Things to Do in North America

At the turn of the 19th century in Merida, the henequen plant—a type of agave—was such an important producer of textiles that locals would call it “green gold.” All of that changed when the textile industry evolved toward synthetic fibers, but on a visit to Sotuta de Peon Hacienda, on Merida’s southern outskirts, you can journey back to the golden era was henequen was king. Tour an historic, grandiose plantation home that was built with henequen dollars, before visiting the mill to watch as plants are processed into fibers. The equipment used has been pieced together from farms across the Yucatan, and is a way to preserve the traditional methods of henequen production and harvest. Learn how the fiber is woven to make rope, or spun into high quality yarn, before bouncing around on a mule-driven truck like plantation workers of old. Having worked up a sweat on the hacienda, cool off with a dip in the hidden cenotes, allowing the cool, alkaline-rich waters to rejuvenate your senses. You can also enjoy a traditional meal that’s prepared at the hacienda restaurant, and truly cap off an enchanting day of Yucatan history and culture.

The Soumaya Museum (Museo Soumaya) is more than just another art museum in Mexico—it is home to the incredibly impressive $700 million private collection of one of the world’s wealthiest men. Like a roster of history’s most influential artists, names such as Da Vinci, van Gogh and Matisse inhabit the halls, along with works from Monet, El Greco, Picasso, Dalí and Tintoretto. Lovers of Rodin will take delight in the collection of the artist's sculptures, which is the largest set found outside of France. On par with the world’s most prominent museums, Soumaya is unlike anything else of its kind in Latin America—the towering building itself is a shimmering work of art.

Stretching 150 feet (45 meters) above street level, the building sparkles with 16,000 honeycombed, aluminum hexagons, which reflect sunlight and appear to float. While Plaza Carso in the Polanco neighborhood is the museum’s main location, an older, second location at Plaza Loreto dates back to 1994. Between the two, the volume of art is staggering, offering Avant-Garde classics among its hundreds of sculptures. Thanks to its stunning design, the museum is often included in Mexico City's architecture tours.

Miami's South Beach neighborhood features 10 miles (16 km) of beaches with a buzzing, carnival-like atmosphere. With a trendy Caribbean-chic cafe culture and an impossibly hip and sexy nightlife scene, the area is a non-stop people-watching mecca, especially on Ocean Drive, where you'll find the popular stretch of sand at Lummus Park Beach. Another main highlight is the set of pastel-hued structures on Collins Avenue in the Art Deco District, home to the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world. Head to lovely Lincoln Road to shop, or wander the beach promenade between Fifth and Fifteenth streets.

Located next to the Financial District where Fulton Street meets the East River, South Street Seaport is a historic neighborhood known for its attractions, shopping, restaurants, nightlife and harbor views. In the summer, locals flock to the area to have beers and frozen margaritas on the pier as well as catch the water taxis and ferries to sites like the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and Governors Island from Pier 16. Browse the many shops like Victoria’s Secret, Britches of New York, The Body Shop and Filmline Gallery. You can also get to know the area’s rich sea commerce history through the Seaport Museum, as well as ships docked at Pier 17 that act as living museums. For dinner and drinks, simply hop along the many venues on Pier 17 or head to Beekman Beer Garden, which offers a full menu, refreshing beers and close-up views of the Brooklyn Bridge.