1

Statue of Liberty

Image: Pierre Blaché

Location: New York City, New York

The iconic symbol of freedom and democracy, Lady Liberty stands tall on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. A fraternal gift from France in 1886, she welcomed immigrants and visitors to the United States for over a century with her torch held high , representing enlightenment and hope.

Originally, it was a brownish copper color, but after a few years of exposure to the elements, its iconic green patina—caused by the oxidation of its copper surface—began to spread. Also, did you know that her full name is actually "La Liberté éclairant le monde" , French for "Liberty Enlightening the World"?

2

Mount Rushmore

Image: John Bakator

Location: Keystone, South Dakota

Carved into the granite face of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore features the colossal visages of four revered American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Although the monumental sculpture was never finished due to lack of funding (the original vision of sculptor Gutzon Borglum was that each president would be depicted from head to waist), it is still one of the most enduring symbols of the nation's founding principles and leadership.

3

Lincoln Memorial

Image: Kelli Dougal

Location: Washington D.C.

Honoring the 16th President of the United States, the Lincoln Memorial stands as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's enduring legacy and his role in preserving the Union during the Civil War. An example of neoclassical architecture, it is built in the form of a classical temple , and the massive marble statue of Lincoln seated solemnly commands reverence upon entrance.

The memorial serves as a symbolic center for civil rights and has been the site of many historic speeches , most notably Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963.

4

Gateway Arch

Image: Chris Hardy

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Considered by some to be the tallest human-made monument in the Western Hemisphere - and the tallest arch in the world - the Gateway Arch soars 630 feet above the Mississippi River, a tribute to America's westward expansion and the pioneering spirit of its people.

Made of stainless steel with reinforced concrete infill, the structure is built to withstand earthquakes and winds up to 150 miles per hour. Inside, the arch is hollow and contains a tram system that takes visitors to an observation deck at the top.

5

Washington Monument

Image: Andy He

Location: Washington D.C.

Dedicated to the nation's first President, George Washington, this towering obelisk stands at 555 feet, making it one of the tallest stone structures in the world - and for a brief period of time between 1884 and 1889, before the construction of the Eiffel Tower, it actually was the world's tallest structure.

Its cornerstone, a 24,500-pound marble block, was specially hollowed to hold a number of memorabilia , including items associated with the monument, George Washington, and various benevolent societies.

6

USS Arizona Memorial

Image: Kirby Yardley

Location: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Built over the sunken remains of the USS Arizona, this memorial pays homage to the lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Only accessible by boat, the solemn structure sits just above the sunken battleship without touching it , preserving the original wreckage intact.

To this day, drops of oil occasionally leak from the ship’s deteriorating oil tanks , forming oil slicks on the water’s surface that are often referred to as "the tears of the Arizona."

7

Crazy Horse Memorial

Image: Lauren Lopes

Location: Crazy Horse, South Dakota

A colossal endeavor still in progress, the Crazy Horse Memorial is a heartfelt tribute to the Lakota leader Crazy Horse , intended to honor the culture, tradition, and resilience of Native Americans.

When it is finally completed, it will be the largest sculpture in the world , standing at 563 feet high and 641 feet long.

8

Hoover Dam

Image: Ryan Thorpe

Location: Nevada/Arizona border

Although not technically a monument, the Hoover Dam undeniably stands as a testament to American ingenuity and resourcefulness. Completed in 1936, it was originally named Boulder Dam , but the association with President Herbert Hoover endured, leading to its eventual renaming in his honor.

Spanning the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona, the Hoover Dam is a monumental feat of engineering and a vital source of hydroelectric power and water for the Southwest United States.

9

Bunker Hill Monument

Image: Siddharth Mallya

Location: Charlestown, Massachusetts

Standing tall on Breed's Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the Bunker Hill Monument commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill , one of the early clashes in the American Revolutionary War.

Constructed between 1825 and 1843, the granite obelisk rises 221 feet and is accompanied by a statue of Col. William Prescott , a celebrated commander and hero of the Revolutionary War. Prior to the construction of the Washington Monument, it was the nation's largest-scale memorial.

10

Golden Gate Bridge

Image: Leo_Visions

Location: San Francisco, California

Spanning the Golden Gate Strait and connecting San Francisco to Marin County, the Golden Gate Bridge is an enduring symbol of American engineering and inventiveness. Opened in 1937, the iconic suspension bridge stretches 1.7 miles, and the main cables that support the weight of the roadway are made out of over 80,000 miles of galvanized steel wire.

Its distinctive orange hue, known as International Orange , was carefully chosen by consulting architect Irving Morrow to both complement the natural surroundings and enhance visibility in the frequent foggy conditions of the bay.

1

Original Coke

Image: Deepal Tamang

How it all started. On May 8, 1886, Dr. John Pemberton served the world's first Coca-Cola at Jacobs Drug Store in Atlanta, Georgia, and American life would never be the same again. Based on coca leaf and cola nut, the recipe for the original Coke is one of the best-kept secrets in history. Since its invention almost 140 years ago, this mysterious, dark, sweet, bubbly, and stimulating liquid has become one of the world's most widely known and consumed soft drinks.

2

Vanilla Coke

Image: kkk

Vanilla Coke was first introduced in the United States in 2002. The new drink consisted of original Coca-Cola flavor with natural vanilla extract added to the formula. Shortly after its launch, the vanilla soft drink became a success, selling millions of units. However, by 2006, sales had dropped considerably, and the product was eventually withdrawn from the market.

Yet, Vanilla Coke would not give up so easily. Its fans began to campaign online to make the company reintroduce it. Luckily for them, the drink eventually returned to the shelves in 2007.

3

Coca-Cola with Lime

Image: stevepb

​​Many people add a few drops of lime to their glass of Coke, so why wouldn't the company launch a ready-to-drink product? Coca-Cola with Lime was first introduced in the United States in 2005 during a broadcast of American Idol. As the name suggests, it has the taste of Coca-Cola with the addition of lime flavor. Did you like it, or were you one of the many naysayers?

4

Starlight

Image: Joey Csunyo

A Coke inspired by space? Believe it or not, in 2022, Coca-Cola launched —no pun intended— a variant of the drink to bring the taste of space down to Earth. You're probably wondering what it tastes like, and so are we! According to the company, Coca-Cola Starlight’s taste "includes additional notes reminiscent of stargazing around a campfire, as well as a cooling sensation that evokes the feeling of a cold journey to space." Would you dare to try it?

5

Dreamworld

Image: Marjan Blan

Like Starlight, Dreamworld was a 2022 limited edition. In this case, Coca-Cola wanted people to be able to taste dreams. We have no idea what that means exactly, but it sure has sparked our curiosity. Not convinced yet? According to the company, Coke Dreamworld "bottles up the technicolor tastes and surrealism of the subconscious." If only we could travel back in time to put it to the test!

6

Cherry Coke

Image: Frank Tunder

Based on a mix of cherry syrup and Coca-Cola, Cherry Coke was first introduced in 1982 at the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. It wasn’t until three years later that the new soft drink officially hit supermarket shelves worldwide. Cherry Coke was the first flavored Coca-Cola, and its success was so great that in the following years not only did Light and Zero versions emerge, but it also has a large and strong cult fan base.

7

Coca-Cola Blāk

Image: himanshu Chaudhary

As if the caffeine already in Coca-Cola wasn't enough to wake up any sleepyhead, in 2006 the company launched Coca-Cola BlāK. This soft drink that blends the taste of Coke with coffee was introduced in response to the overwhelming success of the early 2000s energy drinks and coffee chains. Despite its novel and sophisticated packaging design, consumers didn't quite like the sweetener’s artificial aftertaste, and it was finally discontinued just 2 years after its launch.

8

Coke Plus Coffee

Image: Nikolai Chernichenko

Coca-Cola Wouldn’t give up and, despite Coca-Cola BlāK's fiasco, in 2021 introduced a new product that paired the legendary soft drink with coffee. The difference with its predecessor was that Coke Plus Coffee contained more real coffee, specifically 100% Brazilian coffee. If you think the company got the experiment right this time, you're wrong. Coke Plus Coffee barely lasted a year on American shelves.

9

Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar OREO

Image: Shubham Kumar

Soda that tastes like cookies and cookies that taste like soda? Coca-Cola and Oreo thought this was a good idea and in 2024 launched a limited edition collaboration that included an Oreo-flavored Coca-Cola and a Coca-Cola-flavored cookie. According to the companies, the products are "a delicious duo that celebrates friendship with every sip". Those who have tried them claim that indeed the drink tastes like Oreo and the cookies like Coke —whatever that means. The Oreos even contain popping candy for a real fizzy vibe! Would you be willing to try them?

10

Coke Cinnamon

Image: Alex Bayev

If they tried cherry, lime, and vanilla, cinnamon was the obvious next step. Coca-Cola Cinnamon was introduced in September 2019, just in time for the holiday season. It was supposed to be a limited edition, but it was such a success that it was re-released the following winter. The taste? As expected!

11

Diet Coke Plus

Image: Brett Jordan

With the turn of the century, sugary drinks got a backlash from groups advocating healthier eating. In an attempt to improve its image, in 2007, Coca-Cola launched Diet Coke Plus, a drink that, they claimed, was enriched with vitamins and minerals. The attempt ended up backfiring: the United States Food and Drug Administration wrote a warning letter to the company for violating its guidelines. Coca-Cola stated that Diet Coke Plus didn’t involve any health or safety issues, but the product was eventually discontinued.

12

California Raspberry and Georgia Peach

Image: One Day

Locally inspired by these states' signature fruits, California Raspberry and Georgia Peach were the first new Coca-Cola flavors since 2002. Launched in 2018 to compete with craft sodas, these new drinks promised to " add a pop of local flavor to the timeless taste you love." Although many people actually loved the new beverages, the company pulled them from the market in 2020. Ever got the chance to try them?

1

Beignets

Image: Jessica Tan

We’ll start with this Louisiana delicacy. This won’t be the last time you see an exquisite Louisiana dish in this article, since "the Pelican State" has a lot of meals to share with the world. Beignets are particularly popular in New Orleans, as this gorgeous city has been producing these iconic pastries since the 1700s.

While there are several European varieties of beignets, the ones served in Louisiana are usually rectangular in shape and deep-fried. They are usually consumed with coffee during breakfast, fresh from the frier, and with a healthy dose of powdered sugar on top. As you might have already figured out, beignets are the official state donut of Louisiana.

2

Chicago Pizza

Image: Matt Antonioli

Chicago-style pizza is sometimes considered a divisive subject, but we truly don’t understand why. Sure, this deep-dish delicacy inverts the established order of pizza, putting a hearty amount of tomato sauce on top of copious amounts of cheese.

However, as any 5th-grade math teacher can tell you, changing the order of the ingredients will not change the end result: In the end, Chicago-style pizza is just as delicious as traditional pizza. If you ever find yourself in "The Windy City" , treat yourself to a slice!

3

Texas Chili

Image: Artur Kornakov

While Texas is world-known for its delicious barbecue (on which the brisket reigns supreme), the official dish of "the Lone Star State" is its famous "Chili con carne". Texas-style chili's main distinction from its Mexican counterpart is its lack of beans: A traditional Texan "bowl of red" may contain a generous amount of beef and peppers, but never beans.

If you ever want to try some amazing chili from the birthplace of Texas style, you might want to visit the wonderful city of San Antonio : It was in this place that the "Queens of Chili" started selling their delicious recipes at affordable prices.

4

Boston Cream Pie

Image: Alonso Reyes

Beignets are not the only sweet treat you’ll find on this list. From the very heart of New England comes the delicious Boston cream pie . As its name suggests, this spongy pie is filled with cream and usually topped with a layer of chocolate.

The Boston cream pie is a long-standing symbol of everything "Bean City" has to offer: After all, it has been proudly produced in this city since at least the 19th century. According to legend, this pie was created in 1856 in the historic Parker House Hotel, by Armenian-French chef Mossburg Sanzian.

5

Philly Cheesesteak

Image: Niramay Kachhadiya

Just like their trademarked slang noun "jawn", Philly’s most iconic dish is an extremely versatile sandwich. The cheesesteak and Philadelphia are as synonymous as… Well, Rocky and Philadelphia. This sandwich is made from pieces of roasted beef, grilled onions and melted cheese served on a hoagie roll, so its popularity doesn’t really need to be explained.

If you are looking for someone to thank for this delicious fast food, you can pay homage to brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri. In the 1930s, these two Philadelphians created what most believe to be the very first iteration of the Philly cheesesteak in their hot dog stand.

6

Gumbo

Image: David Trinks

We told you that beignets weren’t the only Louisiana delicacy making it to this list. Gumbo is an exquisite Louisiana Creole stew characterized for always including three ingredients known as the Creole "holy trinity": celery, bell peppers, and onions.

While this dish has been synonymous with "The Pelican State" since at least the 19th century, gumbo gained national popularity in the 1970s, after the U.S. Senate added it to the dining room’s menu in honor of Louisiana Senator Allen Ellender.

7

New England Clam Chowder

Image: Kevin Lanceplaine

Looking for "warm food for the soul"? Then maybe New England can help: Just try a hearty bowl of clam chowder in any of the states that comprise this beautiful region. This iconic soup has been produced in New England since the 18th century, although it is now widespread throughout the entire nation.

While several variations exist, all clam chowder recipes include clams, potatoes, and onions. The three most popular variants are the New England or "white" recipe (which includes cream or milk), the Manhattan or "red" recipe (which includes tomato sauce), and the Rhode Island or "clear" version which includes neither dairy nor tomatoes.

8

New Mexico Green Chile Stew

Image: Acton Crawford

If you ever visit New Mexico, don’t be surprised if someone asks you the state’s official question "Green or Red?" No, it's not a confusing haiku nor a piece of experimental poetry: they are just asking which type of pepper you would like with your meal. That being said, you should keep this entry in mind before you give out your answer, since you might want to try a bowl of mouth-watering "Chile Verde" or green chile stew.

While there are many variations to this recipe, green chile stew usually includes green peppers (of course), pork, garlic, and green tomatillos . Its spiciness might vary depending on the type of pepper used, but it might go from mildly to extremely spicy.

9

Florida Key Lime Pie

Image: American Heritage Chocolate

You would think the orange, Florida’s most famous fruit, would be featured in The Sunshine State’s iconic dessert, but that honor goes to the delicious Key lime pie. Should you ever find yourself in Key West, don’t leave without trying a piece of this exquisite and citric treat.

As the name indicates, Key limes are essential for making this pie, since they tend to be more acidic and aromatic than other limes. These limes are so revered by the good people of Key West that every year, the Key Lime Festival is held on the Independence Day weekend.

10

Apple pie

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

We’ll end this article with a sweet treat synonymous with being American . How many times have you heard that something is "as American as apple pie"? This iconic dessert has been tied with our nation’s history and identity since its inception, so it is no wonder that we always choose to have a piece of apple pie on the 4th of July.

While apple pies were brought over to America by European immigrants during the 17th century, it was quickly adopted as one of our nation’s most beloved symbols. Two different recipes for apple pie appear in America’s very first cookbook, Amelia Simmons’ "American Cookery", which was published in 1796.