Every second, a whopping 7,400 gallons of water tumble over the mighty Sioux Falls. Falls Park is located just north of the city that shares the same name, creating a unique atmosphere where urban life meets nature at the thundering waterfalls. The 123-acre park offers ample walking trails along the Big Sioux River and an observation tower for a bird’s-eye view of the falls.

Situated between downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale, Papago Park boasts miles of public hiking trails. One of the most popular trails is the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail, featuring a unique sandstone formation framed by views of the skyline in the distance. Papago is also home to a golf course, the Phoenix Zoo, and the 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden.

Patterson Park is steeped in history, most notably for its involvement in the War of 1812 as the site of the Battle of North Point at Hampstead Hill. In 1827, shipping merchant William Patterson donated the land for public use, and it became Patterson Park, Baltimore’s first city park. Today, the park is known for its fountains, lakes, and a photogenic pagoda.

Central Park steals the spotlight, but Pelham Bay Park is New York City’s largest park. It covers more than 2,7000 acres in the Bronx — bigger than three Central Parks put together. The park features 13 miles of shoreline, two golf courses, the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, and miles of hiking trails.

Fairmount Park is a massive 2,000-acre complex that encompasses the East Park and West Park, which are separated by the Schuylkill River. The entrance to the park is located in downtown Philadelphia next to the city’s art museum, home of the famous steps from “Rocky” films. Visitors can enjoy many miles of shaded riverside trails in the park.

Big Tex — a larger-than-life cowboy — greets visitors at Fair Park, a year-round hub of outdoor activities, sporting events, museums, nature-watching opportunities, and of course, the annual Texas State Fair. Aside from the food and fun at the state fair, the park boasts a music hall, gardens, a butterfly house, the Cotton Bowl Stadium, the Children’s Aquarium, and the African American Museum.

The land for Forsyth Park was first set aside in the 1840s, and its trademark fountain was installed in 1858. Passersby can enjoy spontaneous live music during a weekend stroll on the grounds, which span 30 acres in the southern end of Savannah’s historic district, surrounded by historic homes and romantic gardens.

Soaring above the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis is the 630-foot Gateway Arch. The monument was completed in 1965 and features an observation deck at the top. The arch was originally named the “Jefferson National Expansion Memorial” to commemorate the westward expansion of the United States. The national park surrounding the arch features landscaped walkways, bike trails, and a museum.

Hartford’s Elizabeth Park, the first municipal public rose garden in the country, opened in June 1904 with 190 varieties of roses — a number that grew to 1,000 by the 1950s. The original one-acre garden square is still intact today, boasting 132 beds of roses. After expansions, the garden is now 2.5 acres, making it the third-largest rose garden in the U.S.

This aptly named, 330-acre park east of downtown Denver is the largest in the Mile High City. Built in 1880, it is now home to family-friendly activities such as the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science, as well as many walking trails, flower gardens, ponds, and fountains with the skyline and the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

Seattle’s largest urban park, Discovery Park covers 534 acres overlooking the Puget Sound, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean known for its ample wildlife viewing opportunities. Miles of hiking trails lead to the West Point Lighthouse, tidal beaches, sea cliffs, and views of the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges.

Balboa Park features a little bit of everything: museums, hiking trails, live entertainment, gardens — and most notably, a world-famous zoo. The 1,200-acre historic Balboa Park is located in the heart of downtown San Diego. In 1915, the park’s name was changed from the simple City Park to Balboa Park in honor of Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa.

New York’s 843-acre Central Park was created in the 1850s to address the needs of the rapidly growing city. Since then, it has become the most-visited city park in the country, greeting more than 40 million park goers annually. Among its many picturesque highlights are the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, which features the “Angel of the Waters” sculpture of a bronze angel with raised wings, in front of a lake.

A first-timer’s trip to Chicago would be incomplete without a visit to the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park. Better known as “The Bean” for its distinctive shape, it was designed by British artist Anish Kapoor in 2005. The downtown Chicago park is also popular for summertime picnics and concerts against the backdrop of the city’s iconic skyline.

Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park still has remnants of the 1996 Summer Olympics, including the Fountain of Rings, now a summer playtime spot for kids. The 22-acre park has become a hub for culture and entertainment in the center of Atlanta, hosting a summer concert series and a popular Independence Day fireworks show.

The iconic Hollywood Sign sits high on Mount Lee, overlooking the expansive 4,210-acre Griffith Park in Los Angeles. This park opened in 1896 and boasts 53 miles of hiking trails, many with views of the Hollywood Sign. Other major attractions in the park include the Los Angeles Zoo, the Griffith Observatory, and the Greek Theatre, a historic concert venue.

New Orleans’ Audubon Park was named after artist, naturalist, and former Big Easy resident John James Audubon. Since 1898, city dwellers have flocked to the park for leisurely strolls on its oak tree-lined trails. The Audubon Zoo is located at the southern end of the park, just before it meets the Mississippi River.

Millions flock to the National Mall each spring to see the magnificent blooms of the Japanese cherry blossom trees. Lining the Potomac River, the trees were gifted to the U.S. in 1909 as a symbol of friendship from Japan. The National Mall is also home to some of the country's most famous monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Situated next to the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, Boston Common was established in 1634, more than a century before the U.S. gained independence from Great Britain, making it the oldest public park in the country. The multi-use park features ball fields, gardens, and the beloved Frog Pond, a favorite venue for ice skating during snowy New England winters.

Located a few miles south of the famous suspension bridge, Golden Gate Park is one of the most-visited city parks in the U.S., with an annual attendance of 25 million guests. Opened in 1870, the park stretches from the Pacific coast about three miles to the east. It is home to the Conservatory of Flowers, the California Academy of Sciences, and the country’s first Japanese tea garden.