Ticked off boating alongside Niagara Falls, seeing New York from atop the Empire State Building and tasting wine in California's Napa Valley? Somehow, no matter how many times you visit the States and how many experiences you cram in, there's always more to discover. From 'secret' natural wonders to fun family attractions off the beaten path, these are some of the USA's best, underrated experiences. Just remember to check state travel advisories and any COVID-19 restrictions before you head out.
There are many creatures you can swim with in the wild – turtles, whale sharks, your extended family… But we reckon swimming with manatees is one of the most surreal and beautiful experiences you can have underwater. Crystal River, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is the only place where you can swim with the gentle, seagrass-munching giants in the wild.
This broad, curved bridge became an icon of the Civil Rights Movement after the 1965 marches for voting rights. Protestors embarking on the 54-mile (87km) route from Selma to Montgomery were beaten back by police on what was dubbed Bloody Sunday. They persevered with two further marches, leading to the Voting Rights Act. Driving or walking across the bridge, now a National Historic Landmark, is sure to give you goosebumps.
Cliff Palace looks like the runaway winner in a global sandcastle competition. The intricate, sprawling Ancestral Puebloan ruin, believed to have been built between AD 1190 and 1260, is recessed in an alcove beneath the clifftops of Mesa Verde National Park. It’s also the largest known cliff dwelling in North America, with 150 rooms and kivas (underground chambers) carved in sandstone.
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The sobering legacy of slavery and racial discrimination is unflinchingly explored at The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration, on the site of one of America’s most prominent slave markets in Montgomery, Alabama. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which is connected to the museum, features sculptures and columns representing lynching victims, and is particularly poignant.
You'll find this collection of futuristic, eco-friendly abodes in the desert town of Taos. Built entirely of natural or recycled materials, such as tyres and adobe mud, the earthships are powered by solar energy and each has its own unique design. Choose a cute hobbit house or a sand-coloured structure with stained-glass made from bottles. If you don't have time to stay overnight, drop in on the fascinating visitor centre for a self-guided tour.
Washington state’s San Juan Islands are easily reachable via ferry (setting off not far from Seattle), yet you'll feel like you're in a different world altogether. The archipelago is scattered across prime orca territory, and the most leisurely and serene way to spot them is with a kayak. Take a half-day tour or a multi-day camping and kayaking trip with Outdoor Odysseys, departing from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
You might have running up the US-163 on your bucket list. It’s famous as the location where Forrest Gump finally decides to stop running after three years, perhaps so he can gaze at the dramatic, jagged outline of red sandstone buttes and mesas. But Utah’s desert tends to be pretty hot, so we recommend driving the route instead.
The small Outer Banks community of Carova Beach can only be reached by boat or 4WD, which means it feels very much like an undiscovered secret. These pale-sand beaches and dunes are roamed by wild horses, thought to be descended from Spanish mustangs shipwrecked here in the 16th century. Watch and photograph them from a safe distance.
Paso Robles, halfway between LA and San Francisco, is edging on to wine-lovers’ radars but still draws far fewer crowds – and has far less traffic – than the Napa Valley. Around 300 wineries stripe the hillsides and valleys, and many are smaller, family-run operations where you could easily be tasting with the winemaker or owner.
At a whopping 45 miles (72km) long, Isle Royale is the largest island in Lake Superior. The waters of this underrated national park may be chilly, but those who brave them will come across some of the most wonderfully preserved shipwrecks in US waters. Divers can see ambient wrecks such as SS Emperor, a 525-foot (160m) Canadian steamship that was sunk here in 1947 when it made contact with a jagged reef. On dry land, hike along the forested Windigo Nature Trail.
From its finger-clicking logo to exhibits and videos that seem to bring the world-class soul artists into the room, Stax Recording Studios – a museum since 2003 – is a temple of cool. The label launched careers of legends including Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers. It’s on the outskirts of the city and there’s little else here, but it’s well worth a pilgrimage.
The wild beaches of La Push are some of the most striking strands in the whole of the US and the most popular among them is First Beach. It’s perfect fodder for photographers with its driftwood, surrounding forests and imposing sea stacks. It’s also a favourite with surfers willing to brave the notorious fog. Take a stroll along the wind-whipped sand or catch some waves if you’re feeling adventurous.
Popular Netflix series Ozark, starring Jason Bateman as a money launderer for a Mexican drug cartel, put this scenic lake in Missouri in the spotlight. It’s a vast reservoir hemmed in by some 1,000 miles (1,609km) of lakeshore and cliffs, and the area is studded with bars, waterside restaurants, campsites and golf courses. The best way to explore is by boat – take to the lake on a summer’s day and drop anchor for a swim.
There are plenty of reasons to visit the Luray Caverns in northern Virginia. There are delicate stalagmites and stalactites, vast echoing chambers and the so-called Dream Lake, whose shallow tract of water dramatically reflects its surroundings. Most unusual of all is the caverns’ stalactite (or 'Stalacpipe') organ. Touted as the world’s largest musical instrument, the organ makes ethereal music by gently knocking on the surface of hanging stalactites.
One of California’s most curious state parks, Bodie was once a thriving gold-mining town. Its peak was in the late 1870s, when a mine collapsed revealing a copious amount of gold ore. By 1881, the supply had dried up and miners sought their fortune elsewhere, leaving Bodie abandoned. You can explore Bodie year round: whizz around the town by snowmobile in winter or wander between the wood-panelled houses on foot in summer.
The Anan Wildlife Observatory occupies a scenic position in the Tongass National Forest, whose ancient trees cover 17 million acres (6.8m ha) of southeastern Alaska. Reached by a half-mile hike, it overlooks Anan Creek, an indigenous fishing site that has a large number of pink salmon. Brown and black bears come to gorge on the fish here, and those lucky enough to secure one of the limited visitor permits in peak season can enjoy uninterrupted views.
While many choose California for a desert break, this underrated portion of the Chihuahuan Desert is well worth a visit. White Sands National Park contains an otherworldly gypsum-sand dune field that spreads over some 176,000 acres (71,000ha), making it the largest of its kind on the planet. The 16-mile (26km) Dunes Drive loop allows visitors to travel between the lofty sand mounds by car.
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New Hampshire’s wild flowers are often overlooked in favour of blooms elsewhere. But the slopes of the White Mountains put on a dazzling display and there are several trails from which to view them. In June, head to the little hamlet of Sugar Hill. The village has a festival dedicated to the area’s blooming lupines, with guided hikes from the flower-filled town out into the blossom-carpeted mountains.
You’ll hardly believe that these colour-splashed mounds are in Oregon but they are, and the Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway is the best way to explore them. The entire route spans 161 miles (259km) and was created to join up the three archaeologically-rich units of the John Day Fossil Beds, of which the Painted Hills are one. There are a few challenging portions, but small towns such as the aptly-named Fossil offer a welcome pit stop along the way.
Grand Central Terminal is a must-see for most visitors, but there’s another, even more atmospheric station that usually slips under the radar. The abandoned City Hall subway station was built in 1904 and was the outgoing station for New York’s first ever subway journey. It closed in 1945 when it could no longer accommodate the larger, modern subway trains. Admire its vaulted ceilings and patterned brickwork on a tour with the New York Transit Museum.
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It’s a mystery why this South Carolina national park remains one of the USA’s least visited. But that just means you’ll likely have its wooden boardwalks all to yourself. A loop trail takes you through dense forest and wetlands (look out for deer, turtles and alligators along the way). Or if you’d prefer to get out on the water, a marked canoe trail winds through the park’s Cedar Creek.
Waking through these winter-season Ice Castles will make you feel like a princess from Disney’s Frozen. And this fairy-tale world of icy falls, caves, tunnels and thrones started as an experiment in creator Brent Christensen’s backyard. The sculptures are crafted from thousands of icicles and rendered even more dramatic with multicoloured illuminations. You'll find them in Wisconsin, Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire and New York too.
America has no shortage of curious roadside attractions, but Carhenge is surely among the quirkiest. You’ll find it in the wilds of Nebraska, near the little city of Alliance, and it’s made up of 39 cars, painted grey and stacked together to mirror England’s Stonehenge. The structure, created by artist Jim Reinders, is built to the same proportions as the English landmark. It’s free to visit.
San Francisco is known for its creativity, but not all of the city's best artworks are confined to its galleries. A series of huge sculptures by British artist Andy Goldsworthy are dotted throughout The Presidio, San Francisco’s answer to Central Park. Spot them all on a three-mile (4.8km) hiking loop. Favourites include the Woodline, a 1,200-foot (366m) trail of eucalyptus branches zigzagging through the forest, and Spire, a striking 100-foot (30.5m) tower made from the trunks of cypress trees.
One of the most fascinating among Arkansas' state parks is the volcanic Crater of Diamonds, a 911-acre (368ha) preserve and one of few places in the world where you can dig for diamonds. Guides are on hand to help you identify anything shiny you unearth from the 37-acre (15ha) plot reserved for jewel hunting. Look out for white, yellow or brown diamonds, plus other precious stones such as amethyst and quartz.
Too often eschewed in favour of the national parks in Utah’s south, this scenic section of the state generally goes unnoticed. That means that the trails of the Wasatch Mountain State Park – a protected area of forested peaks and rolling hills covering 23,000 acres (9,308ha) – may well be deserted. Take to the tree-lined dirt paths on an all-terrain vehicle and see stunning woodland scenery flash past as you enjoy a rattling ride.
A little-known subterranean wonder, Tennessee's Lost Sea has been turned into a fun family attraction. The site comprises of a significant cave system whose depths can be explored with knowledgeable guides, and the largest known underground lake in the USA. Once you’ve finished taking a walking tour of the caverns, go on a boat ride on the four-acre lake, which lies some 140 feet (42.6m) below the ground.
The Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail pairs views with brews on a route through this scenic valley in western Virginia. You’ve a choice of 19 breweries, from the industrial-chic Pale Fire Brewing Co. in Harrisonburg at the trail’s northern end to the more rustic Devils Backbone Outpost Tap Room and Kitchen to the south. You’ll get a stamp on your Beerwerks passport for each brewery you visit and drink in plenty of mountain vistas on the way too. Be sure to assign a designated driver.
This intriguing grotto is the product of one man’s unwavering faith. When the late Father Paul Dobberstein contracted pneumonia he prayed to the Virgin Mary, promising a wonderful shrine in return for his health. Once the pastor recovered, he began to build an intricate grotto with rocks and precious stones including agate, topaz and quartz. Today, you can tour the grotto, visit its dedicated museum and stay overnight in the adjacent campsite.
You might already have the Grand Canyon’s Skywalk on your bucket list, but there’s another dizzying observation tower that you should know about. Above the treetops of Kinzua Bridge State Park is the Skywalk which, at 301-feet high (92m), is the remains of the world’s tallest section of railroad. Now, following devastation by a tornado in 2003, it acts as a head-spinning lookout tower.
Bumpass Hell is a fascinating geothermal area in Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. The Golden State is awash with natural wonders so this gorgeous site is frequently passed over, but its blue and yellow pools give it a similar appearance to the revered Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone. Hike the three-mile (4.8km) trail here and take in the whistling steam vents and the simmering mud pots.
Visitors come in their hordes to take in the basking seals, colourful amusements and street performers of San Francisco's Pier 39, but Pier 7 is a quieter, less-crowded alternative. Take in ocean views from the bench-lined jetty, gape at the impressive, pyramid-shaped Transamerica building and dine on seafood at the Waterfront Restaurant, opened in 1969.
The Space Needle has become an emblem of Seattle. But if you choose to visit its popular observation deck, you'll miss views of the very building that makes the Seattle skyline so unique. Instead, head to Columbia Center and its Sky View Observatory, the tallest viewing platform in the city. You'll get unparalleled vistas of the Emerald City by day or night (Space Needle included) for a cheaper price.
Surfrider Beach is the dream sandy stretch you've been searching for. Just a 20-minute drive from the kitsch pier and buzzing promenade of Santa Monica, the strand forms part of Malibu Lagoon State Beach and is beloved for its unspoilt sands and fantastic surf. If you're a history buff, make a beeline for Adamson House and the Malibu Lagoon Museum afterwards and learn more about the area's past.
Philadelphia's Italian Market – one of the oldest in the country – is often bypassed in favour of trendier Reading Terminal Market. But that's a mistake. Upwards of six million people come to Reading Terminal Market every year, and while its Italian counterpart is hardly quiet, you can expect fewer queues. Add to this the fact that it's home to both Pat's and Geno's – the city's two premier (and rival) vendors of its beloved cheesesteak – and you can't go wrong.
Yellowstone's Old Faithful geyser hogs the limelight, leaving Castle Geyser to fall into the shadows. But though lesser known, it's equally as impressive. Also cone shaped, Castle is actually larger and older than its famous sister, though eruptions are less frequent. When Castle Geyser does put on a show, waters can shoot up to an impressive 90 feet (27m).
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Sleep under the stars and gaze up at a spectacular show of the Northern Lights from your own luxury dome retreat at Borealis Basecamp, just a 30-minute drive from Fairbanks. The domes may be enveloped by wilderness but they don’t scrimp on luxuries, coming equipped with kitchenettes, baths and hot water. Special packages include dog sledding and flightseeing tours too.
Savannah’s much-anticipated American Prohibition Museum opened in 2017, becoming the first in the US dedicated to that dry period of history. Exhibits focus on the temperance movement that led to Prohibition, the effect that had on the country and, of course, the many ways the American people bucked the law. Finish up in the speakeasy-style bar for a classic cocktail in the spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
More than three million tourists visit Mount Rushmore each year but, less than 20 miles (32km) away, another significant figure is cast in rock. The tribute to Crazy Horse, a Lakota warrior who fought off white settlers encroaching upon indigenous land, was begun in 1948. Upon completion, it's set to be the largest mountain carving in the world, peaking at a gargantuan 563 feet (171.6m). Don't miss the on-site Indian Museum of North America.
At the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, a pair of epic zip lines allow adrenaline junkies to soar some 500 feet (152m) above the floor of a side canyon amid the stunning desert scenery. The Zip Line at Grand Canyon West consists of two 'quad zip lines', so groups of four can whizz parallel to one another at speeds approaching 50 miles per hour (80km/h). There’s more than 3,000 feet (914m) of zip line to whizz down over the two separate runs.
Fort Smith is a street-art destination that often flies under the radar. But creative project The Unexpected is committed to making this Arkansas city a hub for striking art installations. Since 2015, the organisation has been brightening downtown with permanent and semi-permanent displays, from a house painted in psychedelic colours to neon signs and bold murals. You can pick up a map of the highlights from Miss Laura's Visitor Center.
Fort Tryon Park is the perfect antidote to Central Park's maddening crowds, but it's often overlooked. At 67 acres (27ha), Fort Tryon is much smaller than its larger sister, yet what it lacks in size it makes up for in style. There are eight miles (12.8km) of peaceful pathways and the Cloisters, a branch of the Met focusing on medieval works. Visit in fall when the park is at its prettiest.
Fancy stargazing in California? Scope out the Rancho Mirage Observatory, the first of its kind to open in the Coachella Valley. The high-tech observatory features a 75-tonne telescope, an open deck for budding amateur astronomers and projections of the starry night sky. Look out for regular talks and exhibits.
North Cascades National Park, in Washington state, remains blissfully off the radar. One of America's least-visited national parks, it's all blue lakes, snowy peaks and fir-covered hills, and it also boasts more than 300 glaciers. Hikers will be in their element here: the 3.7-mile (6km) Cascade Pass Trail offers views of spectacular Eldorado peak.
When partygoers are planning a trip, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is usually eclipsed by the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip. Yet the Boardwalk has the slots, glitzy hotels and party spots that Sin City is famous for, but dialled down a notch or two and with a breath of sea air in place of that oppressive desert heat. There are plenty of family attractions too, including the Steel Pier, with rides and kid-friendly restaurants.
The Rockefeller Center is not the tallest building in New York City, yet it can't be beaten for great city panoramas at a reasonable price. While most visitors scramble up the Empire State Building to look across Manhattan, those in the know make for the Top of the Rock. The observation deck reveals views of Central Park, the Hudson River and the towering Empire State Building itself. Time your visit for sunset for the most epic vistas.
Oahu's northern coast, and the lush Kualoa Ranch, is about as close as you'll get to paradise on Earth. Kualoa is a private nature reserve and cattle ranch spreading out over some 4,000 acres (1,618ha), taking in an epic sweep of Hawaiian wilderness including rainforest, peaks, open waters and valleys. It's a haven for adventure lovers too: there's the chance for ATV rides, kayaking, biking and more.
In November 2017, a huge wedge of central Idaho was designated as America’s first International Dark Sky Reserve: the Central Idaho Dark Sky Park. The 1,400-square-mile (3,626sq km) area around the Sawtooth Mountains takes in towns such as Ketchum, Sun Valley and Stanley, and the clear skies make it one of the best places in the USA to see the Milky Way.
This epic red-rock landscape is known as the Grand Canyon of Texas for good reason. Palo Duro Canyon, on the outskirts of Amarillo, may be smaller than Arizona's famous canyon, but it packs in just as much awe-inspiring beauty. You can follow rugged hiking and biking trails and see incredible sunsets and sunrises with a lot more elbow room. Catch one of the regular open-air performances in summer (back for 2022).
The mammoth Field Station: Dinosaurs theme park in the Wichita suburb of Derby has 40 life-size animatronic dinosaurs roaming its grounds. Visitors to the 14-acre dino domain can dig for fossils, walk the paths beside the lifelike giants, learn about dinosaurs unique to Kansas and even play a round of miniature dino-themed golf.
Kentucky has more than the angel’s share when it comes to bourbon production, but there’s always room for more excuses to sample the stuff. Enter the Old Forester Distillery, a bourbon tourism experience that opened in Downtown Louisville in 2018. The $45-million facility raises a glass to the craftsmanship of America’s first bottled bourbon with a state-of-the-art fermentation room, cooperage, bottling line and a tasting room where we guess you’ll want to linger.
The Atchafalaya Water Heritage Trail, a self-guided driving tour, shows how water, people and land have shaped life and landscapes through the ages across one of America’s most culturally rich and ecologically varied regions. More than 50 stops take in nature walks, paddling trails, Cajun culture and a host of cultural experiences, so pack your camera, binoculars, fishing pole or kayak.
Less than two hours' drive from Niagara Falls, Letchworth State Park boasts its own impressive set of cascades. At their highest, the waterfalls reach 600 feet (183m), rushing over craggy cliff faces and cloaked by lush woodland. There are plenty of vantage points to drink in the views, but possibly none better than the basket of a hot-air balloon – Balloons Over Letchworth runs trips at varying times throughout the year.
Sink a pint or two at Baltimore’s Guinness Open Gate Brewery, the first Guinness presence on US soil since 1954. The brewery sits on the site of the Maryland Distilling Company, the first distillery to open after Prohibition in Maryland in 1933. You can take a brewery tour, shop for merchandise and wet your whistle in the tasting room, where exclusive US-only brews like Guinness Blonde American Lager are available.
Knott's Berry Farm isn't as famous as its near-neighbours, Disney's California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park. But it's packed with old-fashioned charm. The theme park began life as a roadside berry stand in the 1920s, and evolved with fried chicken, entertainment and finally rides to amuse visitors. It has some pretty thrilling rides, too – and still sells delicious boysenberry pies and chicken coated and fried to the original recipe.
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As its name suggests, the intriguing Path of Presidents connects sites relating to presidential history in the city. It covers presidents who were born here, went to school here or otherwise made an impact on the region, and it leads you to discover fascinating artefacts and little-known historic homes. Use the digital map to track down documents and images chronicling presidential stories.
Northern Michigan opened the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in July 2018. The cultural centre offers a year-round line up of world-class programming across all genres – from music and dance to theatre and movies. The landmark building features an intimate 500-seat theatre, a community engagement room and a rooftop deck for special events overlooking Lake Michigan.
You'll find Devils Tower, an awesome monolith and national monument, in the northern reaches of Wyoming. Hallowed ground to the local indigenous populations, it towers some 5,112 feet (1,558m) above the prairie floor. The hiking trails surrounding the tower remain little trodden and there's a campground nearby too.
The Bell Museum – the state's official natural history museum – dates back to 1872, but in 2018 it opened a new facility with a planetarium on the University of Minnesota’s St Paul campus. Its exhibits, displays and programmes showcase the state’s diverse nature and geology. They include wildlife dioramas, a digital planetarium and a ‘Touch and See Lab’, where you can lay your hands on a variety of insects, animal skins and bones.
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is a powerful institution that shares the stories of a movement that changed the world. The museum opened in December 2017 in downtown Jackson and presents eight galleries focusing on the years 1945–1976, when the state was a veritable hub for the national Civil Rights Movement. Look out for the centrepiece sculpture, This Little Light of Mine, where lights glow brighter and the music grows louder as more people collect around it.
Water Holes' undulating sandstone walls, rugged exterior and orange glow gives it a similar appearance to the famous Antelope Canyon, a mere 20-minute drive east. But while Antelope Canyon's fame means it's crammed with hikers and budding photographers, Water Holes' comparative anonymity makes it a dream to explore. You'll need a permit from the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation organisation to visit.
When it opened in April 2018, Silver Dollar City’s Time Traveler became the steepest, fastest and tallest spinning coaster in the world. The steampunk-themed Time Traveler plummets riders 100 feet (30m) straight down a mountainside in the Ozarks' wooded terrain at 50 miles per hour (80km/h). The two-minute ride flips you upside-down three times during a vertical loop, a dive loop and a zero-G roll (as the track twists 360 degrees).
This outdoor music venue enjoys a spectacular natural setting on the banks of the Blackfoot River. The KettleHouse Amphitheater opened in summer 2017, right next to the award-winning KettleHouse Brewery in Bonner, Montana, attracting acts as diverse as Diplo, Pixies and Alice Cooper. The 4,250-capacity venue offers three types of admission: stadium seating, a standing pit and lawn seating, perfect for long hot summer nights of alfresco partying.
The Freedom Trail remains Boston's top attraction, yet it's not the only route worthy of your attention. The Black Heritage Trail chronicles the history of Boston's African-American inhabitants, from the 400 enslaved people who were brought to the city in the 17th century to the first free Black community here. Look out for the memorial to the 54th Regiment (one of the first official African-American units in the Civil War) and The African Meeting House.
Saddle up and paint your wagon: The Cowboy Arts & Gear Museum in Elko, Nevada, opened to preserve the legacy of the Vaquero and the American Buckaroo. The museum showcases the rich history, culture and traditions of the cowboys of the American West, representing the deep-rooted heritage of the ranching and cowboy lifestyles through exhibits, demonstrations and programmes.
While you can get your creative fix in plenty of America’s biggest cities, Detroit has something a little different for art lovers. Perhaps the quirkiest of all is the Heidelberg Project – a collection of peculiar sculptures wrought from found materials by eccentric artist Tyree Guyton. Wander around the site on an East Side block in Detroit and take in the colourfully painted clocks, the carefully arranged dolls and the houses bedecked with stuffed toys.
Overshadowed by the likes of Miami's South Beach, Fort Lauderdale's palm-fringed strand might have slipped under your radar. This laid-back beach lends itself perfectly to an afternoon's basking, with its pedestrian promenade and string of waterside cafés and restaurants. If you feel like getting active, get involved with jet-skiing, volleyball and windsurfing. Or explore waterways lined with celebrity homes via water taxi.
New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Cog Railway opened a free Base Station Museum experience packed with interactive exhibits and fun simulators. The attraction now also offers one-way tickets for hikers who want to hike up Mount Washington and take the train on the way back (though you're not able to book them in advance). Keep an eye out for events like the Steampunk Festival and a Handcrafted Festival too.
Albuquerque's 50-mile activity loop connects more than 400 miles of existing bike paths. The route creates a bicycle, running and walking loop around the city for cyclists, runners, and lovers of the outdoors with unrivalled views of the city neighbourhoods, Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande Valley.
Care for a dash of dizzy disorientation? In 2018, Six Flags Great America Amusement Park in Gurnee opened the world’s joint-largest loop coaster at 100 feet (30.5m) tall. The Mardi Gras Hangover coaster, which shares the accolade with El Diablo, gives riders record hang time and 360-degree revolutions ensuring you’ll soon lose track of which way is up. The 32 face-off style seats let you see the blood-drained faces and reactions of your fellow riders too.
While visitors flock to San Diego Zoo, it's not the only Californian centre making strides when it comes to conservation. Lions, Tigers and Bears is a mid-sized, not-for-profit sanctuary outside Alpine, California, dedicated to rescuing and caring for abused and/or abandoned animals. As its name suggests, the site looks after lions, tigers and bears, among other wild species.
Do you fancy yourself as a hacker or a handler, an agent or an analyst? Put your sleuthing skills to the test at Spyscape, America’s first fully interactive museum of spy craft. Learn the secrets of lie detection, surveillance and how to navigate a laser tunnel, alongside the inside stories of contemporary espionage, from the Second World War codebreakers to the teenager who hacked the CIA’s website.
The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park features around 30 of the late artist's curious wind-powered sculptures in Wilson, a city on the Interstate 95 corridor. Simpson, who lived on a nearby farm until his death in 2013, was a farm machinery repairman who transformed old bicycles, road signs and other cast-off items into giant kinetic sculptures which have been meticulously created to dance in the breeze.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland deserves a firm place on your bucket list. Check out the words ‘Long Live Rock’, spelled out in striking six-foot-high (1.8m) letters, and explore the Connor Theater, one of the more recent additions. It's home to the signature hall of fame experience featuring concert-quality sound, larger-than-life video screens and fan interactivity.
The orange structures of Natural Bridges National Monument are almost carbon copies of those at the famous Arches National Park. But while the latter is heaving under the weight of surmounting visitor numbers, Natural Bridges' beauty remains largely under the radar. Gaze up at the natural bridges, carved out by rivers over millennia, and don't leave before nightfall. This was the first International Dark Sky Park.
America’s largest museum dedicated to the legacy of Nordic peoples, the Nordic Museum got a cool new home in May 2018 when it opened a 57,000-square-foot (5,295sqm) facility in Seattle. The building’s design, complete with winding passageways and bridges, is inspired by a fjord, and the many stories that comprise the Nordic American experience are told through fascinating displays. There are also classrooms, a shop and a café.
Tulsa's Gathering Place has transformed nearly 100 acres (40ha) along the Arkansas River into a massive urban park complete with playgrounds, nature trails, skate parks and gardens. Throw in a lodge with lounges and activity space, a boathouse, sporting areas and a pond and you've got a stellar place to spend an afternoon.
Explore the underground quarters of The Breakers, built in 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II. You'll learn how technology, from electricity and plumbing to the modern lift, began to change domestic life through the late 19th century and onwards. This tour takes you into the tunnels beneath this distinctive Newport ‘cottage’ and designated National Historic Landmark.
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The historic Curtiss-Wright Hangar opened in 1929 at the Jim Hamilton–L.B. Owens airport and, over the years, has welcomed dignitaries like Franklin D. Roosevelt and aviation hero Amelia Earhart. In recent years, a £950,000 ($1.2m) facelift has returned the hangar, which had fallen into disrepair, to its former glory. It’s now open to the public and houses the Hunter-Gatherer Brew Pub, serving handcrafted ales and stouts.
Eye-catching artworks by three of Nebraska’s most prominent sculptors are rounded up for display at the Museum of Nebraska Art’s Cliff Hillegass Sculpture Garden. Highlights include an oversized ceramic head by Jun Kaneko and Charley Friedman’s advancing gang of life-size bronze squirrels.
Good Earth State Park is actually one of the oldest sites of long-term human habitation in the US. The 600-acre (243ha) park offers hiking trails and plenty of observation points, and there's a huge visitor centre too. It tells the story of how wildlife, fertile flood plains and mineral wealth made the area an important gathering and trading place for many indigenous peoples from the 14th century onwards.
The majority of view seekers in Chicago make for the Willis Tower, but the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, housed on the 94th floor of the 875 North Michigan Avenue skyscraper, grants equal panoramas. It sits above the Windy City at 1,000 feet (305m), offering sweeping vistas through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Adrenaline junkies will also love Tilt, a thrill experience in which the glass windows 'tilt' outwards leaving visitors to hold on and enjoy the view directly downwards.
Sea Turtle Inc on South Padre Island has been rehabilitating sea turtles for more than 40 years, and recently saw a brand new education facility introduced. Here you can watch early morning hatchling missions of Atlantic Green Sea, Loggerhead and Kemp’s Ridley turtles. Stick your head in the bubble tank to get a turtle’s eye view and learn about the human impact on their marine environment with special presentations in the classroom and amphitheatre.
Rose gardens and topiaries are the stars of the show at most botanic gardens, but Phoenix's offering gets points for originality. Wildflowers, cacti and succulents take over the 140 acres (57ha) of the Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona's capital. Follow the carefully organised trails which all explore some aspect of the Sonoran Desert, its plants, people and history.
Lake Clark may be remote, but it's well worth the trek. There's the breathtaking Chigmit and Neacola Mountains, and Lake Clark's relative quietness (compared with big hitters like Denali) allows for unparalleled wildlife viewing. Look out for brown and black bears, sheep and caribou, who roam undisturbed in the park's four million acres (1.6m ha).
The nation's capital is renowned for its world-class museums, and especially for the string of Smithsonian institutions that line the National Mall. On your next trip, give the National Museum of Women in the Arts a chance. The only major museum of its kind, it highlights the work of female artists from around the globe. Its core collection consists of 4,500 works from the 16th century onwards.
Dubbed Denver's living room, the 100-plus-year-old Union Station is the city's answer to New York's Grand Central Terminal. The airy atrium is dotted with comfy chairs, hooked up with free Wi-Fi and lined with plenty of great places to get a quick drink or a bite to eat. Browse volumes in the Tattered Cover bookstore before sinking into a puffy leather chair, cocktail in hand.
There's never been a better time to visit the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. Back in 2017, the site unveiled the Grand Conservancy, a 28,000-square-foot (2,601sqm) addition to the Gardens that's now home to thousands of tropical plants. This complements the three greenhouses, the waterfall pond filled with koi fish and the gardens blooming with perennials, annuals, wildflowers, roses, herbs and cacti.
Mokule'ia Beach Park, in northern Oahu, is a world away from the popular resorts of the south (think sandy playgrounds such as Waikiki). Ideal for those looking to recharge, though, Mokule'ia rewards its visitors with a secluded arc of sand and waters that lend themselves perfectly to wind and kite surfing. Amenities are limited here, so best bring a picnic.
This unique swimming hole, attached to the Homestead Resort in northern Utah, is thought to be about 10,000 years in the making. Geothermal spring waters are hidden beneath a tuft of limestone rock, which rises up some 55 feet (17m), letting natural light spill through the hole at its peak. Here you can hone your scuba-diving skills, explore with a snorkel or just splash around and drink in your surroundings.
There's something haunting about these soaring Corinthian columns, which stand sentry, supporting nothing. They once formed part of DC's Capitol Building, before the landmark's giant dome was installed in 1864 and the columns no longer served their purpose. The structures were much too beautiful to be destroyed though, and today they sit beside a reflecting pool in the United States National Arboretum, their elegant forms repeating in the water.
As if California's wine country wasn't beautiful enough, England-born artist Bruce Munro dreamt up Light at Sensorio. It features two twinkling installations stretched across the landscape: Field of Light and Light Towers. The former sees 15 bucolic acres (6ha) covered in rainbow-hued, fibre-optic stems – like a California valley carpeted in wildflowers – while the latter comprises 69 towers made from wine bottles, also aglow in bright colours. Wander amid the glittering displays before sinking a sundowner at the airstream bar.
The Texan capital wears its wonderful weirdness on its sleeve and this museum is a great place to get acquainted with Austin's quirky side. Slap bang in the middle of town, it showcases a whole host of curios, from shrunken heads to fairy photos, and is inspired by collectors of yore, like P.T. Barnum. Film buffs will love the Movie Monster Wax Museum too.
Inspired to visit Texas? Here are 40 things you must see and do
There are plenty of oddities along America's highways and, in North Dakota, these giant sculptures are well worth making a detour for. They're set along the 32-mile (51km) Enchanted Highway and they break up the seemingly endless plains in the state's southwest. The most impressive of all is Gary Greff's Geese in Flight: this striking depiction of soaring waterfowl is the largest metal sculpture in the world.
Take a look at the world's most jaw-dropping sculptures and statues
Nashville is absolutely jam-packed with musical attractions, and one of the newest and most fascinating is the National Museum of African American Music, opened in early 2021. You'll be immersed in genres from jazz to hip-hop as you trace African-American musical heritage from the early 1600s to the present. Expect colourful displays and artefacts, heaps of nostalgic photos and, of course, plenty of toe-tapping tunes.
The USA is scattered with long-abandoned film sets, and one of the most enchanting is the Town of Spectre, the location for Tim Burton tear-jerker Big Fish. Visitors can still wander the stuck-in-time movie town and see its neat, whitewashed church, its wooden houses, and its curious string of shoes. Roaming goats and trees drenched in Spanish moss add extra atmosphere.
This curious attraction in southern Colorado looks more haunted house than fairy-tale castle – but it's worth a visit all the same. It's the work of its namesake, Jim Bishop, who has spent more than six decades constructing a stone-and-iron castle complete with towers, turrets and its own ballroom. There's no charge to come and explore, though there's a little gift shop filled with souvenirs.
Dreaming of a coastal road trip? Oregon's Ecola State Park more than matches the beauty of California's fabled ocean roadways to the south, and you'll likely have great swathes of it all to yourself. Stop to take in the rock-studded sands and you may even spot a whale.