1

Multnomah Falls (Bridal Veil, Oregon)

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Multnomah Falls is, without a doubt, the mother of all the 77 waterfalls that can be found in the gorge of the Columbia River in the state of Oregon. Located 30 miles east of Portland, it is one of the three largest waterfalls in the United States . Multnomah Falls has a staggering drop of 620 feet divided into two sections and is a natural wonderland of breathtaking beauty.

A stone bridge suspended between two cliffs offers the best views. The Benson Bridge, built in 1914, allows you to cross the lower falls and continue along a paved trail to the viewing platform at the top. From this privileged observation point, you’ll be able to appreciate the geology exposed by centuries of flooding. Multnomah Falls is the perfect place for hikers , especially during the autumn months. Its rich natural, cultural, and geological history is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

2

Bridalveil Fall (Yosemite, California)

Image: PeterBowers

Bridalveil Falls is a 617-foot cascade and is one of the most iconic sights in the Yosemite National Park . This famous waterfall drops to the base in spring and early summer with enough water to spray its visitors with a gentle mist. In winter, Bridalveil Falls offers a soft yellow glow.

The Ahwahneechee tribe believed that Bridalveil Falls was home to a vengeful spirit named Pohono who protected the entrance to the valley and that those leaving should not look directly at the waterfall lest they suffer the curse. They also thought inhaling the mist from the waterfall would help them find someone to marry , hence the name it is known today.

3

Nugget Falls (Juneau, Alaska)

Image: Timon Cornelissen

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes, Nugget Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the United States. Although it’s a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts , the scenery alone provides ample reasons for anyone to visit and explore.

Located at the tail end of Alaska's Mendenhall Glacier, these 377-foot falls are formed from a glacial stream making their way to Mendenhall Lake in the course of a two-tiered plunge. They can be accessed by a gravel road, but they are often visited as part of an excursion to Juneau Shore or Mendenhall Lake. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for some tranquil moment in nature, Nugget Falls is sure to provide a memorable experience .

4

Wailua Falls (Līhuʻe, Hawái)

Image: Zane Persaud

You may recognize these waterfalls from their appearance in the opening credits of the hit TV show "Fantasy Island". Or you may have seen them in promotional materials for Kauai, as Wailua Falls are considered the most amazing waterfalls on this scenic Hawaiian island . It is located 5 miles north of downtown Līhuʻe and although there is no walking trail, it can be easily seen from the road.

The double-flow cascade spans an 80-foot drop, thundering and crashing into a small plunge pool below. A lush jungle wall surrounds Wailua Falls, a magnificent site, especially after heavy rains. If you visit in the morning, you may be greeted by a rainbow as the sunlight hits the mist rising from the waterfall . It's an excellent photo opportunity you don’t want to miss!

5

Tahquamenon Falls (Paradise, Michigan)

Image: Dillon Austin

The astonishing Tahquamenon Falls are divided into two equally impressive sections. You can visit the Upper Falls to witness the 200-foot-wide and 48-foot-high cascades before heading to the Lower Falls, a group of five waterfalls that drop around a freshwater island. This area was first popularized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s "The Song of Hiawatha", but long before that, it was used as a hunting and fishing site by the Ojibwa natives .

Nowadays, these rust-colored cascades —the result of tannins released from cedar trees upstream— are known to some as "Root Beer Falls." They are located in Tahquamenon Fall State Park, an ideal location for fishing and swimming during the summer. In winter, it becomes a snow-covered paradise for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing . No matter the time of the year, the natural scenery of Tahquamenon is truly a sight to behold!

6

McWay Falls (Big Sur, California)

Image: Jairo Gonzalez

Located on the stunning California coast, McWay Falls is a true hidden gem. With its crystal clear waters cascading directly onto the white sandy beach, this 80-foot waterfall delights all visitors with its unique beauty . If you are planning to visit Big Sur and you're looking for spectacular views, McWay Falls is a must-see!

The history of McWay Falls dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when the area was acquired by the McWay family. Julia Pfeiffer McWay, a woman with an adventurous spirit and a passion for nature, fought all her life to preserve its native ecosystem. In 1983, the site was donated to the State of California and incorporated into Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, named in honor of Julia's generosity.

7

Crabtree Falls (Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina)

Image: Leslie Cross

North Carolina has many natural wonders that can be enjoyed all year round, and Crabtree Falls is no exception. Although it’s not as popular as other waterfalls in the state, it's a site worth visiting, especially during the warmer months . Located just 45 miles north of Asheville, this 70-foot-high cascade is surrounded by an oak and hickory tree forest.

Originally known as Murphy’s Falls, this area was renamed Crabtree Falls by the National Park Service when the Blue Ridge Parkway was constructed in the 1930s. If you are a flower and plant lover, Crabtree Falls is the place to be . In the spring, visitors can find a magnificent array of wildflowers along the trail, and during the summer, ferns fill the forest with rosebay rhododendrons in bloom.

8

Havasu Falls (Supai, Arizona)

Image: Daniel Hernandez

The Grand Canyon attracts more than 5 million tourists every year and is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. But hidden deep in the canyon, on the Havasupai reservation, there is a breathtaking site little known to most tourists: the Havasu Falls . Being in a protected reserve, a special permit is required to visit. If you're lucky enough to get one, the falls can be accessed by helicopter, horse, or mule. Another option is to hike 10 miles there and back, along a beautiful path of red rocks and ancient pictographs.

Havasu Falls is known for having a fantastic turquoise color due to the high levels of calcium carbonate present in the spring-fed waters of Havasu Creek, the main source of the waterfalls. These high levels also create the 70-degree travertine pools at the top, making them the perfect swimming spot!

9

Palouse Falls (LaCrosse, Washington)

Image: Dave Hoefler

The unexpected beauty of Palouse Falls dominates eastern Washington, attracting thousands of visitors each year to experience the 200-foot drop from a stunning rocky outcrop into a swirling blue pool. The falls are surrounded by striking cliffs and can be seen from several vantage points throughout the State Park, including the trail that hugs the canyon's rim.

Palouse Falls is the result of the last Ice Age , the product of several glacial floods known as the Missoula Floods that swept across the region, creating the unique landscape that amazes us today. If you are feeling adventurous, just pack a tent and prepare to catch one of the best sunset views the country has to offer!

10

Niagara Falls (New York)

Image: Ivan Torres

Last, but certainly not least, Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in the United States and a unique destination that attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. With a width of more than 3,000 feet and a drop of 160 ft, these three magnificent falls —two American and one Canadian— are located 400 miles from New York City. Approximately 600,000 gallons of water flow over the falls every second and the average depth underneath is 170 ft.

Named by the Iroquois tribe, the word Niagara means "thunder of water" . Since its discovery by European settlers in the 17th century, Niagara Falls has become very popular, not only for their beauty but also as a source of energy. Niagara Falls is a marvelous spectacle that will remain in the memory of all those who have the chance to explore it . There’s no doubt about it, everyone should visit Niagara Falls at least once in their lifetime!

1

Youngest president to assume office

Theodore Roosevelt became president at 42 years, 322 days old, making him the youngest to hold the office

Although John F. Kennedy remains the youngest elected (at 43 years old), Roosevelt was the youngest on the day of his ascension in 1901, which followed the assassination of President William McKinley.

2

First to receive a secret service code name

Harry S. Truman, who served from 1945 to 1953, was the first president to be given a Secret Service code name. His code name was "General," and from then on, presidents, their families, and senior staff were all assigned aliases for security.

For example, John F. Kennedy became "Lancer," Dwight Eisenhower was "Providence," and Ronald Reagan (a "Hollywood cowboy") was "Rawhide."

3

Most dogs in the White House

Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the record for the most dogs residing in the White House during a presidency, keeping 11 over his 12 years and one month in office. While his Scottish Terrier, Fala, became a national celebrity, he was hardly the only one.

He also had two red setters, a bullmastiff, a retriever, a bulldog, a Llewellin Setter, a terrier, a Great Dane, a sheepdog, and a German Shepherd.

4

Most handshakes in a single day by a head of state

On January 1, 1907, Theodore Roosevelt reportedly gave 8,513 handshakes in one day at a White House function, claimed to be the most by a head of state. Who would keep count?

This surely reflected Roosevelt’s populist, outgoing personality and the era’s emphasis on personal touch. Such physical engagement would be virtually impossible today with modern security protocols.

5

The oldest president ever elected

Joe Biden was 78 years and 61 days old when inaugurated on January 20, 2021, which made him the oldest person ever elected to the U.S. presidency at the time. On that date, he surpassed the prior record held by Donald Trump, who was 70 at his inauguration.

The plot twist was that, in 2025, Donald Trump once again recovered the title. When he took office for his second nonconsecutive term, he was 78 years and 7 months old.

6

Elected for four terms

Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only U.S. president to be elected to four terms and stay in office from 1933 to 1945, a total of almost 12 years. He led the nation through both the Great Depression and much of World War II. His unprecedented term length prompted the 22nd Amendment, which now limits presidents to two terms.

7

Largest presidential entourage

President Bill Clinton traveled to China in June 1998 with what Guinness World Records logged as the largest presidential entourage ever: 1,200 people. The logistics included Secret Service agents, military personnel, senior delegates, reporters, White House TV crews, all assorted in vans, limousines, and even aircraft.

8

First African-American U.S. President

Barack Obama holds the historic record as the first African-American president of the United States, inaugurated in 2009.

His election represented a pivotal moment in American racial history and identity. Obama’s presidency inspired discussions about diversity, representation, and societal progress.

9

First president on the radio

Warren G. Harding became the first president to deliver a radio address, marking a revolutionary shift in presidential communication in 1922, during the Lincoln Memorial dedication.

This milestone transformed how leaders reached the public: technology now made it possible for their voices to be heard inside people’s own homes.

10

Longest presidential diaries

Many presidents, from George Washington to Joe Biden, have kept personal diaries, offering raw insight into their minds, decisions, and even moods. But John Quincy Adams kept the longest one: a 15,000-page record, including candid habits like skinny-dipping.

11

Most "Time Person of the Year" titles (male)

Franklin D. Roosevelt earned three "Time Person of the Year" titles (in 1932, 1934, and 1941) more than any other male in history. He presided over both the Great Depression and World War II, becoming a dominant public figure, which earned him those recognitions. These awards reflected his central role in shaping national and global events over more than a decade.

1

Marlon Brando

Image: Trailer screenshottrailer at IMDB, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Marlon Brando was one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, admired for his talent, charisma, and unforgettable roles. He won his first Oscar for On the Waterfront (1954), but things took a very different turn with his second win. When The Godfather earned him another Academy Award in 1972, Brando refused to attend and sent a Native American representative in his place, using the moment to protest Hollywood’s mistreatment and misrepresentation of Indigenous peoples.

2

Tom Cruise

Image: Gabriel Hutchinson Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Like many of the actors on this list, Tom Cruise is a global icon whose career has earned him three Golden Globes: Best Actor for Jerry Maguire (1996), Best Actor for Born on the Fourth of July (1989), and Best Supporting Actor for Magnolia (1999). But in 2021, he made headlines for a very different reason: he returned all three awards. According to reports, Cruise did so as a protest against the ethics and lack of diversity within the organization behind the Globes.

3

Woody Allen

Image: Andreas Tai, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Woody Allen is known for refusing to participate in awards season, despite earning many nominations throughout his career. With around 24 Academy Award nominations, he has attended virtually none of the ceremonies. He has won four Oscars, but he never went to pick them up, though he did not decline or return them. And it’s not just the Oscars: Allen rarely attends any award ceremonies, including the Golden Globes.

4

George C. Scott

Image: Directed by Stanley Kubrick, distributed by Columbia Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

George C. Scott was one of Hollywood’s great classic stars, celebrated for his powerful work on both stage and screen. And he was also the first actor in history to refuse an Oscar. Not only did he decline nominations for The Hustler (1961) and The List of Adrian Messenger (1963), but he also rejected the Best Actor award he won for Patton (1970). Scott believed that each performance is too unique to be ranked against another, and that art should never be treated like a competition. What do you think?

5

Dolly Parton

Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Dolly_Parton_with_guitar.jpg

Actors aren’t the only ones who turn down awards; musicians do it too. One of them is Dolly Parton, who has declined more than just music honors. She was selected three times for the Presidential Medal of Freedom and turned it down each time. The first two refusals were during the pandemic, and the third came from her concern that accepting might seem politically partisan. In addition, in 2022, she also declined a nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, saying she hadn’t yet "earned that right."

6

Katharine Hepburn

Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios; Restored by Adam Cuerden, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The incredible Katharine Hepburn won four Oscars! But she never showed up to collect a single one. She always sent someone else to accept them on her behalf. In fact, she only attended the Oscars once, and it wasn’t to receive an award but to present one. When asked why she stayed away, she summed it up perfectly: "Awards are nothing; my reward is my work."

7

Julie Andrews

Image: Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Born in the United Kingdom, Julie Andrews is adored by Americans for many reasons, including the unforgettable films, such as Mary Poppins (1964) and The Sound of Music (1965). But beyond her cinematic gems, she also built a remarkable career in theater. In 1996, she received a Tony nomination for her role in Victor/Victoria , and chose to decline it. Why? Because she was the only member of the entire cast and production recognized, and she simply didn’t think that was fair.

8

Will Smith

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

In the late 80s, Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff won the first-ever Grammy for Best Rap Performance. But when they learned that their category wouldn’t be televised, they chose to boycott the 1989 Grammy Awards in protest. They didn’t turn down the award itself, but their stand made an impact: the following year, the rap category was broadcast on air, finally receiving the same visibility as the others.

9

Sinéad O'Connor

Image: Globe photo/Dave Shea, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sinéad O'Connor was world-famous, and in America, we remember her mainly for the unforgettable hit "Nothing Compares 2 U." As a passionate activist, she carried her convictions into her career choices, which led her to turn down her Grammy nomination. She specifically asked that her name be withdrawn, arguing that the Grammys were too commercial and rewarded popularity over ethics, artistry, and musical integrity.

10

Nick Cave

Image: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Australian artist Nick Cave declined his nomination for Best Male Artist at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. He even sent a formal letter asking that his name be withdrawn, famously saying: "My muse is not a horse, and I am not in any horse race."