571 Best Sights in USA

Established in the 1730s, Middleton Place was at the center of the Middleton family’s empire of rice plantations. Overall, they enslaved 3,500 people on their 63,000 acres of properties throughout South Carolina's Lowcountry. Through the remnants of its three-story brick manor home and acres of sprawling, sculpted gardens, Middleton Place still conveys its long-ago wealth. Through its history exhibits and tours, it also illustrates the bitter injustice and cruelty behind the opulence.

To get the complete picture of life on the plantation, watch Beyond the Fields, a short film that focuses on the lives of the Africans and African Americans who lived and worked at Middleton. Then take the accompanying tour, which begins at Eliza’s House, the restored 1870s former home of a sharecropper.

After Middleton's original manor home was destroyed in the Civil War, one of its wings was salvaged and transformed into the family’s post-war residence. That structure now serves as a house museum that displays English silver, furniture, original paintings, and historic documents, including an early silk copy of the Declaration of Independence. In the nearby stable yards, historic interpreters use authentic tools to demonstrate spinning, weaving, blacksmithing, and other skills from the era. Heritage-breed farm animals, such as water buffalo and cashmere goats, are raised here, as well as free-ranging peacocks and sheep. 

In the 1920s, the breathtakingly beautiful gardens were restored and today include camellias, roses, and blooms of all seasons. Lush allées, terraced lawns, marble sculptures, reflection pools, and even a pair of ornamental lakes shaped like butterfly wings make exploring a constant surprise. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the outdoors.

This moderately challenging route follows the Montville Trail laid out centuries ago by Native Americans, which became the Mosca Pass toll road. This is a good afternoon hike, because the trail rises through the trees and subalpine meadows, often following Mosca Creek. Watch for grouses and turkeys along the route and listen for songbirds and owls cooing at dusk. It is 3½ miles one way, with a 1,400-foot gain in elevation. Hiking time is about two hours each way.

This strenuous 4½-mile round-trip trail takes you to the park's highest point—the top of Mt. Scott, the oldest volcanic cone of Mt. Mazama, at 8,929 feet. At a leisurely pace, give yourself about two hours to make the steep uphill trek—and about 60 minutes to get down. The trail starts at an elevation of about 7,679 feet, so the climb is not extreme, but the trail is steep in spots. The views of the lake and the broad Klamath Basin are spectacular. Difficult.

A 5.4-mile round-trip hike takes you to an old fire watchtower, rewarding you with amazing views. The route is steep, with an elevation gain of almost 2,000 feet, so you should consider this a strenuous challenging hike. Difficult.

After leaving the paved ease of the Riverside Walk (aka the Gateway to The Narrows Trail) behind, this famous and challenging trek entails walking on the riverbed itself. You'll find a pebbly shingle or dry sandbar path, but when the walls of the canyon close in, you'll be forced into the chilly waters of the Virgin River. A walking stick and proper water shoes are a must. Be prepared to swim, as chest-deep holes may occur even when water levels are low. More than half of the entire hike takes place at least partially wading or even possibly swimming in the water, but the views of the sheer canyon walls are something else. Always check the weather forecast and with park rangers about the likelihood of flash floods—hikers died on two occasions in 2022, one by being swept away after a sudden thunderstorm and the other from hypothermia. A day trip up the lower section of The Narrows is about 4.7 miles one-way to the turnaround point at Big Spring. Allow at least five to seven hours round-trip. Difficult.

A 2-mile round-trip route leaves Geyser Hill Loop boardwalk and becomes a trail shortly after the Firehole River; it circles a picturesque overview of Geyser Hill with Old Faithful Inn as a backdrop. You may also see Castle Geyser erupting. Even when 1,000-plus people are crowded on the boardwalk to watch Old Faithful, expect to find fewer than a dozen here. Easy–Moderate.

Most of this 2.2-mile path parallels the Ocean Drive section of Park Loop Road from Sand Beach to Otter Point. It has some of the best scenery in Maine: cliffs and slabs of pink granite at the ocean's edge, twisted branches of dwarf jack pines, and ocean views that stretch to the horizon. The round trip (4.4 miles) allows you to soak it all up from different vantages, though many visitors stroll it a bit while making scenic stops by car or Island Explorer bus. From Sand Beach to Thunder Hole (0.7 miles), Ocean Path is an easy walk on concrete and packed gravel; it gets rougher as you continue and there are stairs at Otter Point. Save time to stop at Thunder Hole, where waves thrash through a narrow opening in the granite cliffs, into a sea cave, and whoosh up and out. Steps lead down to the water to watch the action up close. Use caution as you descend (access may be limited due to storms), and if you venture onto the cliffs along this walk. On a sunny day, lounging on the smooth, massive ledges is utter delight. Moderate.

The hike to reach 360-degree panoramas from high atop Old Rag is wildly popular, frequently ranking among the top hikes in the world (not just in Virginia). This 10-mile loop hike begins with a switchback-laden ascent before reaching a challenging rock scramble. From here, it's a solid mile of climbing, gripping, pulling, and scrambling. Plan to navigate narrow spaces and strategize paths up, over, and around rocks and boulders to earn the spoils at the top. Hiking time is six to seven hours. No pets allowed on this trail. Note: a mandatory day-use ticket is required to hike Old Rag from March through October. Tickets cost $2 per person and can only be purchased through Recreation.gov. Difficult.

Few hikes come with the visual punch that this 8½-mile trail provides. It starts from Glacier Point and descends to Yosemite Valley. The star attraction is Half Dome, visible from many intriguing angles, but you also see three waterfalls up close and walk through a manzanita grove. Moderate.

Scramble along a narrow canyon wall to reach the largest and best-known petroglyphs in Mesa Verde. If you pose for a photo just right, you can manage to block out the gigantic "don't touch" sign next to the rock art. A map—available at any ranger station—points out three dozen points of interest along the trail. However, the trail is not open while Spruce Tree House is closed; check with a ranger for more information. Moderate.

The quickest way to view this stunning lake, this 2-mile round-trip Phelps Lake Overlook Trail takes you from the Death Canyon trailhead up conifer- and aspen-lined glacial moraine to a view that's accessible only on foot. Expect abundant birdlife: western tanagers, northern flickers, and ruby-crowned kinglets thrive in the bordering woods, and hummingbirds feed on scarlet gilia beneath the overlook. From here, if you're up for a longer, enjoyable adventure, continue along the steep trail down to the north shore of the lake, where you can pick up the Phelps Loop Trail and follow it around the lake or all the way to Rockefeller Preserve. Hiking just to the overlook and back takes just over an hour, but allow four to five hours if continuing on to the Phelps Loop Trail. Moderate–Difficult.

This popular 4-mile trek offers two spectacular waterfalls: the first, Makahiku Falls, appears about 0.5 miles in, and the trail culminates at the majestic 400-foot Waimoku Falls, where water cascades down in full force. From the parking lot, follow signs across the road and uphill into the lush forest. The trail hugs a dramatic gorge before leading you onto a boardwalk that winds through the enchanting bamboo forest—a hiking highlight. Expect to encounter muddy and rocky terrain, and plan for around three hours to enjoy the experience fully. Though this trail rarely feels overcrowded, starting your hike early in the morning is ideal to beat the tour groups. Remember to bring mosquito repellent to keep the bugs at bay. Moderate.

Spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains are your reward for trekking through the fields and wooded trails (2¼ miles) at this 120-acre park. Rustic cedar benches, footbridges, and gazebos add to the park's charm and offer places to picnic and rest.

Taking in quite a bit of Santa Cruz, this moderate-to-strenuous 3-mile trail one-way to Pelican Cove is one of the best hikes in the park. You must be accompanied by an Island Packers naturalist or secure a permit (visit  www.nature.org/cruzpermit; allow 10 to 15 business days), as the hike takes you through Nature Conservancy property. Moderate.

This hike is the easiest way down into the amphitheater, with 450 feet of elevation change leading to a short tunnel, quirky hoodoos, and lots of like-minded hikers. It's the essential Bryce "sampler." Allow two hours total to hike the 1½-mile trail plus the ½-mile rim-side path and back. Easy.

By walking this extended 3-mile loop, you can get a clear sense of what makes this park so special; it takes a little more than two hours. The route passes fantastic formations and an open forest of pine and juniper on the amphitheater floor. Descend into the amphitheater from Sunrise Point on the Queen's Garden Trail and ascend via the Navajo Loop; return to your starting point via the Rim Trail. Moderate.

This 4-mile out-and-back historic hike leads visitors alongside rolling Mill Prong and past Big Rock Falls on the Mill Prong Trail to Rapidan Camp (also known as Camp Hoover), President Herbert Hoover's summer retreat. Here you'll find three original structures that have since been restored to their 1929 appearances, including the President's Cabin ("Brown House"), the Prime Minister's Cabin, and the Creel Cabin. Moderate.

Small cairns guide you along this picturesque trail, which winds 600 feet into the canyon—it's especially lush with greenery from spring through fall. Allow half a day to trek down into the canyon and make the somewhat strenuous climb out; the total trip is about 6 miles. Following major flooding in 2022, the trail has been closed and will remain so until Walnut Canyon Desert Drive, which provides access to the trailhead, is repaired and reopened. Check the park website for the latest updates. Moderate.

A 1-mile section of this level trail connects Sunrise and Sunset Points and is an ideal way to launch or wrap up your day. Take your time strolling. Evening is the best time for photos, as much of the rim looks out to the east over the amphitheater. Listen for songbirds, look for a silent swooping owl, and watch the sun’s last rays dance on the hoodoos. This section of the trail is wheelchair accessible, and pets on leashes are welcome. More ambitious walkers can enjoy the full trail, which extends 5½ miles between Bryce Point and Fairyland Point—this longer trail does have some elevation changes. Easy to moderate.

The South Rim's most popular walking path is the 12.8-mile (one-way) Rim Trail, which runs along the edge of the canyon from Pipe Creek Vista (the first overlook on Desert View Drive) to Hermits Rest. This walk, which is paved to Maricopa Point and for the last 1½ miles to Hermits Rest, visits several of the South Rim's historic landmarks. Allow anywhere from 15 minutes to a full day, depending on how much of the trail you want to cover; the Rim Trail is an ideal day hike, as it varies only a few hundred feet in elevation from Mather Point (7,120 feet) to the trailhead at Hermits Rest (6,650 feet). The trail can also be accessed from several spots in Grand Canyon Village and from the major viewpoints along Hermit Road, which are serviced by shuttle buses during the busy summer months. On the Rim Trail, water is available only in the Grand Canyon Village area and at Hermits Rest. Easy.

There are spectacular views to savor along this 9¾-mile loop that takes hikers past a mysterious wonderland of gigantic rocks at Calvary Rocks and then to a panoramic viewpoint filled with cool, flat top rocks along the ridge of Rocks Mountain at Chimney Rock. From here, drop down into Cold Spring Hollow, then cross a stream to Riprap Shelter and a large swimming hole. Hiking time is less than nine hours. Difficult.

A 1.6-mile round-trip crosses marshy Terlingua Creek, scales a rocky staircase, and deposits you on the banks of the Rio Grande for a cathedral-like view of stunning 1,500-foot cliff walls boxing in the river. Try to visit near sunset, when the sun stains the cliffs a rich red-brown chestnut. In clear weather, an overlook on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive affords a panoramic view into the canyon. Summer can feel like a sauna, but you might have this secluded place to yourself, and the trail sometimes closes due to mud and flooding following heavy rains. Easy–Moderate.

This very popular bike and pedestrian trail follows the river to Valley Forge National Park (and well beyond) or, in the other direction, to the Philadelphia Art Museum and beyond. It's easy biking, and while you can go for miles, you'll want a hybrid or mountain bike because not all of it is paved.

Located within the gates of the Sea Pines Resort, the Sea Pines Forest Preserve is made up of 605 acres of protected wilderness. There are two entrances: one off Greenwood Drive, about a mile past the resort’s main gate, has a parking area; the other is located off Lawton Drive. Walking, biking, and horse-riding paths take you past a stocked fishing pond, a waterfowl pond, a 4,000-year-old Native American shell ring, a wildflower field, wetland boardwalks, picnic areas, and boat docks. Nature tours, boat tours, fishing expeditions, and wagon tours are available through Sea Pines and can be booked in advance. Nearby Lawton Stables offers a unique experience to explore the forest via a guided horseback tour.

A quiet forest trail along beautiful Shark Reef leads to an isolated headland jutting out above the bay. The sounds of raucous barks and squeals mean you're nearly there, and eventually you may see throngs of seals and seagulls on the rocky islets across from the point. Bring binoculars to spot bald eagles in the trees as you walk and to view sea otters frolicking in the waves near the shore. The trail starts at the Shark Reef Road parking lot south of the airport, and it's a 10-minute walk to the headland.

This ¼-mile trail in Saguaro West is a gentle, rewarding ascent to ancient petroglyphs carved a millennium ago by the Hohokam people. Easy.

This 5-mile loop, one of the highest trails in the park, beckons day-trippers with a vista of alpine ridges and, in summer, meadows filled with brilliant flowers and birds. At 6,800 feet, Panorama Point, the spine of the Cascade Range, spreads away to the east, and Nisqually Glacier tumbles downslope. Moderate.

Departing from the Frijole Ranch, the trail heads for a shady oasis where you may spot mule deer and elk drawn to the miracle of water in the desert. As a bonus, the route passes Manzanita Spring, another wildlife refuge only 0.2 mile past Frijole Ranch. Allow 1½ hours to complete the 2.3-mile round-trip walk. This is a good hike for older kids whose legs won't tire as easily, and it's wheelchair accessible as far as Manzanita Spring. Easy–Moderate.

The 1½-mile gravel path off Sol Duc Road winds through thick Douglas fir forests toward the thundering, three-chute Sol Duc Falls. Just off the road, below a wooden platform over the Sol Duc River, you'll come across the 70-foot Salmon Cascades. In late summer and autumn, thousands of salmon negotiate 50 miles or more of treacherous waters to reach the cascades and the tamer pools near Sol Duc Hot Springs. The popular 6-mile Lovers Lane Loop Trail links the Sol Duc falls with the hot springs. You can continue up from the falls 5 miles to the Appleton Pass Trail, at 3,100 feet. From there you can hike on to the 8½-mile mark, where views at the High Divide are from 5,050 feet. Moderate.