Find places in United States

Must-Haves

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Upper East Side, Manhattan)
  Five thousand years of art under one roof, with a rooftop garden open in the warmer months.
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum (Lower Manhattan)
  Twin reflecting pools and a moving museum on the site of the World Trade Center.
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (Midtown, Manhattan)
  Van Gogh, Warhol and Monet in one of the world's great modern art collections.

Off the Beaten Path

• The Cloisters (Fort Tryon Park, Upper Manhattan)
  Medieval European art and gardens in a hilltop setting above the Hudson.

Fun for Everyone

• American Museum of Natural History (Upper West Side, Manhattan)
  Dinosaur halls, the blue whale and a planetarium that children and adults love.

Must-Haves

• Central Park (Manhattan)
  Eight hundred acres of meadows, lakes and bridges that show New Yorkers at play.

Fun for Everyone

• The High Line (Chelsea, Manhattan)
  A park built on an old elevated rail line, with planting, art and views over the streets.

Off the Beaten Path

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Prospect Heights, Brooklyn)
  A peaceful garden famous for its cherry blossoms in spring.

Must-Haves

• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (New York Harbor)
  The harbour icon and the immigration museum where millions of families' American stories began.

Fun for Everyone

• Brooklyn Bridge walk (Lower Manhattan to DUMBO)
  Walk the wooden promenade for the classic skyline view, ideally early in the morning.
• Staten Island Ferry (Whitehall Terminal, Lower Manhattan)
  A free commuter ferry that sails past the Statue of Liberty and the harbour skyline.

Off the Beaten Path

• Roosevelt Island Tramway (East 59th Street, Manhattan)
  A short aerial tram ride over the East River on a regular transit fare.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Katz's Delicatessen (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
  The city's most famous pastrami on rye, served in a loud, timeless deli hall.
• Joe's Pizza (Greenwich Village, Manhattan)
  A classic New York slice, folded and eaten standing up.
• Flushing food courts (Flushing, Queens)
  Some of the best regional Chinese food in America, in busy basement food halls.

Fun for Everyone

• Chelsea Market (Chelsea, Manhattan)
  An old biscuit factory filled with food stalls, bakeries and shops, right by the High Line.

Off the Beaten Path

• Smorgasburg (Williamsburg and Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
  A weekend outdoor food market with dozens of vendors in the warmer months.

Great for Date Night

• Bemelmans Bar (The Carlyle, Upper East Side)
  A jazz age cocktail bar with whimsical murals and live piano in the evening.
• Village Vanguard (Greenwich Village, Manhattan)
  A basement jazz club that has hosted the greats since the 1930s.

Must-Haves

• Broadway shows (Theater District, Manhattan)
  An evening at a Broadway musical is a New York rite of passage.

Fun for Everyone

• New York's Village Halloween Parade (Sixth Avenue, Manhattan)
  A huge, joyful costume parade every October 31 that anyone in costume can join.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Russ and Daughters (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
  A century-old appetising shop for bagels with smoked fish and cream cheese.

Great for Date Night

• The Wythe Hotel (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
  A converted factory hotel with a rooftop bar and Manhattan skyline views.

Must-Haves

• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (National Mall)
  Free entry to the Wright Flyer, the Apollo 11 command module and more.
• National Museum of African American History and Culture (National Mall)
  A powerful, deeply researched museum; free timed passes are often needed.
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (National Mall)
  The Hope Diamond, dinosaurs and an ocean hall, all free to visit.
• Library of Congress (Capitol Hill)
  The ornate Thomas Jefferson Building is one of the most beautiful interiors in the country.

Fun for Everyone

• National Gallery of Art (National Mall)
  Free world-class art, including the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the Americas.

Must-Haves

• Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall (National Mall)
  The monuments are open around the clock and especially moving lit up at night.
• United States Capitol tour (Capitol Hill)
  Free guided tours of the Capitol, booked online in advance.

Great for Date Night

• Georgetown waterfront (Georgetown)
  Cobbled streets, canal paths and riverside restaurants for an evening stroll.

Off the Beaten Path

• Arlington National Cemetery (Arlington, Virginia)
  The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a solemn sight.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Ben's Chili Bowl (U Street)
  A neighbourhood institution famous for its chili half-smoke sausage.
• Ethiopian restaurants on Ninth Street (Shaw)
  The Washington area has one of the largest Ethiopian communities outside Africa, and its restaurants show it.

Fun for Everyone

• Union Market (NoMa)
  A food hall of local vendors, from oysters to Ethiopian and Korean dishes.

Fun for Everyone

• Eastern Market (Capitol Hill)
  A historic market hall with weekend craft and flea stalls outside.

Fun for Everyone

• Tidal Basin cherry blossoms (National Mall)
  Thousands of cherry trees bloom here around late March and early April.
• Mount Vernon (Fairfax County, Virginia)
  George Washington's estate and gardens on the Potomac, a short trip from the city.

Off the Beaten Path

• Theodore Roosevelt Island (Potomac River)
  A wooded island park with quiet trails a short walk from Georgetown.

Great for Date Night

• The Wharf (Southwest Waterfront)
  A lively riverside district of restaurants, music venues and the historic fish market.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Blues Alley (Georgetown)
  An intimate jazz supper club operating since the 1960s.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Compass Coffee (Shaw and across DC)
  A homegrown roaster with friendly cafés across the city.

Must-Haves

• The Line DC (Adams Morgan)
  A hotel in a converted church with good bars and a neighbourhood feel.

Must-Haves

• National Cherry Blossom Festival (National Mall and citywide)
  Weeks of parades, kites and performances in early spring.

Must-Haves

• Griffith Observatory (Griffith Park)
  Free entry, telescopes and the best view of the Hollywood Sign and city lights.

Fun for Everyone

• Venice Beach Boardwalk (Venice)
  Street performers, Muscle Beach and skaters along the sand, best by day.
• Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City)
  Film studio tours and rides, from Harry Potter to Super Nintendo World.

Must-Haves

• The Getty Center (Brentwood)
  Hilltop art museum with gardens and city views; entry is free but parking is charged.
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) (Miracle Mile)
  Big collections and the much photographed Urban Light lamppost installation.

Fun for Everyone

• The Broad (Downtown LA)
  Free contemporary art, including the Infinity Mirror Rooms; reserve ahead.

Off the Beaten Path

• Watts Towers (Watts)
  Folk art towers built by one man over three decades from steel, tile and glass.

Fun for Everyone

• Santa Monica Pier and beach (Santa Monica)
  A classic pier with a Ferris wheel, wide sand and the bike path along the ocean.

Off the Beaten Path

• Runyon Canyon (Hollywood Hills)
  A short, steep hike with city views and plenty of local dog walkers.
• El Matador State Beach (Malibu)
  Sea stacks and coves on a small, dramatic beach up the coast.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Grand Central Market (Downtown LA)
  A century-old food hall with tacos, pupusas, egg sandwiches and more.

Off the Beaten Path

• Rose Bowl Flea Market (Pasadena)
  A huge monthly flea market for vintage clothes, furniture and curios.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Leo's Tacos Truck (Mid-City)
  Al pastor tacos carved from the spit at a famous LA taco truck.
• Koreatown barbecue (Koreatown)
  Grill-at-your-table Korean barbecue in America's busiest Koreatown.
• Philippe the Original (Chinatown edge, Downtown LA)
  Claims to have invented the French dip sandwich, served since 1908.

Fun for Everyone

• Hollywood Bowl concerts (Hollywood Hills)
  Summer concerts under the stars in a famous outdoor amphitheatre.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Olvera Street (El Pueblo, Downtown LA)
  The city's oldest street, with Mexican market stalls and taquitos.

Great for Date Night

• Hotel Figueroa (Downtown LA)
  A restored 1920s hotel with a Spanish Revival lobby and pool.

Fun for Everyone

• Shore Hotel (Santa Monica)
  A modern hotel across the street from the beach and pier.

Must-Haves

• Golden Gate Bridge (Presidio)
  Walk or cycle across the bridge for views of the bay and the city.
• Alcatraz Island (San Francisco Bay)
  The former prison island, reached by the official ferry; book well ahead.

Fun for Everyone

• Cable cars (Powell Street and California Street lines)
  Ride a moving national landmark up and over the hills.

Off the Beaten Path

• Coit Tower and the Filbert Steps (Telegraph Hill)
  Garden stairways, murals and views, often with wild parrots overhead.

Must-Haves

• Ferry Building Marketplace (Embarcadero)
  Local food stalls and a well known farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Off the Beaten Path

• City Lights Booksellers (North Beach)
  The Beat Generation bookshop and publisher, still open late.

Fun for Everyone

• Golden Gate Park (Richmond and Sunset)
  Gardens, museums, bison and windmills in a park longer than Central Park.

Off the Beaten Path

• Lands End Trail (Outer Richmond)
  A cliff path with shipwreck views, the Sutro Baths ruins and the Golden Gate.

Must-Haves

• Muir Woods National Monument (Marin County)
  Ancient coast redwoods a short drive north; parking or shuttle reservations required.

Must-Haves

• California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park)
  An aquarium, rainforest dome and planetarium under a living roof.

Fun for Everyone

• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SoMa)
  A major modern art museum with free galleries on the ground floor.

Off the Beaten Path

• Balmy Alley murals (Mission District)
  A small lane covered in political and community murals.

Low Cost and Authentic

• La Taqueria (Mission District)
  A famous Mission-style burrito spot with a loyal following.
• Chinatown dim sum (Chinatown)
  America's oldest Chinatown, with dim sum, bakeries and temple streets.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Tartine Bakery (Mission District)
  Morning buns and country loaves from one of the bakeries that shaped modern baking.

Great for Date Night

• Buena Vista Cafe (Fisherman's Wharf)
  Famous for bringing Irish coffee to America, right by the cable car turnaround.

Great for Date Night

• Top of the Mark (Nob Hill)
  A classic hotel sky bar with panoramic views over the bay.

Off the Beaten Path

• Tonga Room (Fairmont Hotel, Nob Hill)
  A kitsch tiki bar with indoor rainstorms over a pool.

Fun for Everyone

• Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Golden Gate Park)
  A free music festival in the park each autumn.

Must-Haves

• French Quarter (Vieux Carré)
  Iron balconies, Jackson Square and street musicians in the city's oldest neighbourhood.

Great for Date Night

• St. Charles streetcar (Garden District)
  Ride the historic streetcar past oak trees and mansions.

Fun for Everyone

• Garden District walk (Garden District)
  Grand homes and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 with its above-ground tombs.

Must-Haves

• Café du Monde (French Market)
  Beignets under powdered sugar and café au lait, open from early morning.

Must-Haves

• Preservation Hall (French Quarter)
  Intimate traditional jazz sets nightly in a historic hall.

Fun for Everyone

• Frenchmen Street (Marigny)
  A strip of clubs with live music every night, more local than Bourbon Street.

Off the Beaten Path

• Bacchanal Wine (Bywater)
  A wine shop with a backyard of live music and food.

Must-Haves

• The National WWII Museum (Warehouse District)
  An immersive, highly regarded museum of the Second World War.

Must-Haves

• Commander's Palace (Garden District)
  A Creole fine dining landmark known for jazz brunch.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Dooky Chase's Restaurant (Treme)
  Leah Chase's historic Creole restaurant, a civil rights era meeting place.
• Parkway Bakery and Tavern (Mid-City)
  Roast beef po' boys dripping with gravy at a neighbourhood favourite.
• Willie Mae's Scotch House (Treme)
  Famous fried chicken in a small neighbourhood restaurant.

Must-Haves

• Mardi Gras (Citywide)
  Weeks of parades and balls leading up to Fat Tuesday.
• New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Fair Grounds Race Course)
  Two spring weekends of music, food and crafts.

Fun for Everyone

• City Park (Mid-City)
  Giant live oaks, a sculpture garden and Morning Call beignets.

Off the Beaten Path

• Barataria Preserve swamp trail (Jean Lafitte National Historical Park)
  Boardwalks through swamp and marsh, often with alligators.

Low Cost and Authentic

• French Market (French Quarter)
  A long market of food and craft stalls by the river.

Great for Date Night

• Hotel Monteleone (French Quarter)
  A grand hotel with the revolving Carousel Bar.

Fun for Everyone

• Ace Hotel New Orleans (Warehouse District)
  A stylish hotel with a rooftop pool, close to the museums.

Must-Haves

• South Rim and Mather Point (Grand Canyon Village)
  The classic first view, busiest at sunrise and sunset.
• Rim Trail (South Rim)
  A mostly flat, partly paved walk along the edge with shuttle stops.

Off the Beaten Path

• Bright Angel Trail (South Rim)
  A steep descent into the canyon; go only a short way down in summer heat.

Great for Date Night

• Hopi Point sunset (Hermit Road, South Rim)
  A wide westward view that suits sunset, reached by the free shuttle.

Off the Beaten Path

• Desert View Watchtower (East end of the South Rim)
  Mary Colter's stone tower with Hopi murals and views of the Colorado River.

Fun for Everyone

• Grand Canyon Railway (Williams to the South Rim)
  A vintage style train ride from Williams, Arizona, to the rim.
• Junior Ranger programme (Park visitor centres)
  Free activity books and ranger talks for children.

Fun for Everyone

• Yavapai Geology Museum (South Rim)
  Big windows and clear displays that explain how the canyon formed.

Off the Beaten Path

• Hermit's Rest (West end of Hermit Road)
  A rustic stone rest house designed by Mary Colter at the end of the shuttle road.

Must-Haves

• El Tovar Hotel (Grand Canyon Village)
  The historic rim-side lodge of 1905, booked far in advance.

Fun for Everyone

• Mather Campground (Grand Canyon Village)
  A forested campground near the rim, reservable online.