Despite being founded in 1776, America has one of the most fascinating and diverse histories of any country in the world. Formed from 50 unique states, the US is awash with incredible pieces of architecture which not only render its landscape beautiful, but retell its political and social story. From 1,000-year-old communities forged by Indigenous tribes to the landmarks where important events took place, these places are packed with stories.
Read on to discover the most historic buildings in America...
Dating back to 1900, The Library of Congress is home to millions of books and historic papers. The research library serves the United States Congress and also happens to be the world's largest library – and perhaps the most beautiful. The Main Reading Room, with its dominant bronze statues, painted dome and precious marble clock, is particularly spectacular. Free, timed-entry passes are available from the LoC website.
You'd be forgiven for thinking this spectacular temple was located in Japan, but in fact it lies on the island of O'ahu in Hawaii. Known as Byodo-In, the beautiful temple was constructed in 1968 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants arriving in Hawaii. A replica of the 1,000-year-old temple of the same name in Uji, Japan, this magnificent building is surrounded by lush landscaping. It's open daily to visitors.
Truly iconic, Grand Central Terminal is one of the most famous train stations in the world. The terminal was opened to the public in February 1913 and to this day remains one of the country’s greatest architectural achievements. A hub for transport, the cathedral-like space is a designated National Historic Landmark and is open almost 24 hours a day. Key features include the Booth Clock, Manhattan's iconic meeting place, and the spectacular ceiling in the Main Concourse.
See more images of the world's most beautiful train stations
Standing proud in the heart of Philadelphia, Independence Hall is one of America’s most significant landmarks, not least because of its beauty. Here, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States of America was born. It was also inside these walls that the Constitution of the United States was created. It's now part of Independence National Historical Park.
Reminiscent of a historic European fortress, Castillo de San Marcos can actually be found in St Augustine, Florida. Constructed between 1672 and 1695, to defend the Atlantic trade route, the ancient building is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. Bringing to life 450 years of history, the National Monument is open every day.
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Dating back to AD 600, the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings are some of the most spectacular archaeological gems in America. Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is dotted with more than 4,000 well-preserved buildings, created by the Ancestral Puebloan tribe between the 6th and 12th centuries. Cliff Palace (pictured here) is one of the park's most impressive offerings. Cut into the rock, the sandstone structure was once home to 100 people.
The Biltmore estate stands proud as one of America’s most spectacular pieces of architecture. Constructed in 1889 by George Vanderbilt, the grandson of the business magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Gilded Age mansion is the country’s largest residential home. Spanning 178,926 square feet (16,623sqm), it took six years to construct. Highlights include the home's medieval-style banqueting hall and 8,000-acre landscaped grounds.
Akin to a fairy-tale castle, St. Louis Cathedral lies at the heart of New Orleans. As one of the city’s most notable landmarks, worshippers have been seeking refuge here since 1727. The church was designed and constructed by French engineer, Adrien De Pauger, who sadly passed away before it was finished. It burnt to the ground in March 1788 and its replacement was finished in 1794. To this day St. Louis Cathedral remains one of America’s most famous places of worship.
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Considered one of America's most well-preserved plantations, Drayton Hall is the oldest colonial-period house in Charleston. Entirely unrestored, the property has remained intact since its construction in 1738, offering an insight into the country's complex past. Drayton Hall survived the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, and is protected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Now operating as a museum, Drayton Hall educates visitors on the important story of America's enslaved.
As one of the world's greatest education institutions, Harvard University is also America's oldest. Renowned around the world, its spectacular red-brick buildings date back to 1636, with 300-year-old Massachusetts Hall being the campus' oldest surviving structure. Synonymous with prestige, Harvard has an incredible list of alumni including Bill Gates and Michelle Obama. But you don't need a high GPA in order to go. The campus is open year-round for public tours.
Spanning five floors, Montezuma Castle was built by the Indigenous Sinagua people between AD 1100 and 1425, making it a truly magnificent feat of engineering. Made up of 20 rooms carved from rough limestone, the Puebloan ruin is one of America's most noteworthy National Monuments.
One of the most recognisable buildings in all of Los Angeles, the Griffith Observatory was completed in 1935. Standing proud atop Mount Hollywood, the structure is visible from almost every part of the city and has made appearances in numerous films, including La La Land. The iconic observatory is arguably the best place to soak up L.A.'s skyline and learn more about our solar system.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Taos Pueblo has a 1,000-year history, making it America’s oldest inhabited community. A real celebration of Latin American history, the town was built from earth and straw by the Anasazi tribe. Taos Pueblo remains home to an Indigenous community today and the public can visit the site at certain times throughout the year.
The Jonathan Corwin House is the only remaining building with direct links to the infamous Salem witch trials. Thought to have been built between 1620 and 1642, the property was home to Judge Jonathan Corwin for more than four decades. Corwin led the investigation into witchcraft in Salem Village and sent 18 innocent women to the gallows. The house is now a museum dedicated to Salem’s tragic history, and visitors can join self-guided tours four days a week.
The US State Capitol is one of America’s most recognisable buildings and is perhaps the greatest symbol of democracy in the world. Built in 1800, this is where the US government makes its all-important decisions. It also houses a significant American art collection, one that is typically visited by millions every year. Partially burned down during the War of 1812, the building has been reconstructed several times and now covers an area of 16.5 acres. Specialty Halls of the Senate tours run on weekdays.
Synonymous with notorious criminals and famous movies, there’s more to Alcatraz than you might expect. Once a fort, military prison and federal penitentiary, Alcatraz was also the location of an important civil rights protest. For 19 months in 1969 and 1970, Indigenous activists known as the Indians of All Tribes occupied Alcatraz in the name of freedom. You can learn more about America's most notorious prison by joining a day or evening tour.
The Empire State Building is arguably America's most cherished landmark. Construction began in 1930 and it would be the first 100-plus storey structure, which made it the world's most ambitious building project. Even more amazingly, construction took just one year and 45 days. It remained the world's tallest building for nearly four decades, until the first World Trade Center tower was completed in 1970.
Check out incredible images of the world's most famous attractions under construction
Dating back to 1718, The Alamo Mission was the location of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, a crucial event in the Texas Revolution. The Alamo church can be found at the heart of the mission complex and the names of the soldiers who defended the site are inscribed inside. Beautiful and historic in equal measures, the Alamo and its grounds are open to the public.
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, Monticello was the former home of Thomas Jefferson, the third US president. Spanning 5,000 acres, Jefferson had a keen interest in architecture and took great pride in his estate. But Monticello was also a plantation and hundreds of enslaved people lived and worked here. Their stories are told through exhibits and on-site tours.
Undoubtedly the most famous property in America, the White House lies in the heart of Washington, DC, the country's picturesque capital. Built in 1792, the grand building has been occupied by every president since John Adams and boasts 132 spectacular rooms across six floors. The White House is both a hub for government and a living museum of American history.
Taking three years and 2,000 workers to construct, the Willis Tower remained the tallest building in the world for 25 years, until the new One World Trade Center was completed in 2013. The 110-storey building towers up 1,450 feet (443m) and was considered a groundbreaking achievement for engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan. On average, 12 million people typically visit Willis Tower each year, heading to the Skydeck to take in the city's exceptional skyline.
Located in New Orleans, the Saenger Theatre was designed by Emile Weil in 1927. Characterised by gilded columns, elegant statues and decorative mouldings, the theatre’s interior was finished with a blue domed ceiling decorated with sparkling stars. In 2005, the theatre was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but it was meticulously restored in 2013 at the cost of $53 million (£39m). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, shows take place throughout the year.
Unique and eye-catching, the Transamerica Pyramid remains one of the country's most controversial buildings. Towering up 853 feet (260m), the building is the second tallest in San Francisco and made big waves when it was completed in 1969. In fact, the San Francisco Chronicle's architecture critic, Allan Temko, described it as "the biggest architectural dunce cap in the world." In 2020, the building sold for the first time for a staggering $650 million (£475m).
Welcoming almost 25 million visitors since its opening, Bok Tower Gardens was founded in 1929. The magnificent estate boasts one of Florida's most unique landmarks, the Singing Tower. Designed in Art Deco and Neo-Gothic style, the structure was formed from pink and grey marble mined in Georgia. This one-of-a-kind building is 205 feet (62m) tall and houses a 60-bell carillon, as well as the largest carillon library in the world.
The oldest building on the Las Vegas Strip, the Little Church of the West has been a venue for eloping couples since 1942. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this stunning little chapel single-handedly tells the story of this city's rise to fame. In fact, Las Vegas weddings would likely not exist if it wasn't for the Little Church of the West. A working venue, people can visit by appointment only.
Opened in 1888, the Texas Capitol building became a National Historic Landmark in 1986. Usually open to visitors throughout the year, the prominent property can be found in the heart of Austin and offers a fascinating insight into the state's political story. Filled with antique artworks and busts of important historical figures, visitors can also explore the House of Representatives and the Texas Supreme Courtroom.
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Although it was constructed in 1959, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum has quickly cemented itself as one of the 20th century's most significant pieces of architecture. The internationally renowned art gallery was designed by one of the greatest architects of all time, Frank Lloyd Wright, and took a staggering 16 years to come to fruition. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this iconic building welcomes over one million visitors every year.
As one of America's most historic states, Massachusetts is home to its fair share of important landmarks, including the Pilgrim Monument. Soaring above the landscape, it commemorates the Mayflower’s first landing in America. The Pilgrims arrived in Provincetown in November 1620 and the picturesque town was their first glimpse of the New World. President Roosevelt laid the building’s cornerstone in 1907 and today millions typically climb the tower’s 116 granite steps to take in views across Cape Cod.
This majestic Neo-Gothic skyscraper defines the landscape of Chicago, and has done since 1868. The result of an international design competition ran by the Chicago Tribune, who sought a new headquarters, the building became an important moment in 20th-century architecture. Some 260 entries were received and John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood were named the winners. The original tower was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and the building is now listed as a Chicago Landmark.
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If any building brings to life America's fight for independence, it's the Old State House. Part of The Freedom Trail, which encompasses 16 significant sites across Boston, this striking property is the oldest surviving public building in the city. Constructed in 1713, it was once a hub for politics and commerce and in 1770, the Boston Massacre took place directly outside. Six years later, locals gathered outside once more to hear the Declaration of Independence. You can visit five days a week.
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