10457 Best Sights in USA

This 93-acre natural sanctuary is home to 13 gardens with more than 2,000 varieties of annuals, perennials, wildflowers, and trees. There's a greenhouse, marked ecology trails (leashed dogs are welcome), a pretty pond, and a boardwalk through a red maple swamp. Brilliant, bold colors make the wildflower garden stunning in spring.

The longest of the Bartlett Cove trails is an offshoot of the Bartlett River Trail. Look for the trailhead about a mile down the river trail on your right. After climbing a moraine, you weave through the woods for approximately 4 miles before reaching the lake. The serenity and the views make the total 12-mile journey—a seven- to eight-hour, out-and-back endeavor—worth the effort. Moderate–Difficult.

Established in 1983, this is Maine’s oldest winery (yes, that’s how young the state’s wine history is). But no matter; the results are worth a visit, so long as you’re a fan of fruit-based alcohols. Owner Bob Bartlett (who gives personal tours) bases his on pears, apples, raspberries, and wild blueberries—all key crops of Maine. Ask, too, about the small-batch rums using organic molasses, blackberry liqueurs, and raspberry brandies. Hours can vary, so it’s best to call ahead.

This 5-mile, round-trip route borders an intertidal lagoon, runs alongside an old glacial moraine, zigzags through the woods, and spits you out in a designated wilderness area at the Bartlett River estuary. From the trailhead, located a short walk from Glacier Bay Lodge, it's about 2 miles to the river, and although this portion can be muddy and slippery, the park service does maintain it. The stretch that continues along the riverbank for a couple more miles isn't maintained, and segments of it can be difficult to navigate, depending on the tide or recent rainfall. Bear sightings are common here, especially when the salmon are running. Moderate–Difficult.

The smell of freshly baked cider doughnuts greets you upon entering this orchard's market, which also sells cider and maple syrup. Seasonally you'll find many apple varieties bagged for purchase, but it's more fun to head into the orchard and pick your own.

Established in 1728 by pioneering botanist John Bartram, this is America's oldest surviving botanical garden. Bartram, with his son William, collected and identified thousands of indigenous North American (and beyond) plants, showcasing them for both scientific and commercial purposes. Today, the 45-acre National Historic Landmark on the west bank of the Schuylkill River boasts a diversity of flora to wander leisurely about—from flowering shrubs and trees (azalea, rhododendron, magnolia) to rare specimens like the Franklinia, a tree that died out in its native Georgia, surviving today only because Bartram cultivated it. The best months to come are April–June, when the gardens are fragrant and filled with the lively chatter of birds, but summer and fall also have their charms. The original 18th-century farmhouse still stands, and you can tour its rooms and various exhibits, including Native American artifacts from the property dating back 3,000 years.

Drive or take a cab, as the grounds are tucked down a driveway in an out-of-the-way part of Southwest Philadelphia.

Built in the 1930s, this mountaintop lodge retains its rustic charm with comfortable, no-frills lodging and a restaurant in a stunning setting.

Think of this immersive art park as the grounds of a family-friendly music festival that never ends. Local bands and DJs take the stage while visitors dance as they please before moseying over to food trucks, several lounge areas, a playground, and rotating works of art that have seen the likes of Art Basel and Burning Man. During the day you'll find pop-up shops and food vendors, and in the evening BaseCamp becomes a relaxed hangout with a full liquor bar that specializes in tequila flights.

A collaboration of Biltmore House head architect Richard Sharp Smith and the Spanish engineer-architect Rafael Guastavino, this elaborate Catholic basilica was completed in 1909. It follows a Spanish Renaissance design, rendered in brick and polychrome tile, and has a large self-supporting dome with Catalan-style vaulting. Take a self-guided tour with one of the free brochures in the vestibule, or book a 25- to 45-minute guided tour at least two weeks in advance.

Opened in 1821, the Basilica of the Assumption is the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States. Designed by Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the U.S. Capitol, it stands as a paragon of neoclassicism, with a grand portico fronted by six Corinthian columns that suggest an ancient Greek temple. Two towers are surmounted by baroque domes. The church, including 24 skylights in the dome which were covered over before or prior to World War II, was restored in November, 2006, the bicentennial of the laying of the church’s cornerstone.

Boise boasts one of the highest concentrations of Basque descendants in the world, second only to the Basque country itself, and celebrates this heritage in this two-block slice of downtown. Here you'll find the city’s oldest surviving brick dwelling, once home to young shepherds, plus a historic museum and cultural center, restaurants serving authentic Basque food—try Leku Ona or Bar Gernika—and a Basque market with fresh local produce and wine from northern Spain. Every five years the international Jaialdi Basque festival is celebrated throughout Boise.

This tiny lobstering village has a relaxed atmosphere and a few restaurants and lodgings. If you're looking to get away from the crowds, consider using this hardworking community as your base. Although Bass Harbor does not draw as many tourists as other villages, Bass Harbor Head Light, a bit outside the village and part of Acadia National Park, is one of the region's most popular attractions and undoubtedly one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. From Bass Harbor, you can take a ferry to Frenchboro or Swans Island. Acadia's Ship Harbor and Wonderland trails are east of the village and the lighthouse on Route 102A.

Taking in one of Yarmouth Port's most beautiful areas, Bass Hole Boardwalk extends over a swampy creek, crosses salt marshes, and winds around vegetated wetlands and upland woods. Gray's Beach is a little crescent of sand with still water that's a favorite family swimming hole. At the end of the boardwalk, benches provide a place to relax and look out over abundant marsh life and, across the creek, the beautiful, sandy shores of Dennis's Chapin Beach. At low tide you can walk out on the flats for almost a mile.

You can't miss the two 48-foot limestone angels on one side of this multipurpose building, which unabashedly fills a city block. The hall opened to great fanfare in 1998 and it continues to draw acclaim for its classic architecture, sight lines, and acoustics. It hosts four resident companies and various touring shows, as well as the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, held every four years. Free public tours are Saturday mornings at 10:30 if event schedules permit.

The 400,000-member Brazilian free-tailed bat colony here snatches up 3 tons of bugs a night. Watch them leave at dusk from the park amphitheater at the Natural Entrance, where a ranger discusses these intriguing creatures. The bats aren't on any predictable schedule, so times can vary. Ideally, viewers will first hear the bats preparing to exit, followed by a vortex of black specks swirling out of the cave mouth in search of dinner against the darkening sky. When conditions are favorable, hundreds of thousands of bats will soar off over the span of half an hour or longer.

From U.S. 601 in the east section of the park, this 19th-century road—once the route to a ferry across the river—offers the easiest access to the Congaree River in the park. A few sections of the 1.1-mile path can be soggy, but it's manageable any time of year. In the summer, low water levels often reveal a wide sandbar along the riverbank that's perfect for a picnic. The General Greene Tree—Congaree's largest bald cypress tree at 30 feet in circumference—is along this trail. Easy.

Rough tides are often the norm in this stretch of the Atlantic Ocean and frequently take away the beach, but a charming enclave at the southern end of Hutchinson Island—after the Marriott's beach and right by the Indian River Plantation luxury development—provides a perfect escape for families with young children and anyone who likes to snorkel. The waters are shallow and usually calm, and kids can walk up to the reef and see a dazzling assortment of fish. The parking lot is small, so get there early. Amenities: parking (no fee); lifeguards; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Although development destroyed many of the saltwater marsh wildlife habitats that once punctuated the North County coastline, this 610-acre lagoon was restored in 1997 to support fish and bird populations. Today, there are more than 200 species of birds here. A stroll along the 2-mile trail from the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Nature Center along the north shore of the lagoon reveals nesting sites of the red-winged blackbird; lagoon birds such as the great blue heron, the great egret, and the snowy egret; and life in the mudflats. This wheelchair-accessible trail is a quiet spot for contemplation or a picnic. The Nature Center showcases exhibits on butterflies, moths, birds, and the Kumeyaay tribe who once fished on the lagoon. They spent half the year on the coast and half the year in the highlands of Julian to gather acorns—an important part of their diet. Today there are just 12 Kumeyaay reservations in California, predominately in East County San Diego. Within the Nature Center, you can view examples of the tribe’s traditional clothing, fish traps, baskets, clay pots, bows and arrows, and more. Guided walking tours, lasting 1–2 hours, are offered monthly by appointment and can be arranged through the website.

Marking the southernmost point of Manhattan, the Battery is a respite from the hurried Financial District. Even if you don't plan to stay for long, carve out a few minutes to enjoy the view, which includes the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the harbor. The park's main structure is Castle Clinton National Monument, the gathering point for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This monument is a former fort erected during the War of 1812 to defend the city. (Its sister fort, Castle Williams, sits across the harbor on Governors Island.) From 1855 to 1890, Castle Clinton served as America's first official immigration center.

The Battery is home to memorials, monuments, an urban garden, a playscape, and a labyrinth, as well as the lovely SeaGlass Carousel, where for $6 children and adults can ride \"inside\" luminescent fish and pretend to float magically underwater. To the east is the Staten Island Ferry Terminal; to the west is Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park, with its tidy lawn and benches from which to view the harbor and summertime shows.

Walk in the footsteps of William Penn, who first set foot on American soil here—a historic marker records the event—and take a peaceful stroll with wide views of the Delaware River and Delaware Memorial Bridge from the trails and boardwalk. You can picnic on the vast lawn and watch the barges go by while the kids enjoy the playground. One park walkway leads into the town's historic center, making the park easy to access while touring.

During low tide, you can walk from the pier across the ocean floor to this working lighthouse. Built in 1856, it houses a museum with nautical artifacts and shipwreck photographs. There's purportedly a resident ghost.

Part of the warehouse complex on Industrial Way that houses three other quite-good breweries (Allagash, Austin Street, and Foundation), Battery Steele started in an old barn in South Portland and has since moved to these well-trafficked digs. The tasting room offers a roster of rotating brews on tap—usually 10 or so. Highlights include pours like the double IPA, Avalon, and sours (if it’s available, try a glass of Enjoy The Ride).

With the northernmost naturally occurring stand of bald cypress trees in the United States, the 100-acre Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary provides close-up looks at the forest primeval. A 0.25-mi elevated boardwalk at the bottom of a steep but sturdy set of steps gives you a good vantage point to see the swamp, thick with 100-foot-tall trees that are 75 to 100 years old. Guides at the nature center can alert you to the seasonal permutations of the vegetation and the doings of squirrels, owls, and other wildlife. Indoor exhibits focus on the area's natural and cultural history. The swamp is about 5 mi west of Port Republic.

As you make your way west to Baggs over the Battle Highway (Route 70), you'll cross the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains. This route takes you through the mining country that was developed during the 1897–1908 copper-mining boom in the Sierra Madres; interpretive signs along the way point out historic sites. Legend has it that in 1878, Thomas Edison was fishing near Battle Pass with a bamboo rod when he began to ponder the idea of a filament, which led to his invention of the incandescent light bulb. Note that this section of the highway closes to car travel in winter, though it stays open for snowmobiles.

The World War II–era USS New Jersey, one of the most decorated battleships in the history of the U.S. Navy, is now a floating museum. It's docked in Camden, New Jersey, just south of the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion amphitheater. A 90-minute guided tour takes you around the upper and lower decks of the ship, or you can explore this fascinating vessel on your own. Some recently launched tours include evening small-group tours of the engine room and other specific areas; and families and groups can arrange to tour, dine, and sleep on the vessel overnight.

For those seeking a more rough-hewn alternative or counterpoint to the genteel Queen Mary, the battleship USS Iowa in nearby San Pedro lets visitors of all ages clamber through hatches, peer through portholes, and climb into the seat of an antiaircraft gun, envisioning the past. The Iowa, the only such tourable battleship on the West Coast, was commissioned in 1943 as the lead of its class and served in World War II, Korea, and the Cold War. Volunteer "crew members," many of whom once served on the ship, happily offer their personal stories to kids and adults alike.  You're bound to be hungry after such an intrepid expedition. While many people might return to Long Beach or L.A., the nearby pedestrian-friendly, old-timey Downtown San Pedro strip, which centers on 6th and 7th streets, boasts some outstanding dining options, from a British pub to killer Mediterranean and Italian options.

One of the Bay Area's most unique attractions is a model of itself. It's a giant—over an acre—hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay–San Joaquin River Delta (Sacramento area) watershed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, demonstrating how Sierra Nevada snow eventually ends up in the bay. For visitors and tourists alike, it's a fascinating place to learn about one of the most complex, diverse environmental regions in the country.