10 places to see in 2013

The northern lights entrance tourists near Fairbanks, Alaska. The aurora borealis is supposed to be especially vivid in northern skies for the next few winters.   (Jillian Rogers / Associated Press)

Houses along the Herengracht are reflected in the water in Amsterdam, where the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum are set to reopen this year.   (Jerry Lampen / EPA)

Soon, visitors will once again be able to admire masterpieces by Rembrandt and others at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, which is to reopen April 13.   (Alexander Klein / AFP/Getty Images)

A statue of George Washington rises near the University of Texas Tower in Austin.   (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

La Compania Church rises in the historic center of Quito, Ecuador. It is one of the most significant examples of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America.   (Dea G. Cozzi / Getty Images)

Visitors stroll past a cannon on Little Round Top at Gettysburg National Military Park. Gettysburg, Pa., is marking the 150th anniversary of the key Civil War battle this year.   (Steve Ruark / For The Times)

The musuem and visitors center at Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the pivotal Civil War battle in Gettysburg.  (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Looking down from the top of Blarney Castle in Ireland.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Downtown Nashville rises near the banks of the Cumberland River. Tennessee’s capital is also home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium.   (Rusty Russell / Getty Images)

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum features exhibits on country music’s greats.   (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

The New York skyline is a twinkle of lights at night.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

If the walls at New York’s Grand Central Terminal could talk, what stories they could tell. The celebrated station is turning 100 this year, and special art and performance events are scheduled throughout the year to herald this event.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Quarter horses graze in their corral next to the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Calif.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Cherries tempt shoppers at a farmers market in San Luis Obispo, Calif.   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)