The United States is a one-of-a-kind country bursting with glorious places and sights. Constructed of 50 states occupied by the most diverse population in the world, each state has its own landmark that makes it unique from the others. Going through each state would be unreadable, here is a slimmed-down list of five you definitely need to see.

1. Statue of Liberty
This list should start with some history and symbolism for the US. In 1886, France constructed the Statue of Liberty as a gift to the US for their alliance in the American Revolution. It took until 1924 for it to be label as a National Monument. The history of the statue speaks for itself, but there is more to it. Ellis Island is right next to the Statue of Liberty so anyone can look up his or her ancestors who moved to the US from other countries. The sight is of the statue is marvelous, because of what it symbolizes. The statue is the sign of freedom the US won from Great Britain, and it stands as tall and strong as the country does.

© Celso Flores

2. National Mall
If you’re not familiar with the name, “National Mall”, do not worry it is not an actual shopping mall. The National Mall consists of iconic monuments as the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Washington D.C. is the capital of the US so it must have some historic creations. All these monuments are within walking distance of each other, so you can easily visit them all in an afternoon. The National Mall is a perfect trip destination for a day or weekend. During the day, the National Mall is a scenic experience that any visitor will never forget.

© Sebastian Bassi

3. Niagara Falls
Lets head back to New York for another one of its “must-see” landmarks. On the boarder of New York and Canada stands this collection of three waterfalls, which creates a peaceful and wet environment. This is a view that neither pictures nor videos do itself justice. People even get married on the ferry while they are exploring Niagara Falls. The falls are simply just a spectacle to take in. Also, to make it a trip, consider jumping the boarder to Toronto to have some fun at night.

© Jason Paris

4. Golden Gate Bridge
Located in San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge is another portrait of beauty in the US. The bridge is almost two-miles long of pure-architectural brilliance. The bridge’s orange paint makes its stand out from other famous bridge across the US, as well as the area around it. The orange color was used to avoid damage from rust or moisture building on the foundation. After you pass over it taking in the delightful views, the gorgeous city of San Francisco awaits.

© Louis Raphael

5. Disney World
The final landmark you must see in the US is Disney World. Everyone should visit Disney World at least once in their lifetime. It is called “the most magical place on Earth” for a reason. The feel of Disney, and the entire group of surrounding parks, are unique in themselves. It’s a trip that needs to be planned out to visit all of the parks, because there’s a lot to cram into a week, but it is worth it.

© Barbara Ann Spengler