Quirky patriotism
Uncle Sam's funhouse: America’s oddest facts
America’s a big place, and let’s face it, a little quirky too. For example, did you know that squirrels have a special bridge to cross the street in one state? And that’s not all: from bourbon barrels to squirrel bridges, our country is full of surprises hiding in plain sight. Grab your reading glasses and settle in for a fun ride through some of the weirdest tidbits about the US that you’ve probably never heard before.
Image: RDNE Stock project
1
Kentucky's got more bourbon than people
If Kentucky’s barrels of bourbon had voting rights, they’d outnumber the citizens by over two million. Yep, the state has around 5 million people, but more than 7 million barrels. That’s over one barrel per person! Bourbon is big business down there, and the aging process means those barrels are just hanging out, soaking up the Kentucky air. Cheers to that!
Image: javier kober
2
Lake Superior could soak two continents
Try this on for size: Lake Superior holds so much water that it could cover all of North and South America with a foot of water, that’s more than three quadrillion gallons. It’s not just "superior": it’s the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world! No wonder it looks like an ocean when you stand on the shore.
Image: Riley Crawford
3
New York City beats 40 states in population
Think your state is crowded? New York City alone has more people than 40 of the 50 US states. That’s over 8 million people packed into five boroughs; more than the entire population of states like Nebraska, Idaho, or even Kentucky. It’s one bustling, never-sleeps kind of place, right?
Image: Thomas Habr
4
Oregon talks the fastest, Mississippi takes it slow
According to a speech analysis study, Oregonians zip through their words quicker than anyone else in the country. On the other hand, people in Mississippi take their sweet time, probably because there's no need to rush when you’ve got good company and a rocking chair.
Image: Marek Studzinski
5
Washington squirrels have their own skywalks
In Longview, Washington, squirrels cross the street using adorable little bridges built specially for them. Locals kept seeing critters get flattened, so they constructed a series of rope walkways in the trees. Now, that’s a whole network called the " Nutty Narrows ." Proof that even squirrels get special treatment in small-town America.
Image: Ilnur Kalimullin
6
You can legally hunt unicorns in Michigan
Well… sort of. Lake Superior State University in Michigan offers a whimsical "Unicorn Hunting License" as part of a long-running campus tradition. It’s all in good fun, of course, but the license is real; you can request one. Just don’t expect to catch anything other than smiles.
Image: Gary Meulemans
7
Las Vegas hotels could host you for four centuries
If you stayed one night in every hotel room in Las Vegas, it would take you over 400 years to get through them all. That’s around 150,000 rooms, more than any city in the world. Sin City isn’t just flashy; it’s enormous. You could retire three times over before seeing them all.
Image: David Lusvardi
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9
Michigan's lavender maze is visible from space
In western Michigan, there’s a sprawling lavender labyrinth so big that it can be seen on Google Earth. Grown by Cherry Point Farm & Market, this fragrant puzzle isn’t just beautiful, it’s relaxing too. Imagine strolling through acres of blooming purple under a summer sky. Have you added it to your bucket list yet?
Image: Léonard Cotte
10
The Hoover Dam’s concrete could pave the nation
Here’s a mind-boggling fact: engineers poured enough concrete into the Hoover Dam to build a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York. How much is that? That’s 4.4 million cubic yards, give or take. It’s a concrete colossus. And it's still standing strong after nearly a century.
Image: Gerda
11
Boston drivers are the worst, Kansas City’s the best
According to insurance data, Boston has more fender-benders and claims than any other large city. Drivers there can be a bit... spirited. Meanwhile, Kansas City drivers, apparently, are so courteous and careful, they top the charts for safety. Beep beep!
Image: todd kent
12
Kansas could feed the world at least once
Each year, Kansas produces enough wheat to bake a whole lot of bread—enough to feed everyone on Earth for about two weeks. That’s nearly 300 million bushels annually. No wonder it’s called the Breadbasket of America. If bread ever becomes currency, Kansas would be rich.
Image: Samuel Myles
13
Crater Lake is Statue-of-Liberty deep
Oregon’s Crater Lake is no shallow pond—it’s the deepest lake in the US, plunging down 1,943 feet. That’s enough depth to stack six Statues of Liberty, one on top of the other, with room to spare. Yes, you read that right! Formed in the crater of an ancient volcano, it’s as dramatic as it is stunning.
Image: Jeff Hopper
14
Atlanta is peachy... maybe a little too peachy
If you’re driving through Atlanta and see Peachtree Street, don’t assume you’re close to your destination because there are over 70 roads with some form of "Peachtree" in the name. Peachtrees, Peachtree Circle, Peachtree Battle… It's a maze of fruity confusion. Now you know, so bring a map!
Image: Ronny Sison
