Choose from 2,596 Fun Things to Do in North America
ShowingFilter 281-300 of 2596 listings.
Cancun Airport VIP Lounge
The Cancun International Airport is the second-largest in the country and handles a majority of international flights coming in and out of Mexico. The VIP Lounges — located in both terminals 2 and 3 — give travelers a quiet, comfortable place to relax away from the bustle of the main terminal while waiting for a flight.
Admission to the lounge includes an open bar, snacks, coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices. Lounge guests enjoy free WiFi, TVs showing news and sports channels, a variety of newspapers and magazines and a kids area.
Practical Info
Traveling with kids? Children under 2 can enter the VIP Lounge for free.
Address: Cancun, Mexico
Hours: Daily 8am to 9pm
From $ 38
Cannery Row
Cannery Row is a proudly tourist-friendly strip running along the atmospheric Monterey waterfront. Once home to a series of bustling commercial sardine canneries, the famous waterfront street changed its name of Ocean View Avenue to its longtime nickname, Cannery Row, in 1958 to honor the 1945 John Steinbeck novel of the same name.
The Basics
Today’s Cannery Row is very different from that of the “tin and iron and rust and splintered wood, chipped pavement and weedy lots and junk heaps, sardine canneries of corrugated iron…” described in Steinbeck’s novel. There has not been an active sardine industry here since 1973, and the street is now filled with boutiques, chain stores, hotels, and restaurants.
The Monterey waterfront is a popular place for visitors and locals to stroll, admire ocean views, snack on salt-water taffy, and access the coastal beaches. The area offshore is preserved as Monterey County’s Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area, home to a large population of California sea lions. Signposts in the area display quotes from Steinbeck and insights into the history of the area, which visitors can delve into more deeply on a walking tour. If you're into sport fishing, you can launch expeditions from McAbee Beach and San Carlos Beach, which bookend the Cannery Row area. Scuba diving in the murky, frigid Pacific is made worth it by the rich biodiversity here, and San Carlos Beach is the most popular spot to launch.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Traffic and parking in the area can be very congested, especially in summer, so budget some extra time.
- A popular and scenic way to reach Cannery Row is via 17-Mile Drive from Pacific Grove, which takes longer but skirts the scenic Pacific Coast.
How to Get There
If traveling by car on Highway 1, look for signs for Monterey Bay Aquarium, then park at one of the nearby parking garages or on the surrounding streets. During summer, visitors can park in downtown Monterey and hop on the free WAVE shuttle bus (which is clearly signposted) to reach the town’s attractions.
When to Get There
April and May bring mild temperatures without the heavy crowds of summer vacationers. The weather in central California is almost always mild, but rarely hot enough to lay out on a local beach in your bathing suit. The Central Coast is often host to various festivals, especially of the food-and-wine variety, so consider timing your trip with one of these.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium
Housed in the former Hovden Cannery, this blockbuster attraction draws visitors from all over the world. The organization is known for its focus on the habitats of Monterey Bay, and is one of the world’s only institutions to host a living kelp forest. Popular residents include the California moray eel, the giant Pacific octopus, the playful sea otters, and the beautiful jellyfish.
Address: Cannery Row, Monterey, CA, USA
From $ 65
Cameron Trading Post
Cameron Trading Post is a Native American themed motel, restaurant and shop located 30 minutes from the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The trading post was established by the Richardson brothers shortly after a suspension bridge was built over the Little Colorado River in 1911. At that time, the only visitors were members of the local Navajo and Hopi tribes who came to barter their wool, blankets, and livestock for dry goods. Since the journey to the trading post took days, the Richardson brothers offered their hospitality by giving visitors food and a place to stay. Due to road improvement and proximity to the Grand Canyon, eventually tourists started coming to Cameron Trading Post as well to learn about the history of the southwest.
Today visitors can stay in the motel and enjoy its southwest theme and views of the river. The restaurant serves local Native American dishes as well as American and Mexican food. In the trading post itself, you'll find Native American artwork. The heart of the trading post has always been Navajo rugs, Hopi pottery, Hopi kachinas and silver and turquoise jewelry, though today you'll find much more. It's a great place to learn about the southwest and Native American culture.
Practical Info
Cameron Trading Post is located 54 miles north of Flagstaff, AZ on US highway 89. The store is open daily from 7am to 9pm during the winter and from 6am to 9:30pm during the summer.
Address: 466 U.S. 89, Cameron 86020, USA
Hours: Winter 7am-9pm; summer: 6am-9:30pm
From $ 153
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Get your fill of Vancouver's famous natural landscapes at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, a quintessential British Columbia experience and one of the Pacific Northwest's most popular attractions. Travelers are drawn to the park to walk out onto the the 450-foot (137-meter) suspension bridge as it sways between the temperate rain forest trees over the rushing Capilano River below. Other highlights include kid-friendly guided nature walks; several First Nations totem poles; the 700-foot-long (213-meter) Cliffwalk; and the TreeTops Adventure, a swinging network of smaller, open-ended suspension bridges strung between eight towering Douglas fir trees.
The Basics
Travelers can purchase suspension bridge admission tickets and make their own way to the park (it's best to book tickets to this popular site in advance), or visit on a small-group or private tour from Vancouver that also heads to Grouse Mountain or includes a Vancouver city tour with roundtrip transportation.
Things to Know Before You Go
- To quell any fears of heights, it helps to remember that the bridge's thick steel cables used for grip are securely embedded in huge concrete blocks on either side of the canyon.
- While strollers, wheelchairs, and crutches are not allowed on the bridge, visitors with wheelchairs receive free entrance to the park and can take part in other activities.
- Dogs are permitted in the park, as long as they stay on-leash.
- The site features a gift shop.
How to Get to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is located in North Vancouver, across the First Narrows from Stanley Park. By road, take Highway 99 north across the Lions Gate Bridge to Exit 14 on Capilano Road. By public transit, take bus No. 246 from downtown Vancouver, or take the connection between the SeaBus and bus No. 236. A free shuttle also stops at several downtown hotels, and you can get there easily from the Olympic Cauldron, Granville Island, and Canada Place.
When to Get There
While summer is by far the most popular time to visit and take your turn at the walk across the bridge, the park is open year-round. Between the months of November and January, the bridge and surrounding area are lit up with hundreds of thousands of canyon lights set against the greenery. You’ll also find fun holiday activities suitable for families and kids.
Address: 3735 Capilano Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7R 4J1, Canada
Hours: Daily; hours vary seasonally
Admission: Varies
From $ 64
Capilano Salmon Hatchery
Situated in Vancouver’s forested North Shore, this hatchery was established in 1971 to help boost depleting salmon stocks in the Capilano River. As well as breeding and releasing steelhead, chinook, and coho salmon, the hatchery also serves an educational purpose, chronicling the life cycle of salmon in an on-site interpretive center.
The Basics
Tours of Vancouver’s North Shore often combine a visit to the salmon hatchery with a trip to the nearby Capilano Suspension Bridge, a swaying crossing strung 230 feet (70 meters) above Capilano Canyon. Some full-day tours include a morning of city sightseeing, viewing key sights such as Stanley Park, Chinatown, and Granville Island, followed by an afternoon exploring the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the hatchery.
Inside the hatchery, visitors take a self-guided tour. Don’t miss the hatchery’s observation gallery, where—depending on the time of year—salmon may be seen climbing up the fish ladder.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Capilano Salmon Hatchery is a must for families and natural-history enthusiasts.
- Wear hiking boots so you can explore trails in the surrounding Capilano River Regional Park.
- The hatchery is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Capilano Salmon Hatchery is in Capilano River Regional Park, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Take Capilano Road north past the suspension bridge, and turn left onto Capilano Park Road. Alternatively, take the SeaBus ferry to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver and connect to bus 236.
When to Get There
Though the hatchery is open year-round, the best time to go is during the salmon run, which typically takes place between September and November. During this time, adult salmon can often be observed fighting their way upstream.
Exploring Capilano River Regional Park
While you’re at the hatchery, set aside some time to explore Capilano River Regional Park. Farther upstream from the hatchery, you’ll find the Cleveland Dam, the source of a portion of Vancouver’s drinking water. The dam is also the starting point for several scenic hiking trails, including the 4.3-mile (7-kilometer) Capilano River Walk and the 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) Capilano Dam Loop.
Address: 4500 Capilano Park Rd, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
From $ 100
Canyon Lake
The smallest of the Salt River Projects lakes, Canyon Lake is just 10 miles long but offers 28 miles of shoreline.
Being wet is popular here. Water skiing, boating, swimming and fishing are how most folks spend their days when visiting. Along with a designated swimming area, there is also a pair of boating ramps. Motorboat and row boat rentals are available. On weekends and holidays from April through October, the lake usually reaches capacity in the morning. Lucky fisherman can hook walleye, largemouth bass, yellow bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Practical Info
Tortilla Campground is just a couple miles away from Canyon Lake. Open October through April, it has 77 spaces. Water and sewer hook-ups are also available. Canyon Lake is 45 miles east of Phoenix. The only way to get there is using the Apache Trail (Highway 88) from Apache Junction. The 15 miles to the lake are fully paved. There are many sharp turns, but the stretch includes colorful desert scenery.
Address: Tonto National Forest, Arizona, USA
From $ 137
Cape Cod
Cape Cod is one of the most popular summer vacation destinations for New Englanders – generations of families have played on the same beaches for decades. But, of course, it's not just for the locals. The arm of Massachusetts that curls away from the mainland and reaches north again, like someone flexing an arm muscle, is called Cape Cod.
While many American schoolchildren learn that the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, their actual landing spot was closer to the place where Provincetown now sits, near the tip of Cape Cod. The Cape was one of the first area settled by newcomers from England, and by the 19th century, it had already become a summer escape for people living in nearby cities.
Today, vacationers head to Cape Cod for time on the beach. Other activities include hiking, whale watching, golf, cycling, boating, wine tasting, fishing and kayaking. There are also several historic lighthouses on the Cape, and you can climb to the top of the Pilgrim Monument
in Provincetown for a view out to sea.
Practical Info
The drive from Boston to Cape Cod is a distance of 50 to 100 miles, depending how far out onto the Cape you're going. You can also take a boat from Boston to Provincetown at the tip of the Cape; a catamaran trip is roughly 90 minutes, while a more leisurely ferry takes about three hours. Islands off the Cape, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, are also extremely popular vacation spots.
Address: Massachusetts, USA
From $ 61
Camp 18 Museum
You'd be forgiven for thinking that the Camp 18 Logging Museum is just a themed restaurant, but all of that logging memorabilia on display is serious business.
The sprawling log cabin-style building that is the Camp 18 Restaurant & Museum is on Highway 26 between Portland and Cannon Beach in the town of Elsie. It was built slowly, starting in the 1970s, as one man's personal dream. He is a former logger and mill owner who personally logged all of the timber used in the building. Don't miss the huge log beam that runs the length of the building – it's 85 feet long, the biggest ridgepole in the United States.
Around the restaurant building as well as inside, you'll see antique logging equipment, tools, other artifacts, and art on display. Near the restaurant is the Camp 18 Loggers' Memorial, honoring loggers who have died and featuring more exhibits of logging memorabilia.
Practical Info
Camp 18 got its name because it's located at Mile Post 18 along Highway 26, 56 miles from Portland. The restaurant and museum are open Sunday through Thursday from 7am-8pm and on Friday and Saturday until 9pm. The memorial is typically open Thursday through Sunday from 10am-4pm, but if it looks closed during open hours at the restaurant, ask at the shop and they can let you in.
Address: 42362 U.S. 26, Elsie, Oregon, USA
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 7am-8pm, Friday-Saturday 7am-9pm
From $ 100
Cancun Interactive Aquarium
As one of the top family-friendly attractions in the resort town, the Cancun Interactive Aquarium offers visitors a peek into the Caribbean and the chance to touch, feed, and interact with a variety of marine life. Home to schools of colorful tropical fish, seahorses, jellyfish, stingrays, tiger and bull sharks, sea turtles, and more, the aquarium provides the chance to learn about the animals’ natural habitats and their role in the underwater ecosystem.
The Basics
Conveniently located along Boulevard Kukulcán at Plaza La Isla in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, the Cancun Interactive Aquarium offers many exhibits, including various touch tanks where kids and adults can feed stingrays and sea turtles, touch starfish, pet a shark, or even dive into a shark tank inside a safety cage to feed bull sharks. There’s also a dolphin habitat where you can see at show and even swim with the creatures, plus dolphin-focused education and therapy programs.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A walk through the aquarium takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how much you interact with the exhibits.
- The hands-on dolphin experience offers different packages in a range of price points and are designed for couples, groups, and families.
- The aquarium offers on-site bathroom facilities, showers, changing areas, towels, and secure lockers.
How to Get There
Located inside La Isla Shopping Mall Cancun in the hotel zone, the Cancun Interactive Aquarium is easily accessible via taxi or rental car from most accommodations in Cancun. For example, from Hotel Riu Cancun at the northern tip, it’s a 6-minute drive. From Playa del Carmen, it’s about an hour drive north along Highway 307.
When to Get There
The Cancun Interactive Aquarium is open every day, but, as with most attractions, weekends and holiday periods are the busiest. To avoid the crowds, aim to visit during a weekday. The marine presentation (which is the only dolphin show in Cancun and Riviera Maya) takes place at 7pm daily, so plan to arrive in the late afternoon or evening if you want to catch the show.
Visit Ventura Park
If you’re looking for more family fun, visit Ventura Park, an amusement park made up of seven worlds including Dolphinaris, Underworld, Grand Prix, Fun World, Aaaahventura, and Wet n' Wild with rides such as waterslides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. Other activities include a roller coaster, ziplines, go-karts, and more. Various packages are available, and all include unlimited food and beverages. The park is open from 10am to 5:30pm and is located about 15 minutes south of the interactive aquarium.
Address: La Isla Shopping Mall, Blvd. Kukulcan, 12.5 Zona, Hotelera, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Admission: Varies
From $ 30
Capitol Hill
There’s much more to Capitol Hill than the US Capitol building that stands atop it. It is both the heart of the American government and a vibrant neighborhood at the geographic center of Washington D.C. From the Capitol Grounds—a lush landscape of sweeping lawns and more than 4,000 trees—to the Capitol Reflecting Pool and Congressional office buildings, there is much to see and do on the Hill.
The Basics
Capitol Hill is home many historically and politically important building monuments, including the Supreme Court building, three Library of Congress buildings, and the Folger Shakespeare Library and Theatre. While you can visit these sights on your own, a Capitol Hill tour is a great way to gain context and delve deep into American history. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see Congress in session. For a bit less traditional Hill experience, you can take a guided ghost tour—legend has it that the Capitol is haunted!
Things to Know Before You Go
- You must reserve tickets to the Capitol Building interior in advance.
- Bars and restaurants are sprinkled throughout the Hill, especially in the Atlas District, along H Street NE.
- Though most of Capitol Hill is walkable, you can cover more ground on a bike, Segway, or electric cart tour.
- The US Capitol Visitors Center and information desk is a great place to start your visit.
- The Capitol Hill area, including the Capitol Building, is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Smack in the middle of Washington D.C., Capitol Hill stretches north, south, and east from the US Capitol and the National Mall. East Capitol Street is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, running east through Lincoln Park until it reaches the Armory and RFK Stadium. The area is easily accessible on foot and by all forms of public transportation; driving is more difficult due to limited parking.
When to Get There
Capitol Hill is buzzing with activity both day and night. September to November and March to May are thought to be the best times of year to visit Washington D.C., when temperatures are mild and comfortable. The Hill is particularly lovely in cherry blossom season—generally in early April.
Touring the Capitol Hill Neighborhood
As you head east from the storied steps of the Capitol, the neighborhood turns into a lovely tangle of residential brownstone row houses shaded by big, elderly trees often teeming with gray squirrels. The center of gravity on the Hill is the Eastern Market. This covered bazaar and the surrounding blocks showcase local food, outsider art, handmade crafts, and a general bohemian vibe. It’s the place to be seen on weekends with families and friends.
Address: Capitol Plaza, Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., USA
From $ 20
Cancun Wax Museum
Marvel at more than 100 famous faces (and bodies!) at Cancun's only wax museum. Wax figures from the world of entertainment (music, television, movies, sport and politics included) cover the 7,500-square-foot (700-square-meter) museum, providing visitors with some surreal photo opportunities. Each wax figure has been carefully and meticulously crafted, with everyone from Albert Einstein and Queen Elizabeth to David Beckham and Amy Winehouse on display.
With a collection of well-known children's characters as well, the Cancun Wax Museum is especially popular with kids, and is therefore the ideal attraction for families. For maximum convenience and to avoid disappointment, it's best to book a Cancun Wax Museum admission ticket in advance.
Insider's Tip: A visit to the Cancun Wax Museum makes the ideal start or end to a day of shopping; the museum is located inside the La Isla Plaza shopping village in the Cancun Hotel Zone.
Practical Info
Public buses and private shuttles will deliver you to the La Isla Plaza to visit the wax museum, which is open daily from 10am to 10pm.
Address: La Isla Plaza, Boulevard Kukulcan, Cancun, Mexico
Hours: 10am-10pm
Admission: $27
From $ 27
Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse
There’s a certain romance to wind-whipped lighthouses set out off a rocky coast, and the Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse in York Bay is arguably the most romantic of them all. Believed to be America’s most photographed lighthouse, the Cape Neddick Nubble even had its picture delivered all the way to space, when Voyager II in 1997 sent a photo fluttering out into space to represent the American Lighthouse. Today, Cape Neddick Nubble lighthouse is an iconic sight along Maine’s spectacular southern coast, and has warned passing ships of the nearby rocks since 1879. At Christmas time, the town of York lights the house itself with bright and festive lights, which shine in brilliant, stoic contrast to the inky black backdrop of night. In summer months, when coastal Maine is teeming with beachgoers, sailors, sightseers, and tourists, thousands flock to Sohier Park across the strait from the island, simply to photograph and experience in real life the iconic American spire.
Practical Info
There is free parking in Sohier Park where you’ll find panoramic views of the lighthouse, which itself is set on Nubble Island about 100 yards off the coast. In 1985, the Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and the lighthouse is lit for the holiday season on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Address: Sohier Park, York Beach, Maine 03909, USA
From $ 149
Canadian Museum of History
Previously known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, this cutting-edge museum—just five minutes from downtown Ottawa—underwent a name change and a significant overhaul between 2013 and 2017. The museum’s high-tech exhibitions now tell the history of Canada and its peoples, from the earliest human inhabitants to the present day.
The Basics
The Canadian Museum of History is one of Canada’s largest museums, attracting millions of tourists every year. Museum tickets, which you can book in advance, provide access to all the museum’s galleries, including the Canadian History Hall; the First Peoples Hall; the Grand Hall, which focuses on the First Peoples of Canada’s Pacific Coast; and the on-site Canadian Children’s Museum. Tickets also allow entry to select educational shows at the museum’s 295-seat CINÉ+ movie theater.
The museum is a common stop on hop-on hop-off bus tours of Ottawa and during Ottawa day tours from Montreal. If you plan on museum-hopping, you may want to purchase Canada’s National Museums Passport, which including admission to any three of the six participating national museums over three consecutive days.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Canadian Museum of History is a must-see for history and culture buffs, and for families, with the on-site children’s museum showcasing the various cultures and countries of the world.
- To help find your way around, download or pick up a copy of the Museum Guide at the information desk.
- The museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Wheelchairs and strollers are available free of charge at the coat check.
- Allow at least three hours to properly explore the museum.
How to Get There
The Canadian Museum of History is in Hull, Gatineau, just across the Ottawa River from downtown Ottawa. During the summer, the Aqua Taxi ferry travels between the Ottawa Locks and the far side of the river. Walking from Parliament Hill takes around 30 minutes.
When to Get There
The Canadian Museum of History is busiest on weekends, with tourist crowds peaking during the summer months. Come around 9am (opening) to get a head start on the crowds.
An Architectural Marvel
As impressive as the collections and exhibits of the museum are, the building that houses them is perhaps equally so. Designed by architect Douglas Cardinal, the curving stone structure symbolizes abstract representations of parts of the Canadian landscape, including the Canadian Shield, glaciers, glacial streams, and the Great Plains. From the museum complex, visitors are treated to excellent views of Parliament Hill across the way.
Address: 100 Rue Laurier, Ottawa QC J8X 4G1, Canada
Hours: Open daily
From $ 21
Canyonlands National Park
Set in the high desert of the American Southwest, Canyonlands National Park comprises 337,598 acres (136,621 hectares) of rugged landscape divided into four distinct districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. Deep craters, towering rock spires, white cliffs, and majestic buttes dominate the landscape of Utah’s largest national park.
The Basics
There are many ways to explore the park, though a majority of visitors do so by driving a 34-mile (55-kilometer) scenic loop through the popular Island in the Sky district. The Needles district attracts hikers, while the Maze rewards those who make the effort to get there with remote slot canyons and stunning rock formations. The Green and Colorado rivers set the scene for relaxing rafting trips.
If you are pressed for time, you can see the park’s highlights in a day—or even as little as half a day—on a tour from Moab. A more leisurely schedule enables you to see the park as part of a multi-day tour from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City through a star-studded lineup of Arizona and Utah parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Capitol Reef, Arches, and the Grand Canyon.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Canyonlands National Park is a must-visit for adventure travelers and families.
- Don’t forget to bring water and sun protection; the desert heat can be intense.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
- Dress in layers; the temperature can fluctuate wildly in a single day.
- Wheelchair users can access the Island in the Sky and Needles visitor centers and several overlooks.
How to Get There
Canyonlands National Park’s Islands in the Sky district is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Moab, about 40 minutes via UT 313. The easiest way to get there is to drive or join a guided tour from Moab.
When to Get There
The best times to visit Canyonlands National Park are spring (April and May) and fall (September and October), when daytime highs are typically 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 26°C). Expect temperatures over 100°F (37°C) during the summer months.
Horseshoe Canyon
Situated in its own area of the park, Horseshoe Canyon was added to Canyonlands National Park in 1971. It’s best known for the Great Gallery, a panel of life-sized carvings considered among the most important collections of rock art in North America. The rewarding hike to the Great Gallery covers 7 miles (11 kilometers) roundtrip and takes at least five hours to complete.
Address: Utah, USA
From $ 80
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum tells the story of Canada’s past conflicts, how the country and its people were affected, and remembers the sacrifices made by those that served the country in wartimes. Among an ever-changing display of new exhibitions and themes, there are several permanent exhibitions. The Legion Hall of Honour, for example, commemorates the past through personal stories, photographs and artifacts and explores common burial practices throughout history. The Military Technology Collection on the other hand is more scientific and documents the technological progress through both personal stories and a collection of different artillery and vehicles, such as fighter jets.
Four Canadian Experience Galleries called “Wars on our Soil, For Crown and Country, Forged in Fire and A Violent Peace” delve into separate conflicts and battles. These range from early aboriginal warfare and the wars of the First Nations, to the conflicts with the British and the French that shaped early Canada to the later overseas wars, such as the Boer War and the World Wars and goes on to explore veterans coming home, the Cold War as well as more recent conflicts. The extensive exhibition is located in a modern, unique building which opened in 2005 and has the theme “Regeneration” strongly attached to it, hoping for a better future and a recovery from the devastations of the past. The angular look and all the concrete might give off a very bunker-like feeling, but the building is very ecofriendly, using recycled materials, river water for cooling and a glass covered roof.
Practical Info
The Canadian War Museum is located just west of Parliament Hill and opens daily from 9:30am to 5pm, except on Thursdays, when the museum stays open till 8pm. It’s easily accessible by foot or public transport and if you arrive by car, you will find indoor parking spaces at the museum.
Address: 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa K1A 0M8, Canada
Hours: Daily 9:30am-5pm (Thursday until 8pm)
Admission: Adult $13, Senior $11, Student $10, Children (3-12) $8, Family $32
From $ 15
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a small town on the Oregon coast, but it's got a big reputation. And yes, there's an actual cannon.
Part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition visited what became Cannon Beach in 1805-1806, and a settlement called Elk Creek grew there in the mid-1800s. In 1922, the community was renamed Cannon Beach after a U.S. Navy ship's cannon that had washed up on the shore in 1846. The actual cannon is on display in a city museum, with a replica perched near the coastal highway.
Today, Cannon Beach is known for its art galleries, fine restaurants, boutique hotels, and beautiful beaches. The iconic Haystack Rock – a National Wildlife Refuge – juts out of the ocean very close to shore, and at low tide the tide pools around its base are otherworldly. Nearby, Ecola State Park offers spectacular hiking and views overlooking the Pacific.
Practical Info
From Portland to Cannon Beach is almost a straight shot to the west and only a 90-minute drive – so it's easy to understand why so many Portlanders head for Cannon Beach when they want a coastal escape. Lots of city dwellers have vacation homes in Cannon Beach, too, so if you're planning to stay at the coast for a few days you can look into renting a house or apartment instead of a hotel.
Address: Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA
From $ 100
Capitol Records Building
Rising 13 round stories above Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame, this city landmark, built in the mid-1950s to house the first West Coast outpost of a major record label, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Famed for being the site of recordings by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and many other big artists, the distinctive tower, designed by Louis Naidorf and Welton Becket (the latter, architect of the nearby Cinerama Dome and other prominent L.A. buildings) was purportedly meant to symbolize a stack of record albums on a turntable.
The building houses a series of working recording, mixing and mastering studios, including a unique echo chamber designed by guitarist and inventor Les Paul. Though the building has made a handful of appearances in popular entertainment, it was most dramatically featured in the 2004 disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow, being smashed to the ground by a giant tornado (and computer-generated effects).
Aside from its tall, cylindrical shape, lights make it easy to see the Capitol Records Building from many spots around the Hollywood Commercial and Entertainment District: since 1956, a blinking red light atop the building has spelled out the word "Hollywood" in Morse code, and every winter, a Christmas tree-shaped cone of sparkling lights has been strung up on the roof. The Capitol Records Building isn't open to the public.
The building houses a series of working recording, mixing and mastering studios, including a unique echo chamber designed by guitarist and inventor Les Paul. Though the building has made a handful of appearances in popular entertainment, it was most dramatically featured in the 2004 disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow, being smashed to the ground by a giant tornado (and computer-generated effects).
Aside from its tall, cylindrical shape, lights make it easy to see the Capitol Records Building from many spots around the Hollywood Commercial and Entertainment District: since 1956, a blinking red light atop the building has spelled out the word "Hollywood" in Morse code, and every winter, a Christmas tree-shaped cone of sparkling lights has been strung up on the roof. The Capitol Records Building isn't open to the public.
Address: Los Angeles, California, USA
From $ 25
Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway
A trip on this aerial tramway might just be the most spectacular seven minutes you spend in New Hampshire. The 80-passenger cable tram leaves every fifteen minutes to bring visitors up to Cannon Mountain’s 4,080-foot summit. At the summit, which is New Hampshire’s highest lift-accessed point, you’ll be able to see mountains in four states: New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York — and you can even see to Canada on a clear day! At the top, there are scenic walking paths that lead to a summit observation tower, a 360-degree observation deck, a cafe, and a bar. North America’s first aerial tramway began operation on this site in 1938, and it carried almost seven million passengers to the top of the mountain during its heyday.
The tram operates year-round, and in the winter Cannon Mountain is a favorite attraction for skiers. With 95 trails and slopes and runs for all abilities, Cannon is a great place for the whole family to enjoy. On a cold day, a hot drink in the cafe will warm you up for the ride (or ski) down.
Practical Info
Pets are only permitted in the designated dog walks in the Flume and the Tramway parking lots. Pets are not allowed in Echo Lake Beach, Lafayette Campground, in the Flume Gorge, or on the tram. The parks department requests that you support the Carry In/Carry-Out Program by bringing out with you anything that you brought into the park. Tram ticket rates and dates are subject to change, and the last ride down in the tram is at 5pm (weather permitting).
Address: 260 Tramway Drive, Franconia, New Hampshire 03580, USA
Hours: Open daily, weather permitting, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: Ages 13+ round-trip ride, $17; Children ages 6-12 round-trip ride, $14
From $ 159
Cancun Underwater Museum
Helping to define Cancun as more than just a tourism spot for dedicated beach lovers, the Cancun Underwater Museum is an attraction unlike any other in the world. While almost all of us have, invariably, at one point or another, been to a museum, few if any of us have been to an underwater museum. Until now, that is.
Essentially a bountiful series of sunken sculptures, the Cancun Underwater Museum is an ongoing project aimed at inspiring a love of art as well as Cancun’s magnificent coral reefs. Soon over 400 original sculptures will lie between depths of 9 to 20 feet, and so make for excellent viewing when either snorkeling or diving.
How does something this wonderful and unique come about? By simple artistic inspiration. Jason deCaires Taylor was the artistic brains behind the operation, and people have responded well to the idea. Eerie, beautiful, and spectacular are all words used to describe this underwater phenomenon that successfully promotes Cancun as an artistic residence, as well as an excellent diving opportunity.
Don’t miss this fantastic Cancun attraction.
Essentially a bountiful series of sunken sculptures, the Cancun Underwater Museum is an ongoing project aimed at inspiring a love of art as well as Cancun’s magnificent coral reefs. Soon over 400 original sculptures will lie between depths of 9 to 20 feet, and so make for excellent viewing when either snorkeling or diving.
How does something this wonderful and unique come about? By simple artistic inspiration. Jason deCaires Taylor was the artistic brains behind the operation, and people have responded well to the idea. Eerie, beautiful, and spectacular are all words used to describe this underwater phenomenon that successfully promotes Cancun as an artistic residence, as well as an excellent diving opportunity.
Don’t miss this fantastic Cancun attraction.
Address: Cancun, Mexico
From $ 45
Canada Place
One of the best places to orient yourself, especially if this is your first trip to Vancouver, is Canada Place. Built for Expo '86, this iconic, postcard-friendly landmark is hard to miss: its five tall Teflon sails that jut into the sky over Burrard Inlet resemble a giant sailing ship. Now a cruise-ship terminal and convention center, it's also a pier where you can stroll out over the waterfront, watch the splashing floatplanes, and catch some spectacular sea-to-mountain views.
Around the perimeter of Canada Place is a promenade, where you can gaze out at the North Shore mountains standing tall across Burrard Inlet. You can also see nearby Stanley Park and its famous Seawall Promenade. Walk to the other end of the promenade and you’ll be rewarded with great city views, including the historic low-rise tops of Gastown, where Vancouver was first settled. Inside the building is FlyOver Canada, a cool simulated flight attraction that takes you across Canada, from the Atlantic Coast and Arctic peaks to the Rocky Mountains and Northern lights.
Practical Info
Canada Place is located on the northeast edge of downtown Vancouver. It’s easily accessible by public transportation, and the Sky Train, which is one block away. Nearby attractions are Gastown, the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Art, Vancouver Art Gallery, and Robson Street. Tourism Vancouver Touristinfo Centre is right across the street.
Address: North foot of Howe Street, Downtown, Vancouver, Canada
Hours: Open daily
Admission: Free
From $ 30