10457 Best Sights in USA

The summer home of Levi Manning, onetime Tucson mayor, was a popular gathering spot for the city's elite in the early 1900s. The cabin can be reached only on foot or horseback via one of several challenging high-country trails: Douglas Spring Trail to Cow Head Saddle Trail (12 miles), Turkey Creek Trail (7.5 miles), or Tanque Verde Ridge Trail (15.4 miles). The cabin itself is not open for viewing.

Spring through fall, one of the state's few remaining drive-in theaters (family-run since 1954) shows movies (including first-run and double features) on its three big screens. There's a huge flea market held on the grounds every Sunday, rain or shine, from 8 am to 2 pm. You can bring leashed dogs to the movies—but no barking!

The three-story brick house and its 34 acres were the home of the 19th-century utopian Oneida Community, founded in 1848 by John Humphrey Noyes. The sect believed that the second coming of Christ had already occurred and that a new Eden could be achieved on Earth. Followers considered themselves sinless and believed in the sharing of property and spouses. The group, which supported itself by making silk thread, animal traps, canned foods, and silverware, eventually led to the formation of tableware manufacturer Oneida Ltd. The mansion, a 93,000-square-foot National Historic Landmark with beautiful mansard roofs, was constructed in stages between 1861 and 1914 and contains 35 apartments (some occupied by descendants of the original community members), a large hall, a dining room, and a museum. Guided tours are the only way to see the interior.

This is D.C.’s funkiest museum. A reimagining of your grandma’s attic by surreal filmmaker Federico Fellini, it has dozens of secret doors and passageways, as well as rooms overflowing with antiques, pictures, figures of medieval angels, and memorabilia, including 60 signed Gibson guitars, stuffed animals, chandeliers, and books. The museum, housed in five interconnecting town houses, also doubles as an inn, where rooms pay homage to notables such as John Lennon, Winston Churchill, and Rosa Parks, once a frequent visitor. You can get a peek at the themed rooms when they're not occupied by rock stars or CEOs, who value the mansion’s privacy and security.

Located near the subdivision of Ocean View, this lowland forest reserve spreads across several relatively recent lava flows, offering a semi-rugged trail that follows a 2-mile loop past a pit crater and winding around interesting trees such as hau and kukui (candlenut). You can wander through the well-maintained arboretum, snap photos of the eerie forest, and let the kids scramble around trees so large they can't get their arms around them. The pathways can get muddy and rough, so bring appropriate shoes if you plan to hike. Large populations of the Hawaiian hoary bat inhabit the area, which, in totality, encompasses 25,000 acres of forest reserve. Restrooms and picnic areas are available.

The long stretch of white sand that separates the Pacific Ocean from the town of Manzanita is as loved a stretch of coastline as the next, its north side reaching into the shadows of Neahkahnie Mountain, right where the mountain puts its foot in the ocean (the mountain itself, which makes for a great hike, lies within Oswald West State Park). The beach is frequented by vacationers, day-trippers, kite flyers, and dogs on its north end, but it extends a breezy 7 miles to the tip of Nehalem Bay State Park, which is accessible on foot over sand or by car along the road (the auto entrance is off Gary Street at Sandpiper Lane). At the south end of the park's parking lot, a dirt horse trail leads all the way to a peninsula's tip, a flat walk behind grassy dunes—you can book horseback excursions from Oregon Beach Rides, which has a stable inside the park. Cross to the right for a secluded patch of windy sand on the ocean, or to the left for a quiet, sunny place in the sun on Nehalem Bay, out of the wind. Amenities: toilets. Best for: sunset; walking.

Lassen Peak is reflected in the waters of this rippling lake, which has good catch-and-release trout fishing and a pleasant trail for exploring the area's abundant wildlife.

This multiuse hub trail extends from the parking at Maple Springs Trailhead through the interior of the Maple Springs Loop to join Big Hollow Trail and Mill Branch Trail at the Big Hollow Trailhead. A short spur leads to the Maple Springs Group Campground. Horses are not permitted on Big Hollow Trail. 1 mi. Easy.

Three blocks north of Pearl Street and west of Broadway, this neighborhood of turn-of-the-20th-century homes is shaded by old maple and cottonwood trees. It makes for a scenic walk near downtown but away from the busy mall.

This hamlet was incorporated in 1899 to serve workers of the Colorado Yule Marble Quarry, whose extraordinary stone graces the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. Walk the Marble Mill Park Trail to see remnants of the old marble-processing mill. Other historic sites include a two-story schoolhouse now used by the Marble Historical Society Museum, and a local charter school. Marble is also the gateway to one of Colorado's most-photographed places: the Crystal Mill. Set on a craggy cliff overlooking the river, the 1893 mill harkens back to the area's mining past; it's also the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. You need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get here in good weather (your feet will have to do on rainy days when the road isn't passable).

The 3.7-mile trail to Marble Falls crosses through the rugged foothills before reaching the cascading water. Plan on three to four hours one-way. Moderate.

About 10 minutes south of the city, this collection of log cabins was the summer home of John Sevier, Tennessee's first governor. Tours of the property are offered, as well as craft demonstrations. Hiking trails meander along the adjacent creek, which includes the namesake spring.

This 84,000-square-foot cathedral of play and learning is aimed at children 10 and younger. Everything is hands-on, so your child is free to fill a shopping cart in the marketplace, don a fireman's hat, clamber through the cab of a city bus, scale the crow's nest of a three-story pirate ship, or splash in numerous water stations. Older children can play chess with 2-foot pawns, perform simple science experiments, or learn about the value of cash at the Moneypalooza exhibit. Toddler Hollow, designed with an enchanted forest in mind, is meant for kids under two. The space's wide-open design and its architectural details, including a suspension bridge and a courtyard with a 6-foot marble fountain, give adults something to look at as well. There's also an IMAX theater.

Polish soprano Marcella Sembrich (1858–1935), who sang with New York's Metropolitan Opera, used the building housing this museum as a vocal-instruction studio. The studio was part of her summer estate. You can walk along Lake George here and take in the beautiful vista. The museum, on the National Register of Historic Places, includes opera costumes, paintings, and assorted memorabilia.

One of Craig's most prized historical possessions, the Marcia Car in City Park was the private Pullman car of Colorado magnate David Moffat, who at one time was full or partial owner of more than 100 gold and silver mines. Moffat was also instrumental in bringing railroad transportation to northwest Colorado. He used his private car to inspect construction work on the Moffat Railroad line. Named after his only child, the car has been restored and makes for an interesting tour.

Marco Island was once part of the ancient Calusa kingdom. The Key Marco Cat, a statue found in 1896 excavations, has become symbolic of the island's prehistoric significance. The original is part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection, but a replica is one of the items on display that illuminate the ancient past at this museum. Three rooms examine the island's history with dioramas, artifacts, and signage: the Calusa Room, Pioneer Room, and Modern Marco Room. A fourth hosts changing exhibits focusing on the settlement history of the island. Outside, the yard was built to look like a Calusa village set atop a shell mound with a water feature and chickee structure.

On the Atlantic side of the Cape is the site of the first transatlantic wireless station erected on the U.S. mainland. It was from here on January 18, 1903, that Italian radio and wireless-telegraphy pioneer Guglielmo Marconi sent the first American wireless message to Europe: "most cordial greetings and good wishes" from President Theodore Roosevelt to King Edward VII of England. There's a lookout deck that offers a vantage point of both the Atlantic and Cape Cod Bay. Off the parking lot, a 1½-mile trail and boardwalk lead through the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, one of the most beautiful trails on the seashore; free maps and guides are available at the trailhead. Marconi Beach, south of the Marconi Station on Marconi Beach Road, is one of the National Seashore's lovely ocean beaches.

After a $7.9 million renovation completed in fall of 2019, a 47-foot cast-iron watchtower (Julius Kroehl, 1865), the last remnant of a citywide network used to spot and report fires in pretelephone days, once again stands atop a 70-foot-high outcrop of Manhattan schist (the same bedrock that anchors the city's skyscrapers) at the center of this historic, tree-filled public square. Around it, an Acropolis provides great views of Manhattan and the handsome neoclassical row houses of Mount Morris Park Historic District, which extends west from the park. In summer, check out musical and stage performances at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater and at the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival (at the end of August).

A 5.2-mile round-trip with a relatively doable 825-foot elevation gain rewards you with a panoramic view of West Dog Canyon and south across the Guadalupe Mountains. Set aside about four to five hours to complete it. Moderate.

Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday") is the final day of Carnival, a Christian holiday season that begins on the Twelfth Night of Christmas (January 6) and comes crashing to a halt on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Though Mardi Gras is merely one day within the season, the term is used interchangeably with Carnival, especially as the season builds toward the big day. As sometimes befalls the Christmas holiday, the religious associations of Carnival serve mainly as a pretext for weeks of indulgence. Likewise, Carnival claims elaborate traditions of food, drink, and music, as well as a blend of public celebrations (parades) and more exclusive festivities, which take the form of lavish private balls.

On Mardi Gras, many New Orleanians don costumes, face paint, and masks, and then take to the streets for the last hurrah before Lent. It's an official city holiday, with just about everyone but the police and bartenders taking the day off. People roam the streets, drink Bloody Marys for breakfast and switch to beer in the afternoon, and admire one another's finery. Ragtag bands ramble about with horns and drums, Mardi Gras anthems pour from stereos, and king cakes (ring-shape cakes topped with purple, green, and gold sugar) are everywhere. Weeks of parades are capped by Zulu, Rex, and the "trucks" parades that roll from Uptown to downtown with large floats carrying riders who throw plastic beads and trinkets (called "throws") to onlookers.

Don't be smug: if you visit, you'll be caught up in the revelry of America's largest street party. After a few moments of astonished gaping, you'll yell for throws, too, draping layers of beads around your neck, sipping from a plastic go cup as you prance along the street, dancing with the marching bands, and having a grand old time.

Every town has its legends, and Marfa is no exception: if you come here, you must go see the Marfa Lights—visible most often 9 miles east of town from a roadside park built especially for this purpose by the Texas Department of Transportation. Called by a variety of names—including "night mirages" and "chemical plasma lights"—the phenomenon, although rare, has been seen often enough that the Marfa chamber of commerce gives directions to the site near Mitchell Flat. Even if you don't see the Marfa Lights, you'll be in a prime spot for spectacular stargazing.

This Labor Day weekend gathering celebrates the mysterious multicolor lights that appear at night in the Chinati Mountains east of U.S. 67 and south of U.S. 90, generally less than 30 times a year. Do they result from pockets of atmospheric gas? The spirits of dead Apaches? Overactive imaginations? Whatever they are, they draw curious visitors to Marfa for a parade, live music, and food.

The final destination for most tour vessels and cruise ships, charismatic Margerie frequently calves large chunks of ice off its 350-foot face. Unlike most of the world's glaciers, Margerie has maintained a relatively stable position over the past several years thanks to high precipitation levels in the Fairweather Mountains where it originates.

This mile-plus-long, paved footpath hugs the shore of a rocky promontory just beyond Ogunquit's downtown. Thirty-nine benches along the easygoing path allow you to appreciate the open sea vistas. Expect heavy foot traffic, even in the off-season—which is the only time of the year that dogs are allowed.

Make sure a visit to Wynwood includes a stop at The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse. Martin Margulies's collection of vintage and contemporary photography, videos, and installation art in a 45,000-square-foot space makes for eye-popping viewing. Admission proceeds go to Lotus Village, a local facility for unhoused individuals and families.

Perhaps the most respected contemporary art dealer in town, the Marian Goodman Gallery has been introducing top European artists to American audiences since 1977. The stable of excellent contemporary artists in the Goodman fold includes Gerhard Richter, Jeff Wall, John Baldessari, William Kentridge, Chantal Akerman, and Steve McQueen.

Performances incorporate marionettes, hand puppets, rod puppets, shadow puppets, and ventriloquism, while the stories range from traditional fairy tales to folk legends and contemporary puppet plays. Kids stare wide-eyed at the short, energy-filled productions. Check the schedule online for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday show times.

Orchids make up nearly a third of the 20,000 species of flowers and plants here. You can stroll through the Tropical Display House, home of orchids and colorful bromeliads gathered from rain forests, and wander the garden pathway past plantings of bamboo, ancient banyans, and mangrove forests along Little Sarasota Bay. Although spring sees the best blooms, the greenhouses make this an attraction for all seasons. A bonus is a spectacular view of downtown.

There are rotating exhibits of botanical art and photography in a 1934 restored Southern Colonial mansion. Enjoy lunch at the Selby House Cafe. The Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey is home to the region's only butterfly experience.

A wonder of arches, circles, skylights, and an eye-catching blue roof just 10 miles north of Mill Valley, the Civic Center was Frank Lloyd Wright's largest public project (and his final commission) and has been designated a national and state historic landmark. It's a performance venue and is adjacent to where the always-fun Marin County Fair is held each summer. Ninety-minute docent-led tours begin Friday mornings at 10:30 am.

Likened to everything from corncobs to the spires of Antonio Gaudí's Sagrada Família in Barcelona, these twin towers were a bold departure from the severity of the International Style, which began to dominate high-rise architecture beginning in the 1950s. Designed by Bertrand Goldberg and completed in 1968, they contain condominiums (all pie-shaped, with curving balconies); the bottom 19 stories of each tower are given over to exposed spiral parking garages. The complex is also home to six restaurants, including the House of Blues, plus Hotel Chicago, a huge bowling alley, and the marina.