By micahel vivar
Many people in the United States who'd like to indulge in wanderlust believe they need to set their sights on exotic locales like the Middle East or Asia.
This isn't necessarily the case. While it's admirably aspirational to visit all points on the globe, there is much to experience in North America.
Proximity doesn't just mean less travel time and jet lag. It's also cost-effective. Here are seven North American landmarks to check off a must-see list.
No sight signifies a city skyline as being San Francisco as this suspension bridge. It's a wonderful place to start but exploring the city will never end.
Ruins of a once-great Mayan empire are in the middle of a Guatemalan jungle so only the intrepid dare. It's also a less visited pre-Colombian site and not as crowded.
Skyscrapers were once the purview of the US alone. The communication and observation tower was the world's tallest structure until 2007 and offers views of Toronto.
Federal parks dot the US so it's a feat that one in Wyoming attracts the most visitors. All come for the Old Faithful geyser. It also boasts stunning, rugged landscapes.
Some travelers to Washington, DC find the imposingly stoic seated statue of the 16th US president to be among the city's most inspiring locations.
Undersea explorers flock from around the world to Belize to view the aquatic wildlife that inhabit the natural wonder. Jacques Cousteau called it a top-five diving spot.
It takes several days to explore with the permanent collection featuring everything from old masters to haute couture. Past shows had Tiffany jewelry and Chinese calligraphy.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness" - Mark Twain, American writer