10457 Best Sights in USA

Founded by the Ashton family (Alan Ashton founded WordPerfect computer software, which is now Orem-based Novell), Thanksgiving Point is an ever-evolving destination with a wealth of attractions. Wander among 60 dinosaur skeletons in the Museum of Ancient Life; explore a slew of oddities in the Museum of Natural Curiosity; play golf on an 18-hole Johnny Miller–designed course; or meditate in 55 acres of carefully landscaped and eminently Instagrammable gardens. There are also a petting zoo with cute farm animals, a butterfly biosphere, shops, restaurants, and a megaplex theater, and there are several hotels nearby. The museums are open year-round, but gardens and some other attractions are seasonal.

Bustling Thayer Street bears a proud old New England name and is very much a part of campus life at Brown, RISD, and other local colleges. Gentrification has resulted in an influx of chain stores. In the blocks between Waterman and Bowen Streets, though, you'll still find fashion boutiques, shops selling funky gifts, the art deco--style Avon Cinema, and restaurants serving every kind of cuisine from Greek to Korean.

The second-oldest marine-mammal center in the world doesn't attempt to compete with more modern, more expensive parks. Even so, it's among the better attractions north of Key West, especially if you have kids in tow. In addition to seeing marine-life exhibits and shows, you can make reservations for up-close-and-personal encounters like a swim with a dolphin or sea lion or stingray and turtle feedings (which include general admission). Stop for lunch at the grill, shop in the extensive gift shop, or sunbathe and swim at the private beach.

If it weren't for a small sign on the sidewalk and the faint whiff of cocoa in the air, you'd never know that Fremont has its own artisanal chocolate factory with daily tours. Since it opened in 2005, Theo has become one of the Northwest's most familiar chocolate brands, and is sold in shops across the city. Theo uses only organic, fair-trade cocoa beans, usually in high percentages—yielding darker, less sweet, and more complex flavors than some of their competitors. Stop by the factory to buy exquisite "confection" truffles—made daily in small batches—with unusual flavors like basil-ganache, lemon, fig-fennel, and burnt sugar. The friendly staff is generous with samples. You can go behind the scenes as well, with informative, hour-long tours; reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends and during peak tourist season.

Flanked by the desolate Mazatzal and Sierra Anchas mountain ranges, Theodore Roosevelt Lake Reservoir and Dam is an aquatic recreational area—a favorite with bass anglers, water-skiers, and boaters. This is the largest masonry dam on the planet, and the massive bridge is the longest two-lane, single-span, steel-arch bridge in the nation.

Down the road from Sagamore Hill, Teddy Roosevelt's family home, is this 12-acre bird sanctuary—the perfect legacy of the environmentally active president. More than 125 species of birds live here. Roosevelt is buried in a cemetery on the grounds.

This 40,000-square-foot children's museum offers a mesmerizing variety of interactive, hands-on exhibits that blend education and play for "learners" of all ages. Explore the STEAM-based programs and themed rooms, like the Light Lab, where you can play architect with fascinating light structures, and an Innovators' Workshop that puts curious minds to work on creative problem-solving. There's a superb playground in the backyard, with climbing structures and water features.

Located near the mouth of the Sakonnet River in Middletown, Third Beach is more peaceful than other nearby ocean beaches and a great spot for families and windsurfers. It has grills, picnic tables, and a shade structure near the boat ramp. You'll find gear rentals near the south end. Amenities: parking (fee); lifeguards. Best for: swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Third Mesa villages are known for their agricultural accomplishments, textile weaving, wicker baskets, silver overlay, and plaques. You'll find crafts shops and art galleries, as well as occasional roadside vendors, along AZ 264.

At the eastern base of Third Mesa, Kykotsmovi, literally "ruins on the hills," is named for the sites on the valley floor and in the surrounding hills. Present-day Kykotsmovi was established by Hopi people from nearby Oraibi who either converted to Christianity or wished to attend school and be educated. Kykotsmovi is the seat of the Hopi Tribal Government.

Old Oraibi, a few miles west and on top of Third Mesa at about 7,200 feet in elevation, is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in the United States, dating from around AD 1150. It was also the site of a rare, bloodless conflict between two groups of the Hopi people; in 1906, a dispute, settled uniquely by a "push of war" (a pushing contest), sent the losers off to establish the town of Hotevilla. Oraibi is a dusty spot and, as a courtesy, tourists are asked to park their cars outside and approach the village on foot.

Hotevilla and Bacavi are about 4 miles west of Oraibi, and their inhabitants are descended from the former residents of that village. The men of Hotevilla continue to plant crops and beautiful gardens along the mesa slopes.

Stretch your legs along this pedestrian-only, three-block stretch of 3rd Street, close to the Pacific, lined with jacaranda trees, ivy-topiary dinosaur fountains, strings of lights, and branches of many major U.S. retail chains; indeed, it always seems to house the most-coveted brands for each generation of teens. Pickleball enthusiasts (or newbies) will love Pickle Pop, where you can play and equip yourself to your heart's content. Outdoor cafés, street vendors, movie theaters, and a rich nightlife make this a main gathering spot for locals, visitors, street artists and musicians, and performance artists, though it has yet to return to its pre-2020 level of bustle. Plan a night just to take it all in or take an afternoon for a long people-watching stroll. There's plenty of parking in city structures on the streets flanking the promenade. Santa Monica Place, at the south end of the promenade, is a sleek outdoor mall and foodie haven. Its three stories are home to Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Coach, and other upscale retailers. Don't miss the ocean views from the rooftop food court.

Brigham Young and his band of Mormon followers descended into the Salt Lake Valley here. On July 24, 1847 (now a statewide holiday that is bigger than July 4 in many communities), he famously declared that this was the place for the Latter-day Saints to end their cross-country trek. A 60-foot-tall statue of Young, Heber Kimball, and Wilford Woodruff stands prominently in the park, which includes Heritage Village, a re-created 19th-century community and visitor center. In summer, volunteers dressed in period clothing demonstrate what Mormon pioneer life was like. You can watch artisans at work in historic buildings and take wagon or train rides around the compound. A 20-minute movie at the visitor center depicts the pioneers' trek across America.

Watch the ponies run between April and November. The Ohio Derby, the largest-stakes race here, is held in early June.

You may feel the urge to pick up a paintbrush as you take in the Catskill Mountain views from the front porch of the yellow-brick Federal house of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. Well, at least you can understand what inspired Thomas Cole (1801–48), the painter credited with starting the Hudson River School of Art. Cole came to know the 1815 house, called Cedar Grove, when he set up a studio in an outbuilding he rented on the property; he settled down here after marrying a niece of the owner. James Fenimore Cooper and Asher B. Durand are among the 19th-century luminaries who visited Cedar Grove, 13 miles north of Saugerties.

The center serves as the area's primary visitor center, with a museum dedicated to the fossil beds, fossils on display, in-depth informational panels, handouts, and an orientation movie. Two miles north of the visitor center on Highway 19 is the impressive Blue Basin, a badlands canyon with sinuous blue-green spires. Winding through this basin is the ½-mile Island in Time Trail, where trailside exhibits explain the area's 28-million-year-old fossils. The 3-mile Blue Basin Overlook Trail loops around the rim of the canyon, yielding some splendid views. Blue Basin is a hike with a high effort-to-reward ratio, and in summer rangers lead interpretive jaunts—check for an updated schedule at visitor center.

Consider a sail along the harbor and coast aboard the meticulously maintained 65-foot schooner Thomas E. Lannon, crafted in Essex in 1997 and modeled after the great vessels built a century before. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase. From mid-May through mid-October, the Ellis family offers two-hour sails, including trips that let you enjoy the sunset or music.

Located 2,000 feet high above the Peninsula in the northern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, this prominent winery is named after its founder, a legendary heart surgeon. Pinot Noir is the specialty here, but tastings often include a few wild cards like Nebbiolo. The tasting room is surrounded by rolling vineyards, yet the real postcard views are in the adjacent area, where weddings are held with a panoramic backdrop of what must be close to half of the Bay Area.

Set in a lovely rural setting and built in the 1770s, this site marks the Charles County home of Thomas Stone, one of four Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence. It has been painstakingly rebuilt after a devastating fire left it a shell in the late 1970s. The restoration re-created the distinctive five-part Georgian house inside and out. The two-story main plantation house is linked to the two wings and adjoining hallways in an arc rather than a straight line. All the rooms have exquisite details, such as built-in cabinets, elaborate moldings, a table set in fine china, gilded mirrors, and a harpsichord. The house and family grave site are just a short stroll from the parking lot and visitor center, where you can examine a model of the house or watch a video about Stone. This is one of the least-visited National Park Service sites.

Located in the historic 1923 Flowers-Roberts House, this museum and history center contains exhibits about the history of Thomas County along with seven historical buildings you can tour. The buildings, carefully preserved and moved to the museum grounds, include an 1870 "dogtrot" log cabin and an 1893 bowling alley believed to be the second-oldest bowling alley still standing in the United States. To get the full picture of Thomasville's history, purchase the combination tour which includes the nearby Lapham-Patterson House (offered on Fridays and Saturdays).

Need a break as you begin or end your Acadia National Park adventure? This 46-acre waterside picnic site (seasonal, bathroom) is on parkland just before the causeway to and from Mount Desert Island.

An eclectic assortment of items dating from 1860 to 1900 includes a petrified wedding cake, the eponymous limb of "Club Foot" George Lane, rifles, and numerous photographs. The collection is made up of the heirlooms of three local families. The local library is upstairs.

Named third runner-up in Top Buildings for the 20th Century by the American Institute of Architects, this stunning wood-and-glass chapel is 46 feet high, and has 425 windows comprising more than 6,000 square feet of glass revealing the beauty of the surrounding Ozark Mountains. It's open for quiet meditation, architectural observation, and private weddings.

This overlook enjoys an elevation of nearly 2,500 feet. Peer out into Thornton Hollow, then refocus for expansive views of rolling mountains, including Fork Mountain, Mt. Marshall, and Oventop Mountain. Captivating panoramas make this a crowd-pleasing destination for sunrise-seekers.

A 5-mile climb into an alpine basin with three pretty lakes, this steep and strenuous hike takes five to six hours round-trip. Difficult.

Known for his line of popular sparkling wines using the French méthode champenoise, winemaker Tom Stolzer also produces still wines made from Rhône- and Mediterranean-type varietals such as Syrah and Cabernet. Be sure to try the red wine infused with chocolate. Tastings are offered daily, live music on Friday nights April through October, and jazz concerts are presented weekends May through September.

This unique museum has more than 100 carriages amassed by James R. Thrasher, a local blacksmith's son who made a small fortune in business. The vehicles vary from those meant to carry royalty to ones typical of a fruit seller.

The Three Chiefs Culture Center (formerly The People's Center) allows you to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreille tribes. The Center includes artifacts, photographs, and recordings; runs educational programs; and offers guided interpretive tours, outdoor traditional lodges, and annual festivals. A gift shop sells both traditional and nontraditional work by local artists and craftspeople.

Dahlonega's first family-farm winery has 20 acres of plantings, including Cabernet Franc, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay, along with American varietals such as Cynthiana-Norton. The relaxed winery is named for nearby Three Sisters Mountain, visible from the farm's gazebo. The tasting room is decorated with folk art and pottery from the area, including a poster that proclaims "Thar's Wine in Them Thar Hills." A favorite from the winery is the robust Fat Boy Red.

A vast area that stretches from the edge of the Black Hills almost to the center of Wyoming, Thunder Basin truly is the outback of America. Except for a handful of tiny towns, deserted highways, and coal mines, it is entirely undeveloped. Farmers from the east settled this area at the end of the 19th century, hoping to raise crops in the semiarid soil. Experienced only with the more humid conditions east of the Rockies, the farmers failed, and the region deteriorated into a dust bowl. Most of the land has reverted to its natural state, creating millions of acres of grasslands filled with wildlife. Among the many species is one of the largest herds of pronghorn in the world (numbering approximately 26,000), prairie dogs, and burrowing owls that live in abandoned prairie-dog holes. Highway 116, Highway 59, and Highway 450 provide the best access; a few interior dirt roads are navigable only in dry weather. The grasslands, though, are most impressive away from the highways. Take a hike to get a real sense of the vast emptiness of this land. Stop by the District Forest Service Office in Douglas for maps, directions, and tips.

When conditions like tides and wave action are just so at this popular visitor attraction, the force of pounding surf being squeezed into a narrow slot of cliffside pink granite causes a boom that sounds like thunder and can send ocean spray up to 40 feet into the air—soaking observers standing nearby behind safety railings. Time your visit within an hour or two of high tide for the best chance to observe the phenomenon; at low tide, take the stairway down to a viewing platform for a peek at the water-carved walls of the tiny inlet. At the parking area on the opposite side of Ocean Drive, a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs as well as to-go snacks and drinks occupies a cottage-like structure that was the park's first "official" ranger station.

James Thurber once reflected, "I have lived in the East for nearly thirty years now, but many of my books prove that I am never very far away from Ohio in my thoughts, and that the clocks that strike in my dreams are often the clocks of Columbus." His restored boyhood home contains memorabilia and creations of the Columbus native, author, humorist, cartoonist, and playwright, and Thurber House sponsors a writer-in-residence program based in the house as well. It's at the edge of Downtown, a block east of the Columbus Museum of Art. Guided tours are available on Sundays for $2.50.