Choose from 2,014 Fun Things to Do in Usa
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Leavenworth
Longing for some Bavarian food, drink and entertainment, but can't make it all the way to Germany? Head to Leavenworth, Washington, instead.
Leavenworth is a city known for its downtown area that is designed like a Bavarian village in southern Germany. Stroll down the streets bordered by wooden beam-framed buildings with frescoes painted on the side just like you might see in an authentic Germany village.
Leavenworth has restaurants serving up Bavarian cuisine such as schnitzel and German beer. Traditional German folk entertainment that incorporates music and dance can also often be found along the streets of Leavenworth. Check before you choose your dates for visiting if there will be a festival or performance while you're there so you don't miss out on this fun form of entertainment.
Wine tasting is also a popular past time in Leavenworth. The city is home to several tasting rooms serving up vintages from the wineries and vineyards of the nearby Leavenworth Valley Wine Country. You can do tasting tours in the city or ones that will drive you around to the different wineries in the valley.
Practical Info
Leavenworth is located in central Washington, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle and is easily accessible by car. Accommodations range from motor home parks to B&Bs to luxury resorts.
Address: Leavenworth, Washington, USA
From $ 83
Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City
Based on the popular brick toys, LEGOLAND Kansas City is a colorful world of play and discovery for kids. Interactive experiences encourage creativity through 4D cinema, master classes on LEGO building, play areas, and an exciting laser ride. Special to this Legoland location is an exhibit featuring the buildings of Kansas City made entirely of LEGOs (MINILAND). There are also several rooms built for celebrating special occasions, making it a popular spot for birthdays and other parties.
Walking throughout, it's almost as if someone has taken the toys so many of us know and love and created a life-size playground with them. Many of the exhibits focus on a theme from the toys, whether ninja training or acting as Merlin’s apprentice. Kids can also learn how LEGOS are made in the factory tour. Though the discovery center is especially suited for fans of the LEGOs toys, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Practical Info
Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City is particularly recommended for kids ages 3-10. Visits typically range from two to four hours in length, and kids must be accompanied by adults. Located in Kansas City’s Crown Center, parking is available in covered garages (free with validation.) Admission costs $18 and is free for kids under 2. Legoland Kansas City is open daily from 10am. There are also combo tickets with the nearby Sea Life park available.
Address: 2475 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA
Hours: Open Sun-Thurs 10am-5pm (last admission 5pm), Fri-Sat 10am-6pm (last admission 6pm)
Admission: $18
From $ 19
Legoland Discovery Center Westchester
Families with kids between the ages of 3 and 10 will find plenty to keep the little ones busy and entertained at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Westchester. This popular theme destination is dedicated to the colorful building blocks that have been inspiring children to build and create for decades.
Families can tour the LEGOLAND Factory and learn how this beloved toy is made or settle into a cozy seat at the 4-D theater for a multi-sensory movie experience. Kids love the hands-on fun of the LEGO Racers: Build and Test site, where they can construct speedy cars and take then for a test drive. The Master Builder Academy showcases some of the most jaw-dropping examples of LEGO architecture that will surely inspire young builders to think outside the box!
Practical Info
LEGOLAND is located at 39 Fitzgerald Street in Yonkers, off of I-87 North. It’s open Sunday through Thursday from 10am until 7pm and on Friday and Saturday from 10am until 9pm Ticket prices start at $16.50 per person.
Address: 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, New York, USA 10710, USA
Hours: Open Sun-Thurs 10am-7pm and Fri-Sat 10am-9pm
Admission: $16.50
From $ 20
Lexington
Seemingly every city in Massachusetts holds a sort of historical significance, but few are as well-known as Lexington, one of America's oldest towns. Dating back to 1642, it's best known as ground zero for the American Revolutionary War, where the first shot was fired in 1775.
Armchair historians will relish the town’s rich history, which can be seen on just about every building, every street and in every park. Minute Man National Historical Park is a commemoration of the first battle of the American Revolutionary War, while the Revolutionary Monument is one of Lexington's most significant points of interest and the oldest war memorial in the United States. It is also the final resting place for colonists killed during the Battle of Lexington.
There are countless other historical landmarks of note, including the Old Burying Ground with original stones dating to the late 17th century; Munroe Tavern; the USS Lexington Memorial; the Centre Depot; and Follen Church. It's also worth stopping at Mullikan White Oak, one of Lexington's oldest trees.
Modern day Lexington also offers much to visitors, as in the heart of Lexington’s town center sits a variety of restaurants, art galleries, shopping opportunities, the Minuteman Bikeway and Depot Square.
Practical Info
Lexington sits about 15 miles northwest of Boston.
Address: Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
From $ 56
Las Vegas Strip
The glittering Las Vegas Strip is the city’s heart and soul. Lined with Sin City’s top hotels and largest casinos, this 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) thoroughfare is the United States’ biggest adult playground. A number of its iconic complexes—Treasure Island, the Venetian, the Mirage, MGM Grand, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, the Flamingo—are recognized around the world. All along the Vegas Strip, travelers can spot over-the-top architecture, revel in trendy nightclubs, take in dazzling shows and avant-garde performances, and sink forks into five-star dinners.
The Basics
Stroll the Strip on a walking tour for an up-close sensory overload, zip through on a Segway, or catch a ride with an Elvis impersonator to see the action from a Pink Cadillac. For a day away, take to the skies for aerial views of the Grand Canyon’s West Rim, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam. Come nightfall, explore the Vegas Strip via nightclub and food tours or bar crawls. But what happens in Vegas doesn’t have to stay in Vegas: Some private hop-on hop-off limo tours come with personal photographers to document your big night out. Scenic nighttime helicopter rides are also extremely popular, allowing travelers to view the Strip in all its colorful, illuminated glory from above.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most official Las Vegas nightclubs do not allow baggy jeans, sports hats, tennis shoes, or shorts.
- Be aware that costumed characters on the strips expect payment if you’d like to snap a photo with them.
How to Get There
The Las Vegas Strip runs along Las Vegas Boulevard South, bounded by McCarran Airport to the south and downtown and Fremont Street to the north. Taxis are abundant, but you can also walk to and from many of the Strip’s destinations along the roadway—there are pedestrian walking bridges over the busiest intersections.
When to Get There
If you’re flexible, head to the Strip between Sunday and Thursday when big conventions aren’t in town; you’ll have better room selection and rates are often lower. The weather is scorching in Las Vegas in summer and chiller than you’d expect in winter; July, August, and mid-December are considered off-season. Expect long wait times for taxis and dinner tables between 6 and 8pm each night. Vehicle traffic on the Strip is almost always busy, but especially so on weekends and holidays.
The Vegas Strip for First-Timers
There are two types of experiences when in Vegas: those brought about by spontaneity and chance, and those that must be had. For the latter, be sure to see the Mirage volcano explosion, lounge poolside with a tropical beverage, and try your hand at slots or table games. If you’ve never gambled, lessons offering insights on popular games’ rules, strategy, jargon, and etiquette are available in most of the casinos, and are a good starting point for first-timers. Ask for a schedule at your favorite casino’s customer service desk.
Address: Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, USA
From $ 35
Latourell Falls
Of the many waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge, Latourell Falls is closest to Portland – which means it attracts plenty of visitors.
Most of the waterfalls in the Gorge have at least two levels, but Latourell Falls drops straight from its highest point to the bottom in one fall. Height estimates vary, but it's somewhere between 224-249 feet tall depending on what you read. The creek that makes up the waterfall, Latourell Creek, isn't very large, so in the dry summer months the waterfall can sometimes decrease to a trickle. In the winter, however, it's quite impressive.
Latourell Falls are named for a former postmaster general of nearby Rooster Rock in the late 1880s, Joseph Latourell, and are within the Guy W. Talbot State Park. The bottom of the falls is easily accessible – there's a parking lot nearby – and there's a two-mile trail to reach the top of the falls.
Practical Info
To reach Latourell Falls from Portland, drive east on Highway I-84 to Bridal Veil, then take the Historic Columbia River Highway until you see the Latourell Falls parking lot. It's roughly 30 miles from Portland. You can sometimes see Latourell Falls from the highway.
Address: Corbett, Oregon, USA
From $ 60
Legoland Discovery Center Boston
The iconic building blocks of childhood are now more than just an afternoon activity, thanks to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center of Boston. Families with children between the ages of 3 and 10 will find even more of what they love at this popular themed destination that’s dedicated to the colorful blocks that have been inspiring youth to create for decades.
Whether it’s touring the LEGOLAND Factory to learn how this American favorite is made, experiencing the multi-sensory wonder of a 4-D film or building a car to race at the LEGO Racers: Build and Test site, there’s plenty to keep kids busy and entertained. The jaw-dropping Master Builder Academy will also inspire youth to imagine and create thanks to impressive examples of LEGO construction at its finest!
Practical Info
LEGOLAND is located at 598 Assembly Row in Somerville, just outside of Boston. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10am until 9pm and on Sundays from 11am until 7pm. Ticket prices vary depending on time and date.
Address: 598 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA, USA 02145, USA
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm
Admission: $14.95-$39.95; Children 3 & Under Free
From $ 18
Levine Center for the Arts
Charlotte’s Levine Center for the Arts is actually comprised of four unique locations, including the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Theater and the Mint Museum Uptown. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art boasts a collection of more than 1,400 works by 20th-century modern artists.
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture highlights the contributions of Africans and African-Americans to American culture. It is also home to the John & Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art, one of the country’s most comprehensive collections.
The 1,150-seat James L. Knight Theater hosts touring Broadway productions, concert artists and symphony and opera productions, while the Mint Museum Uptown features collections of American, European and contemporary art along with the Mint Museum of Craft + Design.
Practical Info
The Levine Center for the Arts is located on South Tryon Street between Stonewall Street and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Parking is available on the first two levels under the Duke Energy building at the corner of South Tryon and Stonewall Street. If you are using public transportation, the LYNX Blue Line and Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) both provide service to the area.
Address: Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, USA
Hours: Vary
Admission: Varies
From $ 45
Laugh Factory
One of the most popular, influential comedy clubs in L.A., the Laugh Factory bills itself as being in Hollywood – but is actually a few blocks shy of that neighborhood. First opened in 1979, the club was a then 16-year-old’s enterprising answer to a comedian’s strike just up the street at the Comedy Store; young Jamie Masada got a loan from a family friend, bought a building, and started the city’s first comedy club that paid all of its performing comics for their work.
Masada would go on to become a comedian, manager and producer, helping the cast of 1990s TV comedy “In Living Color” achieve fame, and continuing to support minority comics via the Laugh Factory. The club is an ideal place to see emerging acts, watch showcases headlined by Kevin Nealon, Tim Allen and Tom Arnold, and witness comedy stars like Dane Cook and Dave Chappelle test their endurance by vying for the title of longest one-person comedic performance – presently longer than seven hours.
Masada would go on to become a comedian, manager and producer, helping the cast of 1990s TV comedy “In Living Color” achieve fame, and continuing to support minority comics via the Laugh Factory. The club is an ideal place to see emerging acts, watch showcases headlined by Kevin Nealon, Tim Allen and Tom Arnold, and witness comedy stars like Dane Cook and Dave Chappelle test their endurance by vying for the title of longest one-person comedic performance – presently longer than seven hours.
Practical Info:
There is plenty of lot parking around the club, but street parking is
scarce and generally via local permit only. There are several
restaurants within walking distance of the Laugh Factory, making it easy
to combine dinner and an evening of comedy; a two-drink minimum is
observed at the club. Online-pre-sale tickets average $17-27, while
tickets at the door tend to range from $20-30.
The best route to take by transit: Bus: 2/302, 217, 780, 218.
The best route to take by transit: Bus: 2/302, 217, 780, 218.
Address: 8001 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046, USA
Hours: Open Daily: 7pm - 2am.
Admission: Prices vary per event.
From $ 89
Legoland Florida Resort
Florida is well-known for having some of the best theme parks in the United States, and the 150-acre LEGOLAND Florida is one of them. Located in the city of Winter Haven—45 minutes from Orlando—the park features over 50 rides, shows, attractions, and impressive LEGO® models. Visitors, especially families with children, will find a lot to explore while wandering through the various 'lands' comprising the park: The Beginning, Fun Town, Miniland USA, LEGO Kingdoms, Land of Adventure, LEGO City, LEGO Technic, Imagination Zone, Pirates Cove, Heartlake City, World of Chima™, LEGO Ninjago World, and DUPLO® Valley.
Immerse yourself in the world of LEGO® by heading out on a wild animal safari with elephants, giraffes, and lions made of LEGO; conquering the Dragon Coaster; earning your LEGOLAND driver's license; checking out a full-sized LEGO-constructed Ford Mustang; or watching LEGO pirates put on a live-action water ski show and defeat Captain Brickbeard. The park also features a LEGOLAND Waterpark, complete with wave pools, lazy rivers, and thrill rides that will leave you drenched. Ride tubes 375 feet down crisscrossing water slides on the Twin Chasers, or climb to the water park's tallest point for a 60-foot drop in Splash Out.
Address: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884, USA
From $ 87
Liberty Park
Liberty Park is the oldest and most prominent park in Utah. At 80 acres (32 hectares), it is also the second-largest public park in Salt Lake City. The park first opened in 1882 and has long served as a place to escape for the city’s residents who come to exorcise, picnic, barbeque or just relax in the open green spaces.
Liberty Park’s public facilities include playgrounds, restrooms, concession stands, children's play areas, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, a swimming pool, basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a jogging path, seasonal amusement rides and a greenhouse. Seasonal activities include paddleboats, recreational games and various festivals. It is also a popular jogging, rollerblading and cycling location.
During the spring, summer and early fall, large crowds gather on Sundays for Drum circles that often last all day. Also located in the park is the impressive Tracy Aviary, which maintains a collection of approximately 400 birds, representing about 135 species, many of which are considered rare or endangered.
Address: 600 E 900 S, Salt Lake City 84104, USA
Hours: Open daily from 7am to 7pm
From $ 54
Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Las Vegas may be home to the famous Strip, glittering lights and plenty of world-class casinos, but the Las Vegas Springs Preserve showcases 180 acres of stunning natural landscapes and is the perfect place for travelers and families who want to escape the urban landscapes and spend a day in the rugged outdoors.
Visitors can explore winding nature trails, check out a stunning desert botanical garden, and venture into a natural wetland habitat. An informative museum and historic photo gallery also offer plenty of context for the dynamic plants and unique ecosystems that are a part of this prime family destination.
Practical Info
Las Vegas Springs Preserve is located about three miles west of Downtown Las Vegas at 333 South Valley View Boulevard. It is open daily from 10 am until 6 pm. General admission tickets cost $18.95 for adults and $10.95 for children. Senior and military discounts are available.
Address: 333 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89107, USA
Hours: Open daily from 10 am until 6 pm.
Admission: $18.95 for adults and $10.95 for children
From $ 15
Legoland Discovery Center Chicago
With over three million LEGOs, two indoor rides and a workshop hosted by a real master model builder, LEGOLAND Discover Center Chicago is a child’s dream. Visitors can wander through impressive displays that include intricate Star Wars models and a MINILAND Chicago and learn top tips from expert builders. Families with kids between the ages of three and twelve will find plenty of places to build their own creations, a 4D cinema with LEGO-themed movies and a couple of rides that provide endless entertainment for the younger set.
Practical Info
The Discovery Center is located at 601 Martingale Road in Schaumburg, Illinois. It is open daily from 9am until 7pm. Admission is $18, and entry gets visitors unlimited rides and unlimited viewing of 4D movies, too.
Address: 601 N Martingale Rd, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173, USA
Hours: Daily 9am-7pm
Admission: $18
From $ 17
Last Chance Mining Museum and Historic Park
Mining cars, railroad lines, train repair sheds – there’s all this and more at Juneau’s Last Chance Mining Museum and Historic Park.
The venue for this evocative gold-mining museum is the former compressor building of the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company, which operated here from 1916 to 1944.
On display are the locomotives and rail cars that transported the goldminers to the mine. Industrial artifacts include one of the world’s largest air compressors, used in the mining of gold to bring air to the miners.
Old mining shafts surround the site, and you can get an idea of the mine’s original extent by studying the museum’s model.
Photo courtesy of CityProfile.com
The venue for this evocative gold-mining museum is the former compressor building of the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company, which operated here from 1916 to 1944.
On display are the locomotives and rail cars that transported the goldminers to the mine. Industrial artifacts include one of the world’s largest air compressors, used in the mining of gold to bring air to the miners.
Old mining shafts surround the site, and you can get an idea of the mine’s original extent by studying the museum’s model.
Photo courtesy of CityProfile.com
Practical Info
The Last Chance Mining Museum is on the outskirts of Juneau, on the city’s eastern edge.
There’s a short uphill hike along an uneven trail to reach the museum’s entrance.
There’s a short uphill hike along an uneven trail to reach the museum’s entrance.
Address: 1001 Basin Road, Juneau AK 99801, USA
Hours: Open daily 9:30am - 12:30pm and 3:30pm - 6:30pm in summer
Admission: Adults: $5
From $ 72
Leadbetter Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches near downtown Santa Barbara, Leadbetter Beach is often filled with windsurfers, joggers, and sunbathers. Its light surf makes its an excellent spot for low-key and beginning surfing. It’s one of the more scenic spots close to the city, with an expansive golden sand beach and grass lawn. There are also facilities for picnicking and barbecue, as well as public restrooms and showers.
Often sailboats can be seen cruising just off the coast from Leadbetter, as it’s located next to the Santa Barbara Harbor. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours. For these reasons, it is one of the more popular public beach areas. Though it can be crowded, it is often bustling with activity compared to other spots on the coast. It’s considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in California.
Practical Info
Leadbetter Beach is located on Cabrillo Blvd in downtown Santa Barbara, just beside the harbor. It is nearby to the Santa Barbara City College and sits at the start of the Mesa neighborhood. To get there from the 101 freeway, exit Garden Street or Castillo Street, turning south towards the ocean. Parking is paid (some free spots available.)
Address: Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, California 93101, USA
From $ 60
Liberty Bell Center
The Liberty Bell, a 2,000-pound (907-kilogram) piece of American history, was forged in London's Whitechapel Foundry and represents freedom in the city where the Declaration of Independence was crafted. Now set in the Liberty Bell Center, the bell was commissioned in 1752 and has been in Philadelphia since British Colonial rule.
The Basics
Visit the Liberty Bell Center to see the bell up close and read its famous inscription, which has been an inspiration to US leaders such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and the heroes of the Civil Rights movement. Many Philadelphia city tours include a visit to the center, including walking excursions, Segway tours, small-group driving tours, and hop-on hop-off bus tours. Most excursions also include stops at nearby landmarks such as the National Constitution Center and Betsy Ross House.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There’s almost always a line to enter the Liberty Bell Center, but you can also view the bell through a window on the western side of the building.
- Wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis at the Independence Visitor Center, and most buildings in the Independence National Historic Park are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
- You must pass through security to visit the Liberty Bell Center; bring only small bags to minimize screening time.
How to Get There
The Liberty Bell Center is part of the Independence National Historical Park, located in Philadelphia’s Old City historic district. The nearest train station is located at 8th and Market streets, and the nearest Metro station is 5th Street Station. Street parking is scarce, but there are paid lots nearby. The PHLASH bus operates seasonally (spring and summer) with stops at 20 locations, including the Independence Visitor Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Zoo.
When to Get There
You can visit the Liberty Bell Center year-round, although the site is typically packed with visitors during summer and school vacation weeks. Opt for an early morning visit to avoid lines and crowds.
The Liberty Bell’s Famous Crack
Originally cracked during a test ring in 1752, the bell was fixed, cracked again after almost 100 years of regular use, then fixed again in 1846, prior to the anniversary of George Washington's birthday. The bell seen today is proof that “stop drilling,” the technique used to repair that last crack, worked.
Address: 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 19
Laura Plantation
Steeped in history far richer than the former plantation owners could have dreamed of owning, the Laura Plantation lies just beyond the reaches of the Greater New Orleans area. Originally built in 1804 by a French naval veteran of the American Revolution by the name of Guillaume Duparc, the plantation was erected on the site of an old Colapissa Indian village. A Creole-owned sugar plantation, the Laura Plantation differed from most plantations in its Code Noir ethics, its somewhat removed societal circumstances, and its beautiful sprawling sugar plantation landscape. Touring this iconographic plantation, you’ll learn the difference between Creoles and Cajuns, hear chilling ghost stories, and see how a bygone way of life now heralds itself as one of the top Louisiana cultural attractions.
Practical Info:
From New Orleans, the Laura Plantation is off of Exit 194 on I-10 West. Go 4 miles south on HWY 641 to the BIG Mississippi River bridge. Cross the bridge & immediately take the FIRST ramp exit on your right. At the levee, turn LEFT and drive 4 miles to Laura Plantation. The first tour of the day begins at 10:00 am, the final at 4:00 pm. Adult tickets are $18.
Address: 2247 Louisiana 18, Vacherie, LA 70090, USA
Hours: Open daily, except certain major holidays. Ticket office opens at 9:30am, first tour of the day begins 10am and the final tour begins at 4pm.
Admission: Adult $18, Child $6
From $ 65
Legoland California
Unleash your imagination at Legoland California, a theme park built entirely out of colorful plastic Lego building blocks. With more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions, this 128-acre (52-hectare) theme park offers fun for the whole family. Modeled after the original Legoland in Denmark, it’s the first of its kind in the US.
The Basics
Legoland has10 sections: The Beginning, Lego Ninjago World, Imagination Zone, Land of Adventure, Castle Hill, Pirate Shores, Miniland USA, Fun Town, Lego Friends Heartlake City, and Explorer Island. At Miniland USA, city landmarks have been spectacularly recreated entirely out of Lego bricks. At Explorer Island, a mini steel Coastersaurus curves and dips around life-sized Lego dinosaurs. At Fun Town, young kids can build with soft play bricks, and Pirate Shores is a pirate-themed area with rides and attractions for kids of all ages.
Visitors can buy single-day, multi-day, or park hopper tickets that include entry to nearby Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland Water Park. Travelers wanting to avoid the stress of traffic and parking at Legoland can opt for an admission package that includes transportation from San Diego, Los Angeles, or Anaheim. Entry is also included in a discounted multi-attraction pass.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Legoland is a must-do for families with kids, especially 12 years and younger.
- Expect to spend a full day exploring the theme park.
- Legoland is wheelchair accessible and offers stroller rentals and parking.
- Outside food and drinks are not permitted, but there are plenty of shops and dining options inside.
How to Get There
Legoland is located in Carlsbad, about 45 minutes northwest of San Diego. Most visitors book transportation ahead of time or take public transport—route 101, 444, or 445 buses and Coaster commuter train from Downtown San Diego stop near Legoland California. If you’re driving, take Interstate 5 to the Legoland/Cannon Road exit.
When to Get There
Legoland is open daily, except for select Tuesdays and Wednesdays from September through February. There really isn’t a bad time to visit, but it is busiest in summer; other times of the year are less crowded. If you want to avoid the long lines, plan to arrive before noon and start at the back of the park.
Nearby Parks
Make the most of your visit and opt for a park hopper pass. It includes admission to Legoland, Sea Life Aquarium to explore the depths of the ocean without getting wet, and Legoland Water Park to cool off with a splash. You’ll need at least two days to see them all.
Address: One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad 92008, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 39
Legion of Honor
The San Francisco Legion of Honor houses a broad collection of ancient and European art. Best known for Auguste Rodin’s statute The Thinker in its front courtyard, the Legion, as it is called by locals, is equally impressive for the jaw-dropping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean visible from nearly every window.
The Basics
Walk through the Legion of Honor’s imposing neoclassical stone archway and through The Thinker’s courtyard to reach galleries divided neatly into collections of European paintings, decorative art, and sculpture, as well as ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities. Rodin collection casts and sculptures draw many visitors, as do works by Peter Paul Rubens, El Greco and Rembrandt van Rijn. Print lovers should look for items from the Ed Ruscha Archive, Japanese prints, and prints and drawings from Depression-era WPA program. Complete a visit with a walk along the cliffs to see majestic views of the Golden Gate.
San Francisco CityPASS, Explorer Pass, and Go Card include admission to the Legion. Single admission tickets also include same-day admission to the Legion’s partner fine arts museum, the de Young Museum, in Golden Gate Park. Tours don’t include admission to any special exhibits.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Legion of Honor is a compact museum and easy to visit in a few hours—ideal for those with limited time.
- The small on-site café is very busy at lunchtime and during special exhibitions.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms on both floors.
- Children under 17 are always free.
- The Legion does not allow large bags (larger than a carry-on) into the museum and does not offer a bag check for large bags.
How to Get There
The Legion of Honor is at the far western end of San Francisco at 34th Avenue, inside Lincoln Park and near the Lands End Lookout. San Francisco Muni runs the 18 connection service to the Legion from the 38R bus line along Geary Boulevard. Exit at 33rd Avenue and Geary to catch the 18 directly to the Legion. Other visitors walk on the path up from Baker Beach through China Beach to the Legion.
When to Get There
The Legion is busiest during the summer and when special exhibitions are held. Arrive when the museum opens at 9:30am for uncrowded galleries and easy parking. In spring and fall, when the city’s notorious fog retreats to the coast, picnickers are plentiful in Lincoln Park and in front of the Legion. The Legion is closed on Mondays as well as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Honoring World War I Soldiers
Modeled after Paris' Palais de la Légion d'Honneur, the Legion of Honor museum was built to commemorate soldiers who died in World War I. The Legion's neoclassical design and distinctive setting near Lands End combine the region’s nature with classic architectural lines to gorgeous effect.
Address: 100 34th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 15
Las Vegas Natural History Museum
In the middle of the Las Vegas desert, you can find this collection of artifacts comprising the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Everything from a whale jaw bone to a wooly mammoth tooth is on display, with the chance to learn about animals from both the past and present. There are exhibits of dinosaurs and replicas of ancient Egyptian artifacts, as well as sections dedicated to marine and African safari life. The Egyptian historical exhibit is particularly interesting, as it is focused on the life of Tutankhamun (it was formerly part of the Luxor Resort.)
Don’t miss the international wildlife gallery nor the sections focused on local Nevada plants and animals. There is also a geology gallery, a young scientist center, and an ocean discovery aquarium with sharks and rays, as well as exotic fish from around the world. Each collection has thorough descriptions and engaging, informative displays.
Practical Info
The museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. It’s located less than five mile from the Vegas strip, next to the Cashman Center at the corner of Las Vegas and Washington Boulevards. The admission cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Address: 900 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 89101, USA
Admission: Adults: $10; Children: $5
From $ 12