Evan Barnard believes that all people should have access to nature. At age 14, he set out to create Whispering Woods, a Braille nature trail. The trail uses Braille signs and guide ropes. They help people who are blind or visually impaired explore nature without assistance. Visitors can enjoy a safe sensory experience by feeling the scratchy bark of a tree, hearing a bird’s song, or smelling the earthy odor of the woods. “It’s a transformative experience for many,” Barnard, now 21, says. —Rebecca Mordechai
Coolest Places
Full List
Play
ArcelorMittal OrbitArtists at PlayCanada’s WonderlandCity MuseumCopenHillEscapeEvermore ParkLego HouseMusic Box VillageOasis of the SeasOtherworldPacific Wheel at Pacific ParkStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney WorldThe Dr. Seuss ExperienceGathering PlaceLearn
Apollo Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space CenterDeichman Biblo TøyenChildren’s Museum of IndianapolisFarm Wisconsin Discovery CenterImagiNations Activity Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American IndianLa Brea Tar PitsLouisville Slugger Museum & FactoryMoat BraeNational Butterfly CenterNotre-Dame CathedralStatue of Liberty MuseumU.S. Space & Rocket CenterWashington MonumentWoodland Park ZooExplore
Best Friends Animal SanctuaryBoulders BeachCherry Springs State ParkChildren’s Eternal RainforestCliff Palace at Mesa Verde National ParkDenali StarGreat Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveIcehotelNeuschwanstein CastleNiagara Falls State ParkThe Grand CanyonThe Lion King AdventureThe Vessel at Hudson YardsWaitomo Glowworm CavesWhispering Woods Braille TrailWyoming Dinosaur Center & Dig SitesPlay
Learn
Explore
Eat
Full List
Play
ArcelorMittal OrbitArtists at PlayCanada’s WonderlandCity MuseumCopenHillEscapeEvermore ParkLego HouseMusic Box VillageOasis of the SeasOtherworldPacific Wheel at Pacific ParkStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney WorldThe Dr. Seuss ExperienceGathering PlaceLearn
Apollo Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space CenterDeichman Biblo TøyenChildren’s Museum of IndianapolisFarm Wisconsin Discovery CenterImagiNations Activity Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American IndianLa Brea Tar PitsLouisville Slugger Museum & FactoryMoat BraeNational Butterfly CenterNotre-Dame CathedralStatue of Liberty MuseumU.S. Space & Rocket CenterWashington MonumentWoodland Park ZooExplore
Best Friends Animal SanctuaryBoulders BeachCherry Springs State ParkChildren’s Eternal RainforestCliff Palace at Mesa Verde National ParkDenali StarGreat Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveIcehotelNeuschwanstein CastleNiagara Falls State ParkThe Grand CanyonThe Lion King AdventureThe Vessel at Hudson YardsWaitomo Glowworm CavesWhispering Woods Braille TrailWyoming Dinosaur Center & Dig SitesCoolest Places
Full List
Play
ArcelorMittal OrbitArtists at PlayCanada’s WonderlandCity MuseumCopenHillEscapeEvermore ParkLego HouseMusic Box VillageOasis of the SeasOtherworldPacific Wheel at Pacific ParkStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney WorldThe Dr. Seuss ExperienceGathering PlaceLearn
Apollo Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space CenterDeichman Biblo TøyenChildren’s Museum of IndianapolisFarm Wisconsin Discovery CenterImagiNations Activity Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American IndianLa Brea Tar PitsLouisville Slugger Museum & FactoryMoat BraeNational Butterfly CenterNotre-Dame CathedralStatue of Liberty MuseumU.S. Space & Rocket CenterWashington MonumentWoodland Park ZooExplore
Best Friends Animal SanctuaryBoulders BeachCherry Springs State ParkChildren’s Eternal RainforestCliff Palace at Mesa Verde National ParkDenali StarGreat Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveIcehotelNeuschwanstein CastleNiagara Falls State ParkThe Grand CanyonThe Lion King AdventureThe Vessel at Hudson YardsWaitomo Glowworm CavesWhispering Woods Braille TrailWyoming Dinosaur Center & Dig SitesPlay
Learn
Explore
Eat
Full List
Play
ArcelorMittal OrbitArtists at PlayCanada’s WonderlandCity MuseumCopenHillEscapeEvermore ParkLego HouseMusic Box VillageOasis of the SeasOtherworldPacific Wheel at Pacific ParkStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney WorldThe Dr. Seuss ExperienceGathering PlaceLearn
Apollo Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space CenterDeichman Biblo TøyenChildren’s Museum of IndianapolisFarm Wisconsin Discovery CenterImagiNations Activity Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American IndianLa Brea Tar PitsLouisville Slugger Museum & FactoryMoat BraeNational Butterfly CenterNotre-Dame CathedralStatue of Liberty MuseumU.S. Space & Rocket CenterWashington MonumentWoodland Park ZooExplore
Best Friends Animal SanctuaryBoulders BeachCherry Springs State ParkChildren’s Eternal RainforestCliff Palace at Mesa Verde National ParkDenali StarGreat Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveIcehotelNeuschwanstein CastleNiagara Falls State ParkThe Grand CanyonThe Lion King AdventureThe Vessel at Hudson YardsWaitomo Glowworm CavesWhispering Woods Braille TrailWyoming Dinosaur Center & Dig SitesTIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.