The Most Photo-Worthy Attraction in Every State

Stephens Gaps is part of an amazing cave system with the remarkable pit that highlights the experience. There is a hole that people can rappel down but there is also a walk-down entrance for those of us who would rather not use our legs for clinging to a rope. Be advised you will need a permit to visit the preserve.

This glowing, iridescent cave is an otherworldly experience awash in gleaming, thick blankets of ice. While most caves in the U.S. are rock formations covered in ice the Guyot Ice Caves are really just that - caverns formed within the vast and infinite dimensions of a glacier. These caverns come and go from year to year, freezing, melting, and changing direction and dimensions. While you may visit one ca...

Located in Arizona, near its northern border with Utah, The Wave is a sandstone rock formation situated on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness of the Colorado Plateau. The area is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument visitor center in Kanab, Utah. Known well among hikers and photographers the for...

Garvan Woodland Gardens is a magical experience. Fairy bridges, trickling streams and brooks, bright and feathery flowers, and curious botanical sculptures are only some of the wonders you'll come across. If you're lucky enough to be here during Christmas, the lights and spectacle are an annual tradition here. Live music, shows, and festivals are other events you might be able to attend. (Photo by Michel...

UPDATE (April 25, 2022): The beloved Micheltorena Heart Stairs (a.k.a. "Stair Candy") have been whitewashed. Fingers crossed, the original artists (Corinne Carrey, Carla O'Brien, and Mandon Bossi) repaint them. UPDATE 2 (May 26, 2022): As of today, the stairs are back! Big thanks to artist, Carla O'Brien. Across the street from Micheltorena Elementary School is this 78-step staircase. If you st...

Garden of The Gods is a public park in Colorado Springs that was designated a national landmark in 1971. The park features 300-foot towering sandstone rock formations and dramatic views set against deep blue skies and a Pikes Peak backdrop. The park features a visitor and nature center and museum, interactive exhibits, educational programs, special exhibits, and a glass-enclosed café.

Gillette Castle seems to be an appropriate home for a man who made his mark by playing Sherlock Holmes. The exterior seems to be a stone skeleton but rustic in its beauty. The interior likewise has stone walls but the rooms are yet cozy and warm. Aside from the castle, the area has trails, camping, and picnic grounds.

The famed du Pont family lived in the Nemours Estate, a mansion fit for nobility. In fact, the gardens were fashioned after the famed Versailles landscape. The mansion contains the family's collection of priceless artwork and tapestries from as early as the 16th century, and is now a museum. You can get a family pass for 2 adults and 4 children for just $40. This includes access to all open areas of the ...

St. Bernard de Clairvaux Church was a medieval Spanish monastery cloister built in the town of Sacramenia in Segovia, Spain in the 12th century. How did it get here you ask? The monastery was dismantled in the 20th century and shipped to New York City and eventually reassembled at 16711 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Florida. Now it's an Episcopal church and tourist attraction. The church is call...

This historic site dates back to the colonial era. Built in 1739, it was also one of the plantations supporting the Confederacy during the Civil War. The most scenic part of the plantation is the oak avenue which is completely lined on either side with oak trees that create a canopy along the length of the road.

Named for the narrow staircase that ascends sharply up almost 4,000 steps high, this trail is known locally as the Haiku Stairs. The summit of the stairs is a peak called Pu'u Keahi A Kahoe and it is shrouded in a dense fog making it seem as if you are entering the celestial sphere. This isn't a legal hike - you would be trespassing on private property and subject to a hefty fine if you are caught. Even ...

Shoshone Falls is on the Snake River, a natural marvel formed by flooding during the Pleistocene ice age. This was an important fishing and trading center for Native Americans who lived 14,000 years ago. In more recent years, Evel Knievel tried unsuccessfully to jump over the falls in 1974.

This seemingly fluid stainless steel structure was inspired by mercury, one of two elements that are liquid at room temperature. The rounded surface allows the observer a 66-foot panoramic reflection of Chicago. Most amazing is the nighttime reflection which is awash in the glow of the city lights.

A sculpture designed and built by John McNaughton, Twisted House is a lopsided house bent curvingly on its side with the pointed roof turned into the ground. The charming but disturbing cedar structure brings up feelings of ambivalence - it's hard to determine exactly how you're supposed to feel in its presence. The message that the artist was conveying is open to interpretation or perhaps he was just fe...

The bridge ascends 13 stories above the Des Moines River. What seems like an ordinary bridge during the day turns into an extraodinary optical illusion at night. The iron geometric patterns placed at intervals on the bridge glow with an ethereal blue light come darkness. Standing at one end of the bridge, it looks like you're about to enter a wormhole.

A rough road off of the highway will take you to Monument Rocks which are glorious limestone formations rising up from flat plains. Soft limestone erodes very easily so climbing the rocks, formed over 70 million years ago, is frowned upon.

The Lost River Cave can be explored in a few different ways. The Cave Crawl allows participants and a trained guide to follow the path of Civil War soldiers to an upper passageway. Kayak the Cave allows boaters to explore the cave via the subterranean river. For those who want to take a more leisurely approach, the Cave Boat Tour takes visitors on a passenger boat through the caverns floating on a subter...

This street is found in the heart of New Orleans' oldest neighborhood, the French Quarter, and its 13 blocks of nightlife is known for its bars and strip clubs. This is Bourbon Street's history which provides some insight into New Orleans' past. In the 1690s the French claimed Louisiana as a colony and Bourbon Street paid homage to the House of Bourbon - France's ruling family. In 1763 New Orleans traded...

Fully operational by 1791, Portland Head Light has the distinction of being the oldest lighthouse in Maine. It is situated on a rocky shore with waves that crash violently below. Now a maritime museum, the Portland Head Light also has a newly planted arboretum which adds to the enjoyment of visiting this historical landmark.

Graffiti Alley has the distinction of being the only location where spray-painting the side of a building is legal - in any other spot, graffiti carries a fine of almost $3,000 bucks. Ironically, graffiti is what changed this little walkway around - the Graffiti Warehouse art studio picked this spot as its headquarters in hopes of eradicating criminal activity. It seems to have worked - it now is known f...

You don't have to travel to Europe to see cobblestone streets. Acorn Street, in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, is a like stepping back into the 18th-century. The cobblestone street is flanked by red brick rowhouses with window boxes and gas lamps. As picture-perfect as it is, Beacon Hill is one of the most expensive areas of Boston.

The name means "big cold water" and, indeed, it is the largest natural freshwater spring in Michigan. Water gushes from limestone fissures at the spring's bottom and the oval pool is an emerald green hue. A covered raft takes visitors out on the water where they can observe the trout swimming in between branches covered in minerals.

Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is home to Minnehaha Falls and the lower reaches of Minnehaha Creek. Landscape architect Horace W.S. Cleveland designed the park in 1883 which preserves historic sites illustrating such themes as transportation, pioneering, and architecture. The parks central feature is the Minnehaha Falls which was made famous by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's celebrated poem "The...

Often called the best swimming hole in the state, Dunns Falls is at the very least the most spectacular wading spot. This 65-foot cascade is the tallest in the state tumbling down multiple narrow tiers. A mill and millhouse complete this scenic destination. Swimming, canoeing, and plenty of wildlife make this park a favorite among locals during the sweltering summer heat.

This 630-foot stainless steel monument is the tallest arch in the world and the tallest monument in the Western Hemisphere. Finished in 1965, the arch has also been the scene of many incidents - including those carried out by would-be stunt performers. This St. Louis landmark can be viewed by hopping on a tram which takes visitors all the way to the top.

For outstanding views of glaciers, lakes, and meadows, head to Grinnell Glacier Trailhead where your adventure starts. The 7.6 mile roundtrip hike is not the shortest or the easiest route but it is one of the most spectacular in the nation. Noted for the high level of difficulty, the trail rewards hikers with spectacular scenery.

Jim Reinders is an experimental artist who visited Stonehenge in England. He fell so much into love for Stonehenge that he decided to recreate it back in the States. The results were an altogether different take - Carhenge - a Stonehenge recreated from cars. With the aid of some family members, Reinders used 38 different vehicles mirroring the position of the rocks at Stonehenge. The vehicles include som...

The Nevada landscape is known for its neutral color palette. Swiss artist, Ugo Rondinone, wanted to break up a monotonous desert plain in Las Vegas. He gathered boulders and positioned them on top of one another, until he had seven totem-like structures about 35 feet high. Each boulder is painted a radiant color. Since these structures were made to be enjoyed by everyone, feel free to walk between them. ...

This spiraling stone staircase and crumbling walls are the only remnants of a once-grand mansion that almost completely burned down in 1962. Surrounded by a dense forest, the winding staircase gives the location a surreal atmosphere. The ruins are part of a good hike - convenient trails lead visitors from the parking lot to the site.

The White Sands National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located in the state of New Mexico. It is comprised of 275 square miles of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals and it is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. White Sands is completely surrounded by military installations and has always had an uneasy relationship with the military, especially when errant missiles fell on White S...

When the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 it was the longest suspension bridge ever built! Since then it has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service as well as a New York City Landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. The bridge requires periodic repairs and upgrades which was partially funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

This theme park, nestled against the backdrop of the Appalachians, ran for a short decade from 1970 to 1980. Afterwards it became an abandoned lot picked over by urban explorers. Now, with the resurgence of fantasy themes in our culture, the park has slowly come back to life with monthly events. One of the year's highlights is the Annual Autumn at Oz where visitors can take a skip down the Yellow Brick R...

26 feet high and anatomically correct this bison was created from stucco and cement. He was built in 1959 but wasn't given a name until 2010. Now he is known officially as Dakota Thunder and he stand guard over a herd of real, although much smaller, bison - including the famous white Dakota Miracle. Dakota Thunder is in the most convenient spot for tourists located at a reproduction frontier village dedi...

This short and wide waterfall is located in a city park. The trail runs alongside the gorge but access into the gorge is restricted. Still the much more intrepid explorers, at their own risk, go off the path into the gorge where they can get better views of the falls. Nearby natural attractions include Clifton Gorge, Lyons Falls, and Hayden Falls.

--- Permanently Closed --- Proprietor Heidi Chapman turned a penchant for collecting things into a worthwhile profession. She gathers and you buy. Old carnival rides, vintage bicycles painted bright colors, pink flamingoes, and naked mannequins - the pink turreted building is a treasure trove of wild, wonderful, and whimsical trinkets, ornaments, and unidentifiable objects.

Any place magnificent enough to be named after the Norse god of thunder is a must-see on a road trip. A yawning wound on Cape Perpetua along the Oregon Coast, this hole in the ocean seems to be endless but in reality it is only about 20 feet deep. Still the area can be as treacherous as any place located on the wild Pacific coastline. For the safety of visitors there is a sitting area near the gaping hole.

This was the palatial abode of American archaeologist Henry Mercer and it is one of the most stunning examples of a poured-in concrete building. You'll need reservations and a few hours to tour the castle as it features 44 rooms, 10 bathrooms, and 18 fireplaces. But you'll also want to examine the artwork and artifacts, many of which were embedded into the concrete when it was poured.

This walkway is open to the public and includes a stunning view of the ocean on one side with elegant Gilded-Age structures on the other. While the walk is the most recommended way of seeing Newport, it can be strenuous and tricky. If you want to opt out of the walk but still want to see the gorgeous architecture, hop on the trolley which will take you around Newport for an hour and a half.

Over 60 feet tall with a far-reaching branches and leaves providing umbrage, this tree is said to be the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi. It was planted approximately 500 years ago and has withstood violent wars and weather. Touching an organism that people touched half-a-century ago is truly a surreal experience. Crossing into its sphere, you feel the magic that transcends time and space.

This massive mountainside carving is a National Memorial carved into Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The sculpture was completed in 1941 and is roughly 60 feet high and features the granite faces of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. On the site, you'll also find a a museum with interactive exhibits.

This building is a full-scale replica of its namesake in Athens, down to the 42-foot statue of Zeus' favorite daughter. Built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, it now functions as an art museum.

Cadillac Ranch may not really be a ranch, but it really is a resting place for non-functional Cadillacs! Created in 1974 by Chip Lord and Hudson Marquez, the un-ranch features Caddies manufactured from 1949 to 1963 half-buried hood-down in the ground. The halves above ground were painted by Robert Smithson. Lord and Marquez fancied themselves as artistic rebels, but it is up to you to decide if they are ...

A hike only for those experienced enough, the Subway in Zion National Park requires permits. Those who are not seasoned hikers or rock climbers will find the path strenuous and treacherous - a 5-9 hour exercise. However, people come here because the views are unparallelled with caverns, ravines and clear, blue pools.

Ben & Jerry's is very proud of their origins in Vermont and is indeed almost synonymous with the tiny New England state. A visit to Vermont would be incomplete without a stop at their ice cream factory. For $4 you get to see the inner-workings of the famed ice-cream maker and taste some creamy samples. Stop by the shop afterwards to get your dry-goods with the logo stamped across it.

This rocky precipice is one of the most photographed spots in Virginia and along the Appalachian Trail. Offering far-reaching views of the mountains, the best time to go is in spring when the entire Catawba Valley is blanketed in green. However, go any time you like - the trail is open year round.

Pike Place Market has its share of odd wonders, and the nearby Gum Wall is no exception. The city cleaned over 2,000 pounds of the chewed goop in November 2015, but visitors are persistent in keeping this wall a landmark, gross factor and all.

Unfortunately, this imposing obelisk will be closed to the public until 2019. Visitors can still view it from the outside although they will not get the eagle's eye view of DC and the National Mall. As the world's tallest obelisk and stone structure, this monument is appropriate to honor the first POTUS and commander-in-chief who was instrumental in the secession from Britain and who bravely fought next ...

This small waterfall is at its most impressive after a heavy rainfall. It is a small fall, descending about 20 feet into the New River Gorge. The surrounding forest is the truly stunning part of this adventure - a thickly wooded area that is emerald green in summer and various shades of orange and gold in autumn.

A deep and tapered canyon located within the borders of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area, the Witch's Gulch can only be reached using the Upper Dell Boat Tour. While the boat tour is a treat in itself you will disembark to explore the slot canyon which is a two-mile loop through a forest. The boardwalk takes you in and around the gulch even through the narrowest parts. The sandstone was formed mill...

This is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone and third largest in the world. The neon colors seem to be unnatural as if someone poured in buckets of vivid paint in concentric circles. The colors are indeed natural caused by different types of heat-loving bacteria. The center which is a clear, aquamarine blue is about 189 degrees Fahrenheit, too hot for most organisms to inhabit. As the water bubbles out...

The Great Falls of the Passaic River is one of the largest waterfalls in the U.S. measuring 77 feet high or 23 meters. The falls and the surrounding area are protected as part of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. The falls played a large role in the early industrial development of New Jersey and it's been designated as a National Historic Landmark District since 1976.