10450 Best Sights in USA

With 4½ miles of undeveloped Bold Coast between Cutler and Lubec, views from this state preserve above Cutler Harbor are likely to take your breath away. Here a wall of steep cliffs—some 150 feet tall—juts from headlands partially forested with spruce and fir. Look for whales, seals, and porpoises while taking in views of cliff-ringed Grand Manan Island and the Bay of Fundy. One of the East Coast's premier hiking destinations, the preserve's interconnected trails offer hikes of 3–10 miles, including loops. There are challenging sections, and a log ladder descends to one of the cobble beaches, but the 1.4-mile portion of the Coastal Trail from the parking area through woods to an ocean promontory is relatively easy. From here the trail follows the glorious Bold Coast for 3.4 miles. Revealing the area’s unusual terrain inland from the coast, the 4½-mile Inland Trail passes by raised peat bogs, salt marshes, swamps, and a beaver pond and wends through meadows and forest. While the coastal portion of the preserve, which has several primitive campsites, is the star attraction, most of its 12,234 acres are on the opposite (northern) side of Route 191. Forest and grassland here is laced with 19.5 miles of multiuse roads and ATV trails.

Gaze out your window at deer, beavers, and all manner of birdlife as well as the gurgling Cuyahoga River from the comfortable seat of a restored car on a Class III railroad. The Cuyahoga Valley Line, which dates back to 1880, went into steep decline with the advent of automobiles and trucks in the 20th century. In 1972, community leaders create a non-profit that restored the railway and eventually began offering rides through the park. The route allows passengers to hop on or off at any of eight stations to explore the park; it also runs alongside several miles of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail. For just $5, you can put your bike on the train, ride a few stops, then bike back to your car (called “Bike Aboard.”) Or, for a more leisurely experience, book a nonstop trip themed around wine and beer-tasting, a chef-prepared four-course meal, fall foliage viewing, or murder mysteries. There's even a train-theme car for children, with a miniature train set, maps, toys, and other train-related items for kids to play with.

Explore the inky swamp waters of this natural area in a flat-bottom boat, or walk along paths lined with moss-draped cypress trees, azaleas, camellias, daffodils, wisteria, and dogwoods. You can marvel at the clouds of butterflies in the butterfly house, and see snakes and fish up close in the Swamparium. The swamp garden was created from what was once the freshwater reserve of the vast Dean Hall rice plantation. The site is about 24 miles north of Charleston via U.S. 52, between Goose Creek and Moncks Corner. Bonus: It has an enormous playground for children.

Halfway through a wine-and-food pairing at this serenely rustic Dry Creek Valley winery, you may find yourself asking, "How does she do it?"—"she" being Dr. Mary Roy, Cāpo Creek Ranch's proprietor, winemaker, chef, and hostess with the mostest. The answer might simply be that running a winery isn't likely to faze someone who raised six kids while operating a bustling radiological imaging center. Whatever the reason, in "retirement" Roy has created a magical showcase for her mostly Rhône-style whites and reds (the stars) along with Cabernet Sauvignon, estate old-vine Zinfandel, and numerous blends. Most tastings occur outdoors facing east toward the heritage-Zin vineyard, with the cave and tasting room alternative possibilities.  You can taste wines without food, but this place is all about the pairings.

Inside and out, the building housing the waterfront Dalí Museum, which opened on 1/11/11 (Dalí is said to have been into numerology), is almost as remarkable as the Spanish surrealist's work. The state-of-the-art structure incorporates a surreal geodesic glass structure called the Enigma, as well as an outdoor labyrinth and a DNA-inspired spiral staircase leading up to the exhibition of artworks. And all this even before you've seen the collection, which is one of the most comprehensive of its kind—courtesy of Ohio magnate A. Reynolds Morse, a friend of Dalí's.

Here you can scope out his early impressionistic works and see how the painter evolved into the visionary he's now seen to be. The mind-expanding paintings in this Downtown headliner include Eggs on the Plate without the Plate, The Hallucinogenic Toreador, and more than 90 other oils. Another 2,000 additional works include watercolors, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and objets d'art. The museum also hosts temporary collections from the likes of Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. Free hour-long tours are led by well-informed docents.

Owner-winemaker Bart Hansen offers guests a curious portal into local wine history: his tasting room, known as "The Tank," occupies a 10,000-gallon-plus former redwood fermenting vessel a winery across the street first used more than a century ago. With long stints at nearby Benziger, Lasseter, and Kenwood wineries, Hansen is steeped in Sonoma Valley lore and, more consequentially, the area's best vineyard sources. Old-vine Zinfandel is one concentration, but he also crafts a Sauvignon Blanc from 1980s vines at Glen Ellen's Beltane Ranch and a red Rhône blend from Rossi Vineyard, first planted in 1910. Tastings of these and other wines sometimes occur on a patio outside The Tank.

From the wide veranda of Biscayne National Park's mainland visitor center, you can soak up views of the mangroves and the bay before signing up for tours, snorkeling excursions, and ranger programs. The compact but very informative collection in the small museum offers insights into the park's natural, geological, and human history. Restrooms with showers, a gift shop, picnic tables, grills, and children’s activities are also found here.

This lookout is 5,450 feet above sea level in the Black Mountains. The view is astounding: in the dry desert air, you can see across most of 160-mile-long Death Valley. Take a 10-minute, mildly strenuous walk from the parking lot toward a series of rocky overlooks, where, with binoculars, you can spot some signature sites. A few interpretive signs point out the highlights below in the valley and across to the Panamint Range. Getting here from Furnace Creek takes about an hour—time well invested.

Although some scrambling is involved, this 2-mile round-trip hike rewards you with a refreshing year-round waterfall surrounded by thick vegetation and a rocky gorge. No swimming or bathing is allowed, but it's a beautiful place for a picnic. Adventurous hikers can climb higher toward more rewarding views of the falls. The trail is unmarked so follow the water's edge.  Some sections of the trail are not passable for those with mobility issues. Moderate.

Semicircular stairs with wrought-iron railings lead to the recessed doorway of the redbrick Federal home constructed by master builder Isaiah Davenport for his family between 1815 and 1820. Three dormered windows poke through the sloping roof of the stately house, and the interior has polished hardwood floors and fine woodwork and plasterwork, showcasing Davenport's talents to potential clients. The proposed demolition of this historic Savannah structure galvanized the city's residents into action to save their treasured buildings. The home endured a history of dilapidation that had lingered since the 1920s, when it was divided into tenements. When someone proposed razing it to build a parking lot in 1955, a small group of neighbors raised $22,000 in 24 hours to buy and restore the property. This action was the inception of the Historic Savannah Foundation and the first of many successful efforts to preserve the architectural treasure that is the city today.

Regenerative organic and biodynamic farming is a core priority of this forward-thinking winery devoted to wines from Italian grapes. Names like Vermentino, Sangiovese, Barbera, and Primitivo may ring a bell, but the revelations here include the Falanghina and Fiano whites and Sagrantino, a lush yet earthy wine that’s as pleasingly complex as a Bordeaux red. There’s also Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir in Italian). All wine tastings involve oils from olives grown on-site (one session explores only the oils), but for a total immersion, consider the experience that starts with a tour past olive trees and into a fruit, vegetable, and flower garden over to the pigpen.

Owners Mike and Sandy Davis transformed a ramshackle property into a plush winery whose predominantly Bordeaux-style wines live up to the magnificent setting. In fashioning the couple's haute-rustic appointment-only hospitality center, the celebrated Wine Country architect Howard Backen incorporated cedar, walnut, and other woods. In fine weather, many guests sit on the open-air terrace's huge swinging sofas, enjoying broad valley views while tasting Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay whites, with Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Cabs and Cab-heavy blends among the reds. Tastings, by appointment, include small bites.

At the World's Most Famous Beach you can drive right onto the sand (at least from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset), spread out a blanket, and have all your belongings at hand—with the exception of alcohol, which is prohibited. The speed limit on the beach is 10 mph, and there's a $20 fee that's collected at the beach ramps, which are indicated with signs on Route A1A.  Sand traps aren't limited to the golf course—cars can get stuck.

The hard-packed sand that makes the beach suitable for driving is also perfect for running and cycling, and there's excellent surf fishing directly from the beach. Note that the wide, 23-mile-long beach can get crowded in the "strip" area (between International Speedway Boulevard and Seabreeze Boulevard) with its food vendors, beachfront bars, volleyball matches, and motorized-water-sports enthusiasts. Heavy traffic in this area in summer and on holidays makes it dangerous for children; families should opt for the quieter, car-free zones in more residential areas to the north or south. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (some with fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

If the beach is the main attraction in town, this iconic sports venue—home to the Daytona 500—is a close second. The massive speedway, which opened in 1959, is a bona fide "motorsports stadium." It's part racetrack, part sports stadium, and it seats more than 100,000 fans. Major racing events include the IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona in January, Daytona 500 in February, Daytona 200 motorcycle race in March, and Coke Zero Sugar 400 in August. The venue hosts a multitude of other events throughout the year, including the Daytona Turkey Run car show on Thanksgiving weekend, but racing is the focus.

Those visiting on nonrace days can enjoy one of the various tours. The VIP Tour (the most expensive option) includes having your photo taken in Victory Lane, a visit to the speedway's Archives and Research Center (home to Sir Malcolm Campbell's Bluebird III), a close-up look at the most recent Daytona 500 winning car, and a visit to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

One of the gems of Utah's state park system, right at the edge of the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands, this park overlooks a sweeping oxbow of the Colorado River some 2,000 feet below. Dead Horse Point itself is a small peninsula connected to the main mesa by a narrow neck of land. As the story goes, cowboys used to drive wild mustangs onto the point and pen them there with a brush fence. There's a nice visitor center with a coffee shop and museum. The park's Intrepid trail system is popular with mountain bikers and hikers alike. If it's a nice day, be sure to walk the 4-mile rim trail loop and drive to the park's eponymous point.

Deep Creek offers more than picnicking. You can go tubing (rent a tube for the day for around $5 or $6 at nearby commercial tubing centers), hike about 2 miles to three pretty waterfalls, or go trout fishing. You can even go mountain biking here, as this is one of the few park trails where bikes are allowed. The picnic area, open year-round (but no running water in winter), has 58 picnic tables, plus a pavilion that seats up to 70 (reserve in advance, $32 fee). There's also a campground here.

Completed in 1832 during America's great era of canal building, the 60-mile-long Delaware Canal runs from Bristol north to Easton, and today its towpath draws bicyclists and walkers who appreciate the scenic path with its canal and Delaware River views. It's easy to access the towpath in New Hope. In addition, the restored Locktender's House and Lock 11 ( 145 S. Main St.  fodc.org   Closed weekends Nov.–Apr.) explore how locks work and what daily life was like on the canal. 

To see the park's most famous freestanding arch up close takes effort and won't offer you much solitude—but it's worth every step. The 3-mile round-trip trail ascends via steep slickrock, sandy paths, and along one narrow ledge (at the very end) that might give pause to anyone afraid of heights. Plus, there's almost no shade. First-timers should start early to avoid the midday heat in summer. Still, at sunrise, sunset, and every hour in between, it's the park's busiest trail. Bring plenty of water, especially in the warmer months, as heatstroke and dehydration are very real possibilities. Allow two to three hours, depending on your fitness level and how long you care to linger at the arch. If you go at sunset or sunrise, bring a headlamp or flashlight. Don't miss Wolfe Ranch and some ancient rock art near the trailhead. Moderate–Difficult.

One of Washington's most vaunted producers of Bordeaux-style wines also occupies one of the most impressive tasting rooms in Woodinville, a handsome and spacious facility set inside the town's former Redhook Brewery building. There's a lovely outdoor patio and a lounge with a full dining menu, and the tasting room is also next door to the Willows Lodge and its renowned Herbfarm restaurant. If you're stopping by just to sample vino in the tasting room, you can order lighter snacks—cheese and charcuterie plates, truffle popcorn—to nosh while you sip.

If you're looking for a place to see and be seen, head for this wide expanse of sand, the heart of which is where Atlantic Avenue meets A1A, close to restaurants, bars, and quick-serve eateries. Lounge chairs and umbrellas can be rented every day, and lifeguards man stations half a mile out in each direction. The most popular section of beach is south of Atlantic Avenue on A1A, where the street parking is found. There are also two metered lots with restrooms across from A1A at Sandoway Park and Anchor Park (bring quarters if parking here). On the beach by Anchor Park, north of Casuarina Road, are six volleyball nets and a kiosk that offers Hobie Wave rentals, surfing lessons, and snorkeling excursions to the 1903 SS Inchulva shipwreck half a mile offshore. The beach itself is open 24 hours, if you're at a nearby hotel and fancy a moonlight stroll. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming; windsurfing.

More than 15,000 plant species from Australia, South Africa, the Himalayas, and especially the western United States compose the horticultural displays in the thoughtfully laid-out theme gardens here. They are at their peak in July and August, when garden enthusiasts could spend half a day here; the tropical conservatory alone is worth an hour's visit in the off-season. Spring brings a brilliant display of wildflowers to the world-renowned rock alpine garden, primarily in late May and early June. The OmniGlobe simulates the climate and atmospheric changes on Earth; other environmental attractions include a "green roof" atop the café and an extensive interactive children's garden that covers part of the parking structure. Tea ceremonies take place some summer weekends in the tranquil Japanese garden, and artists such as singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, jazz musician Herbie Hancock, and blues legend Buddy Guy have performed as part of the summer concert series. Tickets are sold by date and time only.

Founded in 1900, the museum has amassed more than 775,000 objects, making it the largest natural history museum in the western United States. It houses a rich combination of traditional collections—dinosaur remains, animal dioramas, a mineralogy display, an Egyptology wing—and intriguing hands-on exhibits. In Expedition Health you can test your health and fitness on a variety of contraptions and receive a personalized health profile. The Prehistoric Journey exhibit covers the seven stages of Earth's development. The massive complex also includes an IMAX movie theater and a planetarium, where the Space Odyssey exhibit simulates a trip to Mars. An impressive eating-and-relaxation area has a full-window panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains. Tickets to the museum, the planetarium, and IMAX are sold by date and time only.

A life-size horse on a 20-foot-tall chair and other sculptures decorate the expansive lawn of this sprawling complex with round towers and tall, oblong windows. The map and manuscript rooms, Gates Western History Reading Room (with amazing views of the mountains), and Schlessman Hall (with its three-story atrium) merit a visit. Built in the mid-1950s, the library houses a world-renowned collection of books, photographs, and newspapers that chronicle the American West, as well as original paintings by Remington, Russell, Audubon, and Bierstadt. The children's library is notable for its captivating design and its unique, child-friendly multimedia computer catalog.

Central Oregon’s first and most famous brewery produces and bottles its beer in this facility separate from the popular brewpub. Join one of the four daily tours and learn from the beer-obsessed staff; be sure to make reservations online or by phone, as tours fill quickly. The tour ends in the tasting room and gift shop, where participants get to try samples of the fresh beer; stick around for an extra pint in the adjacent outdoor beer garden.

Opened in 1939 to conserve and showcase the ecology of the desert, these 150 acres contain more than 4,000 different species of cacti, succulents, trees, and flowers. A stroll along the ½-mile "Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert" trail is a fascinating lesson in environmental adaptations. Kid-centric activity areas encourage tactile play and exploration. Specialized tours are available at an extra cost; check online for times and prices. The Desert Botanical Garden stays open late, to 8 pm year-round, and it's particularly lovely when lighted by the setting sun or by moonlight. You can plan for a cool, late visit after a full day of activities.

This expansive airy tasting room housed in an elegant Santa Fe–style building featuring a vast patio overlooking the Yakima River is one of the highlights of any wine tour in the valley. Notable bottles include the Sémillon, Barbera, Petit Verdot, and a crowd-pleasing everyday red blend, the Ruah. For the ultimate experience, book a full tour of the winery, which includes barrel tastings and pairings with light snacks. Just off Interstate 82, this family-owned winery also includes a luxurious four-room inn and a gift shop with products from the Yakima Valley.

Midtown's top cultural attraction, with more than 100 galleries, is the Detroit Institute of Arts. The DIA displays 5,000 years of art treasures, including works by van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Renoir. Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry, four immense frescoes, is a must-see.

Wind through a Chihuahuan Desert habitat thick with spiked agave plants, prickly pear cacti, ponderosa pines, and a dry riverbed strewn with giant boulders to Devil's Hall, a narrow 10-foot-wide canyon with walls that soar to more than 100 feet. At a leisurely pace, this 4.2-mile round-trip jaunt will take three or four hours. Note that there's some scrambling over rocks and boulders at the end, which can make this more of a strenuous hike for some—wear sturdy hiking boots and consider using trekking poles. Moderate.

Landscape Arch is a highlight of this trail but is just one of several arches within reach, depending on your ambitions. It's an easy 0.9-mile one-way (mostly gravel, relatively flat) trip to Landscape Arch, one of the longest stone spans in the world. Beyond Landscape Arch the scenery changes dramatically and the hike becomes more strenuous as you must climb and straddle slickrock fins and negotiate some short, steep inclines. Finally, around a sharp bend, the stacked spans that compose Double O Arch come suddenly into view. Allow up to three hours for this round-trip hike of just over 4 miles.

For a still longer (nearly 7 miles round-trip) and more rigorous trek, venture on to see a formation called Dark Angel and then return to the trailhead on the primitive loop, making the short side hike to Private Arch. The hike to Dark Angel is a difficult route through fins. Other possible (and worthwhile) detours lead to Navajo Arch, Partition Arch, Tunnel Arch, and Pine Tree Arch. Allow about five hours for this adventure, take plenty of water, and watch your route carefully. Pick up the park's useful guide to Devils Garden, or download it from the website before you go. Moderate–Difficult.

A moderately hilly 4.2-mile round-trip hike through open meadows and conifers leads to the least frequented of Lassen's three main hydrothermal areas. It's a delightful place to view burping mud pots, misty steam vents, hot boiling pools, and Lassen Peak in the distance. Moderate–Difficult.