10457 Best Sights in USA

Baseball doesn't get much more authentic or close-up than at Hadlock, home to The minor league Portland Sea Dogs. Whether you've come for the excellent sight lines, to watch a specific player (the team is a feeder for the Boston Red Sox, after all), or just to soak up the old-school thrill of watching a mascot throw prizes to kids in the crowd, you're in for a few hours of smiles and vintage Americana.

In 1739 Jonathan Hager, an adventurous young German immigrant, built a stone home over two springs in a virgin forest. The Hager House and Museum still stands, a testament to Hagertown's founder and early-American life. The thick-walled home includes bedrooms, a sewing room, and a kitchen furnished with pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as a replica of the trading post that Hager operated. Guided tours include the indoor springhouse where the family preserved food and kept cool in summer. Coins, pottery, and buttons excavated from the property are on display, and Colonial-style gardens of fragrant rosemary, lavender, and thyme surround the home.

Dubbed "Hub City" due to its importance to the Western Maryland and Baltimore & Ohio railroads, Hagerstown has a rich railway history. It's been more than a decade since the city demolished the roundhouse (a circular building used for repairing steam locomotives), but the museum preserves several cabooses, locomotives, and trolley cars as well as other railroad artifacts and memorabilia. During the Christmas season the elaborate train gardens are particularly enchanting.

The first du Pont gunpowder mills still stand on this site, offering a glimpse of the du Ponts at work and an enlightening look at the development of early industrial America. You can tour the mills, a 19th-century machine shop, and the family home and gardens, all set on 240 acres. Wear comfortable shoes.

Through the restored buildings of a mid-19th-century mill community on 235 acres along the Brandywine River, this indoor-outdoor museum provides an enlightening look at the development of early industrial America and the du Pont family's role in it. This is the site of the first of the family's black-powder mills (founded 1802) and family home. A visitor center has the excellent exhibition \"Nation of Inventors,\" a fun, family-friendly experience that tells the stories of diverse American inventors over the centuries, using more than 120 patent models from various industries. Admission includes a narrated shuttle bus tour with stops at Eleutherian Mills, the du Ponts' 1803 Georgian-style home (guided house tour included); Workers' Hill, where costumed interpreters describe the life of a mill worker; and the Powder Yard, with demonstrations that show the dangerous work of the early explosives industry. The DuPont Company's history is explored in the Machine Shop. You can bring a picnic or buy sandwiches and such from a refrigerator and find a place to eat.  Be prepared for some walking and allow a minimum of two hours for your visit, which can include tours and self-guided exploration.  

On October 6, 1967, hippies took over the intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets to proclaim the "Death of Hip." If they thought hip was dead then, they'd find absolute confirmation of it today—the only tie-dye in sight on the famed corner is a Ben & Jerry's storefront.

Constructed in 1859 by New England missionaries, this church is known for its services in Hawaiian and for the choir, which sings hymns in Hawaiian. In 1902, Hawaiian musical legends Harry K. Naope Sr. and Albert Nahalea Sr. began the choral traditions still practiced by their descendants. The church, with its iconic yellow spire, has an interesting history that dates to 1824 when it was a thatched structure.

In the 1880s, Steve Sheldon began assembling Native artifacts, items from historic Ft. Seward, and gold-rush memorabilia, such as Jack Dalton's sawed-off shotgun, and started an exhibit of his finds in 1925. Today his collection is the core of this museum's impressive array of artifacts, including Chilkat blankets, a model of a Tlingit tribal house, and the original lens from the Eldred Rock lighthouse just south of Haines on Lynn Canal. Repatriated Bear Clan items such as an 18th-century carved ceremonial Murrelet hat are also on display.

If Jackson is the "City with Soul," Hal and Mal's is the sanctuary where, for decades, people of all ages have congregated to find comfort in the food, solace in the music, and fellowship at the bar. The entire complex, housed in a former train depot, comprises a combination of private and public event spaces—each one with unique traditions, including the headquarters for Jackson's biggest street party of the year: Mal's St. Paddy's Parade. Try the Blue Plate Special for lunch, Monday through Friday.

For a vivid sense of Weaverville's past, visit this outdoor park of old mining equipment, and step inside the adjacent Jake Jackson Memorial Museum. A blacksmith shop and a stamp mill (where ore is crushed) from the 1890s are still in use during certain community events.

The vigorous water that gouged the steep, spectacular Halawa Valley also carved out two adjacent bays. Accumulations of coarse sand and river rock have created some protected pools that are good for wading or floating around. You might see surfers, but it's not wise to entrust your safety to the turbulent open ocean along this coast. Most people come here to hang out and absorb the beauty of Halawa Valley. The valley itself is private property, so do not wander without a guide. Amenities: toilets. Best for: solitude.

Comprised of 32 historic buildings spread out over 100 acres, Hale Farm and Village is a living history museum that illustrates what life was like in the Cuyahoga Valley for early white settlers. The farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, was the original homestead of Jonathan Hale, a Connecticut farmer who migrated in 1810 to the Cuyahoga Valley region known then as the Western Reserve. Many of the buildings are open for self-guided experiences, while craft demonstrations of various 19th-century trades such as candle-making, glass blowing, blacksmithing, and pottery take place regularly. The Gatehouse Welcome Center at Hale Farm has an on-site gift shop and a lovely restaurant, Cafe 1810, which sources its produce from Hale's gardens and farm.

When most people think about Haleakala, it's the volcano in the park's western (Upcountry) Summit District that comes to mind. However, the so-called backside of the park runs down from the mountain's volcanic crater east to the sea, encompassing the Kipahulu District, an area that's rich with greenery, waterfalls, ocean vistas, and archaeological sites.

The Kipahulu Visitor Center, about 12 miles southwest of Hana (mile marker 42 on the Hana Highway) is a good first stop, not only to get your bearings, but also find out about scheduled cultural demonstrations and other activities. The center is open daily year-round, though hours can vary by season.

The 4-mile round-trip Pipiwai Trail truly showcases this district's natural beauty. It's a moderately strenuous trek, with an 800-foot gain in elevation, but it's well worth the effort, taking you to Makahiku Overlook—with views of its namesake falls—and through a remarkable bamboo forest before ending at Waimoku Falls.

If time is short, consider the easier, 1-mile round-trip Kuloa Point Trail, which offers views of Oheo Gulch and its famous pools. (Some tour guides incorrectly call this area Seven Sacred Pools, but in truth there are more than seven when the water is high, and they've never been considered sacred.) Note that many people who drive the Hana Highway make Oheo Gulch their last stop, so visit earlier in the day to avoid crowds.  Although you may be tempted to take a dip, know that the pools are generally closed for safety reasons. Take closure notices seriously, as people have died here.

You'll need to make reservations ( recreation.gov) to camp at the 20-site Kipahulu Campground just south of the visitor center; be sure to stock up on provisions before arriving. Note, too, that entrance tickets are valid for three days and are honored both here and in the Summit District, so hold onto your receipt if you're also planning a visit to the crater.

The visitor center is at the crater summit, about a 30-minute drive south of the park headquarters and the Summit District entrance. Inside, you'll find exhibits, and there's also a trail leading to Pa Kaoao (White Hill), which offers excellent views of the valley and is a short, easy walk. The center is generally open daily year-round, although the hours may vary depending on the season.

Named for the whales that once washed ashore here, Halepalaoa, or the "House of Whale Ivory," is a nice place for whale-watching and sunbathing, but it's difficult to reach (a 4WD vehicle is definitely required). The beach was also the site of a wharf used by the Maunalei Sugar Company, which was established in 1898 and closed just three years later. Although brackish well water and financial difficulties were likely to blame for the endeavor's failure, some say the company was cursed because it built its cane railroad using sacred stones taken from nearby Kahea Heiau, once an important place of worship and now hidden amid kiawe (mesquite) overgrowth. To get to this beach, follow Highway 440 (Keomuku Highway) to its eastern terminus, turn right onto a dirt road, and continue south for 5½ miles. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude.

The peninsular coastline’s signature beach is actually a collection of four smaller beaches. All of them are beautiful and all of them will definitely be too cold for swimming beyond a brisk dunk. Each of the beaches has its own facilities and they’re connected by the Coastal Trail, a popular choice for joggers and cyclists. On a clear day, the beaches are absolutely magnificent with the tree-covered Santa Cruz Mountains looming tall behind you and the deep blue of the Pacific right in front of you. The appropriately named crescent-shaped beach has sand for roughly four miles, but its grand setting makes it feel much larger. For a good overview, hit the visitor’s center at Francis Beach (open only on weekends). Amenities: restrooms, showers. Best for: walking, sunset.

A small artists' community directly across from the tip of the Homer Spit, Halibut Cove is a fine place to spend time meandering along the boardwalk and visiting galleries. The cove is lovely, especially during salmon runs, when fish leap and splash in the clear water. The Danny J ferries people across from the Spit, with a lunch tour of the rookery at Gull Island ($70) that includes three hours to walk around Halibut Cove and dine at The Saltry Restaurant. The Danny J also offers a daily dinner cruise to The Saltry ($50). Several lodges are on this side of the bay, on pristine coves away from summer crowds. Mako's Taxi provides service to most of these accommodations. Note that water taxi services typically only operate from late spring through early fall.

Memorabilia from the early days of beach automobile racing are on display here, as are historic photographs, Native American and Civil War artifacts, a postcard exhibit, and a video that details city history. There's a shop for gifts and antiques, too. Admission is by donation on Thursday; on Saturday, kids 12 and under are free.

Go behind the scenes to see how vodka, rum, whiskey, and gin are produced—from distillation to bottling—on this tour, which pairs nicely with a tour of the nearby Maui Pineapple Farm. Indeed, the distillery’s flagship brand, Pau Vodka, is made with Maui Gold pineapples, creating a unique liquor that’s clean and easy to drink. At the end of the tour, you can taste it and other spirits. Afterward, stop by the gift shop for all things pineapple. If you're feeling peckish, Haliimaile General Store, open for lunch and dinner, is just across the road.

Retired firefighters lead tours through nearly 100 restored fire engines and tell harrowing tales of the "world's most dangerous profession." The museum has the world's largest collection of firefighting equipment, and children can climb on a 1916 engine, operate alarm systems, and learn fire safety from the pros. Helmets, badges, and other firefighting-related articles from as far back as 1725 are on display.

With the latest in Disney Audio-Animatronics (this attraction introduced the technology in 1971 and underwent a total high-tech transformation in 2017), this show, housed in a redbrick building inspired by Philadelphia's Independence Hall, tells a moving story of "The Idea of a President." Producers reshot the accompanying film in high-definition video and added more than 130 images culled from the National Archives, Library of Congress, and other collections. A digital soundtrack, LED lighting, and a dramatic narration further enhance the experience. The film covers more than two centuries of U.S. history and emphasizes what it means to lead the nation. Both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln grab a bit of the spotlight, the latter by delivering his famous Gettysburg Address.

The best part of the show is a roll call of all 45 U.S. presidents. (Fun fact: Joe Biden is officially the 46th president because Grover Cleveland is counted twice due to his having served nonconsecutive terms.) The current president always recites the oath of office. Each chief executive responds with a nod or a wave, and both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln rise from their seats. The robots nod and whisper to each other as the roll call proceeds. Anyone interested in presidential artifacts will enjoy the wait in the lobby area, where First Ladies' dresses, presidential portraits, and even George Washington's dental instruments are on display. For people with disabilities: The attraction is wheelchair accessible; enter through a door on the right. Reflective captioning available; equipped for assisted-listening devices. Visit in the afternoon when a chance to rest will be welcomed.

In the park's murals tell the story of Texas in heroic terms. The Tower Building (open weekdays, 8:15–5:15) has free brochures that describe the buildings and artwork. A self-guided walking tour takes about 90 minutes.

Hard to miss along Highway 29, Lawrence Argent's 35-foot-tall Bunny Foo Foo, a stainless-steel sculpture of a rabbit leaping out of the vineyard, is one of many museum-quality artworks on display at Hall. Looking westward from the glass-walled hospitality center's second floor, rows of neatly spaced Cabernet vines capture the eye, and beyond them the tree-studded Mayacamas Mountains. The Art of Cabernet tasting provides a solid introduction to this prominent producer's flagship varietal. Sister operation Hall Rutherford hosts wine-and-food pairings atop a Rutherford hillside.

The Hallmark Visitors Center takes you through the greeting card giant's humble history, as well as the cardmaking process. Exhibits include a video archive of Hallmark's most famous television commercials and a printing press operator that produces real Hallmark cards.

Also known as Eternity Beach, this little beauty is never crowded due to the short, treacherous climb down to the sand. But what a treat it is for the intrepid—perfect for packing a lunch and holing up for the day. The beach is in a break in the ocean cliffs, with the surrounding crags providing protection from the wind. Open-ocean waves roll up onto the sand, but a gently sloping sand bottom takes much of the punch out of them before they hit the shore. Locals also call it "Cockroach Cove," but there's no consensus as to why. Turtles frequent the small cove, seeking respite from the otherwise blustery coast.  The current is mellow inside the cove but dangerous once you get outside it. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: sunrise.

A good place to learn about contemporary Paso Robles wine making, this ultramodern operation produces high-quality wines from estate-grown Bordeaux and Rhône grapes grown in sustainably farmed vineyards. The gravity-flow winery, which you can view on tours, is a marvel of efficiency. Ancestor, the flagship wine, a potent Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, is named for the ranch's huge centuries-old coast oak tree.

Originally from Paso Robles, California, this is the first Texas outpost for the winery, featuring 100 percent organically grown grapes; an open, airy tasting room; and a restaurant that also offers outdoor seating in a beautiful park-like area out back on 32 acres, with a scattering of wandering sheep. Enjoy a leisurely lunch with your wine tasting—fish tacos, steak frites, and the Cubano sandwich are stellar. Browse the boutique offerings and make sure to try the delicious 2023 Texas rosé.

Catching Hamilton on Broadway isn't the only way to learn about the famed Founding Father. Alexander Hamilton and his wife raised eight kids in this Federal-style country home, which he called his \"sweet project.\" Once located on Hamilton's 32 acres, the Grange, named after his father's childhood home in Scotland, has moved three times since it was built in 1802. It now stands in St. Nicholas Park and gives a lesson in Hamilton's life, from his birth in the West Indies and his appointment as the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury to his authorship of The Federalist Papers and his death following a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. The house's ground floor, formerly servants' quarters, hosts an interactive exhibit that includes a short film on Hamilton's life. Tours include views of the parlor, study, dining room, and two guest rooms. Note the beautiful piano, which belonged to his daughter, Angelica.

To envision this neighborhood's Harlem Renaissance days, walk down tree-lined Convent Avenue and cross over to Hamilton Terrace to see a time capsule of elegant stone row houses in mint condition. One of the neighborhood's most beautiful blocks, it's popular with film and TV crews. The Hamilton Grange National Memorial, founding father Alexander Hamilton's Federal-style mansion, is located at the southern end of the block, on 141st Street. Turn west and continue down Convent Avenue to see the looming Gothic spires (1905) of City College. Next, head east to visit Strivers' Row.

The owner started his impressive collection of 1,800 hammers decades ago and founded the museum—the world's first—in 2001. Noteworthy specimens include a Roman battle hammer and 6-foot-long posting hammers used to secure advertisements to exterior walls.