7 US Landmarks I Would Skip Next Time + 15 That Truly Blew Me Away
After three months on the road, I’ve stood in front of icons, detoured for hidden gems, and lined up for more than a few tourist traps. Some places stopped me in my tracks. Others felt like boxes to check, crowded and underwhelming.
This list pulls no punches—just a straight look at the landmarks that delivered something unforgettable and the ones I wouldn’t go out of my way for again.
1. Times Square – New York, NY
Bright lights and endless advertisements assault your senses from every angle. The constant crush of tourists makes it nearly impossible to move freely or enjoy the experience.
Times Square embodies commercialism at its most extreme, with few authentic experiences to be found. Unless you enjoy overpriced chain restaurants and being solicited by costumed characters, your time is better spent elsewhere in the city.
2. Hollywood Walk of Fame – Los Angeles, CA
Gum-stained sidewalks and hurried locals pushing past create a far less glamorous scene than movies portray. The surrounding area feels gritty and uninspiring despite its iconic status.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame stretches along grimy boulevards where you’ll spend more time avoiding street performers than appreciating celebrity stars. Save yourself the disappointment and explore LA’s authentic neighborhoods instead.
3. Plymouth Rock – Plymouth, MA
A surprisingly tiny stone sits protected under a granite canopy, leaving most visitors scratching their heads. The historic significance feels lost when confronted with such an underwhelming display.
Plymouth Rock measures just a fraction of what most imagine when picturing this legendary landing spot. After traveling specifically to see it, you’ll likely spend more time in the gift shop than viewing the actual rock.
4. Four Corners Monument – NM, AZ, CO, UT
Remote desert stretches for miles around a simple concrete marker where four states meet. After hours of driving through barren landscape, the payoff feels minimal at best.
The Four Corners Monument consists mainly of waiting in line for a quick photo opportunity. Once you’ve straddled the four states simultaneously, there’s literally nothing else to do except buy Native American crafts from surrounding stalls.
5. South Of The Border – Dillon, SC
Faded roadside attractions and outdated stereotypes greet weary travelers at this highway stop. What might have been novel decades ago now feels like a sad relic of the past.
South of the Border’s neon signs promise more than the reality delivers. The sombrero tower and gift shops filled with cheap trinkets offer little authentic value, while the restaurants serve mediocre food at best.
6. The Alamo – San Antonio, TX
Surrounded by tourist shops and high-rise buildings, this historic site feels strangely disconnected from its significant past. Many visitors express surprise at how small the actual structure is.
The Alamo sits in stark contrast to its urban surroundings, making it difficult to imagine the famous battle. Despite its importance in American history, the crowded venue and brief self-guided tour left me wanting a more immersive experience.
7. Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) – Chicago, IL
Selfie sticks and photo-hungry tourists surround this reflective sculpture at all hours. Getting a clean shot without strangers in the frame proves nearly impossible.
Cloud Gate sits in beautiful Millennium Park, but the experience feels rushed and impersonal. After snapping the obligatory distorted reflection photo, most visitors quickly move on, having spent less than five minutes at this supposedly must-see Chicago landmark.
8. Antelope Canyon – Arizona
Sunlight filters through narrow passageways, creating an otherworldly display of colors and shadows. The smooth, flowing rock formations seem to move like liquid frozen in time.
Antelope Canyon’s swirling sandstone walls tell stories of ancient flash floods that carved this masterpiece. Walking through these slot canyons feels like entering a natural cathedral where light beams create magical spotlights on the orange-red surfaces.
9. Badlands National Park – South Dakota
Rugged spires and colorful buttes stretch across the horizon in dramatic fashion. The unexpected palette of purples, yellows, and reds transforms what could be a barren landscape into nature’s art gallery.
Badlands National Park offers surprisingly accessible hiking trails through terrain that resembles another planet. Wildlife sightings, including bison and bighorn sheep, add to the magic of this underrated gem that doesn’t attract the crowds of more famous parks.
10. Glacier National Park – Montana
Jaw-dropping mountain vistas appear around every bend of the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road. Alpine meadows burst with wildflowers beneath snow-capped peaks that seem to touch the clouds.
Glacier National Park delivers breathtaking beauty at a scale that makes you feel wonderfully small. The crystal-clear lakes reflect perfect mirror images of surrounding mountains, while remnant glaciers (visit soon before they’re gone!) remind us of nature’s powerful forces.
11. Acadia National Park – Maine
Granite peaks rise dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean, creating a rare meeting of mountains and sea. Morning hikes reward early risers with some of America’s first sunrise views from Cadillac Mountain.
Acadia National Park perfectly balances rugged coastline with forested trails and carriage roads. The thundering waves against rocky shores, combined with peaceful inland ponds, offer diverse experiences within a relatively compact area that feels both wild and accessible.
12. Savannah Historic District – Georgia
Spanish moss drapes gracefully from massive oak trees, creating natural canopies over charming squares. The unhurried atmosphere invites leisurely exploration of perfectly preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings.
Savannah’s Historic District feels like stepping into a living museum where history breathes through every brick and wrought-iron detail. The walkable grid of streets, punctuated by 22 park-like squares, makes this one of America’s most beautiful urban spaces.
13. Big Sur Coastline – California
Dramatic cliffs plunge hundreds of feet into the turquoise Pacific below, creating nature’s perfect backdrop. Around each curve of Highway 1, another breathtaking vista appears, somehow more stunning than the last.
Big Sur offers the quintessential California coastal experience without the crowds of more accessible beaches. The famous Bixby Bridge stands as just one highlight among countless spots where you’ll want to pull over, breathe the salt air, and simply stare in awe.
14. Crater Lake – Oregon
Impossibly blue water fills this ancient volcanic caldera, creating a scene so perfect it seems digitally enhanced. The clarity and color intensity of the lake against snow-white cliffs create a natural contrast that photography barely captures.
Crater Lake formed when Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago, creating the deepest lake in America. The 33-mile Rim Drive offers countless viewpoints of this sapphire jewel nestled within the remnants of the volcano.
15. Garden Of The Gods – Colorado
Massive red rock formations thrust dramatically skyward against brilliant blue Colorado skies. These natural sculptures, with names like Balanced Rock and Kissing Camels, seem almost deliberately placed for maximum visual impact.
Garden of the Gods offers surprisingly accessible trails that wind between towering sandstone features. The contrast between the rust-colored rocks, green pine trees, and snow-capped Pikes Peak in the background creates a photographer’s paradise just minutes from Colorado Springs.
16. Dry Tortugas National Park – Florida
Crystal-clear turquoise waters surround a massive 19th-century fort on this remote island paradise. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.
Dry Tortugas National Park offers world-class snorkeling directly from pristine beaches. Fort Jefferson’s imposing brick walls create a fascinating historical contrast to the natural beauty, while the limited visitor numbers ensure you’ll find secluded spots to enjoy this Caribbean-like setting within US borders.
17. Mount Rainier – Washington
Towering 14,410 feet above sea level, this snow-capped volcano dominates the landscape from virtually every angle. Alpine meadows burst with colorful wildflowers during the brief summer season, creating nature’s perfect garden.
Mount Rainier creates its own weather systems and ecosystems as you ascend through different elevation zones. The accessible Paradise area lives up to its name with relatively easy trails offering spectacular views of glaciers, waterfalls, and the massive peak that locals simply call “The Mountain.”
18. Great Sand Dunes – Colorado
Massive waves of sand rise unexpectedly against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, creating a surreal landscape. The tallest dunes in North America offer a playground unlike any other national park.
Great Sand Dunes National Park invites visitors to climb, slide, and explore this extraordinary ecosystem. The physical challenge of hiking up shifting sand makes reaching the highest dunes rewarding, while the unique sound of “singing sand” adds to the otherworldly experience.
19. White Sands National Park – New Mexico
Endless waves of pristine gypsum create a dazzling white landscape that feels otherworldly. The brilliant sand reflects sunlight so intensely that even on hot days, it remains cool to the touch.
White Sands National Park offers visitors the unique experience of sledding down dunes on plastic discs. As the sun sets, the white landscape transforms with pink and purple hues, creating a magical atmosphere that feels more like another planet than New Mexico desert.
20. Muir Woods – California
Ancient redwood giants create a cathedral-like atmosphere where sunlight filters through in ethereal rays. The hushed environment naturally inspires visitors to speak in whispers, respecting the presence of living organisms over 1,000 years old.
Muir Woods offers accessible boardwalk trails through old-growth forest just minutes from San Francisco. The cool, misty microclimate provides perfect growing conditions for these coastal redwoods, whose massive trunks and soaring heights put human existence into humbling perspective.
21. The Wave – Arizona
Swirling sandstone formations create natural patterns so perfect they seem designed by an artist. The limited daily permits (only 64 people allowed) make reaching this remote site feel like a true achievement.
The Wave requires a challenging hike through unmarked desert terrain, adding to its exclusive appeal. The undulating rock formations, with their bands of red, pink, yellow, and white, create a mesmerizing natural masterpiece that rewards those lucky enough to secure the highly competitive permits.
22. Mount Desert Island – Maine
Rocky shorelines meet dense forests and rounded mountain peaks on this perfect New England island. The contrast between ocean views and forest trails creates endless exploration opportunities within a relatively compact area.
Mount Desert Island houses most of Acadia National Park plus charming coastal towns like Bar Harbor. The scenic Park Loop Road connects highlights including Thunder Hole, where waves crash dramatically against rocky shores, and Jordan Pond, offering peaceful reflections of surrounding mountains.