Things to Do in North America

Shoreline Park is a 15 acre coastal park west of Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara, CA. It is a popular place to come for picnics and has individual picnic tables, a group picnic area, barbeques, park benches, a playground, sidewalks, and stairs that access the beach. Many people also come here to walk, jog, roller blade, and play Frisbee. The park offers spectacular views of the Santa Barbara coastline, the city itself, the Channel Islands, and the Santa Ynez Mountains. If you're lucky, you might even see some whales or dolphins. 

Mesa Beach, which is connected to Shoreline Park, is narrow and rocky, and it is often covered due to the tides, especially during the winter months. During the winter, the waves often crash against the cliffs which has been eroding the shoreline. During the summer, there is more packed sand and the beach sees more visitors. Free parking lots are located near the park. 

The jungle-clad Sierra Madre mountains stretch along Mexico’s western coast from Santa Cruz to Arizona. In this wilderness escape you can trek through the forest, discover off-the-beaten-path villages, and experience outdoor adventures such as ziplining and rappelling. 

Puerto Vallarta, where the mountains separate the coast from inland Guadalajara, is a common jumping-off point for Sierra Madre tours. Excursions to the Sierra Madres offer varied opportunities for exploration, whether you want to hike, zipline, raft the river, speed through jungle paths on an ATV or mountain bike, or explore hidden villages and cultural sites. Longer combination tours allow you to experience multiple activities in one day, and some tours visit Puerto Vallarta’s beaches en route to the mountains. Private tours are available for a personalized experience. 

The town of Puerto Vallarta lies on Mexico’s western coast and is bordered by the Sierra Madre jungle. Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport is located roughly 15 minutes by road from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Most Sierra Madre tours include transportation into the mountains, while independent travelers get there by taxi or rental car. 

The area is most crowded between January and March, when whale watching off the coast of Puerto Vallarta is at its best. Visit between April and June for mild weather and fewer crowds. 

Swim and snorkel in the Marietas Islands, go sailing on Banderas Bay, take surf lessons in nearby Sayulita and Punta Mita, or look for humpback whales and dolphins. When you’ve had your fill of water sports, experience Puerto Vallarta’s food and drink culture on a tequila tasting or food walking tour, during which you can sample fresh seafood, tacos, and other regional specialties.

Wondering where to take your kids in Las Vegas during the day? Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat—a mini zoo of dolphins and exotic big cats right on the Strip—may be just the ticket. Located at the Mirage Hotel and Casino, where famed Vegas magicians Siegfried and Roy ran their famous animal show from 1989 to 2003, the attraction allows visitors to wander through tropically landscaped grounds to water areas, home to a small pod of bottle-nose dolphins, and the Secret Garden, which houses leopards, panthers, white lions, and rare white tigers—both solid white tigers and white tigers with black stripes.

If you’re into American cars (or cars at all, really), it doesn’t get much better than Shelby American, the brainchild of racecar driver Carroll Shelby. The specialty car manufacturer is behind an ultimate American classic, the AC Cobra, and has churned out premier performance car versions of Mustangs and others. And now fans can check out many of the company’s creations during a visit to Las Vegas’s Shelby American Museum.

While the museum is open — and for free! — every day of the week, it is from Monday through Saturday that no-reservation-required guided tours are available. During the visit, you can learn more about the company’s history and founder, visit the gift shop, and get up close to many of the cars, including classic Mustangs, the very first Shelby Cobra, and more recent productions. 

Cabo San Lucas may be known for its beaches, but the seaside town also offers adventure options that involve more land than sea. The Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, with its abundant oak and pine forests, is a rugged escape for those looking to explore the great outdoors. The Tropic of Cancer dissects the range; in other words, the area is tropical, but its elevation helps keep it relatively cool.

This Baja California mountain range offers a wealth of hiking, backpacking, canyoneering, climbing, and bouldering activities to satisfy even the most ardent outdoors enthusiast. Picacho de la Laguna is considered the range’s highest peak at 7,090 feet (2,161 meters), and many travelers come to hike its slopes. Guided hikes through the Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere Reserve are considered challenging by some; if you can swing it, you’ll enjoy an up-close look at the region’s flora and fauna.

Located just north of Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range is accessible by car; simply head north on Highway 1, which encircles the mountain range, to reach the trailheads. Picacho de la Laguna is where most day trips and multi-day treks take place. Tours typically offer round-trip transportation from Todos Santos and San Jose del Cabo.

The most popular months to hike the mountain range are between November and early spring. Hurricane season can hit in August and continue into November, which is when the mountains experience heavy rains, so plan accordingly. Also, temperatures can drop below freezing at night in winter. Overall, in order to beat the heat, arrive early in the morning for the most enjoyable hiking conditions.

Located on the Pacific coast of the peninsula, about 45 miles (73 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos serves as a starting point for many tours of the Sierra de La Laguna mountain range. The beach village is known as a hotspot for artists, craftsmen, surfers, and travelers looking for a little magic, as it’s the only “Pueblo Magíco” in Baja.

Situated in heart of what many call the “true Everglades”—a river of grass that stretches 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico—Shark Valley is part of a freshwater ecosystem with incredible biodiversity. It’s one of the best places in Everglades National Park to spot alligators, birds, and other wildlife.

 

Visitors start their explorations at the Shark Valley Visitor Center to learn more about local ecology. A 15-mile (24-kilometer) paved loop circles through the area and is open to cyclists and pedestrians. One of the most popular ways to explore the area (and cover more ground than you could on foot) is via a guided tram tour. During this 2-hour excursion, visitors can spot wildlife while learning about the wetlands from an onboard naturalist guide.

 

 

Because there is no public transportation to Shark Valley, the best way to get there is to join a guided tour with round-trip transportation, or to drive yourself. The visitor’s center is located along Highway 41, 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of the Florida Turnpike.

 

The Shark Valley entrance to Everglades National Park is open daily from 8:30am to 6pm, even though the park itself is open 24 hours a day. The best time to spot wildlife is during the dry season (November to March); this is also when visitors will find the biggest variety of ranger-led programming.

 

Shark Valley may seem like an odd name for an area of wetlands best known for alligators. This area of the park, added in 1989, is actually named after the Shark River Slough: the very river of grass that makes the Everglades so famous. The water of the Shark River comes primarily from Lake Okeechobee, and since there’s water in the area even in the dry season, animals tend to congregate here.

Tucked away from the main areas of the city, San Francisco's Seward Street Slides are a bit of hidden gem. Built in the 1960s by a local teenager for neighborhood kids, the two parallel slides are formed in concrete running down one of San Francisco's famous hills. The community garden and mini-park was up for redevelopment when locals protested the change. A 14-year-old girl designed the slides in a competition, and the space was officially converted into a park in 1973.

Some bring their own cardboard for the ride, but others find discarded pieces next to the slides that make the journey down a bit smoother. From the top of the slides, be sure to pause and enjoy the views of the city and the bay. A sign reads "no adults unless accompanied by children" to mark the park’s original intent.

Set in California’s Napa Valley, the Silverado Trail is a historic country road that runs parallel to Highway 29. Between Napa in the south and Calistoga in the north, travelers will find roughly 40 vineyards dotting this 30-mile (48-kilometer) trek, with wineries famous for their big-bodied red wines and cabernet sauvignons. 

The Silverado Trail is a highlight of Napa and Sonoma Wine Country, with prestigious wineries such as Joseph Phelps, ZD Wines, Stag’s Leap, and the Miner Family. Many guided tours of the Silverado Trail include round-trip transportation from San Francisco, allowing you to enjoy multiple tastings without the necessity of driving. Bicycle tours are also available for travelers looking for exercise, fresh air, and views of Napa Valley’s rolling hills. Some tours include a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train, while private tours allow you to choose your own itinerary. 

The Silverado Trail runs along the eastern edge of Napa Valley and passes through Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and ends in Calistoga. The winding country road can be a challenging drive, especially for out of town visitors, so a guided tour is the best bet for travelers who want to enjoy multiple tastings.

Hours for winery tours and tastings vary by winery; most boutique, small-production wineries are by appointment only, so it’s best to call ahead. Fall is harvest time and the entire Napa region runs special events during this busy time, with crowds and lines to match, so planning ahead is key. Grape picking starts in August and runs through late September; visiting right after the “crush” (harvest) is over is a great option.

Napa Valley starts the “crush” period by picking grapes for sparkling and white wines in August, while red wine grapes are picked and processed in September and later into the fall. By mid-October, the pace has slowed down a bit and the valley smells like fermenting wine.

To call Shannon Falls spectacular is an understatement. The falls plunge 1,100 feet (335 meters), making it the third tallest in British Columbia, and it’s right on the edge of the Sea to Sky Highway. It’s also just a stone’s throw from Howe Sound, too, making this small Provincial Park one of the most popular stops along the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler.

Cover those camera lenses while exploring the base of the waterfalls, especially in the spring and fall when water levels are at their highest, as mist from the waterfalls almost always soaks the boardwalk trail that winds through old growth forest beneath the falls.

The newest attraction at Shannon Falls is the Sea to Sky Gondola, which carries visitors high above the valley floor for stunning views. For more adventurous visitors, Shannon Falls is also the trailhead for a challenging 6.2-mile (10-km round-trip hike to the top of the Stawamus Chief. Expect to see plenty of avid climbers, too, as the Chief (as it’s known locally) is one of Canada’s premier rock climbing areas. From the summit, the views of Squamish, Howe Sounds and the surrounding coastal mountains are absolutely stunning, and it's also possible to see the summits of Mt Habrich and Mt Sky Pilot, which are the sources of Shannon Falls.

With its ruby red seats and classic main stage, the Showroom at the D Las Vegas is one of the city’s premier theaters. Having undergone extensive renovations, the showroom has both historic touches and modern updates. It is home to the longest running show in Las Vegas history, “Marriage Can Be Murder,” a murder mystery dinner show with a comedic twist. Actors are strategically placed within the audience, making for a highly interactive and entertaining evening.

The D Las Vegas is the former site of Fitzgerald’s Hotel and Casino, and it’s right at the center of the excitement of the entertainment district on East Fremont Street. The hotel’s D Bar and Longbar both offer views of the surrounding area, and are a great place to pop in for a drink before or after a show in the theater. There are also a variety of both formal and casual restaurants in the hotel, though a three-course meal is served with the “Marriage Can Be Murder” performances.

In 1860, the Civil War came to Gettysburg, Penn., changing the lives of the town's citizens forever. The stories of the townspeople are told at the Shriver House Museum, a restored home occupied by the Shriver family during the Battle of Gettysburg. George and Hattie Shriver, along with their daughters Sadie and Mollie, lived in a house that provided the Confederate Army a clear view of the Union forces. The house was occupied throughout the battle, and today, the home has been restored to its original condition and is open to the public as a museum. 

Stepping into the Shriver House Museum is akin to stepping back into 19th-century America. Actors in era-specific garb represent the townspeople of the time, and tours offer insight into how the Shriver family lived. The site is filled with artifacts of the family and other citizens in Gettysburg. Some of the most interesting findings have included Civil War medical supplies, ammunition and children's toys and clothes—thought to have belonged to the Shriver children. The museum offers a fascinating perspective into the civilian aspect of the Battle of Gettysburg. 

Among the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world, the Shrine of Guadalupe atop Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City honors the legendary 16th-century appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, a local peasant. The shrine, also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), is devoted to the patron saint of Mexico.

Two basilicas now stand at the Shrine of Guadalupe—the Old Basilica (1709) and the New Basilica (1976), which houses Juan Diego’s cloak with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Visitors can also climb the steps to the Capilla del Cerrito, the original hill chapel built on the site of Juan Diego’s vision. Many full-day tours combine a visit to the shrine with a tour of Teotihuacan.

 

The Shrine of Guadalupe is located in the La Villa neighborhood in northern Mexico City. To get there, take metro Line 6 to La Villa Basilica, a few blocks from the shrine, or any number of city buses.

With thousands of daily visitors, the Shrine of Guadalupe is always busy, so arrive early to avoid the crowds. The most atmospheric time to visit is on December 12 for the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, when the shrine is the epicenter of countrywide celebrations including parades, special masses, and firework displays.

According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin in December 1531. In his vision, the apparition was a teenage girl who asked the recently baptized Aztec in his native Nahuatl to build a shrine in her honor on Tepeyac Hill. When the Spanish priests refused to believe Juan Diego's tale, she gave him a sign: roses in December. And when he gathered the flowers up in his cloak, her image miraculously appeared on it. Today, Juan Diego’s tilma (cloak) is on display at the Basilica of Guadalupe, and December 12 marks one of Mexico’s holiest celebrations.

Sidney, British Columbia, is often called Sidney-by-the-Sea, and it’s an appropriate name. The town is flanked by Haro Strait, which flows directly into the greater Salish Sea. Most of the town’s attractions are either on the water itself or related to it.

Bird watching, whale watching, kayaking and scuba diving are all popular throughout the entire region. The town is also the gateway community to the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. This small park reserve protects a representative sample of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands, considered one of the most ecologically at risk natural regions in southern Canada.

The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre, a not-for-profit aquarium and marine education complex focusing on the Salish Sea ecosystem, is located near the Sidney Pier, while both the Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary and Sidney Channel Important Bird Area are located nearby. Sidney is also the only Canadian port of call for the Washington State ferry system. Ferries run to and from Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.

As a theme park that seems to have frozen in time, the family friendly Silver Dollar City has dozens of rides, live shows, and festivals for visitors to choose from. There’s everything from steam trains to wooden roller coasters, alongside a massive natural cave and historic log cabins. The park is inspired by 19th century Ozark life, and the historic details come to life. 

The live shows also have range — visitors can see a Bluegrass concert, a horse show, theatrical dancing, and circus acrobatics in the same day. Other available activities include midwestern cooking classes, unique shopping and dining, and demonstrated crafts, along with seasonal celebrations such as the National Harvest and Cowboy Festival. 

Over 100 craftsmen on site preserve traditions such as glass blowing, candle making, candy making, ceramics, wood carving, and blacksmithing that all date back to the 1880s. With so many activity options, there truly is something for everyone at the park.

It may be best known for its fall colors, but there’s something to love during every season at Shenandoah National Park. During winter, the park glistens when covered in snow and ice. Spring means wildflowers, and in the summer, the park’s elevation calls for cooler temperatures. But regardless of the time of year, visitors should expect to see wildlife. More than 50 species of mammals live in Shenandoah, and although they do a good job remaining hidden, the park has one of the densest populations of black bears within the United States.

White-tailed deer are frequently seen along Skyline Drive, the scenic roadway that runs through the park, which is in total 105 miles long, running from the Front Royal (North) Entrance Station to the Rockfish Gap (South) Entrance Station in the Waynesboro-Charlottesville area. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park, but with 75 overlooks, your time results may vary. The speed limit on Skyline Drive is 35 mph, and mile markers are used to help visitors locate places along the way.

With more than 500 miles of hiking trails (some of which include waterfalls), be sure to spend some time out of your car. The park is also one of just a few that allows leashed pets on most trails. There is an assortment of lodging choices available in the park, ranging from hotel-style rooms to cabins. There are also four campgrounds, and while backcountry camping is allowed, a free permit is required.

A guided tour of Shangri La is unlike anything else on Oahu, where the sun and sand of tropical beaches are swapped for the lavish, luxurious world of heiress Doris Duke. Here on the slopes of Diamond Head, Duke designed a soaring mansion of exquisite Islamic design—inspired by her travels in 1935 through much of the Islamic world. Over a span of nearly 60 years, Duke continued her epic travels through Iran, Egypt, and Morocco, and housed the art she’d find on her travels right here at Shangri La. Today the Islamic Art Collection includes over 2,500 pieces from across the Islamic world, and introduces visitors to cultures and styles not normally found in the tropics. On a guided tour of Shangri La, visit inside the historic home that faces out toward the ocean, and hear as docents discuss the details of archways, tile work, sculptures, and fountains that form a sense of Islamic exoticism just minutes from Waikiki. Hear tales from the life of a legendary traveler and “richest girl in the world,” who scoured the world for artistic riches and brought them here to her home.

New York City is known for its arts and culture and Midtown Manhattan is recognized as the hub for theatergoers who want to catch live performances of some of Broadway’s biggest shows. Since 1913, the Shubert Theatre has been showcasing some of the neighborhood’s (and the world’s!) top musicals and plays, including A Chorus Line, Chicago, and Crazy for You. In addition to serving as the stage for numerous shows, the Shubert has also been home to the annual Tony Awards, which recognizes the efforts of cast and crew for Broadway Shows. 

Although travelers will need tickets to a show to actually check out the theater’s interior, visitors can still step inside the lobby and admire this Broadway gem from outside during a tour of Times Square.

Situated just west of downtown, Shelter Island is connected to the mainland by a thin sliver of land — but feels like worlds away. Ships and yachts bobbing in the colorful marina characterize the quaint seaside village, known also for its serene parks, buzzing food scene, and outdoor events. Toward the end of the island sits the historic Yokohama Friendship Bell, given as a gift by San Diego’s sister city of Yokohama, Japan. 

Many nautical adventures launch from here, attracting sailors, sea-loving explorers, and marine animal lovers. Travelers flock to Shelter Island for sea cruises, featuring dolphin watching, sea lion scouting, and yacht gazing. Stay awhile and relax at one of the island’s many hotels or resorts, or bask in the sunshine during summer Concerts By The Bay.