Lonely Planet’s top travel experts share their favorite spots around the world in Ultimate Travel: Our List of the 500 Best Places to See… Ranked. Here are the ones you can visit without leaving the U.S.
Independence National Historical Park (Philadelphia)
Ranking: 500
This urban park encompasses Independence Hall (called "the birthplace of America," and for good reason: the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence were both signed here), the Liberty Bell, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum.
f11photo / Shutterstock
Graceland (Memphis)
Ranking: 475
This 13.8-acre Tennessee estate is the former home of Elvis Presley but fans of history and architecture will be just as interested in the perfectly curated mansion as fans of rock and roll.
Malgorzata Litkowska / Shutterstock
Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles)
Ranking: 466
Griffith Observatory is a sight in itself, for its access to public telescopes, exhibits, and live shows in the planetarium, but the surrounding park — and the hike leading to it — offers panoramic views of the city.
Mark Read / Lonely Planet
Everglades National Park (Florida)
Ranking: 442
The Everglades is home to a number of rare and endangered species — including the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther — all within lush prairies, pinelands, and swamps.
Kris Davidson / Lonely Planet
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