MomSkoop
America boasts some of the world’s most spectacular landmarks that capture the imagination of travelers and photographers alike. From natural wonders to architectural marvels, these iconic spots tell the story of our nation’s history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Ready your camera and add these picture-perfect destinations to your travel plans – they’re guaranteed to fill your social media feeds with envy-inducing snapshots!
1. Statue of Liberty
Standing proudly in New York Harbor since 1886, Lady Liberty welcomes visitors with her torch raised high. The copper-clad monument was a gift from France, symbolizing freedom and democracy to millions of immigrants arriving at nearby Ellis Island.
The best shots come from the Staten Island Ferry (which is free!) or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
2. Times Square
Sensory overload defines this iconic intersection where massive digital billboards create a canyon of light in midtown Manhattan. Street performers, bustling crowds, and yellow taxis create a vibrant scene that never sleeps, regardless of when your camera comes out.
Nighttime offers the most dramatic photo opportunities when the neon signs illuminate everything below. For the quintessential shot, position yourself on the red stairs of TKTS booth looking down Broadway.
The constant movement means every photograph captures a unique moment in the city’s rhythm.
3. Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s beloved landmark stretches majestically across the bay, its distinctive International Orange color contrasting beautifully with the blue waters below. When fog rolls in (locals call it Karl), only the tops of the 746-foot towers remain visible, creating ethereal photos that seem almost magical.
Battery Spencer in the Marin Headlands offers the classic postcard view, while Baker Beach provides a perspective with the city skyline. Morning light brings a warm glow to the eastern side, while afternoon sun illuminates the western face – timing matters for the perfect shot!
4. Grand Canyon
Nature’s masterpiece stretches across the Arizona desert, a colossal chasm carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. The layered rock formations reveal Earth’s geological history in bands of red, orange, and purple that change color throughout the day.
Sunrise at Mather Point bathes the canyon in warm light, while sunset at Hopi Point creates dramatic shadows. Photographers chase storms in summer when lightning strikes illuminate the vast expanse.
Remember that no photograph truly captures the canyon’s immensity – the human eye needs to experience its mile-deep magnitude firsthand.
5. Las Vegas Strip
Vegas dazzles with replicas of global landmarks all concentrated on one famous boulevard. The Eiffel Tower, Venetian canals, and Egyptian pyramids create surreal photo opportunities against the desert backdrop.
The Bellagio fountains dance every 15 minutes after dark, offering spectacular water choreography for time-lapse photography. High vantage points from hotel towers provide sweeping views of the neon-drenched landscape extending into the darkness.
6. Mount Rushmore
Carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, the 60-foot faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln gaze eternally eastward. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s monumental achievement took 14 years to complete, finishing in 1941 as a tribute to American presidents.
Morning light casts the clearest shadows on the granite faces, highlighting their detailed features. The presidential trail offers varied angles, while photographers seeking something unique capture the monument during evening lighting ceremonies.
Wildlife often appears in foreground shots – mountain goats and bighorn sheep frequent the surrounding pine forests.
7. Hollywood Sign
Originally erected in 1923 as a real estate advertisement reading “HOLLYWOODLAND,” this cultural icon now represents the entertainment industry worldwide. Perched on Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains, the 45-foot-tall letters stand out against the California sky.
Lake Hollywood Park offers family-friendly viewing, while more adventurous photographers hike the Brush Canyon Trail for closer perspectives. The sign appears in countless films and television shows, making it instantly recognizable even to those who’ve never visited Los Angeles.
8. Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle
Rising 189 feet above Magic Kingdom, this fairytale fortress serves as the heart of Disney World’s most visited park. Inspired by European castles, including Neuschwanstein in Germany, its blue turrets and golden spires create the perfect backdrop for family photos.
Morning magic hours offer rare shots without crowds, while nighttime brings spectacular projection shows and fireworks. Each season brings different decorations, from Christmas lights to anniversary celebrations, ensuring return visitors always capture something new.
9. Brooklyn Bridge
Connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn since 1883, this architectural marvel features distinctive Gothic arches and an elevated pedestrian walkway that draws photographers from around the world. The web of suspension cables creates natural leading lines toward the Manhattan skyline.
Dawn brings soft light and fewer crowds, while evening offers the magic of city lights reflecting on the East River. DUMBO’s Washington Street provides the classic view of the bridge framed between brick buildings, appearing on countless Instagram feeds.
10. The White House
America’s most famous address has housed presidents since 1800, its neoclassical design instantly recognizable worldwide. The north facade facing Lafayette Square offers the classic postcard view, though photographers also capture the south lawn during seasonal changes.
Spring brings cherry blossoms and tulips to the gardens, while December transforms the mansion with holiday decorations. Security restrictions mean most photos are taken from Pennsylvania Avenue or the Ellipse, using telephoto lenses to capture architectural details.
11. Niagara Falls
Three massive waterfalls straddling the US-Canadian border create one of North America’s most powerful natural spectacles. The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lie entirely on the US side, thundering 170 feet down into the Niagara Gorge with tremendous force.
Mist rises hundreds of feet, creating rainbows on sunny days that photographers chase from observation decks. The Cave of the Winds tour brings visitors to the Hurricane Deck, where waterproof cameras capture the raw power from just 20 feet away.
Winter transforms the scene as spray freezes into ice formations, creating a crystalline wonderland.
12. Chicago’s Cloud Gate
Affectionately nicknamed “The Bean,” this massive stainless steel sculpture in Millennium Park reflects Chicago’s skyline in its curved, mirror-like surface. British artist Anish Kapoor completed this 110-ton artwork in 2006, creating an instant landmark that attracts photographers at all hours.
Early morning offers reflections without crowds, while nighttime captures the city lights dancing across its polished exterior.
13. Empire State Building
Once the world’s tallest building, this Art Deco masterpiece has defined New York’s skyline since 1931. Its 102 stories rise dramatically from Midtown Manhattan, illuminated at night with colored lights that change for holidays and special events.
Photographers capture the spire from street level using extreme wide-angle lenses, or from observation decks of nearby skyscrapers. Top of the Rock provides the classic view with the Empire State Building centered in the skyline.
The 86th floor observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city below, especially breathtaking at sunset when golden light bathes the urban landscape.
14. Alcatraz Island
The infamous federal prison that once held Al Capone now stands as a haunting historic site in San Francisco Bay. Nicknamed “The Rock,” the island’s imposing cellhouse and water tower create a striking silhouette against the city skyline.
Photographers capture the island from Fisherman’s Wharf, or take the official ferry for interior shots of the weathered cellblocks. Morning fog often shrouds parts of the island, creating atmospheric compositions.
15. The Washington Monument
Soaring 555 feet above the National Mall, this marble obelisk honors America’s first president with elegant simplicity. Completed in 1884 after decades of construction delays, the monument’s distinctive two-tone exterior reveals where the building stopped during the Civil War.
Reflecting pools double the visual impact in photographs, creating perfect symmetry on still days.