10457 Best Sights in USA

If you have the kids along, check out the fictional 7,500-square-foot workshop of Professor Phineas T. Pennypickle, PhD. This elaborately decorated children's museum is filled with secret passageways, machines, wacky contraptions, and time-travel inventions.

Take one of the two-hour tours offered daily to get the most out of your visit.

Strangely eroded limestone banks give way to hollows that creep into hillsides; grassy prairie-like fields yield to woodlands; sinkholes interrupt the forested landscape. You have begun climbing into the Pennyroyal Plateau from the Sinkhole Plain, but the margin between the two is . . . complicated. The compromises made between rock and water, between grass and tree, between high and low, have resulted in a twisted patchwork landscape. It's covered over with a quilt of green, but as you look beneath, there's plenty to wonder at all the way to the visitor center. If you're entering the park from the south via Park City, be sure to observe the transitions in the geology along the roadside as you ascend. As you approach the top of the plateau, you'll see outcroppings of the Dripping Springs Escarpment. Once on top, you may spy what seem to be boggy places in the woods—spots where the sandstone and shale caprock is holding water in defiance of the sinkholes that draw all other water underground.

A New York philanthropist was so taken with the Mt. Katahdin region he spurred creation of 16 miles of free public recreation trails along the East Branch of the Penobscot River, conveniently off Route 11. Opened in 2019, the "crusher dust" paths are akin to the famed carriage trails at coastal Maine's Acadia National Park. Used for mountain biking (Class 1 e-bikes are allowed) and hiking, they're groomed for cross-country skiing after the snow flies. Folks also fat-tire bike (Tote Road only) and snowshoe here. You can chill after a workout or eat your lunch in the woodsy chic visitor center. Come winter, wood stoves heat up two warming huts with Katahdin views. Courtesy (donation requested) bikes, snowshoes, and cross-country skis are available, as are strollers. Paddlers head to the hand-carry boat launch. About 40 miles north of here above Shin Pond, the organization's 7.2-mile hiking and snowshoeing Seboeis Riverside Trail leads to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and includes a small campground and snowshoe lodge with a woodstove and cots for overnight stays (one night only).

The newest museum in the University of West Florida Historic Trust complex offers a variety of programs for children of all ages, including story time; art projects; and a plethora of interactive historical exhibits with maritime, multicultural, and other themes.

If you're heading out to Perdido Key, consider making prior arrangements to stop along the way for a visit to the Pensacola Lighthouse, which offers gorgeous views of the bay and Gulf. As the lighthouse is on the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, access for civilians might only be available via a shuttle-bus tour that requires advance reservations and proper identification. Entry requirements are subject to change, however, so check ahead. Wear supportive shoes; it’s 177 steps to the top. Note, too, that climbers must be at least seven years old and 44 inches tall. Museum exhibits here highlight things such as lighthouse keeping and the Coast Guard.

Pensacola's city jail once occupied the 1906 Spanish Revival–style building that is now the secure home for the museum's permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by 20th- and 21st-century artists. And we do mean secure: you can still see the actual cells with their huge iron doors. Traveling exhibits have focused on photography (William Wegman, Annie Leibovitz, Ansel Adams), Dutch masters, regional artists, and the occasional art-world icon, such as Andy Warhol and Salvador Dalí.

Even if you're not a fan of museums, this one is worth a look. Housed in the elaborate, Renaissance Revival–style former city hall, it has an interesting mix of exhibits illustrating life in the Florida Panhandle over the centuries. One of these, The City of Five Flags, provides a good introduction to Pensacola's history. Displays include an exhibit that showcases the infamous Trader Jon's bar, where young flight students mingled with celebrities and local politicians, and a child-size interactive area with a ship and fort where kids can play and pretend to be colonial Pensacolians.

The headquarters of the United States Department of Defense is the largest low-rise office building in the world. Approximately 26,000 military and civilian workers arrive daily. Astonishingly, the mammoth structure, completed in 1943, took less than two years to construct. Following the September 11, 2001, crash of hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 into the west side of the building, the damaged area was removed in just over a month and repaired in a year. In this same area is the America's Heroes Memorial and Chapel, which pays tribute to the civilians and military members killed in the attack. South of the building is the 2-acre outdoor Pentagon Memorial, with its 184 benches commemorating the lives lost on 9/11. Tours of the Pentagon are free and last about 60 minutes, including a presentation and approximately 1½ miles of walking.

Washington's own 9/11 memorial honors the 184 people who perished when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the west side of the Pentagon. Stainless-steel-and-granite benches inscribed with the victims' names are arranged in order by date of birth and where they were when they died. The names of the victims who were inside the Pentagon are situated so that visitors reading their names face the Pentagon, and names of the victims on the plane are arranged so that visitors reading their names face skyward. At each bench is a lighted pool of flowing water. Designed by Julie Beckman and Keith Kaseman, the memorial opened to the public on September 11, 2008, the seventh anniversary of the attacks. Volunteer docents periodically stand near the entrance and answer questions. There is no public parking, with the exception of five stalls for handicap-permitted vehicles.

If you happen to forget which country Kashgar is in, chances are you aren't standing in this square. A statue of Mao Zedong—one of the largest in China—stands with his back to Kashgar's Old City and his right arm raised in perpetual salute. The statue is evidence of an unspoken rule in China that directly relates the size of a Mao tribute to its distance from Beijing; the only Mao statue larger than this one is in Tibet.

Based on the popular and long-running British kids' show and built with accessibility and the little ones in mind, this park is also a Certified Autism Center. Explore playscapes such as Rebecca Rabbit’s playground, Grandpa Pig's Greenhouse, and the Muddy Puddles Splash Pad, which has slides and water fountains. At the Fairgrounds, play games and ride on Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride and Mr. Bull’s High Striker.

Other attractions include Grampy Pig’s Dinosaur Adventure, Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride, and the popular Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster—a great introduction to coasters for little ones. At The Cinema, relax indoors and watch episodes of Peppa Pig cartoons. Peppa tells interactive stories in live shows at Mr. Potato’s Showtime Arena, Miss Rabbit’s Diner offers kid-friendly meals, and Mr. Fox’s Shop sells exclusive park merchandise. The park is just steps from LEGOLAND Florida but requires a separate ticket; combo tickets are available, though.

Back on NM 152, continue 10 miles west to reach another vintage mining town, Kingston, home to the Percha Bank Museum, which is just a skip away from the Black Range Lodge and is well worth a visit. It was built in 1885 to handle the enormous wealth that so suddenly, and so briefly, transformed this town when a massive silver lode was discovered. All that remains intact of that era is the building itself, which is beautifully preserved, with the original vault and teller windows still in place. Photos of the town during its heyday in the late 1880s are fascinating. From Kingston, it's another 50 mi to Silver City on NM 152, which joins U.S. 180 just east of town.

Framing nearly 4 acres of landscaped desert gardens and bird-watching areas, this lovely waterfront spot stretches along a 1-mile boardwalk through a beachy section of the West Bay shoreline. The park overlooks yachts bobbing in the water at several marinas, and its amenities include beach pavilions and a playground. You can see it all from three stories up by climbing the winding steps of the viewing tower at the north end of the complex, in Port Plaza, where open benches invite visitors to relax and enjoy the outlook.

Set amid the Gulf Islands National Seashore, this state park has a quiet, pristine coastline with dunes of white sand lined with sea oats. Its beach, now referred to as Johnson Beach, has historically been inclusive, as it was one of the few beaches open to African Americans during segregation. Today the park offers primitive camping year-round, but it's also ideal for a day of swimming, shelling, birding, and surf fishing. Perhaps you'll see signs of the critically endangered Perdido Key beach mouse, a species that only lives on Perdido Key. The beach is within walking distance of dining and nightlife on the key and is a short drive from Alabama. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: sunsets; swimming; walking.

This neck of land off Shore Road in the lower part of Ogunquit village has a jumble of sea-weathered fish houses and buildings that were part of an art school. These have largely been transformed by the tide of tourism into shops and restaurants, including the classic Barnacle Billy's seafood spot. When you've had your fill of browsing, stroll out along the mile-long Marginal Way.

If you're hiking the wildflower-carpeted tundra around Kotzebue, you are entering a living museum dedicated to permafrost, the permanently frozen ground that lies just a few inches below the spongy tundra. Even Kotzebue's 6,000-foot airport runway is built on permafrost—with an insulating layer between the frozen ground and the airfield surface to ensure that landings are smooth. These days, thawing permafrost can cause problems for communities like Kotzebue: as the ice that binds frozen ground melts due to warm temperatures, the ground collapses and splits, damaging buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. For people in these communities, ice cellars may no longer keep food cold and safe, and thawing permafrost can lead to erosion, impacting sources of water. Other times, tundra lakes can disappear altogether as the surface water percolates down into the thawing soils.

If you're in shape and have a serious geological bent, consider this approximately 8.5-mile round-trip climb. It heads through open, expansive desert country to a forested ridge with Douglas fir and ponderosa pines. Panoramic views of McKittrick Canyon and the surrounding mountain ranges allow you to observe many rock layers. A geology guidebook coordinated to trail makers is available at the Pine Springs Visitor Center. Set aside at least six hours for this trek. Difficult, elevation gain 2,000 feet.

Deep below the surface of South Bass Island, the limestone Perry’s Cave, with its underground lake, has been an island must-see for generations. More recently, a family fun park has been built around the subterranean grotto, and now visitors can easily while away an afternoon at the attraction. Activities include miniature golf, gemstone mining, laser tag, an antique-car display, a rock-climbing wall, and a maze. There’s also a butterfly aviary that houses 50 different species from around the world.

The city's cultures come together in one of its oldest parks, named in honor of World War I general John J. Pershing. Opened in 1866, the park was renovated in the 1990s by architect Ricardo Legorreta and landscape architect Laurie Olin with faded pastel-color walls, fountains, and towers. However, most Downtown residents and architecture lovers are not fans of the design and have long lobbied for a makeover, which is perennially rumored to be unveiled. From mid-November to mid-January, an outdoor ice-skating rink attracts ice-skaters and families. Every Wednesday 10--2 is the Pershing Square Farmers' Market.  The park will undergo a significant overhaul for much of 2023 and into 2024.

Complete with exhibits and a bookstore, this seasonal visitor center is the northern gateway into miles of flatlands that surround the more scenic heart of Big Bend.

One of the most striking stretches of the peninsular coastline is where Highway 1 meets the road leading to the quaint town of Pescadero. On the other side of the highway is a marsh that is always a great spot for seeing local wildlife and birds. The mile-long beach almost appears like an amphitheater thanks to how the short, steep cliffs block any view of the highway above them. Stroll around and view the majestic rock arch and coves. Amenities: toilets, parking (fee). Best for: walking.

Although it's just 34 acres, this high-desert park in Dryden, about 3 miles northwest of Cashmere, is a terrific spot to admire otherworldly, pinnacle-shape rock formations, as well as a favorite destination for rock climbing. A steep 1½-mile trail leads to a dramatic promontory with great views of Wenatchee Valley.

The descendants of Albino Pestoni, a Swiss-Italian immigrant who entered the wine business in 1892, run this winery whose family story encompasses Prohibition hijinks and pioneering composting efforts. A Cabernet Sauvignon, a Merlot, and a Petit Verdot—the winery’s best offerings—come from fruit grown high up Howell Mountain. In 2024, the Pestonis hired well-regarded Aaron Pott as consulting winemaker to add polish to these wines and ones from Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, and other grapes grown on three Rutherford parcels.  Rare in the Napa Valley, guests can bring their own provisions and picnic in the winery's tree-shaded pavilion after a tasting.

The headquarters of General Mariano Vallejo’s vast (66,000 acres at its peak) agricultural domain from 1836 to 1846, this restored compound is the largest extant 19th-century residential adobe in the United States. The mostly low-tech exhibits explain Vallejo’s role as Mexico’s head honcho before California joined the United States and depict daily life for native peoples and Spanish and Mexican settlers.

Petco Park is home to the city's major league baseball team, the San Diego Padres. The ballpark is strategically designed to give fans a view of San Diego Bay, the skyline, and Balboa Park. Reflecting San Diego's beauty, the stadium is clad in sandstone from India to evoke the area's cliffs and beaches; the 39,860 seats are dark blue, reminiscent of the ocean, and the exposed steel is painted white to reflect the sails of harbor boats on the bay. The family-friendly lawnlike berm, "Park at the Park," is a popular and affordable place for fans to view the game, which brings the total capacity to over 42,000. The ballpark is known for an exceptional variety of local food vendors and craft breweries, including burgers from local icon Hodad's, garlic fries from family-owned Gaglione Brothers, "Cardiff Crack" nachos from Seaside Market, and slices and brews from Pizza Port. Behind-the-scenes guided tours of Petco, including the press box and the dugout, are offered throughout the year.

Williamsburg’s premier reading series takes place year-round at a narrow bar in a converted train car; it's free to the public, has been patronized by Jonathan Ames and Dani Shapiro, and is held every other Thursday evening. There's also a poetry series, the second Friday of every month.

No other Disney character meet-and-greet location is quite as much fun as Pete's Silly Sideshow, named after the Mickey Mouse archenemy created in 1925. But you won't meet Strongman Pete under this big top, although he does make a poster appearance. Instead, you'll grip and grin with Goofy, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and his sweetheart, Daisy. Each character poses for photos and signs autographs against a sideshow backdrop: the Great Goofini, "Broken Bone Record Holder," in his stunt garb; the Astounding Donaldo dressed as a snake charmer; Minnie Magnifique, pretty in pink feathers, and her "pirouetting Parisian poodles," and Madame Daisy Fortuna with crystal ball as "seer of all fate and destinies." Two queues move guests along fairly quickly, and elaborate themed backdrops offer extra-fun photo ops.

Hidden from busy Euclid Avenue and East Boulevard, and insulated within Case Western Reserve University's campus, this Frank Gehry–designed structure is as much an iconic work of art as it is a functional headquarters for the Weatherhead School of Management. A twisted and flowing stainless-steel roof caps the undulating brick and glass edifice, creating architectural movement and a centerpiece for Case Western's campus. The building is named for the chairman of the insurance giant Progressive Corporation, Peter Lewis, a renowned philanthropist and supporter of arts and cultural institutions. There are no formal tours.

This sweet indoor ride was inspired by Sir James M. Barrie's 1904 novel about the boy who wouldn't grow up, which Disney animated in 1953. Aboard two-person magic sailing ships with brightly striped sails, you soar into the skies above London en route to Neverland. Along the way you can see Wendy, Michael, and John get sprinkled with pixie dust while Nana barks below, wave to the Lost Boys, spot the evil Captain Hook, and cheer for the ticktocking, clock-swallowing crocodile who breakfasted on Hook's hand.

Children—especially preschoolers—love this ride. Adults enjoy the dreamy views of London by moonlight. The downsides are the ride's brevity and its low-tech look. For people with disabilities: You must transfer from your wheelchair to the ride vehicle. Service animals aren't permitted. Equipped for handheld-captioning and audio-description devices.

Even the most seasoned traveler may develop vertigo peering from the cliff top into a deep river canyon. It is a view that gives insight into why Oregon's high desert looks the way it does, with sheer drops and austere landscapes. You'll want to take pictures, but hang on to your camera.