263 Best Sights in USA

When all the other fire hydrants went dry during the fire that followed the 1906 earthquake, this one kept pumping. Noe Valley and the Mission District were thus spared the devastation wrought elsewhere in the city, which explains the large number of pre-quake homes here. Every year on April 18th (the anniversary of the quake), folks gather here to share stories about the disaster, and the famous hydrant gets a fresh coat of gold paint.

The annual one-day Great Montana Sheep Drive, held the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, celebrates the sturdy Montana-bred sheep and the state's agriculture history with humor. In addition to the sheep run (the sheep are let loose down the main street, sort of like the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, only a lot tamer), you can see a parade of antique cars and enjoy live music and games all day.

In 2023, Universal Orlando joined the escape room trend to create two of its own, each one themed to a legendary film. After entering a classic movie theater and passing into a lobby, you'll embark on your chosen adventure—either Back to the Future: Outatime or Jurassic Park Escape—following a series of hidden clues and tasks through eight rooms to complete your mission. This involves either tracking down Biff, who's stolen Doc Brown's latest time-travel device, or solving a puzzle that will keep you from coming face-to-face with an escaped dinosaur (which technically could be avoided if you had Doc Brown's time-travel device).

You can go solo, but you might be assigned to participate with a group of other guests (no more than six other people). Plus it's much more fun solving puzzles, completing tasks, and looking for clues with a group. The venue is open daily, with the first experiences starting at around 10:45 am and the last ones at around 10:30 pm. In addition, two on-site bars serve beer and wine as well as specialty cocktails and mocktails.  Reservations are a good idea, and you should arrive about 15 minutes before the start of your experience, which will take about an hour to complete. 

Greenbrier is one of the two smallest picnic areas in the park, with only 12 tables near a shady, boulder-strewn creek, plus a pavilion that seats 70. This picnic area off U.S. 321 is rarely busy, and it's one of only four in the park that's open year-round. There is a ranger station here and restrooms with pit toilets but no running water. The Ramsey Cascades Trail is nearby, leading to the Ramsey waterfalls about 4 miles away.

This little gem is worth a pull-over, if not a picnic at the roadside tables. A less-than-a-minute trek from the parking lot delivers you to the base of the delightful, 100-foot-plus falls. On a hot day, nothing feels better than dipping your feet in the cool water. An outhouse is on-site, but grills are not, and water is not available.

At this store, both a shop and museum dedicated to Mother Road memorabilia, you can pose for pictures with vintage cars, kitschy signs, ancient gas pumps, and highway memorabilia while sipping a bottle of sarsaparilla.

The massive Harley-Davidson dealership on the south end of the Strip is ultimate destination for hog lovers. You can window-shop or even buy a bike right off the showroom floor, with financing and even shipping available—or rent one through Eagle Rentals ( 844/378–3060  www.eaglerider.com), which operates a branch office on the premises. There’s also a specialized service department and a riding academy for newbie and experienced riders, some of them including a license waiver. And if you’re looking for Harley merchandise—from vests to T-shirts to onesies for babies—you aren’t likely to find a better selection anyplace else. 

Set among huge rock formations, with picnic tables shaded by dense trees, this is one of the most pleasant places in the park to stop to eat.

Standing more than 100 feet taller than the London Eye, the 550-foot-tall High Roller is the largest observation wheel in North America. The giant Ferris wheel at the east end of The LINQ features 28 glass-enclosed cabins, each of which is equipped to hold up to 40 passengers. One full rotation takes about 30 minutes, with visitors getting one-of-a-kind views of Sin City and the surrounding Las Vegas Valley. The experience begins and ends in a state-of-the-art wheelhouse, where visitors can read about the engineering behind the project as they wait in line, buy drinks to take with them on the ride, or pick up souvenirs commemorating the spin. There's also a Happy Half Hour option, which includes unlimited drinks and a bartender. The best time to ride the wheel is nighttime, when 2,000 LED lights on the wheel itself create an otherworldly vibe.

Highway 21 Drive In is a charming throwback that's fun for the whole family. Showing a variety of classic movies and recent hits, the outdoor theater has been attracting crowds since 1978. A recent change in ownership brought on a refresh, including updates to the projection system and grooming of the grounds. What hasn’t changed: the old-school concessions stand has everything from popcorn and candy to burgers and corn dogs, as well as funnel cakes and root beer floats. Even the ticket prices are a nod to another time and include double features on two screens. It’s totally worth the trip for this slice of nostalgia to see "where the stars come out at night." 

In a meadow near Mill Creek, this lovely spot for a picnic has 10 tables and is open year-round. It's also close to the Hollowell Park and Mill Creek Basin Trailheads.

Here you can stop for the night, learn about the people and their communities, and eat authentic Hopi cuisine. The small but informative museum provides insights about tribal culture. A gift shop sells works by local Hopi artisans at reasonable prices, and a modest picnic area on the west side of the building is a pleasant spot for lunch with a view of the San Francisco Peaks.

American Indians once ground acorns into meal at this site; outdoor exhibits tell the story. The picnic area's name, however, stems from a hunter/trapper who was treated for a leg wound here in 1873. Look up, and you'll see Moro Rock. Grills, drinking water, and restrooms are available.

Formerly Hualapai Ranch, this shuttle stop now celebrates the culture of the Hualapai people. Artisans demonstrate their skills Sunday through Tuesday at Walapai Trading Post, and the Hualapai Bird Singers share their songs on the weekends. Gwe Ma'jo, the restaurant here, serves traditional dishes like pinion stew and fry bread. Hualapai Point is also where you'll find zip lines and the Cabins at Grand Canyon West.

This massive, multiuse complex injected some life into the West End when it opened a few years back. It's easy to reach from anywhere in the city since it's attached to North Station. With a hotel (citizenM), cinema (AMC Causeway 13), a concert space and nightclub, dozens of dining options, and the TD Garden sports arena, there is no shortage of things to do.

The famous competition's headquarters displays dogsleds, mushers' clothing, and trail gear, and you can watch video highlights of past races. The gift shop sells Iditarod items. Dogsled rides take place year-round; in summer the sleds are on wheels.

In this interactive Seussian maze, kids can leave the adults behind and have fun at their level. Exploring involves climbing, jumping, and crawling around several of Dr. Seuss's fantasy creatures, as well as pushing buttons to animate them. Park designers have learned that kids' basic needs include eating, sleeping, and getting splashed, so they've thoughtfully added some interactive fountains as well. For people with disabilities: The area is wheelchair accessible. If you can talk your little ones into waiting, come at the end of your visit.

More often than not, California's, and specifically the high desert's, reputation for being wacky and weird is blown out of proportion. But in the case of this woo-woo wellness offering—namely, a 60-minute sonic healing session/sound bath during which someone plays 20 quartz singing bowls keyed to each body chakra while you lie on the floor of a white, domed structure in the middle of nowhere—believe the hype. If you go in with an open mind, you might just find inner peace, a clear mind, and deep relaxation. Even if you don't, think of the tale you'll be able to share with relatives at the next holiday get-together. 

The Interlock is your one-stop-shop for all things dining, entertainment, shopping and relaxation. It’s truly a go-to destination nestled within the Westside, with no shortage of restaurants, ranging from Velvet Taco Tex-Mex to the à la carte sushi eatery, Kinjo Room. Looking for entertainment? Check out Puttshack for high-tech minigolf. Afterwards, head upstairs to Rooftop L.O.A., a restaurant and pool club. After a long day of exploring, get a room at the Bellyard, a boutique hotel with its own private dining area.

For something really down to earth, visit Jae’s Gem Mine to learn about the minerals, fossils, and gemstones native to Tennessee and beyond. Their mission is more scientific than metaphysical, though they do sell crystals—as well as gems and minerals presented through an interactive simulated mining experience. In addition to retail, they’re a full-service rock shop, offering everything from lapidary services (cutting and polishing stones) and geode cracking to rockhounding classes and trips that take you into nature to find geological treasures of your own. While you’re there, be sure to say hello to the shop dog, whose name is (obviously) Rocky.

In the Junior Ranger Discovery program, young visitors can pick up an activity pack any time of the year at either visitor center and complete it within an hour or two. During June, there also are daylong camps for kids ages 5 through 12 in the East district.

Kids ages 6–12 learn about Crater Lake while earning a Junior Ranger patch in daily activities in summer at the Rim Visitor Center, and year-round they can earn a badge by completing the Junior Ranger Activity Book, which can be picked up at either visitor center.

Kids can pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at Bear Gulch Nature Center and the park store or visitor contact station and earn a badge for completing a series of fun educational activities.

Taking a tour of this unique kazoo museum and factory is a fun and informative experience; you even get to make your own kazoo at the end.

Typhoon Lagoon's play area for young children has slides, mini rapids, faux sand castles, squirting whales and seals, bouncing barrels, waterfalls, and sprinklers. The bubbling sand ponds, where youngsters can sit in what seems like an enormous whirlpool bath, are favorites, as is the tiny-scale tube ride. Kids can have spray battles using small water cannons, and families can camp beneath lots of shady lean-tos. For people with disabilities: Accessible for people using water-appropriate wheelchairs.

Parents can take turns watching the kiddies here and riding the thrill slides.

Junior Rangers, ages 5 to 12, meet with rangers during the summer for talks and activities related to the park’s history and ecology.