Location: Arches National Park (near Moab, UT)
What It Is: Delicate Arch reaches 52 feet into the sky on its freestanding Entrada sandstone legs and is an icon that is recognized worldwide. It is at the end of a moderately strenuous, 1.5 mile (2.4 km) hiking trail, taking thirty to forty-five minutes each way. Hidden from view until you round the final corner, the arch takes your breath away as it frames the La Sal Mountains.

Up Next: Tallest Mountain in North America

Location: Denali National Park, AK
What It Is: Mt. McKinley is the tallest mountain in North America at 20,320 feet and is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from base to peak. The Athabascan Indians referred to the mountain as Denali -- translates to "the high one." You can see the mountain by touring Denali National Park, or take a flightseeing tour out of Talkeetna or Anchorage.

Up Next: Underground Waterfall

Location: Lookout Mountain (near Chattanooga, TN)
What It Is: This is the nation's tallest and deepest underground waterfall that is accessible to the public. Tours begin with a 260 foot elevator decent to the caverns. The hour-long tour is centered on Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall named for the founder's wife. The thundering waterfall is equipped with a LED light show.

Up Next: Looks Like Fire

Location: east of Las Vegas, NV
More About It: This park got its name from the way the sun sets it ablaze in fiery oranges and reds against the brilliant blue sky. Ancient Indian rock art, or petroglyphs, decorate the red rocks throughout the valley, and desert wildflowers exist alongside cacti and sagebrush. Visitors can see a variety of sandstone formations such as Elephant Rock (it looks like an elephant's head and trunk), the Beehives (unusual formations created by erosion), the Seven Sisters (a line of seven towering red rocks) and White Domes.

Up Next: Rock City

Location: Lookout Mountain, GA
What It Is: Rock City is feature massive ancient rock formations, botanical gardens with over 400 native plant species, and a breathtaking "7 States" panoramic view. Enchanted Trail highlights include the Swing-a-Long Bridge, Deer Park, the Needles Eye, Fat Man's Squeeze, the 1,000 Ton Balanced Rock and Lover's Leap.


Up Next: Pu'u Kukui Watershed

Location: Kapalua, HI
Story: The Pu'u Kukui Watershed Preserve is home to nearly a dozen plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. It's the largest private preserve in the state -- spanning 8,304 acres and home to 12 of Hawaii's 150 distinct plant communities, nearly 300 known species of native plants -- including seven on the nation's Endangered Species List -- and hundreds of different animal and insect species, many of which scientists have yet to identify.

Up Next: America the Beautiful

Location: near Telluride, CO
What It Is:?Colorado is home to 54 "fourteeners," majestic mountain peaks that soar more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Colorado has more fourteeners than any other state, from the massive Mount Elbert, the tallest at 14,440 feet, to Sunshine Peak, the shortest at 14,001 feet. These awesome formations have stirred travelers' hearts for decades. Indeed, Pikes Peak overlooking Colorado Springs inspired the poem turned unofficial national anthem "America the Beautiful."

Up Next: Northern Lights

Location: Alaska
Story: Alaska is known for its dramatic displays of Northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. The colors range from green to red to purple, with the most common color being yellow-green. This natural phenomenon is best viewed a night during August to April. An Eskimo tale explains the Northern Lights as spirits playing ball in the sky with a walrus skull. The Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks, Alaska takes a more scientific approach attributing the dazzling displays of light to solar winds and molecules of gas hitting the Earth's upper atmosphere.

Up Next: Salt Flats

Location: Utah
What It Is: There are over 30,000 acres of salt flats in Utah. Utah's famous Bonneville Salt Flats is so flat you seem to see the curvature of the planet. Since the early 1900's the flats have been used for racing. Nowadays speed trials are held throughout the summer and fall.


Up Next: Can Be Seen From Space

Location: Sun Valley, ID
What It Is: Craters of the Moon is a national monument and preserve. It is over 1,100 square miles of lava flows scattered with islands of cinder cones and sagebrush. The lava flows can even be seen from space.


Up Next: Divine Handprints

Location: Finger Lakes, NY
What It Is: According to Native American legend, the Finger Lakes are the divine handprints of the Great Spirit. In blessing the land, the spirit's outstretched hands were placed over the region leaving each finger-shaped impression. The hollows that were left quickly filled with crystal-clear water -- thus the Finger Lakes were formed. Another version is the formation of the lakes related to the glacial activity -- which gouged the land on the way down from Canada. Either way, the clear blue waters and surrounding hills are unique to America.
Up Next: Drive Through This Cave

Location: Springfield, MO
What It Is: The only cave in North America large enough to ride through is Fantastic Caverns. It was discovered in 1862 by a farmer's dog. The cave was kept secret until after the Civil War ended. Its first explorers were a group of 12 women who found beautiful massive formations. The cave was used for a variety of purposes, including as a speakeasy, music hall and a place for secret meetings. The cave is currently a tourist attraction easily accessible for people of all abilities because visitors ride through on Jeep-drawn trams.

Up Next: Ice Age Fossils

Location: Los Angeles, CA
What It Is: More than 100 tons of fossilized bones representing nearly 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish have been found from pools of sticky asphalt dating back to prehistoric time. The tar pits are located in the middle of Los Angeles. Pit 91 is the museum's active archaeological dig, and each year, Pit 91 opens its observation area so visitors can see fossil hunters in action as they search for the bones of saber-tooth cats, dire wolves and a variety of other plants and animals.

Up Next: The "Big Tree"

Location: La Pine State Park, OR
What It Is: This 500-year-old tree is the largest Ponderosa pine in Oregon. Its circumference is 326 inches, and it is 191 feet tall. It is also recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tree.


Up Next: Cathedral Rock

Location: Sedona, AZ
What It Is: Cathedral Rock is near Red Rock Scenic Byway and Bell Rock, which towers over the Byway. It has been described by Yavapai Indian mythology. In 1987, over 5,000 New Agers gathered here to be part of the worldwide "Harmonic Convergence," waiting for Bell Rock's top to open and reveal a rising spaceship! Some still expect otherworldly sights, but the more enlightened go home knowing the outer landscape can illuminate the one within -- and that's the best souvenir of all.

Up Next: Walk With Dinosaurs

Location: Glen Rose, TX
What It Is: Dinosaur Valley State Park is northwest of Glen Rose, next to the Paluxy River. The riverbed contains the best preserved sauropod dinosaur tracks in the world. The best time to view the tracks is during the summer months, when the river bed is lower.


Up Next: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Location: Glacier National Park, MT
What It Is: Glacier National Park was designated a National Park in 1910, but it was sculpted thousands of years ago by glacial movement. Besides having stunning mountains, glaciers, lakes, wildlife, views and historic lodges, the park also has one of the most intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. The Going-to-the-Sun Road weaves its way through the heart of the park and takes travelers past alpine vistas and lush valleys aboard the famous red jammers (buses).

Up Next: Niagara of the South

Location: Tallulah Falls, GA
What It Is: Known as "Niagara of the South," Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, or they can obtain a free permit (limit 100 per day) to hike down to the gorge floor. A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls.


Up Next: Largest Swamp In America

Location: south central Louisiana
What It Is: Located where the Atchafalaya River and the Gulf of Mexico converge, the Atchafalaya Swamp is the largest in the United States. It is known as much for its beauty as for its size. Home to bayous, bald cypress swamps and grass marshes, it's popular with birdwatchers, anglers, canoers, and nature lovers. The best way to get acquainted with the Atchafalaya Swamp is through a swamp tour.

Up Next: Most Sunshine

Location: St. Petersburg, FL
More About It: St. Petersburg is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most days of consecutive sunshine. From February 9, 1967, to May 17, 1969, the sun shone 768 consecutive days earning it the nickname the "Sunshine City." St. Petersburg still averages 361 sunny days every year. From 1910 to 1986, St. Petersburg's Evening Independent newspaper gave away free copies on days the sun did not shine. In 76 years, the paper was given away only 296 times.

Up Next: Treasure Trove for Shell-Seekers

Location: Fort Myers, FL
More About It: Both beaches are white-sand beaches, with clear Gulf waters and impressive shells. Just west of Fort Myers on Florida's southwest coast, these subtropical islands are uniquely positioned to be a treasure trove for shell-seekers. Gentle waves help keep shells intact as they drift from the warm Caribbean and wash onto shore, leaving a blanket of angel wings, lightning whelks and other shelly specimens. Find the most variety early in the morning or after a storm (but please leave live shells alone).

Up Next: Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Location: Anna Maria Island, FL
What It Is: This is a safe haven for loggerhead sea turtles. Each July, you can have a once-in-a-lifetime experience of watching baby sea turtles hatch and head for the water.


Up Next: Swim With West Indian Manatees

Location: north of Tampa Bay, FL
What It Is: This is the only place in the country where people can legally swim and snorkel with rare West Indian manatees. The area is the site of North America's largest gathering of the serene sea cows each winter and home to Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge -- a key habitat for a quarter of the nation's manatee population. An encounter with these gentle giants is a one-of-a-kind adventure, and many professional guides are available to help visitors make the most of their manatee-meeting expedition.

Up Next: More National Tourism Week Features

Find inspiration and get great getaway ideas on AOL Travel.

• More About National Tourism Week


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• Fun Theme Parks


• Local Arts & Culture in the USA


• Specialty Food Across America


• Unique Museums Across America


• Unusual Zoos and Aquariums


• Weird and Wacky Landmarks

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