Pinnacle Peak

Standing above the ground at 3, 170 feet, Pinnacle Peak dominates the Sonoran Desert landscape. Largely composed of granite that was formed more than 1.4 billion years ago, the rock was exposed after years of erosion and uplifting. Minerals that ...

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, the thriving metropolis nicknamed "the Valley of the Sun," takes its name from Greek legend. Inspired by the hundreds of miles of irrigation canals left behind by the ancient Hohokam civilization, early settlers envisioned this new city rising, like ...

J. Paul Getty Museum

"In my opinion, an individual without any love of the arts cannot be considered completely civilized." --J. Paul Getty, 1965.

As a young child visiting museums in Europe, J. Paul Getty was impressed with the artwork that he was seeing and ...

Dealey Plaza

Who really killed JFK?

Though the assassin's identity is hotly debated, everyone can agree that President Kennedy was shot in downtown Dallas' Dealey Plaza. Other than that, not much is known about the history of the plaza, sometimes considered the ...

San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm

The San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm provides enough energy to power the nearby city of Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley. Located within the San Bernardino Mountains in one of the nation's deepest mountain passes, the wind farm contains ...

Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant

Power on! With three pressurized reactors, Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear energy facility in the United States. U.S. power plants have no more than three reactors, although some foreign plants have more than four. Located 50 ...

Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary

This 100-acre ecological sanctuary includes the northernmost naturally occurring stand of bald cypress trees in America. A nature trail features an elevated boardwalk. The Nature Center houses live animals and exhibits. Classes, demonstrations, field trips and special programs are offered ...

Annmarie Garden Sculpture Parks and Arts Ctr.

Amaze, entertain and educate your senses while strolling through a 30-acre sculpture garden and arts center in scenic Solomons. Annmarie Garden, a Smithsonian Affiliate, contains permanent and loaned works of sculpture. The arts center presents dynamic exhibits, programs, and events.

Hours ...

Arthur Storer Planetarium

This unique facility, named after America's first colonial astronomer and childhood friend of Sir Issac Newton, allows visitors of all ages to explore the cosmos. Programs last 30-45 minutes. Seating is limited to 70 and is first-come, first-served. Limited access ...

Santa Monica Pier

Now a world-famous recreation area, the city of Santa Monica, California originally constructed the Santa Monica Pier in 1909 to carry sewage lines out past the breakers.

In 1922, inspired by the pier's popularity as a fishing and recreation destination, ...