10450 Best Sights in USA

This small, centrally located museum focuses on the people, places, and events that have shaped the canyon country around Moab and Grand County. Exhibits feature everyone from indigenous peoples to Euro-American prospectors, ranchers, and farmers. There's also a big emphasis on mining history as this area was once the "Uranium Capital of America" before the local outdoor recreation boom.

Mobile boasts America’s oldest annual Carnival celebration, which started in 1703, 15 years before New Orleans was founded. Festivities, including parades and masquerade balls, begin in November and continue through Fat Tuesday in mid-February. Find the celebration schedule and learn about the city’s Mardi Gras history at the Mobile Carnival Museum at the historic Bernstein-Bush house. Fourteen gallery rooms, a pictorial hallway, theater, den, and gift shop show off royal robes, crowns, scepters, and more.

Spokane's museum for children is in the lower level of River Park Square and has interactive galleries for hands-on learning. Activity areas include a miniature city that teaches little ones about safety, an art studio, a forest-themed play area for infants and toddlers, and a stage with theater equipment and costumes. A partner facility, Mobius Science Center, is a five-minute walk north.

In 2020, the Mobius Science Center and Mobius Children's Museum combined to create a new entity, the Mobius Discovery Center, featuring the best of both for kids—hands-on learning and fun through creativity, play, and science inquiry. Exhibits include STEAM Labs, space exploration, an eye clinic, a market, a water play area, enchanted forest for the littlest tikes, and the perennial kids favorite, bubbles. The center is in the historic Washington Water Power building. 

The main branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by Arata Isozaki, contains underground galleries and presents elegant exhibitions. A huge Nancy Rubins sculpture fashioned from used airplane parts graces the museum's front plaza. The museum gift shop offers apothecary items, modernist ceramics, and even toys and games for children to appease any art lover.

Take advantage of the free audio tour.

This structure, residing in a gorgeously realized building designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando and consisting of five glass pavilions built on a shimmering lagoon, sets the right tone for contemplating one of the country's strongest collections of post–World War II painting and sculpture. The 53,000-square-foot exhibition space holds works by icons of modernism and later movements, from Picasso and Jackson Pollack to Carrie Mae Weems and Cindy Sherman. If you're lucky, you'll catch works of a future master in the museum's occasional Focus series, which features up-and-coming contemporary artists.

This sleek, modern-day art gallery in the Canopy Austin studio complex celebrates live music in the form of brilliant rock-and-roll photography. Founder and photographer Steve Walker created this fine art exhibit space in 2014, with whitewashed halls featuring never-before-seen images of the likes of Miles Davis, David Bowie, Paul Simon, and Austin's own son, Stevie Ray Vaughan. It's an incredible spot to snag a bona fide piece of musical history as an Austin souvenir. Check their online events calendar to see an updated list of in-store album releases, special rotating exhibits, and lots of programming during SXSW.

Modern Times' tasting room balances tasteful kitsch with a no-nonsense approach to good beer. Decorated with '80s-era VHS boxes and a Yoda mosaic made from old floppy disks, Modern Times boasts 20 taps of rotating standard and seasonal brews, from their palate-pleasing MT Pilsner to more adventurous brews like their tropical passion fruit–guava gose.

This museum includes an Andy Devine room with memorabilia from Devine's Hollywood years and, incongruously, a portrait collection of every president and First Lady. There's also an exhibit of carved Kingman turquoise, displays on Native American art and artifacts, and a diorama depicting the mid-19th-century expedition of Lt. Edward Beale, who led his camel-cavalry unit to the area in search of a wagon road along the 35th parallel. You can follow the White Cliffs Trail from downtown to see the deep ruts cut into the desert floor by the wagons that came to Kingman after Beale's time.

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, known as Wolf People, opened this casino just south of Norwich in 1996; today, it has more than 300,000 square feet of gaming space in three casino areas, totaling nearly 5,000 slot machines and more than 300 gaming tables. Also part of the complex: the Kids Quest/Cyber Quest family entertainment center, a shopping mall with 32 retail stores, 43 dining options, 19 bars and lounges, and two high-rise luxury hotels—each with a pool and a full-service spa.

The 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena, home to the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, draws major performances, with bands playing the in-casino Wolf Den venue nearly every night. Comix Roadhouse presents comedy acts, and country music, and the 175,000-square-foot Earth Expo & Convention Center holds events. Photo opportunities abound, including the glowing crystal mountain at the heart of the Casino of the Sky.

The 8,000-acre preserve has more than 30 miles of historic carriage roads and trails, and more than 1,000 rock climbing routes. The Preserve's Visitor Center, on U.S. 44/Route 55 in Gardiner, is free to the public and includes an orientation theater, children's forest, and nature trails. You can also enter through the West Trapps and Coxing Trailheads in Gardiner, and the Spring Farm Trailhead in High Falls. Visitors enjoy spectacular mountain views as they hike, run, bike, rock climb, ride horses, cross-country ski, and snowshoe.

This 840-acre park is one of the few spots where the Mojave River flows aboveground, and the result is open pastures, wetlands, and two lakes surrounded by cottonwoods and cattails. Amenities include camping, fishing, equestrian/walking trails, and a large playground with splash zone (runs 8–3:30). The two lakes are stocked with catfish (May–September) and trout (November–April). A California state fishing license is required to fish.

Considered "Barstow's attic," this museum has a floor-to-ceiling collection that highlights local history, both quirky and conventional. Items on display include Ice Age fossils such as a giant mammoth tusk dug up in 2006, Native American artifacts, 19th-century handmade quilts, and exhibits on early settlers. Entrance is free, and there’s a little gift shop with a nice collection of more than 500 books about the area.  The story about Possum Trot and its population of folk-art dolls is not to be missed.

Look for a little road and public parking lot near the Wailea Beach Resort if you are heading to Mokapu and Ulua beaches. Although there are no lifeguards, families love this place. Reef formations create tons of tide pools for kids to explore, and the beaches are protected from major swells. Snorkeling is excellent at Ulua, the beach to the left of the entrance. Mokapu, to the right, tends to be less crowded. Amenities: parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Northwest of the Valley of the Gods, Highway 261 takes you to the Moki Dugway, a graded road that was bulldozed out of a cliff during the uranium boom. It's been improved since it was originally built, but its steep grade and tight switchbacks still provide thrills sufficient for most drivers. From the top of the cliff you're rewarded with outrageous views south over the Navajo Reservation with Monument Valley visible more than 20 miles away. This drive is not recommended for vehicles more than 28 feet in length or weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

As you drive the windward and northern shores along Kamehameha Highway, a number of interesting geological features come into view. At Kualoa, look to the ocean at the uniquely shaped little island of Mokolii ("little lizard"), a 206-foot-high sea stack also known as Chinaman's Hat (for its hat-like shape). According to Hawaiian legend, the goddess Hiiaka, sister of Pele, slew the dragon Mokolii and flung its tail into the sea, forming the distinct islet. Other dragon body parts—in the form of rocks, of course—were scattered along the base of nearby Kualoa Ridge. Adventurous (and fit) folks can kayak out to Mokolii and scale its rocky sides, though it's not the easiest climb.

Also known as Coconut Island, this small island sits just offshore from Liliuokalani Gardens and is a nicely manicured spot where children play in the tide pools and anglers try their luck. Accessible via a footbridge, it was considered a place of healing and refuge in ancient times. There's a grassy picnic area, swimming spots, and a restroom, plus incredible views.

The island's northernmost beach is part of the Honolua-Mokuleia Marine Life Conservation District. "Slaughterhouse" is the surfers' nickname for what is officially Mokuleia. Weather permitting, this is a great place for bodysurfing and sunbathing. Concrete steps and a railing help you get down the cliff to the sand, but it's generally a difficult area to access for younger children. The next bay over, Honolua, has no beach but offers one of the best surf breaks in Hawaii. Competitions are sometimes held there; telltale signs are cars pulled off the road and parked in the old pineapple field. Amenities: none. Best for: sunset; surfing; snorkeling.

There is a reason why the producers of the TV show Lost chose this beach for their set: it's on the island's remote, northwest point and about 10 miles from the closest store or public restroom. Its beauty is in its lack of facilities and isolation—all the joy of being stranded on a deserted island without the trauma of the plane crash. The beach is wide and white, the waters bright blue (but a little choppy) and full of sea turtles and other marine life. Mokuleia is a great secret find; just remember to pack supplies and use caution, as there are no lifeguards. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: sunset, walking.

This is a great place to learn about the stunning Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, which encompasses nearly 140,000 square miles in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and is the only mixed UNESCO World Heritage site (meaning one that has both natural and cultural significance) in the United States. Giant murals, 3D maps, and hands-on interactive kiosks depict the monument's extensive wildlife, including millions of birds and more than 7,000 marine species, many of which are found only in the Hawaiian archipelago. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers are on hand to answer questions. A 3,500-gallon aquarium and short films give insight into the unique features of the monument, as well as threats to its survival. Located in the refurbished F. Koehnen Building, the center is worth a stop just to get an up-close look at its huge stuffed albatross with wings outstretched or the monk seal exhibit.

This Victorian celebrates the life and times of the scandalous "Unsinkable" Molly Brown. The heroine of the Titanic courageously saved several lives and continued to provide assistance to survivors back on terra firma. Costumed guides and period furnishings in the museum, including flamboyant gilt-edge wallpaper, lace curtains, tile fireplaces, and tapestries, evoke bygone days. The museum collects and displays artifacts that belonged to Brown, as well as period items dating to 1894–1912, when the Browns lived in the house. Tours run every half hour; you won't need much more than that to see the whole place. A bit of trivia: Margaret Tobin Brown was known as Maggie, not Molly—allegedly a Hollywood invention that Brown did not like—during her lifetime.

The park is known for its great camping (there are two loops) and popular snowshoe trails, and there's a picnic pavilion. The Molly Stark Heritage Trail runs through this area, known as a scenic bypass. There is a 1.7-mile loop hike to the fire tower atop Mt. Olga that culminates in a 360-degree view of southern Vermont and northern Massachusetts.

The sweet smell of plumeria surrounds you at this 10-acre grove containing thousands of these fragrant trees. Purchase a lei to go, or for $40 you'll get a tour of the farm, then staffers will give you a basket, set you free to pick your own blossoms, and teach you how to string your own lei. Whether purchasing a lei or making your own, call for an appointment or book or order online in advance.

Entrepreneur-winemaker Samantha Sheehan serves separate flights of her Mommenpop citrus aperitifs and single-vineyard Poe wines inside a glass-walled downtown tasting room often abuzz with chipper sippers on weekend afternoons. The palate-cleansing Mommenpop sparkling-wine spritzes, all their ingredients organic, include Seville orange, ruby grapefruit, and blood orange. Four notable vineyards supply organic grapes for Sheehan's low-intervention, low-sulfur wines (“never any additives”), among them a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, and a Dolcetto.

Built in two segments a few years apart, the Monadnock captures the turning point in high-rise construction. Its northern half, designed in 1891 by Burnham & Root, was erected with traditional load-bearing masonry walls (6 feet deep at the base). In 1893 Holabird & Roche designed its southern half, which rose around the soon-to-be-common steel skeleton. The building's stone-and-brick exterior, shockingly unornamented for its time, led one critic to liken it to a chimney. The lobby is equally spartan; lined on either side with windowed shops, it's essentially a corridor, but one well worth traveling. Walk it from end to end and you'll feel as if you're stepping back in time.

Said to be America's most-climbed mountain—more than 400 people sometimes crowd its bald peak—Monadnock rises to 3,165 feet, and on clear days you can see the Boston skyline. When the parking lots are full, rangers close the park, so it's prudent to make a reservation online or get a very early morning start, especially during fall foliage. Five trailheads branch out into more than two dozen trails of varying difficulty (though all rigorous) that wend their way to the top. Allow three–five hours for any round-trip hike. The visitor center has free maps as well as exhibits documenting the mountain's history. In winter, you can cross-country ski along roughly 12 miles of groomed trails on the lower elevations. Pets are not permitted in the park.

The sanctuary is a reliable spot for viewing monarch butterflies between November and February. The best time to visit is between noon and 3 pm.

Designed by renowned Japanese-American architect and wood carver George Nakashima, this remote rock-and-adobe church—with one of the state's most spectacular natural settings—can be visited for daily prayer or silent overnight retreats (if requested in advance by mail or e-mail); there are basic accommodations for up to 16 guests (10 single and 3 double rooms), and there's a two-night minimum, with most visitors staying for several days. A suggested per-night donation of $50 to $125 is requested, depending on the room, and none have electricity. Day visitors can come anytime and stroll the grounds, visit the gift shop, and participate in different prayer services throughout the day, but are asked to respect the silence practiced at the monastery. The road is rutted in places and becomes impassable during rainy weather—you can definitely get stuck here for a day, or even a few days, during particularly wet periods, such as summer monsoon season. Check weather forecasts carefully if you're only intending to visit for the day.

Getting a close-up look at this squat stone lighthouse, which was automated in 1959, requires a ½-mile, slightly steep uphill walk from the island's ferry dock. The tower is open sporadically throughout the summer for short tours. In the former keeper's quarters, the small Monhegan Museum of Art & History provides a peek into island life past and present. It also exhibits works by artists with a connection to this special place.

In the summer of 1864, Confederate general Jubal Early (who has perhaps the most memorable name in Civil War history), marched 15,000 troops toward Frederick in hopes of capturing the capital. At Monocacy Junction, a stop on the B&O Railroad, they encountered a force of Union soldiers about a third their size. Despite being outnumbered, the Union troops managed to stall the Rebels by burning a key bridge across the Monocacy River, thereby thwarting a takeover of Washington, D.C. Roam the fields surrounding the park with an audio tour, available in the visitor center, to better understand what's sometimes called "The battle that saved Washington, D.C." Recently, Monocacy has been making headlines for a major new discovery: National Park Service archeologists have uncovered the site of the largest known slave habitation site in the Mid-Atlantic region. The remains of several dwelling houses and artifacts dating back to the 1790s have been uncovered. The site is associated with L'Hermitage, a plantation established by French planters who came to Maryland from Saint-Domingue (known today as Haiti). By 1800, it was home to 90 enslaved laborers—the second largest slave population in Frederick County at the time, and among the largest in Maryland.