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Hollywood Wax Museum Pigeon Forge
While Pigeon Forge, Tennessee may be best known as the home of the Dollywood amusement park, it got a new top attraction when the Hollywood Wax Museum opened in May 2012. Built as a tribute to the U.S. film and television industry, the museum is the largest Hollywood wax museum in the country and the only one dedicated entirely to celebrities. With a large Hollywood sign, a giant King Kong scaling the New York skyline and a replica of Mount Rushmore featuring the sculpted faces of John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin, it is truly a can’t miss attraction.
Covering 22,000 square feet, the museum offers great photo opportunities for visitors as the wax figures stand out in the open instead of behind glass. Take a selfie with Brad Pitt, dance with Michael Jackson or share a bench with Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump. And then head up to the roof to get up close and personal with King Kong.
Practical Info
The Hollywood Wax Museum stands at the corner of Parkway Boulevard and Showplace Boulevard in Pigeon Forge, a town in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains. It is a 25-minute drive from Gatlinburg or about 40 minutes from Knoxville. There are a handful of hotels within a mile of the museum for those wanting to stay overnight in Pigeon Forge. Purchase tickets online in advance to skip the lines.
Address: 106 Showplace Blvd, Pigeon Forge, USA
Hours: Open 365 days a year; 9am-10pm, with occasional extended hours to 11pm or midnight
Admission: $20; All Access Pass also available that includes entrance to other nearby attractions
From $ 22
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam (originally known as Boulder Dam) is an inspiring symbol of American engineering, built during America’s Great Depression as the then-largest dam construction project in the world. Travelers have flocked here for decades to see picturesque views of Lake Mead and the Colorado River, and today, the dam receives more than 1 million annual visitors.
The Basics
The dam is a popular day trip destination from Las Vegas. Visitors can tour the power plant, learn how the dam generates and distributes electricity, and see stunning views of the surrounding riverways, canyons, and valleys. Tour options cover a wide range of interests—visit on a comedy bus, cruise in a Hummer, or even pair the trip with a stop at an outdoor shooting range. For an epic adventure, take in the sites on a helicopter tour or opt for a mountain biking excursion along the waterway. It’s also possible to visit on a combo tour along with the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, or combine a visit to Hoover Dam with a boat cruise on Lake Mead.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring sun protection, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water.
- A concession stand at the base of the dam’s parking garage offers a variety of food and drink options.
- The Hoover Dam Visitors Center and power plant tour are wheelchair accessible, but the dam tour is not accessible. Complimentary parking is available for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Hoover Dam is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Las Vegas, or 45 minutes by road, near the Arizona–Nevada border. The nearest airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Parking can be found near the visitors center.
When to Get There
Because of the stifling desert heat in summer, spring and fall are the best times to visit the Hoover Dam. Expect long lines and heavy traffic on summer weekends; opt for an early morning visit to avoid crowds.
Inside Hoover Dam
A Hoover Dam tour features much more than just a 726-foot (221-meter) wall. Explore tunnels that were bored directly into the mountainside, hear the harrowing tales of workers who carved them out by hand, and tour the power plant. The Hoover Dam Visitors Center offers even more info about America’s most famous dam.
Address: Hwy. 93, Boulder City, USA
Hours: Daily 9am - 5pm
Admission: Adults: $15
From $ 50
Hollywood Wax Museum Los Angeles
The original Hollywood Wax Museum was, as the name suggests, in Hollywood - which is where it still is today. It’s now known as the Hollywood Wax Museum Los Angeles, and has been entertaining visitors on Hollywood Blvd since 1965.
The incredibly lifelike wax reproductions of Hollywood celebrities changes on a regular basis. One of the popular sections of the museum is the “Chamber of Horrors,” with a collection of monsters from various films, both classic and modern.
One of the appeals of the Hollywood Wax Museum is that visitors can get up close to the wax figures, posing for photographs with the life-size models. You can even get into costume yourself before you snap a photo. The exhibits also include bits of trivia about some of the stars on display.
Practical Info
The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre (with all the celebrity foot and handprints) are both about a block away from the Hollywood Wax Museum.
Address: 6767 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028, USA
Hours: Sun-Thurs 9am-midnight; Fri-Sat 9am-1am
Admission: Adults: $20; Children: $10
From $ 21
Hollywood Wax Museum Myrtle Beach
The Hollywood Wax Museum is a staple attraction near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Spend a few hours out of the sun and snap photos with realistic wax depictions of your favorite celebs—everyone from Princess Di to Jackie Chan is represented. Kids particularly love the Hollywood Wax Museum, a long-standing family favorite at Myrtle Beach.
The Basics
The Hollywood Wax Museum features lifelike wax figures of famous personalities from television, film, music, and history. As you race through the museum looking for your favorite celebrities, you also learn fun facts about the stars, thanks to trivia displays beside each figure.
In addition to wax figures, the museum features Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors, a princess-themed mirror maze with 288 potential turns, and a zombie apocalypse zone called Outbreak (best for older children.) Purchase tickets for each attraction individually, or save money by bundling all three into an all-access pass.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Children 3 and under are free.
- Child rate applies for children 11 and under.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible.
- Discounts are available for groups of 15 people or more and nonprofit groups.
How to Get There
Located in the center of Myrtle Beach, the wax museum is at the intersection of Highway 17 Bypass and 21st Avenue. It can be easily found by looking for the giant 40,000-pound (18,144-kilogram) ape climbing the building. Parking on-site is free.
When to Get There
The Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center is open during seasonal hours 365 days a year, so you can check it out whenever you’re in Myrtle Beach. Weekends and holidays are busiest, while day trips during the school year are the slowest. If you don’t book your ticket in advance, be sure to arrive early to beat the ticket line.
Broadway at the Beach
The Hollywood Wax Museum is located on Broadway at the Beach, meaning the fun doesn’t end when you leave the entertainment complex. Stay all day to shop, eat, and play at one of Myrtle Beach’s most popular destinations.
Address: 808 21st Ave N, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
Hours: 9am-9pm
Admission: Varies
From $ 22
Hollywood Wax Museum Branson
Travelers who want to brush elbows with the rich and famous don’t have to venture to LA, New York or Hollywood Hills. In fact, they can do so in the heart of America’s Midwest at Branson’s Hollywood Wax Museum. Jam-packed with hundreds of life-like wax figures of famous celebrities from the big screen, this destination is an ideal spot for families looking for a bit of fun and a taste of something different.
Visitors can learn what it takes to create one of these impressive figures (hint: three months and seven artists!), explore galleries filled with the rich and famous, and even have their pictures taken in some of the most iconic Hollywood film and tv sets around!
Travelers who are short on time but still want to see it all can opt for skip-the-line tickets options for a fast track to the life-like exhibits and displays.
Practical Info
The museum is located at 3030 West 76 Country Boulevard. It is open daily from 8am-11pm, except Fridays and Saturdays when the museum stays open until midnight.
Address: 3030 West 76 Country Boulevard, Branson, USA
Hours: Open daily from 8am-11pm , Friday and Saturday 8am-midnight
Admission: Adults (Ages 12+) $20.00 Children (Ages 4-11) $10.00
From $ 26
Honky Tonk Central
Located on downtown Nashville’s famous Lower Broadway district, this live music destination attracts visitors in search of a true country experience. With three stories of performance space, down home food and stiff drinks, Honky Tonk Central is Nashville at its finest.
Live acts at this local institution typically play to a packed house, and travelers will find music to meet all tastes on each of Honky Tonk Central’s three sprawling levels. There’s room to dance at this top nightlife spot that guarantees a good time, and plenty of tables mean there’s a place to rest when visitors are done kicking up their heels.
Travelers can venture to Honky Tonk Central on their own for a quintessential Nashville evening, or purchase a popular Honky Tonk bar pass that includes skip the line fast-track access and vouchers for drinks at several of the city’s live music destinations.
Practical Info
Honky Tonk Central is located at 329 Broadway near the Raymond Auditorium.
Address: 329 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Hours: Daily 11am-3am
From $ 35
Honey Island Swamp
Renowned as one of the wildest and most pristine swamplands in the United States, the murky, algae-coated waters of Honey Island Swamp are a prime habitat for native wildlife, including alligators and wild boar. Plus, according to local folklore, the lake houses an even more menacing resident—the notorious Honey Island Swamp monster.
The Basics
Stretching for 18 miles (30 kilometers) and surrounded by dense forest and overhanging cypress trees, the wetlands are best explored by boat. Learn about Cajun culture, the legend of the swamp monster, and wetland ecology from a local guide as you make your way through the shallow backwaters on a flat-bottom bayou boat. Keep an eye out for wild boar, raccoon, mink, otters, turtles, and a huge variety of birdlife.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Honey Island Swamp is a must-visit for nature lovers, adventure travelers, and families.
- Swamp tours from New Orleans typically last between two and four hours.
- Don’t forget to bring protection against bugs; mosquitos love the swamps and bayous of Louisiana.
- Most tours are not wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Honey Island Swamp is located in St. Tammany Parish in eastern Louisiana, about 37 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of New Orleans by road. Some swamp tours depart from Crawford Landing on the West Pearl River in Slidell, while others include round-trip transportation from New Orleans.
When to Get There
Swamp tours are generally more interesting during the warmest hours of the day and in the summer months, when animals—especially big gators—are more active. Summer can be hot and humid, however; visit in the winter if you want to avoid the heat.
Things to Do in Nearby Slidell
There’s plenty more to nearby Slidell than Honey Island Swamp excursions. The historic downtown district comprises several historic buildings filled with restaurants serving Louisiana specialties, museums, and some of the area’s best antique shops.
Address: St Tammany Parish, Louisiana, USA
From $ 29
Hollywood Sign
One of LA's most distinguishing icons, the famous Hollywood sign proudly stands on Mt. Lee (Mount Lee) in the Hollywood Hills, overlooking Los Angeles and the California movie industry it has come to symbolize. This LA landmark first appeared on its hillside perch in 1923 as an advertising gimmick for a real-estate development called Hollywoodland. Each letter stands 50 feet (15 meters) tall and is made of sheet metal painted white.
The Basics
The best view of the Hollywood sign is from down below, at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Bronson Avenue. Other top viewing spots include the Hollywood and Highland Center, the top of Beachwood Drive, and the Griffith Observatory. Most Los Angeles and Hollywood sightseeing tours include at least a glimpse of the sign, while some Hollywood sign tours include a helicopter ride or a hike into the Hollywood Hills to see the sign from behind and a visit to the observatory. On hiking tours, a tour guide shows travelers to the optimal vantage points for the best views over Beverly Hills. Tours depart from downtown LA, Anaheim, and as far away as Las Vegas.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The sign hasn’t been lit up since New Year’s Eve of 2000, but its bright white letters often make it seem to glow in the night.
- Guided tours allow for safe photo op stops so there’s no need to make a dangerous stop in the middle of the mountain road.
- Dogs are permitted on hiking trails so long as they arekept on leash.
- Hikers should bring sun protection and water.
- Hiking to the letters themselves is strictly prohibited (you’ll be met with a chain link fence and security cameras), but the Brush Canyon Trail brings hikers to the peak right behind the sign.
How to Get There
You can reach the sign on foot by taking the 6.4-mile (10.2-kilometer) round-trip hike on the Brush Canyon Trail in Griffith Park; the trailhead is at the end of Canyon Drive. Alternatively, visitors can drive into the hills for a closer look, arrive on a horseback riding excursion, or fly in on a helicopter tour for great aerial view.
When to Get There
The sign is always there, you just have to decide when you want to see it. Try a sunrise hike for fewer crowds and some solitude, or take in sunset from the hills while enjoying great views over homes of various movie stars in downtown Los Angeles. Griffith Park and its hiking trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Thanks to Southern California’s warm weather, the hike can be made any time of year.
Hollywood Sign History
Once aglow with 4,000 light bulbs, the sign once had its own caretaker, who lived behind the letter L until 1939. Originally constructed to spell Hollywoodland, the sign’s last four letters were removed in the 1940s as they started to crumble. In the late 1970s, celebrities Alice Cooper and Hugh Hefner joined forces with fans and other stars to save the famous symbol.
Address: Mount Lee Drive, Hollywood 90027, USA
Hours: Open daily 24hrs
Admission: Free
From $ 20
HOPE Outdoor Gallery
Known for "keeping it weird," Austin is home to impressive street art all over the city, but the HOPE Outdoor Gallery—a once abandoned construction site turned community park—is a special point of interest. The largest outdoor graffiti wall in Texas, the HOPE Gallery attracts muralists and artists from around the world, and has become an important part of city culture.
Layers and layers of color, words, and design make for interesting views throughout the park, and serve as a vehicle for expression of modern Austin life. Locals agree the park has taken on a life of its own with the often impermanent wall art constantly changing and evolving. Visit the park on any street art tour of the city to take in the views and learn more about this important community space.
Practical Info
HOPE Outdoor Gallery is located at 11th & Baylor streets in downtown Austin, in the Clarksville area. The park is free to visit, and is open daily from 9am to 7pm. There’s a great view from the top of the park after a short climb, but beware of materials that may litter the park’s grounds and edges.
Address: 1101 Baylor St, Austin, Texas, USA
Hours: Daily 9am–7pm
From $ 40
Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay sits peacefully with its vibrant turquoise and deep blue, warm waters off the northwestern coast of Maui. Preserved as a Marine Life Conservation District, fishing is strictly prohibited here, making the diversity and amount of marine life particularly strong. With its rocky volcanic cliffs sheltering from winds, the bay remains calm and the water clear and excellent for snorkeling. Colorful tropical fish such as parrotfish, damselfish, Moorish Idols, snapper, and wrasse, as well as tuna, sea turtles, and eels are commonly sighted. The rock formations and abundant corals make this a scenic place to explore underwater. It is also a popular surfing spot, particularly in the winter months, due to the long waves that crash at its coast. There is a small black sand beach, but most of the coastline is jagged rock. Visibility in the water tends to improve the farther you swim from the coast.
Practical Info
The drive to Honolua Bay from Kahalui takes just over one hour. There are two small parking lots on site. There aren’t public facilities available, so be sure to bring your own gear if you plan to snorkel. Signs mark the path from the road down to the beach access.
Address: Maui, Hawaii, USA, USA
From $ 131
Honolulu Hale
The Honolulu Municipal Building doesn’t have quite the ring of Honolulu Hale—though they are one and the same. The Hale, which means house in Hawaiian, is home Oahu’s city hall— government offices including the chambers of the Mayor and the Honolulu City Council. The Spanish Colonial Revival building—a popular style in Honolulu in the 1920s—was completed in 1928, and, in addition to being interesting architecturally, hosts regular city and public functions including the popular annual Honolulu City Lights. Each December since the mid 1980s, a giant 21-foot “Shaka Santa” (that is, Santa flashing his one-handed shaka sign) and Tutu Mele (Mrs. Claus) adorn the building’s fountain pool accompanied by a flurry of colored light displays and lawn ornaments. The public is welcomed inside the building to walk amongst ornately-decorated and -themed Christmas trees, which are judged for their creativity; original artwork from area school children lines the walls. The building is a place of community pride—occasionally lit with commemorative colors (pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month; red, white and blue for Independence Day) and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Practical Info
This is a functioning government building, so you are able to visit during normal government business hours (8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) and note its interesting features, including the interior Peace Garden and and ornate staircase and speaker’s balcony. Not to be confused with Aliiolani Hale across the street, which houses the State Supreme Court and boasts the famous golden King Kamehameha Statue on its lawn, Honolulu Hale is located on the corner of S. King and Punchbowl Streets at 530 S. King Street.
Address: 530 S King St, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 96813, USA
Hours: Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm
From $ 51
Honokohau Harbor
Steep drop-offs beckon just off Kona’s coast, the dominion of pelagic beasts—marlin and billfish some topping 1,000 lbs. Most journeys to catch one begin the 262-slip marina at Honokohau Harbor, just before the entrance to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. Nearly all of Kailua-Kona’s fishermen, independent sportfish tour operators as well as charter boats departing for scuba sites and popular manta and dolphin snorkeling adventures dock and depart from Honokohau Harbor.
The full-service marina also sports two noteworthy restaurants: Harbor House, a burger and beer joint with views of vessels from their open-air dining room, and Bite Me Fish Market Bar & Grill serving seafood delivered direct from the ocean to their door. ATMs, two full service restroom blocks with hot showers and a convenience store for snacks and sundries round out the facilities here.
Just behind the marina proper, a snaking road ends at a lava rock parking lot with a trail leading to a small beach with decent snorkeling and popular with area dog owners.
Practical Info
Harbor offices are located at 74-380 Kealakehe Parkway and a large sign announces the entrance between mile marker 97 and 98 from Highway 19—it’s three miles north of town and five miles south of the Airport. The Charter Desk, located above the marina’s fuel dock, sells spots on 60 sportfishing boats—expect to pay between $450 and $600 for a half day or $750 and $3,500 for an entire boat’s full-day charter. Most Pacific blue marlin, the big catch here, are reeled in between June and August. Tickets for most other excursions are available from booths in Kailua town. Many popular tourist activities include transport from area hotels or central locations; if they don’t, you’ll need a rental car or taxi to reach the harbor. Note: Restaurants here close between 7 and 9 p.m.
Address: 74-380 Kealakehe Parkway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA 96740, USA
From $ 64
Holy Land Experience
A Christian-based theme park in Orlando, Florida, the Holy Land Experience features full-size re-creations of Biblical scenes that bring the Holy Land to life. Here you’ll find a Jerusalem street market, the Great Temple, the House of Judea, the Calvary’s Garden Tomb, and Esther’s Banquet Hall, as well as entertainment and story-telling.
The Basics
Holy Land’s interactive exhibits are designed to take visitors back 2,000 years and thousands of miles away, to the people and places depicted in the Bible. Even the main entrance is designed to appear as the Main Gate and Jaffa Gate to the old city of Jerusalem. The park is an immersive experience that enables visitors to bring their faith and the history depicted in the Bible alive, along with the life and times of Jesus Christ.
Here you can also check out the Scriptorium, a collection of ancient artifacts and Bible-related antiquities. A theater and outdoor stage act as backdrops for live shows, from plays to Broadway-style musicals. A fully operational religious and nonprofit organization, the park offers weekly church services and Bible study groups. Purchasing a ticket ahead of time guarantees your admission to this popular attraction. And to admission you can add on experiences including the Tabernacle Tour, the Tech Tour, and the Wardrobe Tour.
Know Before You Go
- Children between 5 and 14 years old receive discounted admission; children aged four and under are free.
- Several dining options include the Last Snack, the Church of All Nations Bistro, Martha’s Kitchen, and Esther’s Banquet Hall.
- See the park’s website for information on transportation from the Disney World and Universal Studios area and resorts.
How to Get There
The Holy Land Experience is located about 10 miles from downtown Orlando, off of Interstate 4. Parking is free, or you can take the LYNX (Orlando’s public transportation system) Route 24 or Route 40.
When to Get There
The park is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Backstage Tours
An alternative to travelers who desire the spiritual experience of traveling to Israel, the Holy Land Experience is dedicated to producing an authentic, immersive experience. Taking one of the backstage tours (an add-on to admission) lets visitors see what goes into creating such a flawless production. The Tabernacle Tour teaches visitors how the Tabernacle was used in Biblical times, the Tech Tour shows how the elaborate performances are put on, and the Wardrobe Tour shows the care that goes into the faithful re-creation of authentic garments.
Address: 4655 Vineland Road, Orlando, Florida, USA
Hours: Tues-Sat from 10am-6pm
Admission: $50 for adults, $35 for children
From $ 50
Honolulu Harbor
Historic Honolulu Harbor, the state’s original hub for commerce and immigration, stretches from Honolulu’s downtown business district in the east to Ke’ehi Lagoon in the west. A center of activity even prior to European contact, the harbor today—a series of dredged channels and basins encircling the less-than-a-square-mile Sand Island—is picturesque in parts and downright commercial in others. Despite a massive molasses spill that occurred here in Sept. 2013, there are those who say the harbor is among the cleanest commercial ports in the nation. To see for yourself, head down to Pier 7 where modern cruise ships still occasionally dock (if you didn’t arrive by boat, look for the giant wooden Falls of Clyde sailing ship fronting the now-shuttered Hawaii Maritime Center). There, just along the concrete harbor wall, is a veritable open-air aquarium: coral, tropical reef fish and the occasional reef shark can be seen making a living just steps from downtown skyscrapers.
Among the best places to watch the big cargo ships that supply the city with cars, groceries, goods and commodities are from the harbor-facing restaurants in the Aloha Tower Marketplace
Complex, or from the bars and restaurants located directly on Sand Island. During the 1800s, the harbor was the main point of entry into the state for visitors and immigrants, while Sand Island was used as a quarantine checkpoint for sick passengers. Also worth a visit are Piers 36-38, home to the Honolulu Fish Action—the largest tuna auction in the United States—several
notable seafood restaurants and moorings for the state’s largest commercial fishing fleet.
Practical Info
Visit the harbor in three publicly-accessible spots: Aloha Market Place fronting Pier 7 (1 Aloha Tower Drive), on Sand Island, or Piers 36-38 (the fishing piers). All are located along Nimitz
Highway. The Aloha Tower Center has its own (paid) parking; some center restaurants validate. To visit the harbor by public transit (TheBus $2.50 one-way), take routes 55, 56, 57 and 57a to
Aloha Tower, or, routes 19 & 20 to reach the Sand Island Access Road and the fishing pier from Waikiki Beach.
Address: USA
From $ 62
Honolulu Zoo
The shriek of the Honolulu Zoo’s population of endangered white-handed gibbons is a familiar morning sound to Waikiki’s regular surfing contingent; the zoo is just across the street from some of the most popular beginner surf breaks toward the far end of Waikiki near Diamond Head crater. In addition to the monkeys, the sprawling 42-acre open-air zoo is home to more than 900 tropical animals including elephants, black rhino, giraffe, Sumatran tiger, aardvark, meerkat, orangutan, birds, reptiles and more. The zoo also houses animals only found in Hawaii, including the state bird, the nēnē, as well as a number of endemic plants in and around the enclosures.
Practical Info
The zoo’s entrance is just off a large parking lot on the corner of Kapahulu Avenue and Waikiki’s main oceanfront drag, Kalakaua Avenue. There is a $1/hour cash-only charge for on-site parking. Several TheBus routes as well as the popular Waikiki hop on/hop off trolley also pass near the zoo.
The Honolulu Zoo is open daily (except Dec. 25) from 9 a.m. til 4:30. p.m. General admission tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for children with discounts for Hawaii residents and military with ID. Allot at least an hour and a half to explore the zoo.
Address: 151 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 96815, USA
Hours: Open daily 9am-4:30pm
Admission: Adults: $14; Children: $6
From $ 25
Hollywood Hills
Whether it’s hiking or horseback riding, biking or busing, there are plenty of ways to explore the well-heeled neighborhood of Hollywood Hills. Its famous bright white Hollywood sign has become an iconic California image and its panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley have made it worth venturing outside the city for tourists hoping to capture the perfect sunset picture.
Travelers can climb to the top of Mt. Hollywood or wander through scenic Griffith Park. John Anson Ford Theater, the Hollywood Bowl, the Hollywood Reservoir and Forest Lawn Memorial Park are also popular sites on a visit to this famed high-rent neighborhood, but visitors would do just as well to drive around the quiet streets taking in some of the most classic (and impressive) residential architecture in California.
Practical Info
Hollywood Hills is part of the Santa Monica Mountains. The neighborhood borders Studio City, Burbank, Griffith Park, Los Feliz, and Universal City.
Address: Los Angeles, California, USA
From $ 35
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Only in Hollywood are stars so common that they can even be found on the sidewalk. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, arguably the most famous stretch of pavement in the world, is studded with over 2,600 brass stars on 18 city blocks as iconic to Hollywood as the celebrities whose names grace each mini-monument. This California landmark can be easily squeezed into your Los Angeles vacation as a tip of your hat to Tinsel Town.
The Basics
Aside from the thousands of stars studding the sparkly black sidewalk, the Walk of Fame is a totally normal public thoroughfare accessible 24/7 every day of the year. Most Los Angeles city tours and Hollywood tours include a stop along the Walk of Fame, providing geographical context as you descend past the famous Hollywood sign and the celebrity homes of Beverly Hills or sweep in from industrial downtown Los Angeles. You'll also be treated to a historical narrative as scandalous as the film industry itself.
When to Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Los Angeles is known for its pleasant year-round weather. Check the Hollywood Walk of Fame's official website for an up-to-date calendar of public induction ceremonies that could make your visit extra memorable.
Gene of All Trades
The Basics
Aside from the thousands of stars studding the sparkly black sidewalk, the Walk of Fame is a totally normal public thoroughfare accessible 24/7 every day of the year. Most Los Angeles city tours and Hollywood tours include a stop along the Walk of Fame, providing geographical context as you descend past the famous Hollywood sign and the celebrity homes of Beverly Hills or sweep in from industrial downtown Los Angeles. You'll also be treated to a historical narrative as scandalous as the film industry itself.
If you look up from the sidewalk, you'll see Grauman's Chinese Theatre and El Capitan Theatre.
How to Get to the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Getting close to celebrities is difficult; getting close to their names isn't. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a stretch of public sidewalk extending along Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Gower Street and along Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard. Drive, walk, or take the Metro Red Line to Highland or Vine.
Some tours of the area also include stops at other nearby landmarks such as Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Drive, Warner Bros Studio, Disneyland and Universal Studios, and the Dolby Theater, home of the Oscars.
- Ideal tour options are available for every type of traveler.
- Bring your camera to take a picture with your favorite celebrities' stars.
- The Walk of Fame is easily accessed independently or by guided tour.
Getting close to celebrities is difficult; getting close to their names isn't. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a stretch of public sidewalk extending along Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Gower Street and along Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard. Drive, walk, or take the Metro Red Line to Highland or Vine.
When to Visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Los Angeles is known for its pleasant year-round weather. Check the Hollywood Walk of Fame's official website for an up-to-date calendar of public induction ceremonies that could make your visit extra memorable.
Gene of All Trades
In addition to movie stars, the Walk of Fame honors performers who have made history in television, music, radio, and theater. Gene Autry is the only celebrity to have a star in every category.
Address: Hollywood Blvd at Vine Street, Hollywood 90028, USA
Hours: Open 24 hrs daily
Admission: Free
From $ 0
Honolulu
Honolulu is so much more than just the sunny resort area of Waikiki, where white sands stretch all the way to iconic Diamond Head. The capital city is Hawaii’s commercial and urban heart, with first-class museums, shopping, dining, clubs, and bars. And every year millions of visitors from around the globe find aloha in Honolulu, where surfboards, sunsets, swimming, and taking it slow are simply a way of life.
The Basics
Aside from Honolulu’s iconic Waikiki Beach, walking, driving, and even Segway city sightseeing tours feature downtown Honolulu attractions like Iolani Palace, bustling Chinatown (one of the country’s oldest), early mission houses, churches, and the Bishop Museum, which is filled with historical and cultural artifacts. Many visitors venture above and beyond the city limits on helicopter tours to take in the island’s unique and verdant volcanic topography, on land-based Oahu tours that circle the island, and on water and boat tours that cruise the Pacific. Honolulu is the perfect jumping-off point for other Oahu sights including Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor (home to the USS Arizona and USS Missouri memorials, as well as the Pacific Aviation Museum), the Dole Plantation, the Polynesian Cultural Center, the North Shore surf town of Haleiwa, laid-back Kailua, Sea Life Park, Pali Lookout, and the protected snorkeling reefs at Hanauma Bay.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Every Friday night, hotels in Waikiki set off a not-to-miss fireworks spectacular.
- Both Diamond Head and Koko Head Crater offer challenging but easy-to-reach hikes with stunning city, island, and sea views.
- The Waikiki trolley is a convenient way to get around the area.
How to Get There
Regular daily flights arrive at Honolulu International Airport from destinations across Hawaii, the mainland US, and the globe. From points on Oahu, a rental car and the public TheBus are your best bets for getting to Honolulu.
When to Get There
Honolulu enjoys year-round balmy weather, so many visitors make the trip in winter (November through March). Hawaii’s peak tourism times tend to coincide with breaks in the US academic calendar—summer, spring break, and the Christmas/New Year holidays. To get the best rates, dodge the crowds, and still enjoy some warm sun in the winter, plan a vacation for February, a particularly affordable time to travel to Honolulu.
Popular Honolulu Events
The Honolulu Festival, celebrating the unique cultural blend of the city and neighboring countries in the Pacific Rim, is held over three days each March with parades, musical entertainment, and craft fairs. A unique and Buddhist twist on Memorial Day (observed on the last Monday of May) is also a sight to see—thousands of paper lanterns are set afloat at Ala Moana Beach Park. Kamehameha Day (June 11) sees copious amounts of floral lei draped on statues throughout the city, but perhaps the city’s most unusual festival is April’s Waikiki Spam Jam, where kitschy costumes and roadside grills honor Hawaii’s favorite meat since World War II.
Address: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, USA
From $ 36
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
Experience the quiet country estate, also known as Springfield and overlooking the Hudson River, that Franklin D. Roosevelt called home. FDR’s wife Eleanor said the stately two-story Federal-style estate with gaudy green shutters had a “healing quality” for the President, and, still surrounded by 300 acres of wooded lots, it retains a peaceful atmosphere today. More modest than the Vanderbilt Estate just up the street, the home is filled with memories of the only US President to serve more than two terms and who led the US out of the Great Depression and until World War II. The site is both Roosevelt’s birthplace and final resting place—he was born in an upstairs bedroom and is buried alongside Eleanor and his favorite pet, a Scottish terrier named Fala, in the garden.
Everyone can wander the grounds via self-guided audio tours, but to glimpse the home’s wood-paneled early 19th century (mostly original) interior finery, you’ll need to buy a ticket and join a ranger-guided tour starting from the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center. There, a looped 22-minute film shares some of the estate’s history. The tour winds past collections of paintings in the Entrance Hall to the Living Room and Library where FDR entertained notable nationals and foreign dignitaries, the Music Room, and several bedrooms. Top Cottage, a Dutch Colonial-style structure separate from the house built just for FDR as a retreat, is also open to visitors.
Also nearby and included in the price of admission, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, the first US Presidential Library, can be visited by self guided tour.
Practical Info
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site is located at 114 Estates Lane in Hyde Park, New York, about 90 miles north of New York City and six miles north of Poughkeepsie. The "Roosevelt Ride," a free shuttle service from Poughkeepsie Metro-North Station to several area historic sites, operates daily between May and October and requires advance reservations.
The grounds are free and open daily from sunrise to sunset. Tours of the house last about an hour and run between 9am and 5pm. Several departure times are offered daily, though times change seasonally and can sell out in the summer high season. Admission costs $18 and is valid for two days. A ranger-led tour of the surrounding grounds via FDR’s Farm Lane Tour is available for an additional $10.
Address: 4097 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, New York 12538, USA
Hours: The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Admission: Admission costs $18 and is valid for two days.
From $ 73
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Located in Homestead, Florida, the Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts NASCAR, IndyCar and several other series of racing events. With a design representing the vibrant nearby Miami Beach Art Deco district, the speedway opened to a sold-out NASCAR crowd in 1995. The track contains several lakes, the largest of which is 18 acres and even stocked with rare peacock bass. The lake is deep enough to submerge an entire six-story building.
The speedway has continued to gain in popularity and garner the attention of motorsports enthusiasts around the globe. The track made history in 2008 when it became the first venue ever to host all of North America’s major motorsports championships: IndyCar, Grand-Am and Firestone Indy Lights Series, NASCAR’s Spring Cup, and the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series.
If you’re interested in testing out the track yourself, there are exotic auto racing experience tours available. Drive an Audi RB, Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari F430 around the track after a quick safety orientation and a two-lap test ride in a demo vehicle. Once you’re comfortable, hop behind the wheel of your race car. There’s also a Sky Box where you can watch other drivers before and after your experience.
Practical Info
The Homestead-Miami Speedway has 55,000 grandstand seats and stretches over 600 acres. There are 16 viewing areas with club facilities and spectacular views of the action.
Address: 1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd, Homestead, Florida, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 299