10457 Best Sights in USA

The nation's first Ripley's museum is, appropriately enough, in a historic structure—Castle Warden, an 1887 Moorish Revival–style mansion. Like its younger siblings, this odditorium is packed with plenty of unusual items including Robert Ripley's personal collections; a mummified cat; a death mask of Abraham Lincoln; a scale model of the original Ferris Wheel created from an Erector set; and life-size models of Robert Wadlow, the world's tallest man, and Robert Hughes, the world's fattest man.

South of the Aragon is the marquee of the Riviera Theatre, a rock and pop venue renowned for its mosh-pit diving patrons.

Even though it has "rapids" in its name, this attraction actually has a mild current that winds around numerous curves and "waterfalls" (really just sprays of water from the edge of the channel). Don a life vest and wade right in at either of two entrances (one red, the other blue, so you know where to exit). Then, whether you're traveling solo or hanging onto the kids, you simply go with the flow. Two advantages: there's no line, so you can always just drop right in, and you can go around and around for as long as you'd like. Guests less than 51 inches tall are required to wear a life vest. Like Loggerhead Lane, there's plenty of river for everyone; still, come around lunchtime.

Tree-shaded Roeding Park is a place of respite on hot summer days; it has picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and a zoo. A train, little race cars, paddleboats, a carousel, and other rides for kids are among the amusements at Playland. Children can explore attractions with fairy-tale themes at Rotary Storyland.

Fascinating if dated, this museum showcases the largest collection of authentic ancient Egyptian artifacts on display in Western North America. Walk through a tunnel to reach a hidden burial chamber lined with murals, see a mummy more than 2,500 years old, try to figure out which animal mummies aren't what they appear to be, take a tomb tour, and learn about games ancient Egyptian children played. If that's not enough, the planetarium shows space films.

Walk through the kitchen door off the garden—which contains old varieties of roses, peonies, and lilacs—and step into a different era. One of Washington's smallest state parks, operated by the Jefferson County Historical Society, offers a look into what life was like on the bluff overlooking the bay during the late 1800s. Built for a mercantile store owner and his family, the Greek Revival–style home remains largely unchanged since it was completed in 1868.

Nearly 2,500 modern and contemporary artworks by cutting-edge West Coast and Latino artists are featured in this downtown museum. Bay Area figurative painting, photography, and sculpture are also well represented, and, not surprising given the museum's proximity to Silicon Valley, new-media works are often exhibited.

Berkeley's diversity is front and center along this evolving north–south artery in West Berkeley, where the old and new stand side by side: sari shops and a Mexican grocery do business near a hipster dive bar, a bait-and-tackle store, a typewriter store, and a dozen cool boutiques, all cheek by jowl in a melting pot microhood.

Start at Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar (No. 1603) off of Cedar. Order a handcrafted cappuccino and the best avocado toast this side of town. Journey a couple of blocks south to the Albatross Pub (No. 1822), a neighborhood favorite where grad students have been playing darts and eating free popcorn for 50 years. Tuck into solid Pakistani food at Indus Village (No. 1920) and stop by the Halal Food Market (No. 1964), then cross University Avenue. Duck into Mi Tierra Foods (No. 2082) for piñatas and chorizo—notice the Mission District–like mural—and Middle East Market (No. 2054) for rose water and rockin' baklava. Café Venezuela (No. 2056) has authentic arepas, and pretty much everyone loves the loaded thin-crust pies at Lanesplitter Pizza & Pub (No. 2033). The coffee at Highwire (No. 2049) is strong and delicious, and can be enjoyed indoors or on the back patio.

Long-running Country Cheese (No. 2101) has hundreds of cheeses, of course, but it also carries great bulk foods. Nearby industrial-cute Gaumenkitzel (No. 2121) serves up schnitzel, spaetzle, and other traditional German fare. Not to be confused with the fresh-baked loaves that come from Acme Bread (No. 1601), craft cocktails and curated whiskey flights are the most popular daily offerings at Acme Bar & Company (No. 2115).

As you move south, you'll pass lots of home-decor shops. Witness the chic renovation genius on display at Mignonne Décor (No. 2447) or venture into Ohmega Salvage (Nos. 2400–2403) and browse though its claw-footed tubs and pricey Victorian window frames.

At the corner of Dwight Way, stop for more caffeine at Caffè Trieste (No. 2500), Berkeley's homey branch of the North Beach bohemian coffee bar. Arousing browsing of erotic products can be had at sex-positive Good Vibrations (No. 2504). Find wonderful gifts for crafty soap and candle makers at Juniper Tree Supplies (No. 2520), and one-of-a-kind jewelry at Kiss My Ring (No. 2522).

If you'd like to spend some time with just about the cutest animals anywhere, this 60-minute tour focuses on the naturally funny sea lions and their svelte counterparts, otters. Snap a souvenir shot with a sea lion (and otter), and then make their day (and yours) by helping to feed buckets of fish to the sea lions and harbor seals at Pacific Point Preserve. From $39 adults, $19 children.

If you've always wanted to experience the underwater world but don't have time for scuba lessons, SeaVenture is the solution. You don a dive helmet tethered to an air supply, which allows you to walk on the reef floor (about 15 feet deep), surrounded by schools of fish, sleek rays, and sharks. Even though the sharks are contained on the opposite side of lengthy panoramic panels of glass, you can't tell there's a partition, so the effect is chilling (so chilling, it makes a great souvenir photo). If you feel anxious, don't fret: guides float above you and beside you as you take your underwater stroll. The whole experience, including orientation, lasts about an hour, with about half the time spent on the underwater walk. At the end, you'll be handed a shaker filled with food. When you shake it and release its contents, you'll be instantly surrounded by a cluster of hungry fish. An unforgettable finish. The SeaVenture costs an extra $59. Some health restrictions apply.

A key to Discovery Cove's popularity is that it gives you time to do absolutely nothing. So if doing nothing means something to you, Serenity Bay is your place. This large pool of refreshingly clear, 80-degree water is ready when you are—or not—because maybe you'd prefer to just find a spot on the beach and soak up the sun. Take your pick. It's your vacation, and this is your bay.

Sprawling, towering, and (for kids) beyond incredible, this 3-acre playground has places to crawl, climb, explore, bounce, and get wet. There's an adjacent arcade with midway games; there are pipes to crawl through; a tent with an air-mattress floor; and "ball rooms"—one for toddlers and one for grade-schoolers—with thousands of plastic balls to wade through. Keep on looking and you'll discover miniaturized thrill rides— roller coasters and spinning rides and an assortment of other rides that inject a pint-size dose of adrenaline. Then there are big sailing ships to explore and webbed ropes to climb and water to play in and around. For kids, this part of the park is worth the price of admission—they could be here for hours. For people with disabilities: Various areas offer different levels of clearance. Check with attendants about accessibility. Don't come first thing, or you'll never drag your child away; that said, it's busy here mid-afternoon or near dusk. Bring a towel to dry them off.

Within a large, innocuous white structure are some thoroughly creepy critters: eels, barracuda, sharks, and poisonous fish. You may even spy a few creatures you've never seen (or even imagined) before, like the weedy sea dragon and his cousin, the leafy sea dragon, which look like branches of a tree. But the stars of the show are the sharks, and this attraction doesn't scrimp. The real fun comes when you enter large transparent corridors and see fish, eels, and a half-dozen species of sharks slice gracefully through the water all around you—even overhead—which is a sensational new experience. Consider visiting the attraction in conjunction with a meal at the extraordinarily well-designed Sharks Underwater Grill, where you can order fresh fish and Floribbean cuisine while watching your entrée's cousins. For people with disabilities: Open spaces allow access to guests using wheelchairs. Spend at least 20 minutes here. Crowds are biggest when the adjacent sea lion and otter show gets out; time your visit accordingly.

Crystalline chambers, reflecting pools, and limestone fill these underground caverns, named in honor of Sioux holy man Sitting Bull. Check out mirrorlike Diamond Lake, the abundant dogtooth spar crystals, and the aboveground nature trail.

The focal point of the park is this 400-foot-tall tower, the main mast for a revolving scenic double-decker observation platform. During the six-minute rotating up and down round-trip, you'll get the inside scoop on the park's history, its attractions, and surrounding sights. All in all, it's peaceful, relaxing, and gives you a new aerial perspective on SeaWorld and Orlando. Adjacent to it is Pearl Dive, a small area where you can sit and watch pearl divers snag oysters. For people with disabilities: The tower can accommodate two wheelchairs per cycle. Come whenever there's not a line, or use Quick Queue if necessary (extra fee required).

These overnight events are arranged primarily for kids, with special programs designed specifically for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and students from grades 2 to 12. During the summer, sleepovers are mainly geared to families with kids between kindergarten and fifth grade. Where will you bunk down for the night? The sleepovers are held at various locations, but always indoors beside a habitat for sharks, manatees, dolphins, Beluga whales, polar bears, penguins, or manta rays. The evening begins at 6 and includes a pizza dinner, a walk around the exhibit with a trainer, and ends with a continental breakfast. Expect to pay $95 for the experience, and park admission is included in the rate. Call ahead for reservations.

Kids love this butte that looks uncannily like the famed Peanuts beagle lying atop red rock instead of his doghouse. You can distinguish the formation from several places around town, including the mall in Uptown Sedona, but to get a clear view, venture up Schnebly Hill Road. Park by the trailhead on the left immediately before the paved road deteriorates to dirt. Marg's Draw, one of several trails originating here, is worthwhile, gently meandering 100 feet down-canyon, through the tortured desert flora to Morgan Road. Backtrack to the parking lot for close to a 3-mile hike.

This local repository of history focuses on life centuries ago, with Native American tools, crafts, and attire as well as pioneer artifacts. The timber industry is another focus.

Dark, polished wood surfaces, amber lighting, and candelit kiva-style fireplaces infuse Inn at Loretto's intimate spa with a relaxed, understated elegance—especially during Santa Fe's cool winter months, this is a particularly cozy, inviting space for a massage, and the central location near the Plaza makes it a convenient choice for guests of the many nearby hotels. The old-world decor of the five treatment suites (plus a couples suite), some with Vichy showers and antique claw-foot soaking tubs, are especially nice for enjoying one of the spa's half-day packages, including a deluxe 365-minute session that includes sage-scented bath, hot-stone massage, facial, milk-and-honey wrap, manicure and pedicure, and chakra balancing. These services can be booked individually, along with a high-altitude massage geared specifically to Santa Fe's 7,000-foot elevation, and the bracing Café Olé Indonesian coffee scrub. An 80-minute massage is $195, and half-day packages are $330–$775. The gym includes cardiovascular machines, free weights, and weight-training equipment. Yoga classes are offered as well. One drawback: common areas are very limited, as there are no steam rooms, saunas, or hot tubs.

The easiest way to get from Deadwood to Rapid City is east through Boulder Canyon on U.S. 14A. However, it's worth looping north and taking the long way around Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, on this 20-mile scenic route past 1,000-foot limestone cliffs and some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region. Cascading waterfalls quench the thirst of quaking aspen, gnarled oaks, sweet-smelling spruce, and the ubiquitous ponderosa pine. The canyon is home to deer, mountain goats, porcupines, and mountain lions. Near its middle is the old sawmill town of Savoy, a jumping-off point for scenic hikes to Spearfish Falls and Roughlock Falls. In fall, changing leaves rival any found in New England.

Well-to-do Palo Alto and its intellectual neighbor, Stanford University, are about 35 miles south of San Francisco. Stanford's gorgeous grounds are home to a primordial-looking cactus garden, a stone river sculpture by Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy, wood carvings and indigenous artworks from Papua New Guinea, and an excellent art museum—the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts (open daily except Tuesday)—whose lawn is planted with bronze works by Auguste Rodin. Free one-hour walking tours of the campus leave daily at 11 and 3:15 from the visitor center.

In this interactive hands-on exhibit (aka a shallow pool), dozens of circling stingrays are close enough to touch, as evidenced by the many outstretched hands surrounding the rim. Buy stingray delicacies (smelts, silversides, shrimp, and squid) available for $5 a tray, two for $9, three for $13 from the attendant. The best part is when the rays flap up for lunch, you can stroke their velvety skin. Even though they have stingers, they won't hurt you—they just want food (and they're obligingly hungry all day). Check out the nursery pool with its baby rays. For people with disabilities: This attraction is easily accessible to guests using wheelchairs. Walk by if it's crowded, but return before dusk before the smelt concession stand closes.

The world's first nuclear-powered submarine, the Nautilus was launched and commissioned in Groton in 1954 and spent her 25-year active career as a showpiece of U.S. technological know-how. She is permanently berthed at the Submarine Force Museum, where you're welcome to climb aboard and explore. The museum, outside the entrance to the submarine base, is a repository of artifacts, documents, and photographs detailing the history of the U.S. Submarine Force component of the U.S. Navy, and has educational and interactive exhibits.

A mile-wide waterway is the boundary between the Tacoma hills and the rugged bluffs of the Kitsap Peninsula. From the twin bridges that span it, the view plunges hundreds of feet down to roiling green waters, which are often busy with barge traffic or obscured by fog. The original bridge, "Galloping Gertie," famously twisted itself to death and broke in half during a storm in 1940—it's now the world's largest man-made reef, and is a popular dive site. Its mint-green replacement and a sister bridge opened in 2007. Note: the $6 toll is for eastbound cars only; westbound it's free from Tacoma into Gig Harbor.

This is one of the weirdest attractions at Aquatica. Reaching it from Loggerhead Lane's lazy river, you go ashore, climb a tower, settle into an inner tube, and launch yourself into currents that carry you away at an impressive speed. But that's not the weird part. After that, the enclosed pipe you've been in delivers you to a massive basin, where you and your inner tube circle around and around and around and around like a soap bubble circling a bathtub drain. Eventually gravity takes over, and you slip through an opening in the side of the basin, straight into a short but thrilling slide into the splashdown pool. Strange and exciting. Keep on eye on the line, and head upstairs when it's short.

In the aquatic equivalent of a bobsled run, you set yourself up on a blue mat at the opening of a large tube, and at the end of a countdown, you and the seven other racers beside you fling yourselves into the chutes. You then slide through 300 feet of enclosed twisting and turning tubes—but that's not the best part. Things really get going when you enter a stretch that's nearly pitch-black except for a small band of light beside you. After what seems like both an eternity and an instant, you reach the final drop and slide the last few yards into the splashdown pool. If you can't see the end of the line, it's probably short—and it's time to head up. Eight lanes keep things moving along.

At this hands-on, high-tech science museum, kids can engineer multicolored bacteria, attempt to steer themselves in a vehicle like ones astronauts use for forays outside the space station, experience earthquakes of different magnitudes, or design, build, and program a robot. The on-site domed IMAX theater shows a mix of nature programs and Hollywood blockbusters. Take a quick swing through the museum during the last hour and get a discounted rate.