NPR's 2025 U.S. travel guide highlights a diverse array of destinations, from iconic landmarks like Mardi Gras World and Paisley Park to natural wonders such as Dolly Sods Wilderness and the Nolichucky River Gorge, as well as quirky sites like the World's Largest Chest of Drawers and Glass Beach, offering a mix of cultural, outdoor, and offbeat experiences across the country.
Google Maps has received a major update integrating Gemini AI, enhancing its capabilities with a conversational assistant for multi-step requests, improved landmark identification, proactive traffic alerts, and better destination insights, making navigation smarter and more user-friendly.
Satellite images provide a unique perspective of Nevada's landmarks, including Lake Tahoe and Reno, showcasing their beauty and geographical features from space.
Pittsburghers gathered to witness the flooding caused by the Ohio River, submerging landmarks like Point State Park and the Three Rivers Trail. Onlookers were surprised by the extent of the flooding, with some expressing amazement at the impact of the rising water levels. Despite the spectacle, there is concern about the cleanup once the waters recede.
The new San Jose edition of Monopoly features local landmarks such as the Winchester Mystery House and Original Joe's as the most coveted spots on the board. The game was unveiled at the Winchester Mystery House and includes other popular San Jose attractions and businesses. However, some notable omissions include the Sharks, SAP Center, and tech giants like Google and Apple. In other entertainment news, San Jose Stage Co. successfully opened "The Play That Goes Wrong" after previous delays, providing much-needed laughter for audiences. The Fencing Center in San Jose also celebrated its 40th anniversary, honoring founding coach Peter Burchard and coach Connie Young Yu with a lifetime achievement award.
Luggage storage network Stasher analyzed various factors to determine the worst-rated tourist attractions worldwide. The Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles topped the list, followed by the Tate Modern in the UK, the Palace of Versailles in France, and Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Other disappointing attractions included the Forbidden City in China, Magic Kingdom Park in the USA, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the USA, PortAventura World in Spain, and Pier 39 in the USA.
The iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles is celebrating its 100th anniversary, having become one of California's most enduring tourist attractions. Over the years, the sign has been the site of pranks, a beloved monument, and even an air quality indicator. Along with the Hollywood sign, other Los Angeles institutions such as the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the Biltmore hotel are also turning 100 this year. Readers have shared their memories and experiences with the Hollywood sign, highlighting its significance in their lives.
Troublemaking tourists caused incidents at Europe's top landmarks, including drunken Americans trapped overnight on the Eiffel Tower and a woman attempting to fill her water bottle in Rome's Trevi fountain. A recent lawsuit also revealed a problem with excessive drinking on a Delta Air Lines flight. In food and drink news, a German couple won hearts in Italy with their unique pizza creations, while a Sri Lankan baker took home the prize for the best baguette in Paris. Additionally, Seoul, Hiroshima, and Bratislava were highlighted as captivating city vacation destinations. Finally, road trips remain popular, with Yellowstone National Park attracting almost a million visitors in July, and options for electric camper van rentals and luxurious mobile homes were featured.
Apple Maps has expanded its "detailed city experience" feature to over 20 locations worldwide, offering visually stunning 3D maps with elevation details, new road labels, and custom-designed landmarks. The feature now includes cities like Houston and Dallas, Texas, showcasing iconic venues and stadiums. Apple plans to add more cities to the list in the future.
From the longest and deepest railway tunnel in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, to the historic catacombs beneath Paris and the remote Glow Worm Tunnel in Australia, this article highlights some of the most incredible tunnels around the world. These tunnels serve various purposes, including transportation, stormwater management, and even as tourist attractions. They showcase remarkable feats of engineering and offer unique experiences for travelers seeking adventure and exploration.
The first supermoon of 2023, known as the Buck Moon, captivated skywatchers around the world as it illuminated the night sky on July 3. Photographers captured stunning images of the supermoon against iconic backdrops such as the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Albert Dock in Liverpool. Despite cloud coverage, the Buck Moon was also sighted over landmarks like Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire and the Pont de Bercy in Paris. This supermoon marks the first in a series of four, with the next ones occurring in August and September.
NASCAR will bring a 2.2-mile street race course to downtown Chicago on July 2, 2023, taking drivers past iconic landmarks and down notable streets such as Lake Shore Drive. The circuit will include 12 turns, with the front straightaway and pit road on South Columbus Drive, and turns located on East Balbo Drive, South Michigan Avenue, and East Jackson Drive. The track will feature a chicane and views of Lake Michigan and several other Chicago attractions.
Google Maps' Immersive View feature is now available in four new European cities, including Amsterdam, Dublin, Florence, and Venice, as well as over 500 iconic landmarks worldwide. The feature was initially launched in cities such as New York City, San Francisco, London, and Tokyo. Google also announced updates to the trip-planning "Recents" feature and "glanceable directions" on the Google Maps web app.
Seoul is celebrating BTS' 10th anniversary by splashing the group's signature purple color across bridges, landmarks, and skyscrapers. The festivities will continue for two weeks and include a live talk from BTS' RM, fireworks, and digital displays sharing congratulatory messages. The celebrations aren't limited to Seoul, as BTS also released a new single last week.
A collection of archive footage from New York in the 1960s showcases the city in all of its classic splendor, highlighting the fact that nothing in New York is permanent. The video allows viewers to compare retro New York with its modern incarnation, while ignoring the fact that the mob ran the city back then.