10457 Best Sights in USA

Sand Key, the landmass that is home to Madeira Beach at the south end and Belleaire Beach in the north, is spotted with public beach access points. This particular spot has a bigger parking area than the others, though it's not free. It's also within walking distance of the Redington Pier, one of the most popular areas for fishing. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

The pier here marks the starting point of this wide, busy beach along a heavily developed shoreline community. Restaurants and shops flourish along the pier; excursion boats and privately owned crafts depart from launching ramps; and a reef formed by a sunken ship creates prime fishing and snorkeling conditions. If you're adventurous, you might try to kayak out to the buoys and hobnob with pelicans and sea lions. A series of free rock and jazz concerts takes place at the pier every summer. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking.

At an elevation of 2,100 feet, this impressive vista point with interpretive signs and picnic tables is a nice spot along picturesque Bald Hills Road to break for a meal. It can get foggy up here, so check weather conditions beforehand.

In 1747, Abraham Redwood gave 500 pounds sterling to found a library of arts and sciences; three years later, this Georgian Palladian–style building (with its wood exterior and columns cleverly styled to look like stonework) opened with 751 titles. More than half of the original collection vanished during the British occupation of Newport, though most of it has been recovered or replaced. Paintings on display include five portraits by Gilbert Stuart. Look for the portrait of the Colonial governor's wife, whose low neckline later led to the commissioning of Stuart's daughter, Jane, to paint a bouquet over her cleavage. Self-guided audio tours are available. The library also presents talks by authors, musicians, and historians.

This historic site, about 22 miles east of Charlotte, is where America's first documented gold rush began, after Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound nugget in 1799. Guided underground tours of the gold mine are available, as well as gold panning (from roughly early April to late October), walking trails, and a stamp mill.

Miners' houses and distinctive shops built in the 1870s line this carefully restored area of Old Helena along with restaurants and a visitor's center. Note the stone pillars and wooden stringers of the Morelli Bridge, spanning a walking trail that leads to the Mount Helena Trail System. You can visit an 1864 hand-hewn log pioneer cabin that now houses a museum of the gold rush days of the 1860s; this is Helena's oldest surviving home.

Safe swimming, proximity to downtown Hilo, and the Ice Pond—a freshwater-fed swimming hole that flows into the backwaters of Hilo Bay—are the enticements of this cove. No, there really isn't ice in the swimming hole; it just feels that way on a hot, sultry day. The large pond, between SCP Hilo Hotel and the Ponds Hilo Restaurant, is a favorite of local kids, who enjoy jumping into and frolicking in the fresh- and saltwater mix. The water is usually calm. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers. Best for: swimming.

Housed in a restored fisherman's home and a larger building is this educational and activity-oriented museum. Permanent and rotating exhibits document the area's fishing industry, and there are two fishing boats here, a skipjack, the Claud W., and a deck boat, the Elva C., which have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

This intimate leisure pool has one of the best views in the park, at the base of Krakatau and beside the clear acrylic tube that carries those who've braved the Ko'okiri Body Plunge. You'll often see people lined up along the tube, watching as guests drop out of sight at the top of the mountain and reappear seconds later en route to the splashy finish. With its own waterfall, this is a nice spot to find a little peace and quiet that's still close to many of the park's main attractions. For people with disabilities: Guests must transfer from a wheelchair onto the pool lift without assistance or with help from a member of their party.

The Reelfoot Area Chamber of Commerce can answer questions about dining and lodging.

Tiptonville's Reelfoot Lake gains a peculiar and mysterious beauty from a romantic scattering of cypress trees and charred stumps. The 13,000-acre lake was formed between 1811 and 1812, when the New Madrid earthquakes caused the Mississippi River to flood into the sinking land where a luxuriant forest once stood. From late November through mid-March the lake is a major sanctuary for American bald eagles. The quiet lake provides good fishing year-round for bass, crappie, trout, bream, and catfish.

The Tennessee Department of Conservation conducts eagle-spotting tours at Reelfoot Lake State Park Vistors Center.

The Temple of Heaven houses another of EPCOT's sweeping and immersive movies. Presented on a seamless 360-degree screen in digital format, this film highlights China's iconic images, both old and new. However, be prepared to stand and possibly hold children: strollers aren't permitted, and there are no seats. For people with disabilities: Wheelchair- and ECV-accessible; reflective captioning and equipped for assisted-listening and audio-description devices. Come anytime, and, before the show, visit the Tomb Warriors gallery, where you can see replicas of the terra-cotta soldiers unearthed in 1974 by farmers in Xi'an, China.

A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum showcases the rich history and culture of African Americans, with a special focus on Maryland. The permanent gallery features famous Marylanders such as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Cab Calloway, and Thurgood Marshall, as well as unsung heroes who helped make the state what it is today. Besides rotating exhibitions, visitors can enjoy live performances from gospel and jazz to steel drums. The monthly film series has enriched audiences on the history of soul food, civil rights, and more. For families, programs like art workshops and living history bring the museum's mission to life. Lectures and the resource center enrich what visitors will find in the permanent collection. Soul food is served at the museum cafe.

This tasting room and retail shop serves wines by the glass from a few dozen Sonoma County producers. Each week a different operation takes center stage, with vintners, winemakers, or staffers discussing their wines during meet-the-makers happy hours. Convene by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne's CHEV, separate projects by the founders of Kosta Browne, are among the labels represented, along with Chenoweth, Lombardi, Scherrer, Trombetta, and other local brands. If you've never heard of them, there's your reason to check this place out.

This mile-long, family-friendly boardwalk offers ocean views and plenty of places to stop for coffee, eats, ice cream, and shopping. Saltwater taffy and vinegar-seasoned fries are boardwalk traditions—enjoy them while people-watching, which is especially colorful during college spring-break season.

Rotating displays tell the history of Rehoboth Beach via artifacts such as shipwreck finds, Civil War and other maps, vintage postcards, and even old-timey swimsuits. Special events might focus on gardening, fishing, musical performances, food history, and more.

This small but well-designed zoo won't tax your patience. There are plenty of shady places to sit, a well-stocked gift shop, a carousel, and a snack bar to rev you up when your energy flags. You can feed carrots to the zoo's friendly giraffes each morning at 10 (9:30 June--September, $3). At the African elephants habitat, you might view a training session (look for posted times at the entrance). If you're visiting in summer, go early in the day when the animals are active.

The clearly expressed, gleaming verticality that characterizes the modern skyscraper was first and most eloquently articulated in this trailblazing steel-frame tower, built by Burnham, Root, and Charles Atwood. Completed in 1895 and now home to the stylish Staypineapple Hotel, the building was a crumbling eyesore until the late 1990s, when the city initiated a major restoration. In the early and mid-1900s, it was a mixed-use office building. Al Capone's dentist reportedly worked out of what's now Room 809. Don't be misled when you go looking for this masterpiece—a block away, at State and Randolph streets, a dormitory for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago shamelessly mimics it. Once you've found the real thing, admire the mosaic floor and ironwork in the reconstructed elevator lobby. The building boasts early examples of the Chicago Window, which define the entire facade by adding a shimmer and glimmer to the surrounding white terra-cotta.

Among the many vineyards throughout the Rogue Valley, Rellik stands out both for producing well-balanced wines (including a quite tasty oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon) and for having a herd of curious friendly alpacas, which makes this a fun stop for the entire family. You can admire and even pet the alpacas, and sip wine while snacking on cheese and charcuterie in the tasting room or on the shaded patio. The vineyard is just over a mile up the road from historic downtown Jacksonville.

For 99 years (1894–1993) Dr. Edwin Crafts Remick and his father provided medical services to the Tamworth area and operated a family farm. These two houses now comprise a farm museum, with the second floor of the house kept as it was when Remick passed away, providing a glimpse into the life of a country doctor. The still-working farm features special activities, such as maple-syrup making, and has hiking trails and picnicking areas.

It's Remy's big night, and he's cooking to impress the food critic Anton Ego. To succeed, he needs the help of all his rat friends, including you! On this ride, the six-person cars, which are shaped like rats, begin by meandering through the oversized rooftops of Paris. Gusteau quickly takes you to his restaurant so you can assist Remy and Linguini with the cooking, all the while trying to avoid the gaze of Skinner, the head chef who has a terror of rats. Combined 3-D screens along with a giant kitchen create a 4-D effect so real it feels like you're really scurrying around. The trackless ride system furthers the notion of independence; often you and your fellow rats will hide in different places and then meet back up to help Remy. For people with disabilities: Wheelchairs can be loaded onto certain ride cars in a lane to the side of the boarding area. Those in ECVs will need to transfer to a standard wheelchair to use this feature or will need to walk to a wider car if they would prefer. The earlier the better for this attraction; lines can be long, and they don't tend to dissipate in the evening.

The 19th-century Carr Building contains the historical society's offices as well as a research library that, through old photos, maps, diaries, and letters, documents Troy's development from the 1800s through the following century. Next door is the Hart-Cluett House, an 1827 Federal town house with a white marble exterior and period furnishings; tours are available by reservation.

This tiny park has a viewing platform dominated by a monument to Captain Cook, whose explorations in 1778 led to the naming of Cook Inlet and many other geographic features in Alaska. Mt. Susitna, known as the Sleeping Lady, is the prominent low mountain to the northwest, and Mts. Spurr and Redoubt, active volcanoes, are just south of Mt. Susitna. Denali, Mt. Foraker, and other peaks of the Alaska Range are often visible from more than 100 miles away.

This beach and park were named after Cornelius Bradford Harvey, former Key West mayor and commissioner. Adjacent to Higgs Beach, it has half a dozen picnic areas across the street, dunes, a pier, and a wheelchair and bike path. Amenities: none. Best for: walking.

Serving as the port for the city of Seward, this 18-mile long fjord is the epic destination for kayakers from all over the world, as well as the entry point to Kenai Fjords National Park. Framed by snow-tip peaks, this scenic body of water is an exciting place for viewing birds and marine life in the summer months.

This tower has been an iconic fixture of the Dallas skyline since 1978. The lights on the giant ball at the top of the tower often dance at night. Visitors can visit the rotating restaurant and lounge or ride an elevator up 55 flights to an observation deck that affords views of Dallas and beyond.

Action, adventure, and horror are in abundance in this spine-tingling thrill ride that combines roller-coaster technology, pyrotechnics, and some super-scary skeletal warriors. The entrance is set up like the tomb of a pharaoh, which means you'll walk through winding catacombs in the near-dark, passing Egyptian artifacts and archaeological scenes before reaching your vehicle. After boarding the multipassenger coaster car and zipping into the heart of a haunted labyrinth, "dead" ahead, you're given the chance to sell your soul for safety and riches. Whether you take the deal or not, a guardian mummy thinks it's high time to send you hurtling through underground passageways, where you must escape a beetle-infested burial chamber, zip backward through fog, and then race full-tilt into the mummified mouth of Imhotep.

Take note: you feel the 1.5 g-forces when flying uphill, and much of the ride takes place in the dark, which adds to its unforgettable intensity. Needless to say, this isn't a good choice for expectant mothers or anyone with neck, back, or heart problems. For people with disabilities: Guests using wheelchairs must transfer to a ride vehicle. By all means, use the available free lockers to stash loose items.

Just north of the city, Revere Beach, the oldest public beach in America, has faded somewhat since its glory days in the early 20th century when it was a Coney Island–type playground, but it still remains a good spot to people-watch and catch some rays. The sand and water are less than pristine, but on hot summer days the waterfront is still packed with colorful local characters and Bostonians looking for an easy city escape. Most of the beach's former amusements are gone, but you can still catch concerts at the bandstand in summer, especially during the annual International Sand Sculpting Festival in July. You can reach Revere on the T by taking the blue line to the Revere Beach or Wonderland stops. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

This museum in the historic district is a tribute to Willcox's most famous native son, cowboy singer Rex Allen. He starred in several rather average "singing cowboy" movies during the 1940s and '50s for Republic Pictures, but he's probably most famous as the friendly voice that narrated Walt Disney nature films of the 1960s. Check out the glittery suits the star wore on tour—they'd do Liberace proud.