78 Best Sights in USA

This new memorial in the Boston Common was created as a permanent honor to the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, their love, and powerful presence in Boston.

More than two dozen murals in the Central Valley city of Exeter's cute-as-a-button downtown make it worth a quick detour if you're traveling on Route 198. Several of the murals, which depict the area's agricultural and social history, are quite good. All adorn buildings within a few blocks of the intersection of Pine and E streets. If you're hungry, the Wildflower Cafe, at 121 South E Street, serves inventive salads and sandwiches. Shortly after entering Exeter, head west on Pine Street (it's just before the water tower) to reach downtown.

Set on 6.5 acres in the burgeoning Warehouse Arts District, this ambitious project consists of eight converted factories and warehouses that provide 91,000 square feet of creative space for galleries, studios, and arts organizations and businesses (including a record store). Events–from workshops to markets to festivals—are held here, too. It's also home to the Fairgrounds, an immersive art-and-technology experience.

Established in 2012 by the Palm Springs Art Museum, the 4-acre desert garden, open from sunrise to sunset, holds 14 cutting-edge works by contemporary sculptors, including Donald Judd, Betty Gold, Yehiel Shemi, Felipe Castañeda, Jesús Bautista Moroles, and Dan Namingha.

A menacing 18 feet tall, with only one eye and long, gnarly fingers clutching an actual old VW Beetle, as if recently plucked from the highway above, the Troll is a compelling and enticing piece of public art. Just a few blocks off each of the neighborhood's main drags, it makes a nice destination for a post-meal stroll and photo-op. Kids love to climb the stairs behind the statue and play on the beast itself, though parents should beware that the location means it is always covered in a mix of dry dust and highway soot. Built in 1991, it's one of the city's early and most prominent examples of art as hostile architecture, designed to prevent people experiencing houselessness from using the covered area as shelter.

Since its inception in 1968, nearly 8 million spectators have attended this larger-than-life experience, making it the most attended outdoor drama in the United States (according to the Institute of Outdoor Drama at the University of North Carolina). The performance features 170 actors and hundreds of live animals on a three-stories-tall set the size of two football fields, built into the side of a hill. Other attractions on the grounds include a sacred art museum, a Bible museum, a replica of parts of the Holy Land, and the 67-foot high statue, "Christ of the Ozarks," erected here in 1966. An all-you-can-eat buffet is also available for an extra charge. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

If you're in need of an Instagram-able memento of your trip to the capital city, head to the Greetings from Austin mural on South 1st Street. The welcoming phrase is depicted in the form of a colorful 1940s-inspired postcard that draws crowds of snapshot-happy visitors for a quick photo op. On any given day, you'll see tour bus groups, costumed bachelorette parties, high-end fashion shoots, and even locals taking their annual Christmas card photo with an on-site Santa Claus, at this popular public artwork. The mural is on the side of Roadhouse Relics, a small art studio and gallery showcasing the incredible work of local neon artist Todd Sanders.

More than 200 sculptures by prominent local, national, and international artists are displayed in a variety of natural settings at this 400-acre park. Kids enjoy touching and climbing on the pieces, which actually is allowed here. About 10 mi of hiking trails vein the park, which is 7 mi north of Ellicottville. Ask for directions at your hotel or bring a map of the area, as it's a bit off the beaten path.

You can grab a bite and take in the unique street art here at any time of the year. Formerly known as the POW! WOW! Worldwide art collective, this project was founded in Hawaii in 2010 and has spread to cities globally. Its most visible Oahu endeavor is a multiblock area where colorful, eclectic, and innovative murals are painted on once-derelict-looking warehouses and other buildings. Every year, artists from all over come to refresh existing murals and add new ones. In 2023, the projects moved out of Kakaako for the first time (to Kalihi-Palama in the first year).

The Cody Mural, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presents a larger-than-life artistic interpretation of Mormon settlement in the West. Edward Grigware painted the 36-foot-diameter scene on the domed ceiling in the 1950s. A small museum contains historical artifacts as well as interactive kiosks where visitors can explore their genealogy.

Providing equipment for countless Los Angeles bands since the 1960s, Guitar Center pays tribute to its rock-star clientele with the Hollywood RockWalk in front of the building. The concrete slabs are imprinted with the talented hands of Van Halen, Carole King, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale, Slash, Carlos Santana, AC/DC, and others. Two standouts are Joey Ramone's upside-down hand and Lemmy of Motörhead's "middle finger salute." 

It's hard to miss the giant mural on the northwest corner of Houston Street and the Bowery, though the artwork itself is constantly changing. It started back in 1982, when Keith Haring, along with his pal Juan Dubose, painted what is believed to have been Haring's first large-scale work. Real estate developer and arts visionary Tony Goldman (he's responsible for Miami's Wynwood Walls) acquired the wall in 1984 and used it for advertisements until 2008, when he and art curator Jeffrey Deitch commissioned a tribute to Haring for what would have been the artist's 50th birthday. Since then, an internationally recognized cast of artists have used the concrete as canvas—including Shepard Fairey and Kenny Scharf in 2010, French artist JR in 2011, and Banksy in 2018.

This simple mural, featuring the phrase "i love you" scrawled in red spray paint on the side of Jo's Coffee on South Congress, has become an unlikely art installation and permanent photo op for locals and visitors alike. On any given day, you could see a couple getting their engagement photos snapped or families taking their Christmas card portraits in front of the cheekily scrawled love letter. Lines for a quick photo in front of the now-famous green wall can stretch around the block, especially on weekends, but it doesn't seem to matter to most folks who use the same line to queue up for one of Jo's signature lattes and turbo cold brews.

Honoring the Big Island chieftain who united all the warring Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom in the early 19th century, this statue, which stands with one arm outstretched in welcome, is one of two cast in Paris by American sculptor T. R. Gould. The original statue, lost at sea and replaced by this one, was eventually salvaged and is now in Kapaau, on the Big Island, near the king's birthplace. Each year on the king's birthday (June 11), the more famous copy is draped in fresh lei that reach lengths of 18 feet and longer. A parade proceeds past the statue, and Hawaiian civic clubs, women in hats and impressive long holoku dresses, and men in sashes and cummerbunds honor the leader, whose name means "The One Set Apart." 

The towering mural that seems to enclose the Women's Building, a community space supporting women and community organizations, celebrates women around the world who work for peace. Created by 7 main artists and almost 100 helpers in 1994, this 5-story-tall artwork is one of the city's don't-miss murals.

More than two dozen hand-painted murals in downtown Barstow depict the town's history, from prehistoric times and early explorers to pioneer caravans, mining eras, and Route 66. Self-guided walking tour maps are available at the Barstow Chamber of Commerce or on the Main Street Mural website. 

Throughout town, especially in parks beside the lake and at the gardens at Mill Falls Marketplace, you'll see colorful contemporary artworks. They're part of the Annual Meredith Sculpture walk, a year-round juried event featuring 33 distinctive pieces by renowned sculptors. Each June, a new collection of sculptures is installed. For a detailed look, take a free guided tour, offered at 10 am Wednesdays, mid-July through mid-September.

Sitting squarely in the Music Row roundabout (also known as Buddy Killen Circle), Musica was originally a point of controversy but now represents the artistic and cultural diversity of this thriving city. Musica is a bronze statue depicting nine dancing nude figures—including African American, Asian American, Native, and Latinx men and women—enthralled by music. At its pinnacle stands a woman holding a tambourine. The 14- and 15-foot-tall figures stand on limestone boulders, which are native to the area.

Twenty-six murals painted on the sides of buildings depict the pioneer history, military service, wildlife, and landscape of Twentynine Palms and its past and current residents. The public art project began in 1994 and the group behind it, Action Council for 29 Palms, restores them as needed. You can't miss the art on a drive around town, but you can also pick up a free map from the visitor center.

The late Harvey Fite put 37 years into the making of this 6-acre outdoor sculpture, created in the rock bed of an abandoned bluestone quarry. The architectural creation is an assemblage of curving bluestone walkways, swirling terraces, and finely fitted ramps around pools, trees, and fountains. The Quarryman's Museum contains 19th-century tools.

The whimsical sculptures of local junk artist Patrick Amiot and his wife, Brigitte Laurent (he creates them, she paints them), are installed all over Sonoma County, but you can see many works on Florence Avenue three blocks west of Main Street. Amiot reclaims old car parts, abandoned appliances, and the like, refashioning them into everything from pigs, dogs, and people to mermaids and Godzilla.

Erected in 2003 to honor the victims of the Irish Famine (1845–1849), the memorial features 35 life-size bronze figures that depict the famine in Ireland, as well as people moving to and arriving in America; more than 1 million people died in the famine and more than 1 million people left the country. The memorial was designed by Glenna Goodacre. (Note: the statue is currently in a temporary location at 109 Spruce Street, until the construction project at Penn's Landing is completed). 

One of six giant trolls handmade from recycled materials by artist Thomas Dambo now lives in Bainbridge's Sakai Park, a little more than a mile off Highway 305 and eight minutes by car (about 30 minutes on foot) from the ferry terminal. Like the other five trolls in the Puget Sound area (Vashon Island, West Seattle, Issaquah, and Ballard) and Portland, Pia was built on-site in 2023 and will be there through at least 2026 but probably many years more. Her eyes are especially enchanting (and peaceful!). If you're into geocaching, look for the Adventure Lab that leads from the art museum to the Pia.

The 200-foot-long mural inside the Price Municipal Building is a visual narration of the history of the town and of Carbon County, beginning with the first trappers and white settlers. The painting took artist Lynn Fausett almost four years to complete back in the late 1930s.

This pocket park in College Hill offers one of the most scenic views of Downtown, particularly in the fall when the surrounding foliage plays spectacularly off the urban backdrop. Prospect Terrace's centerpiece is a statue of Roger Williams, Rhode Island's forward-thinking founder—who here seems to be groovin' to the 1980s song "Walk Like an Egyptian." In reality, however, he's buried under the statue.

The last work by sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle (1930–2002), this sculpture garden designed for entertaining children consists of nine totemic figures up to 21 feet tall. Adorned with stylized monsters, animals, protective deities, geometric symbols, and crests, the pieces evoke ancient tales and legends. Youngsters can climb on the giant fanciful figures.

An ambitious beautification project also promoting democracy in art, outdoor wellness, and other ideals, RAD Napa commissions artists to paint murals on buildings, fences, and utility boxes along or near downtown Napa's railroad tracks. Sculptures and other installations are also involved. Many of the outdoor artworks can be viewed along the Napa Valley Vine Trail pedestrian and biking path or aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Download a walking map on RAD Napa's website.

Known as the "Enchanted Highway," this self-guided 30-mile driving tour east of Dickinson features seven giant metal sculptures designed by a local artist, including a 51-foot Teddy Roosevelt. Massive sculptures include a deer crossing, grasshopper family, pheasants on the prairie, a 150-foot-long gaggle of geese, and a tin family with a 45-foot father, 44-foot mother, and 23-foot son.

Ketchikan is known for its public art, and this bronze monument by local artist Dave Rubin provides a striking introduction. The Rock (2010) depicts seven life-size figures representative of Ketchikan's history: a Tlingit drummer, a logger, a miner, a fisherman, an aviator, a pioneer woman, and Tlingit chief George Johnson (the sculpture's only specific portrayal). The piece is located on the waterfront next to the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau.