From towering skyscrapers and soaring bridges to awe-inspiring observation decks, there’s a sight to behold across every US skyline. This list reveals the tallest man-made structure across the country (we’ve excluded radio and television masts). Read on to discover what sky-high buildings are in your state.
At 745-feet (227m) high, the post-modernist Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) Battle House Tower thrusts towards the sky in Mobile. This 35-floor edifice is made of steel and concrete and was completed in 2007. Its three-storey lobby is open to the public and the building itself is connected to the esteemed Battle House Hotel.
It may ‘only’ stand at 296 feet (90m), but the Conoco Phillips Building is the tallest in The Last Frontier. Opened in 1983 as the headquarters for Alaska’s largest oil producer, this 22-floor office block towers over Anchorage’s other oil company-dominated buildings. While it’s mostly strictly employees only, the food court is open to the public.
Constructed in the early 20th century, the controversial Hayden Smelter Chimney is also the tallest free-standing structure in Arizona. This copper smelter stands at 1,001 feet (305m) – its height is believed to provide a better dispersion of some of its most harmful emissions (lead, sulphur dioxide). It’s owned by the smelting and refining company Asarco, who are regularly under fire to lessen the dangerous impact it has on the town of Hayden.
In downtown Little Rock you’ll find 546-foot-tall (166m) Simmons Tower. The largest man-made structure in Arkansas includes three interlocking vertical tiers to create a modern office block. There’s a 55-foot-high (17m) skylighted atrium that leads out onto a plaza lined with retail and restaurant space, although the entire complex is for employee use only.
The Wilshire Grand Center stands at an awe-inspiring 1,102 feet (336m); the spire alone is 90 feet (27m). This modernist-style skyscraper includes office and hotel space, while the crown and spine of the building features an LED lighting system for digital signs and advertisements.
Positioned 956 feet (291m) over the Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is made up of 4,100 steel cables and 1,257 wooden planks. Remembering that as you take in the surrounding natural beauty certainly makes for an adrenaline rush. It’s also surrounded by plenty of attractions that make the most of its vertigo-inducing height. The Royal Rush Skycoaster and the Cloudscraper Zip Line both soar 1,200 feet (366m) over the river.
City Place I looms 535 foot (163m) into the Connecticut sky. A light brown façade and pinpricks of windows make up the exterior of this modernist structure, while the City Place II building stands directly next to it. Its downtown location places you close to the wide-open green space of Bushnell Park, from where you can still see the tip of the towering structure.
At the heart of downtown Wilmington lies 1201 North Market Street. This 360-foot-tall (110m) office block consists of 23 floors with different-sized ‘stacks’ forming its steel edifice. Gaze up at the tiny square windows that line each side of the building. Less than a five-minute walk away is Rodney Square, a well-manicured park that’s perfect for some respite.
At 868 foot (265m), the mixed-use Panorama Tower stands out among the other skyscrapers in Miami’s Brickell neighbourhood. Come June 2022, though, the much-anticipated Okan Tower is due to open and overtake as Florida’s tallest structure at 890 feet (271m) high. The sleek tower will offer condo apartments, penthouses and hotel space with views as eye-watering as the prices (starting at $1.9 million/£14.4 million). It’s probably best to admire it from ground level…
While it’s not open to the public, it’s still worth taking in the exterior of Atlanta’s Bank of America. This intimidating skyscraper dominates the skyline at 1,023 feet (312m). With a dark-brown façade, it features a pointed tip that lights up a lava-orange colour at night.
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Set in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii’s tallest man-made structure is its First Hawaiian Center. At 438 feet (136m) tall, it spans 30 storeys and has a subtle triangular shape, which grows larger towards the top. The state-of-the-art glass windows lining the buildings are styled to recapture the mountains and sea that the Aloha State is famed for.
Idaho’s Dworshak Dam reaches a whopping height of 717 feet (219m). This straight concrete gravity dam has prevented nearly $3 billion (£2.2m) in potential flood damages since its opening in 1973. It’s also the third tallest dam in the US. You’ll find it along the North Fork of the Clearwater River, with the surrounding area home to forest and mountains.
Chicago’s Willis Tower was the tallest building in the world until Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers were completed in 1996. Today, this steel-frame structure is the third-tallest building in the US in a list otherwise dominated by the big-hitters of New York City. It stands at 1,729 feet (529m). Visitors can venture up to the 1,353-feet-high (412m) Skydeck and step inside glass boxes that tilt over the city of Chicago below.
Enjoy panoramic views of Indianapolis’s skyline from the top of the Salesforce Tower. At 811 feet (247m) high its 48 floors are made up of office, dining and fitness space, plus plenty more. The two spires atop the building have different functions: one serves as a communications antenna, while the other is purely decorative.
In downtown Des Moines stands the 801 Grand, a 630-feet (192m) skyscraper with 44 storeys. The bulk of the block is made up of office space, although the first three floors are open to the public with dining and retail options. Around 200,000 square feet (18,581sqm) of stone covers the exterior of the building and gives it its distinctive appearance.
At 325 feet (99m) tall, Wichita’s Epic Center has a concrete structure that’s ribbed with steel bars, but its most distinctive aspect is its slanted roof, which resembles a kite. This high-rise dominates the city skyline and encompasses some three acres of land.
This Louisville high-rise packs a punch as the tallest man-made structure in Kentucky. At 549 feet (16.3m) high, 400 West Market is situated at the heart of the Central Business District. This office and retail block spans 34 storeys and offers river and city views alike. Its bold, granite exterior contributes to its post-modernist design and it features a Romanesque dome at the top.
The Hancock Whitney Center was the first skyscraper to be constructed in New Orleans’ Central Business District – and what an impressive sight it is. Built in 1972, its 51 storeys loom to a height of 697 feet (212m) and primarily consists of office space, although the ground floor is home to retail. Its limestone-clad exterior is dotted with bronze glass windows and fits in well with neighbouring tall towers like the historic Hibernia.
Connecting the towns of Prospect and Verona, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory rises over the Penobscot River. Better still, it’s visitor friendly, with its observatory standing at a height of 420 feet (128m) offering panoramic views of the river, bay and surrounding countryside. This also makes it the highest bridge observatory in the world, while the bridge itself rises 135 feet (41m).
Baltimore’s Transamerica Tower, also known as the Legg Mason Building, stands at a height of 529 feet (161.2m). The concrete office block towers over surrounding high-rises including the Equitable Bank Center, 36 South Charles and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The room-with-a-view vibe continues at nearby Top of the World Observation Point, which stands at 423 feet (129m) overlooking the Inner Harbor, skyline and beyond.
Also known as the John Hancock or Hancock Tower, the 200 Clarendon stands at 790 feet (240m). Its 60 storeys also make it the tallest building in all of New England too. This all-glass tower offers panoramic views over Back Bay, Charles River, Cambridge, the Public Garndes, Boston Harbor and around.
The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center stands out in its downtown location along the International RiverWalk, with its curtain-wall glass façade shimmering in its full 755-foot (230m) height. The 40th-floor fitness centre and some of the hotel rooms look towards Canada, which is just on the other side of the Detroit River.
This all-glass structure has more to it than meets the eye. Minneapolis’ IDS Center stands at 792 feet (241m) – or 910 feet (277) if you include the communications spires. While visitors can’t access the full 57 floors, the multi-levelled Crystal Court at its base includes a tree-lined atrium, shops and restaurants. This urban park space featured in the 1984 Purple Rain film.
The ginormous Beau Rivage Casino Hotel is the tallest man-made structure in Mississippi. At 346 feet (106m), this hotel-casino is also home to a theatre, restaurants and some 1,740 rooms. This concrete structure is positioned by the waterfront (Beau Rivage is French for ‘beautiful shore’) but rather uniquely, it floats on an anchored barge structure in accordance with state gaming laws.
Missouri’s Gateway Arch broods by the Mississippi River. At 630 feet (192m) in height, it’s not only the tallest man-made structure in the state but also the tallest monument in the entire USA, constructed from 43,000 tonnes of concrete and steel. The best way to see the colossal structure is by a special tourist tram that transports visitors to the top. Riverboat cruises past the arch provide an alternative take on this mighty arch.
While many believe the First Interstate Center is Montana’s tallest structure, it’s actually the unassuming Koocanusa Bridge that pips it to the post at 270 feet (82m) high – depending on the water level, of course. The bridge was first built in 1971 and spans Lake Koocanusa, and while most people cross over simply to take in the striking views, it’s also a popular spot for boating and fishing.
Nebraska’s First National Bank Tower dominates the Omaha skyline. This postmodernist skyscraper is 634-feet (193.25m) tall and even has two fountains inside the building. Although it’s home to Nebraska’s oldest bank, visitors can still enjoy the 60-foot-high (18m) glass-enclosed winter garden in the lobby.
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Las Vegas is renowned for its giant hotel-casino resorts, but The STRAT SkyPod and Observation Deck – the tallest freestanding observation tower in the US – is the best way to take in the glittering views. Up at 1,149 feet (350m), visitors can take in 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Strip, tuck into award-winning food and sip hand-crafted cocktails.
The City Hall Plaza may be the tallest man-made structure in New Hampshire, but it tries its hardest not to stand out. At 275 feet (84m) tall, this 15-storey office block’s brown and white façade allows it to blend in with its surroundings as much as possible. The brick and granite materials used were taken from the city’s historic Millyard District and reflect the rich architectural history of the area.
The recently completed 99 Hudson Street took over from 30 Hudson Street (aka Goldman Sachs Tower) as the tallest man-made structure in New Jersey in 2018. Standing at 900-feet (274m) tall, this sleek, glass skyscraper sits along the New Jersey’s Gold Coast and offers luxury condos with views overlooking the Hudson River towards the New York skyline. Lucky residents can enjoy more superlative views on the rooftop garden.
The fifth-tallest bridge in the US, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge doesn’t disappoint. This car- and pedestrian-friendly bridge stands at 565 feet (172m) above the river with small sections that jut out allowing for even better views over the heart-racing depths below. For a different angle, head out on a white-water rafting tour along the Rio Grande. It’s also a popular filming location having previously featured in movies like Paul and Terminator Salvation.
New York’s One World Trade Center is also the tallest building in the US. This iconic landmark stands at 1,774 feet (541m) high and its cubic base is identical in size to the Twin Towers that originally stood here. The shape of the skyscraper alternates between isosceles triangles, an octagon at the centre and a square parapet at the top. Ascend to One World Observatory for awesome views from the highest point in the city, where there’s also a restaurant and bar.
The Bank of America Corporate Center in Charlotte rises to 869 feet (265m). Its post-modernist design has a tier-like structure with a crowned top that lights up at night. Spanning 60 floors, it’s the tallest structure in the Carolinas. Inside, the lobby houses one of the world’s largest frescoes; it was created by artist Ben Long and took one year to complete.
The understated Art Deco State Capitol is North Dakota's tallest at 242 feet (73m). It’s pleasant enough to admire outside and in, and visitors can also head up to the free observation deck to take in the panoramic views of the surrounding Bismarck-Mandan area.
Located in downtown Cleveland, this slim tower stands at 948 feet (289m) and is visible up to 20 miles (32km) away. While Key Bank’s headquarters cover most of the space, other office units occupy the rest of the 57 storeys. The tower was designed by renowned architect César Pelli and, with its granite façade and metal pyramid and spire, it resembles something similar to an Egyptian obelisk.
At 844 feet (257m), Oklahoma's Devon Energy Center stands tall and proud opposite the enchanting Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City. This glass rotunda narrows in length, while at the top multiple triangular forms reflect the sky. There’s also solar shading and night lighting integrated into its smooth façade which emits a shimmering glow both day and night.
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The Wells Fargo Center may be the tallest man-made structure in Oregon, but the US Bancorp is only 10 feet (3m) off. Set amid the other, similar blocks in the area, it used Italian marble and steel cladding, and towers to 546 feet (166m). Its construction was incredibly controversial; following its opening in 1973, a public outcry over the tower’s height led to Portland imposing height restrictions on future developments in the city.
At 1,121 feet (341m), the Comcast Technology Center overpassed neighbouring Comcast Center (974 feet/297m) in 2018. Not only does it contain office and dining spaces, but it’s also home to two television studios. The top 12 floors are occupied by the Four Seasons Philadelphia so you’ll need to be a guest to soak up the views from the reception, rooms or swimming pool.
It’s Providence’s Bank of America (or 111 Westminster Street) that claims the title of the tallest man-made structure in Rhode Island. Its stepped-like structure earned it the nickname ‘Superman Building’ as it looked just like the one featured in the 1950s television show The Daily Planet. At 428 feet (130m), its late 1920s Art Deco design reflects the era it was built in. This theme continues inside with the likes of the main banking hall.
South Carolina’s Capitol Center stands at 349 feet (106m) and is located in Columbia’s Central Business District. Its distinctive exterior is made up of white panels and dark-tinted glass windows, which creates a striped effect, while inside there are snazzy marble floors and ceiling-to-floor glass walls.
One of the smallest man-made structures on this list is the CenturyLink Tower. Still, it marks South Dakota’s tallest of its kind at a height of 174 feet (53m). This unassuming office block has just 11 storeys and has a brown façade with dark-tinted wraparound windows. It’s always been named after the company housed there, so in previous years it has also been known as the US West Tower and Qwest Tower.
The postmodern skyscraper that is the AT&T Building is nicknamed the ‘Batman Building’ due to its twin spires resembling the superhero’s pointed mask. Its height reaches 617 feet (188m) and while tours are only available on request, inside the striking building is a three-storey winter garden atrium. It’s also a short walk from the Cumberland River.
The JPMorgan Chase Tower in Houston is a modern office block standing at 1,000 feet (305m) high. Once upon a time it had a public-access sky lobby offering superlative views over the city, but unfortunately closed in 2016 due to high traffic in the surrounding area. It’s still impressive to check out from the outside, though; close to the historic Market Square Park and Theater District, it’s the tallest five-sided building in the world.
This glass and granite skyscraper makes up the second Wells Fargo Center on this list. At the top of the 423-foot (129m) office block is a flat roof to accommodate helicopters while the east-facing part of the building takes on a jagged edge. Tall and sleek in structure, the glass-and-granite building is predominantly occupied by various law firms.
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First constructed as a railway bridge in 1911 and later a roadway bridge, today the Quechee Gorge Bridge is a tourist favourite. Rising 165 feet (50m) over the Ottauquechee River, views overlook the gushing stream and flat rocks between tall, thick foliage. This steel arch bridge is a great place to pause and savour the sights and sounds of Mother Nature.
Part hotel and part residential, Virginia’s Marriott-owned Westin Virginia Beach Town Center spans 38 floors. The building’s concrete frame crescendos into a pyramid-like top which illuminates blue at night and the antenna spire gives this tower a total height of 508 feet (154.8m). Inside, there’s a definite luxury theme with heated pools, fitness centres and wedding event space.
The Columbia Center in Seattle stands tall at 967 feet (295m). Offering restaurants, retail and workspaces alike, the building consists of three interlocking, inverted-curved towers with a glass curtain wall-like effect. There are plenty of ways to appreciate the views with a 40th-floor Sky Lobby conference centre and 73rd-floor Sky View Observatory. The 902-foot (275m) visitor-friendly viewpoint provides unparalleled views over the city, Puget Sound and surrounding mountains.
There’s no missing West Virginia’s New River Gorge Bridge. It rises to a height of 876 feet (267m) over the New River. Weighing over 88 million pounds, it was constructed using 21,000 tonnes of structural steel, 1,700 tonnes of reinforced steel and 17,000 cubic yards of concrete. This registered Historic Place is celebrated with its very own festival, Bridge Day, on the third Saturday of October each year. Head to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center for incredible views looking towards the bridge.
Over in the eastern end of downtown Milwaukee stands the US Bank Center at 601 feet (183m) tall. Around 66% of its modernist-style structure is made of glass with some 5,000 windows. There are also skyways which connect to the Lewis Center and Juneau Square North.
This 12-storey building was a university faculty until 1948 but today it serves as student accommodation. Housing up to 587 residents, it stands at 144-feet (44m) high and is located in the University of Wyoming vicinity. Vertical panels line the modernist block which is surrounded by similar-designed (albeit slightly smaller) buildings.
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