10405 Best Sights in USA

This easy 1.8-mile (one-way) trail follows Wind Cave Canyon to the park boundary fence. The canyon, with its steep limestone walls and dead trees, provides the best opportunity in the park for bird-watching. Be especially vigilant for cliff swallows, great horned owls, and red-headed and Lewis woodpeckers. Deer, least chipmunks, and other small animals also are attracted to the sheltered environment of the canyon. Even though you could probably do a round-trip tour of this trail in less than 1½ hours, be sure to spend more time here to observe the wildlife. Easy.

On the edge of a prairie and grove of ponderosa, this is a peaceful, pretty place ¼ mile from the visitor center. Small and simple, it's equipped with 12 tables and a potable-water pump.

The park's sole visitor center is the primary place to get park information and embark on cave tours. Located on top of the cave, it has three exhibit rooms, with displays on cave geology and exploration, prairie ecology and management, and Native American culture. The center also hosts ranger programs and has an auditorium that presents the film, Wind Cave, Two Worlds. Other than vending machines, there's no coffee or snacks here or elsewhere in the park.

The tasting room looks over the acclaimed former Goldschmidt vineyard, first planted in 1974, and the view can be enjoyed on the outside deck on a warm summer day. Winemaker Robert Brittan crafts lush Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from several nearby vineyards in both single-vineyard offerings and blends from multiple vineyards. Proceeds from the tasting fee are donated to ¡Salud!, a nonprofit providing healthcare services to Oregon's vineyard workers and their families.

Sample up to 10 wines on a spacious deck overlooking the nearby mountains at the highest vineyard and winery in the Northeast. Cornerstone wines include a Riesling, Chardonnay, and a variety of sweet and dessert wines. Tastings and tours are offered throughout the year; hours vary by season, so it's best to call ahead. The vineyard is about 5 miles northwest of Windham.

Originally two islets, this area was first inhabited by Native Americans, who left behind a few traces of their dwellings, and then by farmers and fishermen who built their homes here in the mid-1800s. Henry Flagler bought the land from homesteaders in 1908 for his Florida East Coast Railway, filling in the inlet between what were then called the Umbrella Keys. Today, this is where you'll find Theater of the Sea, the famous Holiday Isle (now Postcard Inn), and Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park.

The fossilized-coral reef, dating back about 125,000 years, demonstrates that the Florida Keys were once beneath the ocean. Excavation of Windley Key's limestone bed by the Florida East Coast Railway exposed the petrified reef, full of beautifully fossilized brain coral and sea ferns. You can see the fossils along a 300-foot quarry wall when hiking the park's three trails.

On the outskirts of the historic area is Windmill of Colonial Williamsburg, formally known as Robertson's Windmill, a Colonial mill for grinding grains. Program plans are unknown at this time.

Window Rock Monument & Navajo Veteran's Memorial Park, at the base of an immense, red-sandstone, natural arch—truly a window onto the Navajo landscape—is a compelling exhibit dedicated to all Navajo war veterans, but in particular to the Code Talkers of World War II. Designed in the shape of a sacred Medicine Wheel, the spiritual aspect of this profound memorial is apparent to all.

Please note that Door, Notch, and Window Trails are all accessible at the same trailhead. Window Trail is a ¼-mile round-trip trail ends at a natural hole, or window, in a rock wall. You'll see more of the distinctive badlands pinnacles and spires. Easy.

This 0.3-mile round-trip paved nature trail is wheelchair-accessible and also great for little ones. Take in the beautiful, craggy-sided Chisos and look through the V-shape rock-sided "Window" framing the desert below (you can hike to this very point via the quite rewarding, moderately difficult 5.6-mile round-trip Window Trail, which is accessed from the same trailhead). This self-guided trail, which is especially captivating at sunset, is easily accomplished in 20 minutes. Be on the lookout for wild javelina, which occasionally root through here. They're not normally aggressive, but give them a respectful distance. The trail is closed due to construction until mid-2027. Easy.

An early stop for many visitors to the park, a trek through The Windows gives you an opportunity to get out and enjoy the desert air. Here you'll see three giant openings in the rock and walk on a trail that leads right through the holes. Allow about an hour on this gently inclined, 1-mile round-trip hike. As most visitors don't follow the "primitive" trail around the backside of the two windows, take advantage if you want some desert solitude. The primitive trail adds an extra half-hour to the hike. Easy.

Founded by acclaimed winemaker Angela Jacobs, WineGirl Wines changed hands in 2020 but continues to welcome wine lovers to its attractive downtown tasting room. Sourcing grapes from vineyards in the Columbia Valley and Lake Chelan (where there's a second tasting room), WineGirl makes several red wines, including Malbec, Syrah, two Merlots, and two port-style wines, along with whites, rosés, and sparkling wine. The Pin-Up Girl wines are adorned with colorful vintage-style labels and include a Gewürztraminer called "Pretzel Girl" in honor of the Leavenworth vibe; it's a perfect souvenir. You can do a special tasting with red wines and chocolate. 

The Benedictine monks once cloistered at Holy Cross Abbey came to Cañon City for spiritual repose. But for the faithful who frequent the winery on the eastern edge of the property, redemption is more easily found in a nice bottle of Revelation, a Bordeaux-style blend. For a truly divine experience, reserve a wine and cheese tasting ($40 per person) on the terrace that includes a private hostess, a sampling of all wines, and an artisanal cheese, bread, fruit, and chocolate plate.

Set at the base of a stark sandstone bluff is a surprise oasis that charms the relatively few visitors who venture in. Sit on the well-shaded patio as peacocks and geese make the rounds, enjoy a glass of Girls Are Meaner (a Gewürztraminer) or Dry Blue Winged Olive (a Riesling), and appreciate grapes harvested from NM's own soil (though some of those pressed here are actually grown in the southern part of the state, in Deming).

Set in Myers Park, one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods, this 4-acre garden is a serene environment for feathered visitors and others. The grounds include a nursery and education building.

The artist owners of this European-inspired castle have spent 45 years building their multi-towered stone pile using 85% recycled materials, including carved doors from a French chalet, salvaged stones, and old tools which are incorporated into the wrought-iron fence. It also has a small B&B with three antique-filled guest rooms, and three additional bedrooms across the street at the Tudor cottage. Be sure to check out the miniature Stonehenge with panoramic views of the Catskills and the Millbrook Winery vineyard.

You can board this scenic railroad's restored cars at Weirs Beach or Meredith for one- or two-hour rides along the shoreline. Special excursions include fall foliage and the Santa train.

Frequent flooding on the Little Colorado River frustrated the attempts of Mormon pioneers to settle here, but with the coming of the railroad the town roared to life. Later Route 66 sustained the community until I--40 passed north of town. New motels and restaurants sprouted near the interstate exits, and the downtown was all but abandoned. Still, visitors wishing to find themselves "standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona" abound thanks to a song by The Eagles; and the historic masterpiece, La Posada, remains one of the best places to sleep and dine in the state. The town is 58 miles east of Flagstaff on I--40.

From Native American cultures to contemporary social issues, this museum houses permanent and changing exhibits that reveal Wisconsin's history. Past exhibits have included aluminum Christmas trees (Wisconsin once housed the world's largest manufacturer) or watercolor paintings that depict the Driftless Region, an agriculturally rich area of carved river valleys in the state's southwestern corner. State naturalists, authors, artists, and historians host afternoon talks for adults and children, and round out the museum's focus on the Dairy State's unique history and its many contributions to the nation.

The Roman Renaissance–style Wisconsin State Capitol is the only state capitol building along an isthmus. Although the fifth building to serve its function, the capitol now holds the title as Madison's tallest building (only three feet shorter than the capitol building in Washington, D.C.) and attracts throngs of architecture and design enthusiasts. Its granite dome (the world's largest) rises above downtown Madison's skyline on Capitol Square. Rooms feature Italian marble, Wisconsin-oak furniture, murals, and paintings. There are free 45-minute guided tours multiple times daily.

Geared toward younger children (but open to those 13 and under), Wise Wonders is the perfect place to burn off a few hours of energy. That said, adults also get a kick out of the cool, scientific gadgets and gizmos. In addition to interactive exhibits, there's an indoor playground. Wise Wonders also has a cute coffee shop, Ebon Coffee, serving up Belgian waffles and free Wi-Fi to parents who want to work while the kids are at play (the museum also offers staffed programming).

The two biggest attractions in the area are Deep Creek Lake and Marsh Mountain, and the Wisp Resort takes advantage of both. Called "the Wisp" by locals, the mountain has a humble history: its eastern face was once a cow pasture. Today it's one of the area's most popular destinations. Not only does the resort boast Maryland's only alpine ski slopes, it's also a veritable amusement park with water and snow tubing, mountain biking, a mountain coaster, skate park, paintball course, climbing wall, paddleboarding, canopy tours, and waterskiing, to name a few activities. Instructors teach skiing and snowboarding to all ages and ability levels, and afterwards you can stop into one of several restaurants and bars to warm up and relax after a day on the slopes.

If you walked past this gallery, you'd inevitably end up ducking in for a closer inspection of the stunning glassworks in the windows. The expertly curated selection inside has more to offer, however, including everything from wooden sculptures to cold-cast metal faces, almost every piece demanding attention.

The highest-volume farmers' market in North Carolina may not have the prettiest exterior, but it's a good place to buy local jams, jellies, honey, stone-ground grits and cornmeal, and, in season, local fruits and vegetables. It's open every day, year-round, except for major holidays. On the grounds of the market is a Southern-style restaurant, Moose Café.

Featuring more than 20 immersive exhibits created by local and international artists, designers, and makers, the museum is a multisensory art and technology experience for all ages that challenges viewers to look at (and experience) art in a new way. Among its exhibits are Masterpiece, which allows interactive distortion of familiar works of art, as well as the disorienting Quantum Mirror and the game-like interactive One Minute. Don't miss the Compliment Machine for a quick pick-me-up, and be sure to schedule at least an hour (or two) for the full experience. Guests with sensory processing sensitivities to light and sound may wish to proceed with caution.

This 16-acre stretch of green from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue overlooks the Mississippi River as it curves around New Orleans, inspiring the "Crescent City" moniker. The wooden promenade section in front of Jackson Square is called the Moon Walk, named for Mayor Moon Landrieu (father of more recent mayor Mitch Landrieu), under whose administration in the 1970s the riverfront beyond the flood wall was reopened to public view. Today, the French Quarter Festival's main stages are erected here every April. It's a great place for a rest (or a muffuletta sandwich or café au lait and beignet picnic) after touring the Quarter, and you'll often be serenaded by musicians and amused by street performers. The park is also home to art pieces including the modest Holocaust Memorial, with its spiral walkway clad in Jerusalem stone. At the center of the spiral are nine sculptural panels by Jewish artist Yaacov Agam. A statue of local businessman Malcolm Woldenberg, the park's benefactor, is located near Ocean Song; local artist John T. Scott's large kinetic sculpture's wind-powered movements are intended to evoke the patterns of New Orleans music.

This tumbling waterfall cascades into the New River. A seasonal side falls can be seen from Fayette Station Road, under the New River Gorge Bridge. Up-close views are more challenging, but they can be seen if you hike a short distance up the Kaymoor Trail. Parking is limited.

Guided tours of this 80-acre wolf sanctuary are given every hour on the hour and run about 50 minutes, during which docents explain the recovery programs and visitors can view the wolves. It's worth taking a look at the website before visiting—tours are mandatory, and the sanctuary has a few rules regarding conduct. Most importantly, parents should know that although the sanctuary can be a wonderful place for kids, it does not provide as much stimulation as a typical zoo and may bore kids with short attention spans.

This award-winning winery features a 30-acre vineyard with hillside plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Touriga Nacional. The Craftsman-style lodge housing the winery and café offers tastings for a fee and serves lunch Thursday through Saturday from noon to 3, and a Sunday brunch with 12:30 and 2:30 seatings. Reservations are required. Wolf Mountain also offers quarterly gourmet dinners and tours of the grounds on selected weekends. Some of the winery's acclaimed labels include Plenitude, a 70% Chardonnay and 30% Viognier blend, and Instinct, a Rhône-style red blend.