10457 Best Sights in USA

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 bird life: 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.

A move to a former warehouse in central Fishtown helped elevate Philadelphia Distilling’s popularity and grow the following of its high-quality spirits. Today, its tasting room, shop, distillery—which is open for tours—and private-event space are all housed on East Allen Street mere steps away from the Fillmore and Punchline Philly. The bar is the focal point, with cocktails expertly made by experienced bartenders using Philadelphia Distilling’s own Bluecoat American Dry Gin, Penn 1681 Vodka, Bluecoat Elderflower Gin, and more. The drink menu features cocktails rooted in ingredients like bitters and citrus, and elderflower and lavender. The food complements the inspired drink list with options like cheese boards, brisket grilled cheese, and snackable veggies.

Equal parts style and science, this hypermodern, $300 million–plus museum along Biscayne Bay is totally worth forgoing time at the beach. The high-design museum transitions the indoors and outdoors over multiple levels and an impressive 250,000 square feet, crowned by a see-through, shark-filled, 500,000-gallon aquarium. Beyond exhibitions dedicated to oceans, engineering, and the Everglades, look forward to one of the most sophisticated planetariums in the country, which uses 16-million-color 8K projection.

With its setting on a quiet residential street and its low-key elegance, the Phillips Collection offers unhurried access to its first-rate collection of masterpieces from the 19th century and later. At the heart of the collection are works by distinguished impressionist and modern artists, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Henri Matisse. A stunning quartet of Mark Rothko works merits its own room. The museum opened in 1921 in the Georgian Revival mansion of collector Duncan Phillips, who wanted to showcase his art in a museum that would stand as a memorial to his father and brother. In the intervening years, the museum expanded, and now includes much more gallery space, a café, a gift shop, and an auditorium.

The winding 10-mile drive through Russell-Abbott State Forest is part of the fun of visiting this enchanted—and secluded—1786 red clapboard cottage on which artist Elizabeth Orton Jones based her illustrations in Little Red Riding Hood in the 1940s. Surrounded by fragrant, organic herb and flower gardens (you can buy seeds and plants in the nursery in back), the house today contains a sweet gift shop that sells dried herbal blends and other gourmet products, a small museum with Little Red Riding Hood memorabilia, and a wonderful little restaurant that serves five-course lunches featuring herbs and produce grown on-site.

Once home to prehistoric hunters, this spot has yielded more than 30,000 artifacts related to early human history. A paved ¾-mile trail affords views of the 2,200-year-old cave paintings depicting animal and human figures; if you bring binoculars, you'll be able to better appreciate the subtle detail of the artwork. The largest cave is 160 feet wide and 45 feet deep. After hiking and seeing the caves, enjoy the beautifully shaded picnic area. A visitor center, open daily in the summer, houses an interpretive area and a gift shop.

A popular destination since the late 19th century, Piedmont Park is the perfect place to escape the chaos of the city. Tennis courts, a swimming pool, a popular dog park, and paths for walking, jogging, and rollerblading are part of the attraction, but many retreat to the park's great lawn for picnics with a smashing view of the Midtown skyline.

If you want to see the view from the top of Pikes Peak, head up this 14,115-foot-high mountain by car, train, or in a pair of hiking boots if you've got the stamina. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, visitors can drive to the summit ($15 per passenger or $50 per car) but reservations are required. The newly renovated cog train offers an alternative for those looking to avoid hairpin turns and sharp drop-offs on the highway. It's also convenient when the weather closes the road. Gaining nearly 7,400 feet in elevation, the 27-mile round trip hike is grueling. The steep, rocky terrain causes unstable footing, and unpredictable weather can be treacherous year-round, which is why many hikers camp at Barr Camp after mile 6 before the final uphill slog.  Shuttles are available to take hikers either up or down the mountain, cutting the hike in half. 

Once at the top, stop for a doughnut at the Pikes Peak Summit House café and trading post. Whichever route you choose to take up the prominent peak, you'll understand why the pioneers heading West via wagon train used to say: "Pikes Peak or Bust."

Drinking water, restrooms, and a picnic area are available at this central campground with sweeping mountain views. Shade, however, can be sparse and summer heat intense. You can walk off that hearty lunch along one of the several nearby hiking trails.

You can pick up maps, brochures, and hiking permits here at the park visitor center, just off U.S. 62/180. A slide show and a 12-minute movie provide a quick introduction to the park, half of which is protected as a designated wilderness area. Informative exhibits depict geological history, area wildlife, and flora ranging from lowland desert to forested mountaintop. You can access several trails and a lovely picnic area and campground a short ½-mile drive or stroll from the visitor center.

This popular park with jaw-dropping views of the Valley is a good spot to picnic, rock climb, bike, or hike in a beautiful desert environment. The moderately difficult trail is 3.5 miles out and back, winding up a mountain strewn with boulders and towering saguaro cacti. Dogs are not allowed on the trail. For more information on hiking, see Activities.

Ascending from the banks of Sand and Wheeler creeks, unearthly spires of eroded ash resemble the peaks of fairy tale castles. Once upon a time, the road continued east to a former entrance. A path now replaces the old road and follows the rim of Sand Creek (affording more views of pinnacles) to where the entrance sign still stands.

Those looking to dig a little deeper into the history of this area may find some answers at the Pioneer Museum Complex, which also encompasses the Vereins Kirche Museum. Both museums offer permanent exhibits with collections of woodworking tools, textile pieces, furniture, paintings, and a number of domestic artifacts from the area. Other historic buildings in the complex include a pioneer log cabin, an old First Methodist Church, and a smokehouse. Also on the premises stands a typical 19th-century "Sunday house" that catered to farmers and their families who traveled long distances to attend church services and had to stay the night.

Occupying the refurbished 19th-century redbrick factory of the eponymous machine manufacturer, the Pioneer Works is a nonprofit cultural center comprising a soaring three-level space dedicated to nurturing independent artists, scientists, musicians, and their creative avant-garde communities. In fact, director Darren Aronofsky and David Byrne of the Talking Heads are on the advisory board. The performance stages and giant exhibition space designed by Red Hook artist Dustin Yellin regularly showcase changing exhibitions and performance art with lively opening parties, films, book fairs, and music concerts. On the grounds outside is an artfully landscaped yard with a bar. 

In 1946, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Sons of the Pioneers (the music group for which the town is named), Russ Hayden, and various other entertainers invested in Dick Curtis' dream of building a "living breathing movie set." The result was Pioneertown, an 1880s-style Wild West town on 32,000 acres, surrounded by mesas and rock formations. Its main street featured a mix of false-front buildings (jail, bathhouse, etc.) and fully functioning businesses including a bowling alley, motel, saloon, and post office. More than 50 films/shows including Cisco Kid were made there in the 1940s and '50s.

Although some photo shoots and productions still happen there, most folks roll into town as tourists to grab drinks at the reopened bar; look at the movie memorabilia in the small museum; catch a concert at Pappy + Harriet's; meet the mayor (which is usually a goat, horse, or dog); or shop for pottery, vintage duds, and skin-care products in the shops that now fill many of the wood-and-adobe structures on the pedestrian-only lane. Weekends are especially bustling, with staged gunfights, drive-in movies, food carts, and comedy shows.

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.

This is one of the few rides in the world that inspired a film franchise (Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise are the others) rather than the other way around. The gracious arched entrance soon gives way to a dusty dungeon, redolent of dampness and of a spooky, scary past. Lanterns flicker as your boat sails, and a ghostly voice intones, "Dead men tell no tales." Next, a deserted beach, strewn with shovels, a skeleton, and a disintegrating map indicating buried treasure prefaces this story of greed, lust, and destruction. You'll pass right through a water-mist screen featuring the maniacal mug of Davy Jones, complete with squirming tentacle beard and barnacle-encrusted hat. Emerging from a pitch-black tunnel after a mild, tummy-tickling drop, you're caught in the line of fire as a pirate ship cannon blasts away at a stone fortress. Look for Captain Barbossa, evil nemesis of Captain Jack Sparrow. Audio-Animatronics pirates hoist the Jolly Roger while brave soldiers scurry to defend the fort—to no avail.

The wild antics of the pirates—Captain Jack Sparrow pops up in several situations—result in a conflagration; the town goes up in flames, and all go to their just reward amid a catchy chorus of "A Pirate's Life for Me." For people with disabilities: Boarding requires transferring from a standard wheelchair to the ride vehicle; the very small flume drop may make the attraction inappropriate for those with limited upper-body strength or those wearing neck or back braces. The attraction is quipped for audio-description and handheld-captioning devices. It's best to ride in the heat of the afternoon, and lines move steadily through the air-conditioned attraction.

Henry Pittock, the founder and publisher of The Oregonian newspaper, built this 22-room, castlelike mansion, which combines French Renaissance and Victorian styles. The opulent manor, built in 1914, is filled with art and antiques. The 46-acre grounds, northwest of Washington Park and 1,000 feet above the city, offer superb views of the skyline, rivers, and the Cascade Range, including Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. The mansion is a half-mile uphill trek from the nearest bus stop. The mansion is also a highly popular destination among hikers using Forest Park's well-utilized Wildwood Trail.

Philadelphia's deservedly popular interactive children's museum, aimed at children ages eight and younger, instills a sense of wonder and fun from the get-go with a towering entrance hall that has a 40-foot-tall sculpture of the Statue of Liberty's torch as its centerpiece. The museum occupies a majestic beaux arts–style building constructed for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, one of just two public buildings still standing from the event. It fills 65,000 square feet with more than 15 themed exhibits, including areas designed for toddlers, where kids can learn through hands-on play. Some popular areas are Food and Family, a mock supermarket; River Adventures, a water area; Wonderland, themed to Alice's adventures; a Makerspace and a Creative Arts Studio for inventing and creating; and a Rocket Room for space adventures. Another highlight is a circa-1908 Dentzel Carousel ride with 52 colorful animals. The 2025 season finale of the TV show Abbott Elementary, about the school's field trip, was filmed at the beloved museum. From fall 2025 through fall 2026, Please Touch will present a special exhibition, Discovering Democracy, as part of the nation's 250th birthday celebrations.   All visitors require advance reservations. Allow about three hours for a visit; weekdays are less crowded. The museum has a café, and there's some free parking in the park.

Against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, and 3 miles south of downtown Plymouth, this living museum shares the rich, interwoven story of the Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag homeland through engaging daily programs and special events. A 1620s Pilgrim village has been carefully re-created, from the thatch roofs, cramped quarters, and open fireplaces to the long-horned livestock. Throw away your preconception of white collars and funny hats; through ongoing research, the staff has developed a portrait of the Pilgrims that's more complex than the dour folk in school textbooks. Listen to the accents of the "residents," who never break out of character. Feel free to engage them in conversation about their life. Don't worry, 21st-century museum educators are on hand to help answer any questions you have as well. On the Wampanoag homesite, meet Native people speaking from a modern perspective on the traditions, lifeways, and culture of Eastern Woodlands Indigenous people. Note that there's not a lot of shade here in summer.

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.

For an outstanding view of the ocean and, in winter, migrating whales, take the marked road off Highway 1 to this 115-foot lighthouse completed in 1908. On tours (last one at 3 pm), the 145-step climb rewards participants with a 360-degree panorama. The ground-level museum displays the original Fresnel lens and other maritime artifacts. Six cottages with full kitchens can be booked for overnight stays.

Jutting into Commencement Bay, this 760-acre park surrounds Five Mile Drive with hilly picnicking fields and patches of forest. Hiking trails, bike paths, and numerous gardens draw crowds year-round, particularly during summer festivals such as the Taste of Tacoma, in late June. The park begins at the north end of Pearl Street as you drive toward the Point Defiance Ferry Terminal, where vehicles depart for Vashon Island just across the Sound, but you can also walk or bike here via a new pedestrian bridge that connects with the new Point Ruston waterfront development. The park's one-way road meanders past a lake and picnic area, a rose garden, a spectacular 22-acre rhododendron garden, and a Japanese garden, finally winding down to the water. Here you can explore the driftwood-strewn, pebbly sands of Owen Beach—it's a wonderful place for beachcombing and sailboat-watching. Kayak rentals and concessions are available in summer. Cruise slowly to take in the scenes—and watch out for joggers and bikers.

One of the Northwest's finest collections of regional and international animal species, this winding and hilly site includes tigers, elephants, tapirs, and gibbons in the Asian Forest Sanctuary, where paw-print trails lead between lookouts so even the smallest tots can spot animals. The impressive South Pacific and Pacific Seas aquariums are also fun to explore—they include a glass-walled, floor-to-ceiling shark tank (where eye-to-eye caged shark dives are offered). Other areas house such cold-weather creatures as beluga whales, Arctic foxes, polar bears, and penguins. Engaging zookeeper chats about different animals and up-close feedings are held throughout the day. The fantastic playground area has friendly farm animals running between the slides, and seasonal special events include a Halloween Zoo Boo trick-or-treat night and the famous nightly Zoolights holiday displays around Christmas.

A 350-acre headland harboring a wealth of marine life, the reserve lies a few miles south of Carmel. The best way to explore here is to walk along one of the many trails. The Cypress Grove Trail leads through a forest of Monterey cypress (one of only two natural groves remaining) that clings to the rocks above an emerald-green cove. Sea Lion Point Trail is a good place to view sea lions. From those and other trails, you might also spot otters, harbor seals, and (in winter and spring) migrating whales. An additional 750 acres of the reserve is an undersea marine park open to qualified scuba divers. No pets are allowed.  Arrive early (or in late afternoon) to avoid crowds; the parking lots fill up.

This small, scenic waterfront park in the quaint village of Hansville sits at the very northeastern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula, about 13 miles northeast of Port Gamble, and is home to the oldest lighthouse (opened in 1879) on Puget Sound. Free tours of the relatively small white building with a bright-red roof are offered on Saturday afternoons from April through September. Any day of the week, however, this is a pleasing spot for a picnic, a stroll along the beach, or simply the chance to sit and admire the views north and east of Whidbey Island and—in the distance—the Cascade Range. The adjacent lighthouse keeper's quarters can be rented overnight.

In operation since 1870, this lighthouse—which was decommissioned in 1975—occupies the tip of Point Reyes, 21 miles from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, a scenic 40-minute drive over hills scattered with longtime dairy farms. The lighthouse originally cast a rotating beam lighted by four concentric wicks that burned lard oil. Keeping the wicks lighted and the 6,000-pound Fresnel lens soot-free in Point Reyes's perpetually foggy climate was a constant struggle that reputedly drove a few attendants to madness.

The lighthouse is one of the best spots on the coast for watching gray whales. On both legs of their annual migration, the magnificent animals pass close enough to see with the naked eye. Southern migration peaks in mid-January, and the whales head back north in March; see the slower mothers and calves in late April and early May. Humpback whales can be spotted feeding in the summer months.

Parking is limited, and there's a quarter-mile one-way path from the parking lot to the visitor center. Once there, it's time to decide if you have it in you to walk down—and, more importantly, up—the 308 steps to the lighthouse. The view from the bottom is worth the effort, but the whales are also visible from the cliffs above the lighthouse. Keep in mind that the lighthouse steps are open only during visitor center hours.  Winds can be chilly and food, water, gas, and other resources are scarce, so be sure to come prepared.

One of the Bay Area's most spectacular treasures and the only national seashore on the West Coast, the 71,000-acre Point Reyes National Seashore encompasses hiking trails, secluded beaches, and rugged grasslands, as well as Point Reyes itself, a triangular peninsula that juts into the Pacific. The Point Reyes Lighthouse occupies the peninsula's tip and is a scenic 21-mile drive from Bear Valley Visitor Center.

When Sir Francis Drake sailed along the California coast in 1579, he allegedly missed the Golden Gate Strait and San Francisco Bay, but he did land at what he described as a convenient harbor. In 2012 the federal government recognized Drake's Bay, which flanks the point on the east, as that harbor, designating the spot a National Historic Landmark.

The infamous San Andreas Fault runs along the park's eastern edge; take the Earthquake Trail from the visitor center to see the impact near the epicenter of the 1906 earthquake that devastated San Francisco. A half-mile path from the visitor center leads to Kule Loklo, a reconstructed Miwok village of the region's first known inhabitants.

You can experience the diversity of Point Reyes's ecosystems on the scenic Coast Trail through eucalyptus groves and pine forests and along seaside cliffs to beautiful and tiny Bass Lake.

The 4.7-mile-long (one-way) Tomales Point Trail follows the spine of the park's northernmost finger of land through the Tule Elk Preserve, providing spectacular ocean views from high bluffs. The excellent Point Reyes Safari ( pointreyessafaris.com) tour takes guests to the preserve to see the majestic Tule elk, along with other local wildlife.

You can camp within feet of the canyon's edge at this awe-inspiring site. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. The winding road, through gorgeous high country, is only 17 miles, but it will take you at least two hours one-way. The road is intended only for vehicles with high road clearance (pickups and four-wheel-drive vehicles). It is also necessary to be properly equipped for wilderness road travel. Check with a park ranger or at the information desk at Grand Canyon Lodge before taking this journey. You may camp here only with a permit from the Backcountry Information Center.

Perched between the airport and the coast, this city park provides an entertaining hodgepodge of nature and noise—you can enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Susitna while trans-Pacific cargo jets periodically roar overhead. Walk down to the beach and head east for a picture-perfect view of the city skyline framed against the Chugach Mountains. Just off the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, expect food carts and ice cream trucks as your reward if you make the 5-mile bike ride from Downtown.