America's Most Famous Landmarks Up Close: Can You Guess Them All?

Up close and personal

The US is home to countless world-famous buildings, attractions, and natural wonders that most of us would recognize instantly. But what if we were to zoom right in? Can you guess these famous American landmarks from their super close-ups?

Click through the gallery to take our quiz and find out...

You’ll find these marble walls in…

Situated in the US capital, this national monument honors one of the country’s greatest presidents. The memorial has also been the location for several historic speeches, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream.”

Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

Built at the start of the 20th century, the Lincoln Memorial is dedicated to the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The memorial’s frieze has inscriptions of the 36 states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death and the dates on which they joined. The memorial is free to visit and is part of the larger National Mall that includes the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument, and the US Capitol. 

This window belongs to…

This historic site was central to a battle fought in 1836 during the Texas Revolution. It's now one of the most visited landmarks in the Lone Star State.

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

The Alamo mission and fortress was the location of the fabled Battle of the Alamo in 1836, which saw the Texans fight off thousands of Mexicans in their fight for independence. The Alamo church, or “the shrine” as it is commonly known, is the heart of the complex: the names of the Texan soldiers who defended the mission can be found inscribed inside.

This clock face belongs to…

This clock can be found on the central tower of a red-brick building in Philadelphia – one which played an important role in the creation of the United States. When the building was first completed in 1753, it served as the Pennsylvania State House.

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fairly unassuming from the outside, the Independence Hall in Philadelphia holds great historical significance. The Declaration of Independence, the document that freed the States from British rule, was debated and signed here in 1776, and the hall later became the birthplace of the US Constitution. You can explore it on a guided tour.

This is the wall of…

This world-famous wall is part of an engineering masterpiece that was finished in 1936. Millions of people tour this site every year and it's incredibly important for the states of Nevada, Arizona, and California.

Hoover Dam, Nevada

This dam was (and still is) an incredible feat of engineering, built around 30 miles southeast of the bright lights of Las Vegas. Upon its completion, it saved the surrounding farmlands from the frequent flooding caused by the Colorado River, but saw a death toll of 96 during its construction. Today tourists usually come to marvel at the dam's sheer scale, and also to learn about the part it played in the development of Sin City and the field of engineering.

This is the way up to…

Reaching the summit of this famous rock in California is no small feat and the 16-mile round trip route is best left to competent hikers. It should take around 12 hours, with a near-vertical 400-foot cabled section taking you to the very top.

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Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

The most famous image of Yosemite National Park, Half Dome's distinctive bulk rises some 5,000 feet above the valley floor. If you'd prefer to drink in the famous rock face from a distance, Glacier Point offers views of Half Dome and three spectacular waterfalls.

These are the windows of…

A landmark building in New York City, this 102-story skyscraper was the world's tallest building for almost four decades, before it was surpassed by the World Trade Center's North Tower in 1970.

Empire State Building, New York City, New York

One of the most important examples of Art Deco-style architecture in the world, the Empire State Building has featured in more than 250 TV shows and films to date. Today, travelers can ascend to the 86th and 102nd floor observatories, which both offer incredible views across Manhattan.

You'll find these colors in…

Yellowstone's most famous hot spring, this otherworldly landmark is best known for its vivid blue center that's surrounded by bands of rusty orange, yellow, and green.

Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

You can see this incredible natural wonder by walking the half-mile boardwalk that loops around the hot spring, as well as the other pools in the Midway Geyser Basin. However, Grand Prismatic is so large, it'll be hard to make out its shape. After you've seen it up close, head to the nearby Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook for a breathtaking view from further away. 

These are the curves of…

A landmark building designed by one of the 20th century's most important architects, Frank Lloyd Wright, this museum has been a New York City icon since it opened in 1959. It's also been featured on the silver screen many a time, including notable appearances in Men in Black and Mr. Popper's Penguins. 

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City, New York

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is one of the most visited in New York City and its most notable feature remains its cylindrical gallery – it contains a ramp inside that rolls out from ground level up to the ceiling skylight in a continuous spiral. The collection features Impressionist, early modern and contemporary art, including paintings by Paul Cézanne and Vasily Kandinsky. 

This is the top of…

Built for the World's Fair in 1962, this is a well-known landmark in a city in Washington state. To reach the top of the building in just over 40 seconds, its elevators travel at a speed of 10mph.

Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

Seattle's Space Needle is one of the most important and recognizable landmarks in the city. Its observation deck stands at 520 feet, and it offers sweeping views of downtown Seattle, as well as the Olympic and Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier. The famous rotating SkyCity restaurant is the first revolving restaurant with a glass floor in the world. 

This rock formation is part of…

This rock formation, also known as West Mitten, is just one of several sandstone buttes that make up this famous landscape. Found in Arizona, the region is a top road-trip destination.

Monument Valley, Arizona

The utterly epic Monument Valley, with its towering sandstone buttes rising from the red-sand desert, is an incredible sight to behold. The Valley is located on the Utah/Arizona state border and its tallest butte rises around 1,000 feet above the valley floor. For that iconic view of the most famous buttes, head to the John Ford's Point overlook.

These curves belong to…

Named after a famous American animator, this music venue opened in 2003 and serves as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California

The fourth Los Angeles Music Center concert hall, designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry, this building is a tribute to Walt Disney and his devotion to the arts and the city. The Walt Disney Concert Hall's unique shape has turned it into a Los Angeles landmark and has also earned it notable appearances in TV shows and films, such as The Simpsons, spy comedy Get Smart and Iron Man.

These green toes belong to…

These are the toes of Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, who used to welcome immigrants arriving on ships to one of the biggest cities in the world.

The Statue of Liberty, New York City, New York

Officially called Liberty Enlightening the World, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France. She was designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and was built in part by none other than Gustave Eiffel – the mastermind behind France's Eiffel Tower. Located on Liberty Island, across from Lower Manhattan, the statue can be easily visited by ferry.

This is the columned dome of…

Completed in 1800, this is one of the most important buildings in the US. The political center of the country, it's home to one of the three branches of the federal government – the Congress. 

US Capitol, Washington DC

As soon as you get to central DC, it's impossible not to spot the famed dome of the Capitol building. You can usually join a free guided tour that takes visitors around the Crypt and the Rotunda, but you'll need a separate pass to visit the Senate and House Galleries.

This is the ceiling of…

When this building first opened, it invigorated Manhattan's Midtown and was seen as a splendid monument to the nation's financial, commercial and cultural capital.

Grand Central Station, New York City, New York

Dating to 1913, Grand Central was always intended to welcome the city's visitors with grandeur. It's not a case of style over substance here, though: ceiling frescoes, grand arches, and marble embellishments all draw attention from the station's practical design. Today it has become one of New York City's most well-known landmarks and is a major tourist attraction.

These towers and cables are from…

An icon of the Golden State, this was both the longest and the tallest suspension bridge in the world when first completed. It’s also a popular filming location and has featured in such films as A View to a Kill, San Andreas, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

Finished in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world. It’s also among the planet’s most expensive – it cost a total of $1.4 billion at today’s value.

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Now try to guess the world's capital cities, as viewed from the sky...