Cable Car Museum, San Francisco

The world's first cable car rests here and with it a concise explanation of how those little cable cars go halfway to the stars. In an underground viewing area, visitors can look at the system's enormous cable wheels, which pull 11 miles (18 kilometers) of cable at 9.5 miles (15 kilometers) per hour. The cable cars move by clamping onto it. Examine closely the steel cables, gears, and pulleys that bring this city's most famous transportation to life. Don't miss the gift shop, where you can purchase your very own length of used cable.