1

Sloth

Two-toed sloths are the species most commonly allowed as pets in the U.S. However, they require special care, a suitable environment, and—since they can live up to 30 years—a committed owner. Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas allow ownership of two-toed sloths without a permit. Other states may require a license.

2

Caiman

One would think that Caiman Central (commonly known as Florida) might allow its residents to own caimans as pets, but it’s actually the contrary: they are considered invasive and dangerous, so depending on the species, they are either illegal to own or require a permit. However, the state of Tennessee allows ownership of dwarf caimans without a permit.

3

Elk

The United States has a large elk population across many states, both wild and domesticated, and many states will allow you to own them as livestock with a proper license. If you’ve always dreamed of having a pet elk, there’s good news: in Alaska, you can legally own a domesticated elk, as long as it was not captured from the wild.

4

Bison

Bison can be found across all 50 states, either in the wild or raised as livestock on ranches. However, not all states permit private ownership of them. In most states, some sort of permit is required to raise bison as cattle, with varying degrees of difficulty. Once again, Alaska offers a solution for bison enthusiasts: like elk, bison can be kept as pets, provided they are domesticated and not captured from the wild.

5

Sugar Glider

These small possums make good pets because they are social, playful, cuddly, and form strong bonds with their owners. However, they are exotic pets and require specialized care, a specific diet, and proper maintenance. Most states allow sugar gliders to be owned without a permit, but Georgia, New Mexico, and parts of New York require a license. In Hawaii, California, and Alaska, owning a sugar glider is illegal.

6

Kangaroo

Surprisingly, many states allow kangaroos and wallabies as pets. Some states may require a license, but Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oregon classify them as "uncontrolled" exotics, so no permit is needed. Kangaroos and wallabies are completely banned as pets in Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, and New Hampshire.

7

Fennec Fox

Native to North African deserts, fennec foxes are the smallest fox species, characterized by their large ears. You can legally own them without a permit in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and New York (though not in New York City). The rest of the states either require a permit or deem it illegal.

8

Kinkajou

These adorable mammals, also known as honey bears, are related to raccoons and coatis. There are no federal laws restricting kinkajou ownership, but several states either prohibit them or require a permit. States that allow ownership without a permit include Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.

9

Python

When it comes to permits, not all snakes are treated the same. Regulations depend on how dangerous a species might be and the potential impact on local ecosystems if released. Following this logic, not all pythons are equally restricted: species such as the Burmese or Indian python are illegal in many states, while others, like the Ball python, are legal without a permit in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

10

Tarantula

Tarantulas are not banned in any state, but some species might be restricted and require a special permit, in particular those considered an endangered species or potentially invasive. So, if you dream of having a pet spider, check your state laws first to ensure your desired species will not cause you legal problems in the future.

1

The diner from "Seinfeld" - New York City

Image: Peter Bond

Remember Tom's Restaurant, where Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer hatched their hilariously terrible plans over coffee and endless conversations about nothing ? It's a real place!

The restaurant has embraced its TV fame, and fans from around the world stop by daily to snap photos and enjoy a meal where sitcom history was made. Fair warning: the actual interior looks nothing like the show, but you’re still eating where Seinfeld characters theoretically ate!

2

Central Perk from "Friends" - Times Square, New York City

Image: Ilse Orsel

Friends fans, your dreams have come true: Central Perk now has a permanent location in Times Square where you can actually grab your morning coffee! Located at the northeast corner of 7th Avenue and 47th Street, this is the real deal—a functioning coffeehouse where you can sit near that iconic orange couch and pretend you're part of the gang. There's also a sister location in Boston, so if you're in either city, you can finally experience the coffee shop that was supposedly right there in New York all along.

3

The "Breaking Bad" car wash - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Image: Juliann Hervio

Walter White's car wash empire might have been built on crystal meth money, but the actual building is squeaky clean and still operating! Mister Car Wash (formerly Octopus Car Wash) at 9516 Snow Heights Circle NE in Albuquerque is where they filmed those tense scenes of Walt and Skyler's legitimate business venture. You can even get your car washed at the same spot where some of TV's most dramatic moments unfolded.

4

Luke's Diner from "Gilmore Girls" - Unionville, Ontario (okay, Canada, but close enough!)

Image: ayumi kubo

Coffee addicts and fast-talking fans of Gilmore Girls will be thrilled to know that Luke's Diner is real — sort of . The exterior shots were filmed at a building in Unionville, Ontario, just outside Toronto. The charming small-town main street where the diner sits perfectly captured that Stars Hollow magic, even if it technically wasn’t in Connecticut. The building now houses different businesses, but the streetscape remains wonderfully quaint and photogenic.

5

The "Full House" house - San Francisco, California

Image: Kyle Smith

The Tanner family's iconic Victorian home, with its unforgettable Painted Lady facade, is absolutely real and stands at 1709 Broderick Street in San Francisco's Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood. While the interior scenes were filmed on a set, the exterior is the genuine article and has become one of the most photographed houses in the city. Fans regularly make pilgrimages to stand across the street and recreate that opening credits moment.

6

Courthouse Square from "Back to the Future" - Universal Studios, California

Image: Roger Ce

Doc Brown's time-traveling DeLorean circles around Hill Valley's Courthouse Square in one of cinema's most memorable scenes, and you can visit that exact spot! The Courthouse Square is a standing set on the Universal Studios backlot in Los Angeles , and has been used in countless productions over the decades. On the studio tour, you'll recognize it instantly—it’s where Marty McFly skateboarded through 1955 and where the clock tower still stands.

7

Katz's Delicatessen from "When Harry Met Sally" - New York City

Image: Michał Kubiak

"I'll have what she's having" became one of the most famous movie lines ever uttered in a restaurant, and you can eat at that very same spot! Katz's Delicatessen, located at 205 East Houston Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side, is where Meg Ryan filmed that unforgettable scene. The deli has been serving up massive pastrami sandwiches since 1888, and they’ve marked the table where the scene was filmed with a sign that reads, "Where Harry met Sally… hope you have what she had!"

8

The "Twin Peaks" Double R Diner - North Bend, Washington

Image: DJ Paine

Fans of David Lynch's surreal masterpiece can grab a slice of cherry pie and "a damn fine cup of coffee" at Twede's Cafe in North Bend, Washington . This is the actual diner used for exterior and some interior shots of the Double R Diner, where Agent Cooper discussed his dreams and Deputy Hawk dispensed wisdom. After a 2000 fire, the diner was rebuilt and renovated, but it has maintained its Twin Peaks connection, which continues to draw fans from around the world.

9

The "Cheers" bar - Boston, Massachusetts

Image: Savann Prak

Sometimes you really do want to go where everybody knows your name, and you can do exactly that in Boston! T he Bull & Finch Pub, located at 84 Beacon Street beneath the Hampshire House, is the real bar that inspired the exterior of Cheers . There's even a replica Cheers bar in Faneuil Hall Marketplace for tourists who want the full experience.

Here’s the catch: the interior of the Bull & Finch Pub looks nothing like the TV show—those scenes were all filmed on a Hollywood soundstage. But the Faneuil Hall location recreated the TV set’s interior, so if you want to feel like you’re really stepping into the show, that’s your best bet.

10

The Biltmore Hotel from "Mad Men" - Los Angeles, California

Image: Stephanie Klepacki

Don Draper and the gang from Sterling Cooper certainly knew how to pick a sophisticated meeting spot, and the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles was one of their favorites.

The Biltmore is still a functioning luxury hotel where you can book a room, grab a cocktail at the bar, or simply wander through the stunning public spaces. It has hosted Academy Awards ceremonies, presidential candidates, and countless Hollywood events over its nearly 100-year history.

1

Jackson, Mississippi

Did you know Jackson, Mississippi, is named after the 7th U.S. President, Andrew Jackson? It is one of the four state capitals named after American presidents —the other three are Jefferson City (Missouri), Lincoln (Nebraska), and Madison (Wisconsin).

Jackson is the only U.S. capital built on top of an extinct volcano. Interestingly, during the Civil War, the city was burned by Union troops, giving it the nickname "Chimneyville". In addition, Jackson is best known for being the center of the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

2

Santa Fe, New Mexico

In 1610, Spanish settlers established Santa Fe as the capital of New Mexico, making it the oldest state capital in the country. But that's not the only peculiarity of this quaint city with a temperate climate and a unique historical and cultural richness. At 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe is also the highest U.S. capital.

3

Honolulu, Hawaii

Known for its spectacular beaches and rich cultural heritage, Honolulu is the only state capital not on the North American mainland. Considered the birthplace of modern surfing, it also has the highest average annual temperature of any U.S. state capital.

But those aren't the only interesting facts about Hawaii's capital. Here are a few equally (or more) crazy ones: it hosts the only royal palace in the United States (Iolani Palace), the island is made up of volcanic soil, and it houses the world's largest open-air shopping mall (Ala Moana Center).

4

Annapolis, Maryland

Annapolis is a historic city on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, known for its colonial architecture, nautical tradition, and academic value. But did you know it is also the smallest U.S. capital by land size? Just 6.7 square miles!

Annapolis was also one of the nine capitals the United States has had throughout its history. For nine months during the Revolutionary War, Maryland's current state capital served as the seat of the Confederation Congress.

5

Bismarck, North Dakota

If you thought Juneau, Alaska, had the lowest average winter temperature of all state capitals, think again! It's actually Bismarck, North Dakota, where the coldest temperature ever recorded was -45°F. Imagine that!

Bismarck was founded in 1872 on the banks of the Missouri River. The city was named after Otto von Bismarck, the chancellor of Germany, to attract German investors. Another fun fact? In 1930, Bismarck and Fargo had a dispute, known as the "Capitol Tower War," over which city should be the state capital.

6

Charleston, West Virginia

Did you know that the original name of West Virginia's capital was Charles Town in honor of the father of Colonel George Clendenin, one of the first settlers?

Charleston is best known for offering a unique combination of history, culture, and outdoor adventure.

7

Hartford, Connecticut

Founded in 1635, Connecticut's capital is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. Hartford is known for being a key cultural center in New England. It was the home of writer Mark Twain and is home to historic sites such as the State Capitol, the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, and Bushnell Park, the oldest public park in the country.

Hartford is also called the "insurance capital of the world" due to the presence of major insurance companies. But the city's most curious fact is that it was where Teddy Roosevelt, aboard the Columbia Electric Victoria Phaeton, took the first presidential automobile ride in history!

8

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's capital city is best known for its role in the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg has been an important center of transportation and commerce. Today, it is known for its historic architecture, museums, and special events.

Harrisburg is also home to the longest stone arch bridge in the world, the Rockville Bridge, built in 1902. Oh, and in 1979, it came close to a nuclear disaster due to the accident at the Three Mile Island plant, the worst in U.S. history —but that's a longer story for another article!

9

Olympia, Washington

Located at the southern tip of Puget Sound, Washington's state capital is known for its natural beauty and vibrant culture. But did you know Olympia is the northernmost state capital in the contiguous U.S.?

Oh, and it's also a great place to try some of the best craft beer in the country.

10

Salt Lake City, Utah

Utah's state capital is popular for being one of the best places to ski in the United States. But that's not all! Salt Lake City is also the only state capital with three words in its name. Have you ever thought about that?

It has the largest Mormon population in the country and is the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Another fun fact? Salt Lake City is home to more plastic surgeons per capita than any other state capital!

11

Montpelier, Vermont

Named after the French city of the same name, Montpelier is the least populated state capital, with a population of just 7,900. Probably for that reason, Vermont's capital prides itself on its small local businesses: it is the only state capital that doesn't have a McDonald's or a Starbucks. Could you live without these fast food chains? It doesn't have a Walmart store either!

12

Topeka, Kansas

Topeka, Kansas’s state capital, has several interesting tidbits. For example, did you know its name, of Native American origin, means "a good place to dig potatoes"? Interesting, don’t you think?

In 2010, Topeka temporarily changed its name to "Google, Kansas" to attract the attention of the internet giant and become the capital city of fiber optics. Frivolous facts aside, Topeka was also very important in the history of the civil rights movement.