Things to Do in North America

Spiked with spindly spires and decorated with fine stonework, the Templo Expiatorio is one of Guadalajara’s iconic churches and a striking example of neogothic style. The first stone was laid in 1897 and construction was completed in the 1930s. Inside, the ambiance is dreamy. Graceful multilayered arches frame an altar backlit by massive stained glass windows and crowned with a giant yet simple gold chandelier. Beams of colored light cast by the stained glass cut through smoke and dust motes, and the air smells of incense, candles, and flowers.

New Orleans has been home to many famous artists and musicians over the years – none of them more famous than Edgar Degas. Master Impressionist, Degas’ influence on the art world can still be felt today in his sculpture, paintings, sketches, and drawings. His most famous images are, perhaps those he did of dancers – over half his work utilize these images, and they are what he is most often associated with. Degas successfully used old and new techniques that made his style his own, and for that, and his ability to render a certain sort of delicate beauty, he has become one of the most celebrated and remembered artists of all time.

Built in the Esplanade ridge neighborhood just on the outer edge of the French Quarter, The Edgar Degas House dates from the 1850s. Visiting his New Orleans home is easy, accessible and right on the cusp of the French Quarter. This is the only home and studio of Degas anywhere in the world that is open to the public, and thus a rare and unique insight into the life and times of this amazing painter. The house is a museum, but it is also a bed and breakfast and hosts guided tours of both the house and the immediate French Quarter area where the house resides.

Yes, it's a big rock, but what makes El Capitan a must-witness sight in Yosemite is the fact that it's the largest exposed-granite monolith in the world. Oh, and people climb it. Rising 3,593 feet (1095 meters)—more than 350 stories—above the Valley, El Capitan was once considered impossible to climb. However, since Warren Harding first conquered the "nose" in 1958, El Capitan has become the standard for big-wall climbing.

Take binoculars to spot the little bits of color that pinpoint adventurous climbers tackling the smooth and nearly vertical cliff.

For over 150 years, this little wine-producing region of the California’s golden hillsides has produced numerous award-winning, critically acclaimed wines. Tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the El Dorado Wine Region is a prime wine-growing location thanks to its warm days, cool nights, and low alpine air. Home to over 50 wineries producing over 50 different varietals of wine, the El Dorado Wine Region is a popular escape to avoid the intense heat of the desert or the fog of the Bay Area while enjoying the charms of small-town California.

The Lighthouse of port city Mazatlan has been shining since 1879, guiding ships coming up the Sea of Cortez. It can be seen 30 nautical miles away. For tourists, the main reason to come here is to see the divers. From a high platform, young men sometimes make daring high dives for assembled crowds for tips.

You can hike up to the lighthouse itself though to take in the view of the port and entering ships—mostly shrimp boats, plus an occasional cruise ship. Because it sits on a high hill, it’s reportedly the highest lighthouse in the Americas, as 523 feet above the high tide line.

Step back into old Florida and explore the prestigious estates of two of America’s most prominent men. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates are registered as national historic sites for the 20 acres of beautiful landscaped lawns and early Florida era buildings that tell the stories of not just the life and times of these inventors but about early Florida as well. Walk the award-winning Moonlight Garden or use the grounds to picnic or enjoy breeze form the cove. Also on site are the Edison Botanic Research Lab and the Edison Ford Museum. More than just a walk through museums, a visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates is an opportunity to enjoy the park-like environment

The relatively flat trails, lush countryside, well-kept picnic areas and crystal clear waters of the 100-meter El Chiflon Waterfall offer travelers in search of a city escape a natural wonderland in which to relax and unwind. Visitors can wander pathways to four different levels of El Chiflon—each more impressive than the last—and look out over vast landscapes while listening to the sounds of thundering waters. And while lower level trails prove an easy walk, be advised they do become steeper. Intrepid travelers can zip line past the lower falls, while less adventurous visitors can swim in the cool blue rivers.