Top Things to do in United States
Countries
The 10 Best Visitor Centers in United States, United States
Spanning 2,800 miles (4,506 kilometers) from east to west, the US is a vast patchwork of landscapes and metropolises. From Arizona’s red-rocked canyons and California’s coastal beaches to New York’s big city and Virginia’s storied past, it covers any topic any traveler could want or need.
Restaurants in United States
1. Orange Beach Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 280 reviews
Both welcome centers are open seven days a week .The centers are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Reviewed By kmgalvin16 - Minnetrista, United States
We had a very good experience at the welcome center. We stopped in on our first day of vacation. The woman who assisted us was very nice and answered all of our questions. They are even giving out welcome bags with Orange Beach face masks!
2. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,610 reviews
"A New Birth of Freedom," narrated by Morgan Freeman, orients you to the battle; then see the sights and hear the sounds of the battle in the historic Cyclorama Painting Experience. Finally, tour the museum, packed with original artifacts and interactive exhibits. Tickets and shuttle bus to Eisenhower National Historic Site and seasonal programs at Spangler Farm Civil War Field Hospital from Visitor Center. Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, USA Today Top 10 Places to Visit, AAA Gem. Purchase tickets prior to your arrival online and reserve a Battlefield Guide (licensed through the National Park Service) through the Gettysburg Foundation, non-profit partner to the National Park Service at Gettysburg. Admission fee for Cyclorama, Film and Museum. Entry to Visitor Center, Museum Bookstore and Refreshment Saloon is free.
Reviewed By conimaries - Pennsylvania, United States
I strongly recommend starting your Gettysburg experience by visiting the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor’s Center. If you choose to do anything, I strongly recommend the Film, Cyclorama and Museum combination. The film, narrated by Morgan Freeman, paints a wonderful picture of what led up to the Civil War, the Battle at Gettysburg, and how our country has evolved (although it’s clear to see the parallel between what was going on in 1863 and what is going on in 2019). And Morgan Freeman has way of narrating that just pulls you in. After the film, you are invited to view the Cyclorama which is the most beautiful, yet saddening, image of the Battle at Gettysburg. I won’t tell you all about the image because they’ll tell you about it when you get there, but suffice to say, it’s a must-see! The museum was full of historical information, photographs, and memorabilia. If you like museums, you could spend hours there. I, am not a museum person. I like to walk through them, look at the displays and take photos, but I don’t typically read the placards or take a lot of time in them. The statute of Abraham Lincoln is just outside the main entrance and you can obtain tour information at this location. They also have a Gift Shop/Book Store which is a great place for souvenirs and historical materials.
3. Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,096 reviews
The Elephant Seal Viewing area and the Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop (250 San Simeon Ave, Suite 3B, San Simeon, CA) are two separate locations. They are 7.2 miles apart. Please plan to visit both while you are in the area. Directions to both locations: https://elephantseal.org/locations/ The Friends of the Elephant Seal docents (guides) provide education for visitors to the Elephant Seal Viewing area at Piedras Blancas, every morning and afternoon, 365 days a year. Long boardwalks provide wonderful, up-close viewing opportunities. Look for docents in the blue jackets! Viewing Area is located 4 miles north of the Hearst Castle. Find us here: Put these coordinates into any map program: 35° 39' 48" N, 121° 15' 28" W Or use this link for the accurate location of the viewing area: https://goo.gl/maps/fzfACKBqNgcwurjf9
Reviewed By timohteee - Delaware, United States
My wife and I actually drove passed this stop and turned around to go back because we noticed a large group of people. We are glad we decided to turn around! When we got there around 6PM, there were a couple dozen elephant seals basking in the sun on the beach. Every now and then, you’ll catch one get up and stretch or another scooting across the sand to a new spot. It was surprisingly amazing to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat and was definitely a highlight for us both on our trip.
4. Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,002 reviews
Mendenhall Glacier is easily accessible via roads from the local airport, cruise ship terminal and state ferry terminal. Our facility and lands are managed by the federal government through the United States Forest Service. Federal passes are accepted and sold as well as daily passes. There is a visitor center with a theater showing a 15-minute film on Mendenhall Glacier, a bookstore operated by nonprofit organization Discovery Southeast, and exhibits on wildlife, history, and glacial and geological changes. Rangers provide talks at various indoor and outdoor sites in summer. Open hours in summer are daily 8am to 7:30pm. Due to wildlife and bears, no food is allowed outdoors from April-November. There is no beverage or food service available to prevent bears from becoming food-conditioned. Nearby Steep Creek is the spawning stream for wild sockeye salmon from late July through early September. Later in the fall, a run of coho salmon spawn in the creek. Porcupines can be seen foraging on leaves in deciduous trees. Beavers are visible early in the morning and in the evening. Learn about Alaska and the natural world around the glacier and lake. Enjoy a one-hour hike to 400-foot-tall Nugget Falls. Other trails lead to different habitats. In winter, the visitor center is open Friday-Sunday from 10am to 4pm and closed on federal holidays.
Reviewed By ArmaanSaigon - Sydney, Australia
While in Juneau, Alaska we visited the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Centre. This was the first time for me to see such a spectacular view up-close of a landlocked glacier. There are numerous walking tracks all in varying levels of difficulty and viewing areas. There is plenty of wildlife. The approximately 20km long river of ice definitely takes your breath away. After having spent four days working in the Tongass National Forest I especially enjoyed the short film back at the centre which explored the interplay in the whole natural ecosystem of the area and how the glaciers in the region are impacted. Needless to say, I now have a far greater appreciation and love for these incredible ice leviathans. Well worth seeing at least once in your life.
5. Charleston Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,246 reviews
Top quality black car services for executives, luxury resorts and hotels, select weddings and events. Group transportation, trip planning and airport transfers.
Reviewed By Nomad757901 - Winston Salem, United States
Whether you're visiting Charleston for the first time or 100th time the Visitors Center is a great place to start. There's so much to read about and great history shared. There's brochures for many of the places to visit as well as coupons for discounts in the area. I love taking first time visitors here
6. Plymouth Visitor Information Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By elliek753 - Carver, United States
Staff proud of their Community. Lots of literature easy to find, clean restrooms Very helpful great place to start your trip
7. Stones River National Battlefield
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 784 reviews
Scene of a significant 1862 Civil War battle fought by 81,000 soldiers for control of middle Tennessee.
Reviewed By ELO_Ohio - Shelby, United States
Stones River NB gets an A+ in my book. Have never seen a Civil War site so well maintained. Maintenance staff mowing, pulling weeds, working on trails, etc. the ENTIRE time we were there. The park rangers were great. Took the cemetery tour and learned a lot of lesser known facts. The driving tour was also top notch with excellent stops; many cool monuments to see. Don’t like history? No problem. This park has paved bike and walking trails all over the place. Only minutes from Murfreesboro...a nice up and coming town; 40 minutes to Nashville. Free admission and an excellent Junior Ranger program. Check it out...you’ll be glad you did.
8. Biloxi Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,354 reviews
Reviewed By OPMaster1978 - Bowling Green, United States
The Biloxi Visitors Center is located in a beautiful building that has some architectural features of a mansion from the Antebellum period. The staff are very friendly and there are many brochures and flyers available offering information on nearby attractions, restaurants and shops. At the rear of the building is a small, but informative museum documenting the history of Biloxi and the various groups that have contributed to the city over the years. This is a good first stop for any tourists who are planning on spending time in the area.
9. Taylor Creek Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
Reviewed By Chowhound1242 - South Lake Tahoe, United States
Wonderful to watch salmon return which brought the bears to feast. Mid Oct hit the trifecti: fall color changes of the Aspens, returning salmon, bear viewing. Rainbow Trail is great for all ages and an easy paved walk.
10. Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By 646lorit - Dawsonville, United States
This visitor center is on the park entrance road before you actually get to the entrance gate. This visitor center is a good place to stop and find out what activities are happening during the day, get a map and directions, view a movie about the park, look at the educational displays, and collect souveniers from the large gift shop. We did not see much wildlife around this visitor center, but there is a pleasant covered porch with rocking chairs to relax and look out over a pond. Helpful hint: for good wildlife viewing, travel 15 minutes into the park to the Anhinga Trail at the Royal Palms Visitor Center.
