Fodor's Bucket List USA: From the Epic to the Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences

By Fodor's Travel Guides

INSPIRATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL:

• A comprehensive list and guide to EVERYTHING you have been dreaming about doing plus carefully researched under-the-radar gems that you should not miss
• Focused, well-written listings answer the What, Why, When, Where, and How, while also offering insider tips on what not to miss and best tours to take
• “Best of” Lists visually engage the reader and help a traveler plan their bucket list by theme, from best hikes, best historic sites, and best festivals to best family-friendly adventures, best roadside attractions, and more
• A feature on odd and unique state laws and regional what to watch, read, and listen to recommendations make interesting fodder along the way and help build anticipation
• Recommendations for what to eat and drink in each region as well as best regional road trip suggestions
• Regional Snapshots share local insights on what you need to know before you go, seasonal concerns to keep in mind, as well as local events and useful regional contacts

TOURISM TRENDS:

• A Longwoods International travel sentiment survey found that about half of Americans are planning only short trips by road in 2020
• The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a steep drop-off in tourism to many destinations, but interest in domestic U.S. travel (especially to destinations that can be reached by car) increased in mid-2020 and surveys have shown that this likely to increase further in 2021 once a wider group of Americans is vaccinated.

USER FRIENDLY DESIGN!

• Photo filled features illustrate the top things to do across the country
• Visually focused with more color and images including more full and half-page images throughout
• New front coverhas eye-catching full-bleed images with key selling points on the front
• New back cover is fully-redesigned
• Themed experiences fill a full chapter in the front of book
• Great Itineraries fill a full chapter with myriad ways to plan your trip across America
• Regional chapters are filled with iconic and unique picks all organized by state -- making it easy to plan longer trips built around individual Bucket List items

CURATED AND CURRENT:

• Focused coverage on only the best places so travelers can make the most out of their limited time.
• Carefully vetted recommendations by our local writers in the area.

CONCISE:

• Short reviews hit the sweet spot of informational and inspirational.

Please see additional key selling points in the book main description

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fodor's Travel
• Release date: Oct 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781640974647

Fodor's Travel Guides

For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel advice for every stage of a traveler's trip. We hire local writers who know their destinations better than anyone else, allowing us to provide the best travel recommendations for all tastes and budgets in over 7,500 worldwide destinations. Our books make it possible for every trip to be a trip of a lifetime.

Book preview

Chapter 1: Experience Bucket List USABucket List USA Regional Areas

Iconic Landmarks

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

Named for the mile-long strait at the mouth of San Francisco Bay that it crosses, this suspension bridge is known around the world for its graceful towers and rusty orange color. (It was originally intended to be blue and yellow, but the color of the primer stuck.) (Ch. 7)

MOUNT RUSHMORE

South Dakota’s Black Hills would be famous without it, but this colossal sculpture of four presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and, slightly behind the other three, Theodore Roosevelt—makes them iconic. By artist Gutzon Borglum, Mount Rushmore’s design changed several times before debuting in 1941. (Ch. 6)

LOVE SCULPTURE

It’s amazing that in a city full of unforgettable sights—the Liberty Bell, anyone?—that the best-loved symbol of Philadelphia is Robert Indiana’s red sculpture called LOVE. It was briefly removed two years after it was installed in 1976, but the outcry from the citizenry brought it back to the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love for good. (Ch. 4)

STATUE OF LIBERTY

People throw the word iconic around a lot these days, but New York’s Statue of Liberty is perhaps the one landmark that truly represents the United States in the eyes of the world. You can visit the island, but the best way to enjoy the statue is standing on the deck of the (free) Staten Island Ferry. (Ch. 4)

SPACE NEEDLE

Built for the World’s Fair in 1962, Seattle’s 604-foot Space Needle is an unforgettable part of the Seattle skyline. The futuristic design was a compromise between two powerful men, one who wanted it to look like a balloon, the other like a flying saucer. (Ch. 7)

EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE

The most potent symbol of America’s civil rights struggle is this bridge outside of Selma, Alabama. In 1965, state troopers brutally attacked 400 mostly African American demonstrators peacefully marching to Montgomery. (Ch. 5)

MIAMI BEACH

More than 800 historic buildings in Miami Beach’s Art Deco District make up the biggest collection of 1920s and 1930s resort architecture in the world. (Our favorite? The baby-blue, neon-lit Colony Hotel on Ocean Drive.) (Ch. 5)

WASHINGTON MONUMENT

The world is full of similarly shaped obelisks, but something about the 1884 Washington Monument—maybe its location on top of a small hill, or the ring of flags surrounding its base—inspires us. It’s Washington, D.C.’s compass: east is the Capitol, north is the White House, and west is the Lincoln Memorial. (Ch. 4)

GATEWAY ARCH

The nation’s tallest monument, the 630-foot St. Louis Gateway Arch treats you to sweeping views of the Mississippi River. (A futuristic tram whisks you to the top.) Don’t miss the museum, which strives to weave in the stories of Native American people who lived in the region. (Ch. 6)

HOLLYWOOD SIGN

Fun fact: these 50-foot letters didn’t originally spell Hollywood. They advertised Hollywoodland, an upscale real estate development. When they fell into disrepair, the city of Los Angeles came to its rescue with a new coat of paint, removing the last four letters in the process. (Ch. 7)

National Parks

GRAND CANYON

You’ll never forget your first visit to Arizona’s Grand Canyon, gazing down at the seemingly endless expanse from the South Rim. Repeat visitors come for hiking, horseback riding, or white-water rafting. (Ch. 8)

ACADIA

It includes 17 other islands, but most visitors to this coastal paradise in Maine stick to easily accessible Mount Desert Island. Bike the carriage roads, hike lofty Cadillac Mountain, or trek to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. (Ch. 3)

ARCHES

It took millions of years for erosion to form the sandstone arches that give this Utah park its name. Delicate Arch is the most famous and Landscape Arch is the longest, but there are more than 2,000 others to grab your attention, making this the largest collection of natural arches in the world. (Ch. 8)

OLYMPIC

Covering 1 million acres, Washington State’s jewel in the crown offers what is essentially three parks in one, with glacier-topped mountains, misty primeval forests filled with evergreens, and pristine beaches where you can set up camp and watch the waves roll in past sea stacks. (Ch. 7)

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

The country’s most popular national park—partly because it sits close to large cities in Tennessee (Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge) and North Carolina (Bryson City and Cherokee)—the Great Smoky Mountains is especially beautiful for hiking and camping in spring and fall. (Ch. 5)

YELLOWSTONE

Occupying the northwest corner of Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho, the country’s first national park is known for the Old Faithful geyser, but it’s dotted with steaming pools and bubbling mud pots, too. (Ch. 9)

DEATH VALLEY

Straddling the border of California and Nevada, Death Valley is the hottest place in the United States. It sets other records, being the driest (barely 2 inches of rain a year) and the lowest (282 feet below sea level) national park. (Ch. 7)

ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Since it’s split in two by the Continental Divide, the eastern half of this Colorado park is craggy mountains, while the western half is lush, green forests. (Ch. 9)

YOSEMITE

The record-breaking granite peak of El Capitan gets star billing, but this 1,200-square-mile park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains has plenty of superlatives, including Bridalveil Fall, the country’s tallest waterfall. (Ch. 7)

GLACIER

Although its glaciers are receding, Montana’s most popular destination is known for more than 1 million acres of glacier-carved valleys and peaks. Hikers love the spectacular alpine mountain scenery. (Ch. 9)

ZION

Other parks offer wide-open spaces, but Utah’s Zion offers breathtaking spots like the Narrows, a slot canyon that often narrows to less than 20 feet wide. Its soaring red cliffs attract casual hikers and serious rock climbers. (Ch. 8)

Adventures

CRUISING THROUGH GLACIER BAY

Brown bears lumber along the shore of Glacier Bay while bald eagles soar overhead and sea otters swim alongside your boat. Calving glaciers and the snow-covered Fairweather Mountains complete the scene. (Ch. 7)

MOUNTAIN BIKING IN MOAB

Considered by many to be the ultimate mountain-biking experience, Slickrock Trail in Moab, Utah, is a 10-mile trek through delightful desert terrain. There are also plenty of easier rides through Moab. (Ch. 8)

HIKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Running for 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail is the Holy Grail for serious hikers. Challenge yourself with the Roller Coaster, a quad-busting trek through Virginia. (Ch. 3–5)

FLY-FISHING ON THE MISSOURI RIVER

Fly-fishing doesn’t get any better than in Montana, especially along the Missouri River. From June to August, the average trout—this is not a typo—is 16 inches long. (Ch. 9)

BACKPACKING IN MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

Washington’s Mt. Rainier is a magnet for backpackers, with dozens of off-the-beaten-path routes like the challenging 17-mile Mother Mountain Loop. Wildlife like chipmunks and black bears share the evergreen trails. (Ch. 7)

KAYAKING SOUTH CAROLINA’S BARRIER ISLANDS

Bottlenose dolphins follow in your wake as you kayak along the coast. You’ll encounter loggerhead turtles, white-tailed deer, and even alligators (from a safe distance). (Ch. 5)

SNORKELING IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

The kelp forests just off the coast of California’s Santa Cruz Island, one of the famous Channel Islands, make for some of the country’s most seductive underwater scenery. (Ch. 7)

ROCK CLIMBING IN NEW RIVER GORGE

One of the nation’s newest national parks, West Virginia’s New River Gorge is already one of the most popular climbing areas in the country. The park has sheer sandstone cliffs that challenge even pros. (Ch. 4)

RAFTING THE COLORADO RIVER

Riding the rapids through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River is one of the biggest thrills imaginable. It’s not all white water, though: there are long, relaxing stretches of water, where you drift amid grandiose rock formations on a multiday adventure. (Ch. 8)

SNOWSHOEING IN MICHIGAN

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is prime snowshoeing territory, especially in the towering old-growth forests of the remote Porcupine Mountains (aka Porkies). There’s a 100-mile hut-to-hut trail where you can warm yourself up next to a wood-burning stove. Or, try the activity at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, also known for its ice climbing. (Ch. 10)

SURFING ON THE NORTH SHORE OF OAHU

From November to February, only experienced surfers should take on the towering waves along Oahu, Hawaii’s famous North Shore. This area is often called the seven-mile miracle for its long stretch of breaks. (Ch. 7)

SWIMMING WITH MANATEES

Florida’s gentle giants are surprisingly easy to spot from December to March, when they congregate in the warmer waters of freshwater springs. You can legally swim with them in Crystal River, and kayak with them in South Florida, but remember to respect all rules and maintain your distance. (Ch. 5)

SKYDIVING IN SNOHOMISH

Take on the ultimate bucket list activity in Snohomish, Washington, considered one of the top skydiving destinations in the world. As you soar through the fresh mountain air you can spot mini evergreens and snowcapped peaks. (Ch. 7)

Historic Sites

INDEPENDENCE HALL

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this 18th-century landmark is where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were adopted. It’s the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, home to the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, and more. (Ch. 4)

CLIFF PALACE

In Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park, this is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. Carved by Ancestral Puebloan people beneath rocky overhangs, they are extraordinarily well preserved. (Ch. 9)

BILTMORE ESTATE

The largest private house in the country, the 19th-century Biltmore Estate remains one of the most prominent mansions of the Gilded Age. It sits on 8,000 acres in Asheville, North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. On view are antiques and art, 75 acres of gardens, a conservatory, landscaped grounds, and the on-site winery, the most visited one in America. (Ch. 5)

THE FREEDOM TRAIL

A bronze plaque embedded in a cobblestone street marks the beginning of Boston’s Freedom Trail, which runs for more than 2 miles past some of the city’s most historic American Revolutionary War–era sites, including Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church, and the Paul Revere House. (Ch. 3)

AZTEC RUINS NATIONAL MONUMENT

In New Mexico, this dazzling collection of 400 masonry buildings was constructed by the Pueblo people nearly a thousand years ago. Some are just foundations, while others are beautifully reconstructed. (Ch. 8)

ELLIS ISLAND

In the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, this tiny island in New York Harbor was once the busiest immigration center in the country. While they are here, many visitors look up ancestors who passed through. (Ch. 4)

CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS

Construction began on St. Augustine’s fortress more than three centuries ago, when the Spanish wanted to shore up their defenses in what is now known as Florida. Its waterfront perch is dazzling. (Ch. 5)

EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was pastor at this two-towered brick church in Atlanta until he was assassinated in 1968. To this day the church still has a strong focus on civil rights and racial justice. (Ch. 5)

ALCATRAZ ISLAND

On a remote island in California’s San Francisco Bay, this fortresslike maximum-security prison, which held infamous criminals Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, was perhaps better known by its nickname, The Rock. The open-air boat ride to the island is spectacular in itself. (Ch. 7)

FORD’S THEATRE

A history lesson come to life, this still functioning playhouse in Washington, D.C., is where Abraham Lincoln was shot. He died across the street in Peterson’s Boarding House, which you can also visit. (Ch. 4)

PLIMOTH PATUXET

This living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, teaches visitors about the day-to-day lives of the English settlers now known as the Pilgrims. (Ch. 3)

Natural Attractions

CRATER LAKE

In the caldera of a dormant volcano, Oregon’s brilliant blue lake has a depth of 1,943 feet, making it the deepest in the United States. It’s fed by snowfall from the dramatic peaks that ring its shores. (Ch. 7)

NIAGARA FALLS

It’s not the tallest (that’s Angel Falls in Venezuela) or the widest (that’s Khone Falls in Laos), but with more than 30 million visitors a year, Niagara, located in both New York and Canada, is by far the world’s most popular waterfall. Catch a glimpse from above at Niagara Falls Observation Tower or on a boat tour. (Ch. 4)

BLACK HILLS

North America’s oldest mountain range, located in South Dakota, got its name from the Lakota people, who called them Paha Sapa, or Hills That Are Black. Bison graze in the grasslands beneath the impressive spires of Custer State Park, and sculptures of American presidents at Mount Rushmore tower over the landscape. (Ch. 6)

NATURAL BRIDGE

Sacred to the Monocan people, Virginia’s 215-foot-long limestone arch makes it into the record books as the longest in North America. Thomas Jefferson called it the most sublime of nature’s works. (Ch. 4)

MAMMOTH CAVE

Although it’s famous throughout Kentucky, Mammoth Cave isn’t on many bucket lists. That’s a shame, because these stunningly beautiful caverns make up the world’s longest cave system, a wonderland for spelunking and subterranean tours. (Ch. 5)

HELLS CANYON

The deepest canyon in North America—2,000 feet deeper than the more famous Grand Canyon—this lightly traveled park sits on the border of Oregon and Idaho. Don’t miss white-water rafting on the Snake River. (Ch. 9)

TALL TREES GROVE

The discovery of the world’s tallest tree led to the creation of California’s Redwood National Park in 1968. A moderately strenuous hike takes you to these tall wonders. (Ch. 7)

KILAUEA

Erupting almost continually since 1983, Hawaii’s Kilauea is the world’s most active volcanic mass. When lava pools in the Halema‘uma‘u crater, it’s often possible to catch a glimpse on a guided hike. (Ch. 7)

DENALI

It’s not hard to spot the icy slopes of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain peak. It’s in 6 million acres of Alaskan wilderness that’s almost completely untouched, save for a single road. (Ch. 7)

BAGLEY ICEFIELD

Take to the air to see the continent’s largest concentration of glaciers in Alaska’s Wrangell–St. Elias. Among the record-breakers is glistening Bagley Icefield, North America’s largest tidewater glacier. (Ch. 7)

WHITE SANDS

One of New Mexico’s most dazzling sights, these undulating dunes of gypsum sand are the largest of their kind in the world. Some of its desert animals are found nowhere else on earth. (Ch. 8)

THE EVERGLADES

Called the River of Grass, the Everglades is the largest mangrove forest in the Western Hemisphere. Florida’s subtropical wetlands are the only place where the American alligator and crocodile coexist. (Ch. 5)

Museums

MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE

Better known as MoPOP, this family favorite occupies an undulating building in Seattle filled with fun exhibits focusing on everything from punk rock to video games to science fiction films. (Ch. 7)

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM

The art at this Boston landmark—think Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Matisse, and Sargent—is impressive, but the museum’s location in a Venetian-style palazzo around a light-filled courtyard is equally enthralling. See masterpieces like Titian’s Europa and John Singer Sargent’s El Jaleo. (Ch. 3)

GETTY MUSEUM

No museum has a better location than the Getty, perched high on a hill overlooking Los Angeles. The modern architecture is stunning, the sculpture gardens are gorgeous, and the collection unequaled on the West Coast. (Ch. 7)

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MUSEUM

In a former ironworks, this brilliantly realized space in Richmond, Virginia, tells the story of a pivotal time in American history: the War Between the States. The museum explores every angle imaginable, not just North and South. (Ch. 4)

BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE

Set beneath a breathtaking glass dome, this interpretive museum and research center in Birmingham, Alabama, tells the story of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States and traces African Americans’ struggle for equality back to the 1800s. (Ch. 5)

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE MUSEUM

Her beloved city Santa Fe, New Mexico, hosts the only museum dedicated to groundbreaking painter Georgia O’Keeffe. The pueblo-style building is the perfect backdrop for her art. (Ch. 8)

NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL MUSEUM

A real game changer, this Kansas City, Missouri, museum chronicles the 100-year history of this historic league, formed in 1920 because players were banned from all-white teams. (Ch. 6)

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

Washington, D.C., has dozens of museums, but none more powerful than this one telling the story of the millions murdered in World War II, and how survivors and descendants worked to change the world. (Ch. 4)

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

You could take a week to explore this sprawling museum in New York City, which includes an Egyptian temple dating back 2,000 years and a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. (Ch. 4)

9/11 TRIBUTE MUSEUM

On the site of New York’s Twin Towers, which were felled in a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, this museum memorializes the event with home videos, news camera footage, and interviews with survivors. (Ch. 4)

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

It may contain modern must-sees like Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist and Grant Wood’s American Gothic, but the vast collection here spans many eras and cultures. (Ch. 10)

Festivals

ART BASEL

Every December, Miami becomes the center of the art world when it hosts the massive Art Basel, an international festival that also touches down in Switzerland and Hong Kong, and the swanky parties that come along with it. (Ch. 5)

BURNING MAN

Tens of thousands of avid burners return each summer to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for Burning Man, a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. (Ch. 8)

COMIC-CON

Originally for comic book fans, San Diego’s hugely popular convention has grown to include just about all pop culture. The big draw is the costumes, so be prepared to snap pics of every superhero you could imagine. (Ch. 7)

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FEST

More formally known as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, this annual outdoor celebration is second only to Mardi Gras in the hearts of music-loving locals. (Ch. 5)

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

In March, Austin, Texas, pretty much surrenders to this weeklong event that literally fills the streets with outdoor concerts by musicians of every possible genre. Indoors are film screenings and interactive media demonstrations. (Ch. 8)

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

Hollywood relocates to Park City, Utah, every winter for the world’s largest independent film festival. The best inevitably end up streaming on your TV or playing at your local multiplex. (Ch. 8)

TASTE OF CHICAGO

Deep-dish pizza is delicious, but it’s not the only famous food to come out of Chicago, as this annual gastronomic event makes clear. Taking over Grant Park, it’s one of the city’s largest events. (Ch. 10)

MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL

In Maine, summer isn’t summer without lobster. This festival, held in the coastal community of Rockland, has a parade, cooking contests, and the crowning of the Maine Sea Goddess. (Ch. 3)

CONEY ISLAND MERMAID PARADE

Manhattan parades might be bigger, but none of them are as fun as this Brooklyn street festival smack in the middle of Coney Island’s amusement park, with thousands of mermaids, mermen, and every conceivable creature from under the sea. (Ch. 4)

WAIKIKI HO’OLAULE’A

Billed as Hawaii’s largest block party, Waikiki Ho’olaule’a has become an unmissable event that celebrates the archipelago’s cuisine, crafts, and culture. Four stages of entertainment are the place to watch hula, singing, and more. (Ch. 7)

OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

The Bard isn’t the only playwright whose works are brought to life at this venerable event dating back to 1935. It now stages hundreds of performances in outdoor and indoor spaces. (Ch. 7)

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Every spring, thousands of cherry trees around the Jefferson Memorial and throughout all of Washington, D.C., are suddenly covered with delicate white blossoms. (Ch. 4)

TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

The biggest names in bluegrass, along with a well-rounded roster of musicians from other genres, descend upon the picturesque former Colorado mining town over the annual summer solstice. (Ch. 9)

ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA

From morning to night, the skies over New Mexico are filled with every conceivable shape and color of hot air balloon. Whimsical designs include astronauts, swarms of bumble bees, and even Star Wars characters. (Ch. 8)

Seasonal Travel

LEAF-PEEPING

We especially love the bright red, yellow, and orange fall leaves in Stowe and other towns in Vermont (they write songs about it, after all), but autumn is equally as lovely in the valleys of Tennessee and the aspen-covered slopes of Colorado. (Ch. 3, 5, 9)

GRAPE HARVEST

Many vineyards invite you to participate in the annual harvest festivities in Willamette Valley, Oregon, one of the most beautiful wine regions. New York’s Finger Lakes region is another good choice. (Ch. 4, 7)

4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS

You might argue that the Independence Day fireworks over the nation’s capital are the best, but take our word for it and join the crowds at Atlanta’s beautiful Centennial Olympic Park for a showstopping display you won’t soon forget. (Ch. 5)

CORN MAZES

The Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois, has perhaps the most spectacular corn maze in the country. You have to see it from above to take in the intricate design. Iowa, too, is a great place to take in corn mazes during harvest time. (Ch. 6, 10)

ICE-SKATING

Sun Valley Outdoor Ice Rink, a favorite winter destination for travelers all over Idaho, has memorable views of the undulating landscape. Duck inside to see world-class figure skaters practice. (Ch. 9)

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Alaska is the place to see swirls of green and purple dancing in the night sky. In the continental United States, it’s hard to find a better place for viewing the light show of the aurora borealis than Idaho’s Panhandle National Forest or Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. (Ch. 7, 9, 10)

SPRING TRAINING

Baseball fans, take note: Ed Smith Stadium, in Sarasota, Florida, is a fan favorite because of the downtown location, the Spanish-style architecture, and the enthusiastic Baltimore Orioles fans. Arizona, too, is a great place to catch a ball game. (Ch. 5, 8)

MARATHONS

Spring is a favorite season for watching—or actually competing in—runs of all types. The pinnacle, of course, is the Boston Marathon, which finishes downtown. (Ch. 3)

FLOWERS

A gift from the mayor of Tokyo, the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., are perhaps spring’s most beautiful sight. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is held in late March and early April. You can also see fields of happy yellow sunflowers each August in North Dakota, rows of colorful tulips each spring in Holland, Michigan, and Skagit Valley, and lavender each July in Sequim, Washington. (Ch. 4, 6, 7, 10)

CLASSICAL CONCERTS

Summer nights practically require spreading out a blanket, opening a bottle of wine, and listening to an orchestra play at Tanglewood, the outdoor amphitheater in Lenox, Massachusetts. Or, catch the Boston Pops Orchestra during its annual Fireworks Spectacular on the Fourth of July. (Ch. 3)

MUSIC FESTIVALS

There’s no lack of summer music festivals on the calendar, from New York City’s Governors Ball to Chicago’s Lollapalooza to California’s Coachella, but it’s hard to deny the energy of Bonnaroo, which attracts thousands of happy campers to Manchester, Tennessee, for an epic four days of back-to-back concerts. (Ch. 5)

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Tucked among the evergreen trees, New Hampshire’s Bretton Woods Nordic Center is the largest cross-country skiing area on the East Coast. In the west, head to Rocky Mountain National Park. (Ch. 3, 9)

Family-Friendly Travel

DISNEYLAND

Florida’s Walt Disney World has many times the acreage, but for our money the original park in Anaheim, California, packs more fun into every square foot. We still love the Haunted Mansion. (Ch. 7)

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF INDIANAPOLIS

Dinosaurs literally burst through the walls at this beloved institution, the largest of its type in the world. It has five floors of exhibits, including fossils from an archaeological dig. (Ch. 10)

BEARIZONA WILDLIFE CENTER

There are plenty of bears on display at the drive-through nature preserve on the way to the Grand Canyon, including fearsome grizzlies, but you might find yourself enchanted by little guys like the beavers, badgers, and porcupines. Located in Williams, Arizona, it’s 58 miles south of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim entrance. (Ch. 8)

DOLLYWOOD

In the bustling town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, this country-music theme park is named for legendary singer and songwriter, Dolly Parton. Favorite attractions include Klondike Katie, a coal-fired steam engine, and the Lightning Rod roller coaster. (Ch. 5)

CEDAR POINT

Thrill-seekers flock to this venerable Ohio theme park, where the Steel Vengeance is the world’s fastest and tallest hybrid roller coaster. It also has the steepest and longest drop and four inversions. (Ch. 10)

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

You can walk the same streets as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson at Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg, where 18th-century structures have been lovingly restored. (Ch. 4)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

A thrill for young scientists, Florida’s Kennedy Space Center lets you gaze in awe at the Space Shuttle Atlantis, relive the thrilling launch of Apollo 8, or talk with a real astronaut. (Ch. 5)

GEORGIA AQUARIUM

The largest of its type in the world, the Georgia Aquarium is home to 100,000 underwater creatures. It’s one of the only facilities with massive whale sharks, and the playful beluga whales are adorable. (Ch. 5)

ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER

On the shores of Alaska’s Resurrection Bay in Seward, this marine mammal rehabilitation facility teaches you about research on animals like puffins and sea otters, and lets you see them up close. (Ch. 7)

MAUI OCEAN CENTER

One of the world’s top aquariums, Maui Ocean Center is home to Turtle Lagoon, where hefty green Hawaiian sea turtles come up for air. Also dazzling are the jellyfish and hammerhead sharks. (Ch. 7)

MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES

The skeleton of a fully grown T. rex gives you chills at Montana’s Museum of the Rockies, with one of the best collections of fossils in the country. (Ch. 9)

Roadside Attractions

CADILLAC RANCH

Outside the Texas town of Amarillo—mentioned prominently in the song Route 66—is this way-out art project. The brainchild of several San Francisco hippies, it’s a series of 10 spray-painted Cadillacs buried grill-first in a pasture. (Ch. 8)

ELMER’S BOTTLE TREE RANCH

In the desert town Oro Grande, California, this forest of metal and glass was a labor of love by artist Elmer Long. More than 200 metal trees hold bottles of every imaginable shape, size, and color. Long has passed on, but visitors still stop by to snap pics of the amazing sight. (Ch. 7)

ENCHANTED HIGHWAY

If you’re near Regent, North Dakota, locals will steer you to this 32-mile stretch of road north of town lined with metal sculptures. Massive pheasants dash across the plain, huge grasshoppers nibble on leaves, and trout leap from imaginary streams. The gift shop in Regent sells miniature versions of the larger-than-life sculptures. (Ch. 6)

JIMMY CARTER PEANUT

Inspired by the toothy grin of the country’s 39th president, this giant smiling peanut is one display in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Made from chicken wire covered with polyurethane foam, it’s proved to be a remarkably durable attraction in the middle of peanut country. (Ch. 5)

WILD HORSE MONUMENT

These 15 stallions gallop across to the top of a high plateau near Vantage, Washington. Although road signs call it the Wild Horse Monument, the real name of artist David Govedare’s still-unfinished masterpiece is Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies. (Ch. 7)

CARHENGE

England’s prehistoric circle of standing stones is faithfully recreated in Alliance, Nebraska, except for the fact that here it’s made from vintage automobiles. Just as at the original, thousands of believers congregate here whenever there’s a solar eclipse. (Ch. 6)

BLUE WHALE

Rising out of its own little lake near Catoosa, Oklahoma, the Blue Whale is one of the region’s most whimsical sights. Built in the 1970s as an anniversary present, it’s taken on a life of its own as a tourist attraction. (Ch. 6)

PAUL BUNYON AND BABE THE BLUE OX

In the middle of the 20th century, huge statues popped up all over the Midwest to catch the eye of passing motorists. Bemidji, Minnesota, is home to the larger-than-life lumberjack and his oddly colored animal companion, built to attract tourists to the logging town. (Ch. 10)

COCAINE BEAR

We swear this is a true story: Back in 1985, a black bear in the Chattahoochee National Forest became a local hero after ingesting $15 million of cocaine that a drug dealer had jettisoned from an airplane. It died, but it was stuffed and put on display at Lexington’s Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall. (Ch. 5)

WORLD’S LARGEST GARDEN GNOME

Iowa State University in Ames is home to this colorful fellow, who measures 15 feet tall if you count his pointy red cap. He seems right at home in Reiman Gardens. If you’re in Upstate New York, the second largest, nicknamed Gnome Chomsky, is one display in the town of Kerhonkson. (Ch. 4, 6)

Spectator Sports

ROSE BOWL

A National Historic Landmark, this storied football field in Pasadena, California, opened in 1922. Resembling a horseshoe until its southern side was completed in 1928, it has hosted five Super Bowls, two Summer Olympics, two World Cup finals, and the annual Rose Bowl Game. (Ch. 7)

ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM

The biggest tennis stadium in world, the 23,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium is home of the U.S. Open. The original design for the stadium, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, did not call for a roof, but in 2016 a dazzling retractable roof was added, giving the structure a futuristic look. (Ch. 4)

BANZAI PIPELINE

The Billabong Pipe Masters, part of surfing’s Triple Crown, takes place at this world-famous spot along the coast of Oahu every December. The Banzai Pipeline (known as the Pipeline or just the Pipe to locals) is known for monster waves. (Ch. 7)

FENWAY PARK

Major-league baseball teams keep building new stadiums, but it’s hard to believe any will be as beloved as Boston’s Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox since 1912. Seats are at a premium atop the Green Monster, the 37-foot left-field wall that’s a goal for many batters. (Ch. 3)

DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

Opened in 1959, this world-famous racetrack is the home of NASCAR’s Daytona 500. It was an innovative design at the time, with banked corners to allow for higher speeds and better views from the stands. Its track can be configured in several different ways, depending on the race. (Ch. 5)

YVETTE GIROUARD FIELD AT LAMSON PARK

Home field of the University of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, this field is among the most beautiful in women’s softball. It’s almost among the most luxurious, with several private sky boxes for well-heeled fans. It’s named for former head coach Yvette Girouard, who is the winningest coach in the history of the sport. (Ch. 5)

PROVIDENCE PARK

In Portland, Oregon, asymmetrical Providence Park was built in 1926, making it the oldest stadium in use by a major-league soccer team. Impassioned fans of the Portland Timbers wear green-and-gold scarves and are called the Timber Army. (Ch. 7)

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Home of the Kentucky Derby, the most exciting two minutes in sports, this Louisville landmark dating from 1875 is immediately recognizable from the twin spires above the grandstand. The Derby launched that first year, making it the longest running continuous sporting event in the United States. (Ch. 5)

AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB

One of the most exclusive golf courses in the world, Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is home of the Masters Tournament every April. Scoring a ticket to the main event is tough, though it’s a little easier to get into the lottery for practice rounds. (Ch. 5)

U.S. OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC TRAINING CENTER

Nicknamed Olympic City USA, Colorado Springs has the perfect climate for training throughout the year. You can tour this state-of-the-art facility or even watch figure skaters, swimmers, cyclists, and other aspiring athletes in action. Make sure to visit the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. (Ch. 9)

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

For basketball fans, there’s no bigger draw than the home court of the New York Knicks. It’s not the slickest or the best designed or the most high-tech—Brooklyn’s Barclay Center beats it in all these categories—but it has such a long history that locals can’t imagine catching game anywhere else. (Ch. 4)

WRIGLEY FIELD

Fans love this ballpark, built in 1914 on the north side of Chicago. It’s easy to see why: the iconic red marquee over the entrance, the scoreboard that’s still turned by hand, and the outfield wall covered with ivy. Despite improvements over the years, it still feels like a hometown field. (Ch. 10)

State Booze

HIGH WEST DISTILLERY

At the base of one of the most popular ski runs in Park City, Utah, this is the world’s only ski-in distillery. It’s known for its line of award-winning small-batch vodkas and whiskeys. (Ch. 8)

DOGFISH HEAD BREWERY

Milton, Delaware, is on the beer-lovers map for its funky architecture and first-rate facilities. Opt for the Off-Centered tour, which includes a taste of new brews that haven’t been released to the public. (Ch. 4)

BOULEVARD BREWING COMPANY

For a peek behind the scenes at this Kansas City, Missouri, landmark, book the Unfiltered Tour and sip favorites like the Tank 7 American Saison. You also get to sip innovative brews that might make it on their roster. (Ch. 6)

KONTOKOSTA WINERY

East of New York City in the upscale North Fork, Kontokosta Winery is a gorgeous facility that faces the water of Long Island Sound. The tasting room is sunny and modern and has killer views. (Ch. 4)

YUENGLING

In a handsome brick building in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, D. G. Yuengling & Son is the oldest brewery in the country. Check out the hand-dug fermentation cellars and stained-glass glass ceiling in the brew house. (Ch. 4)

EYRIE VINEYARDS

The first winery to plant Pinot Noir grapes in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Eyrie Vineyards is historic. It’s still a family-run business, so you’ll get a warm welcome in the cozy tasting room. (Ch. 7)

QUIXOTE WINERY

A Napa Valley standout, this modern winery designed by artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser has a disarmingly quirky style and serves rich Cabernets in its tasting room. (Ch. 7)

Kō HANA DISTILLERS

The sugarcane fields around beautiful Waipahu, Hawaii, are the basis for this estate-made rum. It’s the region’s only farm-to-bottle distillery, so the tours are a sneak peek at a special process. (Ch. 7)

WILD TURKEY DISTILLERY

On a hillside high above the Kentucky River in Lawrenceburg, this cathedral to bourbon blends traditional distilling methods and a modern glass-walled tasting room with eye-popping views. It’s one of many stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. (Ch. 5)

DUCHMAN FAMILY WINERY

Texas Hill Country produces some stellar wines, including an array of Italian-style vintages produced here. The stone-walled villa makes this one in the rolling hills of Driftwood, Texas, one of the region’s top stops. (Ch. 8)

DONUM ESTATE

Dozens of museum-quality sculptures dot the grounds at this winery, a favorite for locals in Sonoma County. Stroll through the lavender fields with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir in hand. (Ch. 7)

OLE SMOKY MOONSHINE

You don’t have to whisper anymore to find moonshine in Tennessee—you can visit the state’s first legal moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg. Take a tour to see the process in action, and sample these magical mountain elixirs made with local corn in flavors like Apple Pie and Lemon Drop. (Ch. 5)

SWEETWATER BREWERY

A pair of college roommates started this now-popular craft brewery in Atlanta back in 1997, seizing an opportunity to bring West Coast brew knowledge to the Southeast. (Ch. 5)

BLACK STAR FARMS

A curving driveway leads to this country estate in Traverse City, one of the most beautiful destinations in Michigan Wine Country. Enjoy the award-winning Riesling on the terrace or in front of a roaring fire. (Ch. 10)

Best Souvenirs

SWEETGRASS BASKETS

A centuries-old tradition started by the Gullah Geechee people of the Carolinas, descendants of enslaved people from Africa, these intricately woven baskets are the most popular gift item in South Carolina. Charleston City Market is a great place to shop for them.

ROSEBUD LIP BALM

You can still sample soothing salves and ointments at the century-old Rosebud Building in Woodsboro, Maryland. If you can’t make it for a visit, pick up a tube of the luscious lip balm at any pharmacy. It’s a must to avoid dry or cracked lips in wintertime.

CRYSTAL HOT SAUCE

Louisiana residents have strong opinions about the best hot sauce in the state, and there are many. Some swear by Tabasco, even though it cheats a bit by not using aged red cayenne peppers (though its factory earns points for its location on the lush, wild Avery Island). However, Crystal is the best seller, and simply the best.

STATE-SHAPED MITTENS

Michigan and Wisconsin are locked in a bruising battle over who has the most adorable mittens. We love the ones emblazoned with a map of either state, and they’ll surely keep you warm in a Great Lakes winter.

SHRIVER’S SALTWATER TAFFY

The oldest business on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey, is this confectionary. The best flavors to try are banana (look for the yellow with an orange stripe) and watermelon (green with a red center).

PETERBORO PICNIC HAMPER

Made in New Hampshire, these baskets made of sturdy Appalachian white ash are perfect for packing a picnic lunch for your hike in the White Mountains of the Granite State.

AMANA MILLS WOOL THROW

Made in Iowa, these snuggly throws come in handsome plaids and stripes you’ll want to keep on display. Find them at the showroom in Amana, or gift shops around the state.

MINNETONKA MOCCASINS

Named after nearby Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota’s must-have footwear was first manufactured in 1946. The company proudly supports Native American organizations.

HUCKLEBERRY LIQUEUR

On a visit to Montana, you can find huckleberries in everything from ice cream to barbecue sauce. Try (and take home) the huckleberry sweet cream liqueur made at Willie’s Distillery.

GOO GOO CLUSTERS

If you grew up in Tennessee, you grew up loving these sticky-sweet candy bars. Newcomers won’t be able to resist tucking a few away in their bag for the trip back home.

MINIATURE BASEBALL BAT

Kentucky’s Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory boasts the world’s biggest baseball bat. Pick up a much smaller version in the gift shop or souvenir stands around the state.

CACTUS SEEDS

Arizona’s giant saguaro cactus plants can grow to more than three stories tall. Grow a much smaller version at home with seeds from Desert Gatherings.

Best Places to Spot Wildlife

JACKSON, WYOMING

The National Elk Refuge, home to a herd numbered in the thousands, is so close to Jackson that you could probably walk from Jackson Town Square. While you’re here, you can also head to Cache Creek to spot moose. (Ch. 9)

MIAMI, FLORIDA

When someone mentions the sandy beaches of Miami, it’s hard not to imagine a mass of lounge chairs and umbrellas extending to the high-tide mark. But it’s not hard to find stretches of sand that are completely deserted. Barely an hour south is Biscayne National Park, where you can kayak along the mangrove-fringed coastline (manatees are frequent visitors in colder months). Half an hour farther down the coast in Key Largo is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the country’s first underwater park. Snorkel around the shores in search of angelfish, parrotfish, and other colorful aquatic creatures. Head due west from Miami and you’ll reach Everglades National Park, the vast river of grass that’s home to both the American alligator and American crocodile—the only place they coexist. (Ch. 5)

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS

The bustling metropolis of Corpus Christi is ringed by nature preserves, including Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to the north (home to the only flock of wild whooping cranes every winter) and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge to the south (where you’ll find stunning birds like the American white ibis). In case it’s not evident, the Corpus Christi area is a bird-watcher’s paradise. The coastline is part of the Central Flyway, one of the region’s most important migratory routes. About 30 minutes due east is Padre Island National Seashore, where more than 380 species of birds have been spotted, including colorful tanagers, orioles, and warblers. Be on the lookout for the tricolored heron, in shades of blue, lavender, and mauve. (Ch. 8)

HONOLULU, HAWAII

Oahu is a well-known magnet for tourists—just look at the crowds along Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach—but it’s also one of the world’s best spots for wildlife. Spinner dolphins, known for their acrobatic antics, can often be spotted from shore. They usually spend their days in Yokohama Bay and other protected waters a little over an hour away on the western edge of the island. During winter, North Pacific humpback whales can be spotted from the southern shore, especially a half hour east of Honolulu around Hanauma Bay. An ocean excursion increases your chances of spotting these gentle giants. Hawaiian green sea turtles are frequently spotted during the summer in Hanauma Bay, but their favorite spot seems to be Laniakea Beach on Oahu’s northern shore. (Ch. 7)

GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE

The Tennessee gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg gives you almost immediate access to the best wildlife in the region. Less than 10 minutes from the front gate is Sugarlands Visitor Center, where you might spot a wild turkey. Cades Cove Loop Road is one of the most popular destinations in the park, partly because you have a good chance of catching a glimpse of a black bear. Look for them on the hillsides and in trees foraging for food. But the park’s greatest display comes in May or June, when tens of thousands of synchronous fireflies in search of mates appear at Elkmont Campground. They are the only species in North America that can blink their lights at the same time, and it’s a wondrous sight. (Ch. 5)

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

Many travelers head to Rapid City for a glimpse of Mount Rushmore, but it is also a destination for animal lovers. In Custer State Park, half an hour south of the city, the 18-mile Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway is the best place to see hundreds of bison. In Badlands National Park, bighorn sheep are often spotted at Pinnacles Overlook and Big Badlands Overlook. Prairie dogs are also found here, including the world’s only town of white prairie dogs. (Ch. 6)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

An hour north of San Francisco is a wildlife refuge most visitors have never heard about. Northern elephant seals were gone for 150 years, then they returned to Point Reyes National Seashore in the 1970s. Now there are thousands sunning themselves on the beaches here. Head to Elephant Seal Overlook or (more recently) Drakes Beach. About 45 minutes southeast of the city is Sunol Regional Wilderness, your best chance to spot birds of prey. Golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and kestrels all make an appearance. And just a half an hour south is Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, a favorite with kids. The tide pools hold starfish, hermit crabs, and sea anemones. (Ch. 7)

GLACIER BAY, ALASKA

A cruise through the icy waters of Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park is an animal lover’s dream. From the comfort of a ship deck you’ll spot seals, mountain goats, puffins, and perhaps breaching whales. In towns like Sitka, where some cruises depart, you can spot bald eagles and brown bears. (Ch. 7)

Top Music Experiences

It’s not just musicians who go on tour—sometimes the fans are the ones who journey across the country in search of great music. Some head to tiny jazz clubs, others to stadiums with the hottest hip-hop performers. Below are a few of our favorite destinations.

NEW ORLEANS: JAZZ AND BLUES

A city where any night of the week you’re likely to encounter dancing in the streets, New Orleans is a mecca for music lovers. Start a few blocks from the Mississippi River in Jackson Square, where street performers are a local institution. There will be more musicians a block or two north on Royal Street and Bourbon Street. This is the heart of the French Quarter, where you’ll find legendary nightspots like Preservation Hall. For something a little more contemporary, head to One Eyed Jacks. To escape the crowds, head to Frenchmen Street in the nearby neighborhood of Marigny. It’s three solid blocks of music venues, including standards like The Spotted Cat. If you can’t decide, schedule your trip for October, when New Orleans Jazz Fest takes over the city.

NEW YORK AND MASSACHUSETTS: CLASSICAL MUSIC

Classical musicians don’t get a summer vacation, at least not those based in the Northeast. They mostly leave the big cities and head to music festivals all over region, but especially in Upstate New York. In New York City, Lincoln Center stages one of the year’s most anticipated festivals, the Mostly Mozart. Running from early July to early August, the massive annual event has grown to include both indoor and outdoor events. Barely an hour north is Caramoor, a new music festival held from mid-June to late July. It’s set on a 90-acre estate at an Italianate mansion. Continuing up New York State’s famed Hudson Valley is the Bard Music Festival, held during the first weeks in August. On the campus of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, it mostly takes place in the dazzling Frank Gehry–designed Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Two hours northeast is the Glimmerglass Festival, nestled between the Adirondack and Catskill mountains in Cooperstown, New York. It presents operas and musicals. Perhaps the most beautiful venue is the outdoor amphitheater at Tanglewood, in Lenox, Massachusetts. The season runs from June to August and features the Boston Symphony.

AUSTIN: INDIE VIBES

In March, the live music capital of the world of Austin, Texas, more than lives up to its name. South by Southwest fills the streets with outdoor concerts by musicians of every possible genre. (The White Stripes, Katy Perry, and Janelle Monáe didn’t build up huge following until playing at SXSW.) If you’re here any other time of year, you won’t do better than heading to Sixth Street, meaning the five blocks of East Sixth Street between Congress Avenue and Red River Street. Locals call it Dirty Sixth because of its reputation for drunken college students stumbling down the sidewalk. There are actually some great music venues here, like the Parish, where indie rockers like Grizzly Bear and Yeasayer have performed. Around the corner on Red River Street is the Mohawk, a no-frills music venue with a hip vibe and a motto of All Are Welcome. Across the Colorado River is maybe the best-known local spot, the Continental Club. When big-name groups play Austin’s bigger venues, they often unwind with a relaxed set here.

NASHVILLE: COUNTRY FLAVOR

The main draw here is the Grand Old Opry, country music’s mecca. It’s a homely building—its former home in Ryan Auditorium is an architectural gem—but what comes off the stage every weekly in heavenly. It’s a hike to get to, but there are plenty of smaller music venues downtown. The flashiest district is the stretch of Broadway between 1st and 5th Avenues dubbed the Honky Tonk Highway. There are so many notable concert spaces that it’s hard to pick a favorite, but start with Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, a Nashville landmark where Willie Nelson used to hang out when he was an up-and-coming artist. Off the main drag are the Bluebird Café in Green Hills (Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift got their starts here) and the Station Inn in the Gulch (Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs have played this house). When the weather’s warm, Nashville heads outdoors for live music. Multiple stages are set up downtown for June’s CMA Fest, a four-day festival featuring all things country. If you want to see Tennessee’s answer to Coachella and Lollapalooza, head to Bonnaroo, held each June. An hour from Nashville, it’s like summer camp for music lovers.

MIAMI: LOUD AND OUTDOORS

Miami has a music scene unlike anywhere else, so it’s not surprising that it has multiple annual events. Perhaps the best known is March’s Ultra Music Festival, a celebration of electronic music featuring world-famous DJs held at Bayfront Park. The long-running Afro Roots Fest, held in April in North Beach, celebrates the influence of African music and culture. Rolling Loud, the massive hip-hop festival that started in Miami and now has events around the world, usually returns each spring to an outdoor venue. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, Miami has it too: try Lagniappe for jazz.

What to Watch, Read, and Listen to

Watch

THE BUCKET LIST

Even people who’ve never seen this 2007 film starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman have been inspired by this story of two not-so-lovable old codgers who decide to see and do everything they’ve been putting off for years. (The scene at California Motor Speedway will definitely make you want to watch a race, if not drive in a race car.) It’s silly and sentimental, but includes some eye-popping views of destinations that might end up on your list, too.

NOMADLAND

Moviegoers are fascinated with tales of people who leave everything behind and follow their dreams. This 2021 film features Oscar-winner Francis McDormand as Fern, a down-on-her-luck woman who buys a van and joins a community of nomadic people who gather in temporary communities. It just happens to be filmed in some gorgeous spots: Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, California’s San Bernardino National Forest, and the austerely beautiful Badlands of South Dakota.

FREE SOLO

If you have a fear of heights, then this 2019 documentary probably isn’t for you. It follows legendary free climber Alex Honnold and his climbing partner Kevin Jorgeson as they decide to be the first to scale the 3,000-foot vertical rock face of El Capitan. It’s a nail biter, with cameraman Jimmy Chin often making the climb beside him and worried that he might distract his friend at a critical moment and watch him fall out of frame. The cinematography is so beautiful that you’ll soon be planning your own trip to Yosemite National Park. Another great documentary about rock climbing is 2017’s The Dawn Wall.

TASTE THE NATION

Longtime Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi sets out on her own to discover the culinary traditions of various parts of the country, especially those whose roots here go back a generation at the most. The series is part cooking show, part travelogue, and part exploration of the immigrant experience. Most memorable is her conversation with a Thai woman whose high-end food was initially rejected by Las Vegas diners used to cheap and greasy fare. She triumphs, and so does the series.

EXPEDITION HAPPINESS

In this disarming 2017 release, a couple of German free spirits (filmmaker Felix Starck, musician Selima Taibi), rehab an old school bus and hit the road to Alaska. It’s less of a documentary and more of a home movie, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when the focus is the rugged mountain scenery. Oh, and we loved their very photogenic Bernese water dog named Rudi.

Read

LASSOING THE SUN: A YEAR IN AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS

The 100th anniversary of the national park system inspired writer Mark Woods to take a bucket list journey. He revisits many of the places he had first seen from the windows of the family station wagon when he was a child: Redwood, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon, for starters. What starts out as a sentimental journey becomes something more when his travel-loving mother dies suddenly, and he’s forced to confront bigger issues like love, loss, and the meaning of travel.

DRIVE-THRU DREAMS: A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF AMERICA’S FAST-FOOD KINGDOM

Journalist Adam Chandler explores the country’s complicated relationship with fast food. It starts at the industry’s bootstrapping beginning, chronicling the rise of colorful characters like Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Harlan Sanders, a ham who served chicken. As he brings us up to the present, he touches on all the fast-food joints we stopped at during family road trips.

WILD HORSES OF CUMBERLAND ISLAND

There’s believed to have been a herd of horses on Cumberland Island, a remote spot off the Georgia coast, since they were brought over in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadors. In a project that was 10 years in the making, award-winning photographer Anouk Masson Krantz captures the majesty of these animals and the sandy dunes, sugar-white beaches, and old-growth forests of their habitat.

THE UNLIKELIEST BACKPACKER: FROM LONDON OFFICE DESK TO WILDERNESS

Author Kathryn Barnes and her husband decamp from their one-bedroom London flat so that they can camp along the Pacific Crest Trail, making their way through California, Oregon, and Washington along the way. She might not be the unlikeliest of backpackers, but she was woefully unprepared. Finding her way is the book’s throughline, and it’s inspiring for would-be hikers.

Listen

LET’S GO TOGETHER

It’s hard not to love this podcast, especially because it’s hosted by travel writer and TV host Kellee Edwards, a licensed pilot and open-water scuba diver. Her love of travel shines through immediately. And when it comes to diversity, Edwards doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk: recent podcasts have focused on traveling with a trans identity, hitting the trail as a Native American, and what road-tripping means for an African American couple.

OUT TRAVEL THE SYSTEM

We all have that friend who knows everything about travel, from what seasons offer the best deals to when to book holiday flights to how a reverse road trip saves you plenty of dough. (And if you don’t know what a reverse road trip is, this podcast is for you.) Expedia’s Nisreene Atassi knows just about everything, and when she doesn’t she brings in experts in every field imaginable.

WILD IDEAS WORTH HAVING

A lot of us want to hike the Appalachian Trail, but this podcast ups the ante by talking with a guy who ran the whole way and set a record. It’s these kinds of interviews that make Wild Ideas Worth Living so inspiring. Host Shelby Stanger, who quit her job to pursue a more adventurous life, seems to really love talking with others who’ve done the same.

EXTRA PACK OF PEANUTS

This podcast gets extra points for the cute name, as well as the extremely engaging hosts, the husband-and-wife team of Travis and Heather Sherry (or Trav and Heath, as they invariably say on the podcast). It’s been running since 2013, so there are hundreds of episodes to inspire you to take that bucket list trip you’ve been dreaming about.

Wacky State Laws

DON’T ORDER A JACK AND COKE

Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kansas are dry by default, meaning local jurisdictions have to specifically authorize the sale of alcohol for it to be legal. That’s why you can’t open a bottle in the county where Jack Daniels is made.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD

In Alabama a law bans driving while blindfolded. Kansas state law criminalizes screeching your tires. A local noise ordinance in Arkansas prohibits drivers from honking their horns outside restaurants after 9 pm. Best to stick to driving without the distractions.

THESE STATES ARE SERIOUS ABOUT FOOD

Sending a pizza to someone who didn’t order can get you a $500 fine in Louisiana. In Wisconsin—known as America’s Dairyland—restaurants can’t serve you margarine and call it butter. But luckily, it seems to be an urban myth that Oklahoma makes it illegal to take a bite out of someone else’s hamburger.

WEIRD PLACES YOU CAN’T DRINK

In Wyoming, you’re not allowed to drink in a mine. In Colorado, it’s while you’re on top of a horse. Several states prohibit drinking while piloting a boat, but New Mexico also bans drinking while using water skis, wakeboards, kneeboards, or similar devices.

DON’T SLEEP WHERE YOU EAT

This one sounds hard to believe, but it’s a real statute passed by the Illinois State Legislature in 1911. It’s illegal for someone to sleep in a bakery, fudge shop, cheese factory, or anywhere food is prepared, served, or sold.

NO SPITTING IN PUBLIC

In California, the Burlingame City Council passed a regulation that bans spitting in public—except, that is, unless you’re on a baseball diamond. Turns out that spitting was already a misdemeanor in California, but the council wanted to take the law into their own hands. Can’t say we dislike this one.

YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY

The majority of states have made marijuana legal in some way or another, including Michigan. But the state has one weird quirk in its laws: since 1927, it insists on using the archaic spelling marihuana in legislation.

NO CROWD-SURFING ALLOWED

Performers in Billings, Montana, can’t step off the stage during a performance. A local law stipulates that no entertainer or performer whether male or female shall be permitted to leave any such platform or area while entertaining.

NO SALTY LANGUAGE

In Rockville, Maryland, it’s against the law to profanely curse and swear or use obscene language upon or near any street, sidewalk, or highway. Nearby Arlington, Virginia, decided to keep a similar law on the books, even though it was repealed statewide in 2020.

RESPECT THE INSECT

Pacific Grove, California, is intent on protecting its most famous visitors, monarch butterflies. It’s illegal to molest or interfere with, in any way, the peaceful occupancy of the monarch butterflies on their annual visit.

IT DOESN’T RHYME WITH KANSAS

In Arkansas, it’s illegal to mispronounce the name of the state. This isn’t one of those antiquated laws that never got taken off the books. It was passed in 2010, and includes the following: the sounding of the terminal ‘s’ is an innovation to be discouraged.

Chapter 2: Great ItinerariesMileage and Driving TimesAmtrak Travel Times

Six Days: Badlands and Black Hills

The national parks of southwestern South Dakota—along with the state park and two national memorials nearby—deliver a surprising variety of sights: the swaying grasses and abundant wildlife of one of the country’s few remaining intact prairies, the complex labyrinth of passages and unique geologic formations in one of the world’s longest caves, and some of the richest fossil beds on Earth.

DAY 1: RAPID CITY AND WIND CAVE

The closest commercial airport is Rapid City Regional Airport, about 70 miles northeast from Wind Cave. Arrive in the morning to pick up your rental car and make the 1½-hour drive to Wind Cave National Park, with more than 33,000 acres of wildlife habitat aboveground (home to bison, elk, pronghorn, and coyotes) and one of the world’s longest caves below. Take an afternoon cave tour and a short drive through the park. Spend the night in Hot Springs, about 10 miles from the park’s southern boundary.

DAY 2: CUSTER STATE PARK

Spend today at Custer State Park, which is adjacent to Wind Cave; it’s about 36 miles or a 45-minute drive northeast from Hot Springs. The 71,000- acre park has exceptional drives, lots of wildlife (including a herd of 1,400 bison), and fingerlike granite spires rising from the forest floor (they’re the reason this is called the Needles region of South Dakota). While you’re in the park, be sure to visit Limber Pine Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark containing spectacular ridges of granite. If you have time, check out the Cathedral Spires trail, 3 miles round-trip. Overnight in one of five mountain lodges at the Custer State Park Resort.

DAY 3: JEWEL CAVE AND CRAZY HORSE

Today, venture down U.S. 16 to Jewel Cave National Monument, 13 miles west of the town of Custer, an underground wilderness where you can see beautiful nailhead and dogtooth spar crystals lining its more than 195 miles of passageways. After visiting