68 Best Sights in USA

This center is spread over three separate buildings: the Everett McKinley Dirksen Building; the John C. Kluczynski Building ( 230 S. Dearborn), which includes the Loop's post office; and the Metcalfe Building ( 77 W. Jackson). Designed in 1959, but not completed until 1974, the severe constellation of buildings around a sweeping plaza was Mies van der Rohe's first mixed-use urban project. Fans of the International Style will groove on this pocket of pure modernism, while others can take comfort in the presence of the Marquette Building, which marks the north side of the site. In contrast to this dark ensemble are the great red arches of Alexander Calder's Flamingo.

A fine example of Federal architecture, the oldest bank building in the country was the headquarters of the government's bank from 1797 to 1811. Designed by Samuel Blodget Jr., it was an imposing structure in its day, exemplifying strength, dignity, and security. It's closed to the public but it's popular for an outdoor visit; head to the right to find a wrought-iron gateway topped by an eagle. Pass through it into the courtyard, and you magically step into Colonial America. Before you do so, check out the bank's pediment. Executed in 1797 by Clodius F. Legrand and Sons, its cornucopia, oak branch, and American eagle are carved from mahogany—a late-18th-century masterpiece that has withstood weather better than the bank's marble pillars.

In front of the modern, 22-story tower that serves as Florida's new state capitol sits the "old" circa-1902 capitol. The domed, classical-styled building with whimsical candy-striped awnings now houses a museum, and its stained-glass interior dome, hallways, governor's suite, and chambers of the state legislature and supreme court have been restored. Other rooms have been filled with artifacts that trace Florida's political history from territorial days to the present as well as revolving exhibits. Docents will provide information for self-guided tours, and you can download a free audio tour from the museum's website.

This Greek-Revival building, modeled on the Erechtheion of Athens, was built in 1845 by the architect James Gallier Sr. It served as City Hall in the mid-20th century and today hosts special events. It's the mayor's official perch during Carnival parades, where kings and queens of many krewes stop to be toasted by city officials and dignitaries. The grand rooms inside the hall are adorned with portraits and decorative details ordered by Gallier from Paris.

The capitol, a Renaissance-style edifice, was dedicated on July 4, 1889. The gold leaf on its dome was mined in nearby Dahlonega. Inside, the Georgia Capitol Museum houses exhibits on its history. On the grounds, state historical markers commemorate the 1864 Battle of Atlanta, which destroyed nearly the entire city. Statues memorialize a 19th-century Georgia governor and his wife (Joseph and Elizabeth Brown), a Confederate general (John B. Gordon), and a former senator (Richard B. Russell). Former governor and president Jimmy Carter is depicted with his sleeves rolled up, a man at work. Visit the website for tour information and group reservations.

The capitol's architecture is richly symbolic: the columns resemble palm trees, the legislative chambers are shaped like volcanic cinder cones, and the central court is open to the sky, representing Hawaii's open society. Replicas of the Hawaii state seal, each weighing 7,500 pounds, hang above both its entrances. The building, which in 1969 replaced Iolani Palace as the seat of government, is surrounded by reflecting pools, just as the Islands are embraced by water. A pair of statues, often draped in lei, flank the building: one of the beloved Queen Liliuokalani and the other of the sainted Father Damien de Veuster, famous for helping Molokai's Hansen's disease (leprosy) patients. You can take a self-guided tour of the capitol using a brochure provided online or in person (Room 415 at the capitol) by the governor's office.

This Mediterranean Renaissance–style building was constructed in 1929 and serves as the center of government for the City and County of Honolulu. Stroll through the shady, open-ceiling lobby with exhibits of works by local artists. During the winter holiday season, the Hale (Hawaiian for "house") becomes the focal point for the annual Honolulu City Lights, a display of lighting and playful holiday scenes spread around the campus, including the famous, gigantic Shaka Santa and Tute Mele. The mayor's office keeps a calendar of upcoming events.

A design by John E. Tourtellotte and the classic German engineering of Charles Hummel have made the “Capitol of Light” an architectural intrigue, and a 12-year restoration project has spruced up the natural skylights, acres of carved white marble, colored Italian scagliola from the original building, and the bronze eagle perched atop the 208-foot dome. Inside, historic art includes a statue of Nike of Samothrace—a gift from France after World War II—and a golden statue of George Washington. Trees line the property, including a sugar maple planted by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1903. Pick up a self-guided tour brochure from the visitors' welcome desk on the garden level.

New York architect James Gamble Rogers designed this three-story granite structure as a post office and court building in 1909. It opened in 1915, but by the 1960s, the post office had moved to larger digs, leaving it open for McDonogh No. 35 High School to find refuge after Hurricane Betsy in 1965. Today, the Italian Renaissance Revival building houses the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in an elaborately paneled and ornamented series of three courtrooms, one of which, the En Banc courtroom, boasts a bronze glazed ceiling. The Great Hall's plaster ceiling has been restored to its original appearance and color, a light gray. As you enter the building and pass security, turn left and continue around the corner to find the library, where you can pick up information on the courthouse. Outside, a repeating sculpture of four women stands atop each corner of the building's penthouse level: the four ladies represent History, Agriculture, Industry, and the Arts. The building is named for Judge John Minor Wisdom, the New Orleans native who was instrumental in dismantling the segregation laws of the south. Judge Wisdom received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993.

The courthouse contains an impressive collection of more than 2,000 historical photographs of life in the Lafayette area. There are images of famous politicians such as Dudley LeBlanc and Huey Long working the stump, and scenes from the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.

The imposing building that takes up the whole block of Royal Street between St. Louis and Conti streets is the Old New Orleans Court, erected in 1908. Later, it became the office of the Wildlife and Fisheries agency. After years of vacancy and neglect, the magnificent edifice was restored and reopened in 2004 and is now the elegant home of the Louisiana Supreme Court. The public can visit the courthouse but must pass through security and cannot take photos inside.

On July 4, 1795, the surviving fathers of the Revolution were on hand to enshrine the ideals of their new Commonwealth in a graceful seat of government designed by Charles Bulfinch. Governor Samuel Adams and Paul Revere laid the cornerstone; Revere would later roll the copper sheathing for the dome.

Bulfinch's neoclassical design is poised between Georgian and Federal; its finest features are the delicate Corinthian columns of the portico, the graceful pediment and window arches, and the vast yet visually weightless golden dome (gilded in 1874 and again in 1997). During World War II, the dome was painted gray so that it would not reflect moonlight during blackouts and thereby offer a target to anticipated Axis bombers. It's capped with a pine cone, a symbol of the importance of pinewood, which was integral to the construction of Boston's early houses and churches; it also serves as a reminder of the state's early connection to Maine, once part of Massachusetts.

Inside the building are Doric Hall, with its statuary and portraits; the Hall of Flags, where an exhibit shows the battle flags from all the wars in which Massachusetts regiments have participated; the Great Hall, an open space used for state functions that houses 351 flags from the cities and towns of Massachusetts; the governor's office; and the chambers of the House and Senate. The Great Hall contains a giant, modernistic clock designed by New York artist R. M. Fischer. Its installation in 1986 at a cost of $100,000 was roundly slammed as a symbol of legislative extravagance. There's also a wealth of statuary, including figures of Horace Mann, Daniel Webster, and a youthful-looking President John F. Kennedy in full stride. Just outside Doric Hall is Hear Us, a series of six bronze busts honoring the contributions of women to public life in Massachusetts. But perhaps the best-known piece of artwork in the building is the carved wooden Sacred Cod, mounted in the Old State House in 1784 as a symbol of the Commonwealth's maritime wealth. It was moved, with much fanfare, to Bulfinch's structure in 1798. By 1895, when it was hung in the new House chambers, the representatives had begun to consider the Cod their unofficial mascot—so much so that when Harvard Lampoon "codnapped" it in 1933, the House refused to meet in session until the fish was returned, three days later. Free guided tours are available; call for reservations. This is Freedom Trail stop 2.

In summer, Indian dances take place nightly in the artful contemporary surround of the open plaza at the McKinley County Courthouse and Courthouse Square. Come in (after a security check) and tour the marvelous array of paintings and murals (by Lloyd Moylan, Gene Kloss, and other period luminaries) inside the lovely multistory 1938 Pueblo Revival court building—they're all products of the WPA federal arts project, even the courthouse itself.

The Greek Renaissance Capitol is topped by a dome of Montana copper and holds Charlie Russell's largest painting, a 12-by-25-foot depiction of Lewis and Clark. Free guided tours are offered twice-daily on weekdays from June to August. Self-guided-tour booklets are also available. This building was thought to be so beautiful that South Dakota modeled its capitol in Pierre on the same design.

Although it's known as the "New Capitol," the 22-story skyscraper flanked by lower-slung House and Senate offices actually dates from the 1970s. In the 1960s, when there was talk of relocating the state's seat of government to a more central location like Orlando, Panhandle legislators quickly approved the construction of a sorely needed new complex that would keep the capital in Tallahassee. This New Capitol is prominently placed at the crest of a hill directly behind the classical-style historic capitol.

After going through security, pick up a self-guided-tour brochure at the plaza-level Florida Visitor Center. The governor's office is on the first floor, as is the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, where plaques honor native Floridians and other notable figures associated with the state such as Ray Charles, Burt Reynolds, Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The Italian marble–lined rotunda is abuzz when the legislature is in session (January and February in even years, March through April in odd years) and the head-count goes from 1,500 to 5,000 people. You can watch lawmaking in action from galleries overlooking the fifth-floor House and Senate chambers. For a few contemplative moments away from the crowds, visit the Heritage Chapel, featuring coquina, cypress, and other construction materials typically used in Florida.

The symbol of the Zía Pueblo, which represents the Circle of Life, was the inspiration for the state's capitol building, also known as the Roundhouse. Doorways at opposing sides of the 1966 structure symbolize the four times of day, the four directions, the four stages of life, and the four seasons. Take time to walk through the building to see the outstanding 600-work collection of the Capitol Art Foundation, historical and cultural displays, and handcrafted furniture—it's a superb and somewhat overlooked array of fine art. The Governor's Gallery hosts temporary exhibits. Six acres of imaginatively landscaped gardens shelter outstanding sculptures.

The Ohio Legislature convenes in this 1861 Greek Revival building. The dome of the rotunda is painted with the state seal; the building also has portraits of Ohio's governors and presidents and historical documents. You can take a self-guided tour of the Senate chamber when it's not in session. Building tours are given on the hour weekdays 10–3, weekends noon–3.

The headquarters of the United States Department of Defense is the largest low-rise office building in the world. Approximately 26,000 military and civilian workers arrive daily. Astonishingly, the mammoth structure, completed in 1943, took less than two years to construct. Following the September 11, 2001, crash of hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 into the west side of the building, the damaged area was removed in just over a month and repaired in a year. In this same area is the America's Heroes Memorial and Chapel, which pays tribute to the civilians and military members killed in the attack. South of the building is the 2-acre outdoor Pentagon Memorial, with its 184 benches commemorating the lives lost on 9/11. Tours of the Pentagon are free and last about 60 minutes, including a presentation and approximately 1½ miles of walking.

This pink Spanish Colonial–style building with a mosaic-tile dome is among Tucson's most beautiful historic structures. Still in use, it was built in 1927 on the site of the original single-story adobe court of 1869; a portion of the old presidio wall can be seen in the south wing of the courthouse's second floor. The first floor now houses the Tucson Visitor Center and the University of Arizona Gem and Mineral Museum. Behind the building is a lovely memorial garden honoring the 19 people who were killed or injured in the shooting attack on January 8, 2011.

This 1886 Second Empire–style confection with projecting surfaces and Mansard-style roofs casts a striking image over downtown. A quick elevator ride and a short flight of stairs will put you out on the cupola for a not-to-be-missed panorama of the Marfa Plateau and nearby Davis Mountains. Be sure to glimpse the Goddess of Justice, perched on top of the dome.

Designed by the noted architecture firm McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1904, Rhode Island's beautiful capitol building boasts the world's fourth-largest self-supported marble dome. The gilded Independent Man statue that tops the dome was struck by lightning at least 27 times before lightning rods were installed in 1975. Inside, visitors can see a full-length portrait of George Washington by Rhode Islander Gilbert Stuart, who also painted the portrait of Washington that appears on the $1 bill. On display in the Governor's State Room are the military accoutrements of Nathanael Greene, a Quaker who served as George Washington's second-in-command during the Revolutionary War. The State Library, on the north side of the building, has moon rocks and the state flag carried on board Apollo 11's first lunar landing mission in 1969 among its displays. The centerpiece of the State House's Royal Charter Museum is Rhode Island's original 1663 Colonial Charter granted by King Charles II—the first charter signed by a monarch that guaranteed religious liberty. Guided tours lasting 50 minutes are offered at 10 am and 1 pm on weekdays, excluding holidays. You can also follow a self-guided tour.

At more than 3 million square feet, this is the largest federal building in Washington and the only property dedicated to government and private entities. A blend of classical and modern architecture, the center welcomes over a million visitors annually and is officially the World Trade Center, Washington, D.C. The Ronald Reagan Building, which hosts special events throughout the year, is home to a permanent art collection—one that includes a section of the Berlin Wall—and the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Memorial Exhibit and Learning Center. It's also a popular place to get married, thanks to its fantastic views over the city. If you're hungry, pick up something from one of the 17 eateries in the spacious food court on the concourse level. In summer, check out Live!, a free concert series, performed daily (weekdays) from noon to 1:30. A farmers' market takes over the plaza on Friday from 11 pm to 3 pm from spring to fall.

The castle-like seat of city government was the city's tallest building from its 1894 construction to 1973. On Washington Square, at the spot where the original Mormon settlers circled their wagons on their first night in the Salt Lake Valley, this building served as the state capitol for 19 years. Hundreds of trees, including species from around the world, and many winding paths and seating areas make the grounds a calm downtown oasis. In summer the grounds host major Salt Lake arts and music festivals. Free tours are given on Monday at noon during the summer and by request at other times through Preservation Utah.

This building has housed the offices of the governor and the Legislature since 1932. It is a testament to the personal influence of legendary Governor Huey P. Long that funding for such a massive building was approved during the Great Depression, and that the building itself was completed in a mere 14 months. You can tour the first floor, richly decorated with murals and mosaics, and peer into the halls of the Louisiana Legislature. Long's colorful personality—and autocratic ways—eventually caught up with him: he was assassinated in 1935, and the spot where he was shot (near the rear elevators) is marked with a plaque. At 34 stories, this is America's tallest state capitol; an observation deck on the 27th floor affords an expansive view of the Mississippi River, the city, and the industrial outskirts.

Six bronze stars on the western wall of South Carolina's grandest building mark where direct hits were made by General Sherman's cannons. Begun in 1851 and completed in 1907, the capitol is made of native blue granite in the Italian Renaissance style. The interior is richly appointed with brass, marble, mahogany, and artwork. Guided tours are available throughout the day.

One block north of the State Capitol, this complex hums with lawmakers and lobbyists when the legislature is in session. It's fun to watch from the third-floor gallery. Free guided tours are available but must be scheduled in advance through Capitol Area Services.

The gathering point for citizens who protested the Stamp Act in 1765 and where people rallied to adopt the Talbot Resolves, this 1712 courthouse was a forerunner of the Declaration of Independence. The courthouse was expanded in 1794 and two wings were added in the late 1950s. It is still in use.

The State Capitol was designed by noted Philadelphia architect William Strickland (1788–1854), who was so impressed with his Greek Revival creation that he requested—and received—entombment behind one of the building's walls. On the grounds you'll also find the graves of the 11th U.S. president, James K. Polk, and his wife.

Once used to store currency, this is one of the most impressive Greek Revival buildings in the United States. Robert Mills, the architect responsible for the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, designed the colonnade on 15th Street. After the death of President Lincoln, the Andrew Johnson Suite was used as the executive office while Mrs. Lincoln moved out of the White House. One of the highlights is the Cash Room. Initially opened in 1869, it served as a bank, providing essential services to the public and supplying local banks with coins and currency. Renovated in 1985, visitors can tour the historic room. Tours of the Treasury Building are available only to U.S. citizens or legal residents, and you must make the reservation in advance through your congressional office.

Officially an "international zone" in the city's heart, the UN Headquarters sits on an 18-acre tract on the East River, fronted by flags of its 193 member states, who are charged with helping maintain international security and peace. Built between 1949 and 1961, the complex completed an overhaul in 2015—the 70th anniversary of the UN's founding—that retained the 1950s look while upgrading its infrastructure. The only way to enter the UN Headquarters is with the hour-long weekday standard guided tour, available in all six UN official languages; reservations can be made online, and you'll need a security pass from the visitors office at 801 1st Avenue.  Arrive 60 minutes before your tour's start for security screening. The tour includes the General Assembly, Security Chamber Council, and exhibitions and educational details. Youngsters under five are not admitted. Other scheduled tours cater to different aspects of the UN such as art and architecture, or emphasize Black history or women and children; virtual versions are also available.

The complex's buildings (the slim, 550-foot-tall green-glass Secretariat Building; the much smaller, domed General Assembly Building; and the Dag Hammarskjöld Library) evoke the influential Swiss-born French modernist architect Le Corbusier, and the surrounding park and plaza remain visionary. The public concourse has a visitor center with a gift shop, a bookstore, and a post office where you can mail postcards with UN stamps; bring your passport to add the commemorative UN stamp.