1

Cypress Gardens (Winter Haven, Florida)

Long before the Disney parks arrived in Florida, another attraction was the most popular, drawing visitors from across the country.

It was Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida, which opened in 1936 as a botanical garden showcasing the state’s natural beauty. Over time, it became even better known for its water ski shows, something many Americans still remember from family trips in the 60s and 70s. But by the late 70s, things began to shift. The rise of the Disney parks changed tourism expectations, and Cypress Gardens slowly lost its spotlight, ultimately closing in September 2009. But it's not all bad news; parts of the original gardens still survive today, preserved inside LEGOLAND Florida.

2

New York State Pavilion (New York)

At the 1964 New York World’s Fair in Queens, the United States unveiled a brave vision of the future: the New York State Pavilion.

With its "Tent of Tomorrow," three towering observation structures, and a giant map of New York on the ground, it drew crowds throughout 1964 with exhibitions, shows, and concerts. But when the fair closed in 1965, the future it represented started to fade. Without a long-term plan or funding, the pavilion declined, and by 1974**,** it was permanently closed due to structural issues. Today, its rusted towers still stand over Queens, NYC, alongside the empty concrete frame. However, restoration efforts have recently begun, hinting at a possible second life for this future that never was.

3

Six Flags New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana)

In the early 2000s, it was one of the most popular amusement parks in the region, but soon after, it was left underwater and abandoned.

We’re talking about Six Flags New Orleans, which opened in May 2000 as Jazzland Theme Park. In 2002, Six Flags took over, rebranding it and improving its roller coasters, rides, and water attractions. Its downfall wasn’t due to lack of visitors or investment; it was something far more powerful: in 2005, Hurricane Katrina flooded the park , causing irreversible damage, so it never reopened. Today, it still stands abandoned, with rusting rides and empty streets that are now a reminder of the storm. But it still gets some use: today, the now-haunting site has been transformed into a frequent filming location for movies, including Jurassic World (2015) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014).

4

Palisades Amusement Park (Bergen County, New Jersey)

For decades, especially between 1950 and 1970, it was a classic summer destination for families, but today, it’s completely gone.

Palisades Amusement Park opened in 1898 on the cliffs of the Hudson River in New Jersey. And what began as a trolley stop became one of America’s most famous amusement parks, known for its roller coasters, neon lights, and a massive saltwater pool once called "the largest in the world." However, by the 1960s, overcrowding, rising costs, and local pressure pushed it into decline, and it closed permanently on September 12, 1971. Today, high-rise apartments stand where the rides once were.

5

Disney's River Country (Lake Buena Vista, Florida)

Have you heard about Disney’s abandoned park? Disney's River Country opened in 1976 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, inspired by the vibes of classic American summer vacations. It had a rustic atmosphere, with wooden slides, rope swings, and water drawn directly from the nearby lake. It was a total success in the 1980s, but by the late 1990s, things began to change.

Newer water parks with advanced systems and stricter safety standards made River Country feel outdated, and Disney gradually shifted its attention elsewhere. The park closed "temporarily" in 2001, but it never reopened. Today, it still sits in the same place, partially reclaimed by nature, quietly overshadowed by the modern resorts around it.

6

Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel (Liberty, New York)

What was once one of the most popular family resorts in the country is now an extensive, decaying space with peeling wallpaper and collapsing floors.

Grossinger’s Resort Hotel began in the 1910s as a small guesthouse in the Catskill Mountains of Liberty, New York. What started modestly soon grew into one of the region’s most famous destinations, reaching its peak in the 1950s and 1960s with a golf course and both indoor and outdoor pools. It was incredibly popular with urban and suburban families in the tri-state area, and it even inspired the fictional "Kellerman's Mountain Resort" from Dirty Dancing (1987).

But in the late 1960s, American vacation habits began to change. Air travel and cruise vacations attracted families, and younger generations no longer returned to the places their parents had once loved. The resort gradually declined, leading to its permanent closure in 1986.

7

Dogpatch USA (Marble Falls, Arkansas)

Dogpatch USA opened in the Ozarks of Marble Falls, Arkansas, in 1968, taking its name from the fictional town in the popular comic strip Li’l Abner by Al Capp.

Rustic buildings, rides, fishing ponds, and a small amusement area brought the comic world to life. It first attracted curiosity from local visitors, but never reached the popularity its creators had hoped for. Almost from the start, it struggled, in part due to its remote Ozarks location, which made it difficult for most tourists to reach, and its operating costs that surpassed attendance. Over time, the park gradually declined, changing ownership and shrinking in activity, before finally disappearing in the mid-1980s.

8

Ghost Town in the Sky (Maggie Valley, North Carolina)

A Wild West–themed amusement park sitting above the clouds in the Smoky Mountains sounds too good to be true, right? But it was real.

Ghost Town in the Sky opened on May 1, 1961, in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, at the top of Buck Mountain. Visitors rode a chairlift up to a full Old West town with saloons, staged gunfights, and mountain views. For its first two decades, it attracted steady crowds, but by the 1990s, it began to shrink. Rising maintenance costs, difficult access, and unstable ownership pushed it into decline. By the 2000s, the aging infrastructure became unreliable, leading to its first closure in 2002 and final closure in 2009. Today, the park still sits abandoned on the mountain.

9

Geauga Lake (Aurora, Ohio)

In the early 20th century, many Midwestern families had a go-to summer destination: Geauga Lake Park.

Geauga Lake opened in 1887 in Aurora, Ohio, as a simple lakeside resort. By the 1920s, it had grown into a full amusement park with rides, games, and roller coasters –like its classic wooden coaster, the Big Dipper– attracting thousands of visitors each year. Throughout much of the 20th century, it was a must-stop on family road trips. It reached its peak in the 1990s, after major expansions turned it into a large regional attraction, but those same upgrades also drove up costs and complexity. In the end, the expansion that improved it also sealed its fate, leading to its final closure in 2007.

10

Heritage USA (Fort Mill, South Carolina)

Sometimes called "Christian Disneyland," Heritage USA opened in 1978 in Fort Mill, South Carolina, founded by famous televangelists Jim and Tammy Bakker with the idea of building a major Christian-themed resort to rival the big amusement parks.

For a time, it was hugely popular, at one point even ranking as the third most-visited theme park in the U.S., with rides, a water park, hotels, and a large church auditorium. But in 1987, a financial scandal involving Jim Bakker shook public trust, and in 1989, Hurricane Hugo caused further damage. By the end of 1989, the park had effectively shut down, leaving its once-famous 21-story hotel as a hollow reminder of what it had been.

1

California - "Eureka"

Image: Chor Tsang

According to legend, after the Ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes discovered his groundbreaking principle, he happily proclaimed, " Eureka! " This expression, which means "I have found it," is almost as famous as Archimedes’ work, so it stands to reason that the State of California chose Eureka as its state motto.

The Golden State’s slogan references the California Gold Rush. It is believed that a miner who finally struck gold was as excited about his discovery as Good Old Archimedes was. While the California State Seal has included the word Eureka since its design in 1850, it was only adopted as the state’s official motto over a hundred years later, in 1963.

2

Kansas - "To the stars through difficulties"

Image: Taylor Hunt

In 1861, the State of Kansas adopted its official state seal which depicted a beautiful prairie at dawn, filled with hardworking Kansans under 34 stars and the Latin motto Ad Astra Per Aspera. Anyone who reads the English translation of this motto will immediately realize how perfectly it describes the industrious and resilient people of Kansas: Ad Astra Per Aspera means "To the stars through difficulties."

Our 34th state chose this phrase alongside its state seal in 1861, only a few months after the first Governor of Kansas delivered the inaugural "State of the State" address. Nowadays, this motto stands as a reminder of both the bravery and diligence of the state’s first settlers, as well as the hardships that Kansas had to go through in order to gain statehood.

3

Indiana - "Crossroads of America"

Image: Steven Van Elk

The phrase "Crossroads of America" has long been associated with the state of Indiana , particularly after a specific intersection in Terre Haute, where U.S. Highways 40 and 41 met. Over time, Indiana itself proudly embraced the title of "the Crossroads of America," eventually adopting it as the state motto in 1937.

Interestingly, while "Crossroads of America" is the state’s official motto, some Hoosier cities have adopted this phrase —or variants of it— as their respective city slogans. For instance, Indianapolis adopted the motto in 1988, to reference how the city serves as a junction of 4 different Interstate Highways.

4

West Virginia - "Mountaineers are always free"

Image: Sara Cottle

Have you ever reached the summit of a particularly steep mountain after hours of arduous trekking? If you had to describe that amazing feeling in one word, what would it be? We’ll leave you to ponder that while we tell you the first word that came into our minds: freedom.

Apparently, we share this feeling with the good people of West Virginia , since its motto reflects the freedom that its magnificent mountains and hills inspire. West Virginia’s motto is the Latin phrase Montani Semper Liberi, which means "mountaineers are always free." Furthermore, since one of West Virginia’s demonyms is "mountaineers," this phrase also speaks to the core of West Virginians’ identity.

5

New York - "Excelsior"

Image: ben o'bro

Any Marvel fan will associate this phrase with comic-book legend Stan Lee, after all, he made this word his catchphrase throughout his many media appearances. However, you might be surprised to learn that "Excelsior" is also New York’s official state motto, and it perfectly describes New Yorkers’ industrious and resilient nature.

"Excelsior" is a Latin word that’s commonly translated as "Ever Upward," but it can also mean "higher" or "superior." It is featured in New York’s coat of arms, which features the representations of Liberty and Justice standing above the state’s motto.

6

Montana - "Gold and Silver"

Image: Trevor Vannoy

Just like West Virginia, Montana pays tribute to its breathtaking mountains and landscapes with its motto. However, it focuses on another key aspect of its geography, more akin to its nickname: Montana’s motto Oro y Plata literally translates to "Gold and Silver," which is a direct reference to The Treasure State’s proud mining history.

Montana first included the phrase Oro y Plata on its State Seal many years before it was adopted as the state’s official motto. Shortly after Montana was declared an official U.S. territory in 1864, the newly formed state honored the gold rush that had led to its territorial status by including its two most precious metals into its State Seal. Finally, the state motto was officialized in 1865.

7

Tennessee - "Agriculture and Commerce"

Image: Nathan Anderson

It’s no secret that state mottos sometimes reference their state’s most prominent industry: As we mentioned before, Montana and California pay tribute to the mining that helped build their economies. In that regard, Tennessee is no exception; its state motto is incredibly straightforward, directly praising the industries that helped the Big Bend State grow.

Tennessee chose "Agriculture and Commerce" in 1987. In turn, this motto was directly taken from the State Seal, which was adopted in 1801. The seal shows both sides of this state’s industry, with "Agriculture" referenced by a bundle of wheat and a cotton plant, while "Commerce" is depicted by a riverboat, presumably trading goods.

8

Texas - "Friendship"

Image: Brandon Zanders

Texas’s state motto may only feature one word, but it singlehandedly describes an essential part of Texan history. Before we can delve into that, though, we have to take a quick look into the etymology of the name of this great state. The word Texas is believed to come from the Caddo word táy:shaʼ , which means "friend." Spanish settlers adopted this word for the area, spelling it as Texas or Tejas.

In that sense, Texas pays homage to its history with the single-word motto "Friendship." Not only that, while Texas is mostly known by the nickname "The Lone Star State," its official slogan is "The Friendly State."

9

Vermont - "May the fourteenth star shine bright" & "Freedom and Unity"

Image: Eric Chen

Vermont is the only state on this list to feature two official mottos: "Freedom and Unity" and the Latin phrase " Stella quarta decima fulgeat, " which translates to "May the 14th Star Shine Bright." Interestingly, this last phrase is also the newest slogan to be made official, since it was elected as Vermont’s state motto in 2015.

In any case, both mottos represent Vermont’s individuality, strength, and, perhaps more importantly, its solidarity: "Freedom and Unity" describes Vermont’s mission to create a free and neighborly community, while "May the 14th Star Shine Bright" depicts the search of the common good throughout the entire state.

10

Rhode Island - "Hope"

Image: Praswin Prakashan

We’ll end this article with probably the most beautifully simple American state motto. The State of Rhode Island has the single-word motto "Hope," which is also featured in its State seal. In tune with their long maritime history, the seal depicts a golden anchor emblazoned in a dark blue field.

The inspiration behind both Rhode Island’s state motto and seal is probably a biblical quote found in the New Testament, which reads "Hope we have as an anchor of the soul." Considering that this state was founded by a Christian minister seeking to escape religious persecution, this single word expresses a very powerful sentiment: the hope that people could find in this new land a place of refuge and freedom.

1

"Hound Dog" , Elvis Presley

Elvis made this song his signature, and it's hard to imagine it belonging to anyone else. But "Hound Dog" was written in 1952 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and was first recorded by Big Mama Thornton, a blues singer from Alabama. Her version was a raw, powerful blues track, and it was a genuine hit.

Elvis recorded his version in 1956 and turned it into something faster, rockabilly, electrifying . For anyone who grew up in the '50s or '60s, it probably takes you right back to a specific moment: a sock hop, a drive-in, a transistor radio on a summer night. It carries a kind of pure rock-and-roll energy: rebellious, playful, unstoppable.

2

"Livin' on a Prayer" , Bon Jovi

Pumping fists, packed arenas, everyone screaming "Whooooa, we're halfway there!", it's the kind of energy that doesn't age. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote it together in 1986, along with songwriter Desmond Child , pulling inspiration from the working-class New Jersey world around them.

The song hit number one in the U.S. and became an anthem for anyone who's ever had to scrape by and stay hopeful. It brings out something almost joyful in people: this defiant, communal "we're going to make it" spirit.

3

"I Will Always Love You" , Whitney Houston

Most people under 50 think this is a Whitney Houston song, but Dolly Parton wrote it back in 1973, sitting in Nashville. She was leaving her mentor and business partner, Porter Wagoner, to go solo, and the song was her way of saying goodbye: with love, but firmly.

Then Whitney came along in 1992 for The Bodyguard soundtrack and turned it into a stadium-sized emotional explosion. Where Dolly's version was warm and heartfelt, Whitney's was pure power. It connects to just about everyone, but especially to people who've ever had to let someone go. Which version do you like best?

4

"Respect" , Aretha Franklin

This is one of those cases where the cover so thoroughly eclipses the original that most people don't even know an original exists. Otis Redding wrote and recorded "Respect" in 1965, and it was a decent soul hit for him; a man asking his woman for a little respect when he comes home.

Then Aretha Franklin got hold of it in 1967, rewrote parts of it, added that now-iconic spelling-out of the word, and completely flipped the meaning . Suddenly, it was a woman demanding respect from men, from society, from everyone. It became an anthem of the civil rights movement, the women's movement, and basically every movement that involved people standing up and saying enough.

5

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" , Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper made this song her own so completely that it's almost shocking to learn she didn't write it. Robert Hazard, a Philadelphia-based musician, wrote it around 1979 as a kind of tongue-in-cheek song from a man's point of view, about his own desire to just have fun without commitment.

When Cyndi recorded it in 1983, she completely reframed it: it became a declaration of independence for young women who just wanted to live their lives on their own terms . If you had a daughter, a niece, or any teenage girl in your life in the '80s, you heard this song approximately ten thousand times.

6

"Nothing Compares 2 U" , Sinead O'Connor

Few music videos have hit people as hard as Sinead O'Connor, alone on screen, tears streaming down her face, singing this song in 1990. It felt impossibly raw and personal. But the song was written by Prince back in 1984, and was first recorded by a side project of his called The Family.

Sinead stripped it down and made it devastating. It became one of the most emotionally powerful recordings of the decade . You probably heard it on adult contemporary radio, or remember exactly where you were the first time you really listened to it. It's a song about grief and absence and not being able to fill a void someone left behind.

7

"I Love Rock 'n' Roll", Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Few songs scream pure, unapologetic rock and roll like this one. But Joan Jett didn't write it: a British glam rock band called The Arrows did, back in 1975, in London. Lead singer Alan Merrill said he wrote it as a direct response to the Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock 'n Roll," which he felt was a little too apologetic about loving the music.

Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform it on British TV in 1976 while touring the UK with The Runaways, and the song stuck with her . She recorded it in 1981, and it rocketed to number one, sitting there for seven weeks. You've heard it blasting from jukeboxes, at sports events, in movie montages, at pretty much every party where someone wanted to get the energy up fast.

8

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" , Aerosmith

Tyler belting it out, that unmistakable raspy voice: it feels so Aerosmith. But the song was actually written by Diane Warren, one of the most prolific and successful songwriters in pop history , who penned it in 1998 specifically for the movie Armageddon. Warren has said she wrote it while watching her boyfriend sleep, thinking about not wanting to miss a single moment with someone you love.

Aerosmith recorded it, and it became their first number-one pop hit. It hits hard for anyone who's ever been deeply in love, or who's lost someone and wishes they'd paid more attention while they had the chance.

9

"Bette Davis Eyes", Kim Carnes

This was the biggest song in America in 1981, and it spent nine weeks straight at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 . Kim Carnes' raspy, smoky delivery made it feel completely hers. But the song was written in 1974 by Jackie DeShannon and Donna Weiss, both inspired by a classic old Hollywood film . DeShannon recorded her own version, but it barely registered.

Seven years later, Carnes took it into a Los Angeles studio, added a driving synth arrangement that was pure early MTV, and transformed it into the sound of an era. The real-life Bette Davis, then 73 years old, wrote personal letters to the songwriters and to Carnes to thank them for making her "a part of modern times." The song connected with anyone who'd ever been dazzled by someone they couldn't quite figure out, which is pretty much everyone.

10

"Blame It on the Rain" , Milli Vanilli

You probably remember the Milli Vanilli scandal: in 1990, it came out that Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus, the two beautiful, dreadlocked faces of the duo, hadn't actually sung a single note on their records . The real vocals were by studio singers. Their Grammy was revoked. It was a whole thing.

But before all that exploded, "Blame It on the Rain" was a legit #1 pop hit in 1989. It was written by Diane Warren (yes, the same woman who wrote "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"), and it's a smooth, sweet ballad about blaming the weather for a relationship going wrong. You probably heard it on pop radio, maybe slow-danced to it without knowing what you were slow-dancing to.