50 Famous Places in All 50 States

Sights like the Statue of Liberty and Grand Central Terminal (pictured) have appeared in so many TV shows and films that even if you've never been there, you feel as if you have. There's magic in that. Read through this state-by-state list of famous places to see if any of these landmarks feel famously familiar.

Known for its monumental role as a meeting place during the African-American civil rights movement, Brown Chapel AME Church is a significant historic landmark. During the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr. and protesters used Brown Chapel as a gathering point to begin the walk from Selma to Montgomery. This led to the eventual adoption of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, forbidding racial discrimination in voting. The church was used again as a meeting place twice for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Have you ever wondered where the best place to see the northern lights would be? If you ask those in the know, they'll tell you to go to the famed Fairbanks, Alaska—arguably the best place in the world for aurora borealis spotting. Spectators have a chance to see the darkened night sky streaked with glowing natural light four out of five nights from August 21 to April 21, known as aurora season.

Built right into the red rock of Arizona, Chapel of the Holy Cross draws crowds for many reasons, particularly for its striking architecture. The outside aesthetic of this unique place of worship is enough to get the attention of anyone, but the views from inside is the truly captivating sight. Sunset becomes a spiritual experience if you get to watch it from this Sedona, Arizona, locale.

At the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, even the building is considered a remarkable work of design. Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, established the museum with free entry for visitors. The grounds are as beautiful as the gallery and have attracted millions of visitors since it was founded in 2011. After viewing some of the peculiar and breathtaking exhibits, a stroll on one of the walking paths invites observers to serenely ponder their experience.

With architect Julia Morgan, media magnate William Randolph Hearst spent 28 years of his life designing, constructing and filling Hearst Castle with personal and practical treasures. Hearst was best known for being the inspiration for the fictional main character Charles Foster Kane in the well-known 1941 film "Citizen Kane." Keeping in theme with his real-life inspiration, Orson Welles also based the "Xanadu" mansion from the movie on Hearst Castle.

Just 10 miles away from Aspen, some say that Maroon Bells is the most photographed place in Colorado. Onlookers appreciate the brilliance of color between the two peaks, which reach over 14,000 feet each. This is one of those places you have to see to believe, as it transforms into a completely new scene every season.

William Gillette was known to portray the fictional sleuth Sherlock Holmes onstage like no one else has been able to since the turn of the 20th century. The actor shared a fondness for detail with his fictional counterpart, overseeing the intricate design of Gillette Castle, set above the Connecticut River. For instance, the residence of the late actor had several stand-alone woodworks, including 47 uniquely carved doors, none of which have the same design as another.

Recognized for its French chateau style at the tippy-top of Delaware, Nemours Mansion and Gardens is a sprawling estate. The enormous French-style landscape (aka jardin à la française) is the largest of its kind that you'll find on the continent. Visitors can also check out the exotic cars, sculptures and pieces of art that decorate the estate. The mansion shows the European roots of its creator, Alfred I. du Pont and was a gift to his second wife, Alice_._

Come on, who doesn't want to see a freakin' official rocket-launching site? The Kennedy Space Center in Florida is renowned as the place where Apollo 11, the first successful mission sending men to the moon, was launched. It's still an active NASA site, but locals and tourists can enjoy the visitors complex, which offers a full day's worth of activities. Plus, when's the last time you've seen a space rocket up close?

Initially it was a part of prettying up the city to prepare for the 1996 Olympics, but now Centennial Olympic Park is the tourist epicenter of Atlanta. On hot, summer days, kids enjoy running through the water that sprays up, out and around the five-ringed Olympic symbol, marking the event that started it all. Situated between SkyView (a gigantic Ferris wheel), Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and World of Coca-Cola, this popular park is chock-full of days' worth of entertainment.

An exceptional residence-turned-museum, Iolani Palace holds the distinction of being the the only official home to monarchs in the United States. The land the building sits on is believed to have spiritual significance. It was home to five kings before King Kalakaua built the palace that stands there today. Queen Lili'uokalani was the last royal to live there when the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893.

Since everybody knows Idaho for its potatoes, it comes as no surprise that the Idaho Potato Museum is dedicated to its most famous association. The museum sits in the old Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot and adds a definite nostalgic feel. Of course, you'll have the option of purchasing a genuine Idaho potato at the end of the informative tour.

Even if you've never been to Chicago, you probably recognize Cloud Gate (nicknamed "The Bean"), that smooth, rounded steel sculpture in Millennium Park. Visitors are tempted to engage with this ominous art piece, walking under its 12-foot arch and gazing at its distorted reflection of Chi-town's skyline. It's part of a collection of other striking and stately art pieces that are situated around downtown.

In addition to housing the Indianapolis Zoo, White River State Park is an urban sanctuary with sculptures that pop, grounds that impress and an energy that consumes. Park-goers can enjoy canoeing, picnicking and just taking a walk over White River Promenade. Indoor activities include watching movies on the IMAX theater at the Indiana State Museum or touring the NCAA Hall of Champions.

The 1989 movie "Field of Dreams " was filmed near Dyersville, Iowa, and a baseball diamond was created for filming purposes on farmland owned by two separate families. For a hefty price, movie lovers can have a true Kevin Costner-esque experience by staying overnight in one of the houses on the property. For a much lower fee, visitors can go on a tour of the land and even watch a special team dubbed the "Ghost Players" play baseball on the diamond.

In Topeka, Kansas, an unfortunate chain of events led to the significant court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, a legal battle that would alter the course of American history for the better. In 1954, the United States Supreme Court decided that separate education facilities for blacks and whites was not equal and violated the 14th amendment of the Constitution. Today, the Monroe Elementary School building, once a segregated school, is used to commemorate this history-changing event.

At the oh-so-popular Newport Aquarium in Kentucky, there are thousands of animals living in more than a million gallons of water. The mega marine habitat stays open every day of the year and contains an array of habitats to accommodate its various species. Touch a shark, meet a penguin or just marvel at the seamless acrylic tanks and the life floating behind their walls.

Best known for being a state with the essence of a country all its own, Louisiana has the kind of history that creates new culture. Mixed with French, Spanish and Haitian influences, the history of New Orleans stems from the French Quarter, its city-central neighborhood. In 1718, the city was founded here and after several mass trades and migrations, it turned into one of the more tourist-heavy residential regions.

The only candy-striped lighthouse in the country, the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Lubec, Maine, is also known as the easternmost point of the U.S. From its vantage point, the first flicks of light from the rising sun will warm this place before any other place in America. The entire West Quoddy State Park is a great place for watching sea life and hiking along gorgeous red cliffs.

Trusty Fort McHenry in Baltimore was used defensively during the War of 1812 while under British attack. During the Civil War, it was used to detain Confederate soldiers and other sympathizers of southern opponents. This was also the fort Francis Scott Key witnessed under attack that inspired his penning of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Now, Fort McHenry is a designated national monument and historic shrine, allowing visitors to admire it pentagonal design and intense, war-entrenched story.

Symbolic to the evolution of Boston, Fenway Park has been renovated and expanded several times since it was first built, giving it features unusual for an official major league field. Home to the Red Sox, Fenway Park is the oldest baseball park in Major League Baseball history that's still in use.

The Detroit Marriott, the tallest building in Michigan, and the six other skyscrapers surrounding it make up the Renaissance Center (rebranded GMRENCEN in recent years). Sitting front and center on the Detroit River, the busy city central is filled with hotels, casinos, restaurants and shops. Weekends pull in ample tourists and locals with the bustling sounds and high energy that come with such concentrated excitement.

Named after the Minnesota native and art enthusiast Frederick R. Weisman, the Weisman Art Museum is a dynamic teaching museum on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The brick façade facing campus blends in with the other buildings, but the westward entrance of the building is an abstract steel design, created by architect Frank Gehry. Admission to this visually addictive sight is free.

Where it has been said that jazz was born in New Orleans, it has also been noted that blues was born near Clarksdale, Mississippi. Called "The Land Where Blues Began," great blues musicians like Sam Cooke and Muddy Waters grew up in and nearby Clarksdale. The Delta Blues Museum enshrines their memory, among many others, and shelters music memorabilia related to the origins of this emotionally significant genre.

When you see this famed stainless steel curve, you know you're in St. Louis, Missouri. The Gateway Arch climbs high to overshadow other wannabes. It's known for being the tallest arch in the world and the tallest accessible building in Missouri. Take a tram to the top, learn facts about how it was constructed at the museum, or simply take in the site of the awesome arch from a cruise on the St. Louis River.

Opened in 1863, the Star Bakery is a historical eatery in Virginia City, Montana. Back then, it served beer and bread to hungry miners. Today, patrons from far and wide line up for the popular pastries. The Star Bakery kept its rustic western appeal throughout the years and a high quality of service, making customers feel at home whether they're local or passing through.

Renamed after the late husband of major donor Margaret Hitchcock Doorly, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was the most visited attraction in all of Nebraska in 2016. The acclaimed zoo is serious about its conservation efforts and often breeds and releases a number of endangered species. In this eclectic animal haven, visitors can find a butterfly house, aquarium, rainforest and the world's largest indoor desert, encased in a giant dome and spotted at the entrance.

Did you know that some people think that there is a Lake Tahoe Monster, similar to Nessie in Scotland's Loch Ness? The crystal clear waters of the 2-million-year-old lake bordering Nevada and California reveal more than most people are used to seeing. Lake Tahoe is also known for its incredible tap water, so if there is a Nessie-like creature swimming around, at least it's not polluting!

If you've never been on an old-timey train before, save the experience for Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire. The station pays homage to Victorian architecture of the past, offering passengers more than a train ride, but a trip back in time. Once onboard one of the vintage cars, riders witness stunning views of New Hampshire's lush forest scenery while enjoying a meal and beauty-filled pit stops along the way.

Made ultra-famous by our favorite returning MTV cast of characters, including the infamous Snooki and DJ Pauly D, the Jersey Shore is probably what you think of first when New Jersey is mentioned. Sandy beaches and boardwalks along 127 miles of shoreline give families plenty of options for vacays or staycays. Severe weather has threatened the popular tourist destination in recent years, but the determination of residents keeps the Shore alive and full of the energy we expect.

World renowned for its "Miraculous Staircase," many flock to Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the urban legend inside the former Catholic girls school. No one knows who built the staircase, or what kind of wood it's made of. Even more, the stairs are said to be constructed with pegs and glue, instead of nails and modern hardware, and besides its spiral shape forming a sort of spine, the mysterious winding staircase has no real support, leaving spectators curious and guessing.

Big, bountiful and beyond comparison, the New York Public Library at Bryant Park is timeless. The fascinating building is the keeper of more than 50 million items and houses miles of stacks, underground shelving filled with books. The well-known, marble-filled Rose Main Reading Room and the Bill Blass Public Catalog Room underwent a $12 million renovation in 2016 and are now both considered a protected historical landmark.

Open to the public for tours, Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, is the largest privately owned home in the United States. The massive mansion is surrounded by a horse ranch, lagoon, winery, greenhouse and gardens spread out over close to 7,000 acres of land (that's almost 11 square miles). The estate was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also co-designed Central Park in New York and Piedmont Park in Atlanta.

Although it was constructed in 1926, Fargo Theatre was restored in 1999 to its present state. This art-deco venue in North Dakota hosts frequent live events and shows foreign and independent films, too. Since 2001, this has been the official gathering place for the Fargo Film Festival, showing movies submitted from around the world. The theater pulls plenty of international attention, but locals appreciate this staple of their community and the cheap popcorn and sodas available in the retro lobby.

With inductees like Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Prince and Madonna, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has the official roll call of badass hit-makers who contributed to the genre. The prism-shaped glass building sits on the shoreline of Lake Erie. The facility acts as a sort of interactive museum while showcasing some of the greatest musicians of all time and what their legacy means to rock 'n' roll history.

Visitors of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden always leave with a smile on their faces. Kids and adults love the OKC Zoo for the opportunity to interact with wildlife, especially when they have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the gentle giants during giraffe-feeding time. Patrons feel a sense of ease seeing animals in habitats that are eerily similar to the natural homes they replicate. The zoo also offer other engaging amenities, including guided safari cart tours.

Referred to by those who live nearby as Portland's Living Room, Oregon's Pioneer Courthouse Square is where people want to hang out. Here, you'll find food trucks, a snazzy Starbucks and the HD broadcasting studio for local TV station KGW. If you look closely at the bricks laid in the square, you'll see the name of citizens who donated $15 towards its construction between 1981-82.

Frank Lloyd Wright was a writer and designer who coined the term "organic architecture," where manmade structures unite harmoniously with the surrounding nature. In 1935, Wright created his most famous work, Fallingwater, for the owner of Kaufmann's Department Store (acquired by Macy's) in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Situated over a waterfall in the Allegheny Mountains, Fallingwater has been open to the public since 1964 and has attracted throngs of organic architecture lovers ever since.

Famed Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, is both a spiritual and historical landmark. The well-earned notoriety is because the colonial-era house of worship is the oldest synagogue building in America. The building design is considered to be the greatest work of Peter Harrison, who included intricate religiously significant details.

Obviously, we're all familiar with the beach part of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but when in town, the prominent Broadway at the Beach is where you want to budget most of your time. The options are endless at this entertainment wonderland. See a movie, ride in a jet boat, visit Ripley's Aquarium and go zip-lining—all in the same location. And that's not even scratching the surface!

Master sculptor Gutzon Borglum chose the four presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt to be immortalized in granite for sound reasons. According to him, the quad-faced Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota is to communicate "the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the United States," ideals respective to what each leader symbolized in American history. Originally, the men were going to be carved from the waist up, but lack of funding cut them short.

The heavily visited Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, was the actual home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley. Visitors can tour his former home and immerse themselves in everything Elvis at the on-site museum. Go through a self-guided tour to view his glitzy costumes, vintage cars and actual gold records. If you weren't an Elvis superfan before entering Graceland, you'll definitely leave as one.

Whether you live in Texas or not, you should know about the San Antonio River Walk, remembered for its colorful umbrellas that cover riverside diners. This inviting walk connects key parts of the city for easy access to pedestrians. Along the way, expect to stroll by fragrant flora lining the path and loud laugher coming from the restaurants and shops nearby. Crossing the arched stone bridges is a great chance to stop and take a pic in this cute and cozy area of Texas.

For the many natural wonders that Utah is known for, Zion National Park stands out among the rest. With its various elevations that are perfect for growing assortments of plants and supporting different kinds of species, the site is bursting with dazzling vegetation and wildlife. Streams that pass through the valley made this a viable home for the Native Americans that inhabited the area over 8,000 years ago.

Abraham Lincoln's eldest son and the only one who lived into adulthood, Robert Lincoln, purchased Hildene, a summer home away from Washington, D.C., in the town of Manchester, Vermont. Until 1975, the descendants of the Lincoln lineage continued to live in the house until the last person of the bloodline passed away. Today, you can walk through the interior of Hildene, which has invaluable antique furniture that belonged to the monarch-like Lincoln family.

Amusement parks seem to get attention no matter where they're located, but Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia is known for its more exclusive qualities. Keeping in tradition with Williamsburg's colonial vibes, this Busch Gardens has a unique design and layout that compliments its host town. The park has gone through several name changes over the years, originally called Busch Gardens: The Old Country.

People were so excited to see the Seattle Space Needle when it was completed in 1962 that more than 2 million people showed up in Washington to lay their eyes on it. Now, when you see the 605-foot structure from a distance, you can be sure you're glancing at Seattle's skyline. The observation deck, just 85 feet below the top of the needle, looks down on the city and out at Mount Rainier from the best possible viewpoint.

Set on the Greenbriar River in West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad holds a charming reminder of what used to be. Giddy passengers peer down Bald Knob, West Virginia's third-highest point, as they clack along 11 miles of track on Back Allegheny Mountain. This visually stimulating train ride is known throughout the state and beyond for its retro transportation experience paired with the incomparable scenery of West Virginia.

In the 1870s, the Milwaukee Art Museum must have seemed like a fantasy for the German art lovers trying to establish a gallery as a way of collecting art for the then-small port city. Now, the MAM is a result of combining the Layton Art Gallery and the Milwaukee Art Institute. In 2001, expansions led to architect Santiago Calatrava designing the Quadracci Pavilion. The pavilion put MAM on the map and now the city has the worldwide acclaim it initially craved.

To preserve the true feel of the Frontier West, Old Trail Town was created in Cody, Wyoming. By disassembling historic buildings scattered throughout Wyoming and Montana, then bringing them to Cody, this reimagined old western town is one of the favorited tourist attractions in the entire state. Located here is an actual building that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were in, including the original bullet holes and artifacts left behind!