1

The Golden Globe: Lighter than it looks

Image: MUILLU

Despite its prestigious reputation, the Golden Globe is one of the lightest major awards, it weighs just 7.8 pounds. That’s about the same as a small bag of sugar. Not exactly a workout for the winners, right?

While it may not be as heavy as an Oscar or a SAG Award, it’s still one of the most recognizable trophies in Hollywood.

2

A golden glow-up in 2009

Image: Kier in Sight Archives

The Golden Globe has been around since 1944, but in 2009, the award got a makeover . Its base was updated and they reinforced the top for a more durable design.

The refresh made sure this little trophy could withstand the excitement (and maybe the occasional after-party mishap). The new design kept its classic golden charm while making it sturdier for future winners.

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Golden Globe: What’s it made of?

Image: Zlaťáky.cz

Now, let’s talk materials: Did you think the Golden Globe is all gold? Not quite! Up to 2019, the trophy was coated in 24-carat gold , sitting on an exotic marble base. However, the new design is made of zinc, brass, and bronze. Goodbye, marble!

That mix of materials makes it both elegant and solid, though it’s still one of the lighter awards out there.

4

The SAG Award: Hollywood’s heaviest trophy

Image: Venti Views

If you’ve ever bowled a strike, you’ve lifted something as heavy as a SAG Award. This trophy called "The Actor" is the bulkiest of the bunch, with a hefty 12 pounds .

Contrary to Golden Globe winners, SAG Award winners need a little arm strength to hoist it up for their acceptance speeches. But hey, considering how much actors work out for movie roles, a little extra weight shouldn’t be a problem!

5

A trophy with a military past

Image: Scott Webb

The SAG Award isn’t just heavy, it’s made of solid bronze originally developed for the US Navy.

The same material used in World War II for ship propellers and shell casings is now used to honor Hollywood’s finest, how about that?

6

The SAG Award: The baby of the group

Image: Tim Wildsmith

Compared to other long-standing awards, The Actor is still the new kid on the awards block. The SAG Awards are only 30 years old , they are the youngest of the major Hollywood trophies.

However, they’ve quickly become one of the most respected honors in the industry. They acknowledge and reward actors and crews from TV shows and they are highly valued among artists.

7

The Grammy’s original name: The Eddie?

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

The Grammy Award almost had a very different name. Originally, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences considered calling it "The Eddie," after Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph.

That’s clever, but eventually, they settled on "Grammy," inspired by the gramophone, an early record player.

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Handcrafted with care in Colorado

Image: Randy Fath

Unlike mass-produced trophies, each Grammy is handmade by John Billings and his small team in Ridgeway, Colorado.

It takes 15 hours to craft just one , making each award a true work of art. With only a few people in charge of making them, and only a few people in the world who can win it, there’s a special touch to every trophy.

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Why the Grammys use fake trophies on stage

Image: Markus Spiske

Ever noticed how winners don’t immediately have their names on their Grammy Awards? That’s because they’re handed blank fake trophies during the ceremony!

After the show, Billings’ wife, Robin Meiklejohn, carefully engraves the real nameplates . That way, winners get their correctly labeled awards without any last-minute surprises. We bet you’ll be double-checking next time you watch it!

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Oscar nameplates: Everyone gets one, just in case

Image: Serge Le Strat

Unlike the Grammy Awards, where nameplates are engraved after the winners are announced, the Academy Awards prepare nameplates for every nominee ahead of time. That means each nominee’s name is already printed and waiting backstage, ready to be attached. The losers’ nameplates? Well, let’s just say they don’t make it onto the trophies

11

The Oscar: More gold than any other award

Image: Samuel Ramos

Hollywood’s most coveted trophy isn’t just tall, it’s loaded with gold . The Academy Award has more gold than any other major trophy. So, to keep it shiny, the polishing work will require a little time!

It takes an hour of careful work to make sure each Oscar gleams on awards night. Because let’s face it, under those bright Hollywood lights, who wants a dull statue?

12

What’s with the Oscar’s base?

Image: Carol Highsmith's America

Have you ever wondered why the Oscar statue has a unique look? The base is designed as a five-section film reel , representing the Academy’s five core branches: actors, writers, directors, producers, and technicians.

It’s a nod to the many different talents that make a great film possible. A meaningful detail on Hollywood’s biggest prize, don’t you think?

13

Why you can’t sell an Oscar for more than $1

Image: Ilya Chunin

Think an Oscar could get one a fortune? Think again! Since 1950, every Oscar winner must agree to offer the trophy back to the Academy for just $1 before selling it.

This rule prevents an underground market for Hollywood’s highest honor, naturally. So if you’re dreaming of buying one, you might need to win it the old-fashioned way: By making a great movie!

14

Why is it called "Oscar"?

Image: Mirko Fabian

The name "Oscar" has a fun origin story. Legend has it that Margaret Herrick, a former Academy librarian, thought the statue looked like her Uncle Oscar , and the name just stuck! Maybe that’s not the real story, but it’s certainly better than calling it "The Academy Award of Merit."

1

The Loneliest Road, Nevada

Image: Jake Blucker

Nevada is a state that offers plenty of wide, ample, and uncrowded places, for sure. The US Route 50 cuts through the heart of the state, offering solitude and stark desert beauty. The name "Loneliest Road in America" was bestowed upon this route by a 1986 Life magazine article claiming that there was not much to see—but that claim couldn’t be further from the truth.

Route 50 has plenty of ghost towns, historic mining communities, stunning state parks, unsurpassed recreational opportunities , and a selection of authentic Sagebrush Saloons.

2

Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, California

Image: Joris Beugels

Yes, the Pacific Coast Highway, stretching along the coast of California, is one of the most famous and beautiful road trips in the world. But, as evidenced by the diverse landscapes of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, the Golden State has so much more to offer.

Alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and desert expanses make up a jaw-dropping panorama all along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range . The elevated mountainous terrain also offers breathtaking views of Mono Lake, whose famous salt waters are visible from miles away.

3

The Blues Highway, Tennessee, and Louisiana

Image: Tanner Boriack

It may sound like the title of a movie, or an album but, in this case, at least, the Blues Highway is a real road, stretching from Nashville, Tennessee, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Also known as Highway 61, this iconic route passes through Delta Blues landmarks, the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the historic jazz legacy of Preservation Hall.

As for natural beauty along the way, the Mississippi’s Natchez Trace Parkway offers a look into the area’s Native American history, as well as features stunning views of southern cypress swamps.

4

The San Juan Skyway, Colorado

Image: Maeghan Smulders

A spectacularly scenic high-elevation drive, the San Juan Skyway loop provides breathtaking views and access to historic mining towns. The route goes along U.S. Route 550 from Durango to Silverton, Ouray, and Ridgway, and then along Colorado State Highway 62 to Placerville, Colorado State Highway 145 to Telluride, Rico, Dolores, and Cortez, before completing the loop back to Mancos and Durango via U.S. Route 160.

Along this 236-mile journey, which takes about six hours to drive, you'll encounter, subalpine forests, historic mountain towns, expansive cattle ranges, and prehistoric Native American ruins.

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High Peaks Scenic Byway, New York

Image: Kevin Wiegand

The drive along the Adirondack Mountains is not named High Peaks Scenic Byway for nothing. This upstate New York route is a short, but stunning slice of nature. Coming in at just under 30 miles long, the byway begins in the town of Keene and runs to Lake Placid, leading travelers along the highest peaks of the Adirondacks, by breathtaking bodies of water such as Chapel Pond and Roaring Brook Falls, and through charming towns and dense forests.

There are plenty of places to pull over and take in the fresh air and scenery along the drive, as well as numerous trails for those seeking more active adventures such as canoeing, biking, fishing, or cross-country skiing.

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The Black Hills, South Dakota

Image: mary stahl

There is so much more to the Black Hills than Mount Rushmore. This isolated mountain range in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming covers an area 125 miles long and 65 miles wide. It encompasses rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, otherworldly buttes, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and intricate cave systems.

The name "Black Hills" originates from the Lakota term Paha Sapa, meaning "hills that are black." Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear dark, almost black.

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North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota

Image: Joe Pohle

The Great Lakes boasts countless scenic drives, and the North Shore Scenic Drive is among the most spectacular. Stretching approximately 154 miles from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Canadian border, the route offers unparalleled views of the northern shores of Lake Superior .

The drive takes travelers through charming towns and rugged coastal landscapes , with plenty of opportunities to stop for food and drink while also taking in expansive forests, cascading waterfalls, and beaches studded with colorful agate stones.

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Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, New Mexico

Image: Maddy Baker

The Trail of the Ancients is a scenic byway winding through the rugged landscapes of the Four Corners region, where the states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah meet. The byway unveils ancient cliff dwellings, underground constructions, and intricate rock art, providing a glimpse into the ancient culture that once thrived in the area.

At the heart of the trail lies New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park, known for its intricate stone ruins of what was once a major gathering place for the ancestral Puebloans.

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The Finger Lakes Loop, New York

Image: Jametlene Reskp

The Finger Lakes region in upstate New York has plenty of wineries, waterfalls, and charming villages waiting to be discovered. Visitors can explore the area by car, spend the day on a bicycle, take a hike in the woods, paddle on kayak adventures, or tour the many wineries— offering endless opportunities for exploration.

This four-season playground is framed by some of Mother Nature’s finest work, with eleven freshwater lakes fanning out like fingers across the region.

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Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway, Wyoming

Image: Dan Meyers

Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway is a section of US 14A that ends just west of the boundary for Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. At 27 miles, the steep, two-lane stretch travels among soaring mountain peaks, high-altitude deserts covered in grass and sagebrush, as well as conifer and aspen forests.

The byway gets its name from the Medicine Wheel, a sacred and historic limestone circle that sits near the summit of Medicine Mountain. American Indians constructed the wheel in stages sometime over the last 1,000 years, and still use it for ceremonies today.

1

Statue of Liberty

Image: Erik Lindgren

We’ll start with what’s probably this city’s most famous icon. Lady Liberty has welcomed the "huddled masses" that arrived in NYC since the 19th century. You probably know that this statue was a gift from France to the American people, but did you know Gustave Eiffel, the engineer behind the iconic Eiffel Tower, built its metalwork?

Another fun fact: While nowadays the Statue of Liberty is world-known for its green hue, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, when she was inaugurated in 1886, Lady Liberty sported a reddish-brown color more befitting of copper , the metal she is made of. However, after years of oxidation due to exposure, the statue eventually became green.

2

Empire State Building

Image: Dana Andreea Gheorghe

The state of New York’s official nickname is "The Empire State": Some credit George Washington with coming up with this term, inspired by this state’s wealth and disposition. In that sense, this magnificent skyscraper stands as a proud homage to this sentiment and is one of the most recognizable figures in NYC’s skyline.

This 102-story skyscraper is located in the Manhattan borough and was, for a while, the tallest building in the world. It has been featured in over 250 films and TV shows since one of the most iconic scenes in movie history was filmed there: 1933’s King Kong showed the titular giant ape perched on top of the tower.

3

Brooklyn Bridge

Image: Brandon Day

At the time of its inauguration in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world: It stood as an engineering masterwork, both for its length and its innovative and unique design. But what’s truly amazing is that the Brooklyn Bridge has continued to amaze and inspire millions of New Yorkers for over 140 years.

The bridge was designed by John A. Roebling, assisted by his son and chief engineer Washington Roebling. This NYC landmark eventually became a family affair: After John Roebling fell ill and was bedridden, his wife Emily contributed to see the project to completion.

4

Broadway

Image: Eddie Bugajewski

Looking for a night at the theatre? Then Broadway is the place to be. This street is synonymous with excellent plays and musicals, up to the point that it has become a metonym for the entire industry. Broadway offers 41 professional theaters, each with 500 seats or more, offering quality performances for thousands of people each year.

Alongside London West End’s district, Broadway is known as the highest level of theater entertainment in the English-speaking world. In that sense, Broadway represents the crème de la crème of American theater, up to the point of inspiring the name of other NYC theaters, which are known as "Off-Broadway" or "Off-off-Broadway".

5

Central Park

Image: Dana Andreea Gheorghe

Looking for a quick stroll through green scenery? Then head on to the most famous NYC park. While definitively the most iconic, you might be surprised to learn that Central Park is not the biggest park in the city: In fact, it’s only in sixth place. Having said that, this iconic location is still massive enough to fill a big part of New York City’s skyline with its lush green.

Central Park was built over a period of approximately 50 years during the 19th century, from its proposal in the 1840s to its completion in 1876. Nowadays, it features several iconic monuments and features, like the USS Maine National Monument, the Strawberry Fields Memorial, and the Central Park Zoo, which showcases over 160 different animal species.

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New York Public Library Main Branch

Image: Chris Ladouceur

Libraries are known as "the guardians of knowledge", and New York City’s Public Library is no exception: With approximately 53 million items, this New York institution has preserved American culture and knowledge since 1895.

While the library has over 90 locations across the city, its most famous location is probably the main branch building, located in Manhattan. This location, officially known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, showcases the library’s famous stone lions guarding its entrance. Fun fact: These lions were nicknamed ‘Patience’ and ‘Fortitude’ by NYC Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.

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Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Image: Pascale Amez

Standing at the heart of Brooklyn since 1911, Brooklyn Botanic Garden houses over 14,000 plants and trees, which welcome approximately 800,000 visitors every year. Besides showcasing these lovely specimens, the Garden offers educational and conservation programs, as well as a special garden inspired by the works of William Shakespeare.

While everything in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is certainly worth visiting, its main attraction is its 200 cherry trees, featured across its Cherry Walk and Cherry Esplanade. Thousands of tourists from all around the world gather in the garden during Spring, to watch these gorgeous trees blossom.

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Grand Central Terminal

Image: Afif Ramdhasuma

You would think there’s not a lot of tourist value in a train station, but trust us: Grand Central Terminal is definitively worth the visit. This stationnot only showcases beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture and design, but it also perfectly encapsulates the busy and energetic everyday that New Yorkers take so much pride in.

Notably, the terminal has been featured in countless films and TV shows: Approximately 25 large-scale films are shot in the terminal each year. Most of these films have been shot on the famous 'Track 34,' which doesn’t block filming since it doesn’t have structural columns.

9

Met Museum

Image: Changqing Lu

We could have included a great number of museums in this list: After all, New York City is home to hundreds of fine art institutions. However, we ended up choosing the most visited museum in the United States, and one of the most respected cultural establishments in the world: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as " the Met ".

Founded in 1870, the Met is located in located right next to the eastern edge of Central Park. The museum houses over 1.5 million objects, including Ancient Egyptian art and paintings from masters like Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso.

10

Flatiron Building

Image: Serge Pelletier

This iconic building showcases the resilience and strength of New Yorkers. While nowadays is known as a New York institution, at the time of its opening it was sometimes called "Burnham's Folly": Many believed that the building, designed by Daniel Burnham, would eventually be knocked down by the wind due to its unique triangular shape.

And yet, this skyscraper still stands, 120 years after its inauguration. Its sleek and avant-garde design has truly cemented the Flatiron building as an architectural wonder.