205 Best Sights in USA

Formed over millions of years by wind, water, and chemical erosion, this 85-foot-tall, rusty-orange arch formation—one of several rock arches in the park—is an essential photo op from one of the more popular overlooks on the park's scenic drive. Beyond the parking lot lies a rare stand of aspen trees, their leaves twinkling in the wind. Watch out for distracted drivers at this stunning viewpoint.

This panoramic perch looks out to expansive views of Windward Oahu—from Kaneohe Bay to a small island off the coast called Mokolii ("little lizard," also known as Chinaman's Hat). It was in this region that King Kamehameha I drove defending forces over the edges of the 1,200-foot-high cliffs, thus winning the decisive battle for control of the island in 1795. Temperatures at the summit are several degrees cooler than in warm Waikiki, so bring a jacket along. Hang on tight to any loose possessions, and consider wearing pants; it gets extremely windy at the lookout, which is part of the fun. After arriving in the pay-to-park lot, remove valuables from your car and lock it. Break-ins have occurred here; this wayside is in the most trafficked state park in Hawaii.

An "engineering marvel" is how experts describe this beautiful, cable-stayed, 2,120-foot-long Penobscot Narrows Bridge, which is taller than the Statue of Liberty. As one approaches, the bridge appears in the distance like the towers of a fairy-tale castle. The observatory, perched near the top of a 437-foot-tall tower and accessed by an elevator, is the tallest public bridge observatory in the world. Don't miss it—the panoramic views, which take in the hilly countryside and the Penobscot River as it widens into Penobscot Bay, are breathtaking.

Ascending from the banks of Sand and Wheeler creeks, unearthly spires of eroded ash resemble the peaks of fairy tale castles. Once upon a time, the road continued east to a former entrance. A path now replaces the old road and follows the rim of Sand Creek (affording more views of pinnacles) to where the entrance sign still stands.

You can camp within feet of the canyon's edge at this awe-inspiring site. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. The winding road, through gorgeous high country, is only 17 miles, but it will take you at least two hours one-way. The road is intended only for vehicles with high road clearance (pickups and four-wheel-drive vehicles). It is also necessary to be properly equipped for wilderness road travel. Check with a park ranger or at the information desk at Grand Canyon Lodge before taking this journey. You may camp here only with a permit from the Backcountry Information Center.

Just a half-mile apart, Rainbow and Yovimpa Points offer two spectacular panoramas facing opposite directions. Rainbow Point's best view is to the north overlooking the southern rim of the amphitheater and giving a glimpse of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument; Yovimpa Point's vista spreads out to the south. On an especially clear day you can see all the way to Arizona's highest point, Humphreys Peak, 150 miles away. Yovimpa Point also has a shady and quiet picnic area with tables and restrooms. You can hike between them on the easy Bristlecone Loop or tackle the more strenuous 8.8-mile Riggs Spring Loop Trail, which passes the tallest point in the park.

Even in daylight, the Roanoke skyline is dominated by a star. The 100-foot-tall Mill Mountain Star, constructed in 1949 as a holiday decoration, stands in a city park 1,000 feet above the Roanoke Valley. Normally illuminated in white, on special occasions the star might sport festive colors, like red, white, and blue for July 4. From either of the park's two overlooks, Roanoke, the "Star City of the South," looks like a scale model of a city, framed by wave after wave of Appalachian ridgelines. You can hike or bike the mountain's greenway trail or share your visit on social media via the live "star cam."

One of the world's longest aerial tramways, here tramway cars climb nearly three miles up the steep western face of the Sandias, giving you a dazzling close-up view (whatever the season) of the imposing rock formations and wind-blown wilderness. From the observation deck at the 10,378-foot summit, you can scan some 11,000 square miles of spectacular scenery, including desert, volcanos, mountains, and more. A graceful hawk or an eagle soaring above or mountain lions roaming the cliffs below may also be spotted. An exhibit room at the top surveys the area's wildlife; a few steps away is Ten 3, where fine dining and a casual eatery and lounge await (reservations required), or you can access the Sandia Peak ski area.

It's much colder and windier at the summit than at the tram's base, so pack a jacket. Tram cars leave from the base at regular intervals for the 15-minute ride to the top. Purchase tickets (all round-trip) up to 24 hours advance online (or in-person on the day of); the parking fee is included.

Take in 360-degree views of the Emerald City from Sky View Observatory, located 900 feet above Seattle in the city's tallest building, the Columbia Center. Spot Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Elliott Bay, and the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges from the observatory. Experience Seattle from above during your chosen time: daytime, golden hour, or at night when the city lights glisten against the dark sky.

Winter through early summer, rain and snowmelt turn the Snoqualmie River into a thundering torrent at Snoqualmie Falls, although the view is pretty astounding even during dry periods. These sweeping cascades, which the region's indigenous residents consider sacred, provided the backdrop for the Twin Peaks opening montage. The water pours over a 268-foot rock ledge (100 feet higher than Niagara Falls) to a 65-foot-deep pool. A privately owned 2-acre park with a gift shop and observation platform affords some of the best views of the falls and the mountains beyond, as does the elegant Salish Lodge hotel. The 3-mile round-trip River Trail winds through trees and over open slopes to the base of the cascades.

Seattle’s iconic tower, built for the 1962 world’s fair, wears its age beautifully—especially after a major 2018 renovation. Your visit begins with a ground-floor exhibit about the Needle’s history before an elevator zips you up to the two-level observation area. The lower level features a revolving glass floor and floor-to-ceiling windows; above it, an open-air deck offers unobstructed views. The 360-degree panorama is the real payoff—a breathtaking geography lesson where neighborhoods sprawl below, waterways wind toward the Pacific, and mountains crown every horizon. (Scan the QR-coded signs for an easy guide to the landmarks.)

Expect crowds, particularly in summer. Buying timed-entry tickets online helps streamline your visit and guarantees admission. The Needle stays open after dark, and the glittering city views are just as mesmerizing as the daytime ones. Can’t decide between the two? A dual-entry ticket lets you go up twice in a day. You can also save with a combo ticket that includes admission to the neighboring Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Taking you 1,210 feet and 93 floors above the heart of New York City, in part via an all-glass-enclosed elevator, NYC’s newest observation deck (opened in late 2021) "elevates" the observation deck concept, offering unique immersive and multisensory art installations amid three levels. Among them, the Air exhibit by Kenzo Digital evokes mirrored floors and ceilings to reflect and multiply the incredible skyline views of the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and beyond. In fact, there are so many reflective surfaces in this experience that Summit recommends pants and sunglasses to protect your modesty and your eyes.

The 91st and 92nd floors are completely enclosed. The views are endless and even with crowds, it is easy to find an impressive selfie backdrop. After you have had your fill of spotting NYC rooftops and before you come back down to earth, linger a while longer at Après on the 93rd floor, where you can enjoy food, coffee, and cocktails on the wraparound terrace. Those who dare to go higher can try Ascent, the world’s largest exterior glass-floor elevator, which takes you up the outside of the building to its highest point.

Named for its stunning views at dawn, this overlook a short walk from the Lodge at Bryce Canyon is one of the park's most beloved stops. It's also the trailhead for the Queen's Garden Trail and the southern end of the Fairyland Loop. You can also walk to Sunrise Point along the easy Rim Trail from Sunset Point (to the south) or North Campground (to the north).

Windswept and desolate, Twin Peaks yields sweeping vistas of San Francisco and the neighboring counties. At a hilltop park 922 feet above sea level, you can get a real feel for the city's layout, but you'll share it with busloads of other admirers; in summer, arrive before the late-afternoon fog turns the view into pea soup. To drive here, head west from Castro Street up Market Street, which eventually becomes Portola Drive. Turn right (north) on Twin Peaks Boulevard and follow the signs to the top. Muni bus 37–Corbett heads west to Twin Peaks from Market Street. Catch this bus above the Castro Street Muni light-rail station on the island west of Castro at Market Street.

Several Russian Hill buildings survived the 1906 earthquake and fire and remain standing. Patriotic firefighters saved what's become known as the Flag House ( 1652–56 Taylor St.) when they spotted the American flag on the property. The owner, a flag collector, fearing the house would burn, wanted it to go down with "all flags flying." At the southwest corner of Ina Coolbrith Park, it is one of a number of California shingle–style homes in this neighborhood, several of which the architect Willis Polk designed.

Polk drew up the plans for the nearby Polk-Williams House ( Taylor and Vallejo Sts.) and lived in one of its finer sections, and he was responsible for 1034–1036 Vallejo, across the street. He also laid out the Vallejo Steps themselves, which climb the steep ridge across Taylor Street from the Flag House. The precipitous walk up to Ina Coolbrith Park and beyond is possibly the most pleasurable thing to do while on Russian Hill. If the walk up the steps will be too taxing, park at the top by heading east on Vallejo from Jones and enjoy the scene from there.

With 33 miles of views from the tippy top of the Prudential Center, View Boston offers a 360-degree observation deck (part of which is open-air) high above the heart of Boston. A true bird’s-eye experience, there are elevated viewing spots, as well as the fun, interactive Virtual Viewers discovery tool to help ID neighborhoods. The Boston 365 activation is a remarkable 3D model of the city with projection mapping, and the 270-degree immersive theater showcases street-level sights up close. Dine among the clouds at the Beacon Bistro or grab a cocktail at Stratus.

A two-tier octagonal structure perched on the edge of this 730-foot-high cliff offers unparalleled 30-mile views up and down the Columbia River Gorge. The building dates to 1917, its rotunda and lower level filled with displays about the Gorge and the highway. Vista House's architect Edgar Lazarus was the brother of Emma Lazarus, author of the poem displayed at the base of the Statue of Liberty.

An easily accessible access point to see the beauty of the Waipio Valley, this lookout offers a stunning view of the valley and the high cliffs that surround it. Not surprisingly, it's a popular spot, but there's plenty of parking to handle the cars on most days; Hawaii County maintains the park at the top. A treacherous paved road leads down from the Waipio Valley Lookout, but no car rental companies on the island allow their cars to be driven down. Please don't try, even if you rented a four-wheel drive. You can walk it, and you should if you can. The distance is actually less than a mile from the lookout point—just keep in mind that the climb back gains 1,000 feet in elevation and is highly strenuous, so bring water and a walking stick. Your best bet for seeing the wonders of the valley floor is with a guided four-wheel-drive tour such as the Waipio Valley Shuttle. Due to repair work, Waipio Valley Road going down to the valley was closed at the time of writing for all but essential uses. Check ahead and confirm with outfitters.

Dominated by the Yavapai Geology Museum and Observation Station, this point displays panoramic views of the mighty gorge through a wall of windows. Exhibits at the museum include videos of the canyon floor and the Colorado River, a scaled diorama of the canyon with national park boundaries, fossils, and rock fragments used to re-create the complex layers of the canyon walls, and a display on the natural forces used to carve the chasm. Dig even deeper into Grand Canyon geology with free daily ranger programs. This point is also a good location to watch the sunset.

At an elevation of 7,399 feet, the view from here is one of the finest in the canyon. To the northeast is a group of dominant buttes, including Krishna Shrine, Vishnu Temple, Rama Shrine, and Sheba Temple. A short stretch of the Colorado River is also visible. Directly below the point, and accessible by the steep and rugged Grandview Trail, is Horseshoe Mesa, where you can see remnants of Last Chance Copper Mine.

At the end of the road, high above Waimea Canyon, the Kalalau Lookout marks the start of a 1-mile (one-way) walk along the road to the Puu o Kila Lookout. On a clear day at either spot, you can see a dreamy landscape of gaping valleys, sawtooth ridges, waterfalls, and turquoise seas, where whales can be seen spouting and breaching during the winter months. If clouds block the view, don't despair—they tend to blow through, giving you time to snap that photo of a lifetime. You may spot wild goats clambering on the sheer rocky cliffs and white-tailed tropicbirds. If it's very clear to the northwest, drink in the shining sands of Kalalau Beach, gleaming like golden threads against the deep blue of the Pacific.

From atop the Thomas Divide, just a little below the crest of the Smokies, you can look down at winding Newfound Gap Road. This is also a good spot to view the sunrise.

At an elevation of 6,720 feet, the Abyss is one of the most awesome stops on Hermit Road, revealing a sheer drop of 3,000 feet to the Tonto Platform, a wide terrace of Tapeats sandstone about two-thirds of the way down the canyon. From the Abyss you'll also see several isolated sandstone columns, the largest of which is called The Monument.

This overlook in the southern section of the park has a nice view of several standout hoodoos. Look for the top-heavy formation called The Hunter, which actually has a few small hardy trees growing on its cap. As the rock erodes, the park evolves; snap a picture because The Hunter may look different the next time you visit.

On a clear day, much of the north side of the Alaska Range is visible from this overlook, a favorite spot for time-lapse photography of the midwinter sun just peeking over the southern horizon on a low arc. The three major peaks, called the Three Sisters, are nearly always distinguishable on a clear day. From your left are Mt. Hayes, 13,832 feet; Mt. Hess, 11,940 feet; and Mt. Deborah, 12,339 feet. Much farther to the right, toward the southwest, hulks Denali, the highest peak in North America. On some seemingly clear days it's not visible at all. At other times the base is easy to see but the peak is lost in cloud cover. Look for the parking area just east of the university's Museum of the North.

A dirt path leads to the island's highest point, Altar Rock (101 feet), and the view is spectacular. The hill overlooks approximately 4,000 acres of rare coastal heathland laced with paths leading in every direction.

Perched above a dense fossil bed, this overhang, adjacent to the Pinnacles overlook, is where prehistoric bison hunters drove herds of buffalo over the edge.

Although the Arizona Snowbowl is still one of Flagstaff's biggest attractions, snowy slopes can be a luxury in times of drought. Fortunately, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the area year-round, with or without the fluffy white stuff. The chairlift climbs the San Francisco Peaks to a height of 11,500 feet and doubles as a 30-minute scenic gondola ride in summer. From this vantage point you can see up to 70 miles; views may even include Sedona's red rocks and the Grand Canyon. There's a lodge at the base with a restaurant, bar, and ski school. To reach the ski area, take U.S. 180 north from Flagstaff; it's 7 miles from the Snowbowl exit to the sky-ride entrance.