When people think about Mardi Gras, they often think about New Orleans; however, the celebration takes place in many cities in the south, including Mobile. While the party may not be as famous here as it is in Louisiana, it’s just as big and colorful with parades, beads, and plenty of King Cake to go around.

Embark on a via ferrata tour of Alaska's Triumvirate glacier. Via ferrata, which means "iron way" in Italian, uses steel cables and ladders. First, you’ll need to ride a helicopter to get dropped off at the starting point (around 4,000 feet above sea level). When the climb is over, hop back into a helicopter and be taken back to solid ground. 

The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Still, few people ever get to step out over the canyon’s edge from over 4,000 feet above the Colorado River banks; however, The Skywalk allows you to do just that. The 10-foot-wide, horseshoe-shaped bridge goes out 70 feet over the rim of the canyon, offering an exhilarating experience like no other. 

If you’ve ever wanted to dig for your own diamonds, then head to Crater of Diamonds State Park to pan for real diamonds. The best part? If you find one, you get to keep it. Diamond mining tools are also available for rent. 

MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa’s "Behind the Cellar Door" experience offers insider access to some of the best wineries in California. Guests will tour three boutique wineries that are typically closed to the public. A farm-to-table lunch is also included.

Travel to the top of Pikes Peak aboard Pikes Peak Cog Railway -- the highest in the country at just over 14,000 feet. Once you’re at the top, you’ll be able to take in the panoramic mountain vistas while spotting beautiful wildlife like elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. 

Learn about prolific American author Mark Twain by visiting his former home in Hartford. Today, it's been transformed into a museum that offers a glimpse into Twain's life. Tours are offered daily, and reservations are recommended.

Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library boasts 175 antique-filled rooms. While strolling the 60-acre grounds, be sure to check out the majestic Enchanted Woods garden. Also, throughout the year, the facility hosts an array of events -- including races, garden tours, antique shows, and winter holiday celebrations.

Crystal River is the only place in the state of Florida where you can legally swim with manatees. During the winter, the area is home to around 400 of these adorable creatures. Visitors will also learn more about the conservation efforts to save this endangered species. 

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy spending time at Providence Canyon, which is often called Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon." The natural wonder, which is known for its distinct coloration (think: vibrant oranges, pinks, reds, and whites), is located in the Providence Canyon State Outdoor Recreation Area.

No trip to Hawaii is complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. After taking a short boat ride to the small floating memorial, you can learn about the history behind the day's events. 

If you’re ever wanted to base jump off of a bridge, this is your chance: The I.B. Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls is one of the only bridges in the United States that’s open to base jumpers year-round. If you're nervous, consider tandem jumping with an experienced instructor. 

Step out 103 stories above the streets of Chicago at Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower. With its death-defying glass-bottom floors, the observation deck offers incredible views of the streets and surrounding skyline. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended, though not required. 

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is steeped in racing history, including the tradition of kissing the bricks, which is how winners celebrate their victory. The Indy Racing Experience lets anyone have that same victorious feeling: After driving in a real Indy racing car and crossing the finish line, you, too, can get out and kiss the bricks. 

Maquoketa Caves State Park has the most caves of any other state park in Iowa. Exploring the caves can be as exhilarating as it is challenging: Some have large pathways for walking, while others are too narrow to walk through (read: crawling required).

One of the more unique offerings on our list is the official Pizza Hut Museum in Kansas. The original Pizza Hut building is now part of the Wichita State University campus, and pizza lovers can traipse onto campus to check it out. Today, the building offers fun pizza-themed displays, as well as a mock setup of what the restaurant looked like when it opened in 1958. 

Kentucky is renowned for its bourbon. In fact, the brown liquor even has an entire self-guided tour dedicated to it. Visit one (or more!) of the 18 participating distilleries to learn more about the production process -- plus tasting and cocktail-making tips. 

If there’s one thing that must be done in Louisiana, it’s sitting down to eat a plate full of powdered sugar-covered beignets at Cafe du Monde in the heart of the iconic French Quarter. These fried pillows of dough come out of the kitchen piping hot. Don’t forget to add on a cup of chicory coffee to complete the experience. 

Maine is known for its lobster, and, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to catch lobsters for a living, consider taking a trip out to the water with a local expert. You’ll be able to don an apron and gloves as you put in the hard work. 

History buffs will enjoy a visit to Baltimore's Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, which is known as the birthplace of the United States national anthem. Each day the flag is raised and lowered, and guests are often invited to participate by bringing their own American flag to have flown at the fort. If your flag is flown, you will get a certificate from a park ranger. 

See the actual area where the Mayflower came ashore at Plymouth Rock. Around the quaint town, you can step into museums and see monuments dedicated to the pilgrims who made the daring voyage. The actual rock, which is located in Plymouth Memorial State Park, has the year 1620 etched into it. 

Did you know there are premium diving spots in Michigan where you could see shipwrecks up-close and underwater? Consider scuba diving with an instructor who can show you the way around the massive wrecks. If you aren’t much for diving, you can also spot the shipwrecks aboard a glass-bottom boat tour. 

Celebrate the life of music icon Prince at his home and studio, Paisley Park. The space, which has been transformed into a museum and event center, is open to the public for standard tours, special exhibits, and after-dark parties. Be sure to check out the Beautiful Collection exhibit, where you'll find more than 300 pairs of Prince’s custom-made shoes on display.

Shrimping is one of the largest industries in Mississippi. If you’ve ever wanted to see how it’s done, embark on a Biloxi Shrimping Trip. Each 70-minute excursion aims to educate passengers on the history of shrimping, along with how to catch and cook shrimp. 

No trip to St. Louis is complete without a visit to the Gateway Arch, the tallest monument in the United States. Take a tour to the top of the arch, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding city. You'll also learn more about the monument through educational exhibits.

Lone Peak Tram in Big Sky takes passengers to the summit of Lone Peak. From the top, you'll be able to spot three states, two national parks, and beautiful mountaintops. Once you take in the view, ski down the mountain to do it all again. 

Learn about the early explorers and settlers of the West at the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer. The museum boasts more than 140,000 works, so be sure to set aside enough time to take it all in. Notable exhibits range from an 1890s-inspired railroad town and antique carriages to home decor and Native American artwork. 

Relive the glory days of massive neon signs that flashed and lured people in at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas. The museum collects and preserves neon signs that once graced the city streets. Evening tours (which is when the lights are turned on) are all the more memorable. 

If you’re traveling to New Hampshire in the depths of winter, you’re going to want to check out these incredible ice castles, which are handcrafted by ice artists. You can also admire ice sculptures, frozen thrones, tunnels, and slides.

Liberty State Park in Jersey City is home to several attractions, including a 9/11 memorial and Liberty Science Center -- not to mention plenty of walking and jogging paths. Before getting to the park, stop at a nearby deli and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy as you take in the view of Manhattan. 

Every October, Albuquerque's skies become awash with color as part of the city's International Balloon Fiesta. The event is held over nine days and features an array of fun balloons of all shapes and hues. Opt to ride a balloon or admire the beauty from afar. 

Baseball is America’s favorite pastime, and Doubleday Field is where the game is rumored to have taken off. The attraction, which was once a cow pasture, hosts an abundance of events like Baseball Hall of Fame games, concerts, and community activities. 

The North Carolina Zoo is truly one of a kind: In fact, it's the world’s largest natural habitat zoo at 2,600 acres -- offering animals plenty of room to roam and graze. The zoo is home to more than 1,800 creatures, such as lions, arctic foxes, and horned puffins. 

Every summer, the Medora Musical is performed live in North Dakota’s Burning River Amphitheater. The western-style show, which features singing, dancing, horses, and variety acts, is dedicated to the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt. A magnificent fireworks display concludes the festivities.  

Music fans everywhere flock to Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The museum inducts new members each year, which allows for an excellent selection of rotating exhibits with new inductees. The museum also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as concerts and educational seminars. 

Come to Turner Falls Park to explore and (re)connect with nature. The park, which is the oldest in the state, offers an abundance of hiking trails, natural caves, a stone castle, and a 77-foot waterfall, all of which are perfectly Instagrammable. 

Crater Lake was formed out of an eruption of Mount Mazama, which collapsed and created a nearly 2,000-foot deep crater. The clear water from the lake is an inspiration for artists, photographers, and tourists looking to gaze into the mirror-like reflection. Today, you can visit Crater Lake National Park to hike, ski, and admire picturesque views of the surrounding waterfalls and mountains.

Lancaster County is known as the largest Amish settlement in the world. The Amish country allows you to step back and see how another culture thrives without all of the modern amenities of the 21st century. Visitors can enjoy buggy rides, personalized tours, and even a stay at an Amish guesthouse. 

White Horse Tavern in Newport is said to be the oldest operating restaurant in the United States (and the 10th oldest in the world!). The eatery has been serving guests since 1673, though the menu has changed quite a bit since then. Today, diners can enjoy a selection of high-end dishes like beef tartare and caviar. 

Daufuskie Island is home to the Marsh Tacky Horse, a species of Colonial Spanish horse that can only be found in South Carolina. On the island, visitors can observe the horses from a distance and learn about how conservation groups are working to protect them. It's worth noting that the island is only accessible by boat, so you'll have to plan your trip accordingly. 

Deadwood has a storied history as a classic wild west town. Now, visitors can catch realistic reenactments of shootouts that once occurred here. After the performance, you can hang out in the saloon or continue the fun by partaking in one of the on-site activities.

Shake your hips and get ready to sing along as you stroll through Graceland, The Home of Elvis Presley. The museum is home to the rock star’s airplane collection, stage costumes, and instruments. Throughout the year, there are rotating exhibits, concerts, and movie screenings. 

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes Space Center Houston, the home of NASA. Partake in a simulated rocket launch; get up close to the space shuttle replica Independence and its NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft; or take a tram tour to the astronaut training facilities and mission control. 

Avid hikers and adventurers will enjoy making their way through the Zion Narrows in Zion National Park. As the name suggests, the Narrows refers to the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. You can choose to stay on the one-mile hiking path or trek deeper and get your feet wet in the Virgin River. 

Ice cream lovers traveling through Vermont will want to take the Ben and Jerry’s factory tour. After, explore the factory grounds and stop at the famous Flavor Graveyard before enjoying a fresh ice cream cone. 

Take a step back in time to see where and how George and Martha Washington lived at Mount Vernon. The massive estate allows guests to see many of the relics left behind by the couple, as well as working quarters. Here, you'll also find the final resting place of the first president and his wife, as well as a slave memorial dedicated to those who lived and worked for them. 

Did you know that downtown Seattle was built on top of a preexisting city? Sign up for the hour-long Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour, and you'll be able to go underground and see some of the original structures and streets.

Each fall, the Army Corps of Engineers releases water from the Summersville Dam into the river, which results in 25 Class V rapids. Rafters from around the world try their hand at tackling the rapids head-on in an effort to get downstream. Meanwhile, those who need more assistance can take a guided rafting tour. 

Experience one of America’s most iconic brands at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Here, you can discover the culture and history of motorcycles, admire brand memorabilia, and take part in private tours. The museum hosts various events throughout the year, including Saturday bbq and music days, demo rides on the latest motorcycles, and a pub cruise. 

Yellowstone National Park is one of America's must-see attractions. Come to spot the Old Faithful Geyser, along with the colorful thermal pools and spring. Wildlife spotting opportunities abound, too (think: bears, wolves, elk, and bison). While getting around the park may be challenging due to the crowds, you can opt to hike, bike, or ride horses.