Saguaros (sah-wah-ros) are the iconic symbols of the American Southwest. This national park protects vast armies of these majestic, ribbed cacti across two distinct districts: the eastern Rincon Mountain District and the western Tucson Mountain District, separated by 30 miles and the city of Tucson. Both offer exceptional trails and desert flora, but prioritize the breathtaking western district if time is limited.The expansive Rincon Mountain District, located 15 miles east of downtown Tucson, f

At the end of West Venice Avenue, discover a covered beach pavilion featuring clean restrooms and a convenient snack bar. Further south beyond the pier lies Caspersen Beach, a favorite for nature enthusiasts. Free Yoga at Venice Beach Join complimentary yoga sessions on the sand near the beach pavilion every day at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. All levels welcome—no reservations required. Hunting for Shark Teeth Venice Beach is renowned among fossil hunters for its abundance of shark teeth. Visitors often u

Nestled in Bostons Franklin Park, Franklin Park Zoo features six diverse habitats, plus dedicated exhibits for birds and butterflies. The crown jewel is the Tropical Forest pavilion, showcasing lush vegetation, waterfalls, lowland gorillas, and over 30 species of free-flying birds. Walk the Australian Outback Trail among red kangaroos and wallabies. Savanna exhibits highlight an African lion, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests. Franklin Farm offers hands-on encounters with sheep and goats for kid

Oak Alley Plantation features a breathtaking avenue of ancient live oak trees and a meticulously preserved Greek Revival mansion, contrasted by the stark remnants of slave cabins that housed generations of enslaved people. These grand Southern plantations remain popular tourist attractions, but recent efforts emphasize balanced storytelling. Modern tours highlight not only the opulence of the owners but also the harrowing experiences of the enslaved individuals who built the estates and toiled i

The striking glass-fronted West Wing offers a dramatic entrance to the Asheville Art Museum in downtown Asheville. Following a $24 million renovation, the museum now features 70% more exhibition space and a sleek, modern vibe. Highlights include the revamped West Wing, a rooftop sculpture terrace, and a towering 15-foot Oculus window overlooking Pack Square. Discover the permanent collection of 20th- and 21st-century American art, emphasizing Southeast masterpieces.

Over millennia, relentless ocean waves have sculpted a series of breathtaking caves into the sandstone cliffs east of La Jolla Cove. The crown jewel is Sunny Jim Cave beneath the Cave Store—a quaint shop brimming with vintage curios. At 200,000 years old, its the only cave accessible directly from land. L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz, christened it Sunny Jim Cave, likening its entrance to the profile of Sunny Jim, a popular Force cereal mascot. In 1902, owner Gustav Schultz hired two

Mammoth Mountain owes its existence to millions of years of intense volcanic activity, making the surrounding region a hotspot for geological wonders. One of the most accessible is Earthquake Fault—a striking half-mile-long fissure in the earth, likely formed during the last eruptions of Inyo and Mono Craters. Geologically speaking, its a fissure rather than a true fault: a clean shear in an ancient rhyolite lava flow. This dramatic feature serves as a vivid reminder of the immense forces at wor

This iconic beach in Mahana Bay on Hawaiis Big Island isnt vividly green, but its rare olivine crystals create a mesmerizing spectacle. Olivine, the mineral behind the semiprecious peridot gem, forms in extreme heat from volcanic eruptions. Waves have eroded the towering littoral cone above, exposing these gem-like sands. Swim only on the rare calm days due to strong currents. How to Reach Green Sand Beach From Highway 11, drive about 10 miles south on South Point Road and take the left (east) f

Standing at 42 stories tall, this magnificent Gothic tower anchors the University of Pittsburgh campus and serves as a cherished Pittsburgh landmark. At its base, a grand 4-story commons room welcomes visitors, while upper levels house classrooms, a theater, print shop, computer labs, offices, libraries, and a food court. Rising 535 feet above the neighborhood, the Cathedral of Learning ranks as the worlds second-tallest educational building. Its design intentionally celebrates diverse cultures

Adjacent to the vibrant Waterfront Park, the Maritime Museum of San Diego boasts an impressive fleet of 11 historic sailing ships, steam vessels, and submarines. Spot the towering 100-foot masts of the iron-hulled square-rigger Star of India, the worlds oldest active tall ship, launched in 1863 for the England–India trade route. Among the highlights is a replica of the San Salvador, which carried explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo to San Diegos shores in 1542. Visitors can spend hours touring exhi

Spanning 150 acres on Lake Tahoes southwest shore, Tallac Historic Site showcases three remarkable 1920s estates: Baldwin, Pope, and Valhalla. Free self-guided tours meander through the arboretums paths, under ancient sequoias, and across charming garden pond bridges. Short trails descend to tranquil beachfronts with a pier allowing boat docking for up to one hour. Paved walkways link the estates, now featuring 20th-century exhibits on fashion, toys, and automotive history, plus paid guided tour

Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, the largest and most luxurious state park on Lake Tahoe, spans 2,000 acres of breathtaking alpine forests that slope gently to two miles of pristine West Shore lakefront. At its heart stands the “rusticly elegant” 11,000-square-foot Pine Lodge (Ehrman Mansion), an awe-inspiring landmark amid towering pines and cedars. Summer highlights include mansion tours, a nature center, preserve, picnicking, tennis, kayak and paddleboard rentals, paved and dirt trails,

Venture beyond Sedonas urban fringes, and the landscape unveils the regions rich history. Explore hidden swimming holes, natural sandstone bridges, and enigmatic rock art left by prehistoric peoples who lived lightly on the land before mysteriously vanishing. Archaeologists recognize Palatki Heritage Site—and its counterpart, Honanki—as home to the largest concentrations of pictographs in the Verde Valley. Nestled in Coconino National Forest, Palatki features cliff dwellings and rock art from th

Sedonas iconic red rock landscapes captivated early settlers long before it became a global destination. Perched at 4,350 feet in Arizonas Verde Valley, this region was forged by volcanic activity and erosion, sculpting Oak Creek Canyon and the vibrant oxidized cliffs that define the area. Nine miles south of downtown Sedona, the 286-acre Red Rock State Park safeguards this geological treasure. The parks core mission is to educate visitors on its diverse ecosystems, from desert scrub to lush rip

Discover Spitting Cave, a hidden Oahu gem at the end of Lumahai Street in Portlock, makai (seaward) from the Koko Marina Center traffic lights. Worth the slight effort to find, it offers breathtaking views, powerful surf pounding layered volcanic rocks, and a captivating cave ejecting waves back to sea. Approach prime spots cautiously—popular for winter whale surveys—as rocks are uneven and slippery. Cliff Jumping Not recommended due to fatalities, though skilled locals occasionally leap 70 feet

Perched high in the Little San Bernardino Mountains, Keys View delivers sweeping panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. On clear days, spot the Salton Sea, San Andreas Fault, southern Californias highest peaks—Mt. San Jacinto (10,834 ft) and Mt. San Gorgonio (11,500 ft)—and even Mexico on rare occasions. Its a quick 20-minute drive from Park Boulevard to Joshua Tree National Parks highest point. The main overlook is wheelchair accessible. Hikers can enjoy a 0.2-mile loop trail along the ridge

During the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814, this iconic star-shaped fort withstood a fierce British naval bombardment. As dawn broke after a night of relentless rocket fire, prisoner Francis Scott Key aboard a British ship witnessed the forts tattered American flag still flying proudly. Inspired, he composed The Star-Spangled Banner, later adopted as the U.S. national anthem to the melody of a popular tune. Plan Your Visit Open daily 9am-5pm; admission $15 for ages 16+ (children fre

The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) houses an extraordinary collection of self-taught, or outsider, art, honoring unfiltered creativity free from traditional art world conventions. Spanning two buildings and two sculpture parks, discover intricate broken-mirror collages, handmade robots and flying machines, elaborate needlepoint sculptures, and massive model ships crafted from matchsticks. Dont miss the whimsical automatons in the Cabaret Mechanical Theater or the iconic Flatulence Post and

Its impossible to explore the entirety of the Houston Museum of Natural Science—Texass most visited museum—in a single visit. The permanent collection dazzles with vibrant dinosaur models and massive skeletons, authentic Egyptian mummies, replicas of Aztec temples, rare gems like a 2,000-carat blue topaz, and interactive displays on Earths biosphere. Exhibits In addition to permanent exhibits, experience planetarium shows, a stunning glass-enclosed butterfly conservatory, and an IMAX theater (ad

Explore the Clyfford Still Museum, dedicated exclusively to the groundbreaking work of 20th-century American abstract expressionist Clyfford Still. The collection features over 2,400 pieces—representing 95% of his lifetime output—displayed in thoughtfully curated rotating exhibitions. Architecture Per Stills will, his works are exhibited only in this dedicated space. Denver commissioned renowned architect Brad Cloepfil to design the museum, a striking concrete structure completed after nearly tw