10457 Best Sights in USA

Art, architecture, and history buffs will enjoy the 90-minute tours of the mid-century modern Liljestrand House. Perched high on Tantalus Drive, with a spectacular view to match, this once-private home was built by famous Hawaii architect Vladimir Ossipoff. You'll learn about his "tropical modernism" building techniques, about the home's local art, and about Betty Liljestrand's dedication to creating the perfect, functional family home in collaboration with Ossipoff. Note that children under 10 are not permitted on the tours.

Nine miles northeast of Greenville on Moosehead Lake, this 925-acre park has good lakefront swimming, a 2-mile walking trail with water views, two boat-launching ramps, a playground, and two campgrounds with a total of 90 sites. In winter, the entrance road is plowed to access the groomed cross-country ski trails and the lake for ice fishing and snowmobiling.

This religious colony of Victorian houses 8 mi south of Fredonia was founded on the shores of Lake Cassadaga in 1879, during a period of increased interest in Spiritualism, which believes that the spirits of the dead live on and that some people can communicate with them. Today the world's largest spiritualist community has a summer season with workshops, medium readings, a research library, lectures, and a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, and picnicking. Lily Dale has lodging, restaurants, and its own volunteer fire department. You can go for the day or stay overnight, but call ahead for readings with the most popular mediums.

This ½-mile jaunt loops past a small lake and through a wooded area, ending at a pond filled with yellow water lilies in summer. Marked with interpretive signs, it's a good choice for families. Easy.

This mostly flat, crushed greenstone walkway winds visitors along a forested 1¼-mile loop trail, then over wooden boardwalk and foot bridges. Well-placed benches allow for a break on this stroller-friendly trail. Cross over gentle Whiteoak Canyon Run, then pause for a columnar jointing (a geological structure formed by basalt lava flows). Hiking time is one hour. No pets allowed on this trail. For more steps, turn right onto the Crescent Rock Trail near the ½-mile mark to reach sweeping mountain views from the Crescent Rock Overlook. Easy.

Within a bowl-shaped valley in the northwest corner of Connecticut lays a winding ribbon of American road racing history. Tied for the second oldest sports car track in the country, Lime Rock Park has welcomed fans and enthusiasts every year since 1957. But don't come expecting grandstands or bleachers, as there are just rolling grass viewing areas both inside the track and out. There are food concessions, but guests bring chairs and coolers to witness roaring action from IMSA, NASCAR, Trans-Am, and more, plus a yearly Labor Day historic festival featuring racing machines ranging from the Formula 1 cars of the 1920s to the lightning-quick and thunder-loud sports cars of the modern era. Depending on the series, race fans are welcome to stroll the paddock infield where drivers like Mario Andretti, Derek Bell, Tom Kristensen, and local heroes Dan Gurney and Paul Newman have hit the track. 

The Lincoln County Courthouse Museum is the building from which Billy the Kid made his famous escape. You can walk in the room where Billy was imprisoned and view a hole in the wall that just might have been caused by the gun he fired during his escape. Display cases contain historical documents, including one of Billy's handwritten, eloquent letters to Governor Lew Wallace, defending his reputation.

The Linc, as it's locally known, is a state-of-the-art facility with a grass playing field. It holds nearly 68,000 passionate Philadelphia Eagles fans, as well as supporters of the Temple Owls football team; the stadium also plays host to other sports, plus large-scale events and concerts. Tours are available.

The shrine houses the largest collection of Abraham Lincoln artifacts on the West Coast. You can view a marble bust of Lincoln by sculptor George Grey Barnard, along with more than a dozen letters and rare pamphlets. The gift shop sells many books, toys, and reproductions pertaining to the Civil War.

Covering 1.1 million acres of Eddy, Otero, Chaves, and Lincoln counties, the magnificent Lincoln National Forest encompasses two distinct regions: the arid lower elevations near Carlsbad, and the towering pines and mountain peaks of the Ruidoso area. The piñon and juniper of the southernmost region stretch through the Guadalupe Mountains to connect with the Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains national parks. The forestland has many caves, some of which can be accessed with a free permit available at the Guadalupe Ranger District.

These caves are not developed, so be prepared for primitive conditions. The only private development you can find other than scattered ranches is at Queen (49 mi southwest of Carlsbad, on NM 137). This site consists of a small mobile-home community, restaurant, store, gas station, and church camp. This forested area is hugely popular with hunters lured by ample populations of mule deer.

The northernmost portion of the Lincoln forest, surrounding the resort community of Ruidoso, is a more traditional sanctuary, with snowy mountain peaks, lakes, and gurgling mountain streams. Developers have capitalized on this beauty, so the forest is interspersed with cabins, resorts, church camps, condos, and ski runs. Still, there are miles of pristine wilderness, many of which can be accessed by hiking trails.

More than 25 camping areas are scattered throughout Lincoln National Forest. Although fishing lakes and streams are available on private, municipal, or tribal lands, there's very little opportunity for the sport on these public forestlands. To obtain more information about hiking, camping, hunting, and other recreation, contact the forest service's main headquarters in Alamogordo. Call or visit the Guadalupe Ranger District for permit information.

The tranquility and abundant greenery inside this 1892 conservatory offer a refreshing respite in the heart of a bustling neighborhood. Stroll through permanent displays in the Palm House, Fern Room, and Orchid House, or catch special events like the fragrant Spring Flower Show. Free, timed reservations—available on the conservatory's website—are required.

This vineyard is heading into its next era under new owners who brought fresh energy and global winemaking experience to their first growing season in 2024. Enjoy the Frontenac, La Crescent, and Marquette varieties in the tasting room or on the postcard-pretty porch overlooking a small pond. Don't miss live music on summer Fridays.

Long known for its Teutonic heritage, Lincoln Square is home to two annual German gatherings—Maifest in late May and German-American Fest in September—both featuring plenty of beer, brats, pretzels, and folks clad in dirndl and lederhosen. Thursday evenings in summer bring free concerts and a farmers' market. Bars and restaurants line Lincoln Avenue between Montrose and Lawrence; shopping is a draw, too. Many credit Lincoln Square's renaissance to the relocation of the Old Town School of Folk Music, which moved to a long-vacant art deco building at  4544 North Lincoln Avenue in 1998. Each July, it sponsors the Square Roots festival. But those longing for a taste of Lincoln Square's ethnic roots shouldn't entirely despair—spots like Himmel's and the Hansa Clipper are still heralding their heritage through lager and schnitzel. Also still here is the 1922 Krause Music Store building ( 4611 North Lincoln Avenue), with its ornate green terra-cotta facade; it was the last work commissioned by architect Louis Sullivan.

Yes, the name is confusing, but The LINQ Promenade—the shopping, dining, and entertainment complex between the Flamingo and The LINQ hotel—is worth the trip. Some of the notable attractions include the two-story I Love Sugar, complete with \"candy martini bar\"; Sweet Sin, which specializes in gelato and macarons; a namesake comedy club for late-night host Jimmy Kimmel (who grew up in Las Vegas); and Brooklyn Bowl, which is one-part bowling alley, one-part live music venue. Of course, there's O'Shea's Pub, the new iteration of the Irish-theme casino that was razed to create the new streetscape. The big draw, however, is the High Roller, a 550-foot-tall observation wheel with spectacular views of the city.

A half-mile hike winds through evergreens and rhododendrons to overlooks with views of cascades tumbling into Linville Gorge. There's a visitor center, a campground, and a picnic area.

Some of the most challenging hikes and climbs in the South are in Linville Gorge, often called "the Grand Canyon of the East." The gorge is part of a 12,000-acre federal wilderness area in the Pisgah National Forest, and there are about 39 miles of trails here. Free backcountry camping permits are available from the Grandfather Mountain ranger's office in Nebo, which also has maps of the gorge and its trails.

Drive your own vehicle along 4 miles of paved roads through a cageless zoo with free-roaming animals (chances are you'll have an ostrich tapping at your window), and then let loose in a 55-acre fun-land with bird feedings, games, and rides. Audio included with admission narrates the winding trek past white rhinos, zebras, and ostriches grouped into exhibits like Gir Forest, which is modeled after a sanctuary in India and has native twisted-horned blackbuck antelope and water buffalo. (For obvious reasons, lions are fenced off, and no convertibles or pets are allowed.) Aside from dozens more up-close critter encounters after debarking, including a petting zoo, kids can go paddleboating, play a round of minigolf, climb aboard carnival rides, or have a splash in a 4,000-square-foot aquatic playground (some extra fees apply).

Here, at the canyon's widest point, you can get an astonishing visual profile of the gorge's geologic history, with a view of every eroded layer of the canyon and one of the longest visible stretches of Colorado River. The spacious panorama stretches to the Vermilion Cliffs on the northeastern horizon and features a multitude of imaginatively named spires, buttes, and temples—intriguing rock formations named after their resemblance to ancient pyramids. You can also see Unkar Delta, where a creek joins the Colorado to form powerful rapids and a broad beach. Ancestral Pueblo farmers worked the Unkar Delta for hundreds of years, growing corn, beans, and melons.

In this well-regarded museum, seven neatly organized galleries highlight family life and work during the 50 years following the American Revolution. A centerpiece is a collection of belongings—including a uniform and personal memorabilia—that belonged to local resident Benjamin Tallmadge, who was a member of the Culper Ring (America's first spies) in the Revolutionary War. The extensive reference library has information about the town's historic buildings, including the Sheldon Tavern where George Washington slept on several occasions, and the Litchfield Female Academy where, in the late 1700s, Sarah Pierce taught girls not only sewing and deportment but also mathematics and history.

The interpretive exhibits at the Little Bighorn Battlefield Visitor Center explain the events that led to and resulted from the battle, as well as the deeper issues regarding the historical conflict between white and Native American culture. Talks by park rangers contain surprises for even the most avid history buff.

The old stone superintendent’s house is now the White Swan Memorial Library, which has one of the most extensive collections of research material on the Battle of the Little Bighorn. You can view the material by appointment only; to coordinate a visit, reach out to museum curator, Sharon Small ( 406/679–5271).

Among those interred at Custer National Cemetery, near the visitor center, are Custer’s second-in-command, Marcus Reno; some of Custer’s Native American scouts; and many soldiers from more modern wars, from World Wars I and II to Korea and Vietnam. Note that you can visit the cemetery without paying the park entrance fee.

For more than 120 years the only memorial to those killed in the battle was the towering obelisk of the 7th Cavalry Monument at the top of Last Stand Hill. Although the hill isn’t particularly high, it affords a good overall view of the battlefield site.

Until the Indian Memorial was unveiled in 2003, the battlefield’s only monument paid tribute to the immediate losers. Although they are meant to honor Native Americans who died on both sides (Custer had a few Crow and Arikara scouts), the three bronze riders of this memorial represent the united forces of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapahoe, who defeated the government troops. The stone opening off to the side forms a “spirit gate” welcoming the dead riders.

Scattered around the battlefield are short, white markers indicating the places where soldiers died. Although the markers may look like graves, the actual bodies are interred elsewhere, including that of Custer, whose remains rest at the military academy at West Point. One marker belongs to Custer’s younger brother, Thomas, one of the most decorated soldiers of the Civil War. Nineteen red markers represent Native American warriors, in part because no one knows exactly where they fell: the Native American survivors buried their dead immediately after the battle in traditional fashion.

After Custer’s defeat, two of his officers held their ground against the Native American forces at Reno-Benteen Battlefield. The seven companies lost only 53 men during the two-day siege; more soldiers might have shared Custer’s fate had not the advance of several thousand fresh troops caused the Native Americans to break camp and flee the region.

Following alongside its namesake river, this 3.4-mile loop navigates forest, prairie, and a ravine. It's accessed from the parking lot for the Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm. Moderate.

No other hike in the Smokies offers a cultural and historic experience quite like this one. In the early 20th century, Cataloochee Cove had the largest population of any place in the Smokies, around 1,200 people. Most of the original structures have been torn down or have succumbed to the elements, but a few historic frame buildings remain along this remote trail. Some have been restored by the park staff, such as the Cook Log Cabin near Davidson Gap, an apple house, and a church. You'll see several of these, along with rock walls and other artifacts, on the Little Cataloochee Trail. The trail is 6 miles each way, including a mile-long section of Pretty Hollow Gap Trail. Allow at least six hours for this hike. Moderate.

This cedar-and-redwood chapel on the South Strip is one of the city's most famous. The kitsch is kept under control, and the setting borders on picturesque (it's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places—ah, Vegas). Since it opened in 1942, the church has been the site of more celebrity marriages than any other chapel in the world.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the rustic chapel has been hosting wedding ceremonies since 1942; it's a landmark on the South Strip, the doors often thrown open to provide views of the candlelit interior. The six basic wedding packages range from the simple The Elopement for the couple only (no guests), to the Desert Stardust, with unlimited guests, a 24-rose bouquet, limo for six to the chapel, a professional photography session, and more. You can choose a traditional minister to officiate, or you can get Elvis, a Mini Elvis, or Johnny Cash. The chapel also offers weddings at the nearby Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign if you're—you know—a traditionalist, or at the Las Vegas Harley-Davidson dealership, for hog lovers. Options include gowns, tuxes, cakes, a livestream, videos, and more.

This archetypal coastal New England town square is actually Rhode Island's only proper town common. More of a long triangle than a square, the common is anchored by the Georgian-style United Congregational Church. Among the headstones in the nearby cemetery, you'll find one for Elizabeth Pabodie, the eldest daughter of Mayflower Pilgrims John and Priscilla Alden and likely the first European girl born in New England. Surrounding the green are a rock wall and all the elements of a small community: town hall, community center, schools, library, general store, and restaurant.

The trailhead for the moderate 6-mile Little Devils Stairs hike cannot be found on Skyline Drive, but rather at the park boundary near Sperryville. This forested loop wows with a flowing waterfall, numerous water crossings, a scenic mountain overlook, and a family cemetery enclosed by a wrought-iron gate. An elevation gain of 1,500 feet is well worth the effort for the views of cascading falls. Hiking time is about four hours. Moderate.

Each Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm (rain or shine), tourists and residents alike flock to the Little Italy Mercato, one of the most popular farmers' markets in San Diego. More than 150 vendors line West Date Street from Kettner Boulevard to Front Street, selling everything from paintings and pottery to flowers and farm-fresh eggs. Come hungry, as several booths and food trucks serve prepared foods like Cuban sandwiches, baked goods, samosas, and more. Alternatively, the neighborhood's many cafés and restaurants are just steps away. A smaller version of the market takes place every Wednesday from 9:30 am with many of the same vendors. The Mercato is a great opportunity to experience one of San Diego's most exciting urban neighborhoods.

The Land & Garden Preserve expanded greatly in 2015 when David Rockefeller, son of Acadia National Park founder John D. Rockefeller Jr., donated about 1,000 acres of largely forested land in Seal Harbor to the conversation group. The property includes 17 acres of meadows; 12 acres of marsh; a bog and streams; trails and carriage roads, some connecting with Acadia's trails (1.3-mile the Richard Trail, steep in sections, has stone staircases like the park's); and Little Long Pond, which you can hike around, paddle on, and swim in (at designated areas). Check the website for special events like field walks and carriage rides.

Two parking areas on Route 3 serve Little Long Pond Natural Lands. The one at the main gate (across from Bracy Cove by the pond) is small, so consider using the one less than a half-mile west (toward Northeast Harbor). Just under a mile, also with stone steps, Friends Trail leads from here to the cove and pond, as do carriage roads.

This is the largest and most diverse of 19 national grasslands in the western United States, spanning a million acres in western North Dakota. It takes three hours to complete a self-guided 58-mile driving tour known as the Custer Auto Trail, beginning and ending in Medora. The best time to see wildlife is in early morning or late afternoon. Don't forget a camera and binoculars. In addition to stretches of the lengthy Maah Daah Hey Trail, which runs through the grasslands, there are seven designated trails, and back-country hiking is permitted. Little Missouri Grassland trails are open to all nonmotorized activities, including horseback riding and cycling as well as hiking. For a copy of the driving tour and trail maps, contact the U.S. Forest Service office in Dickinson or the South Unit Visitor Center.