10 Incredible World Landmarks You Haven't Seen (Yet!)

By Sean O'Neill
June 28, 2012
Landmarks_ArcelorMittalOrbit_FullView
Courtesy ArcelorMittal
These instant classics—including record-breaking towers, 35-story-tall sculptures, and external building climbs—are worth traveling to see.

SkyPoint Climb and Observatory Deck

Gold Coast, Australia

Talk about the high point of a trip to Australia. In January, the country opened SkyPoint, its tallest external building walk, located about 500 miles north of Sydney on the Gold Coast. To climb SkyPoint, first hop an elevator to the 77th floor of the Q1 Resort, which looms above a 25-mile-stretch of flour-fine-sand and turquoise-blue sea. Make sure you're wearing rubber-soled shoes for the 298 stairs, which rise to a soaring spire. While wearing a jacket harnessed to the building, you'll feel a rush as you spiral 360 degrees, taking in views that range from the surf churning off the Pacific to the impossibly green canopy of rain forest that's just a 30-minute bike ride away. Before you know it, you're 885 feet above sea level, peering down on the neighborhood called Surfer's Paradise, with its epic breakpoints and a shimmering network of canals that wend their way around a range of high-rise resort towers. Best done at twilight, this is how buildings were meant to be climbed. Surfers Paradise Blvd., Surfers Paradise, 253/779-8490, skypoint.com.au. Ninety-minute climb: adults $88, kids 12-15 $68. General admission: adults from $21, kids 12-15 from $12.

Make It a Day Trip: The Gold Coast, near Brisbane airport, never gets too cold—thanks to the South Pacific current—so outdoor activities are always on tap. Pick up surfing through some classes, or shred if you can. Rent a bike and head to the mountains.

LeMay-America's Car Museum

Tacoma, Washington

Before millionaire Harold LeMay died in 2000, he put plans into place to transfer the bulk of his singular, Guinness-record-breaking automobile collection to a then-unbuilt exhibition space. When his LeMay-America Car Museum finally opened in May 2012, it instantly became the country's largest automobile shrine. Underneath a corrugated aluminum roof that gleams like a fender, this sprawling complex displays more than 700 iconic cars, trucks, and motorcycles—such as a 1930 Duesenberg Model J, a 1951 Studebaker, and 1969 Ford Thunderbird—across its three-and-a-half acres of floor space. Feeling less like a gallery than like a well-appointed sales showroom, the museum will host upcoming themed exhibitions, such as ones on iconic British vehicles from the 1960s and racecars that lapped the Indianapolis 500. During warm weather, the pretty grounds outside will do double-duty as an additional display area. 2702 East D. St., 253/779-8490, lemaymuseum.org, adults $14, kids 5-12 from $8.

Make It a Day Trip: Take the hour-long train ride from Seattle, passing lush mountain-and-sea views. Then walk the few blocks from the Amtrak station to the museum, beside the Tacoma Dome. After your museum visit, hop the Tacoma Link Light Rail downtown to see the city's next-best collection: The Tacoma Art Museum, which features Pacific Northwest works, some modern, some ancient, including the premier permanent collection of native son glass artist Dale Chihuly.

National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement

Las Vegas, Nevada

In 1950-51, federal hearings blew the lid off organized crime during testimony at a Las Vegas courthouse. Just this year, the historic building re-opened following a $42 million renovation and is now officially dubbed the National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement. Today it's less dry-as-dust court testimony and more pop-culture fantasy that draws crowds (experience the life of a criminal yourself by taking part in a simulated police line-up). Stories of real mobsters are mixed with movie legends, and sometimes it's hard to tell where Al Capone's legacy ends and The Godfather begins. About 41,000 square feet of exhibits include grim mementos of the mafia's violent subculture, such as a 38-caliber Colt revolver recovered from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, a notorious Prohibition-era gangland battle in Chicago that killed seven people. But visitors can also gawk at pop culture memories, such as the Hawaiian shirt donned by TV mobster Tony Soprano. 300 Stewart Ave., themobmuseum.org, adults, $19.95; children ages 5-17 and students ages 18-23 with a valid ID, $13.95; seniors ages 65 and up, $15.95; Nevada residents, $10.

Make It a Day Trip: It's Vegas, baby, need we say more? That said, if you're feeling paralyzed by the choices, start with a Sin City walkabout. Head round the corner and stroll two blocks to the Fremont Street Experience, four blocks of the city's best concentrations of fashion shops and children's arcades all gathered together under a 90-foot-high transparent canopy. Expect an hourly light show in the evening.

Tokyo Sky Tree

Tokyo, Japan

The Japanese capital has begun to rebuild its reputation for futuristic, outsized architecture, defying gravity with the Tokyo Sky Tree—a white steel-and concrete landmark that has seized the title of the world's tallest freestanding tower. The gleaming structure is almost seven football fields high (twice the height of Paris's Eiffel Tower) and it catches your eye in the northeast quadrant of a city that is otherwise relatively free of skyscrapers. The tower, which was under construction during the 2011 earthquake, emerged from the disaster unscathed, giving it the potential to symbolize Japan's recovery from past traumas. Opened in May 2012, the city's TV and radio broadcasting beacon is popular for its twin observation decks, especially the higher of the two, Tembo Galleria, a 1,476-foot-high glassed-in balcony that puts the city's jumbo HD flat-screens to shame for its views of eye-catching grandeur. The floor plan of the indoor balcony somehow conjures the illusion that visitors are walking across the sky. More than a million people visited Sky Tree during its first week of operation. Lines will stay as monumental as that for years to come, so block out more than two hours if you want to get to the top. Tokyo Sky Tree Station, tokyo-skytree.jp/en. Adults from $25 plus an additional $12 to go to the highest observation deck, Tembo Galleria; kids 6-11 from $18, plus $6 for higher deck.

Make It a Day Trip: The tower is part of the Tokyo Sky Tree complex, which, at its base, is connected to a major eponymous train station and which also includes the new Sumida Aquarium (the country's largest indoor tank), showcasing 10,000 mostly Pacific-based sea creatures that you're unlikely to ever see Stateside, including several fur seals. The Sky Tree complex also has a planetarium and plenty of restaurants and shops selling souvenirs.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Pool

Brooklyn, New York

Both the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty reveal their finest sides from a slight remove, namely, across the East River at the three-year old Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre waterfront archipelago that consists of a half-dozen grassy plazas. In summer 2012, the city opened an aboveground, 3.5-foot-deep public pool a stone's throw from the 129-year old bridge. If the 30-foot-by-50-foot pool gets crowded, cut across the trees to one of the benches set among grass slopes dotted with public artworks, a refurbished 1920s carousel in a pavilion by architect Jean Nouvel, and roving ice cream vendors. The plan is to keep the pool open for the next five summers, at least, meaning plenty of chances to catch a sunset over Manhattan's new One World Trade Center. 334 Furman St., brooklynbridgepark.org.

Make It a Day Trip: Opt for a (free) walk across the Brooklyn Bridge [LM5] to take in the glorious views of Manhattan's skyscape. Then explore the Brooklyn neighborhoods of DUMBO and Cobble Hill. Time your visit to catch the sunset over the Statue of Liberty, then linger to witness Manhattan light up at night.

ArcelorMittal Orbit

London, United Kingdom

Locals have called London's monument for the 2012 Summer Olympics many things: the Helter-Skelter, the Colossus of Stratford (which refers to the neighborhood's name), and—our favorite—the Eyeful Tower. But the official name of this trumpet-shaped, tomato-red, stainless-steel monument is ArcelorMittal Orbit, designed by Anish Kapoor (the artist behind the so-called Millennium Bean in Chicago's Grant Park) and architect Cecil Balmond. The highest sculpture in Britain, the 37-story monument is taller than the Statue of Liberty. Its 300-foot high observation deck allows visitors to peer into the 193-foot-high Olympic Stadium next door. After the closing ceremonies of the Games, the tubular tower was temporarily shuttered while the Olympic Village is re-developed into a sports center for the general public, along with a planned museum dedicated to the three Olympics that London has hosted. In the meantime, the structure will remain a landmark seen far and wide. 2012 Olympic Park, Stratford, arcelormittalorbit.com.

Make It a Day Trip: London Walks, one of the city's premier tour groups, offers daily tours of the Olympic Park and surrounding area, before, during, and after the Games. Learn about the interesting art galleries and start-up restaurants that have popped up in the past few years as the area renovates. walks.com.

Sea Life Aquarium

Kansas City, Missouri

Landlocked Kansas City landed a big one in April with the debut of a $15 million aquarium, run by the global franchise Sea Life and part of the new downtown complex, Crown Center. Awash with more than 5,000 fish swimming in 260,000 gallons of water, the complex takes visitors on a virtual educational trip, from the Missouri River to the Mississippi and then onward to the Caribbean. Get nose-to-nose with the star attractions: manta rays and sharks. Then simulate the experience of being underwater by wandering through a tunnel between sections of a giant tank filled with a Technicolor cluster of exotic fish[LM6] . The aquarium's touch pool, an interactive exhibit, lets kids (carefully) pet small animals like starfish. 2475 Grand Blvd., visitsealife.com/Kansas-city. Adults from $18, kids 3-12 from $15.

Make It a Day Trip: Next door to the aquarium is a just-opened Legoland Discovery Center, with children's' rides themed on the popular toys and a building area for kids.

Kamppi Chapel of Silence

Helsinki, Finland 

A stately wooden chapel in a beehive form, the Kamppi Chapel of Silence opened in May in the quiet Narinkka Square in the heart of Finland's capital. The windowless structure captures the essence of Scandinavian design in its use of natural materials and minimalist aesthetics. Think: indirect sun via skylights, a timber roof, oiled alder walls that slope, and a set of spare, solid wood benches. Opened in May 2012, the cozy 2,900-square-foot nondenominational chapel doesn't hold services, but it does have representatives of congregational services and city counseling services on hand, in case any visitor wishes to speak to someone in a hidden room off the main space. The award-winning structure is intended to serve as a place of contemplation without any religious message—a place where stress and heartache go to fade away. Narinkka Square, Simonkatu St.

Make It a Day Trip: In 2012, Helsinki was the World Capital of Design, and the city showcased the latest in architecture, fashion, and the graphic arts around town. Luckily, the capital is small enough that you can master the lay of the land in an afternoon by rental bicycle.

The Arch Cultural Center

Mandal, Norway

The Arch, or Buen in Norwegian, is a 48,500-square-foot performing arts complex that includes a concert hall, a theater, a cinema, a library, a contemporary art gallery, and a "food laboratory" (or venue for locals to try out unusual new concoctions by national chefs). Designed by Danish architecture firm 3XN, the $30 million building has a low-slung swooping shape that resembles a summer duvet. It was unveiled in April on a river in Mandal, Norway's most southerly village of about 14,000 residents. The structure's white walls are meant to fit in with the white historic wooden houses adjoining it on the waterfront. Factoring in eco-friendly requirements, a grassy roof arcs 46-feet high over the building, beckoning children from this town to play, and making for a fresh contrast with the abandoned industrial zone that previously stood on the site. Tall, southern-facing windows maximize sunlight exposure to the lobby. Under construction is a 525-foot-long pedestrian bridge linking The Arch to the town center across the Mandel River (Mandalselva). Buen Mandal, buen.mandal.net.

Make It a Day Trip: A four-and-a-half-hour drive from capital city Oslo, Mandal provides an opportunity for visitors to see Norway's rural, un-touristed side. Explore the country's finest stretch of sand at Mandal's 2,600-foot-long beach. The swimming here is invigorating, given that the stunningly clear ocean only reaches the low 60s at its mildest.

Aizhai Suspension Bridge

Hunan Province, China

Stretching three-quarters-of-a-mile more than 1,100 feet above the base of lushly green Dehang Canyon, Aizhai Bridge (pronounced ai-jai) became the world's highest and longest tunnel-to-tunnel suspension bridge when it opened in March. The grey-and-orange steel bridge links two tunnels that connect the major cities of Chadong and Jishou via a four-lane expressway (two lanes in each direction), chopping travel time in a big way [the accounts vary sharply by how much]. A pedestrian walkway at least partway along the bridge leads to dramatic views of the natural surroundings of the steep-walled box Dehang, which translates as "beautiful valley" in the language of the local Miao people. At night, the bridge shines in the dark thanks to 1,888 white lights. 20 minutes-drive outside Jishou, a city in Hunan. Free.

Make It a Day Trip: Go beyond the urban experience of China that most Western visitors settle for and see the gorgeous country's natural diversity. Dehang is where Chinese tourists enjoy affordable domestic tourism, with campsites near waterfalls and forested bluffs.

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One-Tank Escapes From 8 American Cities

Shenandoah Valley, Va. 107 miles from Washington, D.C. A collection of 10 independent cities make up the Shenandoah Valley, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, an idyllic watercolor landscape and outdoor adventure haven. SEE OUR SUMMER ROAD TRIPS! Shenandoah National Park is famous for its outdoor beauty, accessible via both easy and difficult hiking trails, some of which are part of the park's 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail (540/999-3500, nps.gov/shen, $15 per vehicle, $8 per person). The Limberlost Trail takes you past lush mountain laurel; Old Rag Mountain offers panoramic vistas. To refuel, perch in the Pollock Dining Room's taproom at Skyland Resort Lodge and order a Prohibition Punch, featuring local (legal) moonshine ($7.50), and a slice of famous blackberry ice cream pie, made from scratch from the season's harvest (540/999-2212, visitshenandoah.com/dining/skyland-restaurant, Prohibition Punch $7.50, blackberry ice cream pie $6). Not outdoorsy? Stroll through downtown Winchester with a guided tour of the Patsy Cline Historic House, where the country star lived for five years (540/662-5555, celebratingpatsycline.org, $8), or pick your own flowers in the fragrant fields at White Oak Lavender farm in Harrisonburg (540/421-6345, whiteoaklavender.com, tours $5). WHERE TO STAY Instead of camping out with her hubby FDR in Shenandoah National Park in 1936, Eleanor Roosevelt opted for luxury in Luray: "Franklin, you can rough it if you want, but I'm staying at the Mimslyn," she allegedly told the president. Even today, the property has opulent touches like Doric columns, formal gardens, and fine dining courtesy in the hotel's "upscale Southern" Circa '31 restaurant—necktie recommended (800/296-5105, mimslyninn.com, from $160). DRIVING TIP I-81 runs the length of the valley and connects large towns like Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Stanton. Consider jumping onto Skyline Drive to take in some of the most beautiful mountain vistas in the U.S. Yountville, Calif. 56 miles from San Francisco A walkable mecca for wine and food enthusiasts, Yountville offers glasses of big California reds, award-winning bites, and lush Napa Valley scenery that's a refreshing change from San Francisco's cityscapes. To sample vino, hop the Napa Valley Wine Train that chugs through the heart of town: It serves meals onboard, and visits local wineries for tours (800/427-4124, winetrain.com, from $135). Or go rogue and create your own tasting of five wines at Cornerstone Cellars (707/945-0388, cornerstonecellars.com). Get Michelin-star-quality flavor for less at chef Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc restaurant by partaking in the evening family-style four-course menu (707/944-2487, adhocrestaurant.com, $45); also, make time to walk through Keller's French Laundry Garden, which nurtures fresh vegetables and fruits used at French Laundry and Bouchon Bistro—it's free and open to the public. On a weekend morning, stop by Bouchon Bakery for the somewhat elusive chocolate doughnut—brioche dough filled with decadent chocolate pastry cream and topped with chocolate frosting and chocolate-covered Rice Krispies. But go early (it opens at 7) to score one (707-944-2253, bouchonbakery.com/yountville). Then float above the horizon on a group hot air balloon ride for eight to 12 passengers or take a romantic trip à deux with Napa Valley Balloons (800/253-2224, napavalleyballoons.com, from $210). WHERE TO STAY For a French country feel, book a room at Maison Fleurie, a B&B with a morning breakfast buffet and complimentary wine, tea, and hors d'oeuvres in the afternoon. Borrow bicycles from the front desk and go for a leisurely ride when you tire of tippling (800/788-0369, maisonfleurienapa.com, from $145). DRIVING TIP The most direct route from San Francisco is I-80 East, over the Bay Bridge, to Highway 37 West and then Highway 29 through Napa Valley. New Braunfels, Tex. 175 miles from Houston If you visit New Braunfels and don't (a) eat German food or (b) get wet, you're doing something wrong. The town is well known for the innovative 65-acre Schlitterbahn Water Park, but its German history, food, and freshwater activities are equally compelling. Floating down the spring-fed Comal River on giant inflatable "toobs" is essential in New Braunfels. Rent one for the day or take a guided group trip at Rockin 'R' River Rides (830/629-9999, rockinr.com, call for a group trip quote). Quell your post-river appetite with one of 10 types of schnitzel, pan-fried bouletten (meatballs), or classic brats at Friesenhaus, one of the area's specialty German restaurants (830/625-1040, friesenhausnb.com, schnitzel from $15). No German meal is complete without a hearty dessert, so pop into Naegelin's Bakery, "the oldest bakery in Texas, since 1868," for a big hunk of apple streudel—a whole one is more than two feet long (830/625-5722, naegelins.com). WHERE TO STAY The 30-unit Greune Mansion Inn, right on the Guadalupe River, has a quiet, Victorian feel, with multiple historical buildings broken up into residences that guarantee each guest his or her own entrance and porch. Many of the units have river views (830/629-2641, gruenemansioninn.com, from $190). DRIVING TIP Take I-10 to I-46, making sure to avoid Houston rush hour if you can help it. Hood River, Ore. 62 miles from Portland Orchards, wineries, and outdoor recreation are all hallmarks of this Columbia River Gorge destination. Taking a drive on the whimsically named Fruit Loop steers you through 35 miles of orchards, vineyards, forests, and farmland (541/386-7697, hoodriverfruitloop.com). Sampling the area's up-and-coming viticulture is another must: Columbia Wine Tours shuttles from two to 24 people to four wineries in four hours and provides bottled waters and snacks along the way (541/380-1410, hoodrivertours.com, two-person tour $140). Or if you prefer hops to grapes, swing by the Full Sail Brewing Company Tasting Room & Pub for a sip (or three) of Full Sail Amber (541/386-2247, fullsailbrewing.com). Dubbed the "windsurfing capital of the world" by some, Hood River is an ideal place to test your mettle on the water: Hood River Waterplay offers five different levels of windsurfing classes, plus equipment rental if you need it (541/386-9463, hoodriverwaterplay.com, from $69). WHERE TO STAY Seven Oaks Bed and Breakfast describes itself as a "garden oasis," surrounded by two acres of flowering plant life and fenced in by Douglas firs. The four-unit house (plus separate cottage) provides storage for recreational equipment and serves organic eggs, jams, and pastries (541/386-7622, sevenoaksbb.com, $160). DRIVING TIP I-84—a.k.a. the Columbia River Highway—is a straight, gorgeous shot from Portland. Look for both mountains: Mount Hood and Mount Adams. Harbor Country, Mich. 26 miles from Chicago Hitting the beach in the heart of the Midwest is possible at Harbor Country, a group of eight towns on the white-sand beaches of Lake Michigan. The southern beaches of New Buffalo and Warren Dunes State Park are biggest, but individual townships have access too (harborcountry.org). Charter a fishing boat in the New Buffalo Harbor with Cap'n D Charters to hunt down salmon, trout, bass, and blue gill (574/232-0436, capndcharters.com, $500 for up to four people for six hours) or try surfing or stand-up paddleboarding in New Buffalo or St. Joseph, assisted by Third Coast Surf Shop (269/932-4575, thirdcoastsurfshop.com, $75 for a 90-minute private lesson). Afterward, head to Three Oaks to the brand-new organic Journeyman Distillery, nestled in a former corset-making factory, and kick back in the tasting room for a sample of Featherbone Bourbon, a nod to the turkey feathers that the corsets were fashioned out of (269/820-2050, journeymandistillery.com). Soak up the booze at Skip's in New Buffalo, famous for its ultra-tender prime rib (269/469-3330, skipsrestaurantandcatering.info, from $22). WHERE TO STAY Directly across the road from its own private beach, the 31-room Lakeside Inn, built in the late 1800s, has a front porch filled with rocking chairs, plus an on-site café (269/469-0600, lakesideinns.com, from $80). DRIVING TIP Stick to highways 90 or 94. Creatively taking the back roads will only lead you into stop-and-go traffic. Clarksville, Tenn. 207 miles from Memphis How to describe Clarksville? "Think Carrie Bradshaw meets Dolly Parton," suggests the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce's website. With entertainment offerings just as diverse as those two pop culture icons, Clarksville manages to be a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll. The tobacco trade—specifically stemmeries—brought in the big bucks in Clarksville in the late 1800s: Tour the Greek Revival/Italinata-style Smith-Trahern mansion, built in 1958 by a wealthy tobacconist - the slaves' quarters out back are still standing, as is an adjacent 1700s cemetery (931/648-5725, fceclarksville.org, $2). Continue exploring the past via the trails at Fort Defiance Civil War Park, between the Red and Cumberland rivers. The site was a Confederate fort that fell to Union soldiers in 1862; soon after, it served as a safe place for freed and runaway slaves (931/472-3351, fortdefianceclarksville.com). Or, hike one of three trails at Dunbar Cave State Park—the caves were once mined for gunpowder (931/648-5526, tn.gov/environment/parks/dunbarcave). Cool off afterward amid 1870s architecture downtown, at the Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, which makes its own beer onsite, including the signature Barnstormer Red Ale, made with Bavarian Hallertau hops. Pair it with one of the eatery's specialty pizzas, like the Whitehorse, a pie topped with alfredo sauce, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, feta, provolone, and mozzarella (931/552-3726, theblackhorsepub.net, from $15.50). WHERE TO STAY For an authentic 1800s experience, drive 15 miles southwest of Clarksville to Lylewood Inn Bed & Breakfast in Indian Mound, run by Mandy Williams. The rich antebellum décor—some rooms have claw-foot bathtubs—is matched in decadence only by the group meals: In addition to the requisite country breakfast, home-cooked dinners can include glazed pork loin, garlic cheese biscuits, and fresh berry cobbler (931/232-4203, lylewoodinn.com, from $75). DRIVING TIP Take Highway 40 to Highway 24, but don't fear the backroads. Visit the Tennessee Trails and Byways website for multiple mapped driving routes from different destinations - like the "Screaming Eagle" trail that begins in Nashville (tntrailsandbyways.com). Excelsior Springs, Mo. 28 miles from Kansas City, Mo. Soak up the late-18th and early-19th century history of Excelsior Springs, a Missouri town that boomed due to its wealth of pure, natural springwater. Early tourists came from miles around to bathe in the mineral-rich H2O and hopefully heal their ailments, and the city has preserved that craze via historic buildings and walking tours. Belly up to the world's longest water bar, housed in the Art Deco-style Hall of Waters and Cultural Museum, built in 1937, where you can taste the mineral waters that put Excelsior Springs on the map (816/637-2811, visitesprings.com). A few blocks down, stop into Oooey Gooey Chocolates for a chocolate-dipped Twinkie on a stick—your choice of either milk or white chocolate (816/630-9255, oooeygooey.com, $2.25). Or get away from it all at the 40-acre Knott Nature Sanctuary, which features education and recreation programs that include hiking, camping, and gardening and landscaping (816/630-2872). WHERE TO STAY Notorious characters Al Capone and Bugsy Malone reportedly threw their own bathtub gin and gambling parties at The Elms Resort and Spa, which reopened this year for its 100th anniversary after a multi-million-dollar renovation that includes a spa with a hydrotherapy grotto. The hotel is perhaps best known, though, for being the place Harry S. Truman found out he'd defeated Dewey for the presidency in 1948 (816/630-5500, elmshotelandspa.com, from $139). DRIVING TIP The quickest way to get to Excelsior Springs: Catch I-35 North from downtown Kansas City, then take Highway 69 to Excelsior. Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. 30 miles from New York City Indulge your love of literature, the arts, and lifestyles of the rich and famous in this storied region north of New York City. Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman live on (in spirit, anyway) in the Sleep Hollow Cemetery, which author Washington Irving name-checked in his 1820  story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Walk the grounds for free and visit cemetery residents including Irving himself, Andrew Carnegie, Elizabeth Arden, and William and J.D. Rockefeller, or take a two-hour, lantern-lit guided evening tour—if you dare (914/631-0081, sleepyhollowcemetery.org, guided tour $25). For a quick bite, select a hot "Fleetwood original" calzone (stuffed with pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, mozzarella, and tomato sauce) from Fleetwood Pizzeria, founded by the Guzzo family in 1965 (914/631-3267, fleetwoodpizza.com, $5.75). Drive two miles northwest, on Bedford Road, to Pocantico Hills to see how the other half lived at Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate. Drift through the main rooms of the six-story stone house, past the fountains and sculptures dotting the expansive gardens, and tour the underground art galleries, replete with works by Picasso and Warhol (914/631-8200, hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/kykuit/tours, from $23). WHERE TO STAY Venture eight miles north of Sleepy Hollow to bunk at the Alexander Hamilton House, an eight-unit Victorian B&B with an eight-foot-deep swimming pool and a giant lawn chess set in the backyard (914/271-6737, alexanderhamiltonhouse.com, from $135). DRIVING TIP Allow traveling time for New York City traffic—the 25-mile drive can take much longer than an hour, even during off-peak hours.

The Midwest's Secret Cape

Julie has a million happy memories of Door County. From the time we started dating, she would tell me stories about the blissful trips that she and her family made to the 70-mile-long peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin, the one whose endless shoreline and mellow charm have earned it the nickname "the Cape Cod of the Midwest." When I decided to propose, it didn't take long to figure out where to pop the question. In 2009, I finally got to see the place she had described with such affection, particularly the cabin on Kangaroo Lake that she and her sisters and her cousins used to visit every summer. We were married the following year. TAKE A WISCONSIN SUMMER TOUR! But that trip to Door County was short, and left me regretting that I couldn't see more of the place that meant so much to her family, where they had made s'mores, gone swimming, and watched their beloved collie, Shelby, get skunked. After all, there's a funny paradox about where we vacation: The places we go to escape our daily routines can become, over time, a beacon of stability as the rest of our lives change. By the time I met Julie's parents, they'd moved away from the house in Kenosha where she'd grown up. Her childhood friends had scattered to Chicago and points east. But to hear her family tell it, Door County hadn't changed much at all. It sounded like the best-preserved remnant of Julie's younger days. So on our next trip to the Midwest, I vowed to experience as much of Door County as I could: the sights, the sounds, and the tastes (especially the tastes). To pack the most experience into a short stay, we decided to make a loop of the peninsula, driving up one side and down the other. This wasn't an original approach: In 2010, the state's department of transportation had designated our route a Wisconsin Scenic Byway. But it left no doubt why so many families like Julie's keep coming back year after year, generation after generation. The first mystery I hoped to solve was straightforward enough: What's with the cherries? Endless billboards trumpeting the glories of "Cherryland USA" had piqued my interest—as had the memory of delicious cherry pies that Julie's mom had baked over the years. So just north of Sturgeon Bay, amid weathered red barns and idling dairy cows, we pulled into Wood Orchard Market for a closer look (8112 State Hwy. 42, Egg Harbor, woodorchard.com, cherry jam $5). Julie had picked enough cherries in her day to take the place in stride, but to a novice from "back East" like me, the store inspired awe. Here, among other offerings, was the humble cherry in every form imaginable: dried and frozen; in strudel, soda, and cider; in both medium and hot salsa (better than you'd think!); and, of course, cartons of cherries au naturel, which we snacked on happily for the rest of the trip. Julie isn't the first person in her family to make youthful memories of Door County. Her grandmother and three great-uncles bought their cabin in 1969, just in time to allow Julie's dad to spend his teenage summers here. To my surprise, he described the place back then as a kind of artists' colony. There are still far more galleries than you'd expect to find in such a bucolic scene. J.R. Jarosh, the co-owner of the Edgewood Orchard Galleries, a converted fruit barn that we passed a few miles ahead, told me that the galleries are here because of all the artists, and the artists are here because of the sublime raw material (4140 Peninsula Players Rd., Fish Creek, edgewoodorchard.com, handmade earrings from $15). "You think, sunrise and sunset—you have to go from Maine to Oregon to see both," he said. "But here it's two miles apart." Julie and I almost immediately discovered what he meant: The little town of Ephraim hugs the shore of Eagle Harbor and offers an impossibly pretty view of beaches and little boats bobbing on the waves. But I was less interested in landscapes than in lunch. Before we left New York, Julie had set one culinary condition: no fish boils. These elaborate meals are all over the guidebooks, but her family avoids them: "Definitely a tourist thing," she said. In the heart of Ephraim, another tourist favorite proved too good to pass up. Wilson's, perched just across Route 42 from the water, was founded in 1906 and feels today like a '50s soda fountain or ice cream parlor (9990 Water St., Ephraim, wilsonsicecream.com, Chicago-style hot dog $5.50). To enjoy the full Midwestern experience, I ordered the tasty homemade root beer, and—a nod to the city that many of the peninsula's tourists call home—a Chicago hot dog. Julie advised me not to add my usual ketchup. "It's just not done," she said. "It doesn't add flavor." Which turned out to be true, as the dog arrived bearing most of the contents of a vegetable garden: peppers, onions, and more. Across Eagle Harbor from the red-and-white-striped Wilson's lies Peninsula State Park, 3,700 acres of largely undeveloped forest, shoreline, and campgrounds. It would strike you as a peaceful spot, but it used to be, for Julie, a scene of terror. Every summer, she and her sisters and cousins would try to climb Eagle Tower, a 75-foot-tall wooden structure with a long staircase and astounding views. Her cousins would race to the top, but not Julie. "I would end up just chickening out, but for some reason every year I would try it anyway," she said. It's still not much fun for her to make the ascent—which she did, very slowly, one tentative step at a time—but the reward of reaching the top is all the sweeter. Now, she said, she knows enough about Door County to identify the sights: the church spire in Ephraim, the islands in Green Bay. And, of course, there's the satisfaction of mastering a childhood fear—and sharing it with her husband. The park is also home to the American Folklore Theatre, which performs original shows in a Broadway-sized space amid a stand of evergreens (Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, folkloretheatre.com, general admission $19, reserved seating $25). Julie couldn't remember much about the shows her grandmother had brought her to see, but she recalled having fun, so off we went. Jeff Herbst, the artistic director, said he looks for shows "that reflect in some way our cultural heritage," meaning "Wisconsin locations and mores." That's certainly true of Bing! The Cherry Musical, a new show that mixes a comic love story with good-natured Door County boosterism. ("A little heaven here on earth, it's summer in the Door," goes one refrain.) Despite the steady drizzle, adults and kids alike seemed to enjoy themselves, as did I, particularly when Julie explained the Wisconsin in-jokes to me afterward. (For instance: A local says that if a dastardly real-estate developer got his way, "all of Door County would look like Naperville"—a reference, Julie said, to a Chicago suburb known around these parts for its strip malls and chain stores, "all the things that Door County is not about.") We stayed in Ephraim, at the handsome Lodgings at Pioneer Lane (9998 Pioneer Lane, Ephraim, lodgingatpioneerlane.com, from $80, suites from $109). The inn is set back from Route 42, and offered a comfortable first-floor room for just $80. Restaurants don't stay open late in Door County—which is, blessedly, a virtually McNugget-free zone—so it was an early night for us. That turned out to be a lucky break, since we awoke the next morning in time to beat the rush to Al Johnson's (10698 N. Bay Shore Dr., Sister Bay, aljohnsons.com, Swedish pancakes $7). This Swedish restaurant in Sister Bay has been around Door County even longer than Julie's family. Since 1949, waitresses wearing dirndles (traditional Swedish dresses) have been serving Swedish pancakes: thin, crepe-like concoctions topped by fjords of cherries or strawberries and cream. Al passed away in 2010, so the place is run today by his children. In older, quieter days, his daughter Annika told me, he would hang a sign on the door that said "Gone fishing—help yourself." While the growth of Door County ended that practice years ago, another tradition endures: There's a goat on the roof. What began as a prank by a friend of Al's has become a Door County landmark. The current occupant, Buckshot, happily grazed on the sod roof as Julie and I exited through the hungry crowd below. Above Sister Bay, we crossed the leafy northern edge of the peninsula and started down the Lake Michigan side. This is where Julie made her childhood memories of lake swimming and cookouts. It's also where she spent many an afternoon in kiddie summer heaven: the Yum Yum Tree (8054 State Hwy. 57, Baileys Harbor, 920/839-2993, single scoop from $3.10). The red-aproned staff of this absurdly endearing candy shop serves 24 flavors of homemade ice cream and more than a hundred kinds of candy—and the place carries, as you can imagine, endless happy associations from Julie's girlhood. When we arrived in Baileys Harbor, she was eager to revisit her old favorite ice cream: Blue Moon, which she had described to me as "a psychedelic, Smurfy blue flavor that turned our tongues turquoise." Her adult taste buds didn't react with the same enthusiasm—it's much too sweet for her now—so she went with the more grownup and completely delicious chocolate peanut butter. (Same goes for my rocky road.) From Baileys Harbor down to Jacksonport, the eastern side of the peninsula has its own personality: quieter, less self-conscious about its Door Countyness, less cherry-mad. I could tell that this is where my family would have spent summers too, if they'd ever seen it. While my parents and sister and I went to all sorts of places up and down the East Coast and beyond when I was a kid, someplace like the lake side of Door County—where it's pretty and peaceful, where the living is easy—would have had the same special appeal to my folks as it had, and still has, to Julie's. After more than 40 summers, Julie's family still comes back to the cozy cabin on Kangaroo Lake. In fact, her parents and sister had arrived while we were exploring the peninsula. They joined us for our last stop, which turned out to be one of the best. Below Jacksonport, Cave Point County Park offers the astonishing sight of geology in action. Lake Michigan booms away at porous cliffs here with enough force that even on a calm day, you have to raise your voice to be heard. If you climb down to water level, you can see the millions of tiny pulverized shells that have washed up on shore. It's an ancient place—the rocks in the cliff are more than 400 million years old—but the sight was new to all of us: Neither Julie nor anybody else in her family had been here before. We only went because I'd struck up a conversation with a stranger who had suggested it. I'd spent days trying to see Door County the way Julie's family saw it: Now, for once, we were all seeing it with the same fresh sense of wonder. It says a lot about a vacation spot that even after 40 years you can still discover world-class attractions. But the beauty and charm of Door County are subtler than that. They lie in a delicate balance of water, landscape, and people—particularly the families who keep coming back. After watching Julie retrace the happy days of girlhood, I can easily imagine our hypothetical children bounding up Eagle Tower or pressing their noses against the display case at the Yum Yum Tree. Thirty-something years ago, Julie's newlywed parents must have imagined the same things for their hypothetical children, and in the same spots.

6 Foolproof Tricks for NOT Embarrassing Yourself in a Foreign Language

If you've ever traveled abroad, you've done it. The improvised sign language and Hokey Pokey-esque gyrations in an attempt to buy a souvenir at a market or find a bathroom. Becoming fluent in a foreign language isn't really feasible for a one-week vacation, but what can you do to avoid embarrassing yourself? We spoke to language expert Benny Lewis, who runs the website Fluentin3Months.com, and asked him for his top advice for navigating a foreign language. Making mistakes is inevitable, but it's easier than you think to navigate a vacation without getting lost in translation. Even Lewis (who, by the way, is fluent in eight languages, including Portuguese, French, German, and Italian) has had some doozies, including accidentally announcing to a German friend that he was horny and telling a Mexican that he liked to shag the bus every day. (On that note, did you know that embarazada means "pregnant," not "embarrassed" en español?) Do something similar and you'll want to zip yourself into your own suitcase and never come out. Follow his easy tips and you'll never be embarrassed again. Etiquette Goes a Long Way Good manners are universal. If you're quick with basics like "hello," "thank you," and "you're welcome," people tend to be more gracious as you flub the rest of their native tongue. One of the best things you can do is to research etiquette expectations before you travel. In Paris, for example, call out "bonjour!" when you enter a shop; in the Middle East, don't admire an object in Arabic unless you want its owner to feel obligated to give it to you. For a primer on local politesse, look up the BBC's fabulous language-learning website with its quick guides to 40 different languages, including lists and audio clips of what not to say in French, Spanish, and Italian. Learn These Five Phrases The first thing Lewis does when he hits a foreign country is to learn these key phrases: "Where's the bathroom?"; "How much does that cost?"; "Excuse me"; "The food is delicious!"; and "Do you speak English?" "When you're starting off, grammar is not going to help you," Lewis says. "You need to set phrases so you can communicate the basics to people." Tuck a phrasebook into your bag so you can whip it out on the fly, or download a digital version with audio that tells you just how to pronounce "Where's the bullfight?" Listen to Pronunciation Before You Go Nothing gets you the "huh?" expression faster than mispronouncing a foreign word. To get a better sense of how things should sound, check in at Forvo.com, an online dictionary with audio pronunciation. Lewis also likes RhinoSpike.com, where you can upload text and a native speaker will read it out loud and submit a recording for you. How long it takes to get a response depends on how many requests there are for the language you are trying to hear (you can move your request up the queue by recording text for other users).   Two Proven Tricks for Remembering Words Visualize words. "I'm a very forgetful person," Lewis confesses, so he relies on old-school memory tricks like creating mental images to match words he's learning. For instance, the word playa, Spanish for "beach," reminded him of "player," so he envisioned a guy using cheesy pick-up lines on the beach. To remember prvni, the Czech word for "first," he broke it down into the sounds "pro van," then visualized winning first place at the Van Olympics. The mental images are bizarre, but you will never forget them! You can also try setting phrases to music. You know how you can still sing all the words to that Depeche Mode song from sixth grade? Music is a world-class memory aid, so put it to use while you nail a few foreign language phrases. To cram "Where is the bathroom?" in Italian, Lewis sang "Dov'è il bagno?" to the ding-dong ditty of the Big Ben chimes. "After a couple times it stuck," he says. How Technology Can Help Technology is a godsend for those trying to get by in a new language. Word Lens allows you to hover your phone over text to get an instant translation, even when it's offline. Google Goggles allow for point-and-shoot translation with your camera phone: Just snap a photo from a baffling menu and the app provides on-the-spot translation. Use the Jibbigo app to get a rough voice translation for whatever phrase a waiter or a shop owner says into your phone. The concept of old-school flashcards has also gone digital. "I'm a very big fan of Anki, a spaced-repetition flashcard system you can download onto your smartphone," says Lewis. Anki's algorithm figures out which words are hardest for you-and shows you those more often. You can download premade flashcards decks with the most common words in a language, or make your own with words you see around town. (No worries if you're a tech-phobe: paper index cards do the trick, too.) The One Expert You Can Always Rely On When the DIY approach to getting by in a foreign language fails, consult the concierge or desk clerk at your hotel for translations and phonetic pronunciations of stuff you'll need to say that day, such as, "Can I get a ticket to the 7 o'clock performance?" The staff at hotels usually speak multiple languages—and are happy to help.

11 Most Spectacular New Hotel Pools

Have you ever booked a hotel that advertises a "pool," only to find out that it's no more than an over-chlorinated square in the basement? Consider these 11 water-inspired masterpieces the cure for the common pool.  You can swim in all them, but getting wet takes a back seat to soaking in the jaw-dropping scenery. We explored properties from the valleys of Hawaii to the cliffs of Thailand to find the newest, most visually stunning pools-in some of the most evocative places on the planet. And with prices starting at $69 a night, there's no excuse not to check them out. Just don't forget to pack your bathing suit. SEE THE INSPIRING NEW POOLS Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Aruba Where adults go to play At family-friendly resorts, having a grown-ups-only section is a boon, which is why in November 2011, this Aruba Marriott unveiled the H2Oasis, a swimming pool and lounge section specifically for over 18s. The sparkling glass-mosaic tiled pool is surrounded by a 10,000-square-foot terrace and nine wooden cabanas that offer privacy (plus free WiFi, ceiling fans, magazines, and loungers) and respite from the powerful Aruban sun. Plus, the waitstaff dole out loaner iPads and free, rum-infused SnoCones, a reminder that this is definitely not the kiddie pool. 101 L.G. Smith Blvd., Palm Beach, Aruba, 800/223-6388, marriott.com. Double rooms from $189 per night. Gansevoort Park Avenue, New York City Gotham's hottest place to cool down This indoor/outdoor heated pool measures 40 feet long, but it's only four feet deep. This isn't a pool for swimming laps or diving in. It's more for floating on your back and taking in the view of the towering skyscrapers around the hotel, plus the Empire State Building just a few blocks away. Don't forget to look down—there is an intricate mosaic on the pool floor of a 1940s pinup. 420 Park Ave., New York, New York, 212/317-2900, gansevoortpark.com. Double rooms from $325 per night. Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Chile Natural wonders on display The indoor heated pool at this all-inclusive Patagonia resort opened in December 2011, and was made for the region's constantly changing weather. The interiors mimic the outdoors, with a curved wood ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows that keep the cold out while letting the sunlight in. With only 42 rooms, there won't be a lot of competition for a prime spot in the pool to see one of the most photographed areas of the region—the sparkling Lake Sarmiento in the spring and the snow-capped peaks of Torres del Paine National Park in the winter. Torres del Paine National Park, Southern Patagonia, 800/829-5325, tierrapatagonia.com. Double rooms from $2,100 per person for a three-night stay, including all meals, drinks, transfers, and some excursions. Aulani, Ko Olina, Oahu Seven acres to get wet and wild Disney's newest resort, about an hour from Waikiki, is right on a beautiful Hawaiian beach. But that doesn't mean the pools are an afterthought. The largest is the 8,200-square-foot Waikolohe Pool, part of the seven-acre Waikolohe Valley water park that is the centerpiece of the mega resort. Set against a backdrop of palm trees and lounge chairs, the pool is made for wading and floating, and if you are looking for excitement there's the Volcanic Vertical, a tunnel slide that zooms you through a (fake) volcano in the pitch black. The zero-entry pool really shines at night with in-ground lights shaped like Hawaiian constellations. If that's not enough, the resort also has a tubing stream and a snorkeling pool with angel and butterfly fish. 92-1185 Ali'inui Dr., Kapolei, Hawaii, 714/520-7001, resorts.disney.go.com. Double rooms from $399 per night. Best Western Kuta Beach, Kuta, Bali Affordable hotel with a priceless view Budget chains aren't usually on the top of the list for inspiring pools, but this Bali Best Western proves there's an exception to every rule. Opened in 2011, the high-rise hotel has a gorgeous rooftop infinity pool that's a great spot for a 360-degree view of the Indian Ocean and Kuta, a popular beach town. After watching surfers go to town on the ocean waves, guests can take in the sunset and get in a lap or two. In close competition with the stunning views are the hotel's rock-bottom rates, which begin at $69 per night. Jalan Benesari Pantai Kuta ID Bali, 800/780-7234, bwresortkuta.com. Double rooms from $69 per night. The San Juan Water Beach Club, Puerto Rico Small space with a rocking vibe Revamped with a multimillion-dollar renovation, the popular rooftop pool at The Water Club has been renamed the Mist Rooftop Bar + Lounge, and is once again the place to be in San Juan. The pool itself is small, but the view of the sandy shores and lapping waves is big. Take advantage of the teak lounge chairs and sofas with plush white cushions and catch some rays from el sol. The scene heats up as the day goes on, with a DJ spinning reggaeton and rum flowing into the wee hours. 2 Tartak St., San Juan, Puerto Rico, 888/265-6699, waterbeachhotel.com. Double rooms from $239 per night. The Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Thrill-seeking from 656 feet up The outdoor infinity swimming pool at this mega resort (which opened in 2010) is considered the world's largest. Located a staggering 656 feet above Singapore and 492 feet long (roughly three times Olympic-pool length), it's a thrill-seeker's delight. The pool not only spans three of the hotel's 55-story towers, but the Plexiglas sides give the stomach-churning illusion of no end point in sight. In addition to the adrenaline rush, the pool's location is visual mayhem, with awesome views of the city skyline. 10 Bayfront Ave., Singapore, 011-65/6688-8868, marinabaysands.com. Double rooms from $359 per night. Thompson Toronto, Canada Exclusive views you can't get anywhere else This is the city's only rooftop lounge with an infinity pool and it's an exclusive hotspot—only hotel guests and members have access. It's a hot ticket, too, thanks to the views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline (including the CN Tower, of course). If you dare, swim right up to the edge to see the city coming to life at sundown. Then sip a mojito with the well-heeled crowd lounging on the striped couches in the lounge. 550 Wellington St. West, Toronto, Ontario, 888/550-8368, thompsonhotels.com. Double rooms from $225. Paresa Resort, Phuket, Thailand   Healing energy overlooking the Andaman Sea The focus at this secluded resort high on a hillside is rejuvenation. The two main pools are crafted right into the face of the cliff overlooking the Andaman sea. The infinity pool is especially transfixing after dark, when it is lit with fiber optics that imitate the stars above. The other is the Energy Floatation Pool, said to have healing properties thanks to an eight-pound obelisk of rose quartz that hangs overhead. Some believe that the stone has calming and romance-enhancing energies, as well as recharging and vitalization qualities. Whether you buy into that or not, try to think of the last time you saw someone come out of a pool angry. 49 Moo 6, Layi-Nakalay Rd., Kamala, Phuket, Thailand, 011-66/76-302000, paresaresorts.com. Double rooms from $382 per night. Westin Playa Bonita, Panama Perfect location in a new hotspot Panama's hotel scene is hot (5,000 hotel rooms have been in the works over the past couple of years), with lots of competition for prime beachfront locations and the most exciting amenities. The Westin Playa Bonita opened in January 2012 in an enviable spot—there is a rain forest on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. In terms of amenities, the hotel has three freshwater infinity pools steps from the sand. The swimming areas have loads of cabanas if you need privacy (but get there early—it's first come, first served). After you are done taking a dip, watch the ships lining up to enter the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks. Km 6 Camnino a Veracruz, Panama City, Panama, 011-507/304-6600, starwoodhotels.com. Double rooms from $195 per night. Revel Atlantic City, New Jersey A glam new pool above the historic boardwalk Atlantic City's Revel opened in May 2012 with 14 restaurants, a 13,000-square-foot casino, and a 20,000-plant rooftop garden. Oh, and 10 pools. The showstopper is the InOut pool—a large heated pool that starts inside and winds its way outdoors (if it's too chilly outside, the indoor section has floor-to-ceiling windows so you won't miss a thing going on outside). In the center is an island, where guests can see and be seen while taking in the view of the Atlantic Ocean. 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 855/348-0500, revelresorts.com. Double rooms from $239 per night.