These scenic, historic and quirky destinations offer an unforgettable way to experience this country’s story.
See some of USA TODAY’s culturally significant landmarks
From the Hoover Dam to the Statue of Liberty, see America’s most treasured sights of 2026, chosen by USA TODAY.
America is celebrating its 250th anniversary, but some of its greatest treasures are not behind museum glass. In fact, some people do. But breathtaking reminders of our country’s beauty are hidden along winding roads, tucked into mountain valleys, perched atop sea cliffs, and preserved in places that tell us who we are.
From a castle built by the Sherlock Holmes actor in Connecticut to a lava field in Idaho that helped train astronauts, these destinations showcase the beauty, ingenuity, and delightful weirdness that makes America unique.
To celebrate our nation’s 50th anniversary, the USA TODAY Network has compiled 15 places that capture the spirit of America in hopes of inspiring travelers to see all of our land, unforgettable scenery, roadside attractions, historic buildings and natural wonders all at once.
Gillette Castle State Park in Connecticut
Gillette Castle State Park feels like a storybook story perched above the Connecticut River. William Gillette’s quirky handcrafted mansion, with its carved doors, custom glassware and remnants of a private railway, invites visitors to explore a world as eccentric as the actor who defined Sherlock Holmes.
Stroll along forest trails, relax by the river, discover charming Osaki cottages or take a ride on the historic Chester Haddream Ferry. Set on 184 scenic acres dotted with gardens, bridges, and tranquil picnic spots, this park combines mystery, beauty, and adventure to make every visitor feel like they’ve discovered a hidden New England treasure. Plan your visit at ctparks.com/parks/gillette-castle-state-park.
— Sandy Meindersma, Norwich Bulletin
Old New Castle in Delaware
The few square miles just south of Wilmington and the Delaware Memorial Bridge feel like a time capsule to an era centuries ago. Visitors to New Castle, Delaware are greeted by cobblestone streets, alleyways, dense urbanism, and rich history.
Stunning views of the Delaware River stretching across the bay and north toward Philadelphia serve as the backdrop for a unique experience. This small downtown is home to a museum as part of First State National Historical Park, one of the only sites operated by the National Park Service, although there are several sites in the state.
— Shane Brennan, Delaware News Journal
Cumberland Falls in Kentucky
This Kentucky gem is often referred to as the “Niagara of the South.” This natural wonder features a 45-foot curtain of water flowing into a rocky gorge. Cumberland Falls is spectacular both day and night, and it’s the only place in the Western Hemisphere where you can see a lunar rainbow, a lunar rainbow created when moonlight refracts through the waterfall’s mist.
Cumberland Falls State Park also offers hiking, bird watching, camping, and fishing. The park also has an old fire tower that is available for tours and gem mining.
—Maggie Mendersky, Louisville Courier-Journal
Virginia Museum of Frontier Culture
At the Museum of Frontier Culture in Staunton, visitors can learn about the lives and customs of Virginia’s Native American tribes through costumed historical interpreters. German, British, and Irish settlers arrive along the Great Wagon Road. And the arduous journey of enslaved Africans to become the first British permanent colony in North America.
The Shenandoah Valley’s largest outdoor living history museum is scheduled to expand to include indoor gallery space by 2027. The 40,000 square foot facility includes permanent exhibition galleries, rotating exhibition areas, a research library, flexible teaching rooms, and an indoor/outdoor pavilion.
— Patrick Hite, Staunton News Leader
Louisiana Wild Rhododendron Trail
Pine forests, upland hardwood forests, swamps, seeps, and open natural areas feature the longest continuous trail in Louisiana, known as the Wild Azalea Trail. The 45-mile trail between Lake Valentine and Woodworth is located within the 600,000-acre Kisatchee National Forest. This trail is popular with hikers and cyclists, especially during the cooler months from October to May.
March and April are the best months to look for wild rhododendrons. The trail has been recognized by the Forest Service Commissioner for its “outstanding scenic value” and has been designated a National Recreation Trail.
— Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
Pella, Iowa
Situated in the rolling farmlands of central Iowa, the picturesque Dutch-influenced Pella is a postcard-perfect town known for its festivals and carefully preserved architecture. Founded in 1847 by immigrants seeking religious freedom, Pella still feels like a slice of Holland in the Midwest.
Visitors stroll the brick streets, admire the gabled roofs, and stop for pastries at a Dutch bakery that’s been loved for generations. Every spring, the colorful tulips bloom all over the city, attracting tourists from all over the world. Blending old world charm with modern hospitality, Pella offers a charming getaway filled with culture, history and a warm community spirit.
— Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register
Grand Hotels in Michigan
The Grand Hotel has been welcoming guests since 1887, but perhaps its most famous feature is its 660-foot porch, the longest hotel porch in the world.
Perched above the Strait of Mackinac, this National Historic Landmark offers sweeping views of Lake Huron, the Mackinac Bridge, and Mackinac Island’s horse-drawn carriages, a reminder that motor vehicles are still prohibited on the island.
Beyond the iconic porch, this historic building features 388 uniquely decorated guest rooms, 14 dining options, live entertainment, and golf. Visitors can arrive at the hotel by ferry and experience a destination that seems frozen in time.
— Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press
World’s largest sisal ball in Kansas
Thousands of people visit the world’s largest sisal ball each year, located under an outdoor gazebo in Coker City, a community of about 450 people in north-central Kansas.
The ball of twine is at least 11 feet tall, weighs about 29,000 pounds, and has a circumference of at least 46 feet. This unlikely tourist attraction was inspired 73 years ago when a farmer saw twine strewn across his barn floor. He started rolling with it and the rest is history.
— Tim Lentil, Topeka Capital-Journal
Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
“Great face, great place,” sings the infamous South Dakota jingle. But who doesn’t know about the granite busts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt? Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills is known as an “Icon of America” for its massive structure, but it also attracts 2 million visitors a year for its nightly lighting ceremonies, ranger-led activities, and half-mile presidential trail just below its 20-foot nose.
Mount Rushmore is South Dakota’s national treasure and is monitored four times a day for even 0.0001 inch movement to ensure maximum preservation. Still, make time early to take that iconic family photo.
— Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho
You don’t need a spaceship to go to the moon, or at least somewhere similar. Craters of the Moon National Monument Preserve, located on the Snake River Plain in Idaho, is home to three vast lava fields and sagebrush meadows that have been described as “bizarre and scenic,” according to the National Park Service.
Volcanic activity has occurred in this region for millions of years, most recently around 2,100 years ago. The preserve is also part of the ancestral homeland of the Shoshone-Bannock people and serves as a research site for NASA. The Apollo 14 astronauts “explored lava terrain and learned the basics of volcanic geology in preparation for future trips to the Moon,” NPS said on its website.
— Nathan Diller, USA TODAY
Monument Valley, Arizona
Monument Valley is one of the most iconic landscapes in the Western United States. The unique red Rock Butte is often featured in movies, calendars, and magazines. But Navajo Nation Park’s rock formations are more than just beautiful and unusual. You can get a glimpse of the power of nature and time.
For more than 50 million years, erosion has shaped the landscape into the impressive geological formations we see today. Ride a 17-mile scenic loop, stopping to take in the majesty of Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte, or sign up for a guided tour off the beaten path. Plan your visit at navajonationparks.org/navajo-tribal-parks/monument-valley.
— Shelby Slade, Arizona
Arches National Park in Utah
At first glance, the rusted sandstone rock formations of Arches National Park seem impossible. Intricate arches perfectly frame patches of sky and distant mountains. It took 300 million years to carve each of the elegant arches that characterize this national park.
As you walk among the towering structures, you’re reminded of how much has changed in that time. As the rock eroded and wore into iconic shapes, indigenous people hunted, gathered, and farmed alongside it. You can see the piles of rubble and the petroglyphs they left behind. These artifacts stand as reminders of those who came before and an indication of what life was like in this part of the country’s western desert.
— Shelby Slade, Arizona
Timberline Lodge in Oregon
Timberline Lodge, located 6,000 feet above snow-capped Mount Hood east of Portland, Oregon, was built between 1936 and 1938 using volcanic stone and nearby giant trees. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the style of early national park lodges. The building is part ski resort, part private hotel, part adventure basecamp.
On any given day, wealthy lodge guests and gruff thru-hikers mingle just off the Pacific Crest Trail, enjoying stunning views of the 11,249-foot volcano. In the summer, skiers can enjoy Palmer Snowfield through August (North America’s longest ski season), and hikers can trek from the Timberline parking lot to wildflower meadows and rustic cabins.
— Zach Arness, Salem Statesman Journal
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau is the only U.S. state capital that is not accessible by road, and offers a unique combination of nature, history, and culture that makes Alaska unique. Surrounded by mountains, the Inside Passage, and the Tongass National Forest, this city is your gateway to whale watching, glacier adventure, and rainforest exploration.
Visitors can marvel at Mendenhall Glacier, ride the Mount Roberts Tramway, and spot bears along Steep Creek. Juneau reflects layers of Native American, Russian, and Gold Rush history. A quirky local stop, Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure features the famous upside-down “Flower Tower,” where fallen spruce trees are transformed into colorful works of art.
— Josh Rivera, USA TODAY
rainbow drive in hawaii
A visit to the Rainbow Drive-In offers a taste of Hawaii’s history through the iconic Plate Lunch, a hearty meal born from the fusion of the cultures of immigrant plantation workers in the late 1800s.
Opened in 1961 and still family-owned, the Honolulu restaurant is popular with locals and tourists alike, serving classic combinations of rice, macaroni salad, and protein-packed appetizers.
Plate lunches reflect Hawaii’s multicultural heritage. Travelers can dine at Rainbow Drive-In and head to nearby Diamond Head Beach Park for a scenic picnic away from the crowds of Waikiki.
— Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY
