10457 Best Sights in USA

At 46,000 acres, —part of the Allegheny Mountain chain—is the state's second-largest forest, stretching from Pennsylvania nearly to the West Virginia border. A century ago, this land was home to iron, sawmill, and other workers. Remains of their mossy cemeteries and crumbling stone homes can be found among vast stands of hickory and oak trees. A victory for Maryland and Mother Nature, the second-growth forest is a beautiful spot to camp, hike, ride mountain bikes, and fish at a stocked lake.

Located halfway along the Green River Bluffs Trail, this overlook has an excellent view up the river valley, along with an outdoor exhibit panel explaining the extent of the Green River and its tributaries, and its importance to the region.

Starting on top of Mammoth Cave Ridge in the park's main picnic area, Green River Bluffs Trail slowly descends the forested flank of the ridge, passing large boulders that mark the point where the sandstone cap of the ridge gives way to the limestones beneath. Glimpses of the Green River appear below in its valley, coming into full view at the Green River Bluffs Overlook. The trail continues down toward the river bottom, finally joining the River Styx Spring Trail near River Styx Spring. A wide array of wildflowers can be found seasonally. 1.3 miles. Moderate.

The Green River Ferry is one of the country's longest-running river ferries, in operation since 1941, the last of a group of such ferries that once shuttled traffic across the river before the area became a national park. An outdoor exhibit relates the history of the ferries at the south ferry parking lot. This free ferry runs daily, water levels permitting.

From the road it's just 100 yards to this stunning view of the Green River to the south and west. It's not far from the Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground; there are restrooms at the parking lot.

A shady respite on the banks of the Green River, this park is best known for its golf course. It's also the starting point for boaters drifting along the river through Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons. Fishing and bird-watching are other favorite pastimes here.

This small urban oasis gives off a sense of tranquility with a 25-foot-high cascading waterfall set within sculpted granite blocks, a grouping of honey locust trees, evergreen plantings, a raised terrace, an outdoor café, and seating areas. When needed, the park's attendants gives reminders of such visitor rules as no smoking, tripods, bicycles, or pets allowed. The park, which opened in 1971 and was designed by landscape architect Hideo Sasaki, is closed during winter months.

You can't miss the huge, chestnut-color, two-story barn out front—the centerpiece to this picturesque, 150-acre property, a former working farm that now houses two art galleries, a café, and several shops. Greenbank's grounds include a demonstration garden and lovely walking trails, many of which are dog-friendly.

A single-story board-and-batten farm building constructed with logs from the property contains a sap house and cider mill. You can buy tangy apple cider, cider doughnuts, homemade pies, and maple syrup. If you bring your own apples, the Powell-Wagner family will happily custom press them for you. You can tour the premises by calling ahead.

One of the many local activities run by the Greenbrier Resort, the falconry center offers tuition in this very old sport. Expert falconers teach the history and the practice of falconry to both beginners and intermediate students. The falcons (and hawks) are located a 10-minute drive away and transportation leaves from Greenbrier Outfitters at the resort. Children under 12 may accompany a paying adult, free of charge. Classes are generally held once a day, usually in the late morning.

Greenbrier is one of the two smallest picnic areas in the park, with only 12 tables near a shady, boulder-strewn creek, plus a pavilion that seats 70. This picnic area off U.S. 321 is rarely busy, and it's one of only four in the park that's open year-round. There is a ranger station here and restrooms with pit toilets but no running water. The Ramsey Cascades Trail is nearby, leading to the Ramsey waterfalls about 4 miles away.

After a long day of hiking the dunes, take a dip in the soothing soaking tubs inside the 10,000-square-foot greenhouse at the Sand Dunes Pool. Just 30 minutes northwest of the park is a sanctuary that offers 70ºF comfort year-round. Visitors 21 and older can soak in four hot tubs ranging from 98ºF to 111ºF, or take a dip in the large, 98ºF swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens. A bar offers cocktails and sweet and savory small plates. For families, a giant outdoor pool with views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains is a popular amenity.

Landmarked in 1982, this historic district is lined with beautiful town houses. The area extends roughly from Calyer Street north to Kent Street, between Manhattan Avenue and Franklin Street. The brick homes date from the 1850s, when Greenpoint was a hub for shipbuilding and manufacturing. Walking along Franklin Street on a quiet morning is like stepping into an Edward Hopper painting.

Set in a Romanesque church dating from 1892, the museum has displays about the city's own O. Henry and Dolley Madison, plus a detailed timeline about the city's textile boom as the country's largest producer of denim. There's also an exploration of the Woolworth sit-in, which launched the civil rights movement's struggle to desegregate eating establishments. Permanent exhibits include a horse-drawn 1886 steam fire engine, an original Cadillac, and collections of Confederate weapons and Jugtown pottery. Behind the museum are an 18th-century homestead and the graves of several Revolutionary War soldiers.

At this expansive park designed to fascinate children at every turn, you can roam through a room filled with dinosaurs, see tigers and red pandas in the 24-acre zoo, meet a penguin or shark in the aquarium, and soar through the treetops on the SKYWILD high ropes course. The grounds include a petting zoo, a reptile and amphibian house, a carousel, and a 3-D theater.

A restored stable on an eight-generations-old farm houses the tasting room of this small producer. All wines, including a crisp Vidal Blanc and a well-balanced Meritage red blend, are made from grapes grown and hand-harvested on the property. Tastings are offered most of the year, and outdoor tables overlooking neat rows of vines abound. On Saturday, May–early December, the winery hosts live jazz concerts.

This Southern-focused gallery—reopening in 2024 after a renovation—is home to American paintings dating from the colonial era, along with more modern works by Andy Warhol, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Jasper Johns. It hosts the world's most comprehensive public collection of Andrew Wyeth watercolors.

Opened in 1943 as the National Audubon Society's first educational nature center, the sanctuaries and trails are the best location in the area for bird-watching. During the Fall Festival and Hawk Watch each September, you can spot large numbers of hawks and other migrating raptors. Other events include early morning bird walks, summer and winter bird counts, birding classes, and field trips. The center is filled with interactive exhibits, galleries, classrooms, a wildlife observation room, and a deck with sweeping views of wildlife activity. Outside are 7 miles of hiking trails passing through 285 acres of woodland, wetland, and meadow.

The easiest access to the sandy shore below Elk's cliff-top lodgings is at this state beach, whose parking lot sits across Highway 1 from the town's general store. A trail leads from the lot down to the shore, where the waves crashing against the huge offshore rocks are the perfect backdrop. Amenities: parking (no fee). Good for: sunset; walking.

Just across the inlet on the northern tip of Longboat Key, Greer Island Beach is accessible by boat or by car via North Shore Boulevard (you can walk here at low tide, but be sure to leave before the tide comes in). You'll also hear this place referred to as Beer Can Island. The secluded peninsula has a wide beach and excellent shelling, but no facilities. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; walking.

If you're in need of an Instagram-able memento of your trip to the capital city, head to the Greetings from Austin mural on South 1st Street. The welcoming phrase is depicted in the form of a colorful 1940s-inspired postcard that draws crowds of snapshot-happy visitors for a quick photo op. On any given day, you'll see tour bus groups, costumed bachelorette parties, high-end fashion shoots, and even locals taking their annual Christmas card photo with an on-site Santa Claus, at this popular public artwork. The mural is on the side of Roadhouse Relics, a small art studio and gallery showcasing the incredible work of local neon artist Todd Sanders.

NC State has one of the country's top public-university design programs, and this free museum gives a taste of the creativity and innovation that has fueled the college. Selections from the museum's 54,000-item collection of textiles, decorative arts, ceramics, photography, and folk art rotate in a semipermanent exhibition, while the other galleries display several shows a year on everything from inflatable sculpture to metal jewelry to biotechnology. Behind the museum is a pollinator garden designed by horticulture students.

Pick your own asparagus, peas, berries, apples, and pumpkins at this local farm spread across 100 acres of rural farmland. The Hudson Valley Farmer's Market, where you can get local produce, baked goods, cheese, meats, and wine is held here every Saturday from 10 to 3, from early May to mid-October.

On a hill overlooking the town of Milford, this historic mansion was built to resemble a French chateau. The Pinchot family commissioned the home in 1886, and their eldest son, Gifford, went on to establish the U.S. Forest Service, which now owns and operates the property. Visits are by guided tour only. The mansion sits on a 102-acre plot of forests and gardens, and visitors can take self-guided tours of the grounds throughout the year. The garden features an amphitheater, a moat, a walled garden, and a number of classical fountains, as well as a half-mile forest trail.

The comical critters at Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park pop out of their underground homes, stand upright, sound their chirping alarms, and dash to another hole. Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark referred to these "barking squirrels" in their journals. At this 98-acre protected habitat you can catch the action from your car.

Built in 1928, this stunning mansion resides in a discreet residential part of Beverly Hills, surrounded by 18 acres of manicured grounds that are open to the public. The historic house was built by oil magnate Ned Doheny (inspiration for the Daniel Day-Lewis character in There Will Be Blood) and has been featured in films like The Big Lebowski, Spider-Man, The Social Network, and X-Men. Self-guided tours of the interior of the mansion are offered on the first Saturday or Sunday of each month from January to November. Once inside, you can gawk at the 46,000-square-foot estate with a bowling alley, secret panels for liquor, and even a screening room.

A tour of the vineyard and winery includes the Greyton H. Taylor Wine Museum, which focuses on 18th-century wine-making equipment.

More than 200 sculptures by prominent local, national, and international artists are displayed in a variety of natural settings at this 400-acre park. Kids enjoy touching and climbing on the pieces, which actually is allowed here. About 10 mi of hiking trails vein the park, which is 7 mi north of Ellicottville. Ask for directions at your hotel or bring a map of the area, as it's a bit off the beaten path.