Fodor's Expert Review Bahá'i Temple House of Worship

Your mouth is sure to drop to the floor the first time you lay eyes on this stunning structure, a nine-sided building that incorporates architectural styles and symbols from many of the world's religions. With its delicate lacelike details and massive dome, the Louis Bourgeois design emphasizes the 19th-century Persian origins of the Bahá'i religion. The formal gardens are as symmetrical and harmonious as the building they surround. The temple is the U.S. center of the Baha'i faith, which advocates spiritual unity, world peace, racial unity, and equality of the sexes. Stop by the visitor center to examine exhibits that explain it; you can also ask for a guide to show you around.