Griffith Park - Los Angeles, California

One of the largest urban green spaces in the country, Griffith Park is a wonderful playground for all ages and interests. The park embraces an outdoor theater, the city zoo, and observatory, two museums, golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds, bridle paths, hiking trails, Batman's caves, and even the Hollywood sign.


For astronomy buffs, the landmark Griffith Observatory opens a window on the universe in its planetarium with the world's most advanced star projector; the Big Picture, a floor-to-ceiling digital image of the universe bursting with galaxies and stars; and rooftop telescopes. At the Los Angeles Zoo, you can wander among some 1,200 finned, feathered and furry friends, which promises to enthrall the kids.

Also here is the delightful Travel Town Museum, with its displays of dozens of vintage railcars and locomotives; the Bronson Caves, where scenes from Batman and Star Trek were filmed; the Museum of the American West.

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Mt San Jacinto Wilderness State Park - Palm Springs, California

The Mount San Jacinto Wilderness State Park is dominated by 10,834-foot (3,250-meter) Mount San Jacinto, Southern California’s second-highest mountain.


In summer, miles of hiking tracks wind through the state park wilderness of sub-alpine forests, ferny mountain meadows and granite peaks. Snow falls here in winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoe fun.

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Millennium Park - Chicago, Illinois

One of Chicago’s most stunning parks, Millennium Park - part of larger Grant Park - is a showcase for modern architecture. It features, among other highlights, the McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink, the peristyle at Wrigley Square, the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, AT&T Plaza, Chase Promenade, and the Trees in Millennium Park. Millennium Park is often considered the largest roof garden in the world, having been built on top of a railroad yard and large parking garages.


A major highlight is Frank Gehry's 120 foot (36 meter) high swooping silver band shell anchors what is, in essence, an outdoor modern design gallery. It includes Jaume Plensa's 50 ft (15 m) high Crown Fountain that projects video images of locals spitting out water, gargoyle fountain-style. Kids of all ages will surely love it.

Also here is the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, otherwise known as “the Bean,” a highly polished reflective steel sculpture.

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Catskills

Whether you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a weekend or want to immerse yourself in outdoor adventure, antique shops and B&Bs, the Catskills provide an excellent destination choice. Made up of Greene, Delaware, Sullivan and Ulster Counties, the Catskills' regions each come with their own unique offerings.

Valley of Fire, Nevada

The Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest state park. Covering over 34,880 acres with red-rock sandstone formations is the ultimate hiking destination.


Highlights of the Valley of Fire include Atlatl Rock and Fir Canyon. At Atlatl Rock, examine ancient petroglyphs, dating back thousands of years and created by the Moapa tribe.

Then, take a 3-mile (4.8 km) hike through Fir Canyon, starting at Rainbow Vista, where you’ll see the lighting against the sandstone and understand why the park got its name, Valley of Fire. Picnicking, hiking, and camping are all popular activities in the Valley of Fire.

Not only is the landscape impressive and attract visitors world-wide, but the Valley of Fire houses some of the rarest vegetation and wildlife in the country.

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New Orleans City Park - New Orleans, Louisiana

If stone bridges, botanical gardens, sculpture, theme parks, hundreds of centuries-old oak trees and numerous waterways are indicative of a good park, then consider New Orleans City Park one of the best city parks in the world.


Over 1300 acres of sprawling land comprises this park, making it the sixth-largest urban park in the United States and a routine stop for family fun.

Distinguished by a large menu of activities, whether it’s stopping in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, renting a boat or bike to see some preserved bayou, walking the sculpture gardens, golfing, playing tennis, fishing, or just relaxing in the park on a picnic, a day spent in New Orleans’ City Park is always a good time.

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