The U.S. Sure is a Special Place
America is home to some seriously baffling locations. We’ve got cities with nicknames like “the Dentist Office” and amusement parks so big, you need Viagra just to enjoy yourself. While some places just scream “Americana!” others show what happens when ambition, creativity and stupidity combine. Here are 20 places that could only be found in the United States.
1. Las Vegas Strip, Nevada
Las Vegas is the ultimate example of over-the-top entertainment. The Strip is packed with massive casinos, themed hotels, and nonstop neon lights. It’s a place where you can see ancient Rome, Paris, and Egypt all in one night, and it somehow works.
2. Wall Drug, South Dakota
Wall Drug started as a small roadside store and turned into a sprawling tourist trap. You can grab free ice water, shop for kitschy souvenirs, and see dozens of billboards along the highway. It’s a uniquely American roadside phenomenon.
Coemgenus at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
3. Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell has embraced its UFO lore like no other town. Alien-themed shops, museums, and festivals dominate the area. This obsession with extraterrestrials is a very American blend of kitsch and marketing genius.
Jonathan Martin Pisfil on Unsplash
4. Times Square, New York
Times Square is endlessly crowded, flashing, and loud, perfectly chaotic. Giant digital billboards and constant street performers make it unlike any other city intersection. Its sheer energy and scale really only make sense in America.
5. Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Carving four presidents into a mountain is bold, patriotic, and a little absurd. Mount Rushmore attracts millions of visitors every year. The scale and symbolism are uniquely American in their ambition.
6. Cadillac Ranch, Texas
This art installation features old Cadillacs buried nose-first in a field. Visitors are encouraged to spray paint the cars, creating an ever-changing masterpiece. It’s playful, eccentric, and entirely an American roadside wonder.
scott1346 from Mechanicsville, MD, USA on Wikimedia
7. Mall of America, Minnesota
The Mall of America isn’t just a shopping center, it’s a massive entertainment complex. With hundreds of stores, rides, and attractions, you could spend days exploring. Only in America could a mall reach this scale.
8. Hollywood, California
Hollywood is a place where ambition runs on spectacle, where the film industry grew alongside a culture that celebrates risk, reinvention, and larger-than-life dreams. It only really makes sense in America because it reflects the country’s belief that anyone can arrive with nothing, pitch an idea, and, through hustle, timing, and a bit of myth, turn it into a global phenomenon. The scale, optimism, and unapologetic commercialism of Hollywood mirror America’s own identity, making the two feel inseparable.
9. South of the Border, South Carolina/North Carolina
This kitschy rest stop features oversized sombreros, neon signs, and themed attractions. Its over-the-top charm draws countless travelers. The humor, size, and audacity are uniquely American roadside culture.
10. Area 51, Nevada
The secrecy and conspiracy theories around Area 51 give it legendary status. Military mystery and alien speculation make it a pop culture hotspot. It’s a place that’s part security facility, part tourist fascination, purely American in its mystique.
11. Graceland, Tennessee
Elvis Presley’s mansion attracts fans from around the world. The home, memorabilia, and kitschy decorations showcase American celebrity culture. Few other countries treat a musician’s house as a pilgrimage site quite like this.
12. The Corn Palace, South Dakota
The Corn Palace is a massive building decorated annually with murals made entirely from corn. It hosts festivals and events celebrating agriculture. The concept is eccentric, patriotic, and completely unique to the U.S.
13. Hoover Dam, Nevada/Arizona
The Hoover Dam is both a feat of engineering and a tourist attraction. Its massive scale and power generation symbolize American ambition. Few other countries have landmarks that combine utility, spectacle, and national pride in one place.
14. Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, Nationwide
While not a single location, seeing hundreds of red kettles outside stores during the holidays is uniquely American. Volunteers, jingling bells, and charitable donations dominate the streets. This mix of tradition, marketing, and charity really captures U.S. culture.
Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash
15. Route 66, Multiple States
Route 66 is the quintessential American road trip. Iconic diners, neon signs, and quirky stops line the route. The nostalgia and scale of this highway really only exist in the U.S. road culture.
16. Venice Beach, California
Venice Beach combines sun, sand, street performers, and muscle-bound fitness enthusiasts. The boardwalk culture is lively, eccentric, and totally American. Few other places mix people-watching, art, and exercise in one location like this.
17. The Gateway Arch, Missouri
This stainless steel monument dominates St. Louis’s skyline. Its design is bold and futuristic, symbolizing westward expansion. It’s an iconic structure that makes perfect sense only in the context of American history.
18. Salvation Mountain, California
Built entirely by one man in the desert, Salvation Mountain is bright, religious, and massive. Visitors can hike, photograph, or simply marvel at the creation. Its eccentricity and scale are a classic example of American DIY passion.
19. Universal Studios Theme Parks, Florida & California
These parks combine movies, rides, and immersive experiences on a massive scale. The level of spectacle and variety is hard to match anywhere else. The combination of entertainment and commercialism is a uniquely American phenomenon.
20. The Statue of Liberty, New York
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom, immigration, and American identity. Its size and iconic status make it instantly recognizable worldwide. Few landmarks balance national pride and international recognition quite like this.
