10451 Best Sights in USA

Nags Head is home to some of the Southeastern U.S. coastline's most compelling topography, and its forested ridges and valleys can be explored at this 1,200-acre preserve operated by the Nature Conservancy. Take a 3.3-mile loop hike to a seasonal pond or walk the short ADA-compliant trail through the woods. Look out for deer, 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 150 species of birds. Don't underestimate your hike—there are short but steep sandy ascents throughout this ecosystem of ancient sand dunes.

These two huge, oblong stones in front of the Hilo Public Library are legendary: the Pinao stone is purportedly an entrance pillar of an ancient temple built near the Wailuku River. King Kamehameha I is said to have moved the 5,000-pound Naha stone when he was still in his teens. Legend decreed that he who did so would become king of all the islands.

An ancient rock-walled fishpond—visible at low tide—lies where the sandy shore ends and the cliffs begin their rise along the island's shores. Accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicle, the beach is a frequent dive spot for local fishermen.

Treacherous currents make this a dangerous place for swimming.

Take Highway 440 to its eastern terminus, then turn right onto a sandy dirt road and continue south for 11 miles. The shoreline dirt road ends here. Amenities: none. Best for: fishing; walking.

Roughly the same size as Kabetogama Lake, this body of water is a premier fishing destination that's known not only for walleye and northern pike but also yellow perch, rock bass, and sauger. It's only accessibly by boat, typically from the Ash River Visitor Center on the park's south side.

There's a shady picnic area and a large fishing lake that's open April through October at this scenic and popular hiking area along the High Road, just east of Pojoaque. It's $15 per carload for a day pass, and an additional $3 to go fishing on the lake; additionally, kayaks are available to rent from $30 per hour. The waterfalls are about a 15-minute hike from the parking and picnic area along a rocky, clearly marked path. The water pours over a rock precipice—a loud and dramatic sight given the river's modest size.

A few blocks from the parties of Duval Street lies a purely selfless labor of love: a backyard garden whose paths lead to colorful (and happily squawking) rescued parrots and macaws. Step inside the nondescript side gate, and you'll meet Nancy, an environmental artist, and her flock of feathered children (which you can hold and feed). At 10 am she personally gives a tour, or come between 11 and 3 and do the self-guided version. Bring a lunch and have a picnic in the shade, or just meander and learn. It's Parroting 101, and it might just be the most memorable day of your Key West vacation.

Contemporary painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, and video works by an impressive array of international artists are on display in this light-filled space with high ceilings and a seasonal sculpture garden. Among the artists are Viola Frey, known for her heroic-scale ceramic male and female figures, and a strong group of young artists embarking on their first solo shows.

Begun in 1977 as an adjunct to the Cornell Cooperative Extension facility, the arboretum occupies 8 acres with more than 400 unusual trees and shrubs. The herb garden has 300-plus species, and there's a popular Japanese meditation garden. The entrance is marked by a little shack on the far side of the Cooperative Extension Center parking lot.

On the southeastern edge of the island, this beach sits at the heart of the rich ecological zones for which the island is known and protected. Naturalists with the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve use this beach as an outdoor classroom, sometimes bringing groups here for beach walks. Visitors can hunt for sand dollars and whelk shells along nearly 2 miles of sandy shore; bird sightings include blue herons, egrets, ospreys, bald eagles, and the occasional plain chachalaca. A 1-mile trail connects this beach with the historic R. J. Reynolds House, crossing five ecological zones along the way. Amenities: toilets. Best for: solitude; walking.

Providing insight into Nantucket's African American history, the self-guided trail is divided into two parts, Downtown and New Guinea (an African American community in the 18th and 19th centuries). There are ten stops on the trail including the African Meeting House and the Seneca Boston Florence Higginbotham House.

Entertaining educators keep the proceedings light and lively at Napa's first distillery since Prohibition. The distillery makes rum, whiskeys, ginn (ask about the odd spelling), a flagship grape-based vodka, brandies, and bottled cocktails. The speakeasy-like Hollywood Room upstairs hosts many tastings, at which such subjects as "booze yoga" and "proper spirits sipping" are taught.   If you just want to sample the wares, the distillery also operates an Oxbow Public Market tasting bar (minus the whiskey and rum) as well as the the downtown cocktail bar The ArBaretum, both open daily.

"Land and People of Napa Valley,” a concise but well-mounted permanent exhibition on this hillside facility's lower level, surveys the people and natural conditions that have shaped the valley's history. Temporary shows in the main upstairs gallery often feature the works, some from the museum’s permanent collection, of local and regional fine artists.  The museum’s flagship location, The MAC—Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture, is in St. Helena.

At a contemporary tasting barn with an outdoor patio and cabana seating, father-daughter wine-growing team William "Bill" Hill and Elana Hill showcase the Bordeaux-style reds of their Prime Solum label and the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of the Expression brand. Unlike many tastings where the wines are a few years old at most, sessions here focus on older vintages, not just of the Bordeaux reds but also the Pinots and even some of the Chardonnays. The Pinots come from as near as Sonoma County and as far as Sta. Rita Hills and Oregon.

Guests on this Napa Valley fixture travel the corridor established in 1864 to transport passengers as far north as Calistoga's spas. The rolling stock includes restored Pullman cars and a two-story Vista Dome coach with a curved glass roof. The train, as of 2024 pulled by "near-zero-emission" locomotives, follows a leisurely scenic route between Napa and St. Helena. Patrons on some tours enjoy a multicourse meal and tastings at one or more wineries. Some rides involve no winery stops, and themed trips are occasionally scheduled. It's best to make this trip during the day to enjoy the vineyard views.

One of Naples's most culturally exciting attractions, the botanical "gardens with latitude" flourish with plants and decorative elements from Florida and other subtropical locales including Asia, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Highlights of the 170 acres include a Children's Garden with a butterfly house, tree house, waterfall, cave, Florida Cracker house, and hidden garden; an infinity water lily pool; an aromatic Enabling Garden with a how-to theme; and a dramatic waterfall feature. A visitor center offers a café, restaurant, and three gardens, including an one with more than 1,000 orchid species and cultivars.

The lush 44-acre zoo got its start as a botanical garden in 1919 and has since drawn visitors curious to see lions, cheetahs, bears, gazelles, and a wildly popular giraffe herd. It also offers glimpses of such endangered creatures as red-ruffed lemurs, cotton-top tamarins, François' langurs (leaf monkeys), snow leopards, mountain bongos (a type of antelope), and Florida panthers. Other attractions include two kids play zones; the Reptile Rendezvous show; and the Primate Expedition Cruise, which sails past islands populated with monkeys, apes, and lemurs. Meet-the-keeper experiences, alligator feedings, and educational Safari animal presentations are scheduled regularly.

A steep but short trail leads to the viewing area for these spectacular 168-foot falls, which expand to a width of 75 feet during peak flow times. In winter the frozen falls are popular with ice climbers.

With nostalgic views, this beloved and lively beach is perfect for surfing, sunbathing, people-watching, sandcastle making, crab hunting, and strolling its half-mile length; it also has seven ADA surf chairs, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A sea wall (with free on-street parking) stretches along Ocean Road and attracts an eclectic crowd, including guitarists and motorcyclists. Covering approximately 19 acres, Narragansett Town Beach has a beautiful sandy beachfront, but it is the only beach in the state that you can't walk onto for free: the town charges (rather hefty) fees for admission (ages 12 and up) and parking. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming.

Look upriver from this North Rim viewing spot and you'll be able to see into the canyon's narrowest section, just a slot really, with only 40 feet between the walls at the bottom. The canyon is also taller (1,725 feet) here than it is wide at the rim (1,150 feet).

Space suits worn by astronauts who orbited the Earth and a moon rock are displayed at this out-of-this-world attraction, which also has a microgravity science laboratory and spacecraft replicas. Named after Ohio astronaut John Glenn, the center is west of Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

For a different view of the town along a less-traveled road, drive out Nash Road, around Resurrection Bay, and look down at Seward, nestled at the base of the surrounding mountains like a young bird in its nest.

A highlight of any Duke visit, this museum displays African, American, European, and Latin American artwork. The collection includes works by Henri Matisse, Kehinde Wiley, and Pablo Picasso. The museum offers a steady stream of engaging events throughout the year.

The late Raymond and Patsy Nasher—real-estate developers, civic leaders, art lovers, and philanthropists—collected modern and contemporary sculpture for decades, before giving the collection, valued at $400 million, to the city in 1997. The center, which opened in 2003, is an international draw with an extensive representation of great masters—Borofsky, Calder, Dubuffet, Giacometti, Matisse, Miró, Moore, Picasso, and Rodin. The building, which has 10,000 square feet of gallery space, is faced with Italian travertine stone and topped with a glass roof to let in natural light. The 1.42-acre outdoor sculpture garden is landscaped with pools, fountains, pathways, and more than 170 trees. The view of Downtown from the calming green space is spectacular, especially after dusk.

Part of the official Tennessee Whiskey Trail, this distillery is known for small-batch spirits with clever names inspired by Nashville, such as Naked Biscuit Sorghum Spirit and Crane City Gin. Tastings, cocktails, and bottle sales are available during operating hours, but tours that include tastings are only offered Thursday through Sunday for those 21 and older.

There's something going on at the fairgrounds almost any time of the year. The 117-acre site hosts auto races at the Speedway, craft fairs, monthly flea markets, the annual Christmas Village holiday market, concerts, and other special events throughout the year. It's also where you'll find GEODIS Park, Nashville’s soccer stadium. The newest event is the 10-day Nashville Fair held every September.

Nashville Shores is a fun water park and marina on Percy Priest Lake with a 25,000-square-foot wave pool, a 1,000-foot-long lazy river float experience, and other splashy activities. You can air-dry in the Shores' Treetop Adventure Park where there are ziplines, cargo nets, suspended bridges, and other challenges. Private guide service is also available.

Stretch your legs, pet a kangaroo, and fall in love with a red panda or two. This 188-acre farm-turned-zoo is home to more than 2,764 animals, with more joining the herd every year. For older children and adults, a tour of the historic Grassmere Historic Home is a highlight. If you need a break from the Tennessee sun, follow the shady Bamboo Trail to visit the clouded leopards. Or, if it’s raining, just bring your umbrella. The animals don’t mind when it rains (they live outside, after all), and with all the fussy humans gone, you’ll practically have the whole place to yourself.

A few miles south of Brooklin, take Naskeag Point Road to a broken shell beach at the tip of the point. From there you'll have a view of the small islands of Jericho Bay while you sit on a bench dedicated to "all the fishermen who brave the sea."

The 1810 home-turned-museum contains an extensive collection of old photographs, period furniture, housewares, and other memorabilia, including quilts and ship models. Operated by and headquarters for the Machiasport Historical Society, the building hugs Route 92 as it winds through the small pretty-as-a-picture village on Machias Bay. The Marine Room highlights the area’s seafaring and shipbuilding past. A model schoolroom and post office, a display about the sardine canning industry here decades ago, and a large collection of carpentry tools occupy the adjacent Cooper House, a utilitarian building constructed in 1850. Guided tours are available.