22 stunning architectural feats in the United States

Easily the country’s most famous building, the titular skyscraper is a major draw for tourists. The Empire State Building spent four decades as the tallest building in the world, and it still provides some of the best views of the city today.

Initially built for a futuristic-themed 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle remains the most iconic part of Seattle’s skyline. Originally white, red, and orange (meant to be a nod to planets far, far, away), the Needle has had many iterations of style, but it is always a fun activity for visitors to take an elevator up.

The massive, red (not gold) bridge that links the West and East Bay has marveled visitors to SF since its inception in 1937. Today, numerous viewpoints around the city take in the iconic landmark — make sure to hike around the Presidio and Lands End for some of the best. If you have a car during your visit or are open to the bus, a drive across is a must! 

Leave it to Florida to have a bizarrely named landmark in a town literally named after another country. If you haven’t heard of the Singing Tower before, it is a neo-Gothic structure in the Bok Gardens. Made up of stunning coquina and black and pink-hued marble, the tower really does live up to its name, with a carillon of bells playing concerts between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm daily. 

This optical illusion is located in the district it helped name and has drawn visitors and photographers for decades. It has undergone numerous rounds of maintenance over the years, yet has always retained its original Beaux-Arts charm. Today, the Flatiron Building is primarily composed of offices, so internal tours are not available; however, you can admire it from the outside at any time of day.

The Midwest loves a giant object as a landmark, but this one doubles as a building. Once the headquarters of the Ohio basket company Longaberger, it was recently acquired by a company that intends to preserve the adorable office building.

Not the only Vanderbilt dwelling to make this list, the family’s Rhode Island mansion is the stuff of either your most ornate dreams or tackiest nightmares. Located in the wealthy town of Newport, the exterior is a classic Gilded Age stone mansion, while the interior is a bit too much for some tastes.

Who knew research could be so lovely? The Library of Congress, located in the nation’s capital, is not only the largest in the world, but also one of the most spectacular. Marble, gold paint, massive statues, and more decorate the Main Reading Room, which feels more church than academic in some instances. 

Easily the oldest on this list, these homes, dug into the cliffs of the Pueblo Tribe’s ancestors, are some of the most amazing archaeological finds in the country. Estimates put the community back to 600 AD, and today, it is both a national park and a UNESCO Heritage site.

Famously, the oldest privately owned home in the US, the Biltmore, was built by the wealthy Vanderbilt family during the late 1800s. The 250-room chateau looks like it belongs in the French countryside, but it is actually just ten minutes from downtown Asheville. Today, travelers can book a room at the “inn” (the aforementioned chateau) or an on-site cottage and spend a weekend sipping bottles at the on-site winery, wandering the gardens, and indulging in the property’s fine dining.

The country’s smallest national park is also its tallest monument at 630 feet. The Gateway Arch also holds a storied history, having taken decades after initial conception to be built. At a distance, it appears to be a simple (if massive) installation; however, the 91-acre grounds contain an underground museum, expansive green park grounds, and a tram ride to the top of the Arch!

The most iconic landmark on California’s Highway 1 is Bixby Creek Bridge, whose photo can be found all over social media. However, nestled in the mountains above the state’s most famous highway is Hearst Castle, the former estate of millionaire George Hearst. Today, private tours of the various rooms can be booked.

Another desert National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taos Pueblo, dates back over a thousand years. The ancient adobe homes are an absolute masterpiece and are still inhabited by approximately 150 people. Please be respectful while visiting.

Didn’t expect to see an ice rink here, did you? Well, Yale’s is one to behold, designed in the shape of a whale; it’s worth venturing off a campus tour to see.

Thorncrown is the stuff of wedding-Pinterest dreams. A glass and wood chapel in the forest, it was designed by a student of world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. 

Johns Hopkins University houses what has frequently topped lists of “most beautiful collegiate libraries in the world,” and it’s easy to see why. The five-level library feels like something from another era and can even be booked for weddings and events.

Built at the turn of the century during the Gilded Age, this New England mountain retreat still retains the opulence of that era. These days, visitors can stay at this once exclusive property and enjoy nearby golf, hiking, skiing, and an on-site spa.

No, I haven’t mixed up lists and taken you to Greece! Although this exact replica does pretty much look like the ancient temple it wishes to emulate, it's in Centennial Park and a big draw for tourists and residents on weekends.

Frank Lloyd Wright built many beautiful and uniquely functional homes around the country. However, this Pennsylvania house is widely regarded as one of his most famous works and features a waterfall as part of its design. 

Coronado Island is a popular day trip from San Diego, and the hotel of the same name looks more akin to a castle than a typical beach hotel. Visitors can eat on-site, wander the lobby, and check out the many famous guests, then enjoy one of the best beaches in SoCal!

This hotel is one of the best-known on the Strip. Built in a pyramid, it’ll draw your eye even on the notoriously flashy road. Pop in or book a stay to check out the Egyptian-themed interior. The top of the triangle is also equipped with a light beam said to be seen from planes in the sky.

Located in a small, unassuming mountain town en route to some of the best hiking and skiing in the east is a unique place of worship. No one quite knows why the Round Church was built, well, round, but it is worth going into for the novelty alone.