United States Points of Interest –

You won't want to miss these historical sites in every state.

States A-L

ALABAMA: Civil Rights Memorial
A granite memorial in Montgomery (near Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, former parish of Dr. Martin Luther King) highlights 40 heroes of the civil rights movement.

ALASKA: Denali State Park
Home of Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, this park boasts glaciers, grizzly bears, and breathtaking scenery.

ARIZONA: Grand Canyon
They don't call it one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World for nothing, and thanks to the famous mule rides and Junior Ranger program, it's a can't-fail hit with families.

ARKANSAS: Ozark Folk Center
Mountain music, an interactive crafts village, and a country store make a visit to the Ozarks a trip into the heart of Americana.

CALIFORNIA: Golden Gate Bridge
Whether you drive over it, take a tour boat under it, or gaze at it from shore, this San Francisco icon welcomes 9 million visitors a year.

COLORADO: Mesa Verde
These astonishing cliff dwellings near Mancos -- especially Cliff Palace and Balcony House -- showcase the culture of the Anasazis, who lived in the Southwest some 1,000 years ago.

CONNECTICUT: Mystic Seaport
This 17-acre maritime museum offers families a chance to experience early American seafaring life on restored ships and in period buildings.

DELAWARE: Brandywine Valley
Washington and Lafayette met in Wilmington before the Battle of Brandywine; now kids can explore the past at the Delaware History Museum and Hagley Museum.

FLORIDA: Kennedy Space Center
From spaceflight simulators to tours of space-shuttle launchpads, this Orlando-area attraction is a science buff's dream.

GEORGIA: Okefenokee Swamp
Billed as the biggest swamp in North America, this natural wonder can be navigated by canoe or boat tour, or you can get directions for driving at the visitors' center in Folkston.

HAWAII: Pearl Harbor
A visit to the USS Arizona Memorial in Oahu includes a powerful film and a narrated ride out to the site of the attack. Then take a tour of the adjacent USS Bowfin submarine.

IDAHO: Sacajawea's Birthplace
The Lemhi County Historical Museum contains artifacts and information about this Native American woman who helped Lewis & Clark discover the Northwest Territory.

ILLINOIS: Lincoln Home
Relive the past at the house where Abraham Lincoln lived until he was elected president, and take in the four-block neighborhood of restored homes that surrounds it in Springfield.

INDIANA: Vincennes
The city is dotted with sites, including homes, churches, and museums, commemorating the state's history as a French fur-trading post.

IOWA: Amana Colonies
Historic houses, quaint shops, and museums, spread out over seven villages, honor the legacy of enterprising German settlers who arrived in rural Iowa before the Civil War.

KANSAS: Dodge City
Ride a stagecoach, watch a re-created gunfight, and examine Wild West artifacts at the Boot Hill Museum and Front Street reconstruction.

KENTUCKY: Mammoth Cave National Park
Guided, kids-only tours teach children about caving, ecology, and conservation in this park's 360 miles of cave systems.

LOUISIANA: Steamboat Natchez
Cruise the mighty Mississippi from New Orleans' bustling port, or try the aquarium/zoo cruise, with visits to the Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Zoo.

MAINE: Acadia National Park
Rangers offer kids' programs on the rocky coastline, or families can drive to scenic Cadillac Mountain. (For info on visitors' centers in three locations, go to www.nps.gov/acad.)

MARYLAND: Fort McHenry
See the flag raised over the fort that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star Spangled Banner" during the Battle of Baltimore, and visit the barracks and guardhouse.

MASSACHUSETTS: Freedom Trail
Follow a painted line on the street as you walk the 2.5 miles from Boston Common past the Old North Church and site of the Boston massacre to Faneuil Hall.

MICHIGAN: Henry Ford Museum
Ford's Dearborn complex -- called the largest indoor-outdoor museum in the nation -- includes a re-created village with houses, farms, and shops, plus an IMAX Theatre.

MINNESOTA: Minnehaha Park and Falls
During a visit to Minneapolis, take in the 53-foot waterfall immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his Song of Hiawatha, and stay to bike and picnic.

MISSISSIPPI: Vicksburg National Military Park
Site of one of the Civil War's most important battles, the park includes 144 cannons and some 1,000 monuments and markers.

MISSOURI: Gateway Arch
Ascend to the top via tram, visit the Museum of Westward Expansion, or take a riverboat cruise at this family-friendly St. Louis attraction.

MONTANA: Little Bighorn Battlefield
Site of Custer's Last Stand, this park includes a museum of artifacts from the battle and the Custer National Cemetery.

NEBRASKA: Chimney Rock
Snap your picture at this famed rock formation in Bayard, a landmark in the westward expansion on the Oregon Trail.

NEVADA: Hoover Dam
Built in 1935 near Boulder City, this awesome engineering marvel spans the Colorado River and includes a film on the dam's construction and history and an observation deck.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Mount Washington
Ascend to the observatory at the top of the highest mountain in the Northeast via the Mount Washington Cog Railway, which makes the picturesque climb at a steep tilt.

NEW JERSEY: Cape May Lighthouse
After riding a trolley through Cape May's historic district, you can make the 218-step climb to the top of its landmark lighthouse.

NEW MEXICO: Carlsbad Caverns
This huge site houses the world's largest network of caves; most visitors focus on the Big Room's surreal formations and eerie glow.

NEW YORK: Ellis Island
Kids can look for their ancestors at this restored immigration museum in New York Harbor, where more than 12 million people entered the U.S. in search of opportunity and freedom.

NORTH CAROLINA: Wright Brothers Memorial
Explore aeronautic memorabilia and climb Kill Devil Hill for a look at the 60-foot monument commemorating the Wrights' first flight in 1903.

NORTH DAKOTA: Frontier Village
The big draw -- and we mean big -- is the statue of a buffalo that dominates this re-created Wild West town in Jamestown, complete with jail, schoolhouse, and railway station.

OHIO: Underground Railroad & Freedom Center
This $110 million facility, set to open this summer in Cincinnati, honors the legacy of the Underground Railroad.

OKLAHOMA: Robbers Cave
Discover why Jesse James, Belle Starr, and Cole Younger used this Wilburton cave as their hideout, then canoe and ride horses nearby.

OREGON: Mount Hood Railroad
Rail buffs of all ages can enjoy the scenery at the base of Mount Hood aboard historic trains, with a stopover in pretty Parkdale.

PENNSYLVANIA: Liberty Bell
In its new location in Philadelphia's Liberty Bell Center, this symbol of freedom and nearby Independence Hall are must-sees.

RHODE ISLAND: Newport Mansions
Prepare to be dazzled by the restored summer homes of the rich and famous, especially The Breakers, the jewel in the crown.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Fort Sumter
Starting at Liberty Square in Charleston, relive the start of the Civil War with a guided boat and land tour of the fort and harbor around Sullivan's Island.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Mount Rushmore
More than 400 people sculpted this surreal and historic monument to our nation's first 150 years; for the best views of the 60-foot sculptures, head for the Presidential Trail.

TENNESSEE: Great Smoky Mountains
Begin your visit in Gatlinburg, then go fishing or explore more than 800 miles of hiking trails in one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States.

TEXAS: The Alamo
Relive the fierce battle between Santa Anna and such American folk heroes as Davy Crockett and James Bowie at the famous mission and four-acre grounds in San Antonio.

UTAH: Olympic Park
Host to ski events during the 2002 Winter Games in Park City, the park draws crowds year-round for tours, virtual skiing, and access to the medal podium for an imaginary bow.

VERMONT: Shelburne Museum
You'll find more than 150,000 fascinating objects in 39 galleries, from antique quilts and old-fashioned toys to a covered bridge, a lighthouse, and a restored steamboat.

VIRGINIA: Colonial Williamsburg
Step back in time as you explore museums, homes, shops, and even a plantation in this town restored to full 18th-century glory.

WASHINGTON: Space Needle
You can see all the way to Mt. Rainier and Lake Union -- not to mention a great aerial view of Seattle below -- from the Needle's 520-foot-high observation deck.

WEST VIRGINIA: Lost World Caverns
Join a Wild Caves Expedition (suitable for kids 6 and up) in Lewisburg for a half-day of climbing, crawling, and getting muddy (pads, flashlights, and snacks provided).

WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Dells
Horse-drawn-wagon tours, amusement park rides, and the Circus World Museum are just a few of the attractions at this family destination.

WYOMING: Yellowstone National Park
Our first U.S. National Park offers horseback riding and a host of other activities as well as one of America's most enduring natural phenomena, Old Faithful.

United States Points of Interest – Unusual Places

When families take to the road for vacation, they tend to concentrate on big tourist attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and the Empire State Building. But there are plenty of quirky pleasures to be found just off the beaten track. We've gathered a list of don't-miss family attractions in every state.

ALABAMA: Helen Keller's Birthplace
Gain inspiration from visiting Keller's home in Tuscumbia, which includes the pump Anne Sullivan used to teach her the meaning of "water." www.helenkellerbirthplace.org

ALASKA: The Aurora Ice Hotel
Bundle up for a tour of this chilly but spectacular new ice structure at Chena Hot Springs Resort, which -- thanks to cutting-edge technology -- hopes to remain open year-round. www.chenahotsprings.com/icehotel.html

ARIZONA: Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park
Little cowboys and cowgirls can relive the Wild West at this 12,000-square-foot museum, chock-full of artifacts from the mining days of yore. www.azstateparks.com

ARKANSAS: Crater of Diamonds State Park
It's finders keepers at this diamond mine in Murfreesboro, as visitors are allowed to take home their geological finds. www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com

CALIFORNIA: The Redwood Forests
How big are they? Drive or hike the Avenue of the Giants at Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Weott to find out, or visit any of the redwood groves in Northern California. www.redwoodvisitor.org

COLORADO: Dinosaur National Monument
Junior paleontologists will thrill at seeing dinosaur bones and other fossils embedded in the rock wall at the Quarry Visitor Center. www.nps.gov/dino/dinos.htm

CONNECTICUT: Mark Twain House and Museum
Twain's lovingly restored Hartford home -- where he is believed to have penned the adventures of young Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn -- also boasts a museum with scheduled events and activities. www.marktwainhouse.org

DELAWARE: Winterthur Museum
The Enchanted Woods children's garden, the Touch-It room full of handmade toys and objects, and the garden tram are among the activities at this family-friendly country estate located just outside Wilmington. www.winterthur.org

FLORIDA: Ringling Museum of the Circus
Costumes, props, and artifacts are preserved in this colorful tribute to the Big Top located in Sarasota. www.ringling.org

GEORGIA: Stone Mountain Park
Take a train or ride a skylift to see the largest high-relief sculpture in the world, the Confederate Memorial Carving depicting Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Entertainment and shopping options abound at the 3,200-acre park. www.stonemountainpark.com

HAWAII: Flumin Da Ditch
These popular tours on the big island of Hawaii allow families to wend their way at a leisurely pace in shallow water -- in stable, double-hulled kayaks -- along the ditches of the island's old plantations. www.flumindaditch.com/flumin/index.html

IDAHO: The Old Mission
Built by the Coeur d'Alene Indians in 1848-1853, this carefully preserved mission in Cataldo brings history to life with historical pageants and hands-on demonstrations. www.idahoparks.org/parks/oldmission.html

ILLINOIS: The Sears Tower
This 110-story skyscraper features interactive exhibitions -- including "knee-high" attractions for children -- as well as breathtaking views of Chicago. www.sears-tower.com

INDIANA: Parke County
Known as the Covered Bridge Capital of the world, this county in western Indiana boasts 32 of the picturesque bridges, plus a restored jail, old mills, and antique shops. Begin your tour at the visitors' center in Rockville. www.coveredbridges.com

IOWA: Field of Dreams
Families can take a swing, run the bases, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings at this preserved movie site in Dyersville, which includes the famous baseball diamond and farmhouse seen in the 1989 film. www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com

KANSAS: Mennonite Heritage Museum
This living museum of eight historic buildings in Goessel -- including a one-room schoolhouse -- tells the story of the Mennonites, who fled Russia in the late 1800s for Kansas. skyways.lib.ks.us/museums/goessel/

KENTUCKY: Kentucky Derby Museum
The newly expanded attraction at Churchill Downs in Louisville boasts video graphics and hands-on activities designed to capture the spirit and style of the great American horse race. www.derbymuseum.org

LOUISIANA: Laura: A Creole Plantation
This Vacherie sugar plantation, which dates from 1805, introduces visitors to the Creole culture through the life of owner Laura Locoul Gore. Kids will enjoy discovering the origins of the Br'er Rabbit folk tales, which were recorded from slaves who lived on this plantation. www.lauraplantation.com

MAINE: Seashore Trolley Museum
All aboard a restored early 20th-century streetcar for a ride into the past at this family-friendly Kennebunkport museum. www.trolleymuseum.org

MARYLAND: National Aquarium
Join a guided tour of the shark tank, take the kids to a touch pool, and visit a shark nursery at this state-of-the-art aquarium in Baltimore. You might even spend the night there through a special sleepover program. www.aqua.org

MASSACHUSETTS: Old Sturbridge Village
Spend a day in the early 1800s at this 200-acre recreated village, where visitors can learn to milk a cow, gossip with costumed "residents," and dine on meals created from authentic recipes. www.osv.org

MICHIGAN: Mackinac Island
There are no cars allowed on this scenic island, which retains the Victorian flavor of its heyday, but families can bike, take carriage rides, or visit the historic fort nearby. www.mackinac.com

MINNESOTA: Mall of America
So big it even has its own Camp Snoopy amusement park, Underwater Adventures shark encounters, and NASCAR indoor races, this collection of more than 500 stores in Bloomington could keep you busy -- and shopping -- for days. www.mallofamerica.com

MISSISSIPPI: Mississippi Petrified Forest
Huge petrified logs dating from prehistoric times make for fascinating exploring -- and don't miss the museum and nature trails -- at this Registered National Landmark in Flora. www.mspetrifiedforest.com

MISSOURI: St. Joseph Museum
A Lewis and Clark exhibition, natural history dioramas, and Japanese friendship dolls are among the items on display at this museum headquartered in a restored Victorian home in St. Joseph. www.stjosephmuseum.org

MONTANA: Museum of the Plains Indian
Check out the not-so-little petrified baby T-Rex fossil at the Blackfeet Heritage Center of this Native American museum in Browning, which also boasts rawhide and buckskin clothing, historic galleries, and films. www.cutbankchamber.com/visit/plainsmuseum.htm

NEBRASKA: Pony Express Station
Situated in Gothenburg's Ehmen Park, this station showcases artifacts from the Pony Express riders who traveled along the Oregon Trail. www.ci.gothenburg.ne.us

NEVADA: Eureka
This 19th-century mining village has been preserved since its days as a gold and silver boom town; authentic buildings from the era include an opera house and newspaper office. www.co.eureka.nv.us/

NEW HAMPSHIRE: America's Stonehenge
The origins of this man-made North Salem rock maze -- considered the oldest in North America -- are as mysterious as its design, which dates back some 4,000-plus years. www.stonehengeusa.com

NEW JERSEY: Atlantic City Boardwalk
Amusement parks, museums, and trolley tours are among the more family-friendly activities at this historic boardwalk, which has been attracting vacationers since the late 1800s. www.atlanticcitynj.com

NEW MEXICO: Taos Pueblo
This 1,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site is still inhabited by the Taos Indians, who practice tribal law and offer handcrafted silver, pottery, and fine art for sale. www.taospueblo.com

NEW YORK: Niagara Falls
Enter the Cave of the Winds for spectacular views of the falls (be forewarned that you'll get wet!) or visit the Daredevil Museum to plot the fates of those who have tried over the years to survive the plunge. www.niagara-usa.com

NORTH CAROLINA: Biltmore Estate
Among the many historic homes in Asheville, Commodore Vanderbilt's is tops; with 250 rooms and 65 fireplaces, it's America's largest private home. The 8,000-acre estate can be explored by hiking, biking, or rafting. www.biltmore.com

NORTH DAKOTA: Fort Totten
This well-preserved Bismarck fort boasts original buildings dating from the 1860s as well as an interpretive center and museum. www.state.nd.us/hist/totten/totten.htm

OHIO: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
A treat for music lovers of all ages, this Cleveland museum shows off artifacts spanning nearly 100 years, from Paul Simon's guitar to John Lennon's report card. Children under 8 are admitted free. www.rockhall.com

OKLAHOMA: Great Salt Plains State Park
Visitors can dig for selenite crystals -- and take them home -- as well as climb an observation tower, fish, swim, picnic, and walk on a nature trail in this lake area around Cherokee. www.greatsaltplains.com

OREGON: Lewis & Clark Trail
Follow the explorers' trail across the state (or choose parts of it), including parks and the Columbia River Gorge (where Lewis & Clark had to find a way around the Cascade Rapids), all the way to Cape Disappointment, home of the oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast and a museum of L&C artifacts. www.lcbo.net

PENNSYLVANIA: Amish Country
Tour private homes, take buggy rides, and enjoy family-friendly theatrical productions in rural Lancaster County, known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, home of more than 16,000 members of the Amish religious community. www.800padutch.com

RHODE ISLAND: Slater Mill Museum
With period buildings and costumed interpreters, this living history museum in Pawtucket highlights the Industrial Revolution and how it affected daily life in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. www.slatermill.org

SOUTH CAROLINA: Southern Plantations
The Charleston area is known for its lovingly preserved antebellum mansions, several of which are open for tours and a glimpse at the Old South. www.middletonplace.org; www.magnoliaplantation.com; www.draytonhall.org

SOUTH DAKOTA: Crazy Horse Memorial
Although not yet completed, this towering Black Hills monument to Lakota chief Crazy Horse -- the face alone is nine stories high -- offers a look at our nation's history from the Native American perspective. www.crazyhorse.org

TENNESSEE: Grand Ole Opry
Visitors can immerse themselves in country music the way it was meant to be heard at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House or at its historic predecessor, the Ryman Auditorium downtown. www.opry.com

TEXAS: Space Center Houston
Junior astronauts can explore the interactive exhibitions at the Kids Space Place, experience virtual weightlessness at the Space Station, and see the world from another angle at the giant-screen Mazda theater. www.spacecenter.org

UTAH: Four Corners
Here at the junction of Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, children can put a hand and foot in each state for a souvenir photo and shop for Native American goods along this popular tourist stretch. www.utah.com

VERMONT: Ben & Jerry's
Join a factory tour in Waterbury to see how the ice cream is made, and don't forget to try a sample in the FlavoRoom. www.benjerry.com

VIRGINIA: Toy Museum at Natural Bridge
Billed as the world's largest collection of childhood memorabilia -- from Barbie to Mr. Potato Head -- this museum offers self-guided tours to while away a rainy day. www.awesometoymuseum.com

WASHINGTON: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Follow the Winds of Change Interpretive Trail to learn about how the 1980 eruption of this live volcano near Castle Rock affected local flora and fauna. www.mount-st-helens.com

Extra Links

http://www.usatourist.com/english/destinations/Destinations-Parks.html

Top US Destinations - http://www.usatourist.com/english/tips/bestoftheusa.html

http://www.usatourist.com/english/culture/Culture-Main.html

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/ - Random Places in the US

http://www.planetware.com/top-tourist-attractions/usa-us.htm

http://www.forbestraveler.com/best-lists/most-visited-us-tourist-attractions-slide-2.html?thisSpeed=25000

http://www.forbestraveler.com/american-summer-travel.html

http://www.discoveramerica.com/ca/places.html

http://www.discoveramerica.com/ca/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=tourist+attractions+in+the+usa&utm_campaign=DSC18_us_pilot&_vsrefdom=&gclid=CJqKgcaOyp4CFQjyDAodxHlWxw

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-city/travel-tips-and-articles/42/1134

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/americas-best-adventures/interactive-map

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/national-parks/most-beautiful-places-photography

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2009/06/national-parks/ultimate-parks-photography

http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/drives