10405 Best Sights in USA

Learn about the history of the Tampa Bay region, from indigenous Tocobaga people to St. Pete's spring training history to America's first commercial airline, at the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Exhibits include those on Native American primitive shell tools and thousands of baseballs signed by the likes of Babe Ruth. There's also a full-size replica of the Benoist Airboat flown by pioneer aviator Tony Jannus.

One of only five surviving lighthouses in Georgia, the St. Simons Lighthouse has become a symbol of the island. It's been in use since 1872; a predecessor was blown up to prevent its capture by Union troops in the Civil War. The St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, occupying two stories of the lightkeeper's dwelling, tells of the history of the island, the lighthouse, and James Gould, the first lightkeeper of the original lighthouse. The keeper's second-floor quarters contain a parlor, kitchen, and two bedrooms furnished with period pieces, including beds with rope mattress suspension. The last climb of the lighthouse is at 4:30.

Rose Kennedy, matriarch of the Kennedy clan, was christened here; 104 years later, St. Stephen's held mourners at her 1995 funeral. This is the only Charles Bulfinch--designed church still standing in Boston, and a stunning example of the Federal style to boot. Built in 1804, it was first used as a Unitarian Church; since 1862 it has served a Roman Catholic parish. When the belfry was stripped during a major 1960s renovation, the original dome was found beneath a false cap; it was covered with sheet copper and held together with hand-wrought nails, and later authenticated as being the work of Paul Revere.

The French fashion company Chanel owns this winery whose Rutherford vineyards surround its hospitality center and production facility. St. Supéry makes two widely distributed wines, a Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet Sauvignon, but most tastings revolve around limited-production efforts from the Rutherford site and the 1,500-acre Dollarhide Ranch on Howell Mountain. Hosts tailor sessions to guests' preferences, pouring, for instance, all whites or reds. One of the latter tastings explores valley-floor and mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Among the specialized experiences at this enthusiastic proponent of wine education is Aromatherapy with a Corkscrew, which involves blind sniffing and tasting to learn how to identify citrus, tropical, and other aromas in wines.

The one surviving example of Jeffersonian church architecture, St. Thomas's Episcopal Church is a replica of Charlottesville's demolished Christ Church, originally designed by Virginia's preeminent architect and statesman. It's here that Robert E. Lee worshipped during the winter of 1863–64. The church's biggest decorative asset is its Tiffany window. Sunday services are at 8 am and 11 am.

North of Bighorn Canyon is the tiny settlement where Father Prando, a Jesuit missionary, founded the St. Xavier Mission in 1887. This was the first mission to the Crow tribe and, as such, offered the people their first primary school. Although the town is barely inhabited, the church and school are still in use and may be visited. The school, called Pretty Eagle Catholic Academy, provides a free K–8 education for 160 students, 98% of whom are Crow.

Once patronized by Martha Washington, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary is one of the oldest in the country. The shop now houses a museum of memorabilia, including one of the finest collections of apothecary bottles in the country. In fact, they have so many of these original bottles (20,000 in total) that it took six years to process them all. Tours include discussions of the history of medicine as it was practiced at this family-run business for 141 years.

This trail connects Collie Ridge Trail with the livery at Double J Stables & Horseman's Campground. Horses and hiking only. 0.2 mi. Easy.

A 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon put this winery and the Napa Valley on the enological map by placing first in the famous Judgment of Paris tasting of 1976. The grapes for that wine came from a vineyard visible from the stone-and-glass Fay Outlook & Visitor Center, which has broad views of a second fabled Cabernet vineyard (Fay) and the promontory that gives both the winery and the Stags Leap District AVA their names. Cabernets from these vineyards are poured at appointment-only tastings (call ahead for same-day visits).  When the weather's right, two patios with the same views as the tasting room fill up quickly.

Artifacts from early settlement days and the period when the Cheyenne–Deadwood Stage Line was in full swing are some of the displays at the Stagecoach Museum. You also can get information about the Texas Cattle Trail.

A must for history buffs, this winery at the base of the Stags Leap Palisades dates to 1893. Three years earlier, its original owners erected the Manor House, noteworthy for its castlelike stone facade, redwood-paneled interior, and open-air porch that seems out of a flapper-era movie set. Some tastings take place on the porch, others inside. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the calling cards, along with the Ne Cede Malis Petite Sirah, from vines planted in 1929. The winery also makes Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier,  Malbec, and Merlot. Visits are strictly by appointment.

Unlike the forests of the park's south and west sides, Douglas fir is the dominant tree in this area on the east slope of the Olympic Mountains. Fire has played an important role in creating the majestic forest here, as the Staircase Ranger Station explains in interpretive exhibits. There are trails and camping, too.

Oxen, sheep, pigs, and other animals roam this 118-acre New England farmstead. Once the estate of Henri Bendel, the property includes a Tudor Revival stone mansion housing exhibits on natural history, art, and Americana. Nature trails wind through 80 acres of woods—perfect for a daytime hike year-round or on a summer evening. Special experiences include maple sugaring in February, a farm market on summer Sundays, and apple cidering on fall weekends.

Known by locals as The Dish, this radio telescope has served many purposes over the years, including some for the government; it's run by a local research institute, not the university itself. The main reason that everyone comes to The Dish is because of its series of hiking and jogging trails that wind their way around the classic Northern California landscape full of oak trees, spring poppy flowers, and local wildlife, rewarding each workout with stellar views.

A Greek Revival--style farmhouse on Stanford Road, just minutes from the Towpath Trail, Stanford House was built by George Stanford, son of James Stanford who settled the property in 1806 and was one of the original surveyors of Boston Township. During the late 19th century and into the turn of the 20th, the Stanford family farmed wheat, hay, cattle, and sheep, as well as cultivating lumber. One of the best-known early settlers of the region, George and his wife Catherine had eight children though only one---George Carter---outlived his parents. George and his son were active in local politics, holding several positions in public office. When the Ohio & Erie Canal was built alongside the river in front of Stanford House in 1827, it connected the Stanfords to markets in Cleveland, Akron, and beyond, which ensured the continued prosperity of the family. Over time, George added several outlying structures including a barn, smokehouse, a springhouse, and granary.

Original Stanley Steamer cars built by identical twin brothers Francis and Freelan Stanley—Kingfield's most famous natives—are the main draw at this museum inside a 1903 Georgian-style former school. Also well worth the stop here are exhibits about the glass-negative photography business the identical twins sold to Eastman Kodak, and the well-composed photographs, taken by their sister, Chansonetta Stanley Emmons, of everyday country life at the turn of the 20th century.

Dating from the 1930s, this historic church, now a community center, is known for its colorfully painted folk-art interior. It was moved to its present location in 1990 just ahead of the advancing lava flow that destroyed the Kalapana area. The church was built by a Belgian Catholic missionary priest, Father Evarist Gielen, who also painted the detailed scenes on the church's interior. Though similar in style, the Star of the Sea and St. Benedict's (in South Kona) were painted by two different Belgian priests. Star of the Sea also holds several stained-glass windows and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This is the spot to check out costumes, concept art work, replica props, models, and artifacts from the Star Wars films on display in several galleries. A 10-minute film runs continuously in the Launch Bay Theater, documenting the creation of Star Wars through interviews with the directors, writers, and producers of this wildly popular film series. There's also an area where you can meet and have your photo taken with Star Wars characters. For people with disabilities: Guests can remain in wheelchairs and ECVs in specialty seating in the back of the theater. Handheld captioning, assistive listening, and audio description are available. Disney Visa Cardholders can show their card ID for an exclusive Star Wars Magic Shot experience.

If visiting a Star Wars thrill ride isn't enough, why not an overnight stay? The extremely expensive (up to $6,000 for a family of four), immersive, three-day, two-night ride, experience, and "resort" offers accommodations on a fictitious,100-cabin cruise ship, where guests join the battle between the Resistance and the First Order, enjoying a journey to Batuu, themed meals, and interactive experiences with costumed cast members. The details, portrayals and overall atmosphere are incredibly true to the galaxy far, far away and start the moment you are "launched" into space, continuing through meals and cocktails at the famed Cantina, lightsaber training, and roleplaying missions to the Rise of the Resistance attraction.  Kids will probably want to order their Star Wars costumes in advance to arrive "in character"

Built in 1793, this Federal style home was where Mary Pickersgill hand-sewed the 30 x 42 foot, 15-star, 15-stripe flag that survived the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner." The house contains early 19th century furnishings and American art of the period, including pieces from the Pickersgill family. Outdoors, a map of the United States has been made of stones from the various states. The Jean and Lillian Hofmeister building houses a new, permanent exhibit, Family of Flagmakers, which examines the life and career of Mary Pickersgill and contains the original receipt for the Star-Spangled Banner, on view for the first time in decades.

Swope Park is also home to the Starlight Theatre, an outdoor theater hosting Broadway plays and other family-friendly entertainment.

is one of the most well-respected breweries on the East Coast, featuring four house brews—Amber Ale, Pale Ale, Jomo Lager, and Dark Starr Stout—and open for tastings on weekends from noon to 5.

This arboretum, 9 miles east of Winchester, has the most extensive boxwood collection in North America. Hands-on workshops and tours are available throughout spring, summer, and fall. You can stroll through the perennial and herb gardens and have a look at more than 8,000 trees. This spot is a wonderful place to bird-watch or to have a picnic.

This building has housed the offices of the governor and the Legislature since 1932. It is a testament to the personal influence of legendary Governor Huey P. Long that funding for such a massive building was approved during the Great Depression, and that the building itself was completed in a mere 14 months. You can tour the first floor, richly decorated with murals and mosaics, and peer into the halls of the Louisiana Legislature. Long's colorful personality—and autocratic ways—eventually caught up with him: he was assassinated in 1935, and the spot where he was shot (near the rear elevators) is marked with a plaque. At 34 stories, this is America's tallest state capitol; an observation deck on the 27th floor affords an expansive view of the Mississippi River, the city, and the industrial outskirts.

Rugged peaks, thick forests, and burbling streams make up this 71,000-acre park nestled in the Medicine Bow Mountains with views of the Never Summer Range. Fish for trout, ride horseback, hike or mountain bike, explore four-wheel-drive roads, or ski, snowmobile, or snowshoe along miles of trails. Boating is allowed in the central reservoir only. Camping, cabins, and backcountry yurts are available year-round.

Operated by the State Historical Society of Iowa, this museum offers an excellent overview of Iowa's culture, both past and present. Temporary exhibits cover topics to fit varying interests, while permanent exhibits include wildlife dioramas, vintage aircraft, and "The Delicate Balance: Human Values and Iowa's Natural Resources," which provides a greater understanding of the state's relationship with natural resources by allowing visitors to stand in a coal mine or learn how to sew Native American moccasins.

Six bronze stars on the western wall of South Carolina's grandest building mark where direct hits were made by General Sherman's cannons. Begun in 1851 and completed in 1907, the capitol is made of native blue granite in the Italian Renaissance style. The interior is richly appointed with brass, marble, mahogany, and artwork. Guided tours are available throughout the day.

Adjacent to Sutter's Fort but run separately, this small but engaging museum explores the lives and history of California's indigenous peoples. Arts-and-crafts displays and other exhibits portray the state's earliest inhabitants.

One block north of the State Capitol, this complex hums with lawmakers and lobbyists when the legislature is in session. It's fun to watch from the third-floor gallery. Free guided tours are available but must be scheduled in advance through Capitol Area Services.

About 18,000 students are enrolled at this state university, established in 1844. The quaint downtown campus, built in 1909, was modeled after the University of Virginia. The 1971 uptown campus is dominated by stark, massive arches. A large reflecting pool lies at the center of a quadrangle formed by four high-rise dorms and classrooms.