21 Big-Name US Landmarks You Will Love (And 4 That Might Let You Down)
Famous landmarks across the U.S. draw millions every year with the promise of bucket-list moments and iconic views. Many live up to the hype—offering stunning scenery, deep history, or just that unforgettable “wow” factor.
But not every big-name attraction hits the mark. Some feel overcrowded, underwhelming, or just plain overrated. Knowing the difference can help you spend your time (and travel budget) wisely.
1. Statue Of Liberty
Standing tall in New York Harbor, this copper colossus welcomes visitors with an unmistakable silhouette. The Statue of Liberty represents freedom and democracy, gifted by France in 1886.
Taking the ferry to Liberty Island adds to the experience, with Manhattan’s skyline creating a perfect backdrop for photos.
2. Grand Canyon
Nothing prepares you for that first glimpse over the rim. Stretching nearly 300 miles long and up to 18 miles wide, the Grand Canyon showcases billions of years of Earth’s history in its colorful rock layers.
Sunrise and sunset transform the canyon walls into a living painting that photographs can’t fully capture.
3. Golden Gate Bridge
Fiery orange-red spans stretch across the bay, creating one of the world’s most photographed structures. The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County with 1.7 miles of engineering brilliance.
Fog rolling through the towers creates magical moments for photographers, while walking across offers stunning views of Alcatraz and the city skyline.
4. Mount Rushmore
Carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, four presidential faces gaze eternally eastward. Mount Rushmore’s 60-foot granite portraits of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln took 14 years to complete.
The evening lighting ceremony adds drama to the experience, illuminating these massive sculptures against the dark sky.
5. Lincoln Memorial
Marble steps lead to a contemplative space where history feels present and powerful. The Lincoln Memorial houses Daniel Chester French’s massive seated sculpture of our 16th president.
Reading the Gettysburg Address inscribed on the wall while standing before Lincoln’s 19-foot figure creates a profound connection to American history.
6. Times Square
Brilliant digital billboards create a canyon of light that turns night into day. Times Square pulses with energy at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.
Street performers, flagship stores, and Broadway theaters surround visitors in a sensory overload that embodies New York’s reputation as the city that never sleeps.
7. Empire State Building
Art Deco elegance soars above Manhattan, standing as a testament to American ambition and engineering. The Empire State Building was the world’s tallest structure for nearly 40 years after its 1931 completion.
Observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors offer panoramic views that reveal the city’s grid layout and surrounding waterways.
8. National Mall
Stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, this green space forms America’s front yard. The National Mall houses world-class museums, monuments, and memorials that tell the nation’s story.
Visiting during cherry blossom season adds natural beauty to the experience, with pink blooms framing iconic structures.
9. Alcatraz Island
Surrounded by frigid waters and treacherous currents sits a prison designed to hold America’s most notorious criminals. Alcatraz operated as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, housing infamous inmates like Al Capone.
The audio tour narrated by former guards and prisoners brings the cells and isolation rooms to life with stories of escape attempts.
10. Space Needle
Retro-futuristic architecture pierces the Seattle skyline like something from a sci-fi movie. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and stands 605 feet tall.
A rotating glass floor called “The Loupe” adds thrills to the observation experience, allowing visitors to look straight down while enjoying 360-degree views of the city, mountains, and Puget Sound.
11. Liberty Bell
Famous for its distinctive crack, this bronze icon symbolizes American independence and the abolition movement. The Liberty Bell weighs 2,080 pounds and bears the inscription “Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof.”
Visitors can get remarkably close to this piece of history, housed in a glass pavilion across from Independence Hall.
12. Hoover Dam
Concrete curves hold back the mighty Colorado River in a testament to Depression-era determination and engineering. Hoover Dam created Lake Mead while providing hydroelectric power to Nevada, Arizona, and California.
Walking across the top delivers vertigo-inducing views down the 726-foot face, while tours inside reveal massive generators still producing electricity.
13. Hollywood Sign
Nine white letters perched on Mount Lee have become an international symbol of showbiz dreams and stardom. Originally erected in 1923 as “HOLLYWOODLAND” to advertise a real estate development, the Hollywood Sign has appeared in countless films and photos.
Hiking trails in Griffith Park offer various vantage points for capturing this iconic landmark.
14. Yellowstone National Park
Geysers shoot skyward on schedule while rainbow-colored hot springs shimmer in otherworldly hues. Yellowstone became America’s first national park in 1872, protecting a unique landscape shaped by volcanic forces.
Bison roam freely across meadows, and bears occasionally make appearances, creating wildlife viewing opportunities you won’t find elsewhere.
15. Niagara Falls
Millions of gallons cascade over limestone cliffs with such force that the roar can be heard before the falls come into view. Niagara consists of three falls – Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil – creating the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America.
The Maid of the Mist boat tour brings visitors thrillingly close to the thundering water.
16. Kennedy Space Center
Rockets point skyward, ready to continue humanity’s greatest adventure into the final frontier. Kennedy Space Center has served as America’s primary launch facility since the 1960s, sending astronauts to the moon and beyond.
The Shuttle Atlantis exhibit displays a real spacecraft that traveled to space 33 times, positioned as if floating in orbit.
17. Gateway Arch
Gleaming stainless steel forms the nation’s tallest monument in a perfect mathematical curve. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis rises 630 feet above the Mississippi River, commemorating westward expansion.
A unique tram system carries visitors to the observation area at the top, where windows provide views extending 30 miles on clear days.
18. The White House
Presidential power resides behind white columns and iconic porticos in the world’s most famous executive residence. The White House has been home to every U.S. president except George Washington since its completion in 1800.
Public tours require advance reservations but allow visitors to see historic rooms where crucial decisions shaping world history have been made.
19. Yosemite National Park
Granite monoliths rise thousands of feet from valley floors while waterfalls plunge dramatically from hanging valleys. Yosemite preserves a Sierra Nevada landscape carved by glaciers, featuring landmarks like Half Dome and El Capitan.
Changing seasons transform the park, from spring’s roaring waterfalls to fall’s golden light on meadows and winter’s snowy tranquility.
20. Las Vegas Strip
Neon dreams and architectural fantasies create a playground where Paris, Venice, and New York exist side by side. The Las Vegas Strip packs world-class entertainment, dining, and gambling into a 4.2-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard.
Free attractions like the Bellagio fountains and volcano shows at the Mirage offer spectacular sights even if you’re not hitting the casinos.
21. Walt Disney World
Childhood wonder comes alive across four theme parks and two water parks spread over 25,000 acres. Walt Disney World combines nostalgic attractions with cutting-edge technology in immersive lands based on beloved stories and characters.
Cinderella Castle serves as the resort’s iconic centerpiece, visible from throughout Magic Kingdom and featuring in countless family photos.
22. Plymouth Rock
Expectations often crumble upon seeing this modest boulder housed in a granite portico. The supposed landing site of the Pilgrims in 1620, Plymouth Rock is surprisingly small – about the size of a coffee table.
The simple “1620” inscription and its diminutive size lead many visitors to ask, “Is that it?” Yet its historical significance outweighs its physical presence.
23. The Four Corners Monument
Remote desert surroundings frame a simple granite and brass marker where four states meet. The Four Corners Monument allows visitors to physically place themselves in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado simultaneously.
Beyond the photo opportunity of standing in four states, there’s little else to see or do, making the long drive disappointing for some travelers.
24. Hollywood Walk Of Fame
Celebrity names embedded in terrazzo and brass stars line busy sidewalks filled with street performers and souvenir shops. The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches 1.3 miles along Hollywood Boulevard, featuring over 2,700 stars honoring entertainment achievements.
Reality often disappoints as visitors navigate crowded, sometimes gritty sidewalks while searching for favorite celebrities’ stars.
25. Times Square (The Other Side)
Sensory overload hits hard in this commercial crossroads where crowds can reach overwhelming density. While Times Square delivers on promises of bright lights and big-city energy, many visitors find the reality less glamorous than expected.
Crowded sidewalks, aggressive costumed characters seeking tips, and chain restaurants charging premium prices can make this landmark feel more exhausting than exhilarating.