United States for First Timers

Every place below is pinned on the interactive map with its exact location. You can browse it for free, and copy the whole map into your own Ikuzo account to adapt it to your trip.

New York

Times Square

The neon heart of Manhattan, best experienced after dark when every billboard is glowing. Expect big crowds, keep your visit short and walk to nearby Broadway theaters.

Central Park

An enormous green escape in the middle of Manhattan. Enter around 59th Street and wander north past Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge, renting a bike covers more ground.

Statue of Liberty

Take the official ferry from Battery Park, it also stops at Ellis Island. Book weeks ahead if you want pedestal or crown access, the free Staten Island Ferry gives a good distant view.

Brooklyn Bridge

Walk it from the Brooklyn side toward Manhattan for the best skyline views. Go early morning to beat the crowds, the crossing takes about 30 minutes.

Top of the Rock

Observation deck at Rockefeller Center with the best skyline view in the city because the Empire State Building is in the frame. Book a sunset slot in advance.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

One of the greatest museums in the world, right on the edge of Central Park. You cannot see it all, pick two or three wings and do not miss the Egyptian Temple of Dendur.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

Two vast reflecting pools mark the footprints of the Twin Towers, free to visit and deeply moving. The museum underneath is excellent but allow two hours and book tickets online.

The High Line

An elevated park built on an old freight rail line through Chelsea. Walk it end to end in under an hour and finish at Hudson Yards or the Whitney Museum.

Grand Central Terminal

A working train station and a Beaux Arts masterpiece. Step into the main concourse to see the celestial ceiling, then grab a bite in the food hall downstairs.

East Coast

National Mall

The two mile green axis of Washington DC linking the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Everything along it is free, wear good shoes and allow at least half a day.

Lincoln Memorial

The marble temple to Abraham Lincoln at the west end of the National Mall. Come at sunrise or after dark when it is quiet and beautifully lit, the view down the Reflecting Pool is iconic.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

The Wright Flyer, Apollo capsules and moon rock, all free like every Smithsonian museum. Reserve a free timed entry pass online before you go.

Freedom Trail

A 2.5 mile red brick line through Boston linking 16 Revolutionary War sites. Start at Boston Common and follow it at your own pace, half a day covers the highlights.

Niagara Falls

The American side puts you right on top of the falls, take the Maid of the Mist boat to feel the spray up close. The classic panoramic view is from the Canadian side, so bring your passport if you can.

West Coast

Golden Gate Bridge

The most photographed bridge in the world. Walk or bike across from the Welcome Center, and for the postcard shot head to Battery Spencer on the Marin side. Fog often burns off by late morning.

Alcatraz Island

The infamous island prison in San Francisco Bay, reached by ferry from Pier 33. The audio tour narrated by former guards and inmates is superb. Tickets sell out, book several weeks ahead.

Fisherman's Wharf

Touristy but fun waterfront district. See the sea lions lounging at Pier 39, grab clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, and hop a historic cable car back toward Union Square.

Tunnel View

The classic Yosemite Valley panorama with El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall in one frame. It is right off the road, stop at sunrise or late afternoon for the best light.

Santa Monica Pier

The official end of Route 66, with a small amusement park over the ocean. Come for sunset, then walk or bike the beach path south to Venice Beach.

Griffith Observatory

Free observatory with the best view of the Hollywood Sign and the entire LA basin, magical at sunset. Parking is scarce, ride share or hike up from Griffith Park.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Movie themed park with the famous Studio Tour through real film sets plus the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Arrive at opening and do the Studio Tour first.

Balboa Park

San Diego's huge cultural park with Spanish colonial architecture, gardens and over a dozen museums. The world famous San Diego Zoo is inside the park too.

McWay Falls

A waterfall dropping straight onto a turquoise Big Sur cove, seen from a short overlook trail off Highway 1. The perfect photo stop on the coastal drive between San Francisco and LA.

Southwest

Grand Canyon South Rim

Mather Point is the classic first look at the canyon, steps from the visitor center. Walk a stretch of the Rim Trail toward Yavapai Point and stay for sunset if you can.

Horseshoe Bend

The Colorado River makes a perfect 270 degree turn below a sheer cliff edge. An easy 15 minute walk from the parking lot near Page, brutal heat at midday so go early or late.

Lower Antelope Canyon

A surreal slot canyon of swirling orange sandstone near Page, visitable only with a Navajo guided tour. Book well in advance, midday tours have the best light beams.

Monument Valley

The sandstone buttes of every western movie, on Navajo land at the Arizona Utah border. Drive the 17 mile scenic loop from the visitor center or take a guided jeep tour for the restricted areas.

Zion National Park

Towering red canyon walls with two legendary hikes, Angels Landing which needs a permit and The Narrows which you wade through the river. A free shuttle runs the canyon most of the year.

Bryce Canyon National Park

An amphitheater of thousands of orange rock spires called hoodoos. Watch sunrise from Sunset or Sunrise Point, then drop into the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop trail combo.

Las Vegas Strip

Four miles of mega casinos, replica landmarks and free shows like the Bellagio fountains. Walk it at night, distances are deceiving so plan on far more walking than you expect.

Zabriskie Point

Death Valley's most famous viewpoint, golden badlands rippling toward the salt flats. Best at sunrise, and in summer visit only in the early morning as the heat is dangerous.

Heartland and Beyond

Old Faithful

Yellowstone's star geyser erupts roughly every 90 minutes, prediction times are posted at the visitor center. Walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk while you wait.

Grand Prismatic Spring

The largest hot spring in the US, a ring of rainbow colors around deep blue water. See it from the boardwalk, then hike the short Fairy Falls overlook trail for the aerial view.

Grand Teton National Park

Jagged peaks rising straight from the valley floor just south of Yellowstone. Drive the scenic loop, stop at Jenny Lake and catch the Tetons reflected at Schwabacher Landing at dawn.

Cloud Gate (The Bean)

Chicago's mirror polished sculpture reflecting the skyline in Millennium Park. Free and open all day, combine it with the nearby Art Institute and a walk on the Riverwalk.

Navy Pier

Chicago's lakefront pier with a giant Ferris wheel and boat cruises. The architecture river cruise departing nearby is the single best activity in the city.

French Quarter

The historic heart of New Orleans, wrought iron balconies, live jazz and beignets at Cafe du Monde. Skip Bourbon Street's chaos and wander Royal and Chartres Streets instead.

South Beach

Miami's famous stretch of white sand backed by the pastel Art Deco district on Ocean Drive. Walk Lincoln Road for shopping and people watching after the beach.

Everglades National Park

A vast subtropical wetland an hour from Miami, enter at the Ernest Coe entrance and walk the Anhinga Trail to see alligators and wading birds up close. Winter is the best season for wildlife.

Pike Place Market

Seattle's century old public market, famous for fish throwing vendors, flower stalls and the original Starbucks. Go in the morning and grab breakfast as you wander the stalls.