10457 Best Sights in USA

Part of the appeal of this refuge is its truly strange location for a nature preserve: it's between the airport and an oil refinery, and visitors seem to really enjoy the oddity of it. More than 280 species of hawks, swallows, herons, egrets, geese, gallinules, eagles, orioles, ducks, and other birds have been spotted at this 1,200-acre preserve, the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. There are 10 miles of foot trails, an observation deck, and boardwalks through the wet areas. The refuge is also home to fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, and frogs, and you'll likely see large carp and catfish flopping about the lilies. An environmental education center has some explanatory exhibits on wetlands and regional wildlife. There are many guided tours. You can even canoe, kayak, and mountain bike, but there are no rentals here. Binoculars and fishing rods are available for loan, free of charge. The refuge is convenient to I–95, which you can pick up from Penn's Landing.

Ardent and courageous trekkers continue on from Nevada Fall to the top of Half Dome. Some hikers attempt this entire 10- to 12-hour, 16¾-mile round-trip trek in one day; if you're planning to do this, remember that the 4,800-foot elevation gain and the 8,842-foot altitude will cause shortness of breath. Another option is to hike to a campground in Little Yosemite Valley near the top of Nevada Fall the first day, then climb to the top of Half Dome and hike out the next day. Note that the last pitch up the back of Half Dome is very steep—the only way to climb this sheer rock face is to pull yourself up using the steel cable handrails, which are in place only from late spring to early fall. Those who brave the ascent will be rewarded with an unbeatable view of Yosemite Valley below and the high country beyond.

Be sure to wear hiking boots and bring gloves. Also note that only 300 hikers and 75 overnight backpackers per day are allowed atop Half Dome, and they all must have permits (even if they already have wilderness permits), which are distributed by lottery—one in the spring before the season starts and another two days before the climb. Difficult.

Learn what it was like to travel down the Green and Colorado Rivers in the 1800s in wooden boats. A series of displays tracks the Powell Party's arduous, dangerous 1869 journey, and visitors can watch the award-winning film Journey Into the Unknown for a cinematic taste of the white-water adventure. The center also houses the River Runner's Hall of Fame, a tribute to those who have followed in Powell's wake. River-theme art occupies a gallery, and there's a dinosaur exhibit on the lower level.

The visitor center closest to the summit is named for scientist David Johnston, who died in the mountain's immense lateral blast. Inside are fascinating exhibits on the mountain's geology, instruments measuring volcanic and seismic activity, and a theater that shows a riveting film recounting the 1980 eruption. Several short trails afford spectacular views of the summit.

Part of the Chesler Park Loop, this trail follows a series of deep, narrow fractures in the rock. A shady spot in summer, it will give you good views of the Needles formations for which the district is named. The loop travels briefly along a four-wheel-drive road and is 10.7 miles round-trip; allow at least five hours to complete it. Difficult.

This serene state park provides a glimpse of predevelopment "real" Florida. A beautiful showcase of Florida inland habitat, the park teems with endangered gopher tortoises and manatees. From Hobe Mountain, an ancient dune topped with a tower, you are treated to a panoramic view of this park's more than 11,000 acres of varied terrain and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Loxahatchee River, named a National Wild and Scenic River, cuts through the park and is home to plenty of charismatic manatees in winter and alligators year-round. Two-hour boat tours of the river depart daily. Kayak rentals are available, as is horseback riding (it was reintroduced after a 30-year absence). Among the amenities are a dozen newly redone cabins for rent, tent sites, bicycle and hiking trails, two established campgrounds and some primitive campgrounds, and a new food-and-beverage garden with wine, beer, and local foods. The park is also a fantastic birding location, with about 150 species to spot.

Eleven miles east of Long Beach, this 6½-mile-long expanse of white sand is one of the best-known and most popular of Long Island's beaches. The 2,500-acre park is loaded with facilities and activites to keep locals and visitors busy day and night. A 1½-mile-long boardwalk has deck games (fee), mini-golf, a pool, playgrounds, picnic areas, and two surf-casting areas (by permit), and hosts special summer events like live music at the bandshell. Lifeguards are on duty from late May to mid-September. The park can be reached from the Wantagh and Meadowbrook parkways (head south). Be prepared for crowds on weekends. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Soak up the mountain scenery, listen for the call of loons, and watch for cliff-nesting peregrine falcons along the 3.3-mile trail around this 187-acre tarn—a mountain lake formed by retreating glaciers—north of Seal Harbor on Park Loop Road’s two-way portion. Several carriage roads converge here, one marked by a fanciful gatehouse, one of two on the road network. Visitors fish, kayak, and canoe on the deep water (no swimming) and gaze down on this Great Pond after hiking up nearby mountains. A popular choice is The Bubbles, with twin peaks whose distinct shape makes up for what they lack in size. They rise across the water from Jordan Pond House Restaurant ( 2928 Park Loop Rd.  www.jordanpondhouse.com), where folks come for popovers served with strawberry jam and tea, hoping for a table on the expansive lawn—a tradition started in the 1890s in the original Jordan Pond House, which burned in 1979. The rebuild has a two-story gift shop and, on the upper level, an observation deck and Carriage Road Carry Out, with to-go items like sandwiches and salads—or try the popover sundae. Parking lots here fill fast in high season; consider biking or taking the free Island Explorer bus.

Founders Tom and Sally Jordan erected the French-style château here in part to emphasize their goal of producing a single Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon each year to rival ones from the Napa Valley and France itself. Since taking the helm, their son John has overseen replanting much of the estate vineyard and a shift to all-French barrels for aging, further elevating quality. A sampling of the two current releases (and the estate olive oil) and a winery tour that includes a tasting are offered year-round. As part of these experiences and a few seasonal events, the executive chef prepares small bites and dishes whose ingredients come mainly from Jordan's organic garden. All visits are by appointment.

Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley and Humboldt County to the north are the strong suit of this winery sourcing from prestigious vineyards like Bootlegger’s Hill and Hallberg Ranch. Owner-winemaker Adrian Manspeaker spearheaded the winery's foray into Pinot Noir grown in his native Humboldt's coastal redwood country. His downtown Forestville tasting room provides the opportunity to experience what's unique about the grape's next Northern California frontier. Manspeaker also makes two Zinfandels; lighter wines include a Sauvignon Blanc, two Chardonnays, Vermentino, sparkling wines, and a rosé of Pinot Noir.   A wine educator conducts vineyard tastings from spring to mid-fall involving a tour or picnic lunch.

The purchase by LVMH's Moet Hennessey Wine Estates portfolio of the winery that Joseph Phelps founded in 1973 reinforced the Napa Valley's stature as an international luxury-lifestyle player. Phelps produces excellent whites, along with Pinot Noirs from its Sonoma Coast vineyards, but the blockbusters are the Bordeaux-style reds, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignons and Insignia, a luscious-yet-subtle Cab-dominant blend. Insignia, which consistently receives high scores from critics, is always among the current releases poured at the seated Founder’s Tasting, often held on a terrace overlooking grapevines and oaks. Other experiences, including wine and food pairings, unfold inside the main redwood structure, a classic of 1970s Northern California architecture.

Many areas that fall under the auspices of the National Park Service are on what was Native American land and encompass spots of sacred, archaeological, historical, and cultural importance to indigenous tribes. This beautiful new 4,100-square-foot visitor center—which opened in 2022 in Freedom Plaza right in downtown Twentynine Palms—is indicative of a commitment by the park service in recent years to tell this side of park history. Displays and programs focus on the Maara’yam (Serrano), Nüwüwü (Chemehuevi), Kawiya (Cahuilla), and Aha Macave (Mojave) peoples whose traditional homelands or use areas fall within today's park borders.

The four original cultures who lived, farmed, worshipped, or hunted in this region have descendants in 15 modern-day bands, tribes, and nations, which worked in partnership with the park service, City of Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree National Park Association, and Bureau of Land Management to create the permanent exhibition. The center also has an information desk, a bookstore, a gift shop, and restrooms with flush toilets.

Wander the jungles of Moana's world in EPCOT's newest attraction, Journey of Water. Trails wind through beautiful jungle landscapes with plenty of chances to get completely soaked as kids direct a water symphony, run through small geysers, and find hidden images of characters from Moana. Adults can join in on the fun or follow Te Fiti's dry path, which includes a beautiful statue from the climax of the film. For people with disabilities: This attraction is wheelchair accessible, and audio description is available.

This steep 4.3-mile loop climbs into the heart of the dramatic High Peaks with a 1,215-foot elevation gain. Summer temps can soar, so bring plenty of water. From the trailhead follow the switchbacks up for 1.2 miles, where the trail veers right; stop at Scout Peak, where you'll find restrooms and fantastic views in all directions—keep an eye out for the occasional California condor in flight. Follow the High Peaks Trail north through a steep and narrow section, where you hug the side of rock faces until reaching a short, nearly vertical staircase that has a railing to help you up. Then pick up the Tunnel Trail to complete your loop back to the trailhead via the Juniper Canyon Trail. Difficult.

In the eastern section at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet, the park's largest body of water is accessible only in summer. A half-hour drive north of Chester, it's about 90 minutes from the southwest entrance, the last part on a gravel road. The reward for making your way here is the chance to swim and kayak or canoe in a pristine lake. It’s also a lovely spot for a picnic. The area was hit heavily by fire in 2021; check online for current conditions and closures.

Famous throughout all Florida for a unique pooch-loving stance, the town of Jupiter's beach welcomes Yorkies, Labs, pugs—you name it—along its 2½-mile oceanfront. Dogs can frolic unleashed (once they're on the beach) or join you for a dip. Free parking spots line A1A in front of the sandy stretch, and there are multiple access points and continuously refilled scooper-bag boxes. The dog beach starts on Marcinski Road (Beach Marker No. 25) and continues north until Beach Marker No. 59. Before going, read through the guidelines posted on the Friends of Jupiter Beach website; the biggest things to note are be sure to clean up after your dog and to steer clear of lifeguarded areas to the north and south.

Dogs fare best early morning and late afternoon, when the sand isn't too hot for their paws.

Amenities: showers; toilets.  Best for: walking.

Designed by Civil War hero lieutenant George Gordon Meade, this working brick lighthouse has been under the Coast Guard's purview since 1860. Tours of the 108-foot-tall landmark are held approximately every half hour and are included with admission. (Children must be at least 4 feet tall to go to the top.) The museum tells about efforts to restore this graceful spire to the way it looked from 1860 to 1918; its galleries and outdoor structures, including a pioneer home, also showcase local history dating back 5,000 years.

Predatory velociraptors patiently await your arrival on this new-in-2021 roller coaster featuring extremely wild twists and turns. Sparking the adventure is a high-speed launch that accelerates the string of cars from 0–50 mph in just 2 seconds. What immediately follows is a 90-degree twist and then a series of rises, turns, and S-bends before yet another boost that increases the speed from 40 to 70 mph in 2.4 seconds. It's just enough acceleration to get you to the peak of the attraction, a 155-foot "top hat" that's essential for what follows, namely, a 140-foot drop at an 80-degree angle, followed by a rapid series of turns of varying degrees and culminating with the "Mosasaurus Roll"—a loop at 53 mph. What you experience on this adrenaline-filled attraction might just explain why dinosaurs are extinct. It probably goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway: women who are pregnant and anyone who has a heart, neck, or back condition should avoid this coaster. For people with disabilities: the attraction has a device that can help people using wheelchairs transfer to the ride (see an attendant).

If you're looking for quiet and seclusion, this is not the beach for you. But if you want lots of action, spread out your towel here. Stretching from the northernmost end of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa to the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa at its southern tip, Kaanapali Beach is lined with resorts, condominiums, restaurants, and shops. Ocean activity companies launch from the shoreline fronting Whalers Village, making it one of Maui's best people-watching spots. A concrete pathway weaves along the length of this 3-mile-long beach, leading from one astounding resort and oceanfront restaurant to the next.

The drop-off from Kaanapali's soft sugary sand is steep, but waves hit the shore with barely a rippling slap outside of winter months. The landmark promontory known as Puu Kekaa (nicknamed "Black Rock") was traditionally considered a leina a ka uhane, or jumping-off place for spirits. It's easy to get into the water from the beach to enjoy the prime snorkeling among the lava-rock outcroppings. Strong rip currents are often present near Puu Kekaa; always snorkel with a companion.

Throughout the resort, blue "Shoreline Access" signs point the way to a few free-parking stalls and public rights-of-way to the beach. Kaanapali Resort public beach parking can be found between the Hyatt and the Marriott, between the Marriott and the Kaanapali Alii, next to Whalers Village, and at the Sheraton. You can park for a fee at most of the large hotels. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking.

As you watch the waters cascade 260 feet down the gray rock of this two-tiered waterfall, you'll see why this spot was so popular with Thomas Cole and other Hudson River School painters. To access the trail that leads to the bottom of the falls, park in the public lot on Route 23A, 3 miles east of Tannersville. To get to the trailhead, walk about ¼ mile east along the narrow shoulder of Route 23A. (This is a very busy road with hairpin turns, so you may find yourself hugging rocks as cars pass you.) Signs point the way to the path, which leads you past the delicate Bastion Falls. Although largely level, the moderately difficult trail does have a few steep sections. Altogether the hike is less than 1 mile long and shouldn't take a full hour. You may be tempted to climb to the top of the falls, but this is really risky: missteps on the slippery rocks here have resulted in many accidents—some fatal.

If you're interested in spelunking, take the time to explore Kaeleku Caverns (aka Hana Lava Tube), just after mile marker 31 and a mile down Ulaino Road. The friendly folks at the cave give a brief orientation and promptly send you into Maui's largest lava tube, accented by colorful, otherworldly formations and a lot of fascinating history. You can take a self-guided, 30- to 40-minute tour daily 10:30 am until 4 pm. LED flashlights are provided, and close-toed shoes are recommended. For those who don’t want to explore the caverns, this still makes for a great stop to check out the world’s only red ti leaf maze on the grounds.

Part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden network, Kahanu Garden features a variety of plants as well as cultural and archaeological sites. Standout features include a native plant garden, thatched-roof canoe hale, beautiful ocean views, and Piilanihale Heiau, the largest heiau (temple) in Polynesia. Two-hour guided tours are offered Wednesday through Friday mornings, but 1½-hour self-guided tours are an option, too.

The trails at this sheltered 1,160-acre coastal park near Honokohau Harbor, just north of Kailua-Kona, are popular with walkers and hikers, and the park is a good place to observe Hawaiian archaeological history and intact ruins. These include a heiau (temple), house platforms, ancient fishponds, and numerous petroglyphs along a boardwalk. The park's wetlands provide refuge to waterbirds such as the endemic Hawaiian stilt and coot. Two beaches here are good for swimming, sunbathing, and sea turtle spotting: Aiopio, a few yards north of the harbor, is small and calm, with protected swimming areas (good for kids); Honokohau Beach, also north of the harbor, is a ¾-mile stretch with ruins of ancient fishponds. Of the park's three entrances, the middle one leads to a visitor center with helpful rangers and lots of information. Local docents with backgrounds in geology or other subjects give nature walks. To go directly to the beaches, take the harbor road north of the Gentry retail center, park in the gravel lot, and follow the signs.

Northwest of the old plantation town of Paauilo, at a cool elevation of 2,000 feet, lies this sweet 100-acre state park with a lush forested area with picnic tables and restrooms. There's an easy 0.7-mile loop trail with additional paths in the adjacent forest reserve. Small signs identify some of the plants, including the Gothic-looking native ohia and the rare loulu palm. It's chilly and damp here, making it a good escape from the heat at sea level. Three campground areas with full-service kitchens, as well as four cabins, can be reserved online.

This ramshackle building operated by the state park system was a trading post on The Dalles Military Road in 1866 and 1867, then later served as a general store, a Chinese labor exchange for the area's mines, a doctor's shop, and an opium den. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum is an extraordinary testament to the early Chinese community in Oregon. Tours are on the hour with groups limited to eight people; if you miss it, you can always catch a 5- or 30-minute video at the interpretive center across the street.

In the early 1800s, King Kamehameha the Great built a large royal compound at Kamakahonu, the bay fronting what is now the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel; today it is one of the most revered and historically significant sites in all of Hawaii. Kamakahonu, meaning "eye of the turtle," was named for a prominent turtle-shaped rock there, covered in cement when the hotel and pier were built. The Ahuena Heiau, an impressive heiau (temple), was dedicated to Lono, the Hawaiian god of peace and prosperity. It was also used as a seat of government. The compound features a scaled-down replica of the temple and is a National Historic Landmark. You can't go inside the heiau, but you can view it from the beach or directly next door at the hotel's luau grounds.

This beach is where King Kamehameha spent his final days—the replica of the Ahuena Heiau sits on a platform across from the sand. Adjacent to Kailua Pier, the scenic crescent of white sand is one of the few beaches in downtown Kailua-Kona. The water here is almost always calm and the beach clean, making this a perfect spot for kids. For adults, it's a great place for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), watching outrigger teams practice, or enjoying a lazy beach day, but it can get crowded on weekends. Snorkeling can be good north of the beach, and snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking equipment can be rented nearby. There's lots of grass and shade. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

In 1937, two old local roads were connected from Lincoln to Conway to create this remarkable 34.5-mile national designated scenic byway through a breathtaking swath of the White Mountains. This section of Route 112 known as the Kancamagus—often called simply "the Kanc"—contains no businesses or billboards and is punctuated by overlooks, picnic areas, and memorable hiking trailheads. These include Lincoln Woods, an easy 6-mile round-trip trek along a railroad bed that departs from the Lincoln Woods Visitor Center, crosses a dramatic suspension bridge over the Pemigewasset River, and ends at a swimming hole formed by dramatic Franconia Falls. There's also Sabbaday Falls, a short ½-mile stroll to a multilevel cascade that plunges through two potholes and a flume. For a slightly harder but less crowded trek, take the 3.5-mile Boulder Loop Trail, which rises precipitously some 1,000 feet from the banks of the Swift River to a granite-crowned summit with mountain views. The road's highest point, at 2,855 feet, crosses the flank of Mt. Kancamagus, near Lincoln—a great place to view the fiery displays of foliage each autumn. On-site in lots and overlooks costs $5.

This flat, well-maintained, 3½-mile loop starting and ending at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center passes beneath awe-inspiring redwoods. The 1-mile section along the Karl Knapp Trail (formerly the Prairie Creek Trail) fringes a babbling brook. You then cross Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, turn south onto the Cathedral Trees Trail, and detour along the 0.3-mile Big Tree Loop before meandering south and west through yet more gorgeous old-growth forest. Options for extending your hike include walking 1½ miles up Cal-Barrel Road (an old, unpaved logging route) and then looping back 2 miles on the Rhododendron Trail to rejoin Cathedral Trees. Easy–Moderate.

With a gracious patio, koi pond, and fireplace overlooking the lake as well as a dark and inviting wine cave, this first-rate winery on the South Shore stands out for its superb Brut de Brut Champagne-style wine as well as for its Alsatian grapes, including Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Sparkling wines predominate and are even offered by the can (handy for a picnic).