USA Attractions

The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark Art Deco skyscraper located in New York City at the junction of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. The name comes from the nickname for the state of New York, The Empire State. It stood as the world's tallest building for more than fourty years, from its completion in 1931 until construction of the World Trade Center's North Tower was completed in 1972. Following the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, the Empire State Building once again became the tallest building in New York City and New York State. The Empire State Building has been named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The building and its street floor interior are designated landmarks of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and confirmed by the New York City Board of Estimate. ...

The Statue of Liberty was a gift of friendship from France to the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924. It was later restored for the centennial on July 4, 1986. Ticket Reservation Process at the Statue of Liberty Planning your trip to the statue is essential to making the most of your visit to the Statue of Liberty. Keep in mind that thousands of people visit daily, reservations are therefore necessary and limited.  Be prepared as there are often long lines to purchase tickets and board ferries.       Pedestal tickets are required to enter any level of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and are limited to 3000 per day.   Ticket Reservation System: Call 1-877-LADY-TIX or g...

Central Park is a 843 acre public park in the heart of Manhattan in New York City in the United States. It is host to approximately twenty-five million visitors each year. Central Park was opened in 1859, completed in 1873 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963. The park was designed by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted and features many attractions spread throughout its landscape. The attractions nestled in the park are diverse; visitors can find everything from sprawling waters and green meadows to stunning bridges and performance centers, plus educational facilities, gardens and even classical architecture.  There is a story behind every attraction in the park that is loaded with fascinating history.  Belvedere Castle is a fully functional weather station, the Great Lawn hosted a Papal Mass in 1995, the Blockhouse is an old fort from the War...

Located in the CIty of Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center is America's launch pad for space exploration. Only the Kennedy Space Center Visitor COmplex is open to the public but offers an authentic experience with a variety of attractions. This busy tourist attraction offers museums, movies, a rocket garden and bus tours of important shuttle preparation and launch facilities. This is an official Federal site - however, the visitor complex is run by contractors for a profit, so prices are comparable to private tourist attractions, not a typical national park. Basic admission (a 2 day pass) includes an excellent bus tour, the museums and the IMAX movies. Additional special tours or programs should be booked in advance since they sell out quickly. NOTE: this facility may *sometimes* be closed on shuttle launch days! Shuttle Launches - passes to bring your car to sites...

SeaWorld Adventure Park in Orlando is a beautifully landscaped 200-acre marine theme park which features fantastic shows, thrilling rides, and fun exhibits -- a more laid-back alternative to Disney and Universal but every bit as popular. Rides and Attractions include: Rides Manta, a flying roller coaster Kraken, a floorless roller coaster. Journey to Atlantis, a boat ride with roller coaster elements themed to the mythical Atlantis. Shamu Express, a junior roller coaster with cars themed as Shamu. Sky Tower, 400-foot tall rotating observation tower, built in 1973. Sea Carousel, a carousel themed with caricatured marine mammals and fish. Jazzy Jellies, a tea cup style ride that lifts up and spins controlled by riders with a disk Swishy Fishies, a teacups ride themed as fish. Ocean Commotion, a rockin' tug ride. The Flying F...

Disney's Magic Kingdom is the original and "main" park at Walt Disney World (based on the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California). With more than 17 million visitors a year, it is the world's most popular theme park. It is organised around the central landmark of Cinderella's Castle, with various "lands" situated around this central hub. The lands are, starting from the main entrance and going clockwise around Cinderella Castle: Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown Fair, and Tomorrowland. Of the four Walt Disney World theme parks, the Magic Kingdom is the oldest, most popular, and the most child-friendly, although many adults love the escapism as well. Adult visitors who do not enjoy family oriented rides may want to visit Epcot or Hollywood Studios for a more thrill seaking experience instead...

Disney World's 2nd theme park opened October 1, 1982, as EPCOT Center, joining the Magic Kingdom. Epcot is divided into two distinct areas, Future World and World Showcase. World Showcase - features 11 different countries, focusing on authentic food and merchandise, each one hosted by citizens of that country. Each country is depicted by scaled down building representing that country and a re-enactment of each countires culture and ambience. Future World - comprises a variety of attractions, each one highlighting one aspect of human progress. The "future" in this depictment is not the fantasy such as that of the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, but the promise of a future in which communication, imagination, and conservation have become mankind's foremost values. Test Track and Mission: Space are the most thrilling of the attractions. The latest addition is Soarin'...

Disney World's third theme park opened in May 1989 originally as Disney-MGM Studios, joining the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Now called Hollywood Studios, this theme park features live shows and attractions based on movie and television favourites, from classic Golden Age films to modern-day blockbusters. The park is not just about Disney productions, either; it's also where you'll find rides and shows based on Lucasfilm properties, Pixar films, ABC television, and Jim Henson's Muppets. Among the top attractions are two exceptional thrill rides, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (a 13-story vertical drop) and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (a launched coaster, 0-60 in 2.8 seconds). The latest additions to the park are highly interactive: a live American Idol singing competition and a ride through a Toy Story-themed shooting gallery.

Disney World's 4th and newest theme park opened in April 1998, joining the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney-MGM Studios (now called Hollywood Studios). Whilst the animals are the main attraction at the Animal Kingdom, they are in competition with some of the parks modern rides, such as Expedition Everest. Towering 200 feet over the surrounding terrain, this mini-mountain is visible from some distance away and even threatens to overtake the Tree of Life as the park's most visible icon. The Tree, perhaps by contrast, is most impressive up close, where its size and detail can truly be appreciated. The other major rides and attractions include It's Tough to be a Bug, a 3-D movie based on the Pixar film A Bug's Life; Kilimanjaro Safaris, a jeep ride through the recreated African savanna; Kali River Rapids, a soaking raft ride; and Dinosaur, a time travel ride into the late Cret...

Typhoon Lagoon (which opened on June 1, 1989) is the most visited water park in the world (based on an annual average of more than 2 million visitors per year). It is home to the world's largest outdoor wave pool. The theme of the park is the "Disney legend" of a typhoon that wreaked havoc upon a formerly pristine tropical paradise. Ships, fishing gear and surfboards are strewn about where the storm flung them. The centerpiece of the park is "Miss Tilly," a shrimp boat impaled upon a mountain named "Mount Mayday" that erupts a 50-foot (15 m) geyser of water every half hour, right before the bells of the watch sound on Miss Tilly. The parks’ mascot is named “Lagoona Gator” who is related to Blizzard Beach’s mascot Ice Gator.

Blizzard Beach (opened on April 1, 1995) was the third Disney World water park after Disney's River Country and Typhoon Lagoon. The theme of the park is the "Disney legend" of a freak snowstorm in the area, leading to the construction of Florida's first ski resort. Naturally, the snow didn't last long, leaving behind a collection of waterlogged but snow-less ski jumps and chair lifts. The failed resort was in the process of closing for good when an alligator was seen sliding down a flume and splashing into a pool of water, screaming "Yahoo!" Thus the "ski resort" was reborn as a water park, with the alligator (named "Ice Gator") as mascot. In 2008, the park hosted approximately 1.89 million guests, ranking it the second-most visited water park in the world, behind its sister park, Typhoon Lagoon. The majority of the major attractions ...

Alcatraz is a decommissioned prison island (federal penitentiary) nestled in the bay. Before it became a prison it served first as a lighthouse (the West Coast's first lighthouse), then a military outpost, and then a military prison. After this, it served as a federal prison for 29 years between 1934 and 1963. Its location was near perfect due to its isolation and the frigid waters and hazardous currents of the bay, which made escape attempts extremely difficult. Known by it's nickname "The Rock", this prison was once home to some of the most notorious inmates in U.S. history. Famous inmates included Al Capone, who served four and a half years here, and Robert Stroud — "The Birdman of Alcatraz," — who spent a long 17 years here. The notorious gangster and bootlegger, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, also served time at the Rock. I...

Fisherman's Wharf is San Francisco's most popular tourist destination with around 12 million visitors each year. For over a century this historic waterfront has been the hub of the city's fishing fleet and is still famous for the depth and variety of its harvest, as well as for having some of the best seafood restaurants in the city. Today, it's also renowned for its numerous tourist attractions such as museums, souvenir stores, historical buildings and piers, and scenic vistas over the Bay. It is located at the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, along the San Francisco Bay. It runs all the way from Pier 39 through to Municipal Pier at the end of Aquatic Park. It is bordered by Van Ness Ave to the east and Bay St to the south. The most densely centred tourist area of Fisherman's Wharf is Pier 39 which is a 45-acre pier-complex featuring over 100 specialty st...

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world's largest and most recognisable suspension bridges which spans the Golden Gate (the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean). As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, it connects the city of San Francisco on the N tip of the San Francisco Peninsula. The bridge is widely regarded as one of the architectural triumphs of the 20th century and is also one of the most photographed bridges in the world.

The National Mall is a unique National Park, filled with an intense concentration of monuments, memorials, museums, and monumental government buildings instantly recognisable to people all over the world. The White House, the US Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial the Jefferson Memorial, the National Gallery of Art, the Air and Space Museum, the National Natural History Museum, the Holocaust Museum, the International Spy Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery are just a few of the top national attractions here, all within walking distance of each other. The tourist-designated sights are just half of the attraction, though—to walk down the National Mall is to thread the halls of world power in the modern era. Here the world'...

The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical style. It has been the residence of every U.S. President since John Adams.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a USA National Memorial located in the US state of South Dakota, in the vicinity (35 miles) of Rapid City. Featuring the monumental faces of four former Presidents of the USA, the 60ft granite rock blasted and carved from the white rock, represents an iconic destination for many travellers to the area. Mount Rushmore depicts the faces of four former U.S. Presidents (from left to right): George Washington, first president Thomas Jefferson, third president Theodore Roosevelt, twenty-sixth president Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president

Universal City situated in Los Angeles, California is the home to Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, CityWalk, and the world's largest motion picture studio. Universal Studios Hollywood. The tram tour of the backlot is still the heart and soul of the park. See the sets from Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Austin Powers, and many more. The theme park is also first rate. City Walk is located outside the gates to the theme park and is free, other than parking. Feel immersed in a comic strip - over-the-top colorful architecture, talented street performers, dozens of restaurants (all price points), novelty shopping, an IMAX theater, and a NASCAR simulator. The outdoor "mall" is usually packed on weekends and summer nights, which adds to the energy and atmosphere.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a popular tourist attraction in Hollywood (situated along Hollywood Boulevard). The Walk of Fame consists of a series of stars embedded in the sidewalk to commemorate famous movie, radio, theatre, and TV personalities. Since 1960, over two thousand stars have been immortalized; the schedule for upcoming star ceremonies is listed on the Walk of Fame's website.

Disneyland Park (generally referred to as its former name, Disneyland) is a theme park located in Anaheim, California. The park opened on July 18, 1955 and has since had the greatest cumulative attendance of any theme park in the world, with close to 600 million guests since July 18, 1955. In 2009, 15.9 million people visited the park making it the second most visited park in the world during that calendar year. Disneyland also holds the distinction of being the only theme park to be designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself. In 1998, the theme park was re-branded "Disneyland Park" to distinguish it from the larger Disneyland Resort complex. The park is divided into realms each with its distinctive theme: Main Street, U.S.A., an early 20th century Midwest town based on Walt Disney's childhood Adventureland, featuring jungle-them...

The Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located entirely in N Arizona and is one of the most higly regarded tourist attractions in the USA. The massive canyon encompasses several distinct areas, most famous of which is Grand Canyon National Park, a United States National Park. The national park is itself divided into two main areas: the remote North Rim and the more accessible (and therefore more crowded) South Rim. In addition, the SW end of the canyon is located within the borders of two Indian reservations: the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Hualapai Indian Reservation (also known as Grand Canyon West). All of the sections of the canyon offer amenities for visitors, but the national park, and in particular the South Rim, is by far the most popular destination and the best equipped to handle the millions of yearly visitors. The Grand Canyon is a massi...

The Las Vegas Strip is the iconic centre of Las Vegas often referred to as Sin City. The strip starts S of downtown (Las Vegas Boulevard South), and forms a N to S street lined with large casino-hotels. The N end of the Strip's casino section is marked by the tall Stratosphere tower. Frequent shuttle buses run up and down the Strip and connect the Strip to downtown. The convention center and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) are located E of the Strip, which is where the Las Vegas Monorail runs. The airport is E of the Strip near the S end. Everything in the Vegas Strip is centred around gambling. The numerous big budget shows and attractions are all designed to keep visitors in the respective hotels and spending money. Those interested in the 'non-gambling' scene can enjoy a wide variety of shows from top performers, theatrical/circus companies and big budget shows...

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a National Park located on the Big Island of the island state of Hawaii in the USA. The park displays the results of hundreds of thousands of years of volcanism, migration, evolution and unique ecosystems that have defined Ancient Hawaiian culture. Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the largest, offer scientists insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and visitors' views of dramatic volcanic landscapes. In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 1987 The park offers a variety of ways in which to be explored. There are a number of excellent hikes, showcasing most of the flavors of Hawaiian geological activity. Kilauea Visitor Center, Near park entrance. Daily 7:45A...

The New Orleans French Quarter is the most famous, oldest, and most visited section of the city. Many old-line restaurants are in the Quarter, along with music clubs, museums, antiques shops, and drinking establishments. The French Quarter or "Vieux Carre" ("old square" in French) stretches along the Mississippi River from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue (13 blocks long) and back from the Mississippi to Rampart Street (6 blocks wide). The area was laid out in French and Spanish colonial times in the 18th century and while it has many hotels, restaurants, and businesses catering to visitors, it is still a functioning mixed-use residential and commercial neighbourhood where locals live and go about their daily lives.  

Times Square is a tourist hub and major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan (New York City). It lies at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretches from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. The extended Times Square area, also called the Theatre District, consists of the blocks between Sixth and Eighth Avenues from east to west, and West 40th and West 53rd Streets from S to N, making up the western part of the commercial area of Midtown Manhattan. The Theater District is a popular area of Manhattan in New York City, situated on the western side of Midtown. There is more to this area than just theater, with revivified neighborhoods to the west and north of the core entertainment zone. Times Square, filled with video screens, LED signs, and flashing lights is a family-friendly theme park of themed restaurants, theaters and hotels, as well as a developi...

Yosemite National Park is a USA National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains in east-central California. Yosemite is internationally renowned for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The 750,000-acre, 1,200 square-mile park contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1600 miles of streams, 800 miles of hiking trails, and 350 miles of roads. It is currently the third most visited national park in the USA, annually visited by nearly 3.9 million.

Everglades National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in S Florida in the state of Florida. The park protects more than 1.5 million acres, and is the 3rd largest national park in the lower 48 states, behind Yellowstone National Park (2nd) and Death Valley National Park (1st). During the dry season most facilities are open and a full range of tours and programs are available to enjoy. The park has four visitor centers: Ernest Coe Visitor Center. Open year round, this center offers educational displays, orientation films, informational brochures and a series of walking trails a short drive away. A bookstore with film, postcards, and insect repellent. Restrooms. Flamingo Visitor Center. Summer hours are intermittent and subject to change. Educational displays, informational brochures, backcountry permits and restrooms. Public boat ramps are also located near...

Yellowstone is the first and oldest national park in the world (set aside in 1872) and covers 3,472 square miles (8,987 km²). The park is mostly situated in the NW corner of Wyoming and is famous for its various geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features and is home to grizzly bears, wolves, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. Aside from its beautiful varied and rugged landscape, Yellowstone is world-famous for its geothermal features. Travelers to Yellowstone can view more than 300 geysers (such as "Old Faithful"), pools of boiling mud, and an amazing assemblage of wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison and elk, all while standing on the surface of the Earth's largest known "super-volcano".

Death Valley National Park, located primarily in the Southern California Desert (with a small portion extending into Nevada) is the largest national park in the USA and is also arguably one of the most striking parks on earth. Nearly every major geological era is elegantly exposed here. The valley itself is 130 miles (210 km) long, between six and 13 miles (10-21 km) wide and is surrounded by steep mountain ranges: the Panamint mountains to the west, and the Black, Funeral, and Grapevine mountains to the east. Its three million acres of wilderness and rich cultural history make it a lifetime's work to explore all that the valley has to offer.

Bryce Canyon National Park, located in Utah's Canyon Country is 35,835 acres (14,502 ha) or 56 mi² (145 km²) in extent, the designated area around the spectacular Bryce Canyon (not actually a canyon, but rather a giant natural amphitheater created by erosion) became a United States National Monument in 1923 and was designated as a National Park in 1928. The park is one of the most popular in Utah with nearly one million people visiting each year. Bryce Canyon consists of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The erosional force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have shaped the colorful limestone rock of the Claron Formation into bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called "hoodoos." The varued colors of the rocks and rock formations contribut...

Graceland is the home of Elvis Presley, "The King of Rock and Roll". It is therefore no surprise that this is the number one tourist attraction in Memphis. It currently serves as a museum which was opened to the public on June 7, 1982. The site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on November 7, 1991 and declared a National Historic Landmark on March 27, 2006. Graceland has become the second most-visited private home in America with over 600,000 visitors a year; only the White House has more visitors per year. Not surprisingly, there are lots of Elvis memorabilia to see here (note that the upper floor, with Elvis' bedroom and Lisa Marie's nursery, is not open to the public) which include customized private airplanes, an automobile collection, gold records, costumes, and more. Take note of Elvis Week (Death Week to the locals) in early August, culmi...

Willis Tower (formerly named the Sears Tower), is a 108-story, 1451-foot (442 m) skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois. At the time of its completion in 1974, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York, and it held this rank for nearly 25 years. The Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States and the fifth-tallest freestanding structure in the world, as well as the fifth tallest building in the world to the roof. Although Sears' naming rights expired in 2003, the building continued to be called Sears Tower for several years. In March 2009 London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings, Ltd., agreed to lease a portion of the building and obtained the building's naming rights. On July 16, 2009, the building was officially renamed Willis Tower.

Stratosphere Las Vegas is a tower, hotel, and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its tower is also the tallest tower, and the 5th-tallest structure, in the United States, as well as being the tallest structure in Las Vegas. The top of the tower has two observation decks, a restaurant known as "Top of the World" (revolving restaurant), and three thrill rides: Big Shot at 1,081 ft (329 m) is the highest thrill ride in the world Insanity, opened in 2005, at 900 ft (270 m) is the second highest thrill ride in the world; it dangles riders over the edge of the tower and then spins in a circular pattern at approximately forty miles per hour SkyJump Las Vegas, a controlled descent, Bungee jumping-like ride that will allow riders to plummet 855 ft (261 m) attached to a high speed, descent wire. SkyJump opened on April 2...

Albuquerque Biological Park is a park which includes the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Botanic Garden, the Rio Grande Zoo, and Tingley Beach . Combo tickets for the Biological Park can be purchased, and include the price of train rides on a small narrow-gauge train running between the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens and the Zoo. The train runs Tu-Su from around 10AM-4PM at 30 min. intervals. Rio Grande Zoo, 903 Tenth St SW (just SW of downtown). 9AM-5PM daily, except major holidays. It may not be as big as your average big city zoo, but this zoo is surprisingly comprehensive for its size, with most of the "popular" species you can expect at any good zoo: polar bears, lions, zebras, tigers, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, etc. And like any good zoo, the animals are in nice, naturalistic exhibits. The highlight exhibit areas are the seals, the polar bears, a la...

The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is a museum dedicated to the worldwide history, science, and art of all types of ballooning and lighter-than-air flight. It is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, and is situated just outside the grounds used for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest yearly balloon fiesta, and is named for Ben Abruzzo and Maxie Anderson, two Albuquerque natives who established several ballooning firsts, such as crossing oceans and continents. Opened on October 1, 2005, it is owned by the city of Albuquerque and is a collaborative project of the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation and the City of Albuquerque's Cultural Services Division. It is a 59,000-square-foot (5,500 m2) facility with class rooms, conference rooms, and many exhibits on the history of ballooning, including i...

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, located in Albuquerque, is owned and operated by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico and dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Pueblo Indian Culture, History and Art. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a non-profit that opened in August, 1976, to showcase the history and accomplishments of the Pueblo people, from Pre-Columbian to current time. The center includes a 10,000 sq ft (1,000 m2) museum of the authentic history and artifacts of traditional Pueblo cultures and their contemporary art. The permanent exhibit highlights the creativity and adaptation which made possible the survival, diversity and achievements of each of the 19 Pueblos. The center also includes a small, changing exhibit that highlights the work of living traditional and contemporary artists. Traditional Indian dances and artist demonstrations a...

The National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico is an establishment for preserving and promoting the culture of the Spanish-speaking world. The NHCC is located in the South Valley of Albuquerque, just south of downtown on Avenida César Chávez and 4th St., and features a variety of architecture including a renovated hacienda-style school and modern buildings as stylized Mayan pyramids. The Executive Director is Dr. Estevan Rael Gálvez.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (formerly named National Atomic Museum) is a national repository of nuclear science information chartered by the 102nd United States Congress under Public Law 102-190, and located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "The mission of the National Atomic Museum is to serve as America's resource for nuclear history and science. The Museum presents exhibits and quality educational programs that convey the diversity of individuals and events that shape the historical and technical context of the nuclear age.

The Albuquerque Museum is museum located in Albuquerque, New Mexico in Old Town Albuquerque dedicated to preserving the art and history of Albuquerque and the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico and to pursue and further the cultural and educational programs in the city of Albuquerque. The museum features art of the Southwest as well as 400 years of Albuquerque history with permanent displays and special exhibitions. The museum was first created in 1967 and located in the Albuquerque International Sunport. The collection outgrew the available space in the terminal, and the current location was built in 1979. The building was designed by Antoine Predock. The museum's permanent exhibits dedicated to the history of Albuquerque include early maps, conquistador armor, weavings, and other artifacts of colonial life in New Mexico. The museum also houses changing exhibits, a massive ...

The American International Rattlesnake Museum is a museum located in Albuquerque, New Mexico in Old Town Albuquerque. The museum is devoted to snakes, particularly rattlesnakes. The museum has the largest collection of different species of live rattlesnakes in the world, and claims to host more different species than the Bronx Zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo, the National Zoo, the Denver Zoo, the San Francisco Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo combined. In addition to rattlesnakes, the museum holds a live Gila Monster. The museum also houses a large collection of snake-related artwork, artifacts, and memorabilia. The museum also contains a gift shop.

¡Explora! is a science center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, located near Old Town Albuquerque. Its name is the imperative form of the Spanish language verb explorar, which means to explore. The museum employs a hands-on, inquiry-based learning approach to science, math and art. The museum has 20,000 square feet of exhibit space on two floors, which contain over 250 interactive exhibits that cover a broad range of science, technology and art. Notable exhibits include a laminar flow fountain, an experiment bar, an arts and crafts area, and a high-wire bike. In addition to the exhibits, the building houses a performance theater, gift store, educational program areas, the in-house exhibit workshop and staff offices. ¡Explora! is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). Explora, along with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History a...

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is a natural history and science museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico near Old Town Albuquerque. The Museum was founded in 1986. The Museum's permanent exhibit halls illustrate a "journey through time", covering the birth of the Universe (≈13.6 billion years ago) to the Ice Age (≈10,000 years ago). The eight journey through time halls are as follows: Origins, Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Jurassic Super Giants, New Mexico's Seacoast, Age of Volcanoes, Evolving Grasslands, Cave Experience, and New Mexico's Ice Age. "Jurassic Super Giants" features the complete skeletons of Seismosaurus, Saurophaganax, Stegosaurus, and one leg of a Brachiosaurus. In the museum's atrium is the skeleton of Stan, a Tyrannosaurus rex measuring forty feet (≈12.2 meters) in length and twelve feet (≈3.7 meters) in hei...

Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Anaheim, California, owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company. Known as Disneyland when it opened on July 18, 1955, and still colloquially known by that name, it is the only theme park to be designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. In 1998, the theme park was re-branded "Disneyland Park" to distinguish it from the larger Disneyland Resort complex. Walt Disney came up with the concept of Disneyland after visiting various amusement parks with his daughters in the 1930s and 1940s. He initially envisioned building a tourist attraction adjacent to his studios in Burbank to entertain fans who wished to visit; however, he soon realized that the proposed site was too small. After hiring a consultant to help determine an appropriate site for his project, Walt ...

Knott's Berry Farm was America's first theme park and is still operating under the ownership of the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (the linked food specialty business is part of The J. M. Smucker Company). The theme park also features a resort hotel.

Zoo Atlanta is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1889, the Zoo is Atlanta’s oldest cultural destination and is one of the oldest continuously operating zoological institutions in the United States. Zoo Atlanta houses over 1,300 animals representing more than 220 species. Home to the nation’s largest collections of gorillas and orangutans, the Zoo is also one of only four zoos in the U.S. currently housing giant pandas.

Piedmont Park is a 189-acre (0.76 km2) urban park in Atlanta, Georgia, located about 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of Downtown, between the Midtown and Virginia Highland neighborhoods. The park was originally designed by Joseph Forsyth Johnson to host the first of two major expositions held in the park in the late 19th century. The Piedmont Exposition opened in October 1887 to great fanfare. The event was a success and set the stage for the World's Fair which was held in the park seven years later in 1895. Both exhibitions showcased the prosperity of the region that had occurred during and after the Reconstruction period. In the early 20th century, a redesign plan called the Olmsted plan, was begun by the sons of New York Central Park architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. The effort led to the addition of scenic paths in the park and the joining of the park with the Ansley pa...

Centennial Olympic Park is a 21 acre (85,000 m²) public park located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA that is owned and operated by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. The park was built by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) as part of the infrastructure improvements for the Centennial 1996 Summer Olympics. ACOG's chief executive, Billy Payne, conceived it as both a central gathering location for visitors and spectators during the Olympics and as a lasting legacy for the city.

Grant Park is the oldest city park in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Fourth in size only to Chastain Park, Freedom Park and Piedmont Park, Grant Park has two major attractions besides the park itself: Zoo Atlanta, established in 1889 and originally known as the Grant Park Zoo; and the Atlanta Cyclorama, a cyclorama featuring the 1864 Battle of Atlanta from the American Civil War. The park serves over two million visitors per year.

The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA at Pemberton Place, is the world's largest aquarium with more than 8.5 million US gallons (31,000 m³) of marine and fresh water housing more than 120,000 animals of 500 different species. The aquarium's notable specimens include four young whale sharks, four beluga whales, and four manta rays. Funded mostly by a $250 million donation from Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus, the aquarium was built on a 20 acre (81,000 m²) site north of Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. Marcus credited his 60th birthday dinner at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 1990 among the inspirations behind his desire to build an aquarium in Atlanta.

The World of Coca-Cola is a permanent exhibition featuring the history of The Coca-Cola Company and its well-known advertising as well as a host of entertainment areas and attractions. It is located in Atlanta, Georgia (where the company's headquarters are located) at Pemberton Place (named in honor of John Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola), a 20-acre (81,000 m2) complex located across Baker Street from Centennial Olympic Park that is home to the Georgia Aquarium and future Center for Civil & Human Rights. It opened to the public on May 24, 2007, relocating from and replacing the original exhibit.

Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site established on October 10, 1980, consists of several buildings surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr.'s boyhood home on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn historic district of Atlanta, Georgia. The original Ebenezer Baptist Church, the church where King and his father Martin Luther King, Sr. pastored, is also part of the national historic site. These places are critical components in the interpretation of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy as a leader of the American civil rights movement. In total, the buildings included in the site make up 35 acres (0.14 km²). The visitor center contains a museum that chronicles the American civil rights movement which follows the parallel paths of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. A firehouse (Fire Station No. 6), built in 1894, served the Sweet Auburn community until 1991, and now...

The Atlanta History Center is a history museum located in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, Georgia. The Museum was founded in 1926, and currently consists of 12 exhibits. There are also historic gardens and houses located on the grounds, including the Swan House and Tullie Smith Farm. The Museum houses the Kenan Research Center, which includes 3.5 million resources and a reproduction of historian Franklin Garrett's (1906-2000) office. The Museum also has one of the largest collections of civil war artifacts in the world. The Atlanta History Center operates three types of exhibits - permanent, temporary, and traveling. There are six permanent exhibits. The Centennial Olympic Museum is made up of 2 sections. One is the upper Sports Lab, accessible by elevator, in which you are able to test yourself against the Olympic records. There is also the main area, in which there ...

Fernbank Museum of Natural History, in Atlanta, is a museum in that presents exhibitions and programming about natural history that are meant to entertain as well as educate the public. Its mission is to encourage a greater appreciation of the planet and its people. Fernbank Museum has a number of permanent exhibitions and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions in its expansive facility, designed by Graham Gund Architects. Giants of the Mesozoic, on display in the atrium of Fernbank Museum, features a 123-foot (37 m) long Argentinosaurus (the largest dinosaur ever classified) as well as a Giganotosaurus. The permanent exhibition, A Walk Through Time in Georgia, tells the twofold story of Georgia's natural history and the development of the planet. The nearby Fernbank Science Center, operated by the DeKalb County Board of Education, hosts additional exhibits and ...

The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta, Georgia houses U.S. President Jimmy Carter's papers and other material relating to the Carter administration and the Carter family's life. The library also hosts special exhibits, such as Carter's Nobel Peace Prize and a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, including a copy of the Resolute Desk. The Carter Library and Museum includes some parts that are owned and administered by the federal government, and some that are privately owned and operated. The library and museum are run by the National Archives and Records Administration and are part of the Presidential Library system of the federal government. Privately-owned areas house Carter's offices and the offices of the Carter Center, a non-profit human rights agency. The library was built in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta, on land that had been acquired by the state...

The Margaret Mitchell House is a historic house museum located in Atlanta. The structure was the home of author Margaret Mitchell. Located in Midtown, at 990 Peachtree Street, the house was known as the Crescent Apartments when Mitchell and her husband lived in Apt. 1 on the ground floor from 1925 to 1932. While living there, Mitchell wrote the bulk of her Pulitzer prize-winning novel, Gone with the Wind. The house also contains a Visitor Center, and a portion of the museum is wholly devoted to the filming of the 1939 film based on the book.

The Texas State Capitol is located in Austin, Texas and is the fourth building to be the house of Texas government in Austin. It houses the chambers of the Texas Legislature and the office of the governor of Texas. It was designed originally during 1881 by architect Elijah E. Myers, and was constructed beginning 1882–88 by direction of civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker. A $75 million underground extension was completed during 1993. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places during 1970 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark during 1986. The Texas State Capitol building is 308 ft (94 m) tall.

Zilker Metropolitan Park is a recreational area in the heart of south Austin (near Barton Springs Pool and Lady Bird Lake) that comprises over 350 acres of publicly owned land. It is named after its benefactor Andrew Jackson Zilker, who donated the land to the city in 1917. It was developed into the park during the Great Depression in the 1930s. The park serves as a hub for many recreational activities and the hike and bike trail around Lady Bird Lake, both of which run next to the park. The park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on 1997. The large size of the park makes it a capable venue for large scale events such as the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the Zilker Park Kite Festival. Attractions within the park include: Barton Springs pool Zilker Botanical Garden The Zilker Zephyr miniature train Zilker Hillside Theater Zilker ...

Barton Springs Pool is a man-made recreational swimming pool located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists in the channel of Barton Creek and is filled by water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas. The pool is a popular venue for year-round swimming, as its temperature maintains a narrow range from about 68.0 °F (20.0 °C) in the winter to about 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) in the summer.

McKinney Falls State Park is a state park located at the southeastern edge of Austin, Texas, United States around the confluence of Onion and Williamson Creeks and is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The park opened on April 15, 1976 and is named after Thomas F. McKinney, a businessman and rancher, who owned and lived on the land in the mid-to-late 19th century.

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (formerly The Baltimore Zoo) is a zoo located in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Home to over 2,000 animals, the zoo is generally considered to be the third oldest zoological park in the United States, having opened in 1876. In 2004, the zoo was struck by financial problems and was forced to reduce its collection size by closing parts of the zoo. The Main Valley was closed due to its age, being incapable of holding animals comfortably, and the Reptile House was closed. The reptiles, as well as gibbons and snow leopards were sent on loan to other zoos and aquariums. In 2008, the zoo was featured in America's Best Zoos 2008. Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is active in many conservation programs, notably the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Program and Project Golden Frog; it is the zoo t...

The Maryland Science Center, located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, opened to the public in 1976. It includes three levels of exhibits, a planetarium, and an observatory. It was one of the original structures that drove the revitalization of the Baltimore Inner Harbor from its industrial roots to a thriving downtown destination. In 1987, an IMAX theater was added, but the museum continued to show its age as the end of the 20th century approached. In 2004, a large addition to the property was opened, and the modernized hands-on exhibits now include more than two dozen dinosaur skeletons. Subjects that the center displays include physical science, space, Earth science, the human body, and blue crabs that are native to the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland Science Center won a 2006 Best of Baltimore award for "Best Place to Take Kids."In 2008 the Maryland Science Center was named ...

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is a public aquarium located at 501 E Pratt St. in the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore, Maryland, USA. It was opened in 1981 and was constructed during Baltimore's urban renewal period. The aquarium has an annual attendance of 1.5 million (2009) to see its collection of 16,500 specimens representing 660 species. Particular attractions include the dolphin display, rooftop rainforest, and central ray pool, and multiple-story shark tank. Coastal Living named it the #1 aquarium in the U.S. in 2006. The National Aquarium in Baltimore is not to be confused with the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C.; however, the National Aquarium in Washington D.C. has been operated by the National Aquarium in Baltimore since 2003. In 2005, the National Aquarium was the largest tourist attraction in the state of Maryland. In November 2006, the National Aquarium...

The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is an art museum located in the Federal Hill neighborhood at 800 Key Highway in Baltimore, Maryland. The city agreed to give the museum a piece of land on the south shore of the Inner Harbor under the condition that its organizers would clean up residual pollution from a copper paint factory and a whiskey warehouse that formerly occupied the site. It has been designated by Congress as America's national museum for self-taught art. AVAM has 55,000 square feet (5,100 m2) of exhibit space and a permanent collection of approximately 4,000 pieces. The collection includes works by visionary artists Ho Baron, Nek Chand, Ted Gordon, Clyde Jones, Leo Sewell, Vollis Simpson and Ben Wilson as well as over 40 pieces from the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre of London. Some of this work is displayed in a gallery on the first floor of the Main Buildin...

Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a star shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812 when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in the Chesapeake Bay. It was during this bombardment of the fort that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner", the poem that would eventually be set to the tune of the "To Anacreon in Heaven", to become the national anthem of the United States.

The Westminster Hall and Burying Ground is a graveyard and former church located at 519 West Fayette Street in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Occupying the southeast corner of Fayette and Greene Street on the west side of downtown Baltimore, the site is probably most famous as the burial site of Edgar Allan Poe. The complex was declared a national historic district in 1974.

The Washington Monument in the elegant Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore (Maryland), was the first architectural monument planned to honor George Washington. Completed in 1829, the 178 foot doric column holds a ground-floor museum offering information about Washington as well as construction of the monument. Climbing the 228 steps to the top provides an excellent view of the city from the historic neighborhood where it is located.

The Walters Art Museum, located in Baltimore, Maryland's Mount Vernon neighborhood, is a public art museum founded in 1934. The museum's collection was amassed substantially by two men, William Thompson Walters (1819-1894), who began serious collecting when he moved to Paris at the outbreak of the American Civil War, and his son Henry Walters (1848–1931), who refined the collection and rehoused it in a palazzo building on Charles Street which opened in 1909. Upon his death, Henry Walters bequeathed the collection of over 22,000 works and the original Charles Street palazzo building to the city of Baltimore, “for the benefit of the public.” The collection touches masterworks of ancient Egypt, Greek sculpture and Roman sarcophagi, medieval ivories, illuminated manuscripts, Renaissance bronzes, Old Master and 19th-century paintings, Chinese ceramics and bronz...

The Baltimore Museum of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, was founded in 1914. Built in the Roman Temple style, the Museum is home to an internationally renowned collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. Founded in 1914 with a single painting, the BMA today has 90,000 works of art—including the largest holding of works by Henri Matisse in the world. It is located between the Charles Village and Remington neighborhoods, immediately adjacent to the Homewood campus of Johns Hopkins University, though the museum is an independent institution not affiliated with the University. The highlight of the museum is the Cone Collection, works by Matisse, Picasso, Cézanne, Manet, Degas, Gauguin, van Gogh, and Renoir, brought together by Baltimore sisters Claribel and Etta Cone.

Akaka Falls, situated in Akaka Falls State Park is a 422 feet (129 m) tall waterfall. The accessible portion of the park lies high on the right shoulder of the deep gorge into which the waterfall plunges, and the falls can be viewed from several points along a loop trail through the park. Also visible from this trail is Kahūnā Falls.

Mauna Kea is a Volcano on the island of Hawaii. Standing 4,205 m (13,796 ft) above sea level, its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. The mountain is actually the largest mountain in the world (measured from its base - though much of the mountain is under water) and is a dormant volcano which has become an international center for astronomy. Several astronomical observatories are located on its summit. The austere Mars-like landscape dotted with technological marvels is worth a look; if it is clear you might also get a look out to Maui. The elevation is high, and there are few tourist support facilities so hiking and exploring are discouraged. Also keep an eye out for the nene. No admission charge. Several tour companies offer tours to the summit and observatories of Mauna Kea for a fee of around $150-200 per person. Observatory facilities a...

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located on the west coast of the island of Hawaiʻi in the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. The historical park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu (one of the ancient laws) could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or puʻuhonua. The offender would be absolved by a priest and freed to leave. Defeated warriors and non-combatants could also find refuge here during times of battle. The grounds just outside the Great Wall that encloses the puʻuhonua were home to several generations of powerful chiefs. Tourists can embark on tours of the park encompassing traditional craft demos, simulations of the Hukilau (fishing with ti leaf ropes) and other activities (schedules vary). Honu (turtles) can frequently be ...

Lapakahi State Historical Park is a large area of ruins from an Ancient Hawaiian fishing village in the North Kohala District on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Off shore is the Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation District. The self-guided tour around the two 0.5 mile loops is pretty good. Located in Kohala, north of Kona, on Highway 270. No admission charge.

The home is a perfectly-preserved emblem of Southern heritage. Staff are well-versed in how the home, which is older than the city itself, has been involved in many pivotal points of Birmingham's development. It's an interesting and inexpensive way to learn of the city's heritage, the civil rights struggle, and more. Be advised the home, on Birmingham's West End, is in a somewhat blighted neighborhood. However, visiting during daylight hours carries very little risk. And the home is accessible through main artery roads off of Interstate 65 at the Green Springs Avenue exit. Homeowners on the street adjacent to Arlington have well-manicured properties, symbolic of efforts by West End leaders to strengthen this historic part of town.

The Gardens are worth visiting for anyone with a horticultural flair. Displays are not limited to Southern offerings; instead, they also pay tribute to other parts of the world. Also, take a drive, or a stroll, through one of the nearby "villages" of Mountain Brook. This tony town next to Birmingham is divided into three separate, walkable villages that offer locally-owned shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

The Birmingham Zoo is a zoological park that opened in 1955 in Birmingham, Alabama (USA). The 122-acre (49 ha) zoo is home to almost 800 animals representing over 200 species, including many endangered species from six continents. The Zoo is managed by a private non-profit corporation. It is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), participates in AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP). It is located, along with the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, in Lane Park, a 200-acre (81 ha) city-owned park near the western terminus of U.S. Highway 280 at U.S. Highway 31 on the southern slope of Red Mountain. Attractions and Exhibits include: Alligator Swamp Bird Aviaries Camel Rides (19 March through 1 August only) Cassowary Exhibit Flamingo Lagoon Kangaroo Kountry Lorikeet Interactive Feeding and Observation Aviary Macaw Plaza ...

Alabama Adventure is an Alabama amusement park, located off Interstate 20/59 in Bessemer, just west of Birmingham and east of Tuscaloosa. It is owned by Adrenaline Family Entertainment which also operates the Clementon Amusement Park in New Jersey. It is home to Magic City USA Theme Park and Splash Beach Water Park. It includes a children's area called Marvel City and a shopping/dining area known as Celebration Street. Alabama Adventure is the host of the First Financial Bank Concert Series, which has included such acts like Jesse McCartney, Aly & AJ, Vanessa Hudgens, Drake Bell, and Raven Symone. In 2005, the Alabama theme park was visited by approximately 345,000 people, making the park Alabama's second-most popular tourist destination according to the Bureau of Tourism and Travel and trailing only the Birmingham Zoo.[citation needed] In 2006, the number of visitors to Al...

The McWane Science Center (formerly known as the McWane Center) is a science museum and research archive located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama (USA). The state-of-the-art science center, aquarium and 280-seat IMAX Dome Theater is housed in the historic and refurbished Loveman's department store building. It opened to the public on July 11, 1998. Inside are more than 9,000 square feet (800 m2) of interactive exhibits, including the Challenger Learning Center of Alabama, created in memory of the Space Shuttle Challenger Flight 51-L crew. The World of Water exhibit showcases more than 50 species of marine and freshwater aquatic life. The Alabama Collections Center is the home for more than 500,000 artifacts from the former Red Mountain Museum. The center houses precious minerals, fossils and Native American artifacts. Highlights in the collection include the world's fourth-large...

Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama's largest state park at 9,940 acres (40.2 km2). It is located in Pelham, Alabama and is convenient (via a short drive on I-65) to Birmingham, Alabama's largest city. Activities at the park can include hiking, mountain biking, golf, swimming, camping and fishing which can be done daily. One can go horseback riding at specific times on the weekend which have to be planned in advanced. Paddle boats and canoes are available for rent. Day hikes range from easy to moderate. One of the hikes includes an elevated trail from which one can view large cages containing birds such as owls and buzzards. Oak Mountain is also home to the Alabama Wildlife Center, Alabama's largest wildlife rehabilitation facility. The center treats more than 2,000 injured animals per year. There are many improved campsites with water and electricity. Some backpacking an...

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the largest museums in the United States, attracting over one million visitors a year. It contains over 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas. The museum was founded in 1870 and its current location dates to 1909. In addition to its curatorial undertakings, the museum is affiliated with an art academy, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and a sister museum, the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts, in Nagoya, Japan. Some highlights of the MFA's collection include: Egyptian artifacts including sculptures, sarcophagi, and jewelry. French impressionist and post-impressionist works including Paul Gauguin's Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? as well as works by Manet, Renoir, Degas, Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne and many others. 18t...

The New England Aquarium, in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the most prominent and popular public aquariums in the United States. Founded in 1969 on the city's waterfront, it is considered one of the first modern public aquariums and is credited with revolutionizing the modern aquarium experience for visitors through its emphasis on a more natural setting for aquatic life. With a mission “to present, promote and protect the world of water,” it remains one of the few such institutions with commitments to research and conservation as well as education and entertainment. In addition to the main aquarium building, attractions at the New England Aquarium include the Simons IMAX Theatre and the New England Aquarium Whale Watch, which operates from April through November. More than 1.3 million people visit the aquarium and theatre each year.

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is an arboretum located in the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale sections of Boston, Massachusetts. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and is the second largest "link" in the Emerald Necklace. The grounds are open free of charge to the public from sunrise to sunset 365 days of the year. The Visitor's Center in the Hunnewell Building, 125 Arborway, is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sundays 12 p.m.–4 PM. The Visitor’s Center is closed on holidays. The Library, located in the Hunnewell Building, is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.. The Library is closed on Sundays and holidays.

The Mint Museum offers two locations; the Mint Museum Randolph located at 2730 Randolph Rd offers Decorative Arts, Art of the Ancient Americas, Colonial, Historic Costume Collection, North Carolina Ceramics, and coin collection; the Mint Museum Uptown offers Contemporary Art, American Art, European Painting, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design. in addition to the permanent collections each location hosts special traveling exhibitions. Admission: Adults $10, Seniors and Students $8, Children 5-17 $5, and children under 5 are free.

Discovery Place is a science and technology museum for visitors of all ages located in the Uptown area of Charlotte, North Carolina. Discovery Place brings science to life through hands-on interactive exhibits, thrilling activities and experiments, a larger-than-life IMAX Dome Theatre, and boundless other educational opportunities and programs. The Museum, which first opened in 1981. The most recent exhibition additions to Discovery Place include World Alive, Fantastic-Frogs and three Explore More hands-on labs. Discovery Place also operates an IMAX Dome Theatre, sometimes referred to as an OMNIMAX theatre. Discovery Place's IMAX Dome Theatre offers an immersive, up-close movie experience in the largest IMAX Dome Theatre in the Carolinas.

The Levine Museum of the New South, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a history museum focusing on life in the North Carolina Piedmont after the American Civil War. The museum includes temporary and permanent exhibits on a range of Southern-related topics. The museum's permanent exhibit is called "Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South", and features period displays that reflect regional history. The displays include a one-room tenant farmer's house, a cotton mill and mill house, an African-American hospital, an early Belk department store, and a civil-rights era lunch counter. Changing exhibits focus on local culture, art and history. Closed Mondays. Around $6 adults, $5 seniors and minors, under 6 free, Around $17 family.

The Carolinas Aviation Museum is an aviation museum on the grounds of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The mission of the Museum is to educate the public about the importance of aviation to our society and inspire the next generation to excel academically in the areas of math, science, and history through the preservation of our aviation heritage. The Museum was founded in 1992 by Floyd and Lois Wilson, and has a collection of over 50 static aircraft and a wealth of smaller historic items related to aviation in the North and South Carolina. Most of the collection consists of Cold War military aircraft, including several historic jet aircrafts from the 1950s and 1960s. Several aircraft came from the closed Florence Air & Missile Museum, Florence, South Carolina. A significant number of aircraft have also come from Marine Corps Air Station C...

Bojangles' Coliseum (originally Charlotte Coliseum and formally Independence Arena and Cricket Arena) is a 9,605-seat multi-purpose arena, in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is operated by the Charlotte Coliseum Authority, which also oversees the Ovens Auditorium and the Charlotte Convention Center.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina in the United States. The complex features a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) Quad-oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race. The speedway was built in 1959 by Bruton Smith and is considered the home track for NASCAR with many race teams located in the Charlotte area. The track is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports (SMI) with Marcus G. Smith (son of Bruton Smith) as track president. The 2,000 acres (810 ha) complex also features a state-of-the-art 0.25 miles (0.40 km) drag racing strip, ZMAX Dragway. It is the only all-concrete, four-lane drag strip in the United States and hosts NHRA events. Along side the drag strip is a state-of-the-art clay oval that hosts dirt racing including the World of Outlaws fin...

The Field Museum of Natural History (abbreviated FMNH) is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It sits on Lake Shore Drive next to Lake Michigan, part of a scenic complex known as the Museum Campus Chicago. The museum collections contain over 21 million specimens, of which only a small portion are ever on display. Some prized exhibits in The Field Museum include: Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus currently known. A comprehensive set of human cultural anthropology exhibits, including artifacts from ancient Egypt, the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific Islands, and Tibet. A large and diverse taxidermy collection, featuring many large animals, including two prized African elephants and the infamous Lions of Tsavo, featured in the 1996 movie The Ghost and the Darkness. A large collection of dinosaurs in the Evolving Planet exhibit (formerly Life Over Time...

The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago, Illinois was the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere and is the oldest in existence today. The Adler was founded and built in 1930 by the philanthropist Max Adler, with the assistance of the first director of the planetarium, Philip Fox. On the occasion of its dedication on May 10, 1930. Located on Northerly Island, it is a part of Chicago's Museum Campus along with the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. For its design, architect Ernest A. Grunsfeld, Jr. was awarded the gold medal of the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1931. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The Adler has three full-size theaters. Since the museum's opening in 1930, visitors view representations of the night sky in the historic Sky Theater planetarium, the outer protective ...

The John G. Shedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium in Chicago, Illinois in the United States that opened on May 30, 1930. The aquarium contains over 25,000 fish, and was for some time the largest indoor aquarium in the world with 5,000,000 US gallons (19,000,000 l) of water. The Shedd Aquarium was the first inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater fish collection. It is surrounded by Museum Campus Chicago, which it shares with the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History. The aquarium has 2 million annual visitors; it was the most visited aquarium in the U.S. in 2005, and in 2007, it surpassed the Field Museum as the most popular cultural attraction in Chicago. It contains more than 1500 species including fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects. The aquarium received awards for best exhibit from the Association of Z...

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA in Jackson Park, in the Hyde Park neighborhood adjacent to Lake Michigan. It is housed in the former Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Initially endowed by Sears, Roebuck and Company president and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, it first opened in 1933 during the Century of Progress Exposition. It is also the largest science museum in the western hemisphere. Among its diverse and expansive exhibits, the Museum features a working coal mine, a German submarine (U-505) captured during World War II, a 3,500-square-foot (330 m2) model railroad, the first diesel-powered streamlined stainless-steel passenger train (Pioneer Zephyr), and the Apollo 8 spacecraft which flew the first humans to the Moon. Based on 2009 attendance, the Museum of Science and Industry was the third larg...

The Bahá'í House of Worship (or Bahá'í Temple) in Wilmette, Illinois, is the oldest surviving Baha'i House of Worship in the world, and the only one in the United States. The House of Worship is a domed structure surrounded by gardens and fountains on a 6.97 (2.82 ha) acre plot of land. The space between the floor of the auditorium and the ceiling of the dome measures 138 feet (42 m) high, and the interior of the dome is 72 feet (22 m) in diameter. The auditorium seats 1,191 people. Since nine is the last number in the decimal system, Bahá'ís believe it symbolizes perfection and completion. Thus, many elements of the building occur in groups of nine. For example, there are nine entrances to the auditorium, nine interior alcoves, nine dome sections, and nine fountains in the garden area. The cladding of the building is composed of a c...

Lincoln Park is a 1,208 acre (4.9 km², 1.8875 mi², 488,86 ha) park along the lakefront of Chicago, Illinois' North Side, facing Lake Michigan. Lincoln Park is Chicago's largest public park. The park, named after Abraham Lincoln, stretches for seven miles (11 km) from Ohio Street (400 N) on the south[1][2] to near Ardmore Avenue (5800 N) on the north, just north of the Lake Shore Drive terminus at Hollywood Avenue. The Lincoln Park Zoo and museums are located between North Avenue (1600 N) and Diversey Parkway (2800 N) in the neighborhood that takes its name from the park, Lincoln Park. The park further to the north is characterized by parkland, beaches, recreational areas, nature reserves, and harbors. To the south, there is a more narrow strip of beaches east of Lake Shore Drive, almost to downtown. Lincoln Park, with 20 million visitors a year, is ...

Lincoln Park Zoo is a free 35-acre (14 ha) zoo located in Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois. The zoo was founded in 1868, making it one of the oldest zoos in the nation. The zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Lincoln Park Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals. The zoo's exhibits include big cats, polar bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles, monkeys, and other species totalling nearly 1,250 animals. Also located in Lincoln Park Zoo is a burr oak tree which dates to 1830, three years before the city was founded. Lincoln Park Zoo is one of five zoos in the Chicago area, the others being the Brookfield Zoo, and the minor Phillips Park Zoo, Cosley Zoo and Indian Boundary Park. Lincoln Park Zoo is the main zoo within the Chicago city limits.

The Terminal Tower is a landmark skyscraper located on Public Square in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was built during the skyscraper boom of the 1920s and 1930s, and was the second-tallest building in the world when it was completed. The Terminal Tower stood as the tallest building in North America outside of New York City from its completion in 1930 until 1964. It is part of the Tower City Center mixed-use development, and its major tenants include Forest City Enterprises (corporate headquarters and current building owner) and Riverside Company. On a clear day, visitors on the observation deck can see 30 miles (48 km) from downtown Cleveland.

Key Tower is a skyscraper on Public Square in downtown Cleveland, Ohio designed by architect César Pelli. It is the tallest building in both the city of Cleveland and the state of Ohio, the 18th tallest building in the United States, and the 70th tallest building in the world. The building reaches 57 stories or 948 feet (289 m) to the top of its spire, and it can be visible for up to twenty miles (32 km) away. The tower contains about 1.5 million square feet (139,355 m²) of office space. It was originally built as the Society Center but was renamed when Key Bank acquired Society Bank. Society had recently acquired Ameritrust and canceled Ameritrust's plans for an even taller building on Public Square. Key Tower was developed by the Richard E. Jacobs Group and is owned by Wells Real Estate Funds. Key Bank's headquarters occupy most of the tower. When Key Tow...

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is an art museum situated in the Wade Park District, in the University Circle neighborhood on Cleveland's east side. Internationally renowned for its substantial holdings of Asian and Egyptian art, the museum houses a diverse permanent collection of more than 43,000 works of art from around the world. The Cleveland Museum of Art has remained historically true to the vision of its founders, keeping general admission free to the public.

The Great Lakes Science Center is a museum and educational facility in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. The center's exhibits focus on helping visitors to understand science, technology, and their interdependence with the environment. Many of the exhibits document the features of the natural environment in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The facility includes signature (permanent) and traveling exhibits, meeting space, a restaurant, and an Omnimax theater. The museum opened in July 1996. The center's signature exhibits concentrate in three major areas: Great Lakes environment, technology, and science phenomenon. During the 2005/2006 school year, a new Outreach program made its debut, and Great Summer Science, the museum's summer science camps, started summer 2006. The camps are a source of educational fun. Campers range in age from kindergarten through 8th ...

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a 165-acre (67 ha) zoo in Cleveland, Ohio. The zoo is divided into several areas: the RainForest, the African Savanna, Northern Trek, the Australian Adventure, and the Primates, Cats, and Aquatics House. The Metroparks Zoo has one of the largest collections of primates in North America. It features Monkey Island, a concrete island where a large population of Colobus Monkeys are kept in free-range conditions (no cages or walls). The zoo is a part of the Cleveland Metroparks system. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo was founded in 1882, which makes it the seventh oldest zoo in the United States. It is the most popular year round attraction in Northeast Ohio (by attendance the Cleveland Indians were the most popular attraction in Northeast Ohio in 2007 with a total attendance of 2,275,911. The Zoo announced that 1,227,593 people visited in 2007.

Cleveland Botanical Garden, located in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States, was founded in 1930 as the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland. It was the first such organization in an American city. Originally housed in a converted boathouse on Wade Park Lagoon, the center served as a horticultural library, offering classes and workshops for gardeners and spearheading beautification projects in the community. In 1966, having outgrown its original home, the Garden Center moved to its present location in University Circle, the site of the old Cleveland Zoo. Remnants of the old bear pit still remain in the Ohio Woodland Garden. In 1994, the organization's Board of Trustees changed the name to Cleveland Botanical Garden to reflect a dramatically expanded mission and launched aThe centerpiece of the $50 million 2003 expansion is The Eleanor Armstrong...

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a museum located on the sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration Building (formerly the Texas School Book Depository). The museum examines the life, times, death, and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. It is located at the very spot from which Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed Kennedy. The museum's exhibition area uses historic films, photographs, artifacts and interpretive displays to document the events of the assassination, the findings of the official investigations that followed and the historical legacy of the national tragedy. The museum is self-sufficient in funding, relying solely on donations and ticket sales. It rents the space from the County of Dallas, Texas. The museum opened its doors on Presidents' Day, February 20, 1989. The museum is located in the old Texas School Book Depository building, at the intersection ...

The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is a major art museum located in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, Texas, USA, along Woodall Rodgers Freeway between St. Paul and Harwood. In 1984, the museum moved from its previous location in Fair Park to the Arts District, Dallas, Texas. The new building was designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, the 2007 winner of the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal. The Dallas Museum of Art collection is made up of more than 24000 objects, dating from the third millennium BC to the present day. The museum is also defined by its dynamic exhibition policy and award-winning educational programs. The Mildred R. and Frederick M. Mayer Library (the museum’s non-circulating research library) contains over 50,000 volumes available to curators and the general public.

Cowboys Stadium, is a domed stadium with a retractable roof in Arlington, Texas. It serves as the home of the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys. It replaced the partially covered Texas Stadium, which opened in 1971, and served as the Cowboys' home through the 2008 season. It was completed on May 27, 2009. The stadium seats 80,000, making it the third largest stadium in the NFL by seating capacity. The maximum capacity of the stadium, including standing room, is 110,000. The Party Pass (open areas) sections are behind seats in each end zone and on a series of six elevated platforms connected by stairways. The stadium is the largest domed stadium in the world, has the world's largest column-free interior and the largest high definition video screen which hangs from 20 yard line to 20 yard line. The facility can also be used for a variety of other activities outside of its mai...

The Meadows Museum is a museum in Dallas, USA. A division of the Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts, houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Spanish art outside of Spain, with works dating from the 10th to the 20th century. It includes masterpieces by some of the world's greatest painters: El Greco, Velázquez, Ribera, Murillo, Goya, Miró, Sorolla, and Picasso. Highlights of the Meadows Collection include Renaissance altarpieces, monumental Baroque canvases, exquisite rococo oil sketches, polychrome wood sculptures, Impressionist landscapes, modernist abstractions, a comprehensive collection of the graphic works of Goya, and a select group of sculptures by major twentieth-century masters - Rodin, Maillol, Giacometti, Moore, Smith, and Oldenburg. The University Art Collection, also administered by the museum, includes works...

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre (267,000 m²) botanical garden located at 8617 Garland Road in east Dallas, Texas (USA), on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake. The arboretum is a series of gardens and fountains with a view of the lake and the downtown Dallas skyline. The majority of the grounds were once part of a 44-acre (180,000 m2) estate known as Rancho Encinal, built for geophysicist Everett Lee DeGolyer and his wife Nell. Mrs. DeGolyer's interests included her extensive flower gardens. The DeGolyer Home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since 1976, the DeGolyer estate has formed the largest portion of the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. The addition of the adjoining Camp estate increased the size of the grounds to sixty-six acres.

Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park features over 6,000 aquatic animals and is located on the state fairgrounds in the southern part of town.

The Dallas World Aquarium is an aquarium and zoo located in West End Historic District of downtown Dallas, Texas (USA). The zoo aids conservation and education by housing many animals that are threatened or endangered as part of a cooperative breeding program with other zoos in the US and the world. The Dallas World Aquarium has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1997, and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

Dallas Zoo is a zoo located 3 miles (5 km) south of downtown Dallas in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas (USA). The zoo was originally founded in 1888 and now covers 106 acres (0.43 km2), making it the largest zoological park in Texas. The Dallas Zoo is home to 406 species and 1,800 animals (6,800 counting invertebrates). There are another 375 species of marine and freshwater animals in The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park, which it also manages. The zoo is divided into three major regions: ZooNorth, Wilds of Africa, and Giants of the Savanna.

Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park is a Texas amusement park. Owned by Amusement Management International, Zero Gravity has been in operation more than 16 years in Dallas, Texas. The park currently operates 5 rides: Bungee Jump - seven story Air Boingo tower - a permanent 7 storey platform designed especially for bungee jumping Skycoaster - 110 foot high hand gliding-flying simulator that reaches speeds up to 60 mph. Texas Blast Off - Rockets straight up 150 feet into the air with the speed of a dragster... zero to 70 mph in 1.2 seconds. Nothin' But Net - Freefall 100 feet into a net below 16-story tower. Skyscraper - Towering propeller, speeding 60 mph, pulls 4Gs.

Sandy Lake Amusement Park is a small amusement park located in Carrollton, Texas, Dallas County, Texas. Tickets are purchased and used to ride and pay for food. Each ticket has a face value of 50 cents and come in a variety of colours Thrills: Rock o Plane Scrammbler( 4 tickets Spider( 5 tickets) Zumer( 4 tickets) Tilt A Whirl( 4 tickets Space Shuttle( 4 tickets) Paratrooper( 4 tickets) Dragon Wagon( 2 tickets) Bumper cars( 5 tickets Family: Pretzel( 4 tickets) Little Dipper( 3 tickets) Other Minigolf( 5 tickets Paddleboats( 5 tickets Arcade( uses cash only)

The Devil's Golf Course is a large salt pan on the floor of Death Valley, located in the Mojave Desert within Death Valley National Park in eastern California. It was named after a line in the 1934 National Park Service guide book to Death Valley National Monument, which stated that "Only the devil could play golf" on its surface, due to a rough texture from the large halite salt crystal formations. Lake Manly once covered the valley to a depth of 30 feet (9.1 m). The salt in the Devil's Golf Course consists of the minerals that were dissolved in the lake's water and left behind in the Badwater Basin as the lake evaporated. With an elevation several feet above the valley floor at Badwater, the Devil's Golf Course remains dry, allowing weathering processes to sculpt the salt there into complicated forms.

The Colorado State Capitol Building, located at 200 East Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado, is the home of the Colorado General Assembly and the offices of the Governor of Colorado and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado. The building is intentionally reminiscent of the United States Capitol. Designed by Elijah E. Myers, it was constructed during the 1890s from Colorado white granite, and opened for use during November 1894. The distinctive gold dome consists of real gold plate, first added during 1908, commemorating the Colorado Gold Rush. The building is part of Denver's Civic Center area. Tours are available, though the big attraction for tourists is standing above the words "One Mile Above Sea Level" engraved into one of the steps out front.

Set in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, Colorado's first Black woman doctor, this museum is dedicated to the contributions of Black pioneers in the Old West. Entrance Fee: $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children.

The Byers-Evans House Museum is a historic house museum in Denver, Colorado, USA. The museum is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 Am to 4 PM. Guided house tours are offered every hour on the half hour from 10:30 AM until 2:30 PM. Admission costs for the house tours are $6 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and $4 for children aged 6-12. Admission to the gallery is free. The Byers-Evans House Gallery participates in First Friday Art Walks on the first Friday of the month from 5 to 9 PM. Admission to the gallery for First Friday is free. The museum is administered by History Colorado.

Chamberlin Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by University of Denver. It is located in Denver, Colorado (USA) in Observatory Park. It is named for Humphrey B. Chamberlin, a Denver real estate magnate who pledged $50,000 in 1888 to build and equip the facility. The observatory building was designed by Robert S. Roeschlaub, with the astronomical aspects and functions designed by Professor Herbert Alonzo Howe after he visited many observatories in the east. It was modeled after the Goodsell Observatory at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and constructed from rusticated red sandstone blocks. The Romanesque structure includes a central rotunda and domed roof. Construction began in 1890. The 20-inch objective lens for the observatory's main refracting telescope was made by Alvan Clark & Sons, and the mount was built by George Nicholas Saegmull...

The Denver Art Museum is an art museum in Denver, Colorado located in Denver's Civic Center. It is known for its collection of American Indian art, and has a comprehensive collection numbering more than 68,000 works from across the world. The museum has nine curatorial departments: architecture, design & graphics; Asian art; modern and contemporary; native arts (American Indian, Oceanic, and African); New World (pre-Columbian and Spanish Colonial); painting and sculpture (European and American); photography; Western art; and textile art. Admission: $13 adults, $10 seniors/students, $5 youth (6-18), free for children 5 and under. Discounted rates available for Colorado residents. Free admission for eveyone on the first Saturday of the month.

The Denver Firefighters Museum is a museum in downtown Denver, Colorado, United States. A nonprofit institution 501 (C) (3), it consists of an 11,000-square-foot (1,000 m2) facility housing four galleries that explore the history of firefighting in Denver. Established in 1978, it is located in the 1909-built former Fire Station No. 1, a building that has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. The Denver Firefighters Museum maintains a collection of more than 30,000 artifacts, photographs and manuscripts. Main Level Gallery Six themes comprise this gallery that follows the process of fire. Communicating Fire—discuss how fire has been communicated through time from pulling alarm boxes and telegraph, to dialing zero and calling 911 today; Personal Protective Tools and Equipment—display of bunking gear, helmets, boots, and firefighting too...

The Denver Mint is a branch of the United States Mint that struck its first coins on February 1, 1906. The mint is still operating and producing coins for circulation, as well as mint sets and commemorative coins. Coins produced at the Denver Mint bear a D mint mark (not to be confused with the mark of the Dahlonega Mint). The Denver Mint is the single largest producer of coins in the world. Tours begin every hour on the hour.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a municipal natural history and science museum in Denver, Colorado. It is a resource for informal science education in the Rocky Mountain region. A variety of exhibitions, programs, and activities help museum visitors learn about the natural history of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. The 500,000-square-foot (46,452 m2) building houses more than one million objects in its collections including natural history and anthropological materials, as well as archival and library resources. The Museum is an independent, nonprofit institution with approximately 350 full-time and part-time staff, more than 1,600 volunteers, and a 25-member Board of Trustees. It is accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM).

The Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys (DMMDT) is housed in the Pearce-McAllister Cottage, a historic house museum in Denver, Colorado, USA, administered by History Colorado. The museum was founded in 1981. In 1987, the museum opened at its current location in cooperation with the Colorado Historical Society within the Pearce-McAllister Cottage. The collection of the museum includes more than 10,000 objects dating from 1680 onwards.

The Molly Brown House Museum (also known as House of Lions) is a house located at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in Denver, Colorado, United States that was the home of American philanthropist, socialite, and activist Margaret Brown. Brown was known as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" because she survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The museum now located in her former home presents exhibits interpreting her life and that of Victorian Denver as well as architectural preservation. The house was built in the 1880s by architect William A. Lang, incorporating several popular styles of the period, including Queen Anne Style architecture, for the original owners Isaac and Mary Large. They suffered financially from the crash resulting from the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893 and were forced to sell the house. It was purchased by James Joseph Brown (J.J.), Margaret's ...

City Park is an urban park and neighborhood in Denver, Colorado. The park is 330 acres (1.3 km2) and is located in east-central Denver. The park contains the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Ferril and Duck Lakes, and a boathouse. City Park is also the name of the neighborhood that contains the park, though the park is the vast majority of the neighborhood. To the immediate north of the park is the City Park Golf Course. City Park is the largest and most notable park in Denver. City Park itself is still the premier park in the city. Thousands of visitors continue to see not only the park itself but the cultural institutions contained within. The park holds a free summer concert series and a recently built interactive fountain attracts many people to cool off in the water. The park has boat rentals, both standard paddle-boats and some shaped like various water cr...

The Denver Zoo is an 80-acre (32 ha) facility located in City Park of Denver, Colorado, USA. Founded in 1896, it is owned by the City and County of Denver and funded in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). It was the most popular paid attraction in the Denver metropolitan area in 2005. The Denver zoo was started with the donation of an orphaned American black bear. With the construction of Bear Mountain, it became the first zoo in the United States to use naturalistic zoo enclosures rather than cages with bars. It expanded on this concept with Primate Panorama with its huge mesh tents and open areas for apes and monkeys, and Predator Ridge, which has three separate areas through which animals are rotated so that their overlapping scents provide environmental enrichment. The latest Asian Tropics exhibit (now under construction) will be divided into five ar...

The Denver Botanic Gardens is a public botanical garden located in Denver, Colorado in the Cheesman Park neighborhood. The 23-acre (93,000 m2) park contains a conservatory, a variety of theme gardens and a sunken amphitheater, which hosts various concerts in the summer. Woody Allen's 1973 movie Sleeper filmed some scenes at the gardens. Denver Botanic Gardens features North America's largest collection of plants from cold temperate climates around the world, as well as 7 diverse gardens that mostly include plants from Colorado and neighboring states. The world's first Xeriscape Demonstration Garden was created at the Gardens in 1986, and 2 years later its name was changed to Dryland Mesa. It was based on the "7 Principles" of Xeriscape, and includes drought-tolerant plants from the arid West and Mediterranean areas. The Japanese Garden is called Shofu-en—the G...

Elitch Gardens Theme Park, locally known as "Elitch's", is an amusement park in Denver, Colorado. It is owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties and operated by Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is a seasonal park usually opening in late April and closing around Halloween.

Renaissance Center (also known as the GM Renaissance Center and nicknamed the RenCen) is a group of seven interconnected skyscrapers in Downtown Detroit, Michigan, United States. Located on the International Riverfront, the Renaissance Center complex is owned by General Motors as its world headquarters. The central tower, the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, is the tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, and features the largest rooftop restaurant, Coach Insignia. It has been the tallest building in Michigan since its erection in 1977. John Portman was the principal architect for the original design. The first phase constructed a five tower rosette rising from a common base. Four 39-story office towers surround the 73-story hotel rising from a square-shaped podium which includes a shopping center, restaurants, brokerage firms, banks, a four-screen movie t...

The Fisher Building (1928) is an ornate Art Deco skyscraper located on the corner of West Grand Boulevard and Second Avenue in the heart of the New Center area of Detroit, Michigan. It is constructed of limestone, granite, and several types of marble, and was financed by the Fisher family with proceeds from the sale of Fisher Body to General Motors. It was designed to house office and retail space. The building, which contains the 2,089 seat Fisher Theatre, was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989. It is also the location of the headquarters for the Detroit Public Schools.

The Guardian Building is a skyscraper at 500 Griswold Street in the downtown of the city of Detroit, in the state of Michigan, in the United States of America. The Guardian is a class-A office building owned by Wayne County, Michigan and serves as its headquarters. Built in 1928 and finished in 1929, the building was originally called the Union Trust Building and is a bold example of Art Deco architecture, including art moderne designs. At the top of the Guardian Building's spire is a large American Flag, complementing the four smaller flags atop nearby 150 West Jefferson. The building has undergone recent award-winning renovations. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 29, 1989, and it is part of the Detroit Financial District. The Guardian building includes retail and a tourist gift shop.

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has one of the largest, most significant art collections in the United States. In 2003, the DIA ranked as the second largest municipally owned museum in the United States, with an art collection valued at more than one billion dollars. With over 100 galleries, it now covers 658,000 square feet (61,130 m²); a major renovation and expansion project completed in 2007 added 58,000 sq. ft. (5,388 m²). The museum building is highly regarded by architects. The original building, designed by Paul Philippe Cret, is flanked by north and south wings with the white marble as the main exterior material for the entire structure. It is part of the city's Cultural Center Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The museum's first painting was donated in 1883 and its collection consists of over 65,000 works. The DIA is an en...

Flamingo Gardens is a 60-acre (24 ha), not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary, aviary, and botanical garden located just west of Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 3750 South Flamingo Road, Davie, Florida, USA. It is open to the public for a fee. The grounds contain more than 3,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants, including orchids, ferns, bromeliads, 200-year-old oaks, and 300 plus species of palms. A narrated tram ride leads through the site's tropical rainforest, native hammock, wetland areas and groves. The Tropical Plant House displays orchids, calatheas, and other plants; the Arboretum contains one of the largest collection of non-indigenous Champion trees in the region, among the specimens include Pink Trumpet Tree, Yellow Poinciana, Dynamite Tree, Indian Jujube, Bread Nut Tree, Wampi, and White Sapote among others with understorey plantings and a waterfall; and the Xeriscape...

A portion of the Everglades (Florida wetlands) near Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades Holiday park is ideally suited to tourists and presents a number of opportunities to see the wetlands and some Florida wildlife in its natural habitat.

1 WTC is the main building of the new World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan in New York City. The tower is being constructed in the NW corner of the World Trade Center site, occupying the location where the original 8-story 6 World Trade Center once stood. The north side of the tower runs between the intersection of Vesey and West streets on the northwest and the intersection of Vesey and Washington streets on the northeast, with the site of the original North Tower/1 WTC offset to the south. Construction on below-ground utility relocations, footings, and foundations for the building began on April 27, 2006. Upon its completion in 2013, One World Trade Center will be the tallest building in the United States and one of the tallest in the world, standing at a symbolic height of 1,776 feet (541.3 m) in reference to the year of American independence. Along with One World Tr...

Griffith Observatory is in Los Angeles sits on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in L.A.'s Griffith Park, it commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The observatory is a popular tourist attraction with an extensive array of space- and science-related displays.

The most famous movie theatre in the world, Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 and is home to the cement footprints, handprints, and (in some cases) otherprints of many of history's most famous movie stars. The theatre is also a former home of the Oscars, and today hosts many movie premieres. The forecourt that showcases the star's prints is free to all visitors. Movies are shown for $10, and half-hour walking tours are available for $5.

Hollywood's most recognizable landmark is easy to spot high up on Mount Lee in Griffith Park. You can drive part way up for a closer look, but you can't hike all the way to the sign.

The Hollywood Wax Museum is located in the heart of the tourist district of Hollywood and is the brainchild of entrepreneur Spoony Singh, was opened in 1965, and claims in promotional literature to be the only wax museum dedicated solely to celebrities. The lobby and most of the inside was renovated in 2006, and a new neon sign containing 1,532 incandescent lightbulbs and 1,189 feet of neon was erected in honor of the Museum's 40th anniversary. The displays house 180 wax figures of movie stars, television personalities and characters such as Nintendo's Mario and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There is also a Chamber of Horrors, featuring classic movie monsters and scenes of torture. Some of the sets include: Hollywood Icons (classic buildings of Hollywood with celebrities on the red carpet) Halle Berry Ben Affleck Angelina Jolie Matthew McConaughey Jude Law Hugh Jack...

Ripley's Believe it or Not is a musuem that focuses on the odd, the unusual and the unbelievable. It features interactive illusions and a gallery.

The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances. It is the largest natural amphitheater in the United States, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000. The Hollywood Bowl is known for its band shell, a distinctive set of concentric arches that graced the site from 1929 through 2003, before being replaced with a somewhat larger one beginning in the 2004 season. The shell is set against the backdrop of the Hollywood Hills and the famous Hollywood Sign to the Northeast. The "bowl" refers to the shape of the concave hillside the amphitheater is carved into. The bowl is owned by the County of Los Angeles and is the home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the host of hundreds of musical events each year. It is located ...

Space Center Houston is the official visitors' center of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center—the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) center for human spaceflight activities—located in Houston. The facility is operated by the non profit Manned Spaceflight Educational Foundation Incorporated with design input from Walt Disney Imagineering.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a science museum located on the northern border of Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, USA. The museum was established in 1909 by the Houston Museum and Scientific Society, an organization whose goals were to provide a free institution for the people of Houston focusing on education and science. Museum attendance totals over two million visitors each year. The museum complex consists of a central facility with four floors of natural science halls and exhibits, Burke Baker Planetarium, Cockrell Butterfly Center and the Wortham IMAX Theater. The museum is one of the most popular in the United States and ranks second only to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City in attendance amongst non-Smithsonian museums. Much of the museum's popularity is attributed to its large number of special or guest exhibits.

The Houston Zoo is a 55-acre (22 ha) zoological park located within Hermann Park in Houston, Texas, United States. Housing over 6,000 animals belonging to over 900 species, the zoo receives 1.6 million visitors each year and is the seventh most visited zoo in the nation. The zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Houston Zoo's mission statement is "The Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique, and inspirational experience fostering appreciation, knowledge, and care for the natural world." The Reptile and Amphibian Building, constructed in 1960, is the primary facility for the amphibian species. It contains eighty separate displays housing more than 300 specimens. The house includes one of only fourteen leucistic American alligator exihibits in the world. The John P. McGovern Children's Zoo provides animal habitats designed to allow g...

Discovery Green is a public park in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States. Opened in 2008, Discovery Green 11.78-acre (47,700 m2) is located on Avenida de las Americas across from the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas Hotel, adjacent to Toyota Center. The park includes a lake, bandstands and venues for public performances, two dog runs, a children's area and multiple recreational areas. The park was principally designed by the landscape architecture firm Hargreaves Associates. Park Features: Anheuser-Busch Stage - a performance stage Jones Lawn - a 2-acre (8,100 m2) grass lawn for lounging, offering views of the skyline The Brown Foundation Promenade - a shaded walkway, lined with 100-year-old live oak trees Wortham Foundation Gardens - 1-acre (4,000 m2) of flowering trees, plants, fountains and works of art Kinder Lake - a 1-acre (4,000 m2) lake lin...

Downtown Aquarium is a public aquarium and restaurant located in Houston, Texas, United States that was developed from two Houston landmarks: Fire Station No. 1 and the Central Waterworks Building. The aquarium is located on a 6-acre (2.4 ha) site at 410 Bagby St. in downtown Houston. It houses over 200 species of aquatic animals in 500,000 US gallons (1,900,000 l) of aquaria. The complex includes two restaurants, a bar, and banquet facilities.

Opened in 1990 near Monument Circle in Indianapolis, the Chase Tower (formerly known as the Bank One Tower and originally conceived as American Fletcher Tower) is the tallest building in Indianapolis. It surpassed the AUL Tower (now OneAmerica Tower) in Indianapolis for the distinction. The building's twin spires pierce 830 feet (253.0 m) into the Indianapolis skyline, while the 48 floors of office and retail space below peak at the 700 feet (214 m) roof. It is the headquarters for Chase's (formerly Bank One's) Indiana operations. While the building has two spires of equal height, only one of them is actually functional as a transmission antenna. The other mast is merely an architectural decoration. The Chase Tower is the 38th tallest building in the United States and 193rd tallest in the world. The tower's step pyramidal cap reflects the design of the Indiana War Memorial, three ...

The Indiana Statehouse is the state capitol building of the U.S. state of Indiana. Housing the Indiana General Assembly, the office of the Governor of Indiana, the Supreme Court of Indiana, and other state officials, it is located in the state capital Indianapolis at 200 West Washington Street. Built during 1888, it is the fifth building to house the state government. The first statehouse, located in Corydon, Indiana, is still standing and is maintained as a state historic site. The second building was the old Marion County courthouse which was demolished and replaced during the early 20th century. The third building was a structure modeled on the Parthenon, but was condemned during 1877 because of structural defects and razed so the current statehouse could be built on its location.

The Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is a 284 ft 6 in (86.72 m) tall neoclassical monument in the center of Indianapolis, Indiana (and Marion County, Indiana) that was designed by German architect Bruno Schmitz and completed in 1901. The monument was erected to honor Hoosiers who were veterans of the American Revolution, territorial conflicts that partially led up to the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the US Civil War, and the Spanish American War. In addition to its external commemorative statuary and fountains (made primarily of oolitic limestone and bronze) the basement of the monument is the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum, a museum of Indiana history during the American Civil War. At the top there is also an observation deck that can be reached by stairs for free or by elevator for a $2.00 charge. It takes 331 steps to reach this deck, 330 of which are n...

The Scottish Rite Cathedral is a historic building designed by architect George F. Schreiber, located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It is owned by the Valley of Indianapolis Scottish Rite, an affiliated body of Freemasonry. It was built between 1927 and 1929 at the cost of $2.5 million. It was built with every dimension (in feet) being evenly divisible by three (reflecting the three degrees in Freemasonry), with many being divisible by 33 (reflecting the degrees a member of the Scottish Rite can achieve). The Cathedral is the largest Masonic building, and considered by many[4] as the finest example of Neo-Gothic architecture, in the United States. The main tower features a 54-bell carillon and rises 212 feet (65 m) above Indianapolis. It also has a floating ballroom. Other features are patterned ceilings, ornate carved woodwork, and stained-glass windows. The a...

The Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, first opened to the public in 1964. Its current home in White River State Park was opened in 1988 with a size of 64 acres (26 ha). The zoo hosts more than a million visitors each year and plays a role in worldwide conservation and research, including accomplishing the world’s first successful artificial insemination of an African elephant. The Indianapolis Zoo is the only institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, an aquarium, and as a botanical garden. The zoo is a private non-profit organization, receiving no tax support and is supported entirely by membership fees, admissions, donations, sales, grants, and an annual fundraiser. The Indianapolis Zoo's stated mission is "The Indianapolis Zoo empowers people and communities, both loc...

The White River Gardens (3.3 acres) are botanical gardens located adjacent to the Indianapolis Zoo at 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. The gardens are a part of the White River State Park. The gardens were opened in June 1999. They contain over 1,000 plant varieties plus special exhibits. From 2000 through 2010, it also included a butterfly conservatory filled with plants and a myriad flying butterflies. The butterfly exhibit was discontinued in 2011. Admission is charged for White River Gardens, and price includes admission to the Indianapolis Zoo. Community Tuesdays, throughout the year, offer a discounted admission.

Garfield Park is a 128-acre (52 ha) regional city park in Indianapolis, Indiana. Established in the late 19th century, it is the oldest city park in Indianapolis and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is located at the confluence of Pleasant Run and Bean Creeks on the near Southside of Indianapolis. The 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) Conservatory and adjoining Sunken Gardens are located in the eastern portion of the park. The noted landscape architect George Edward Kessler designed the Sunken Gardens along with many of the other features of the park. The Conservatory features tree frogs, free-flying birds and tropical plants, including an Amazon River rainforest, a large collection of bromeliads, orchids, and other epiphytes planted in a natural setting, along with bonsai trees, and miscellaneous flowering plants. A chief attraction is the indoor 15-foot-tall (4...

The Indiana State Museum is a museum located within White River State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The museum houses exhibits on the history of Indiana from prehistoric times up to the present day. It has one of the four IMAX theaters in the state of Indiana. With more than 40,000 square feet (4,000 m2) of exhibit space, and over 300,000 artifacts in collections, the museum covers the history of the natural world, Native Americans, cultural history, and the future of Indiana.

Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium is a part of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. A small observatory was built on the Butler campus on the east side of Indianapolis. The campus moved to the north side of Indianapolis in 1928 and the old observatory was torn down. The telescope was reconditioned in the 1930s and remounted on the new campus, but sat unused until 1945. In 1953, benefactor James Irving Holcomb and his wife gave $325,000 for the construction of an observatory. In October 1954, a 38-inch (970 mm) reflecting telescope was installed by J. W. Fecker, Inc. The observatory was built on a hill on the north end of the Butler University campus.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art is an encyclopedic art museum located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum, which underwent a $74 million expansion in 2005, is located on a 152-acre (0.62 km2) campus on the near northwest area outside downtown Indianapolis, northwest of Crown Hill Cemetery. The Indianapolis Museum of Art is the ninth oldest and eighth largest encyclopedic art museum in the United States. The permanent collection comprises over 54,000 works, including African, American, Asian, and European pieces. Significant areas of the collection include: Neo-Impressionist paintings; Japanese paintings of the Edo period; Chinese ceramics and bronzes; paintings, sculptures, and prints by Paul Gauguin and the Pont-Aven School; a large number of works by J.M.W. Turner; and a growing contemporary art collection. Other areas of emphasis include textiles and fashion arts...

The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is an urban feature located in Indianapolis, Indiana, originally built to honor the veterans of World War I. The five-city-block plaza was conceived in 1919 as a location for the national headquarters of the American Legion and a memorial to the state's and nation's veterans. At the north end of the plaza is the American Legion Mall, which is the site of the administration buildings of the Legion, as well as a memorial cenotaph. South of that is the Veterans Memorial Plaza with its obelisk. The centerpiece of the plaza is the Indiana World War Memorial, modeled after the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Within is a military museum, the Shrine Room, and an auditorium. At the south end is University Park, the oldest part of the plaza, filled with statues and a fountain. On October 11, 1994, the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza was designated a Nationa...

Over 50 years old, this museum houses almost 12,000 antiquities that range from Native American artifacts, to objects and tools from the area's first settlers and traders. Also features exhibits on the history of Jackson, Jackson Hole, and the surrounding National Parks. Walking tours available. $3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 students. Open Monday - Saturday 9:30AM-6PM, Su 10AM-5PM

The National Elk Refuge preserves land for the more than 5000 elk that migrate to the area each winter. Though wildlife is easily viewable from the main Refuge Road, a highlight of a visit to the refuge is a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh, offered daily every year from December to April, depending on snow conditions. Hiking is limited in the refuge.  Every day, 8AM-7PM summer, 9AM-5PM winter.  

The National Museum of Wildlife Art, located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a museum dedicated to presenting art about wildlife. Located on a bluff called East Gros Ventre Butte and amid real wildlife habitat, the 51,000-square-foot (4,700 m2) sandstone structure overlooks the National Elk Refuge. Permanent exhibits include the Bison, John Clymer, and Carl Rungius galleries. The Museum started in 1987 on the Jackson Town Square and was called Wildlife of the American West Museum. In 1994 it opened a 51,000-square-foot (4,700 m2) facility 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of its previous location, across Highway 89 from the National Elk Refuge. As of 2011 there are more than 5,000 artworks and 350 artists represented in its permanent collection. Notable artists include Georgia O'Keeffe, Albert Bierstadt, Andy Warhol, Carl Rungius, Robert Bateman (painter), Auguste Rodin, and Rosa Bonheur. A...

Universal City situated in Los Angeles, California is the home to Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, CityWalk, and the world's largest motion picture studio. Universal Studios Hollywood. The tram tour of the backlot is still the heart and soul of the park. See the sets from Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Austin Powers, and many more. The theme park is also first rate. City Walk is located outside the gates to the theme park and is free, other than parking. Feel immersed in a comic strip - over-the-top colorful architecture, talented street performers, dozens of restaurants (all price points), novelty shopping, an IMAX theater, and a NASCAR simulator. The outdoor "mall" is usually packed on weekends and summer nights, which adds to the energy and atmosphere.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a popular tourist attraction in Hollywood (situated along Hollywood Boulevard). The Walk of Fame consists of a series of stars embedded in the sidewalk to commemorate famous movie, radio, theatre, and TV personalities. Since 1960, over two thousand stars have been immortalized; the schedule for upcoming star ceremonies is listed on the Walk of Fame's website.

Disneyland Park (generally referred to as its former name, Disneyland) is a theme park located in Anaheim, California. The park opened on July 18, 1955 and has since had the greatest cumulative attendance of any theme park in the world, with close to 600 million guests since July 18, 1955. In 2009, 15.9 million people visited the park making it the second most visited park in the world during that calendar year. Disneyland also holds the distinction of being the only theme park to be designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself. In 1998, the theme park was re-branded "Disneyland Park" to distinguish it from the larger Disneyland Resort complex. The park is divided into realms each with its distinctive theme: Main Street, U.S.A., an early 20th century Midwest town based on Walt Disney's childhood Adventureland, featuring jungle-them...

Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Anaheim, California, owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company. Known as Disneyland when it opened on July 18, 1955, and still colloquially known by that name, it is the only theme park to be designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. In 1998, the theme park was re-branded "Disneyland Park" to distinguish it from the larger Disneyland Resort complex. Walt Disney came up with the concept of Disneyland after visiting various amusement parks with his daughters in the 1930s and 1940s. He initially envisioned building a tourist attraction adjacent to his studios in Burbank to entertain fans who wished to visit; however, he soon realized that the proposed site was too small. After hiring a consultant to help determine an appropriate site for his project, Walt ...

A portion of the Everglades (Florida wetlands) near Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades Holiday park is ideally suited to tourists and presents a number of opportunities to see the wetlands and some Florida wildlife in its natural habitat.

Griffith Observatory is in Los Angeles sits on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in L.A.'s Griffith Park, it commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The observatory is a popular tourist attraction with an extensive array of space- and science-related displays.

The most famous movie theatre in the world, Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 and is home to the cement footprints, handprints, and (in some cases) otherprints of many of history's most famous movie stars. The theatre is also a former home of the Oscars, and today hosts many movie premieres. The forecourt that showcases the star's prints is free to all visitors. Movies are shown for $10, and half-hour walking tours are available for $5.

Hollywood's most recognizable landmark is easy to spot high up on Mount Lee in Griffith Park. You can drive part way up for a closer look, but you can't hike all the way to the sign.

The Hollywood Wax Museum is located in the heart of the tourist district of Hollywood and is the brainchild of entrepreneur Spoony Singh, was opened in 1965, and claims in promotional literature to be the only wax museum dedicated solely to celebrities. The lobby and most of the inside was renovated in 2006, and a new neon sign containing 1,532 incandescent lightbulbs and 1,189 feet of neon was erected in honor of the Museum's 40th anniversary. The displays house 180 wax figures of movie stars, television personalities and characters such as Nintendo's Mario and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There is also a Chamber of Horrors, featuring classic movie monsters and scenes of torture. Some of the sets include: Hollywood Icons (classic buildings of Hollywood with celebrities on the red carpet) Halle Berry Ben Affleck Angelina Jolie Matthew McConaughey Jude Law Hugh Jack...