa Express runs late November–mid-December.

Originally called Calle de la Fundación, Grant Avenue is the oldest street in the city, but it's got plenty of young blood. Dusty bars such as The Saloon mix with independent boutiques, odd curio shops, and curated gourmet stores. While the street runs from Union Square through Chinatown, North Beach, and beyond, the fun stuff in this neighborhood is jammed into the four blocks from Columbus Avenue north to Filbert Street.

Two miles south of John Day, Canyon City is a small town that feels as if it hasn't changed much since the Old West days. Memorabilia from the gold rush is on display at the town's small museum, along with Native American artifacts and antique musical instruments. Drop in at the neighboring pioneer jail, which the locals pilfered years ago from a nearby crumbling ghost town.

More than 30 pioneer-era buildings have been brought here from other parts of Grant County. They include a blacksmith forge, saloon, barbershop, and printing office.

Bordered by Lake Michigan to the east, a spectacular skyline to the west, and the Museum Campus to the south, Grant Park serves as the city's front yard and unofficial gathering place. This pristine open space has walking paths, a stand of stately elm trees, and formal rose gardens, where Loop dwellers and 9-to-5-ers take refuge from the concrete and steel. It also hosts many of the city's largest outdoor events, including the annual Taste of Chicago, a vast picnic featuring foods from more than 70 restaurants.

The park's centerpiece is the gorgeous, tiered Buckingham Fountain (between Columbus and Lake Shore Drives, east of Congress Plaza), which has intricate pink-marble seashell designs, water-spouting fish, and bronze sculptures of sea horses. Built in 1927, it was patterned after one at Versailles but is about twice the size. See the fountain in all its glory between early May and mid-October, when it's elaborately illuminated at night and sprays colorfully lighted waters. Linger long enough to experience the spectacular display that takes place every hour on the hour, and you'll witness the center jet of water shoot 150 feet into the air.

Exhibits at each visitor center describe a small piece of Yellowstone's history—the ones here provide details about the 1988 fire that burned more than a third of the park's total acreage and forced multiple federal agencies to reevaluate their fire-control policies. Watch an informative video, and learn about the 25,000 firefighters from across the United States who battled the blaze. Bathrooms and a backcountry office are here.

Attractions at this favorite of St. Louis children include a 160-acre petting zoo, education-based elephant and bird shows, an animal preserve, and train ride to visit the famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses and their breeding facility. A wide selection of outdoor summer-friendly food is available to enjoy in an outdoor dining area.

Guided or self-guided tours of the 1,600-acre Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, a working cattle ranch run by the National Park Service, provide insight into ranching life in the 1860s. You can learn about roping steers, watch blacksmithing demonstrations, and bounce along in a covered wagon.

Any combination of U.S. 12, U.S. 191, U.S. 87, and I–90 will make a quick route to Billings. If you have the time, however, try getting off the main roads. The square of beautiful country between these four highways is the location of Grass Lake National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. These several thousand acres encompass a seasonally wet lake and wetlands, creeks, and grassy plains. Wildlife includes grouse, waterfowl, grasslands birds, deer, and antelope. This is a favorite spot for birders.

On the outside, this is just one more well-kept Victorian on a street that's full of them, but true fans of the Dead may find some inspiration looking at this legendary structure. The three-story house (closed to the public) is tastefully painted in sedate mauves, tans, and teals—no bright tie-dye colors here.

Many people travel the mile past Oheo Gulch to pay their respects to Charles Lindbergh, who was buried beside Palapala Hoomau Congregational Church in 1974. The world-renowned aviator chose this as his final resting place because he and his wife, writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh, spent a lot of time in a home they built in the area. The simple one-room church sits on a bluff over the sea, with the small graveyard on the ocean side. The views from here are gorgeous. Since this is a churchyard, be considerate and leave everything exactly as you found it. Next door is a small county park that's a good place for a peaceful picnic.

In the 1920s, a little guesthouse called Gray's-by-the-Sea stood on what is now a very narrow strip of sand that's best for walking, admiring the ocean, and imagining a Waikiki of yesteryear. (Note that the tides often put sand space at a premium, so you have to use the elevated concrete walkway most of the time.) Catamaran charters launch from this beach throughout the day, sailing out for views of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. You can get a great view of Diamond Head here, and you can also sip a mai tai at House Without a Key, a legendary beach restaurant at the Halekulani hotel a few steps away. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: walking.

The centerpiece of the 8½-acre Graycliff estate is the two-story main house, built circa 1926. Its cantilevered balconies take advantage of its position atop a 70-foot-cliff overlooking Lake Erie. The estate is undergoing an extensive multiphase, multiyear restoration. The property is about 18 mi south of Buffalo.

In fall and spring, this nearly 1,500-acre refuge is a perfect place to observe multitudes of migrating shorebirds. Keep your binoculars handy as you stroll along the 1,800-foot-long boardwalk, and stop by the visitor center's shop and bookstore.

Gregory Graziano creates wines for four separate labels, one devoted to Burgundian grapes like Pinot Noir; two to Italian varietals; and the last to Zinfandel, Rhône, and a few other types. Gregory's grandfather planted the winery's oldest Mendocino County vineyard just before Prohibition. The lineup poured in the downtown Hopland tasting space might include Pinot Gris and Arneis whites and Dolcetto and Nebbiolo reds.

Located about 5 miles from the park just outside of the town of Baker, the center has exhibits on the flora, fauna, and geology of the park. Books, videos, and souvenirs are for sale. Water is available.

Just inland from Portsmouth is one of southeastern New Hampshire's most precious assets. In these 10,235 acres of open and tidal waters, you can spot blue herons, ospreys, and snowy egrets, particularly during the spring and fall migrations. The Great Bay Discovery Center has indoor and outdoor exhibits, a library and bookshop, and a 1,700-foot boardwalk, as well as other trails, which wind through mudflats and upland forest.

Sagamore Lodge and the 26 adjoining buildings that make up Great Camp Sagamore were built in the late 1800s by William West Durant, a prominent Adirondack figure. Designed in a Swiss-chalet style, the lodge was built with native spruce, cedar, and granite, and its rustic style set a precedent among the well-heeled set with retreats in the area. Bought and expanded by the Vanderbilt family in the early 1900s, Sagamore is now owned and run by a nonprofit organization that sponsors meetings, seminars, and classes, and rents rooms by the night or week. Classes and activities include canoeing, rustic furniture making, mosaic twig decoration, and mountain music. Tours (reservations required) take you to a blacksmith shop, furniture shop, icehouse, and livestock buildings, as well as to the main lodge. The camp is about 30 mi southwest of Blue Mountain Lake.