Things to Do in North America

The Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium is an entomology museum home to more than 50 live, interactive exhibits. Inhabiting a space of more than 23,000 square feet, it is the largest freestanding museum dedicated to insects in the United States.

Walk through an oversized underground gallery full of giant animatronic insects to get a “bug’s-eye view” of the world; see termites eating through a wooden New Orleans skyline; learn about the stages of insect life in the Metamorphosis Gallery; or see some of the world’s largest, most fascinating insects preserved within the Hall of Fame. There is also area called “Bug Appetit,” in which guests can see and taste the creation of meals using insects. Don’t miss the Louisiana Swamp Gallery, complete with local, aquatic animal life, or the famous Butterfly Gallery, a garden home to hundreds of different colorful butterflies.

The Atlanta History Center is an interactive educational complex devoted to sharing the history of Atlanta and the Southeast. The center includes four historic buildings, a research center, and a museum with one of the world’s largest collections of American Civil War artifacts. Its large grounds offer walking trails and lovely gardens.

The Atlanta History Center’s permanent and temporary collections of photographs, maps, books, newspaper clippings, and decorative arts tell the history of the Southeast through an everyday lens. Hands-on discovery areas make this a good stop for families, too. You can book a single admission ticket to all of the center’s attractions—including the Atlanta History Museum, the Swan House mansion, Smith Family Farm, Wood Family Cabin, Atlanta Cyclorama, Margaret Mitchell House (located 13 miles/21 kilometers away), and 22 acres (9 hectares) of grounds—or book separate admission to just the Margaret Mitchell House. 

The Atlanta History Center is located in the Buckhead area, roughly 10 minutes north of downtown. It is easily accessible by MARTA bus 110 or by private vehicle. On-site parking is included with admission.

The center is open from 10am to 5:30pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:30pm on Sunday. The historic houses have more limited hours: 11am to 4pm Monday through Saturday and 1pm to 4pm on Sunday. A variety of events, films, and festivals are always on the calendar, so be sure to check with the center before planning your visit.

Many visitors spend most of the day exploring the center’s numerous exhibits. But for a break from the museum and historic homes, take a stroll along the Swan Woods Trail, which is filled with many plants native to Georgia. 

Proving that it’s force and not size that matters, Athabasca Falls is a mere 75.5 foot (23 m) tall waterfall in Jasper National Park on the upper Athabasca River just west of the Icefields Parkway. The largest waterfall by volume in Jasper National Park, water cascades over the falls almost constantly, even on cold mornings when river levels are at their lowest. 

Thundering through a narrow gorge, Athabasca Falls has both smoothed the rock walls it travels past and potholed them with the sand and rock it carries. It’s easy to admire Athabasca Falls from various viewing platforms and walking trails around the falls. Considered a Class 5 waterfall, Athabasca has a drop of 80 ft (24 m) and a width of 60 ft (18m).

Made from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, the Aurora Ice Museum is the largest year-round ice structure in the world. Completed in 2005 by world ice-art-carving champion Steve Brice and his wife, Heather, the museum features furniture, life-size knights on horseback, chandeliers shifting colors to mimic the Northern Lights, and even a bar, all made of ice. 

Aurora Ice Museum tours are offered daily, and tickets are available at the Activity Center Desk or as part of a guided Chena Hot Springs tour from Fairbanks. On the tour, you’ll learn about the art of ice sculpting, view the impressive collection of ice art, and enjoy endless creative photo opportunities. After the tour, relax on the caribou fur–covered ice stools at the Aurora Ice Bar and warm your toes by the ice fireplace. 

The Aurora Ice Museum is located at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, 60 miles (97 kilometers) from downtown Fairbanks. Most visitors arrive by car or as part of a guided tour from Fairbanks or the town of North Pole. There is also a shuttle service from Fairbanks to the resort. 

The Aurora Ice Museum can be visited year-round and stays a cool 25°F (-7°C) inside at all times. During the summer, the museum receives more than 10,000 visitors, making it one of the most popular attractions in Fairbanks, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Tours of the museum are offered every two hours throughout the day. 

Most visitors come to the Chena Hot Springs Resort to soak in the legendary mineral-water baths with the hopes of viewing a spectacular Northern Lights show. Chena’s dark skies and ideal geographic location make it one of the best places in Alaska to view the Northern Lights. The resort also offers a wide array of activities including hiking, fishing, biking, and horseback riding adventures during the summer months, and dog sledding, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling during the winter. 

Adjacent to Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden comprises a stunning 30 acres (12 hectares) of indoor and outdoor themed gardens, woodland areas, brooks, fern glades, and walking paths. A highlight is the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory, a massive collection of plants from tropical rain forests and deserts from around the globe.

 

The leafy Atlanta Botanical Garden is a pleasant place to wander and escape the Atlanta traffic. While many travelers visit independently, a guided tour of the garden ensures you explore all 30 acres (12 hectares) while learning more about the plants, animals, hidden sculptures, and water features that make this one of the best gardens in the nation.

 

Nature-themed tours of the city include the botanical garden, as well as Olmsted Linear Park, Grant Park, and Centennial Olympic Park.

 

 

Atlanta Botanical Garden is located in Midtown Atlanta, adjacent to Piedmont Park on Piedmont Avenue. You can easily get here by car, Bus 27, and the MARTA transit system.

 

The botanical garden is closed on Mondays, except for certain public holidays; hours are reduced during the winter months. Springtime tends to be the most colorful season, but there’s always something in bloom.

 

The garden provides a habitat for a dozen or so species of native birds, including red-tailed hawks, blue jays, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and chickadees. Early mornings are the best time for birdwatching, particularly in the Perennial Gardens, Fuqua Conservatory, Children’s Garden, and Storza Woods.

Stretching more than six city blocks and housing almost 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, the sprawling Austin Convention Center hosts a variety of events and conferences. It’s an ideal location for meetings and conventions, with more than 54 meeting rooms and seven ballrooms, and it’s within close proximity to the hotels, restaurants, and bars of downtown Austin.

Those planning or attending a trade show, convention, industry meeting, or event at the Austin Convention Center find its downtown Austin location convenient for exploring the rest of the city. Experience downtown Austin on any number of guided tours, including a Segway, bus, walking, or food tour. Some experiences focus on specific Austin highlights such as music, barbecue, or beer, while others focus on outdoor experiences such as kayaking or biking.

The Austin Convention Center is bordered by Cesar Chavez and 4th Street, and Trinity and Red River streets in downtown Austin, Texas. It’s 8 miles northwest of the airport. There are two paid parking garages nearby, one on 2nd Street and the other on 5th Street. The Capital Metro light rail stops in front of the convention center on 4th Street.

Some of the biggest events at the Austin Convention Center are South by Southwest in March, DreamHack in April, and Wizard World Austin Comic Con in fall. If you can, tack a few extra days onto your visit for more time to explore downtown Austin and the surrounding areas.

South by Southwest is one of Austin Convention Center’s largest events, bringing 150,000 people to downtown Austin. SXSW (or “South By”) started in 1987 as a music festival. Over the years, the conference/festival expanded its reach into multimedia, film, education, and interactive sessions. Twitter was introduced at SXSW in 2007.

The Atlanta CNN Center serves as headquarters for the cable TV news giant, CNN. Inside, visitors can see the 24-hour news cycle in action with an insider’s look at newsrooms, control rooms, production studios, and sets, all in addition to the interactive exhibits that chronicle the network’s history.

The 14th-floor CNN Center is an Atlanta icon and one of the city’s most popular attractions. On a guided, behind-the-scenes tour, visitors can learn how television news is written, produced, and delivered. Highlights include the special effects studio, which reveals the technology behind weather maps and on-air graphics; the option to take a souvenir photo behind a news desk; and the glass-walled observation tower in the main newsroom, from where travelers can see writers composing new scripts, camera operators in action, and maybe even a live broadcast taking place. For added value, combine a CNN tour with a visit to the World of Coca Cola, or see the studio with the Atlanta CityPASS, which also includes entrance to other popular attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

The Atlanta CNN Center is located in downtown Atlanta on Marietta Street, just south of Centennial Olympic Park. You can get there via bus or the MARTA train.

The center offers several tours throughout the day, and behind-the-scenes tours depart every 20 minutes. While there’s not really a bad time to visit, the studio is particularly appealing as a mid-afternoon, air-conditioned escape from the Atlanta heat.

While you probably won’t catch a glimpse of hosts Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper, it is still possible to spot some of CNN’s other anchors and hosts giving a live broadcast. Your best bet is to book a VIP tour around 9am or noon.

Avenida Kukulkan, also known as Cancun’s Hotel Zone, is a pulsing thoroughfare lined with oceanfront resorts that separate the Caribbean Sea from the Nichupte Lagoon. This long, flat strip is home to some of Cancun’s best shopping, dining, and nightlife. From Avenida Kukulkan, various paths lead out to a limitless stretch of white sand.

If you’re vacationing in Cancun, chances are you’ll end up at one of the resorts along Avenida Kukulkan. There’s lots to see and do here, including shopping, surfing, and more. After dark, visitors flock to Party Center, right in the middle of the Hotel Zone, to drink and dance the night away at Cancun’s hottest clubs.

Party-goers who want to avoid the hassle of planning transport can opt for a skip-the-line nightlife tour that includes unlimited drinks plus hotel pickup and drop-off.

 

There are several ways to reach Avenida Kukulkan, located just minutes from downtown. Most visitors arrive by airport transfer, taxi, or public transport—the R1 or R2 buses travel the length of the Hotel Zone. If you’re driving, head eastbound on Avenida Coba and continue straight through the intersection with Avenida Bonampak.

Cancun can be visited year-round. Winter sees large numbers of tourists, and the weeks before and after Easter are also some of the busiest. Other times of year are less crowded. From May to October, expect higher-than-average humidity and a chance of wet weather.

While it may not be the most authentic corner of the Yucatan Peninsula, Avenida Kukulkan does offer pockets of culture. At Km 16.5, the Maya Museum showcases centuries-old artifacts from ancient Maya sites throughout the Yucatan region. The museum sits alongside a patch of jungle with a small group of well-preserved Maya ruins known as San Miguelito.

The Athabasca River originates from the Columbia Glacier on the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. The Athabasca River is Alberta’s largest undammed river and the second-longest river overall in the province. It travels almost 1,000 miles (1,500 km) northeast across Alberta, and drains into Lake Athabasca in the northeast. The Athabasca runs through the glaciers and snow-covered mountains of Alberta’s Jasper National Park, considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The river is accessible by both road and by rail from all major centers in Alberta and British Columbia. The river offers excellent canoeing, rafting, kayaking, and hiking with all of the usually services and facilities that are usually found in Canada’s national parks. Beautiful waterfalls and trails to explore abound along the river, and it would be an excellent “home base” for a couple of days for any campers wanting to explore more of Jasper National Park.

An ambitious “rails-to-trails” project, the Atlanta Beltline transforms the city’s trash-collecting tracks into more than 22 miles of footpaths for bikers, runners and pedestrians. The Beltline, a work in progress, merges the city's parks and green spaces, connects neighborhoods to each other and makes public transit more accessible. The Beltline shows off the very best parts of Atlanta.

The popular Eastside Trail and the Historic Fourth Ward Park are two projects, among many others, that have been completed. A planned streetcar is in the works, an addition that will connect the furthest reaches of the Beltline to more popular, central attractions in Atlanta. Some of the other highlights include 33 miles of multi-use trails, 1,300 acres of parks, more public art and historic preservation efforts.

Home to the San Francisco Giants major league baseball team (winners of the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series Championships), AT&T Park is known for its waterfront setting on San Francisco Bay. This ballpark also features better-than-average stadium food, from Dungeness crab tacos to Hawaiian-style poke to Ghirardelli chocolate sundaes.

 

Located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, AT&T Park is set apart from most of San Francisco’s tourist attractions. To visit, attend a baseball game or take a behind-the-scenes tour. Alternate views can be enjoyed from a seaplane or helicopter tour, or on a bay cruise. Visitors with access to a boat or kayak can even drift around McCovey Cove and wait for homerun balls (“splash hits”) that drop into the water.

 

 

AT&T Park sits at the southern end of the Embarcadero, bounded by King Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, and San Francisco Bay. N and T light-rail lines stop at the King and Second station, and a Caltrain station is one block away. Or, take the 10, 30, or 45 city bus. Paid parking lots are just south of the stadium but this is a congested urban area and public transport is recommended.

 

The Major League Baseball season runs from roughly early April to early October, followed by the postseason, which extends through the month of October. If you can’t make it to a game or aren’t interested in baseball, you can still visit the venue at one of the other events held throughout the year, such as concerts, festivals, and Cirque du Soleil shows.

 

Pre-gaming is one of the best parts of going to any sporting event, and 21st Amendment Brewery is a popular spot to enjoy beer and pub-style food before a Giants game. Located on 2nd Street just two blocks from the ballpark, 21st Amendment produces local favorites like Hell or High Watermelon wheat beer, Brew Free! or Die IPA, and El Sully Mexican-style lager.

Atlantic Station is a district in Atlanta, GA west of midtown. It is one of the newest areas of the city with plenty of apartments, lofts, and condos for those who want to live there. The neighborhood also has a focus on shopping, and you can find a wide variety of stores set up as an open-air mall. You'll find smaller boutiques, chain stores, and department stores. When you get hungry, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, including sit-down establishments and cafes where you can get a quick bite. 

If you're looking for entertainment, Atlantic Station has you covered. A movie theater shows the latest hit movies, and several bars provide a fun place for a drink. Atlantic Station is the permanent home for BODIES The Exhibition and often hosts Cirque de Soleil. Concerts and festivals are held here throughout the year, and in the winter there is an ice skating rink. A grocery store, fitness center, and several medical facilities round out the neighborhood. 

Small by beach standards, Asilomar State Beach still packs a sandy punch. At just a mile long, it delivers scenery and all the favorites beach goers tend to love like surfing, kite flying and sandy strolls. The beach lies within the boundary of the Asilomar Marine Reserve and is a great spot to go tide pooling, but no fishing or collecting is allowed.

A popular activity for visitors is walking along the quarter-mile boardwalk at Asilomar Natural Dune Preserve. There are numerous scenic outlooks with panoramic Pacific views, so have your camera handy as you make your way to the Asilomar Conference Grounds where the boardwalk ends. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, the buildings were designed by famed architect Julia Morgan between 1913 and 1928. 

Housed inside a 1930s building topped with an art deco clock tower, Atwater Market (Marché Atwater) is one of the city’s top foodie hot spots. Food sellers hawk local artisanal produce including Canadian ice wine, maple syrup, Quebec cheeses, charcuterie, fresh-from-the-oven pastries, and all kinds of farm-grown fruit and vegetables.

Together with Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy, Atwater Market is among Montreal’s most popular markets. Visitors can explore the site independently, enjoying samples of the various gourmet goodies for sale then sitting down for some people-watching. Organized bike tours of Montreal often make stops at Atwater Market, as well as riding by other waterfront sites such as the Old Port and the Lachine Canal. 

Atwater Market is located in Little Burgundy (Petite Bourgogne), near the Lachine Canal. Ride the green or orange metro line to Lionel-Groulx; the market is just a 5-minute walk from there. Alternatively, grab a bicycle from Montreal’s BIXI bike-share system and follow the canalside cycle path to the market.

Open daily, Atwater Market is at its biggest and best in summer, when additional vendors set up shop in the exterior sections of the market. During the warmer months, buskers often perform in the surrounding streets. Arrive early and enjoy breakfast courtesy of a local bakery, and watch as the crowds begin to stream in. 

No matter what time of the year you visit, you’ll find tasty treats on offer at Atwater. The Poissonnerie du Marché Atwater is the place to go for fish fresh from the waters off Canada’s east coast. Boucherie de Tours sells pork, poultry, beef, and game, and Fromagerie Hamel serves up cheeses from throughout Quebec. Maple products are also commonly sold at the market, with everything from maple taffy and maple butter to the classic syrup on offer, while Première Moisson promises bread, cakes, and pastries. 

If you’re looking for a dose of retail therapy while in Miami, Aventura Mall is the place to go. This expansive shopping complex exudes sophisticated style, with upscale boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry alongside trendier favorites including Apple, Anthropologie, and Topshop.

Aventura Mall’s vaulted interior contains retail shops alongside restaurants and a collection of art installations from local and international artists. Inside you can peruse designer boutiques, enjoy a quick bite or formal sit-down meal, and stroll past a varied assortment of paintings and sculptures. Visit on a private Miami tour to shop at Aventura Mall and also see city highlights such as South Beach, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, and Ocean Drive. 

Aventura Mall is near Oleta River State Park, Sunny Isles Beach, and Golden Beach, roughly a 30-minute drive from downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Public transportation is available, although car travel is typically faster. 

Aventura Mall is open seven days a week, with shorter hours on Sundays. To avoid crowds, arrive in the morning or opt for a weekday visit. 

Luxury brands at Aventura Mall include Burberry, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel, Givenchy, Missoni, and Tiffany and Co., while other popular shops include Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Gap, H&M, Splendid, Ugg Australia, Urban Outfitters, and Zara. 

The city of Astoria sits near both the Pacific Ocean and the mouth of the Columbia River, and is the oldest permanent Pacific Coast settlement in the United States.

Astoria takes its name from John Jacob Astor, who established Fort Astoria in 1810 for his Pacific Fur Company. Of course, Astor was following in some pretty famous footsteps – the Lewis and Clark Expedition had spent a brutal winter in 1805-1806 nearby at a spot they dubbed Fort Clatsop. They had reached the Pacific Ocean and then headed back east in 1806 to report on their findings. Reconstructions of both Fort Clatsop and Fort Astoria are popular attractions in and around Astoria today.

While Astoria is still an important port for the area, it's growing as a cultural destination, too. There is an annual Fisher Poets Gathering, the culinary scene is growing, and the former cannery has been turned into a boutique riverfront hotel. Movie buffs may also recognize the town as the setting for such films as “The Goonies,” “Free Willy,” and “Kindergarten Cop.” Don't miss a visit to the Astoria Column, built in 1926 by the Astor family, and offering excellent river views from its 125-foot-tall viewing platform.

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas focuses on the aquatic life of both North and South America. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River on the edge of the French Quarter, it is run by the Audubon Society and is one of the United States’ best known aquariums.

There are over 10,000 animals from more than 530 species on display, including sea otters and African penguins. Exhibits are grouped by habitat, including a Gulf of Mexico section with a 40,000-gallon tank showcasing the sharks, rays and turtles of the region. There is also an Amazon River and rain forest exhibit complete with a greenhouse; a colorful Caribbean reef area with a glass tunnel to walk through; and a Mississippi River gallery featuring area wildlife such as catfish, paddlefish and the famous white alligator. Whichever area you visit, you will be immersed in the underwater world.

Showcasing the wealth of marine life found throughout North and South America, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a must-visit destination for nature lovers. From the colorful recreated Caribbean reef to a penguin colony, there’s plenty to entertain all age groups.

 

Run by the respected National Audubon Society, the Aquarium of the Americas opened in 1990 and is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the United States, housing an incredible 10,000 creatures representing more than 500 different species. The exhibits are grouped by habitat, and information panels offer detailed insights about the different ecosystems. Highlights include the Great Maya Reef, an Amazon Rainforest habitat, and the Stingray Touchpool, where visitors can interact with the rays.

 

Many combine a visit to the aquarium with trips to some of the other Audubon Nature Institute’s attractions in the city, including Audubon Zoo, butterfly garden, and insectarium. Combined entry passes make it easy to switch between the different parks. You can purchase skip-the-line admission in advance.

 

 

Aquarium of the Americas is at 1 Canal St. in NOLA’s Central Business District. The Riverfront and Canal St. streetcar lines, and bus line 5, Marigny-Bywater, run close by. The aquarium is within walking distance of Downtown New Orleans, and there are paid parking lots nearby for those planning to drive.

 

The aquarium is open from Monday to Sunday, 10am–5pm. Weekends can get very busy, and school trips often visit on weekday mornings. Visit on weekday afternoons to enjoy plenty of space. The aquarium is closed on selected holidays, so check before visiting.

 

Located in Uptown New Orleans, the Audubon Zoo brings together animals from across the world for a memorable day out. Visitors can feed the giraffes, explore the swamp habitats native to New Orleans, and see animals, including rhinos, tigers, elephants, zebras, and more. Children will love the “Cool Zoo” splash park, with lazy river, splash pads, and a huge alligator water slide.