Things to Do in North America

This street of brightly colored homes in Charleston is easily the most photographed spot in the city, and it’s easy to see why. The 14 colorful Georgian row houses along East Bay Street date back to 1730, when they were built as merchant stores.

Situated in near Waterfront Park in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, Rainbow Row features on just about every Charleston walking tour and carriage ride, along with other popular points of interest like the Dock Street Theatre, White Point Gardens, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and the Waterfront Battery. Once commercial buildings, the houses today have all been converted to private residences—meaning you can only gawk at them from the outside. 

Rainbow Row is located on the stretch of East Bay Street between Tradd and Elliot streets in Charleston. It’s located a short walk from Waterfront Park, and it’s easily accessible on foot from just about anywhere in the historic district. 

For the best light for your photo—and sparser crowds to interfere with shot—plan to visit early in the morning or around sunset. In summer, expect hot, humid weather with highs in the upper 80s.

No one’s sure just why the Rainbow Row houses got their signature sherbet-hued paint job. One theory posits that the houses were painted like this so drunken sailors returning from the port could easily find the right one. Another suggests the colors once indicated the type of goods sold within each house, making it easier to attract illiterate shoppers. 

The unique and organic 34-acre family-owned winery is over 100 years old and is located in the warmest sub-area of the Niagara region. It has been passed down from one generation to the next since David Jackson Lowrey, the current owner’s great grandfather, purchased the property in 1867. The Ravine vintages mostly consist of Chardonnay-based wines, as it is the top growing grape in the region. They also produce award-winning ice wines.

The estate is also home to the 200-year-old Loyalist Georgian Wm. Woodruff House, one of the most architecturally significant ancestral homes of Canada. There is also an organic restaurant with seasonal menus sourced at the on-site farm, where the Lowrey family grows their own produce and raises their own livestock.

Love flamingos? Then head to Ría Lagartos, a little fishing village in the Mexican Riviera that is home to Parque Natural Ría Lagartos, a stunning park and biosphere reserve.

Ría Lagartos Park is situated alongside a long estuary, and more than 380 bird species reside here, including tens of thousands of flamingos, who treat Parque Natural Ría Lagartos as their breeding ground. In addition to the pink feathered bird, visitors can see egrets, herons, pelicans and falcons. If visiting at the right time of year, you also may get to see sea turtles coming up on shore to lay their eggs on the beach. Ría Lagartos is also a great place to do some fishing.

Resurrection Bay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula—dotted with glistening glaciers, majestic fjords, and secluded coves set against a backdrop of snowy mountains and dramatic fog—is a haven for those who enjoy striking landscapes. Not only is this pristine wilderness beautiful, it’s also filled with opportunities for outdoors recreation.

 

Many itineraries within Kenai Fjords National Park include a wildlife-watching cruise in Resurrection Bay. Those interested in bird-watching and wildlife spotting should be on the lookout for puffins, bald eagles, Dall's porpoise, Stellar sea lions, orcas, humpback whales, harbor seals, and sea otters.

 

Helicopter tours passing through the park to land at Godwin Glacier often fly right over Resurrection Bay. As the waters of the bay never freeze, they are also popular for kayaking and sailing.

 

 

Many visitors come to Resurrection Bay as a guided shore excursion from Seward. Cruises on the bay typically depart from the Seward Small Boat Harbor before heading out into the bay.

 

While the waters of Resurrection Bay never freeze and are therefore always navigable, a majority of tours operate between mid-May and mid-September when the days are long and weather mild.

 

Alexander Baranov was a Russian merchant who was forced to take shelter in the bay during an intense storm. When the storm finally settled, it was Easter Sunday, and in honor, Baranov gave the bay (as well as the nearby river) the name Resurrection.

Quintana Roo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. Also dubbed the Mexican Caribbean due to the sea it borders, Quintana Roo is home to tropical beaches, ecological islands, party-central cities and Mayan ruins.

In the gorgeous city of Cancun, spend your days lying on the soft sandy beaches and swimming in warm, clear water before changing into your dancing clothes and heading to one of the beach clubs Cancun is known for. Experience Quintana Roo’s turquoise water more in-depth with a jaunt to the island of Cozumel, which has some of the best scuba diving in all of Mexico. You’ll have the chance to see tropical fish, sea turtles, eels and – if they’re migrating through – whale sharks.

Quintana Roo also provides easy access to parts of the massive Mundo Maya, of which Tulum is one of its most famous parts when it comes to Mayan ruins. Visit the impressive Tulum Observatory, an ancient ruin that borders the ocean. You’ll also find adventure parks, cenotes, wildlife and more in Quintana Roo, so whether you’re looking for sand, surf or history, you'll find what you're looking for.

Dating from the 1860s, Philadelphia’s largest covered food market is one of its most beloved local landmarks and popular tourist attractions.  It’s set adjacent to the Convention Center and a SEPTA regional rail station, as well as the city’s main Greyhound bus station.

Home to a wide array of food vendors, the Market also features flowers, cookware and locally made gifts. Restaurants here range from Middle Eastern cuisine to traditional Cantonese to fresh-made donuts. Some of its most distinctive vendors are Pennsylvania Dutch bakers, farmers and craftspeople, which only do business here from Wednesday through Saturday. 

If you’re a fan of cannoli, Termini Brothers Bakery makes the best in the city; for cupcakes, try Flying Monkey. Be sure to seek out Philbert, a bronze statue of pig that serves as the Market’s mascot and a unique “piggy” bank; coins donated here go to programs that support healthy eating habits.

A gift to New York from the Rockefellers, this glitzy landmark has been entertaining the masses since the Rockettes dancing troop first kicked up their heels here in the early 1930s. The 6,000-seat theater still hosts nightly shows, with performers ranging from stand-up comedians to chart-topping musical artists. 

Getting a photograph of Radio City Music Hall’s famous neon sign is a rite of passage for first-time visitors to New York City. The iconic landmark is featured on many sightseeing tours of the city, as well as on hop-on hop-off bus tours. Travelers who want to explore the venue’s hallowed halls can join a Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour, when they may even get to meet a real-life Rockette.

For those who want to catch a show, the ultimate Radio City Music Hall experience is the annual Christmas Spectacular, during which the Radio City Rockettes put on a festive one-of-a-kind show.

Radio City Music Hall is located in Midtown Manhattan. The best way to get there is by public transit. Take the subway to 50th Street/Broadway (1) or 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center (B, D, F, or M). MTA buses M5, M6, M7, and M27/M50 all stop at Rockefeller Center/50th Street. 

There is no bad time to visit Radio City Music Hall, with an exciting program of tours and events happening year-round. Consider coming during the holiday season to witness the Christmas Spectacular and to see Rockefeller Center decorated for the season. Ticket holders should arrive at least 30 minutes before their show. 

Designed by acclaimed industrial designer Donald Deskey, the Radio City Music Hall interior is an art deco masterpiece. Among the highlights are the sophisticated Grand Foyer and the auditorium itself, whose column-free design ensures that every seat in the house has an uninterrupted view of the Great Stage. 

Rhyolite was once a booming gold rush town in Nevada, but today it's a ghost town – and, consequently, a tourist attraction.

The town grew almost overnight to be one of the largest settlements after gold was discovered nearby in 1904. By 1911, that mine was closed, and in 1916 when power was shut off in the town some of the buildings were moved or simply torn down. What remains has become an incredibly popular ghost town for tourists to visit and photograph.

All but one of the buildings in Rhyolite are in a serious state of disrepair – the exception was a house renovated in 1925 as a movie set. Buildings that are left include a schoolhouse, a jail, a train station, a barn, and a train caboose that used to be a gas station.

Reynolds Square is part of the Historic District and was designed back in 1733 to include four open squares, surrounded by four residential and four civil blocks. This layout of a square and its accompanying blocks is known as a “ward.” 

Lucas Theater is one of the square's most important buildings, built in 1921 for Savannah native Colonel Arthur Lucas. The space originally held vaudeville performances and screened silent movies and has today re-emerged as one of Savannah’s most romantic buildings. 

The square was also once home to a filature, which housed silkworms, which are believed to have thrived in the area, producing silk and supplanting imports to England from China by way of Italy. This idea didn't pan out, however, as Georgia's humid climate kept the cocoons from maturing properly. The filature was then converted into a meeting space, serving as the city hall until around 1845.

Two historic homes in the area have survived the times: the 1798 Habersham House, today known as the Pink House and serving as a restaurant, and the Oliver Sturgis House, dating back to 1813. In Reynolds Square, look for a bronze statue of John Wesley, who founded the first Sunday school in America while in the region on a mission. The location of the statue is believed to have been where Wesley’s home once stood. 

The historic RCA Studio B is where Nashville’s legendary music scene began. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Tennessee studio is credited as being the epicenter of Music City and the place where the Nashville Sound originated. RCA Studio B has recorded more than 35,000 songs—many of them platinum hits.

 

At RCA Studio B, you can wander the halls where Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers once recorded, and even sit at the piano Elvis Presley played. This recording studio, an irreplaceable part of music history, is now part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and its interior in decorated in 1970s-era style, as it was in its heyday as the “Temple of Sound.” 

 

Guided studio tours depart every day from the Country Music Hall of Fame and are available in conjunction with Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum admission. You can also see RCA Studio B as one of the attractions included in the Nashville Music Attraction Discount Pass, which also includes admission to other Music City highlights such as the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Johnny Cash Museum. 

 

 

RCA Studio B is located in downtown Nashville’s Music Row. The studio is easily accessed from downtown Nashville on foot, by car, or via bus #8 (get off at the 8th Avenue South and South Street stop). 

 

Guided tours depart the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hourly between 10:30am and 2:30pm every day except for New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

RCA Studio B is credited with reviving the popularity of country music in the 1960s, introducing what became known as the Nashville Sound. This style of music was more sophisticated than other country styles, and incorporated string instruments and background vocals. Music fans consider a visit to the studio, which made Nashville into an international recording center, a must-do when visiting Music City.

Rickenbacker Trail is considered one of the best places for biking in Miami. Spanning the entire island of Key Biscayne, the 8.5-mile path includes well-known spots like Virginia Key Beach, Crandon Park and the Miami Seaquarium, and begins in southern Miami before continuing south along Rickerbacker Causeway/Crandon Boulevard.

There are picnic areas, coastal dunes and even an amusement center at the popular Crandon Park, which sits at the northern end of the trail. Visitors often snorkel, kayak and hike here, or visit the museum and historical lighthouse. Another spot is Bill Baggs Cape State Park, which includes one of the more low-key beaches along the trail. If you stop in Virginia Key, there are beverage, snack, and ice cream vending machines on site. Be sure to try smoked fish at Jimbo’s, a tiny restaurant shack that has earned quite a reputation.

If you’re biking the Rickenbacker Trail, there is an option that adds approximately four miles to your ride if you turn at Virginia Key’s Arthur Lamb Road. If you are really adventurous, the trail combines with Commodore Trail, Old Cutler Trail and Biscayne Trail for a ride totaling around 27 miles.

If you’re looking for a unique Napa Valley wine tasting experience, look no further than Raymond Vineyards. Offering guests more than the typical tasting room experience, Raymond Vineyards in fact has many rooms where visitors can enjoy wine. There’s the Rutherford Room, the Red Room, and the Library Room just to name a few.

The Blending Room is where guests become "Winemaker for a Day." After blending their own red wine, guests take home a bottle of their new creation, complete with their own custom label. Raymond's estate vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena are both certified organic and Biodynamic. All of the winery's power comes from renewable solar energy.

These ancient ruins of the Totonac people line the lower volcanic slopes near the Gulf of Mexico and have not been occupied since the 16th century. Cortez, the Spanish conquistador, arrived on these rocky shores and wandered through the open plazas and religious temples that still dot the hillside. 

Crumbling tombs and game courts peak out over the Gulf of Mexico, offering travelers a chance to capture truly unique photographs—especially from atop the nearby peak. This steep mountain pass is a bit of a challenge, but affords incredible views of this historic site and the scenic Gulf. Despite its beauty and historic significance, few travelers actually make the trek to Quiahuiztlan, which means crowds are thin, making ruins easy to navigate. 

With views of ruddy cliffs everywhere you look, Red Rock State Park is a sight to behold. Trails slice through this 286-acre (116-hectare) nature preserve, winding through manzanita juniper shrubs toward the banks of Oak Creek. The visitor center offers numerous daily activities for guests, including nature walks and naturalist activities.

The famous red rock scenery of Sedona is at its best within the bounds of this popular state park—a perfect place to enjoy Arizona's scenic natural beauty. While Sedona is a popular getaway in its own right, many travelers choose to visit Red Rock State Park on a day trip from Phoenix. A typical Jeep tour through the area will include the park, as well as Chapel of the Holy Cross and Bell Rock. Some itineraries also take visitors to Montezuma Castle or Tuzigoot national monuments.

The Red Rock State Park is located on the western end of Sedona and is about one hour south of Flagstaff. The easiest way to visit is to join a guided tour from Sedona or Phoenix or drive yourself.

The park is open daily throughout the year, with extended hours during the summer months (mid May to late August). The best time to visit is in spring (March to May) when temperatures are warm but not baking and desert wildflowers are in bloom.

This state park’s trail system comprises 10 developed trails covering some five miles (eight kilometers). The Eagle’s Nest Loop takes visitors to the highest point in the park, while the Javelina Trail passes through serene piñon and juniper woodlands. Those looking for a longer hike can tackle the Lime Kiln Trail, a 15-mile (24-kilometer) shared-use trail connecting Red Rock State Park to nearby Dead Horse Ranch State Park.

Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a music venue unlike any other—a sandstone stadium forged by the elements and blessed with natural acoustics. Many musicians have taken to this stage, and when shows are in town, Red Rocks can host over 9,500 concertgoers, all in for a treat beyond the music: stellar views of the natural Colorado landscape.

Red Rocks Park is an easy day trip from Denver, and there’s plenty to do even when a concert isn’t scheduled. Visitors can tour the museum and visitor center, shop for souvenirs, and check out the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, while hikers can hit the 6-mile (9.6-kilometer) Red Rocks Loop Trail, which showcases sweeping views of the concert venue in all its glory. To see more of the surrounding Rocky Mountains foothills, visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre on a small-group or private tour from Denver and explore nearby highlights such as Lookout Mountain, Bear Creek Canyon, and the charming mountain town of Evergreen. Or, get a taste of both city and nature by combining your Red Rocks visit with a Denver city tour. Whether you choose to explore on your own or with a guide, you don’t want to miss the epic scenery of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain wilderness.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre lies in the foothills of the Rockies, roughly 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of downtown Denver. The Red Rocks visitor and help center, located on Alameda Parkway in Morrison, is open daily and provides additional information for getting around.

Summer is the warmest and most popular time to visit. Spring and fall visitors find slightly cooler temperatures and bargain rates, with autumn visitors getting the opportunity to see the mountains speckled with colorful foliage. Some hotels and attractions may close in winter when temperatures drop and the area gets snowy. To avoid crowds, visit Red Rocks Park in the early morning—hiking trails are open from one hour before sunrise until one hour before sunset. The Red Rocks Loop Trail is open year-round.

For more than 100 years, this sandstone outdoor venue has been world-renowned for its natural beauty and stunning acoustics. Some of the world’s largest musical acts have performed here, including legends such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Fleetwood Mac, plus opera singer Mary Garden, U2, and Rush. From the way the sunlight reflects off the sandstone just before sunset to the way the twin, 300-foot (91-meter) rocks behind the stage perfectly capture sound, there’s a level of magic here that borders on the surreal.

Saint John’s Reversing Falls are a natural phenomenon caused by the tides of Canada’s Bay of Fundy, which can differ in height by an astonishing 50 feet (15 meters) at certain times of the year. The huge incoming tides force back the flow of Saint John River, creating white-water-tinged whirlpools, waves, and rapids, before reversing in the opposite direction.

 

The Reversing Falls, aka Reversing Rapids, can be seen from the riverside Fallsview Park. Visitors can also view the falls from a zipline suspended below the busy Reversing Falls Bridge. Reversing Falls Rapids Tourist Centre screens a 13-minute film explaining the phenomenon; it also has a rooftop viewing platform and Skywalk, with transparent viewing panels underfoot.

 

Guided shore excursions and organized tours around New Brunswick commonly stop at Reversing Falls, as well as at other local points of interest, such as the historic fishing village of St. Martins, the fertile Kingston Peninsula, and New Brunswick wineries, and other attractions in Saint John, like Saint John’s Old City Market. Multiday tours of The Maritimes sometimes stop at Reversing Falls, too.

 

 

The best way to get to Reversing Falls, located on Bridge Road in Saint John, is by car or organized tour. If you’re driving from Saint John, head west along Chelsea Drive. The journey takes less than 10 minutes, and you’ll find the visitor center on the far side of Reversing Falls Bridge.

 

The best time to visit is dependent on the tides. In between tidal extremes, Reversing Falls Rapids are calm and still. Time your visit to coincide with high or low tide during full and harvest moons; this is when tides are at their most extreme. The Skywalk and restaurants are open year-round. Ziplining takes place daily throughout July and August, and on select dates in June, September, and October.

 

Despite the falls’ urban setting, there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen. During rising tide, harbor seals can often be spotted hunting the fish that have been pushed upriver, while birdlife, including cormorants and gulls, often circle the skies above the rapids.

Ewald Reif founded this classic Niagara-on-the-Lake estate in 1977 and the popular winery known for sweet ice wine and bold Cabs opened to the public just five years later. Since then, locals and travelers have been gathering to sip glasses of red and white inside its historic coach house. The Reif Estate’s wines have also received dozens of national and international awards.

Travelers who want to sample the flavors of Reif Estate have a number of options to choose from, but perhaps one of the best experiences is the Annual Harvest BBQ that blends food, drink and fun with the Niagara Wine Festival kick off each September. Tastings are available daily, including a sensory wine option, that includes blind taste testing and optional chocolate pairings. Group options are available for larger parties, too.

Visitors can tour the vineyards on their own, or take a comprehensive tour of multiple estates by bus or bike. Foodies can opt for wine pairings and gourmet meals alongside Niagara-on-the-Lake’s famous wines.

Rainbow Falls create a rare instance where a Hawaiian name and an English name actually mean the same thing. Known to Hawaiians as waianuenue, the name is a reference to the arcing rainbows that can be seen in the waterfall’s mist. The image, it seems, is a natural occurrence of such beauty and wonder that it transcends linguistic lines, and today the waterfall is one of the most popular attractions when visiting the town of Hilo.

Only 50 yards from a paved parking lot in Wailuku River State Park, a large viewing area provides the best platform for gazing out at the falls. To see the waterfall’s namesake rainbow, visit the falls around 10 a.m. when the angle of light is just right. Behind the falls, a large cave forms the home of Hina—the mythological Hawaiian god who gave birth to the demigod Maui—and the turquoise pool and surrounding rain forest are the trademark photo of paradise. 

The main hub of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market has attracted locals and visitors alike for nearly 200 years. The historic food hall located within a Greek Revival-style building is packed with more than 50 shops, 14 restaurants, and 40 food court stops—plus stalls and pushcarts selling everything from exotic coffee to fresh seafood and artisanal bread. 

There’s no better way to experience this marketplace than to grab a bite at one of Quincy Market’s many restaurants or food stalls. Stop by on a hop-on, hop-off bus or trolley tour and watch street performers execute acrobatic and musical feats at the historic Faneuil Hall, sit in the rotunda while enjoying a cup of coffee, or step outside to soak up sunshine and enjoy the festive street atmosphere. 

Visit on a narrated coach or city bike tour and let a guide show you the best hidden spots, or delve into Boston’s past on a Freedom Trail history tour. Because of its central location, Quincy Market is also an excellent jumping-off point for visiting other nearby attractions such as the New England Aquarium, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Public Garden, and Museum of Fine Arts.

The public market is centrally located in downtown Boston, next to the Financial District, the waterfront, and the North End. Limited parking is available nearby and some marketplace vendors offer validation coupons. The easiest way to get to Quincy Market is via the subway, also known as “the T.” Take the blue line to Aquarium/Faneuil Hall; the green line to Haymarket, North Station, Park Street, or Government Center; the orange line to State Street or Haymarket; or the red line to Park Street.

Quincy Market is open year-round. Summer, fall, and springtime visitors can enjoy outdoor seating, and the weather can be ideal for walking and bike tours. Winter visitors can cozy up indoors and see seasonal events such as ice sculpture contests and holiday light shows. 

Boston is packed with attractions and historic sites from America’s revolutionary past. Besides being a historic destination in itself, Quincy Market is located on the city’s famed Freedom Trail, within walking distance of the Old State House, Boston Common, Beacon Hill, and numerous museums.