The U.S. of A is a big country, with a ton of landmarks in every state and region. But for every iconic sight like the Statue of Liberty, there are about a dozen — or a hundred — lesser-known monuments.
The odds are good that you know most of the main sights in your local area. But how much do you know when you step outside your comfort zone? Challenge yourself with our quiz on some of the country's more obscure landmarks.
Legends and lore have built up around this island prison.
A. San Quentin
B. Alcatraz
C. California Correctional Institute
D. Pelican Bay State Prison
Answer: Alcatraz
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was only a prison for 29 years, but it looms large in American folklore. Despite numerous attempts, no prisoners were ever confirmed to have escaped from this desolate island in San Francisco Bay.
This iconic ballpark has been in operation for more than a century.
A. Wrigley Field
B. Comiskey Park
C. Fenway Park
D. Soldier Field
Answer: Wrigley Field
With its picturesque neighborhood setting and ivy-covered walls, Wrigley Field is in the running for the most iconic stadium in the country. While the Chicago Cubs have played there for more than a hundred years, it was actually built for a team in the short-lived Federal League.
Texans are urged to remember this location.
A. The Alamo
B. Fort Worth Stockyards
C. Texas Capitol
D. Dealey Plaza
Answer: The Alamo
The Alamo is a relatively unassuming mission built in modern-day San Antonio by the Spanish in 1718. It's best remembered for the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, which inspired Texans to fight for independence from Mexico.
This is one of the newest attractions in Las Vegas.
A. Bellagio
B. Ball
C. Sphere
D. Omega
Answer: Sphere
Las Vegas is in the midst of a never-ending construction boom, and the current new, shiny toy on the Vegas Strip is known simply as Sphere. It's literally a giant sphere with seating inside, with the capability to project vibrant images on the inside as well as the outside.
It's one of the country's most-visited attractions.
A. Knott's Berry Farm
B. Cedar Point
C. Dollywood
D. Walt Disney World
Answer: Walt Disney World
The castle at Walt Disney World is immediately iconic, even for those who haven't seen a photo of it before, since it's featured heavily in Disney branding. The Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando encompasses nearly 25,000 acres.
Most people know it as the 'Bean.'
A. Navy Pier
B. Cloud Gate
C. Crown Fountain
D. The Chicago Theatre
Answer: Cloud Gate
This bean-shaped chrome sculpture by Anish Kapoor has quickly become one of Chicago's most-photographed landmarks. While the sculpture, which was influenced by liquid mercury, is known as Cloud Gate, most people simply call it the Bean.
If you've been to New Orleans, you've probably been here.
A. Jackson Square
B. French Quarter
C. Preservation Hall
D. St. Roch Market
Answer: French Quarter
Today, the French Quarter is full of noisy tourist traps, but it has real historical significance as the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. Its wrought iron balconies, cobblestone streets, and lush palms make it incredibly distinctive.
It isn't a big rock, but it's a big tourist attraction.
A. Plymouth Rock
B. Haystack Rock
C. Blarney Stone
D. Stone of Scone
Answer: Plymouth Rock
It's highly unlikely that the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony originally landed at this particular rock, as it was first mentioned more than a century after they first arrived. That said, it's become an important symbol of the early colonization of the United States.
It's probably the most famous dam in the country.
A. Oroville Dam
B. Glen Canyon Dam
C. Hoover Dam
D. Bonneville Lock & Dam
Answer: Hoover Dam
Construction of the Hoover Dam created plenty of jobs in the midst of the Great Depression, but the human toll was significant. Around a hundred workers were killed during the construction project.
A battle here sparked the Civil War.
A. Fort Ticonderoga
B. Fort Gaines
C. Fort Sumter
D. Fort Independence
Answer: Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is somewhat of an architectural marvel, as it was built in the 19th century on an entirely artificial island near Charleston, South Carolina. Its construction was interrupted by the Civil War and was never actually completed.
One of the most famous people in the world lived here.
A. Old Westbury Gardens
B. Lyndhurst Mansion
C. Graceland
D. Conestoga House and Gardens
Answer: Graceland
Elvis Presley lived at Graceland, a mansion in Memphis, from the late 1950s until his death in 1977. The museum has become a beloved tourist destination, with an impressive array of Elvis memorabilia.
It might be cracked, but it's beloved.
A. Liberty Bell
B. World Peace Bell
C. Old Tom
D. Great George
Answer: Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell might be the most famous bell in the world, even if it developed a big crack almost as soon as it was built. It's a symbol not just of Philadelphia but also of American independence.
This geyser is predictable.
A. Lone Star Geyser
B. Morning Glory Pool
C. Mammoth Hot Springs
D. Old Faithful
Answer: Old Faithful
While some geysers erupt unpredictably, Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful is as reliable as its name. The cone geyser erupts every 44 minutes to two hours — not quite accurate enough to set a watch to, but still pretty impressive.
It's a tourist attraction and an active research site.
A. Carpinteria Tar Pits
B. McKittrick Tar Pits
C. La Brea Tar Pits
D. Pitch Lake
Answer: La Brea Tar Pits
There are a number of tar pits in California where natural asphalt seeps up from the ground and preserves everything it captures. La Brea Tar Pits, in Los Angeles, is a treasure trove of paleontological finds.
A publishing magnate built this mansion.
A. Villa Vizcaya
B. Pabst Mansion
C. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
D. Hearst Castle
Answer: Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle, an estate perched on a cliffside in San Simeon, California, offers commanding views of the Pacific Ocean. It was the home of William Randolph Hearst, a newspaper tycoon of the early 20th century.
This house was built in the 1600s.
A. Henry Nelson House
B. Salem Witch House
C. Clemence-Irons House
D. Pursley's Ferry House
Answer: Salem Witch House
The Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts, is a typical dwelling of the 17th century when it was first built. Its significance lies in the fact that it's one of the very few buildings remaining in Salem that date back to the city's infamous witch trials of 1692.
It's one of many halls of fame scattered across the country.
A. Country Music Hall of Fame
B. Pro Football Hall of Fame
C. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
D. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Answer: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
It's hard to believe, but no Hall of Fame was dedicated to rock and roll until 1995 when this museum opened in Cleveland. It was part of a wider downtown revitalization project, which also saw the construction of two stadiums.
Officially it's called Jackson Butte, but is better known by its nickname.
A. Spider Rock
B. Window Rock
C. Fountain Formation
D. Chimney Rock
Answer: Chimney Rock
The massive Chimney Rock towers high above the plains of Ute Mountain Tribal Park in Montezuma County, Colorado. The sandstone pillar is part of the Colorado Plateau, and its peak is more than 900 feet above the surrounding area.
There's more than one individual bridge here.
A. Dumbarton Bridge
B. Golden Gate Bridge
C. Benicia-Martinez Bridge
D. San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Answer: San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
While it's known as the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (singular), it actually consists of two separate bridges on either side of Yerba Buena Island. While it isn't as distinctive as the Golden Gate Bridge, it remains a critical thoroughfare.
This sign can be seen near a famous black ops site.
A. Tonopah Test Range
B. Vandeberg Air Force Base
C. Area 51
D. Cheyenne Mountain
Answer: Area 51
Not much is known officially about Area 51, the colloquial name given to a classified Air Force facility in the Nevada desert. Despite its clandestine nature, Area 51 — and its association with extraterrestrials — is an enduring part of American folklore.