Once the most famous prison in the world, having housed criminals like Al Capone, Eastern State Penitentiary is now a hauntingly immersive museum. Visitors can explore its eerie, abandoned hallways and learn about its revolutionary design and chilling history through guided or self-guided audio tours. During Halloween, the penitentiary hosts the famous "Terror Behind the Walls" event, where visitors may experience interactive scares.

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens isn’t your typical garden filled with greenery. Instead, it’s a vibrant, immersive art environment created by local artist Isaiah Zagar, who began crafting this intricate mosaic masterpiece in 1994. Spanning both indoor and outdoor spaces, this unique installation features a mesmerizing maze of tiles, bottles, mirrors, and other found objects, transforming the space into an expansive, whimsical world of mosaic art.

Trail Ridge Road is probably the most well-known route for a scenic drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park. Locals also recommend several other trails, such as Devil's Gulch Road, Dry Gulch Road and Colorado Highway 7. The Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute offers guided bus excursions.

Samarra is a small yet historically rich city located approximately 125 kilometres north of Baghdad. Founded in 836 AD by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mu'tasim, it holds deep significance for Sunni Muslims and features some of Iraq's most iconic Islamic architecture. The easiest way to visit Samarra is on a day trip from Baghdad. Head to the Alawi garage to catch a shared taxi or minivan. A one-way journey in a minivan costs around 10,000 Iraqi dinars. Shared taxis are slightly more expensive but offer a faster and more comfortable ride. Samarra’s most famous landmark is the spiral minaret of the Great Mosque, which was once among the largest mosques in the world. The minaret stands at 52 metres and features a distinctive spiral ramp that winds its way to the top. Climbing the minaret is not always allowed and it is unclear when it's possible to climb it and when it's not. There's also another similar minaret nearby called the Abu Dulaf Minaret, located 28 kilometres from the Great Mosque. Samarra is also home to the Askariyya Shrine, an important site that is sacred to Shia Muslims due to the tombs of the tenth and eleventh Imams. Non-Muslim visitors are allowed inside, but modest dress, respectful behaviour, and compliance with local customs are expected. Due to the shrine’s religious importance, security is very tight and includes several checkpoints. As a predominantly Sunni city in a complex religious landscape, Samarra maintains strict security protocols, particularly for foreigners. If you're not part of an organised tour, expect to be the only foreigner on the journey. This may result in added scrutiny at checkpoints, including detailed passport checks and questions about your travel plans.