Choose from 2,014 Fun Things to Do in Usa
ShowingFilter 1541-1560 of 2014 listings.
Telfair Museum of Art
Tucked away in picturesque historic downtown Savannah, the Telfair Museum of Art holds the distinction of being the first public art museum in the American South. Architecturally crafted in Regency style, this 19th century mansion is actually one of three museums within several blocks of each other that together constitute the Telfair Museum of Art. These include: the Telfair Academy mansion/gallery, the Owens-Thomas house, and the brand new Jepson Center for the Arts. The Telfair Museum and its neighboring mansions are great examples of the historic architecture that Savannah is known for, and the new Jepson Center is a stunning architectural feat in its own, modern right. With holdings of over 4,000 pieces of German Impressionist and American French paintings, as well as a fine collection of Savannah-made silver and an interior that harkens back to its 19th century glory days, the Telfair Museum of Art is a splendid stop in the heart of downtown Savannah.
Practical Info
The Telfair Museum of Art is open daily, last admittance is at 4:00 p.m.
Address: 121 Barnard St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun-Mon 12pm - 5pm. Thursdays the museum is open until 8pm.
Admission: Adults: $20
From $ 20
Tenement Museum
In an 1863 tenement building, the captivating Tenement Museum provides insights into the hardscrabble lives of newly arrived immigrant families in New York City’s Lower East Side during the 19th and 20th centuries. Guided tours demonstrate the challenges newcomers to America faced and show how migrants helped shape the area.
The Basics
The Tenement Museum can be visited only as part of a guided tour. Tours fall into three categories: tours of restored and re-created tenement buildings and businesses, neighborhood walking tours, and tours led by costumed interpreters portraying former residents. All tours begin at the visitor center, where a video provides some background information on the tenements and the people who lived in them. For a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience, opt for a private guided tour that includes a cruise around the Statue of Liberty, a trip to Ellis Island, and a walking tour of the formerly immigrant-heavy Lower East Side and East Village neighborhoods. The Tenement Museum also features on some food-focused neighborhood tours that show the big influence multiethnic inhabitants have had on local cuisine.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most guided museum tours last one to two hours.
- Some tours require participants to climb several flights of stairs so are not accessible to wheelchair users.
- Tours often sell out, so book in advance to ensure a spot on your preferred date and tour.
How to Get There
While the tenement building is at 97 Orchard Street, all tours begin and end at the visitor center at 103 Orchard Street. The nearest subway stops are Delancey Street (F train), Essex Street (J, M, and Z), and Grand Street (B and D), all of which are within five minutes’ walking distance of the museum.
When to Get There
The Tenement Museum is very popular and tours frequently sell out during summer, so it’s best to book in advance. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour’s start time so you can check in and store your bags. Allow more time if you want to watch the 30-minute movie at the visitor center before the tour.
How to Choose a Tenement Museum Tour
Hard Times, a building tour that encompasses tours of two apartments—one belonging to the German-Jewish Gumpertz family and the other to the Italian-Catholic Baldizzi family—provides a captivating introduction to life in the tenements, while Irish Outsiders follows the Moore family as they prepare for St. Patrick’s Day in 1869. For children 5 years old and under, Meet Victoria Confino—an interactive tour with a costumed guide—is recommended. Shop Life, a tour that focuses on immigrant businesses, is the only wheelchair-accessible tour to enter 97 Orchard Street.
Address: 103 Orchard St, New York, NY 1002, USA
Hours: Fri - Wed: 10:00am - 6:30pm, Thurs: 10am - 8:30pm; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day.
Admission: Tour prices vary.
From $ 38
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is the world’s only living Native American community that has been designated both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. Taos Pueblo is a sovereign nation with its own government, with the inhabitants speaking English, Spanish, and the native language (Tiwa). Tourism is an important part of the Pueblo’s economy and visitors are welcomed. This settlement in northern New Mexico, which was established in the late 13th and early 14th century, consists of ceremonial structures and multi-storied adobe homes built into terraced tiers. The entire pueblo is made from adobe, and the roofs are made of large timbers that have been hauled in from the forests. Some of the buildings are as tall as five stories. Although at places it looks like one large single building, the Pueblo is made up of individual homes that are built next to (and on top of) each other. Taos Pueblo has been continuously inhabited since its creation, and is the largest of the existing Native American pueblo communities. Around 150 people live full time in the pueblo, with other families that are part of the community living in more modern homes outside the ancient walls but still on Pueblo land.
Practical Info
Taos Pueblo is located just outside of Taos, New Mexico. The nearest international airport is 135 miles away in Albuquerque. Visitors are asked to maintain an attitude of respect toward the inhabitants that live in the pueblo, and not to enter any buildings that aren’t clearly designated as businesses. Visitors must ask tribal members before taking their picture and pay a fee for photography. Visitors are prohibited from entering the river or the cemetery, and from taking photographs in San Geronimo Chapel. The Pueblo is usually open to visitors every day, except when tribal rituals close the Pueblo. The Pueblo is also closed for about ten weeks between late winter and early spring.
Address: 120 Veterans Highway, Taos, New Mexico 87571, USA
Hours: Opening hours: Open Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Sundays 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults $16, Students and groups of 8 or more $14, Children younger than 10 visit free
From $ 81
Superstition Mountains
Located in Central Arizona’s Tonto National Forest -- within an hour of Phoenix -- the rugged 160,000 acre (64,750 hectare) Superstition Mountain Range is one of the state’s best hiking, rock climbing and outdoor activity attractions, especially for those with a true sense of adventure. Some popular treks in the Superstition Mountains include Miner’s Needle, Weaver’s Needle, Cave Trail and Peralta Canyon Trail (Peralta Canyon Area) and Treasure Loop Trail, Siphon Draw Trail and The Hand (Lost Dutchman Area). Those wanting to enjoy otherworldly desert scenery will love the mountain’s hoodoos and curving canyons, formed by volcanic eruptions that occurred over 15 million years ago.
Superstition Mountains is an apt name for the range, as it’s home to a number of legends. Its history dates back 9,000 years, with some of its many inhabitants including the Apache Indians, Spanish explorers, Mexican gold miners and American trappers. One story is of the “Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine,” about a man named Jacob Waltz (aka the Lost Dutchman) who supposedly knew where the world’s richest mine was -- somewhere in the Superstition Mountains -- and kept the secret even after he died in 1891. Additionally, Apache Indians believed there was a hole in the mountain that led to hell.
An interesting related attraction is the Superstition Mountain Museum in Apache Junction, where visitors can peruse artifacts, historical treasures and folklore objects from the Superstition Mountains and surrounding area. You’ll also find the Elvis Memorial Chapel, a chapel and movie museum showing films made at Apacheland. The museum is open 9am to 4pm daily (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). Admission is $5 per adult, $4 for seniors 55 and over, and free for youths 17 and younger with a paid adult.
Practical Info
As the Superstition Mountains are located in the desert, it’s important to bring extra water, sunscreen and layers -- especially ones that can keep you cool -- to be prepared for the weather. The best time to visit is considered October through April, when the heat is less intense. There are two main areas when visiting (although these aren’t your only options): Peralta Canyon Area, located on Peralta Road off Highway 60, and Lost Dutchman State Park off Highway 88 toward Canyon Lake.
Address: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
From $ 137
Tennessee Aquarium
Home to more than 12,000 animals representing almost 800 species, the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a non-profit public aquarium. Because of its location on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, the aquarium offers a unique ‘river journey,’ which follows the life cycle of a single raindrop flowing from a mountaintop stream, to a creek, to a lazy river, and finally joining the ocean. Along the river journey exhibits offer a closer look at the habitats found along the route, beginning with an ‘Appalachian Cove Forest’ and finishing with ‘Seahorses: Beyond Imagination.’
There’s also an ‘ocean journey’ for guests to participate in. You can even pet several different stingray species! ‘Stingray Bay,’ where more than 100 feet of shoreline is filled with lush flowers and greenery, birdsong, and waterfalls, is the aquarium’s largest touch station. There’s also a butterfly garden with exotic flowers and hundreds of free-flying butterflies. The aquarium is home to otters, penguins, colorful frogs, turtles, and fish galore — including sharks.
Practical Info
The Tennessee Aquarium, consistently rated one of the nation’s top aquariums, has two buildings to explore: River Journey, with local and global freshwater habitats; and Ocean Journey, with exhibits featuring critters from the Gulf of Mexico to the South Pole. Admission includes both buildings, with in-and-out privileges. The average visit length is 2.5 hours.
Address: 1 Broad St, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA 37402, USA
Hours: Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm
Admission: Adults: $29.95; Children: $18.50
From $ 24
Surfing Goat Dairy
Fresh cheese fans will love this working farm’s Island-take on a traditional goat dairy on the slopes of Haleakala. Pens near the entrance underscore its unusual name—happy kids and off-duty does climb on a playground of elevated and colorful old surfboards. In total, Surfing Goat Dairy’s 42 acres are home to more than a hundred Swiss Saanen and French alpine goats that provide milk daily, the basis for fresh cheese and all-natural goat’s milk products created onsite.
Started by German expats and supported by a crew of workers that includes a regular rotation of college-aged goat farming interns, Surfing Goat Dairy runs short daily tours of its milking operation and three room dairy. Tour-goers can feed alfalfa to baby goats and will receive a brief overview of the cheese-making process and the equipment used to pasteurize, ripen and form the cheese. Tours include tastings from a selection of their 30 goat cheese flavors such as “Rolling Green” made with garlic and chives and “Purple Rain” made with Maui lavender. In addition to their small gift shop, which also sells soaps, truffles and t-shirts featuring the farm’s happy ungulates, fans will be comforted in the fact that that hotels, shops and restaurants throughout the Islands and as far away as New York, Pennsylvania, Las Vegas and Phoenix import and feature their cheeses.
Practical Info
The Surfing Goat Diary is located at 3651 Omaopio Road in Kula. They are open from 9 a.m. til 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. til 2 p.m. Sundays. General 20-minute tours are led on demand between 10 and 3:30 Monday through Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays for $12 adults and $8 children. Other tours including the “Evening Chores and Milking Tours” and 2-hour “Grand Dairy” experience require advance reservation.
Address: 3651 Omaopio Rd,, Kula, Hawaii 96790, USA
Hours: Open from 9 a.m. til 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. til 2 p.m. Sundays. General 20-minute tours are led on demand between 10 and 3:30 Monday-Saturday and between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Admission: $12 for adults and $8 for children
From $ 750
Symphony Hall
Boston’s beautiful symphony hall is widely considered one of the premier classical music venues in the United States. Adored with Greek and Roman statues and gilded ceilings, the hall is known for its beautiful interior as well as its superb acoustics. It is home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated.
The walls of the stage even slope down to increase the quality of the sound in the giant concert hall. Every detail was created or modified to enhance the acoustics, which makes for a phenomenal listening experience. The hall also contains an impressive 4,800-pipe organ.
With its exterior lined with columns and classical design, the hall obtained status as US National Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Past performances have included the works of classic composers such as Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Brahmns, and more.
Practical Info
The Boston Symphony Hall is accessible by car via Highway 93, or from the Heath Street/Brigham Circle "E" Green Line train’s Symphony stop. Attire is typically semi-formal, formal, or business. The hall is open from 10 am to 6 pm though performance times vary. Tours of the public areas of the structure are available by reservation.
Address: 301 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, Massachusetts, USA 02115, USA
Hours: Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
Admission: Varies by performance
From $ 40
Tech Museum of Innovation
Designed for kids, but just as fun for parents, the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose is one of those museums families happily go back to again and again. At traditional museums there’s a great of reading, looking and then reading some more. The Tech is all about touching and doing.
Feel what an earthquake is like on the Shake Platform. Feel like and astronaut when you take a seat in the Jet Pack Chair. Noisy and strong blasts of compressed air enable museum passengers to walk through space. If jet packs aren’t your speed, sit down in the lab in The Tech Health and Biotech Gallery. After gloving up, experience what life is like as a genetic engineer while learning how to incubate jellyfish bacteria. Those are just a few of the exhibits likely to grab your attention.
Avoid science overload by taking a movie break at the Hackworth IMAX® Dome Theater. With 280 seats, it’s the largest dome theater west of the Mississippi. Check the show times when you arrive at the Tech Museum. The theater plays educational and first-run flicks. There’s a snack bar complete with popcorn to make the movie experience complete.
Practical Info
The Tech Museum is open 359 days per year. They close on Thanksgiving and Christmas and for cleaning and maintenance in early September. Hours are 10am to 5pm. The Tech is located in downtown San Jose, at the corner of Park Avenue and Market Street, directly across from Caesar Chavez Park. It’s a big mango colored building that’s impossible to miss.
Address: 201 S Market St, San Jose, California, USA 95113, USA
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm, Closed Christmas, Thanksgiving and for a few days in early Sept. for maintenance and cleaning.
Admission: Adult $20; Child, Student & Senior $15
From $ 15
Sutro Baths
San Francisco’s Sutro Baths was once a public bathhouse with seven indoor swimming pools. Perched atop granite bluffs at the city’s western tip, it symbolized the great wealth brought by the Gold Rush.
The Basics
Sutro Baths, north of the Cliff House, are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Dazzling visitors when it opened in 1896, Sutro Baths was an impressive engineering feat: swimming pools filled with water from the Pacific Ocean and a series of concrete walls at high tide. Its aquariums, restaurants, art galleries, and exhibits made it a must-visit for San Franciscans.
Many city tours stop at Sutro Baths to explore the ruins and snap a few pictures. Walking tours of Lands End generally include time at Sutro Baths and finish with a drink at the Cliff House.
Things to Know Before You Go
- With weather changing quickly from warm and sunny to foggy and chilly, layers are recommended.
- Sturdy walking shoes are needed to safely explore Sutro Baths and Lands End.
- Bring your camera to capture views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Cliff House, and San Francisco skyline.
- Sutro Baths is not wheelchair accessible but nearby Lands End Visitor Center and Cliff House are.
- Beware of wave break and slippery stairs and paths on the cliffs.
- There is a small café and restroom facilities at Lands End Lookout.
How to Get There
Ride San Francisco Muni’s 38 Geary bus line, exit at 48th Avenue and Point Lobos Avenue, and walk 0.33 mile (0.53 kilometer) to the Sutro Bath ruins, at the intersection of Point Lobos Avenue and Merrie Way. Or, hike from the Golden Gate Bridge to Lands Ends. A parking lot behind Lands End Lookout is impossibly busy on sunny days and summer weekends.
When to Get There
Sutro Baths can be accessed from sunrise to sunset, but Lands End Lookout is open daily from 9am to 5pm and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Most visitors come in the summer, which makes the baths, lookout, Cliff House, and trails crowded. Visit early in the morning or on a rainy day to have the place to yourself.
Adolph Sutro
Adolph Sutro, San Francisco's 24th mayor (1895–1897), made his fortune removing gas and water from the Comstock Lode, a major silver mine in Nevada. Using his wealth to benefit others, he also built Sutro Heights Park, a 20-acre (8-hectare) formal public garden; revitalized the Cliff House as a family-friendly venue; and opened his family estate to the public.
Address: Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
From $ 48
TCL Chinese Theatre
Stand in the footprints of your favorite silver-screen legends in the courtyard of this grand movie palace, formerly known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The exotic pagoda theater - complete with temple bells and stone Heaven Dogs from China - has shown movies since 1927. In fact, it's still a studio favorite for star-studded premieres, captivating crowds of all ages.
It's somewhat of a tourist rite of passage to compare your hands and feet with the famous prints set in cement at the entrance court. There are some 160 celebrity squares to discover including R2D2's wheels, Jimmy Durante's nose, Betty Grable's legs, or Whoopi Goldberg's braids. Rumor has it that the tradition was started when silent film star Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped in wet cement the night of the theater's premier of Cecil B. DeMille's King of Kings.
In 2013, the theatre teamed up with TCL "The Creative Life", a Chinese electronics manufacturer, to bring the theatre into the 21st century while retaining the 85 year legacy and place in Hollywood history. In addition to a 10-year naming rights contract, this allows TCL to put their stamp on the theatre through upgrades to seats, equipment and more to enhance the movie-goers experience.
Practical Info
On Hollywood Boulevard and N. Orange Drive, Grauman's Chinese Theatre is part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You're close to the triumphal arch of Hollywood & Highland and many of Hollywood's famous grand theaters, including the Egyptian and El Capitan.
Address: 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood 90028, USA
Hours: Cinema hours vary; entrance court open 24hrs daily
Admission: Free
From $ 14
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is America's highest legal institution and one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington DC. Since 1935, this stately example of Corinthian design has been attracting visitors from across the country and around the globe. Visitors will find two statues near the front steps—one representing the male Guardian of Law and another the female Contemplation of Justice—as well as a detailed bronze door that showcases images telling the story of the United States' legal system.
While it's possible to visit this judicial landmark on your own, many popular tours include an up-close look at the building's marble exterior. Families looking to explore the city and see the Supreme Court building can do so on a hop-on, hop-off trolley and avoid the hassle of coordinating travel, while it's also possible to take a bike tour and see the sights on two wheels.
Practical Info
The Supreme Court is located on the east side of Capitol Hill. Travelers can start lining up at 8am for entry into the building, so plan accordingly. Visitors can hear oral arguments when court is in session but should plan to arrive 90 minutes before scheduled arguments in the fall and three hours ahead in March and April.
Address: 1 1st Street NE, Capitol Hill, Washington DC 20543, USA
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm
Admission: Free
From $ 14
Ten Thousand Islands
The Ten Thousand Islands archipelago covers more than 35,000 acres (14,164 hectares) of Florida’s southern tip. The eponymous national wildlife refuge lies in the northern portion, while the southern part is in Everglades National Park. The islands—which number in the hundreds, not thousands—are a perfect place to decompress in nature.
The Basics
You can explore the archipelago’s remote islets in a variety of ways, either with a tour or solo if you’re an experienced boater or paddler. Take a canoeing or kayaking ecotour to discover the diverse flora and fauna of the region up close. Boat safaris offer a more relaxing journey and the chance to discover native wildlife like manatees, river otters, and bottlenose dolphins. Fishing expeditions are also available, where you can enjoy a private charter boat and cast a line to catch local gamefish.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Ten Thousand Islands are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and insect repellant.
- There are no facilities available on the islands, so take this into consideration before heading out to explore.
- Camping within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is free but accessible only by boat.
How to Get There
Ten Thousand Islands is located between Marco Island and Everglades City, on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. The islands of the refuge are best reached by boat, kayak, or canoe, with access points found in Goodland and Port-of-the-Islands, just off US 41 from Naples, as well as from Chokoloskee Island, just south of Everglades City. You can also drive to the Marsh Trail, 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) east of Collier-Seminole State Park and with an 18-space parking lot.
When to Get There
For all-day adventures, visit Ten Thousand Islands between October and May, when the weather is cooler and drier—and there are fewer mosquitos. If going between June and September, book your hikes and boating adventures for the morning to avoid the hottest parts of the day and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
The First Settlers
Native Americans inhabited the Ten Thousand Islands region more than 3,500 years ago. Many shell rings and a few settlements have been found in or next to the region, such as the Horr’s Island archaeological site, but have been flooded by rising sea levels. The area was once good for fishing and trading, but after European settlers arrived in the area, the native populations were wiped out by foreign diseases and disputes.
Address: Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, FL, USA
From $ 75
Tanger Outlets
Got expensive taste but limited budget? This is where Tanget Outlets come in. The real estate company has a branch just south of Houston and is committed to bringing its customers the best shopping experience possible by offering the best deals from preferred designers and brand-name stores, through strategic alliances with brands such as: Liz Claiborne, Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers and Nike. Originally founded in North Carolina in 1981, Tanger Outlets have now spread to 24 states as well as Canada. The company currently owns 46 outlet centers across North America and attracts over 185 million bargain hunters every year.
Practical Info
The Tanger Outlets are located at 5885 Gulf Freeway in Texas City, 31 miles southeast of Houston. There is no public transportation from the city to there; driving is advised. It is reachable in less than an hour via I-45, exit 17. The outlets are open from 10am to 9pm from Monday to Saturday and between 11am and 7pm on Sundays.
Address: 5885 Gulf Freeway, Texas City, Texas, USA
From $ 80
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
This iconic Florida bridge is a testament to humankind’s architectural prowess and mother nature’s sheer beauty. Officially known as the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge (named after the former Florida governor), it was built in 1954 and spans Tampa Bay with a 1,500-foot cable-stayed main span. The bridge’s height, expansive views of the surrounding bay and modern design landed it the No. 3 spot on the Travel Channel’s list of top bridges in the world. Those traveling to Tampa shouldn’t miss the chance to be impressed by this architectural wonder and the amazing views of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico it provides.
Practical Info
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is located on Highway 275 and Interstate 19. Toll is $1.25 for passenger cars.
Address: Highway 275 and Interstate 19, Tampa, Florida, USA
Admission: $1.25
From $ 64
Tahoe City
Lake Tahoe is split into two areas—South Lake and North Lake. The majority of summer tours such as biking, boating, and Jet Ski rental run out of South Lake Tahoe, opposite the lake from Tahoe City. Those staying on the south shore can visit Tahoe City on a tour that circles the lake by bus or bike, stopping along the way for photo ops.
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are popular ways to get out on the lake, and a paved path runs along the water for walking and biking. Or take a rafting tour on the Truckee River, which flows from the lake. In winter, Tahoe City provides rental shops for ski and snowboarding gear and restaurants and bars to visit after a day on the slopes.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tahoe City overflows with visitors in winter and summer; plan for heavy traffic along Interstate 80 and State Route 89.
- If you visit in winter, come with tire chains or travel in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle with snow tires; the California Highway Department conducts checkpoints during heavy snowfall.
- Tahoe City’s walkable main drag—North Lake Boulevard—runs parallel to the lakeshore, so wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate layers if exploring on foot.
- Spring or fall sees fewer visitors, but plan for rainy, muddy, or cool weather, and some closed businesses.
How to Get There
Tahoe City is located 15 miles (24 kilometers) off Interstate 80. Most visitors arrive via State Route 89 south from the town of Truckee. Find street parking and a few small parking lots along North Lake Boulevard.
When to Get There
Its busy seasons are winter and summer, with fewer visitors in full and spring, but Tahoe City hosts popular events year-round. Watch fireworks on the Fourth of July; head to Commons Beach in the summer for a farmers market or outdoor concerts; visit in June for the Tahoe City Food and Wine Classic; or celebrate Mardi Gras at the Tahoe City SnowFest Parade.
Ski Resorts
The most accessible ski resorts from Tahoe City are Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. These neighboring resorts off State Route 89 are about five miles (8 kilometers) from town, and can be skied on the same pass. Northstar California Resort is a family-friendly resorts and about a 30-minute drive in normal conditions. The smaller Homewood Resort, about 15 minutes south on 89, is a local favorite.
Address: Tahoe City, California, USA
From $ 179
Sunset Cultural Center
A beautiful structure designed in Late Gothic Revival style, the Sunset Cultural Center is the Monterey Peninsula’s top spot for cultural events and performances. With two stages, an art gallery, and a meeting room, the venue holds a variety of events year round. Its iconic arched entry is the door to the home of the Monterey Symphony, Carmel Music Society, and Chamber Music Monterey Bay. Transformed from an old public school, the cultural center is regarded to have some of the most beautiful interiors and acoustics in the area.
With just over 700 theater seats, the theater maintains an intimate space that allows for close interactions with performances. Shows range from theater and dance to concerts and comedy. Run by a nonprofit organization, the venue brings some of the world’s best arts and live performances to the area in addition to supporting local performing arts groups.
Practical Info
The Sunset Cultural Center is located in the beautiful seaside town of Carmel. It’s situated on San Carlos Street at 9 th Avenue, with a free parking lot available at nearby 8th Avenue. Driving is the best way to get there, and the exit from Highway 1 is Ocean Avenue.
Address: San Carlos Street, Carmel-By-The-Sea, California 93921, USA
Admission: Varies by show
From $ 89
Sutter Home Winery
Set in the legendary Napa Valley, Sutter Home Winery has grown from a small business founded in 1948 to the second-largest independent, family-run winery in the United States. Now producing more than 20 varietals, they were the first winery ever to make white zinfandel. Due to its popularity in the 1970s and 80s, Sutter Home is credited with bringing wine into many American homes for the first time. The winery went on to bring a number of new varietals into wider availability across the country.
One of the oldest wineries in Napa, Sutter Home wines are known for their high quality and affordable price point. Most are available to taste at the winery tasting room. Wines are lighter, sweeter, and more accessible than the others in the surrounding area. Be sure to try some of their reserve wines and to check out the gardens, Victorian home, and small shop.
Practical Info
Located located on Highway 29 in Napa Valley, Sutter Home Winery is about an hour’s drive from San Francisco. The vineyard is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and or take a self-guided tour through the gardens.
Address: 277 St. Helena Hwy (Hwy. 29), South St. Helena, California, USA 94574, USA
Hours: Open daily 10am-5pm
From $ 105
Sunset Strip
This legendary 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood extends east–west from Beverly Hills to Hollywood, laid end to end with celebrity-studded music venues dating back to the heyday of rock and roll, comedy clubs, boutiques, restaurants, hotels, and cocktail bars with stellar views of the surrounding city.
The Basics
As one of the most popular stretches of road in all of Los Angeles—if not the country—the Sunset Strip features on just about every sightseeing tour of Hollywood and Los Angeles.
Board an open-top bus for a drive along the strip en route to celebrity homes, or join a film industry insider for a tour of nearby famous film locations. The Los Angeles hop-on hop-off bus also stops along the strip, as do guided day trips from Las Vegas and Long Beach.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Sunset Strip is a must-see for movie buffs, night owls, and pop culture enthusiasts.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes if you plan to explore Sunset Strip on foot.
- It’s a good idea to buy concert tickets or make dinner reservations ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get to Sunset Strip is to drive, but it’s also possible to reach the area by public transportation. Metro Line 2 stops in the area, as do several local bus routes. Public parking meters along the stretch of road accept credit cards.
When to Get There
The best time to visit Sunset Strip depends largely on the experience you’re looking to have. By day, the street’s boutiques and shops cater to those in need of some retail therapy. By night, the street transforms into a nightlife hub—home to some of the city’s best comedy clubs and posh cocktail bars.
Music Venues of the Sunset Strip
Live music lovers will find some of the nation’s best venues along Sunset Strip. Highlights include the Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy, and the House of Blues; concerts are staged just about every night of the week.
Address: Los Angeles, California, USA
From $ 30
Temple Square
When Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, Brigham Young, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), proclaimed, “Here we will build a temple to our God.” That place eventually became known as Temple Square, the centerpiece of which is the Salt Lake Temple—the largest Mormon temple in the world.
The Basics
Located in downtown Salt Lake City, Temple Square is the world headquarters of the LDS Church, as well as Utah’s number-one tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors each year. In addition to the architecturally impressive temple, the 35-acre (14-hectare) complex includes the tabernacle and its 11,623-pipe organ, two visitor centers, and a museum called the Beehive House, about Brigham Young and his family.
Those with an interest in genealogy won’t want to miss the Family History Library, the largest of its kind in the world. By bike, trolley, or hop-on hop-off bus, most Salt Lake City sightseeing tours stop at Temple Square.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Temple Square is a must-see for all first-time visitors.
- Explore the grounds on your own or opt for a guided tour with an organ recital or Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance.
- The Salt Lake Temple itself isn’t open for tours, but the grounds are.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; attractions are spread out across 35 acres.
- All facilities in Temple Square are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
While the easiest way to reach Temple Square is by car, it’s also possible to take the green or blue TRAX line to either the Temple Square or City Center stop. There are also shuttles from Salt Lake City International Airport that stop at the square.
When to Get There
Temple Square is open daily throughout the year. If possible, plan to visit for a scheduled organ recital or Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance. Live outdoor concerts take place throughout summer, and in winter millions of lights adorn the square and its many holiday-related tableaus.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
A small choir that first performed in 1847 has grown into one of the world’s top music groups. The choir comprises 360 volunteer members who regularly perform a range of spiritual, popular, classic, and contemporary music in the tabernacle. They typically perform each Sunday morning, but Thursday evening rehearsals are also open to the public.
Address: 50 E North Temple St, Salt Lake City 84150, USA
From $ 15
Tate House Museum
Dating back to 1755, Portland, Maine's Tate House Museum is the only existing example of pre-revolutionary architecture open to the public. In its heyday, it was the residence of Captain George Tate, a senior mast agent in the British Royal Navy, though it's now a museum, complete with period furnishings, an herb garden, and a gift shop.
The Basics
This beautiful pre-revolutionary home provides an excellent introduction into what life was like in 18th-century colonial Maine.
Many visitors opt to go on one of the special topical tours offered by the museum, many of which are available with 24 hours' notice. One tour focuses on architecture, complete with a visit up to the attic of the house to see the rafters, while another takes visitors to the nearby Stroudwater Cemetery, where Captain Tate himself is interred.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Tours start on the hour, with the last tour departing at 3pm.
- The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- There's a great gift shop selling books, candles, and mementos.
How to Get There
The Tate House Museum is located on Westbrook Street in Greater Portland, right on the edge of the Stroudwater Historic District and a few minutes from Portland International Jetport. It's about a 10-minute drive from the city center to the museum (via Interstate 295), or a 20-minute bike ride. Bus #5 stops here about every half-hour Monday through Saturday, with limited Sunday service.
When to Get There
The Tate House Museum is open June through the end of October. The best time to visit is during the summer months of July and August, when the weather is at its best. Springtime is also nice here when many of the flowers and herbs in the surrounding garden are in bloom.
Special Events
The Tate House offers a handful of special events, including a 5k trail run and an annual Christmas party. History buffs won't want to miss the Tate House Museum's annual lecture series, which focuses heavily on local area history. Topics run the gamut from the Revolutionary War to English paper piecing quilting.
Address: 1267 Westbrook St., Portland, Maine 04102, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 15