1

World’s first national park

Image: Kedar Gadge

In March 1872, Congress passed the law establishing Yellowstone National Park as a protected public reservation: the first national park ever created on Earth.

By dedicating 2.2 million acres to preservation rather than development, the U.S. set a precedent for conservation worldwide, inspiring national park systems around the world.

2

First sustained and controlled, powered airplane flight

Image: History in HD

In 1903, the Wright brothers successfully flew a powered, heavier-than-air controlled aircraft , known as the Wright Flyer, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

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That breakthrough marked the beginning of the aviation age and forever redefined travel, warfare, and global communication.

3

Self-service grocery store

Image: Raul Gonzalez Escobar

In 1916, American grocers opened the self-service supermarket. Instead of clerks fetching food, customers helped themselves to the items they wanted from the shelves.

This change transformed retail: it lowered costs, sped up shopping, and laid the foundation for modern supermarkets all over the world.

4

First cinema house

Image: Elijah Mears

New York City saw the first public "movie theater" in 1894, when a parlor opened using the Kinetoscope, a peep-box device for viewing short motion pictures .

That small parlor marked the beginning of the cinema business, an idea that would grow into a global film-making and entertainment industry.

5

Drive-in movie theater

Image: Josh Sanabria

One could argue that with the rise of cinemas and the boom in automobiles, the drive-in theater was an obvious business idea. But somebody had to do it first.

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In 1933, Richard Hollingshead Jr. opened the first drive-in theater in New Jersey , where people watched films from their cars.

6

First affordable and mass produced car

Image: Andrew Lancaster

In 1908, the U.S. auto industry delivered the Ford Model T, the first reliable, affordable automobile that was mass-produced for everyday Americans (and not just millionaires).

It revolutionized transportation by enabling mobility for the masses, reshaping how Americans lived, worked, and traveled across the country.

7

Fast food

Image: Jonathan Borba

As it couldn’t be otherwise, this concept was born in America. In 1916, a Wichita stand began selling hamburgers prepared hygienically and cooked quickly : The foundation for what became the fast food culture.

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That modest stand evolved into larger chains and helped launch a global phenomenon of quick and affordable meals.

8

Film studios

Image: Vincentas Liskauskas

Another concept spawned from a previously mentioned American first, the commercial moving pictures studio was all ours. During the late 19th century, the U.S. saw the creation of the first film studio system .

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This early film production set the stage for storytelling, entertainment, and cultural exports that would spread worldwide.

9

Diving flippers

Image: Jakob Owens

In 1717, long before modern diving became common, the U.S. saw the first patent for swim-fins (flippers) , attributed to none other than the great Benjamin Franklin.

A small invention, perhaps, but one that revolutionized swimming, diving, and underwater exploration equipment worldwide.

10

Standardized patent-office system

Image: Ray Shrewsberry

When the U.S. patent law was reformed in 1836, a central patent office was established, creating a system to review, grant, and catalogue inventions in a formal and systematic manner .

This institutional framework helped make the U.S. a global hub of invention and innovation, sustaining centuries of technological growth.

1

The Statue of Liberty’s color

Image: Pierre Blaché

We start our list with a moderately well-known fact: the Statue of Liberty’s beautiful emerald color is not original. Technically, it’s a sign of damage. While the statue's infrastructure is made of iron, its exterior is copper, which has turned green over time due to oxidation .

Fortunately, that same green coating now protects the statue from further damage and deterioration.

2

Grand Central Terminal’s hidden club

Image: David Vives

A busy train station may not seem like the ideal place for a social club, but that’s exactly the case with the Explorers Club. Operating for decades, this exclusive venue primarily serves locals, featuring a full gym, an indoor hard court, and even a smaller secondary court .

3

Gateway Arch’s time capsule

Image: Chris Hardy

This beloved St. Louis landmark holds a secret at its peak: a time capsule was placed inside the arch in 1965 , containing 762,000 signatures—many from students who attended St. Louis schools at the time.

The capsule is permanently welded inside the arch and will remain sealed for as long as the structure stands.

4

New York's High Court Building’s ball court

Image: Markus Spiske

New Yorkers seem to have a penchant for sports courts hidden on the top floors of iconic buildings—this one being the second on our list. The New York High Court Building is primarily a place for legal proceedings and bureaucratic work, but on its fifth floor, visitors will find a basketball court known as the "Highest Court in the Land."

5

The White House’s dentist

Image: Benyamin Bohlouli

It’s easy to imagine hallways and rooms filled with endless state secrets in the White House basement. But what most people won’t guess is that you can also find a dentist’s office, a carpenter’s shop, and even a bowling alley down there.

6

Niagara Falls is a huge faucet

Image: Tosab Photography

As strange as it sounds, this statement is true in a sense. The complex system of pumps and gates that administer the water of the Falls can be controlled by a central command.

In fact, part of Niagara Falls is even scheduled to be "turned off" in the coming years to replace some obsolete structures—just like a faucet.

7

Washington Monument’s Civil War graffiti

Image: Sonder Quest

Graffiti has been around all over the world, for a couple of centuries now. The Washington Monument was still under construction when the Civil War broke out, and Union soldiers stationed there carved their names and drew pictures onto the monument . These markings can still be seen today at its base.

8

Mount Rushmore’s hidden room

Image: Jéan Béller

One of America’s most famous landmarks hides a secret room known as the Hall of Records , which is filled with documents intended to preserve the nation’s history for future generations. This hidden chamber is accessed through a concealed door behind Abraham Lincoln’s ear.

9

Lincoln Memorial’s secret carvings

Image: Andy Feliciotti

Speaking of Lincoln, you’ll need a flashlight to spot this one—but it’s there. On the north wall stone of the Lincoln Memorial, the letters "EBL" can be seen carved . These initials stand for Evelyn Beatrice Longman, the artist who sculpted the memorial’s ornamental border.

10

Empire State Building’s secret floor

Image: Kit Suman

As it turns out, the Empire State Building has one more floor than the famous 102. This extra floor was originally constructed for building maintenance but now serves as an exclusive hotspot for celebrities, complete with an ultra-thin, knee-high railing separating observers from the sky surrounding them.

11

Brooklyn Bridge’s wine cellars

Image: Partha Narasimhan

Wine cellars are cold and dark places—just like the basements at the Brooklyn Bridge’s bases. This connection, now quite obvious, was made by the bridge’s engineer, Washington Roebling, who incorporated two full wine cellars into the bridge’s bases on each side and then rented the space to local businesses who needed the extra storage.

12

Disneyland’s secret members-only club

Image: Travis Gergen

If a trip to Disneyland isn’t enough of a Disney experience for you, there’s an exclusive club on the premises called Club 33 . This exclusive joint boasts an invite-only guest list, where members must pay anywhere from $25,000 to $100,000 to join, with annual membership dues ranging from $12,500 to $30,000. Do you think it’s worth it?

1

Arizona

Image: Amber BC

There’s a blend that can please almost any palate: the fusion of American comfort food and bold Mexican flavors. If you like this combination, you've probably already tried Arizona's delicious Sonoran hot dogs.

Tucson and Phoenix are the two most recommended cities to try this tasty street food. Here's a description that will make your mouth water: a Sonoran hot dog is a sausage wrapped in bacon, served in a soft, slightly sweet bolillo roll, which is a Mexican-style bread.

And if that wasn't enough, the toppings are equally incredible. You can choose from iconic guacamole, spicy jalapeños, creamy pinto beans, hot sauce, and more!

2

New Mexico

Image: Alyson McPhee

If you're looking for unique and original flavors, we recommend making New Mexico your next destination.

It turns out that the Land of Enchantment is the home state of one of the most beloved dishes in terms of taste: green chile stew. What makes this hearty, comforting dish specialis right there in its name— New Mexico's green chile . This type of chile is less bitter than other varieties and has a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

Chile is so deeply ingrained in New Mexico culture that the state has an official question related to it: "Red or green?"

3

Texas

Image: Luis Santoyo

If barbecue is your thing, this recipe is gonna be one of your favorites on this list. Be warned: you’ll want to head straight to Texas to try it.

The star dish in the Lone Star State is brisket. You've probably heard of it! Brisket is a cut of meat from the cow's lower chest, which is traditionally smoked low and slow until it becomes tender.

But wait—it’s not a dish for when you're in a hurry: Texas Brisket cooks for no less than 12 to 16 hours!

4

Hawaii

Image: Luke McKeown

Whether it’s music, dance, sports, or food, Hawaii has a lot to offer. One of its most recommended dishes is Huli Huli Chicken.

What makes this chicken dish so special? Let’s take a look. First, the chicken is marinated in a mix of soy sauce, pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger (our mouths are watering just talking about it!). Then, it's cooked over a wood fire, which gives it that special smoky touch. During cooking, the chicken must be turned several times—a technique that gives the dish its name: "Huli" means "turn" in Hawaiian. This method creates pieces perfectly caramelized on the outside but tender on the inside. An authentic delicacy!

5

Alaska

Image: Mandy Bourke

We promise you one thing: you won't regret trying Alaskan smoked salmon! Whether you're planning a trip to the Last Frontier or you're simply a seafood fan, this flavor is for you.

Alaska is famous for its spectacular landscapes, beautiful lakes, vast distances, and, of course, a characteristic flavor: salmon. While many fish and seafood are popular in this northern state, salmon is among the most recommended by those who understand good food. It’s often said that its exceptional taste may be due, in part, to the cold temperature of the water in which this fish thrives.

6

South Dakota

Image: Todd Quackenbush

A dish doesn't have to be complex to be flavorful, and South Dakota's chislic is proof of that.

Chislic typically features cubed lamb, mutton, or beef that's seasoned and either fried or roasted. Its simplicity and versatility make it a dish that can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions.

The meat cubes are served hot, often accompanied by delicacies such as hot sauce or ranch dressing on the side. Have you tried this recipe?

7

Massachusetts

Image: Dylan Ferreira

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll have no choice but to visit The Bay State. Ice cream is more than just a treat in Massachusetts; the state has a whole tradition built around this tasty dessert.

Massachusetts isn't just the birthplace of many iconic ice cream brands and chains; it also holds the crown for having the highest per capita ice cream consumption in the country. And there’s a simple explanation for this: ice cream there is simply scrumptious! Plus, you can find a variety of flavors rarely seen elsewhere.

8

Connecticut

Image: Nadya Spetnitskaya

If you love both pizza and seafood, you don’t have to choose between them; you can enjoy both at the same time with Connecticut’s iconic white clam pizza.

This unique pizza originated at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, a legendary spot in New Haven. But what makes it special? Well, let’s call it a rebel pizza—it breaks a few of the traditional "rules" you might expect a pizza to follow. Instead of tomato sauce, it has an olive and garlic base , topped with fresh clams , a staple in Connecticut cuisine. What do you think of this recipe?

9

Illinois

Image: Sergey Kotenev

American food offers something for everyone, even blending the best of different flavors into one dish. If meat and bread are your thing, you’ll love Illinois’ Italian beef.

First, a broth seasoned with delicious ingredients such as garlic and oregano is prepared. Then, the thinly sliced beef is simmered in the broth to absorb all the flavor. Once cooked, it's served on crusty bread.

An important part of the dish is its topping options: you can choose between a rich, spicy giardiniera or sweet peppers to add flavor and texture.

10

New Hampshire

Image: Nikldn

Now let’s go with a classic : pancakes with maple syrup. And we’re not talking about just any syrup, but the one from New Hampshire.

The Granite State is known for its pure, high-quality maple syrup, which is a key part of the state’s identity. And what better to pair with this sweet delight than a good stack of pancakes, right?

So now you know: if you want to take your breakfast to the next level, you have to visit New Hampshire. We recommend going in early spring , right at the peak of maple syrup season.