10457 Best Sights in USA

Broadway plays, musical acts, comedians, and other performers frequent the Aronoff Center, a state-of-the-art facility with three separate stages. The largest theater, Procter & Gamble Hall, seats more than 2,700 people.

Beautiful views of the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee surround this 75-acre property co-owned by Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn. In addition to free tastings, Arrington Vineyards hosts live music on weekends (April to November), bonfires in chilly weather, and other seasonal events. Though there isn't a restaurant on the grounds, the gift shop stocks gourmet cheeses and truffles, and visitors are welcome to bring picnics and make use of the tables throughout the grounds.

Arrowhead Stadium, where the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs play

This group of museums, divided into two campuses a block apart, includes the Maitland Art Center, the Maitland Historical Museum, the Waterhouse Residence Museum, and the quirky Telephone Museum. Hidden down a tree-lined side street, the Maitland Art Center is a collection of 23 buildings in the Maya Revival style—with Mesoamerican motifs—that contain an art gallery and artists’ studios. The restored Waterhouse museum reflects the life of a middle-class Victorian family during the early days of the City of Maitland. Recognized by Florida as a historic site and on the National Register of Historic Places, the center was founded as an art colony in 1937 by American artist and architect André Smith (1880–1959). It continues his tradition of art instruction and houses a major collection of his works.

If you can't visit Houston during the annual Art Car Parade (though do try to if you can), the next best thing is a visit to this funky museum, where you can see several of the over-the-top autos plus cutting-edge temporary exhibits (of the non-car kind).

This center rotates a fine permanent collection of Native American tapestries and Western contemporary art, including the only complete series of lithographs by noted printmaker Paul Pletka. The fantastically carved doors—done by a WPA artist in the 1930s—alone are worth the visit. Take time to view the elegant historic homes along North 7th Street afterward. Admission is always free for children under 12; it's also free on Tuesday for everyone.

Run by the Miami Design Preservation League, the center provides information about the buildings in the district. There's also an official Art Deco Museum within the center, as well as a gift shop that sells art deco memorabilia and posters from the 1930s through '50s, as well as books on Miami's history. Several tours also start here, including a self-guided audio tour and regular morning walking tours at 10:30 daily (excluding Tuesday and Wednesday).

Spacious galleries inside these white shellcrete walls designed by architect Philip Johnson have beckoned South Texas art lovers and tourists for more than four decades. In 2006, the museum doubled in size, adding gallery space and a café that overlooks the bay and ship channel. The permanent collection comprises more than 1,500 pieces in a variety of mediums, with concentration on works of the Americas, and especially the region contiguous to Texas. In addition to the exhibits, the museum presents classes, lectures, films, and performances to highlight the art and artists of the region and of the Americas. The café courtyard has unobstructed stunning views of the water. Look for a spectacular chandelier by iconic glass artist Dale Chihuly.

Located on 18th Street, just steps from the National Mall, the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA) is still considered by many a hidden gem. With its rotating exhibitions from prominent Latin American and Caribbean artists, there's always something new to experience at the museum. Take a break from the D.C. crowds and learn about the exhibitions, walk around the picturesque blue-tile corridor, and go for a walk along its serene garden. Admission is free.

From a distance the modern minimalist architecture of Artesa blends harmoniously with the surrounding Carneros landscape, but up close its pools, fountains, and large outdoor sculptures make their own impression. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from estate and sourced grapes predominate, but the winery also produces Albariño and sparkling wine, plus heavier reds including Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. You can sample them, sometimes paired with food, while enjoying views of estate and neighboring vineyards and, on a clear day, San Francisco.

The most robust part of the northern Everglades, this 221-square-mile refuge is one of two huge water-retention areas accounting for much of the "River of Grass" outside the national park near Miami. Start at the visitor center, which has fantastic interactive exhibits and videos like Night Sounds of the Everglades and an airboat simulator. From there, you can take a marsh trail to a 20-foot-high observation tower, or stroll a half-mile boardwalk lined with educational signage through a dense cypress swamp. There are also guided nature walks (including some specifically for bird-watching), and there's great bass fishing (bring your own poles and bait) and a 5½-mile canoe and kayak trail loop (both can be rented from a kiosk by the fishing pier).

Penn's official art gallery contains treasures from the university's collections—especially prints and drawings—and special exhibitions that have had a modern/contemporary bent in recent years. The gallery shares its historical-landmark building, designed by Frank Furness, with the Fisher Fine Arts Library.

Inside this former cannon factory, nearly every inch of the more than 60,000-square-foot bohemian art-gallery-meets-studio-space is chockablock with art, much of it for sale. Some of the 500,000 pieces have a pedigree: Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Gordon Parks, though about 80% of the collection is local. The eclectic space also includes artist studios, a dinner theater, a courtyard, and a two-story firehouse with a real 1958 pumper truck. The rooftop sculpture garden gives you a view of the city skyline.

Built in 1872 and pedestrian-only since 1958, the most painted and photographed of Maine's nine covered bridges can be found north of Bethel in neighboring Newry. From U.S. 2, turn onto Sunday River Road (watch for signs; stay to the right at the "Y" intersections). The 87-foot-long Paddleford truss bridge is aside the modern one that handles road traffic these days. A popular swimming spot, folks put in by the old wood bridge or follow the path from its south end to a bend in the river.

Two gallery spaces display contemporary and folk pieces by local and regional artists. One- and two-day classes are offered in art, photography, writing, culinary arts, and crafts.

The arts center sponsors exhibits, performances, artists' receptions, and special events focusing on Adirondack traditions and artists. Classes and workshops for children and adults teach everything from watercolor and basket weaving to poetry. The center also organizes hikes.

Ever since the renovation of the former Naval Training Center, Liberty Station has championed local artists by transforming the space into a hub for culture and arts. This thriving ARTS DISTRICT showcases murals, sculptures, and other mediums by local artists whose pieces are commissioned for approximately one year. To get a closer look, a Public Art Scavenger Hunt invites visitors to tour the public art by scanning a QR code at any work of art. On the first Friday of every month, guests are invited to meet working artists, discover art installations, and explore the ARTS DISTRICT. Some of the most notable pieces include Victor Ving’s mural Greetings from the U.S. Naval Training Station, an interpretation of a 1940s military postcard; Jonathan Allen’s wooden boat USS Brave that honors the navy heritage; and Mary Buckman’s terra cotta sculpture Sisterhood, representing the bond between Kumeyaay (California's indigenous people) and western women.

Spend a morning perusing the craftsmanship of 100 or more artists from all over the region in this open-air market held in beautiful Marsalis Harmony Park on the last Saturday of each month (except for November and December when the schedule changes to accommodate the holidays). Vendors include jewelry artists, painters, textile designers, soap makers, and potters. Musicians, a kids' tent, and food stands round out the event.

In a warehouse that has been converted into a stunning 5,000-square-foot, high-ceiling art gallery, Arts on Douglas has a new exhibit of works by a Florida artist every month. Representing more than 50 Florida artists, the gallery holds an opening reception every first Saturday of the month from 4 to 7 pm.

A nonprofit visual-arts center, Artspace hosts open studios, where artists are happy to talk to you about their work. Much of the art by resident artists is for sale during or after the exhibitions.

The place bustles with visitors during First Fridays, when galleries and museums throughout the city host public receptions to show off new work.

In the center of downtown Hollywood, this 10-acre urban park has promenades and green spaces, public art, a huge playground for kids, a state-of-the-art amphitheater, and spaces for educational workshops like weekly glassblowing and jewelry making. There are food trucks and movie nights as well.

This mining operations center elucidates the importance of mining to everyday life. Indoor exhibits include a walk-through model of an ore crusher, video stations that explain refining processes, and a film about how minerals are actually extracted. Outside, you can see some of the actual equipment, including a few gargantuan trucks used for hauling the stuff. The big draw, though, is the yawning open pit of the Mission Mine, some 2 miles long and 1¾ miles wide because so much earth has to be torn up to extract the 1% that is copper. It's impressive, but doesn't bolster the case the center tries to make about how environmentally conscious mining has become. Tours of the pit take a little over an hour; call ahead for the tour schedule, which is limited during summer months, due to the heat.

Standing in contrast to the grandiose Monticello is the modest home of James Monroe, who held more major political offices than any other U.S. president. He intentionally kept it a simple farmhouse, building the home in 1799, two miles from his friend Jefferson's estate. A later owner added on a more prominent two-story section where two of the original Monroe rooms burned down. Though it definitely has a more common feel than Monticello, the small rooms in Ash Lawn–Highland are similarly crowded, with gifts from notables and souvenirs from Monroe's time as envoy to France. Allow a couple of hours to visit Monroe's estate, a perfect way to complete a day that begins at Monticello.

Exhibits at the small but worthwhile AMOS include a large collection of North Carolina gems and minerals, interactive astronomy and climate displays, and a Teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton.

A favorite of locals and visitors alike, this museum/arcade features 70 vintage pinball machines and video games. Bring the kids, who'll probably ignore the modern machines in favor of those from the 1930s. There's also a bar serving snacks and craft beers and restrooms labeled Pac Man and Ms. Pac Man.

This 18-room brick mansion was the country home of Senator Henry Clay and his family for more than four decades. The tour highlights antebellum Kentucky plantation life and the political achievements of Clay, who served both in the U.S. House of Representatives (as Speaker) and in the U.S. Senate.

Passing through the Hoosac River Valley, the paved 12.7-mile Ashuwillticook (pronounced Ash-oo-will-ti-cook) trail links Adams with Pittsfield. The trail follows an old railroad, passing through rugged woodland and alongside Cheshire Reservoir. Walkers, joggers, cyclists, in-line skaters, and cross-country skiers all enjoy this route.

The Asian art collection of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller III forms the core of this museum's holdings, with artworks and artifacts dating as far back as the 11th century BCE. A growing contemporary collection features video, animation, photography, and new media art by artists from Asia and the Americas. Founded in 1956, the society has a regular program of panel discussions, film screenings, family events, and performances, in addition to changing on-loan exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art. Trees and flowering vines grow within the glass-enclosed, skylighted Leo Café, whose menu reflects the diversity of Asian cuisine. The AsiaStore carries the best in Asian design and literature. Docent tours are offered regularly; a schedule is posted on the museum's website.

A beautiful coastal area, Asilomar State Beach stretches between Point Pinos and the Del Monte Forest. The 100 acres of dunes, tidal pools, and pocket-size beaches form one of the region's richest areas for marine life—including surfers, who migrate here most winter mornings. Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach. Amenities: none. Best for: sunrise; sunset; surfing; walking.