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The USA

The great American experience is a rich tapestry of contrasts: from lively bluegrass and sun-soaked beaches to snow-capped mountains and towering redwood forests; from bustling foodie cities to vast, open skies — and that’s only the beginning.

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The story of the Smoky Mountains dates back to ancient times, when colossal continents collided to form a mountain range that ranks among the oldest on Earth. Some of the rocks here were originally formed over a billion years ago at the bottom of a prehistoric sea, and were later pushed upward when the African tectonic plate collided with North America.

Human history in the region is equally ancient. Indigenous peoples have inhabited the Smoky Mountains area since prehistoric times, with archaeologists discovering hunting tools dating back 10,000 years and pottery from around 700 BCE. When European settlers arrived in the 1600s, they encountered the Cherokee people, who lived in villages along the river valleys. The Smokies were at the heart of Cherokee territory until they were forcibly removed on the Trail of Tears. In the early 20th century, lumber companies nearly devastated the forests, but fortunately, local visionaries fought to establish the park, which was officially created in 1934.

Today, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. Its popularity is partly due to its convenient location near major metropolitan areas like North Carolina’s Research Triangle, Knoxville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; and Washington, DC. The park’s design, featuring a network of roads and hiking trails, appeals to a wide range of visitors—from casual nature lovers and history enthusiasts to experienced backpackers. Best of all, the park has no entrance fee or requirement for an America the Beautiful pass.

If you’re intrigued, we offer detailed information on the best times to visit, top sights, camping options, and must-do hikes in the Smokies. Whether it’s your first trip or you’re a frequent visitor, read on for all you need to know.

Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Smokies are part of the ancient Appalachian Mountain chain, which formed over 200 million years ago. These once towering peaks—possibly as high as the Himalayas—have been gradually worn down over time. Hiking to the summit of a 6,000-foot peak offers stunning views of endless ridges rolling off into the distance. The park boasts more than 800 miles of trails, ranging from short waterfall walks to multi-day treks.

Here are some top hiking highlights:

  • Clingmans Dome
    As the park’s highest point, Clingmans Dome provides breathtaking 360-degree views from its unique circular observation platform. The paved half-mile trail to the tower is steep but manageable, and the area is crossed by several notable trails including the Appalachian Trail and Alum Cave Bluffs. In winter, when the access road is closed, the views become a quiet, solitary experience.

  • The Appalachian Trail
    This iconic 2,200-mile trail stretches across 14 states, with 71 miles running along the Smoky Mountains’ spine. Hikers encounter stunning overlooks, misty forests, and historic fire towers. Even if you can’t hike the entire trail, you can enjoy memorable day hikes or overnight trips along this legendary route.

  • Mt LeConte
    One of the park’s toughest yet most rewarding hikes leads to Mt LeConte, the third-highest peak at 6,593 feet. Multiple trails wind past rushing streams, waterfalls, and dramatic views before reaching a rustic mountaintop lodge that dates back to before the park’s founding. Reservations are essential to stay overnight.

  • Alum Cave Bluffs
    Among the park’s most popular trails, Alum Cave Bluffs offers a scenic hike featuring log bridges, old-growth forests, and unique rock formations. Highlights include Arch Rock, a stone archway with steep stone steps, and Inspiration Point, a vista overlooking the surrounding mountains. The trail continues beyond the bluffs to the summit of Mt LeConte.

  • Ramsey Cascades
    This challenging hike leads through ancient forests to the park’s highest waterfall, which drops 100 feet over rugged ledges. The trail climbs steadily with some steep sections, rewarding hikers with views of massive tulip trees and a refreshing waterfall at the end. Be cautious not to climb the falls themselves, and watch for camouflaged salamanders near the pool.

Camping in the Smokies
The park offers a variety of camping options. LeConte Lodge is the only place to stay overnight in a building, accessible only by hiking. The nearby town of Gatlinburg provides the most lodging options, though it can be expensive, while Pigeon Forge and Sevierville offer more affordable accommodations.

Within the park, nine developed campgrounds offer more than 900 sites with basic amenities like restrooms and picnic tables. Some campgrounds require advance reservations, especially popular ones like Cataloochee and Abrams Creek. Many sites are first-come, first-served, and a few campgrounds remain open year-round.

Backcountry camping is also available with a permit and a nightly fee for up to five nights. Permits can be reserved online or obtained at visitor centers.

Driving the Smoky Mountains
When the park was established, the idea of building scenic roads was debated. Some felt roads would intrude on nature, while others believed they would make the park more accessible. Today, roads remain a vital part of the visitor experience.

Newfound Gap Road is the park’s only paved highway crossing from Cherokee, NC, to Gatlinburg, TN. Though it can be driven quickly, it’s best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, stopping at overlooks, streams, and trailheads.

Other scenic drives include the 5.5-mile Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which passes waterfalls, old forests, and historic homesteads, and the recently extended Foothills Parkway offering stunning mountain views.

More Things to Do
The Smokies shine in every season: spring’s wildflowers, summer’s vibrant azaleas, fall’s fiery foliage, and winter’s snowy serenity. This World Heritage Site also hosts the synchronized fireflies’ annual light show in late spring, drawing crowds to Elkmont Campground. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife watching in Cataloochee, where elk, turkeys, and bears roam.

For adventure seekers, rafting on the Pigeon River offers everything from gentle paddles to thrilling rapids. History buffs can explore Cades Cove’s preserved 19th-century buildings and abundant wildlife.

When to Visit
The park is open year-round, with summer and fall being the most popular due to lush blooms and colorful leaves. Spring brings wildflowers and reopening campgrounds, though nights can still be chilly. Winter offers a peaceful retreat, but some roads and facilities may close due to weather.

2. Glacier National Park

Rivaling some of the most iconic national parks in the United States—such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon—Glacier National Park is renowned for its rugged peaks shaped by dramatic geological thrust faults and sculpted by ancient glaciers. But the park’s towering mountains and dense forests are only the beginning. Glacier is deeply connected to Indigenous tribes, features one of the most scenic parkways in the entire National Park system, offers historic lodges showcasing classic ‘parkitecture,’ and includes 740 miles of hiking trails where visitors may encounter roaming grizzlies and moose.

3. Yosemite National Park

The name Yosemite means “killer” in the Indigenous Miwok language, and today it truly lives up to that reputation as an awe-inspiring natural wonder. Everywhere you turn in Yosemite, you’ll find towering granite domes, sheer cliffs, rushing rivers, crystal-clear lakes, mesmerizing waterfalls, and peaceful meadows—plus breathtaking viewpoints offering sweeping panoramic vistas.

As the third national park established in the U.S., Yosemite perfectly embodies a place worth protecting for both recreation and conservation. From its iconic landmarks like Half Dome, El Capitan, Mariposa Grove, and Yosemite Falls to the summer retreats of Tuolumne Meadows and Glacier Point, Yosemite draws more than 5 million visitors annually who come to experience its magnificent beauty.

4. Golden Gate Park

When Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary behind New York’s Central Park, first saw the stretch of land that San Francisco Mayor Frank McCoppin hoped to transform into a massive city park back in 1865, he was understandably doubtful. The site was an expanse of 1,013 acres filled with bleak, shifting sand dunes on the city’s edge, constantly battered by strong winds from the grey Pacific Ocean. Olmsted declined the project, despite the chance to design a park even larger than Central Park before that famous work was complete.

A century later, however, Olmsted would surely have smiled and changed his mind after witnessing what Golden Gate Park had become — a place filled with bonsai trees, buffalo, towering redwoods, flying Frisbees, free concerts, and a spirit of freedom. During the 1960s, the park became the heart of the Summer of Love, a defining moment for San Francisco’s cultural history. Today, Golden Gate Park still holds nearly everything locals cherish about their city.

You could spend a week exploring the park and still not see everything. Each visit offers a stroll through San Francisco’s past, starting from the park’s historic eastern edge to where its western boundaries meet the Pacific surf.

The Birth of Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park was conceived by local politicians aiming to develop a piece of former Mexican territory on San Francisco’s outskirts into profitable urban land. Among the key players was Mayor Frank McCoppin, who sought not only to provide more space for the city’s growing population but also to resolve legal disputes over wealthy squatters claiming the “Outside Lands” now that San Francisco was booming.

Although Olmsted believed a park larger than Central Park wouldn’t work on this site, two determined men — civil engineer William Hammond Hall and master gardener John McLaren — set out with a bold vision. Their plan was to eliminate commercial developments like casinos, resorts, racetracks, and even an igloo village, instead allowing nature to shine. This was an unconventional approach in an era when Central Park itself was still unfinished and before iconic national parks like Yellowstone were even protected.

Experiencing Golden Gate Park

McCoppin, Hall, and McLaren ultimately succeeded, creating a green space that historian Gary Kamiya describes as “wild… shaggy and labyrinthine and confusing.” Kamiya, in his book Cool Grey City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco, notes the paradox that the park’s wild character is almost entirely man-made. Every inch was hard-won, and though the loss of San Francisco’s great sand dunes is tragic, the park stands as a victorious collaboration between humans and nature.

Several early park landmarks prove this. The Conservatory of Flowers, opened in 1879, houses rare plants from South and Central America as well as aquatic species from the Amazon. Stow Lake, created in 1893 with its charming Strawberry Hill, has been a family favorite for over a century.

The Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest public Japanese garden in the U.S., dates back to the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition. The carefully maintained garden features imported plants, birds, and fish that have thrived in the once harsh Outside Lands, far from their original home in Japan.

Following the devastating 1906 earthquake, thousands of refugees camped in city parks, including Golden Gate Park. Temporary army-built shelters later became permanent homes, some still standing today.

As San Francisco rebuilt, institutions like Kezar Stadium (once home to the Oakland Raiders), the California Academy of Sciences, and the de Young Museum took root in the park. The iconic Windmills were built just before and after the earthquake, and the Dahlia and Shakespeare Gardens were added in the 1920s.

The WPA and the Summer of Love

During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) enhanced the park by adding features such as the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the archery field, Anglers Lodge, and the Model Yacht Club. They restored the 1926 Art Deco Horseshoe Pits and built the Beach Chalet adorned with murals depicting the park’s history.

The Hoover Grove of giant sequoias, planted in 1930 to honor World War I casualties, offers visitors a glimpse of majestic trees without leaving the city.

The park’s offerings evolved through the decades. The Stow Lake boathouse was added in 1946, and twenty years later, the Human Be-In near Haight-Ashbury launched the Summer of Love. Thousands of young people flocked to Hippie Hill for free concerts and a utopian atmosphere fueled by music, cannabis, and LSD. Today, visiting the park on April 20th or other days reveals echoes of that vibrant era.

Golden Gate Park Today

One of the latest additions is the National AIDS Memorial Grove, established in 1991 to honor those lost during the AIDS crisis, a poignant reminder of San Francisco’s resilience.

Golden Gate Park continues to grow and adapt. It hosts events like the Bay to Breakers 12K race, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, and the Outside Lands music festival every October. During December, the park’s Christmas lights attract families and visitors.

In 2020, San Francisco celebrated the park’s 150th anniversary with temporary art installations such as Charles Gadeken’s Entwined light show in Peacock Meadow. The SkyStar Wheel, a Ferris wheel, was installed to mark the occasion and will remain until March 2025. That same year, protestors toppled statues including those of Francis Scott Key, Padre Junipero Serra, and Ulysses S. Grant during Juneteenth demonstrations.

The COVID-19 pandemic also inspired new activities like the free Golden Gate Park Sunday Roller Disco Party near 6th Ave & Kennedy Drive, featuring live DJs and attracting local roller skaters most Sundays.

During summer, look out for the Flower Piano event, where 12 pianos scattered around the Botanical Garden invite visitors to play, accompanied by free piano lessons and community sing-alongs at sunset.

Visiting Golden Gate Park

Spanning over three miles long and half a mile wide, Golden Gate Park has many entrances. The most popular is via Fell Street at the Panhandle, while entering from 9th Avenue near Lincoln places you close to several major attractions.

Key roads inside the park include JFK Drive, Transverse Drive, Chain of Lakes Drive, and 25th Avenue with Crossover Drive. Some streets are part of the city’s Slow Streets program, created during the pandemic to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists. Check the park’s website for updates on road closures and events.

Walking, biking, and skating are popular ways to explore the park. Numerous bus and trolley lines serve multiple entrances along the park’s perimeter.

The park is open 24/7, with restrooms conveniently located throughout.

Parking in Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park offers over 4,700 street parking spaces. Accessible parking can be found near McLaren Lodge, Music Concourse (behind the Bandshell), Martin Luther King Jr. Drive & Music Concourse, and along JFK/Transverse Drive.

The Music Concourse garage, with 800 spaces, costs $33 per day and serves popular spots including the SkyStar Wheel, de Young Museum, various gardens, and the California Academy of Sciences. It is located off Fulton Street at 10th Avenue and is open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Getting Around with the Park Shuttle

A free Golden Gate Park shuttle runs every 15 to 20 minutes from 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends and city holidays, making it easy to travel between key locations within the park.

5. Central Park

Central Park, one of the world’s most famous green spaces, covers 843 acres of rolling meadows, rocky outcrops, elm-lined paths, manicured European-style gardens, a lake, and a reservoir. It also features an outdoor theater, a John Lennon memorial, a charming waterside café, and the well-known Alice in Wonderland statue.

Key attractions include the 15-acre Sheep Meadow, a popular spot where thousands relax and play on warm days; the Central Park Zoo; and the forest-like trails of the Ramble, a favorite among birdwatchers. During warmer months, visitors can enjoy free outdoor concerts on the Great Lawn and the acclaimed Shakespeare in the Park performances at the open-air Delacorte Theater. The Shakespeare Garden, located between 79th and 80th Streets on the west side, is another recommended stop, known for its lush plants and great views of the skyline.

The History of Central Park

Like New York City’s subway system, Central Park—a vast green rectangle in the heart of Manhattan—was designed as a great social equalizer, welcoming all residents regardless of race, class, or religion. Created in the 1860s and ’70s by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux on the city’s marshy northern edge, the park was envisioned as a leisure space for every New Yorker.

Though Central Park is only the fifth largest park in New York City, with others like Pelham Bay Park and Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx being bigger, its 800-plus acres are immense, especially in Manhattan’s densely built environment. Much of the land had to be acquired through eminent domain, despite the city being much smaller at the time.

Interestingly, the land taken to build Central Park included Seneca Village, a community of immigrants and free Black residents, the very people the park was meant to serve. Olmsted and Vaux were tasked with transforming what was once swampy and urban wasteland into a place where the wealthy could be seen in their carriages and the working classes could gather away from pubs and cemeteries.

Olmsted drew inspiration from Birkenhead Park in England, the first taxpayer-funded public park, which he visited during his travels. His goal was to create a natural American landscape from an unpromising site filled with pig pens and city debris.

After years of work, considerable expense, thousands of laborers, and delays due to the Civil War, the result was a sprawling green oasis distinctly different from the city around it. It was also an engineering feat: Olmsted and Vaux designed separate paths for pedestrians and vehicles, using elevated roads and underpasses, making it a peaceful refuge from urban chaos.

The Legacy of Central Park

The success of Central Park launched Olmsted’s career and shaped landscape architecture across the country, influencing projects from Buffalo to San Francisco, including private estates and city parks.

Central Park has become a beloved film location, appearing as a character in movies like Hair, When Harry Met Sally, Enchanted, and The Muppets Take Manhattan. It is surrounded by iconic buildings—from the Dakota, home to celebrities like John Lennon and Lauren Bacall, to the soaring Central Park Tower, which stands 1,550 feet tall.

Things to Do in Central Park

Today, Central Park remains one of New York’s most popular destinations, attracting locals and tourists year-round. While busy with joggers, skaters, musicians, and visitors on warm weekends, the quieter northern parts—such as Harlem Meer and North Meadow—offer peaceful retreats during the week.

In summer, visitors can fish, camp, or stroll over the picturesque Victorian Bow Bridge, which connects Cherry Hill and the Ramble. Nearby, Bethesda Fountain overlooks the lake, where you can rent rowboats at the Loeb Boathouse or enjoy a meal.

Though the park was designed with few buildings, the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant is a New York institution. Originally a sheep pen designed by Vaux in 1870, it became a restaurant in 1934 and earned a landmark status. After closing in 2009, it reopened in 2014 and remains a popular dining spot.

In winter, the park draws crowds for cross-country skiing, sledding, peaceful snowy walks, and the annual New Year’s Eve midnight run. Skating is available at two rinks: Wollman Rink in the southeast and Lasker Rink in the north.

The Central Park Conservancy offers various guided tours focusing on art, wildlife, and family-friendly spots (mostly free or $15). For those who want to explore faster, the park has many popular running routes.

Getting to Central Park

Central Park is easily accessible by subway, with the N, R, Q trains stopping at 57th Street & 7th Avenue; the 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, and D trains stopping near Columbus Circle, 72nd, 96th, and 110th Streets; and the B and C trains along the park’s west side.

Multiple bus routes serve the park as well, including the M10 on Central Park West, the M20 from Penn Station, and the Q32 from Grand Central.

Street parking around the park includes free and metered spaces, but be sure to check signs carefully. Paid parking lots and garages are also available for short or long stays.

Accessibility in Central Park

Although Central Park was created before modern accessibility laws, the Central Park Conservancy provides an accessibility map highlighting various terrain inclines, obstacles like stairs, and accessible restrooms, trails, and subway entrances.

The park’s Robert Bendheim Playground, redesigned in 1996, is fully inclusive, featuring ramps, wheelchair-accessible water play areas, elevated sandboxes, and auditory play structures designed for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing and their caregivers.

6. MGM Grand

Overview
Owned by the legendary Hollywood studio, the MGM Grand casino and hotel bring the glitz and glamor of Tinseltown right to the Las Vegas Strip. A 45-foot tall, 100,000-pound bronze lion guards the entrance, enhanced by flashing LED screens and dazzling computerized fountains — a perfect symbol of the resort’s show-stopping vibe.

Casino & Entertainment
Step inside the sprawling casino adorned with giant screens, and you’ll find everything from table-side massages to free Texas hold’em lessons in the poker room. Nightlife highlights include the iconic Hakkasan nightclub — once the epicenter of electronic dance music — and Cirque du Soleil’s martial-arts-inspired show, Kà.

Grand Pool Complex
A top draw is the expansive Grand Pool area, featuring four swimming pools, whirlpools, and the Strip’s longest lazy river (8,000 feet!). Whether you’re a sunbather, a family with kids, or partygoer recovering from last night, this outdoor oasis has something for everyone. During summer, the Wet Republic pool club pulses with the city’s hottest daytime parties.

Grand Spa
The 29,000-square-foot Grand Spa offers signature treatments like the two-hour ‘Dreaming Ritual,’ inspired by Australian Aboriginal healing. The spa’s tranquil ambiance blends bamboo, rock walls, and wood accents, perfect for relaxation. Spa access is primarily for hotel guests, with limited appointments for non-guests on weekdays.

MGM Grand Garden Arena
A massive 17,000-seat venue hosts top concerts by stars such as U2, Cher, and Miley Cyrus, as well as electrifying championship fight nights.

Restaurants
MGM Grand boasts an impressive roster of celebrity-chef restaurants:

  • Joël Robuchon — A lavish, art deco French dining experience resembling a 1930s Paris mansion; reservations essential.

  • L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon — A sleek, tapas-style eatery with an open kitchen and creative small plates.

  • Morimoto — Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s Japanese fusion showcase.

  • Heritage Steak — Tom Colicchio’s steakhouse offering open-flame grilled steaks and inventive cocktails.

  • Pub 1842 — Chef Michael Mina’s cozy gastropub with whimsical comfort food and craft beers.

  • Hakkasan — Michelin-starred Cantonese cuisine with a striking neo-Asian interior.

  • Crush — Casual Mediterranean dishes with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

  • Hecho en Vegas — Festive Mexican cantina near the monorail station.

  • Craftsteak — Tom Colicchio’s other steakhouse focusing on grass-fed and grilled meats, plus an extensive bourbon and scotch selection.

Bars & Clubs
Celebrate or commiserate with a drink at several stylish bars and clubs:

  • Hakkasan Nightclub — World-famous EDM DJs, VIP booths, and futuristic decor.

  • Wet Republic — The ultimate daytime ‘ultra pool’ party with top DJs, cocktails, and a trendy crowd.

Accommodations
The MGM Grand is one of Vegas’ largest hotels, featuring:

  • Skylofts — Ultra-luxe loft apartments designed by Tony Chi, complete with spa tubs, gourmet kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows, and 24-hour butler and concierge service. Perfect for families, groups, or romantic getaways, with private limousine airport transfers.

  • Signature Suites — Spacious suites with balconies (a rarity on the Strip), kitchenettes, plush furnishings, and all the amenities you expect from a massive resort.

7. Alcatraz

For more than 150 years, the name Alcatraz has stirred fear in the innocent and dread in the guilty. Over time, this island has served as a military prison, a harsh maximum-security penitentiary, and a site of protest between Native American activists and the FBI. It’s no surprise that stepping onto “the Rock” feels like the start of a dramatic thriller — cue the suspenseful music: dunh-dunh-dunnnnh!

Attracting around 1.4 million visitors annually, Alcatraz’s easy access from San Francisco, its gripping history, and spectacular views of the city skyline make it one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Yet, for much of its existence, Alcatraz was a place people desperately tried to escape — not a place to casually visit with family.

The History of Alcatraz

The story began in 1775 when Spanish Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala sailed his ship, the San Carlos, past a 22-acre island he named Isla de Alcatraces (Isle of the Pelicans). In 1859, the island became the West Coast’s first U.S. military fort and was soon used to detain Civil War deserters, insubordinate soldiers, and those court-martialed.

Among the inmates were Native American scouts and others labeled “unfriendly,” including 19 Hopi who resisted sending their children to government boarding schools where speaking their language and practicing their religion could lead to punishment. By 1902, the prison’s wooden cell blocks were decaying and unsanitary, ill-prepared to house soldiers convicted of war crimes from the Philippines. Construction of a new concrete prison began in 1909, but costly maintenance, World War I, financial troubles, and changing times slowed progress.

When Prohibition took effect in 1922, gangsters kept the illegal alcohol flowing, and authorities wanted to make examples of top criminals. So, in 1934, the Federal Bureau of Prisons took over Alcatraz, transforming it into a high-profile federal prison.

Though housing only about 264 inmates at a time, Alcatraz’s roster read like a who’s who of notorious criminals: Chicago mob boss Al “Scarface” Capone, kidnapper George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Harlem mobster and poet “Bumpy” Johnson, and Morton Sobell, convicted Soviet spy alongside Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

One of the prison’s most famous inmates was Robert Franklin Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” known for caring for birds while in solitary confinement before his transfer. His life inspired the 1962 film starring Burt Lancaster. The prison was also the scene of the violent 1946 “Battle of Alcatraz,” a failed escape attempt by Bernard Coy and others that ended in a deadly standoff.

Today, visitors can hear firsthand stories about prison life through an award-winning audio tour by Alcatraz Cruises. But step outside the cells and you’ll notice the sound of peaceful city life drifting over the water — a stark contrast to the desperation that made escaping the island worth the deadly risks. Despite its reputation as escape-proof, in 1962 Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers crafted a raft and vanished into the night, never to be seen again. Due to high costs and difficulties, Alcatraz prison was closed in 1963 and left to nature.

The American Indian Movement

In the 1960s, Native American activists declared sovereignty over Alcatraz, pointing out its significance to the Ohlone people as a spiritual site. When federal authorities rejected their request to turn the island into a Native American cultural center, 79 activists occupied the island on Thanksgiving Eve 1969.

Over 19 months, thousands joined the Indians of All Tribes (IOAT) to demand the return of abandoned federal lands under the Treaty of Fort Laramie and to protest harsh policies like forced boarding schools and the loss of tribal sovereignty.

The Radio Free Alcatraz program, hosted by Santee Sioux John Trudell, broadcasted the activists’ message nationwide. Support grew from the public and celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Inspired by this, other protests followed across the country, including at Wounded Knee. However, FBI surveillance and cutoffs of water, power, and phone service eventually forced the occupation to end.

After federal control was reestablished, Alcatraz was transferred to the National Park Service. By 1973, it had become a major tourist destination. Today, visitors can see the cell blocks, the famous “This Is Indian Land” graffiti on the water tower, and the island’s rare wildlife. Every Thanksgiving since 1975, an “Un-Thanksgiving” ceremony commemorates the activism and ongoing Indigenous resistance.

Visiting Alcatraz

Alcatraz is open daily except for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day. Because it’s a top attraction, advance tickets are highly recommended, especially in peak seasons. Ferries depart from Piers 31-33 in downtown San Francisco, with the ticket price covering transportation and entry.

Day tours cost $25 for children, $41 for adults, and $38.65 for seniors. Family packages for two adults and two children are $119.60. Night tours, Behind The Scenes tours, and combination tours including Angel Island are also available. For tickets, call (415) 981-ROCK or visit www.alcatrazcruises.com.

Alcatraz is accessible for visitors with disabilities, offering braille and American Sign Language materials, assistive listening devices, tactile markers throughout the island, close-captioned films, and a tram for those with mobility challenges.

8. US Capitol

The US Capitol stands tall atop Capitol Hill as a symbol of American democracy’s foundations. When President George Washington laid its cornerstone in 1793, he envisioned a republic where ultimate authority belonged not to a monarch but to the people and their elected representatives. That vision remains alive today as 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 senators gather within the Capitol’s historic chambers to debate, legislate, and represent the nation’s voice.

History

In the late 18th century, French engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant planned the new capital city of Washington, DC. He deemed the most important building would be the Capitol, best situated on Jenkins’ Hill (later renamed Capitol Hill) at the eastern edge of the National Mall—a “pedestal waiting for a monument,” as L’Enfant described it.

Though none of the 17 initial design entries satisfied the judges, Dr. William Thornton, a physician trained in Scotland, submitted a neoclassical design late in the competition that was quickly approved. His plan featured a central structure topped by a low dome, flanked by rectangular wings on each side. Much of the building’s stonework and columns were quarried and carved by enslaved people.

The government moved in by 1800. Initially, the Capitol also housed the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court until both moved to separate buildings in 1897 and 1935, respectively. Additional structures, including separate buildings for the House and Senate and the US Botanic Garden, have since been added to the Capitol campus.

The Capitol’s role as a symbol of democracy has faced trials. It was burned by British forces during the War of 1812 in 1814 and, more recently, invaded by rioters in January 2021 in an attack threatening the nation’s democratic institutions. Yet through it all, the Capitol stands resilient—a grand monument to the enduring strength of American democracy as envisioned by the Founding Fathers.

Highlights

Visitors can explore the Capitol’s most iconic spaces on an hourlong guided tour, including:

Capitol Visitor Center
Your tour begins underground at the Visitor Center, where you’ll find visitor information, exhibits about the Capitol’s history in Emancipation Hall, a 500-seat restaurant, and two gift shops. No passes are needed just to visit the center.

Old Supreme Court Chamber
From 1810, the Supreme Court met here. Court sessions, held twice a year, were a popular form of entertainment, with many spectators attending the proceedings. One famous case argued here was Dred Scott v. Sandford in 1857, which ruled that former enslaved people could not claim US citizenship. The bust of Chief Justice Robert Taney, who delivered the majority opinion against Scott, was recently removed. The Supreme Court moved to the Old Senate Chamber in 1860, which is often included in tours as well.

The Crypt
Originally intended as the final resting place for George and Martha Washington, this grand crypt—with its 40 Doric columns and sandstone arches—remains empty. Instead, Washington and his wife are buried at Mount Vernon. The crypt now displays statues representing the original 13 colonies.

Rotunda
Ascending the stairs brings you to the Capitol’s majestic Rotunda, the building’s symbolic heart. Here, Congress celebrates new legislation and hosts honored visitors. It is also the place where distinguished individuals lie in state or in honor—only 40 people have received this tribute, including Abraham Lincoln, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and two Capitol police officers killed during the January 6 insurrection.

Above, the dome’s fresco, Apotheosis of Washington by Constantino Brumidi, shows George Washington ascending to the heavens, flanked by Liberty, Victory, and 13 maidens representing the original colonies. The walls depict scenes from the American Revolution and early exploration. Many statues and busts here honor presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, sculpted by Vinnie Ream, the first woman federally commissioned artist.

National Statuary Hall
Located just south of the Rotunda, this elegant chamber—modeled on ancient Greek architecture—was originally intended for the House of Representatives. However, poor acoustics led to its repurposing as a hall honoring two distinguished citizens from each state with statues. Due to space limits, 35 statues remain here, while others are displayed throughout the Capitol.

US Capitol Grounds
The famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of Central Park, transformed the surrounding wilderness into rolling parkland. Highlights include the Summerhouse with its fountain, hidden grotto, and public drinking fountains. From the grounds, visitors can admire the cast-iron dome topped by the 19.6-foot bronze statue of Freedom.

Tour Passes

Tours of the Capitol building are free but require a pass, which can be obtained by:

  1. Booking online in advance.

  2. Contacting your senators or representative (some offer staff-led tours for constituents).

  3. Visiting the Visitor Center for same-day passes (limited availability).

All tours start at the underground Visitor Center beneath the East Front plaza. Separate passes are needed to visit the galleries and watch House or Senate sessions. International visitors should check in at the Appointments Desk.

Be sure to review the official website for details on tour etiquette, security procedures, and COVID-19 guidelines.

Did You Know?

When the white light atop the dome shines at night, it signals that the House, Senate, or both chambers are in session. This is known as the Convene or Session light.

Visitor Information

  • Visitor Center: Beneath the Capitol’s East Front plaza, between Constitution and Independence Avenues

  • Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Saturday; closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Inauguration Day

  • Guided Tours: Monday through Saturday, 8:50 AM – 3:20 PM (passes required)

  • Public Transportation:

    • Metro: Union Station (Red Line), Capitol South, and Federal Center SW (Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines)

    • Bus: DC Circulator – National Mall

  • Price: Free (passes required)

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