50 Places in the US to See Before You Die

Mark Twain wrote that travel was "fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness," but he forgot to mention that it's also a chance to have the adventure of a lifetime. We've searched the country for some of the coolest places in the U.S. you can't miss on your travel bucket list. Keep reading to find out which currently open tavern George Washington once stood in, which island has white sand and wild horses, and which state has an opulent castle—plus so much more.

From mid-September through April, travelers can witness one of the most breathtaking displays of celestial beauty by heading to Fairbanks, Alaska, to see the Northern Lights. This cosmic wonder, also known as the aurora borealis, is caused by charged particles striking atoms in the Earth's atmosphere, and is such a visual treat, every traveler should see it at least once.

If heading to a graveyard doesn't sound like your idea of a bucket-list destination, you might want to rethink that. Since 1864, the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia has been the resting place of our nation's biggest heroes, including President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie Kennedy, Thurgood Marshall and Grace Hopper. Visitors can view the famed Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as take guided tours through the cemetery's historic grounds.

This 37-mile-long island belongs to two states—Maryland and Virginia—and is the home to more than 300 wild horses. Not only can visitors behold breathtaking beaches and beautiful horses, but the island is also home to more than 320 protected species of migrant birds that seek shelter there each year. With soft, white sand, pristine water and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, it's no wonder Assateague Island is considered one of the most beautiful beach getaways on the East Coast.

Boston is an amazing bucket-list vacation destination on its own, but while you're there, make sure to venture out on the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail to learn about the history of the American Revolution. The trail is a wonderful way to explore 17 historic sites, including where the Boston Massacre took place, the Paul Revere House and the Bunker Hill Monument. What makes the trail even more interesting are the tour guides, who share the story of 18th-century Boston while dressed in period costumes.

Located in southern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most uniquely beautiful places in the entire U.S. Featuring thousands of sandstone "hoodoos" (rock pinnacles), this earthy crimson landscape offers adventurous travelers a chance to explore the various natural amphitheaters, hiking trails and forests while learning about the amazing Native American history of the Legend People who once inhabited the lands.

There's a reason this famed park, located in the center of New York City, is so universally loved by residents and visitors alike: It's absolutely beautiful. First built in 1857, Central Park today offers a plethora of outdoor recreation, including a carousel, zoo and numerous live performances. For history buffs, the park also has a well-documented dark past to explore, including the destruction of a thriving black settlement known as Seneca Village.

There are many Chinatowns in the U.S., but none come close to the splendor of San Francisco's Chinatown. Lured to California by the Gold Rush, Chinese immigrants arrived in the mid-19th century and, due to being forced into ethnically separated villages, found a community among each other. Today, Chinatown is a lively, fragrant hub of Chinese culture, featuring endless shops, restaurants and attractions to transport visitors to China without needing a passport.

No matter how touristy Disney theme parks may seem, they're still one of the happiest places on earth, and none are as joyful as Walt Disney World in Florida. This massive amusement park complex features four main parks and two water parks, each offering guests unique attractions, entertainment and activities. If you have to pick just one park, we recommend hitting up the Magic Kingdom, where all the best rides and holiday shows can be experienced.

Not far from Orlando is Florida's John F. Kennedy Space Center, which has served as NASA's primary launching site since 1968. Featuring public-friendly "mission zones" and numerous exhibits, this exciting space center gives visitors an up close and personal look at all things astronaut, including a dedicated U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame featuring space's greatest heroes, including Neil Armstrong.

Located in Florida, Dry Tortugas National Park is actually a chain of seven islands (or keys) that sit amid azure blue water, spread out over 100 square miles. About 70 miles from Key West, this protected preserve is only accessible by boat or seaplane and hosts a vibrant living coral reef and marine ecosystem that visitors can explore by snorkeling or diving. The park is also home to historic Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fort (seen here) which is one of the largest in the nation.

Eastern State Penitentiary first opened its iron doors in Philadelphia in 1829 to welcome some of the most notorious criminals across the eastern seaboard. Housing famous felons like Slick Willie Sutton and Al Capone, the massive prison complex was the first penitentiary in the United States and remained an imposing figure in the criminal justice system until it closed in 1971. Today, Eastern State offers remarkable (and reportedly haunted) tours through their crumbling cell blocks that no history fan should miss.

Located in Montana's Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park offers more than 1,500 square miles of picturesque landscapes, including azure-blue lakes, emerald green forests, imposing mountain cliffs and abundant wildlife. Although a majority of the lakes are closed to visitors due to an invasive mussel species, park patrons can still enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Glacier National Park via its 700 miles of hiking and cycling trails, as well as the breathtaking campsites.

Nestled in New York City is one of the oldest still-operating restaurants in the United States, Fraunces Tavern. Opened in 1762, this historic tavern is located in one of the oldest buildings in the city and, on Dec. 4, 1783, was the site where then-General George Washington said farewell to his troops during a turtle dinner feast celebrating the end of the Revolutionary War. Today, Fraunces is a fully functional restaurant, bar and incredibly cool museum.

Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, the French Quarter is the oldest part of the city, bringing with it a rich history, fascinating culture and some of the most beautiful architecture in the Bayou State. Originally known as the Vieux Carré (Old Square), the French Quarter today is a living history of French, Spanish, Cajun, Creole and American traditions, offering visitors the chance to explore numerous museums, landmarks, amazing restaurants and epic natural beauty.

Grand Canyon National Park certainly lives up to its name. Offering earthy vistas of deep gorges carved more than 5 million years ago by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is one of those places you just have to see to believe. A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, this Arizona landmark is open year-round, allowing travelers the chance to see just how truly grand this park is.

Built in 1913, Grand Central Terminal quickly became New York's most revered transportation hub. Located in Manhattan, this historical railroad terminal with sprawling arches and regal marble, welcomes more than 750,000 visitors each day. Grand Central Terminal is so iconic, it's been featured in more than 40 films, including "Men in Black II" and "Avengers."

Cradling the Teton mountain range is the impossibly beautiful Grand Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This pristine bear country includes lush forests, awe-inspiring mountains and more than 39 lakes. The park also boasts more than 200 miles of hiking trails and offers visitors endless opportunities for recreation, including camping, fishing, swimming and off-roading.

Although there are 17 different Smithsonian museums throughout Washington, D.C., one of the greatest, in our opinion, is the National Museum of Natural History, located on the National Mall. Featuring incredible exhibitions like Bone Hall, the Insect Zoo, the Last American Dinosaurs (and so many more), this museum appeals to visitors of all ages. The best part? It also has free admission, meaning there's no reason to miss out!

Did you know that the tallest sand dunes in North America happen to be located in southern Colorado? The Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve juxtaposes an expansive, Sahara-like desert valley with lush forests, wetlands and grasslands, making it one of the most diverse national park terrains in the nation.

We weren't surprised in the least to learn that the postcard-worthy swimming hole known as Hamilton Pool is located in the appropriately named Texas town of Dripping Springs. This all-natural aquamarine pool is just 30 miles from Austin and has long served as a favorite place for Texans to cool down while marveling at the massive overhead grotto and crystalline waterfall.

Another waterfall we can't leave off our list is the brilliant, blue-green Havasupai Falls, (also called Havasu Falls) located within the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai Reservation in Supai Village. To reach the immaculate, jewel-like waters of this beloved waterfall, travelers must first get a permit and then hike a strenuous 10 miles each way before they can luxuriate in its cooling waters. Fun fact: Havasupai literally means "people of the blue-green waters."

Construction on this national historical landmark in Central California began in 1865, eventually growing to encompass more than 250,000 acres of land and featuring a jaw-dropping 165 rooms decorated with an expansive array of priceless works of art. Built to publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst's dizzying specifications, the site that is known today as Hearst Castle was once his beloved home, which he affectionately called La Cuesta Encatada (Enchanted Hill).

Hiking (close) to the Hollywood Sign is a time-honored tradition everyone should enjoy at least once in their life. Although the sign itself is off limits, visitors can get pretty close by heading to the summit of Mt. Lee, which also reveals stunning vistas of downtown Los Angeles and even the Pacific Ocean. Another great way to see the sign? Visit Griffith Park Observatory, where you can see the sign from the parking lot before heading up to enjoy the planetarium. exhibits and live shows.

Opened in 1993, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a powerful and at times painful look at the past. Located in southwestern Washington, D.C., this free museum aims to teach about the Holocaust while also remembering both the victims and survivors of this massive genocide during WWII. Included in the permanent exhibitions are heartbreaking videos, personal narratives and historical artifacts that survived to tell a harrowing tale of loss and, ultimately, hope.

A trip to Philadelphia should definitely include a stop at Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed into existence. Although tickets are required to view this historic building (which was built in 1753), it's free to get them. Tours are led by trained rangers who take groups around the building every 15 to 20 minutes to share the fascinating story of this national landmark.

One of the most amazing parts of visiting Washington, D.C., has to be the endless number of monuments and memorials throughout the city. Free and open year-round to the public, these historic landmarks offer visitors a chance to pay tribute to the great moments and greatest heroes of our nation, including Martin Luther King Jr,. President Abraham Lincoln, Vietnam War veterans, President Thomas Jefferson (his memorial seen here) and more.

Visiting the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada is as much a rite of passage for travelers as it is a feast for the eyes. Featuring all things big, bright and beautiful, the main thoroughfare of Sin City is filled with casinos, opulent hotels, award-winning shows, over-the-top restaurants and vibrant street performances that come to life at night.

For book-loving travelers, one must-see destination is the Library of Congress. Not only is this Washington, D.C., landmark amazingly beautiful, it's also the largest library in the world. Open to the public, the library is composed of three buildings on Capitol Hill, including the Thomas Jefferson building, the John Adams building and the James Madison Memorial building. Fun fact: The Library of Congress also serves as the official research headquarters for Congress and is where the U.S. Copyright Office is located.

For active travelers who want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, head to Juneau, Alaska, to see the Mendenhall Glacier Caves. These icy caves, which are described as "otherworldly," are located in the Tongass National Forest and are federally protected. Sadly, thanks to global warming, they're also melting and won't be around for long. To get to the caves, visitors must either hike 4.5 miles over slippery glaciers or they can kayak to the glacier's western flank to explore the nearly 12 miles of aqua-blue frozen tunnels.

Boldly reflecting the skyline in Chicago's Millennium Park is artist Anish Kapoor's debut installation, Cloud Gate. The massive sculpture, which resides in the park's AT&T Plaza, was inspired by drops of liquid mercury and is also the largest sculpture of its kind in the world, measuring an awe-inspiring 66 feet by 33 feet.

Speaking of sculptures, one of the most famous sculptures in the U.S. happens to be Mount Rushmore, located in Keystone, South Dakota. Featuring 60-foot-tall granite carvings of the faces of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, this historic landmark and national memorial is a popular tourist destination with nearly 3 million visitors each year.

Thirty minutes from Portland, Oregon, is the roaring Multnomah Falls, an epic 611-foot-high waterfall surrounded by lush greenery in the Columbia Gorge. According Native American legend, the daughter of the chief of the Multnomah tribe sacrificed herself on the cliffs to fulfill a prophesy and save her people from a fatal illness sweeping through the village. A day later, white water rushed from the same cliff to the rocks below, creating what is now known as Multnomah Falls.

If you're going to visit one state fair in the U.S. then why not make it the biggest one of all? Held annually in Dallas, the Texas State Fair first launched in 1886 and today welcomes an estimated 2.25 million guests each year. Known for its mascot, Big Tex, and some of the greatest fair food, shows and rides in the country, this beloved southwestern festival has something for everyone. In 2018, the fair kicks off on September 28 and will run for three weeks before closing for the year on October 21.

Located on Hawaii's Garden Isle of Kauai is the famed Nāpali coastline, which is part of the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on the northwestern side of the island. Spanning 17 miles, this treasured coastline offers visitors views of the rugged, emerald green terrain against the crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Currently only accessible by boat, kayak or plane, on clear days visitors can even see wild mountain goats enjoying greenery on near-vertical cliffs.

Opened in 2016 in Washington, D.C., the National Museum of African American History and Culture is dedicated to showcasing and preserving the history, life, culture and experiences of African Americans. Run by the Smithsonian Institute, this incredible museum is the first of its kind, offering visitors a chance to explore more than 36,000 artifacts, including handwritten letters from abolitionist leaders, historical photographs, clothing and more.

Not only is Niagara Falls a beautiful spectacle of nature, it also has the unique designation of being in two different countries. That's right, two of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls: Bridal Veil Falls, the American Falls, happen to be in the United States, while the third, Horseshoe Falls (also known as Canadian Falls) roars from its namesake, Canada.

Steeped in history, Plymouth Rock in Pilgrim Memorial State Park, Massachusetts, is a popular tourist destination, drawing more than 1 million visitors annually. A literal boulder, this legendary rock might not be much to look at, but due to its place in America's tumultuous past as the site where the Mayflower disembarked, becoming an iconic symbol of American freedom, we think it's a worthy destination on anyone's U.S. travel bucket list.

Although the Salem Witch Museum in Massachusetts may be off the beaten path for some travelers, this interesting gallery focuses on the horror of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and 1693 that saw more than 200 people accused of practicing magic and 20 executed for their perceived supernatural crimes. Not only does the museum honor witching's dark past, it also explores modern witchcraft, helping to educate visitors on the unique and interesting traditions and beliefs of today's practitioners.

Although some might not realize it, the archipelago of Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and therefore no passport is needed to visit its more than 143 islands and islets. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and one of the oldest cities on the islands. Showcasing multicolored Spanish colonial buildings, fortresses, centuries-old cobblestone streets, incredible tropical cuisine and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, San Juan is a must for every traveler.

Built atop the ground where New York's Twin Towers once stood is the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, honoring the lives lost on that fateful day in 2001 after terrorists orchestrated multiple attacks on our nation. Featuring remnants, records and artifacts as well as the official memorial with the engraved names of everyone who perished, this powerful display is a reminder not only of loss, but also of America's ability to unite in the face of tragedy.

If there's one place in the U.S. that will leave visitors in awe while simultaneously making them feel impossibly small, it's Sequoia National Park in California. Featuring massive trees, including the largest sequoia in the world—the General Sherman Tree—this national park (which is adjacent to King's Canyon National Park) is also a geological wonderland, with more than 240 different crystal, marble and other rock caves for park-goers to explore.

Given as a gift of friendship from France, the Statue of Liberty, holding her flame high on Liberty Island in New York, has been symbolic of freedom and the American spirit since her arrival in 1885. Today, the words inscribed on Lady Liberty seem more relevant than ever: "Give me your tired, your poor / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free / The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me / I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Tucked in the city of Taos, New Mexico, is the historic Taos Pueblo, a living Native American UNESCO World Heritage site preserving the history and culture of the Red Willow people. Although open to the public for paid tours, this intricate adobe pueblo has remained inhabited for more than 1,000 years, meaning visitors are also entering someone's home.

Considered the pride of Texas, the historic Alamo, located in San Antonio, is a reminder of the enduring spirit of Texans, even in the face of defeat. In 1836, as thousands of Mexican forces invaded the city, a group of 200 volunteers, including famed heroes James Bowie, William Travis and Davy Crockett, occupied the former Franciscan mission and prevented the enemy from advancing for nearly two weeks before they were overthrown. Although the battle was lost, the legacy of true bravery remains to this day.

When the Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937, it was the longest in the world, making it a true architectural feat. Today, the 4,200-foot-long brilliantly orange (not golden!) bridge connecting Marin County with beautiful, foggy San Francisco is a beloved landmark that welcomes more than 10 million visitors each year. Offering more than just spectacular views, guests can also walk, bike, drive across and even shop and dine close to the bridge, making it a unique tourist destination all on its own.

Located in Coyote Buttes North in Paria Canyon, Arizona, The Wave is a unique and stunningly beautiful sandstone formation located near the Utah border. Because of its rarity, the Bureau of Land Management limits daily visitors to just 20 people, who must get a permit before they venture into the rugged landscape. Permits are issued two ways: by an online lottery that costs $5 to register up to four months in advance or by simply walking in, although the stiff competition for that option makes actually getting a permit difficult.

The bright lights of the Big Apple are the shiniest in Times Square. An iconic intersection of Manhattan's midtown, this New York landmark has endless energy, brilliantly lit billboards, street performances, art installations, entertainment, restaurants (and more) to leave every visitor amazed.

Not far from Honolulu, Hawaii, is Pearl Harbor, the Navy base that was ambushed by Japanese fighter pilots in 1941, killing a total of 2,403 people and sinking 18 ships, including the U.S.S. Arizona. Aboard the ship that fateful day were 1,177 combined service members who lost their lives. Today, Pearl Harbor honors those brave men and women with the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, offering visitors a chance to pay tribute to one of the greatest losses in American history.

Formerly known as Habitation Haydel, the Whitney Plantation Museum in Edgard, Louisiana, was the first and only museum in the South dedicated to sharing the horrors of slavery. Opened in 2014, the former plantation includes restored buildings (like the outdoor slave kitchen pictured here), artwork, artifacts and first-person narratives aimed at educating people about slavery in Louisiana. Also on the property is the Wall of Honor, featuring the engraved names of every slave owned by the Haydel family.

Although Yellowstone National Park spans three states, it's mostly located in Wyoming and one of the most dramatically beautiful national parks in the nation, welcoming more than 3 million visitors annually. Yellowstone, which features diverse natural landscapes, including geysers, prismatic pools (like the Grand Prismatic Spring seen here), forests, mountains and rugged terrain, also holds the distinction of being the first national park in the entire world, making it a must-see destination for every traveler.