To indulge in the total Florida experience, you need beaches, Miami nightclubs, theme parks, space travel memorabilia — and alligators. That's right, alligators. The reptiles are almost ubiquitous in Florida. The state has an estimated alligator population of 1.3 million, and they have been spotted in all 67 counties. Given the size of the gator population, unprovoked attacks on humans...
Space travel has captivated people around the world for decades, and many of them flock to Cape Canaveral, Florida, to experience that history up close. For decades, NASA's rockets and space shuttles have launched into the heavens from Florida's Space Coast, delighting locals and visitors alike. Even better, once you've had your fill of space exploration, there are plenty of...
When it came to finding a career path, you might say Tod Swormstedt was given a clear sign. As a fourth-generation member of the family that publishes Signs of the Times, a magazine known as the "bible for the sign industry," he knows much more about signs than your average guy. He relishes and respects the history of American signage,...
Although taking road trips up the coast and exploring Los Angeles' amazing cultural scene might be among the most popular things to do in Hollywood, a surprising number of visitors enjoy touring the city's iconic cemeteries. Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a Los Angeles landmark with a history dating back to 1899. The land played a starring role in early Hollywood's...
American history in the 1830s includes a time when more than 100,000 Native Americans were removed from their indigenous lands and sent on a journey westward. The hardships the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Seminole, Creek, Choctaw, and other nations experienced along the way led to the name "Trail of Tears" for the primary route. The Trail of Tears spans more than 5,000...
In a nation filled with street lights, neon-blinking shop signs, and endless glare from smartphones, it's tough to find dark skies filled with bright stars, slowly spiraling satellites, and even distant planets. That's part of what makes a trip to the Grand Canyon at night so special. Even novice hikers can enjoy the vista up above — spectacular by day...
Many of the most important suffragettes who fought for women's right to vote were from New York State. In 1848, a handful of women organized the first women's rights convention attended by several hundred people in Seneca Falls, New York. Explore the history of this event and its impact on generations of female leaders with a visit to Seneca Falls...
Automobiles and music were two of the key driving forces behind Detroit's economic rise in the 19th century, and the city's cultural and historic sites pay fascinating tribute to the pioneers in those industries. At three historical museums in Detroit, visitors can immerse themselves in the intriguing success stories of some of the city's best-known, groundbreaking, and influential leaders and...
San Jose rests at the heart of Santa Clara County, one of the most affluent counties in the United States. According to Kyle Schatzel, communications manager at Visit San Jose, the city is home to more than 6,600 tech companies, giving it the world's largest concentration of technology expertise. It's almost an embarrassment of riches that the city also enjoys...
Touring the national monuments in Washington D.C. is so popular that it has become an integral part of American life. Schools organize field trips to the National Mall, families spend vacation time there, and national holidays are celebrated onsite. Seeing the sights in the nation's capital is as American as apple pie and the 4th of July. With their marble...
