In the U.S., there is no surf spot more prolific than Oahu’s North Shore. Join (or watch!) the pros catch the massive breaks of the Banzai Pipeline. Relax on powdery white sand, and afterward head to famed food establishments Giovanni’s for garlic shrimp and Matsumoto shave ice.

Part sporting event, part social outing, the Kentucky Derby is an iconic cultural event. Celebrities can be seen sipping mint juleps (the event’s signature drink) from the exclusive Millionaire’s Row, while General Admission inside the track is crowded with revelers from the world-over. The race itself is brief—“The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”—but the party starts weeks in advance.

Powered by gambling, shopping, dining, and nightlife, there’s a reason it’s called The Entertainment Capital of the World. Watch the Bellagio fountains and a Cirque show by night, party in a poolside cabana by day. Then check out historic Fremont Street, home to the Golden Gate, the oldest casino in town, and learn the mafia’s role in the early gaming industry at The Mob Museum.

For nine days in October, a rainbow of 600 hot air balloons ascend into the sky over the Rio Grande Valley at dawn for the world’s largest balloon festival. The balloons come in every color and design and a variety of special shapes. In the evenings, hundreds of balloons simultaneously light up the night sky.

Whether you view them from below or above, Niagara’s sheer force—3,160 tons every second, the highest flow rate in the world—takes your breath away. There are observation decks at Prospect Point Park and Skylon Tower, from which you’ll see as far as Toronto. A trolley offers trips along the falls and around Goat Island. The site is open year-round, though peak traffic occurs in the summertime.
 
 

This dramatic slot canyon is one of the most popular destinations in Utah’s Zion National Park for good reason: The gorge is 20-30 feet wide at its narrowest (hence the name), with towering walls of a thousand feet. Prepare to get your feet wet—the “trail” runs right through the Virgin River—but it’s well worth it for the views.
 
 

A trip to the States isn’t complete without a stop in the nation’s capital, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival is the prettiest time to do it. Japan donated the trees more than a century ago to symbolize friendship between the nations. Some 3,000 trees bloom for a couple weeks around late March and early April—a picturesque frame for the National Mall.

The Grand Canyon, carved by the Colorado River, showcases 2 billion years of geological history. The winding drive from the South to North Rim takes 5+ hours, so most people post up on one end. The South Rim, open year-round, has more lodging and dining but draws bigger crowds. While the colder North Rim has fewer amenities but a chance to convene with nature, only between May and October.

The drive spans the coast from Baja California to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and offers endlessly magical, plunging views over the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, surf in Malibu, camp in Big Sur, tour Hearst Castle, explore Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area; take photos at Heceta Head Lighthouse; slurp Washington’s famed oysters at Brady's; and sightsee in Seattle.  

Experience America’s pastime at the Major League’s oldest ballparks: Fenway Park, open since 1921, is packed with tradition and a must, even if you root for its rival New York. Chicago’s Wrigley Field, with charming ivy-covered walls and a retro scoreboard, hosted Babe Ruth's infamous "called shot,” plus it’s surrounded by excellent places for a pre- or post-game bite.

Built to serve commuters between New York, Philly, and D.C., Jersey’s more than 600 diners (more than any state) remain essential for good, cheap meals around the clock. Many are midcentury relics with tableside jukeboxes, metal sliding, and neon signs—including White Manna in Hackensack, known for burgers, and the Summit Diner for Taylor Ham (or “Pork Roll”), egg, and cheese.
 

Mardi Gras gets a bad rep—unless you’ve actually experienced it. Head to see the parades roll, for a fun and family-friendly experience. Here, you’ll see colorful parades with marching bands and dance teams. Spectators catch colorful “throws”—items like sunglasses and stuffed animals. Make friends with a local, and you’ll likely be invited over for king cake or crawfish.

Who wouldn't want to visit the most magical place on Earth? Developed by Walt Disney in the 1960s, Disney tops the bucket lists for people all over the world—and for good reason. From toddlers to adults, there is something for everyone at this famous resort complex of theme parks, hotels, shopping, and entertainment in Orlando, Florida.

Designated in 1872, Yellowstone was the first national park in the United Sates, and likely the first in the world. Wyoming’s subalpine forest is home to diverse wildlife, 1,000 miles of nature trails, and camp sites. But it’s best known for Old Faithful—an infamous cone geyser that shoots sometimes more than 8,000 gallons of water 140 feet into the sky.

Though unconventional on the surface, Cleveland, Ohio, is a must for all rock and roll fans: Over 55,000 square feet and seven floors, this museum houses the world’s greatest collection of Rock and Roll memorabilia. Its distinctive architecture—a double pyramid and tower—with the front plaza, resembles a record player.

Alaska’s vast park and preserve—which, at 6 million acres, is larger than the state of Massachusetts—is the definition of “big sky.” With virtually no light pollution, Denali is an excellent place to see aurora borealis (visible from late August until mid-April). By day, get lost in the wonders of nature, including glaciers, caribou, grizzly bears, and notably North America's highest peak.

This winding scenic drive carves through transcendent views of Southern Appalachia. Over 469 miles—through Virginia, North Carolina, and the Great Smokey Mountains—you’ll set your gaze on blue-misted mountains and gorges; pastel wildflowers in spring, and blazing golden leaves in fall. Along the way, get out and explore the more than 100 hiking trails.

South Beach is famed for palm-tree-lined streets, Cuban influence, epic nightlife, LGBT culture, and of course the beach. Thanks to an architectural revolution in the 1930s, it’s characterized by colorful Art Deco architecture. Stroll Ocean Drive—featured in movies like Scarface—hang out in Collins Park, and explore Espanola Way for a taste of Miami’s distinctive Latin influence.

Colorado is home to some of the top ski and snowboard destinations in the world, but Aspen is the perhaps the most iconic. Its four mountains accommodate experts and novices alike, and the apres-ski scene might be as legendary as the ski runs—known to attract wealthy jetsetters and celebrities. But don’t let the glitz and glamor scare your wallet: Aspen can be affordable too.

This Northern California park, 37 miles up the Pacific coast, is home to the oldest trees on the planet. Get grounded as you walk among sequoias and redwoods that climb more than 350 feet and have been standing for a thousand years. Visit in spring and fall when the weather is dry and the crowds are thin.

This walking tour offers an engaging primer on America’s rebellion from the crown and the birth of the United States, while seeing one of the country’s charming, historic cities. Among its popular stops are Faneuil Hall (Patriots’ meeting spot on the eve of the American Revolution, now turned market), the Paul Revere House, and Copp’s Hill Burying Ground.

This memorial commemorates the surprise air attack by Japan that started America’s involvement in World War II. The museum features first-hand accounts from survivors, along with wounded hangars that survived the attack. Most moving is the floating memorial built overtop the USS Arizona—the sunken ship where 1,177 crewmen were entombed that continues to leak oil today.

The largest aquarium in the U.S. and among the largest in the world houses some 60,000 animals in 10 million gallons of water tanks—including Beluga whales, otters, and penguins. Interactive experiences include a 4-D theater that recreates the sensation of living underwater for visitors, while adrenaline junkies can swim with the America’s only whale sharks.

The birthplace of American musical theater draws the world’s top talent for shows that influence the cultural zeitgeist. The famed productions of Rodgers and Hammerstein, like Oklahoma! and Carousel, continue to be revived some 80 years later, and contemporary phenomena like RENT and Hamilton made their debut here—solidifying NYC’s reputation as the cultural capital of the world.

Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World began 50 years ago—well before SXSW—when country music bent toward 70s counterculture, drawing the likes of Willie Nelson and Janis Joplin to the Texan capital. Today, you can stroll 6th Street or South Congress and hear a mix of country, Indie, and hip hop in the same block.

Sedona is a popular place for spiritual pilgrimage due to, what New Ageists call, vortexes: places where energy flows across dimensions. People cite a strong grounding effect that’s good for meditation, yoga, and prayer. Vortex or not, the ancient red rock formations and evergreens are inspiring to say the least, and all the hiking, massages, and health food are ideal for anyone seeking peace.

This 90-minute tour follows three branches of the Chicago River and highlights important buildings along the way, including the Wrigley and John Hancock buildings. Led by docents from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the guides share little-known facts about the city’s builders and planners, and how it became what it is today. Tours run throughout the day from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue.

Central Park offers an oasis of greenery and (relative) quiet in the middle of Manhattan. Catch your breath atop its many grassy hills, picnic among the trees with skyscrapers a far-off backdrop, or if the season allows, visit the zoo, watch a play or concert, ice skate, or run in a foot race. First opened to the public in 1858, Central Park takes up six percent of Manhattan's land area.

Situated in northwest New Mexico, this park preserves a major center of the Ancestral Puebloan culture, which thrived from 850 to 1250. Using sandstone and timber hauled great distances, the Chacoans built 15 complexes that remained the largest buildings on the continent until the 19th century. Its remote location means little access to amenities, but also a dark night sky for stargazing.

Maine’s Acadia National Park is marked by woodland, rocky beaches, and granite peaks carved by the Atlantic Ocean; plus, it’s home to moose, bears, whales, and seabirds. Hike or drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain—the tallest peak on the East Coast—to catch the first sunrise in the U.S. Afterward, head to Bar Harbor to try the country’s (maybe world’s) best lobster.