10450 Best Sights in USA

This 284-acre site of beautiful botanical gardens and nature trails, located 10 miles south of downtown, was founded in 1982 by Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes, and is the legacy of the former First Lady's commitment to the natural beauty of Central Texas. The gardens boast extensive plantings of native Texas wildflowers that bloom year-round; although spring is an especially magical time. The grounds include a visitor center, network of trails, observation tower, elaborate stone terraces, flower-filled meadows, and rotating outdoor art installations and exhibits. Seasonal calendars include various family-friendly and educational events, from yoga and meditation retreats to gardening workshops.

Billowing white sails in the harbor mark the presence of this replica of the 1750s coastal freighter from Boston that in 1792, under the command of famous explorer Captain Robert Gray, was the first American vessel to reach the northwest American coast. The replica was famously converted into the multimasted HMS Interceptor sloop for the 2003 Disney movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. Its main base is the Grays Harbor Historic Seaport, but you'll find the vessel at local coastal towns up and down the West Coast. Two- and three-hour day-time cruises and twilight sunset cruises are offered. A second ship designed in 1988 to resemble early colonial packet ships, is also moored at the seaport.

The courthouse contains an impressive collection of more than 2,000 historical photographs of life in the Lafayette area. There are images of famous politicians such as Dudley LeBlanc and Huey Long working the stump, and scenes from the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

Clusters of trees dot this four-block-square oasis for sunbathers and dog-and-Frisbee teams. On the south side of the park, squat but elegant 2151 Sacramento Street, a private condominium, is the site of a home occupied by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 19th century. Coats of arms blaze in the front stained-glass windows. Across from the park's eastern edge is another eye-catching historic home: the Queen Anne (and distinctly yellow) C. A. Belden House at 2004 Gough Street.

The park's northern border is anchored by the stately Spreckels Mansion, built originally for sugar heir Adolph B. Spreckels and his wife, Alma. It is now the 55-room home of celebrated romance novelist Danielle Steel. Giant, immaculately trimmed hedges hide most of the mansion from public view—and have been quite the topic of debate among locals for many years. The park itself is a lovely neighborhood space where Pacific Heights residents laze in the sun or exercise their pedigreed canines while gazing at downtown's skyline or the Bay and Marin County hills in the distance to the north.

This sparkling natural-history museum includes changing exhibitions and lots of fun hands-on science for kids. The most popular permanent attraction is the planetarium, outfitted with high-definition digital equipment.

Planned in 1788 as a public place for Faubourg St. Mary, this 2.5-acre park occupies one city block in between the Federal Complex and Gallier Hall. The leafy square, covered by oaks, magnolias, and maple trees, and landscaped with hydrangeas and azaleas, offers a shady spot to sit. Statues include Benjamin Franklin, Henry Clay, and the New Orleans philanthropist John McDonogh. Recently, the Square has become most popular for festivals and the Young Leadership Council's Wednesday at the Square concert series, held in the spring and early summer.

Named for the Marquis de Lafayette, who aided the Americans during the Revolutionary War, the square contains a graceful three-tier fountain donated by the Georgia chapter of the Colonial Dames of America. The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is located on this square, as are the Andrew Low House and the impressive and elegant Hamilton-Turner Inn. The childhood home of celebrated Southern author Flannery O'Connor also sits on this square.

In the corridor that was once a historic canal vital to the city's transportation system, today this 2.6-mile bike and walking path connects the city from Armstrong Park to City Park. Along the way are green spaces, breakfast stops, community gardens, basketball courts, and playgrounds. The path is lit at night, but is still safest to explore during the day. The trail begins at Basin Street, in the northwest corner of Armstrong Park. On Thursday at 3 pm, there is a farmers' market along the Greenway at 500 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway.

Here, you can beachcomb, explore the freshwater lagoon, or hike along a trail.

This museum displays work by California artists from all time periods, representing scenery in Laguna, and the life and history of the Golden State in general. Special exhibits change quarterly.

Hikers enjoy over 40 miles of trails spread over 7,000 acres of canyon to coastal territory. Trails open daily at 7 am and stay open until sunset, weather permitting. No dogs are allowed in the park.

Laguna Pueblo actually comprises six villages, all traditionally Keres-speaking: Mesita, Seama, Encinal, Paraje, Laguna, and Paguate. (In 1953 one of the world's largest open-pit uranium mines, the Jackpile, began operation in Paguate, bringing with it income and health issues. The mine was shut down in 1982.) But visitors are especially drawn to Old Laguna, capped by the eye-catching white facade of San José de Laguna Church, which is visible from Interstate 40. The church, built in 1699, is a National Historic Landmark; its lovely hand-painted and embellished interior may be accessed by special permission. Occasionally—in front of the church or at the scenic overview just west of the Laguna exit—handcrafted silver jewelry and finely painted pottery embellished with Laguna polychrome motifs are available for purchase. The pueblo's villages enjoy many feast days, including St. Ann (July 26, Seama), Virgin Mary (September 8, Encinal), and St. Margaret Mary (October 17, Paraje). Most of the pueblo's residents (and the welcome public) gather at Old Laguna on September 19 to grandly honor St. Joseph with traditional dances; food and fine crafts abound. Feast day dances usually begin at 10 and continue through the afternoon. Except on feast days, visitors may not wander any of the villages unless with a tour. And with the exception of the view from outside the church at Old Laguna, photography is prohibited at all times.

On the west side of the 1800 block of Laguna Street, these oft-photographed private houses cost between $2,000 and $2,600 when they were built in the 1870s. Nowadays, you'd need to add three zeros to those prices; an entire house might sell for upward of $5 million. No bright colors here, though—most of the paint jobs are in soft beiges or pastels.

These days owned by Heineken International, Lagunitas began as a craft brewery in Marin County in 1993 before moving to Petaluma in 1994. In addition to its large facility, the home of "hop-forward" IPAs operates a taproom, the Schwag Shop for gifts, and a beer garden. Guides leading the brewery tour, which includes a beer flight, provide an irreverent version of the company's rise to international acclaim.

One of the six lakes built by the Georgia Railway and Power Company, this 2,800-acre lake is in the Chattahoochee National Forest. On the lake, at Route 197, is the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery, alongside Moccasin Creek State Park, which offers a boat ramp, fishing pier, picnic spots, and shady campsites. It also has trout raceways (used to raise trout from fingerlings) and a kids-only trout-fishing area. In extremely hot weather, the hatchery is sometimes closed.

Lunker largemouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, redears, and channel catfish live in the waters at this park, one of the country's best bass-fishing areas. Nestled below the Santa Ynez Mountains' Laguna Ridge, Lake Casitas is also a beautiful spot for pitching a tent or having a picnic. The Casitas Water Adventure, which has two water playgrounds and a lazy river for tubing and floating, provides kids with endless diversions in summer.

This museum documents centuries of activity on the historically significant lake. Climb aboard a replica of Benedict Arnold's Revolutionary War gunboat, learn about shipwrecks, watch craftsmen work at traditional boatbuilding and blacksmithing, or take a rowing lesson or tour on the open water.

On the lake's less crowded southwest shore, 9 miles northwest of Chelan, this 127-acre park with 6,000 feet of shoreline is a favorite hangout for soaking up sunshine and accessing the water. There are docks, a boat ramp, campsites, boat rentals, food service, and plenty of picnic areas.

Nestled in the densely wooded forest of Idaho’s northern panhandle, this scenic lake is a hot tourist attraction in the summer. The watery playground has 109 miles of shoreline, including a city beach, and offers boating, sailing, bird-watching, daily cruises, parasailing, rentable float planes, and a famous floating green on the 14th hole of the Coeur d’Alene Golf Course. Hike downtown Tub’s Hill or walk along the ¾-mile boardwalk for scenic landside views of early-morning fog on the water and bald eagle nests.

Opened in 1846, the country's oldest amusement park is known to locals simply as "The Lake." Today's attractions include a lakefront beach, a water park, and a clipper ship with a 300-gallon bucket of water that gives unsuspecting guests a good dousing. There are also some pretty hair-raising rides, such as the Sky Coaster, Wildcat (New England's oldest roller coaster), Boulder Dash ("World's #1 wooden coaster"), and Zoomerang.

Visitors see Lake Crescent as Highway 101 winds along its southern shore, giving way to gorgeous views of teal waters rippling in a basin formed by Tuscan-like hills. In the evening, low bands of clouds caught between the surrounding mountains often linger over its reflective surface.

Surrounding a 64-acre reservoir in the Billings Heights area, this park is a popular spot for hiking, swimming, fishing, and nonmotorized boating. Although it's not far from downtown, the park is still wild enough to seem miles away from civilization. The regional on-site headquarters for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is a source of recreational information and museum-quality wildlife displays.

South Bass Island has been a popular tourist destination since Victorian times, and a century and a half of the little island’s history is proudly displayed at this mostly volunteer-run museum. Here you’ll see photos of island life in the 19th century, as well as model ships, old documents and postcards, and educational displays about the entire Great Lakes region. It also screens a short historical documentary for interested visitors. Proceeds from the antiques store on-site help keep the museum afloat.

Lake Geneva Cruise Line offers full-lake tours; sunset cruises; lunch, champagne brunch, and jazz dinner excursions; and the famous—and daring—U.S. Mailboat Tour, showcasing the talents of the mail carriers who leap between docks and moving boats to deliver the mail to its shoreline recipient. The sweet Ice Cream Social tour aboard the climate-controlled Grand Belle travels half of Geneva Lake, cruising for about 75 minutes, with commentary on the history of the lake, the town and its amazing mansions. As for the ice cream, a server will take down your choice of topping (strawberry, caramel or chocolate) for a generous scoop of Breyer's vanilla, along with nuts, whipped cream and a cookie.

This museum takes an in-depth look at the history of the region with exhibits on the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, London Bridge, Parker Dam, the mining industry, and historic steamboat operation.

This site with picnic tables and vault toilets has views of several summits, including Lassen Peak.

This 320-acre, man-made lake outside Henderson is regarded for its golf courses, boating, fishing, and hotels. Two resorts sit on the lake shore: Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa and The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa. The lake was created by an earthen dam in 1991.