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From trail to theater capital

Image: Christian Lendl

Before Broadway was packed with theaters, it was a Native American trail cutting across Manhattan. The Dutch later called it "the Gentlemen’s Street," and eventually the name "Broadway" stuck because of its unusual width. Did you know that?

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Theater superstitions

Image: Gwen King

Broadway has its own share of taboos. For example, whistling backstage was once a no-no, since stagehands used whistles as signals. Saying the word "Macbeth" inside a theater is also believed to bring bad luck , so actors usually call it "the Scottish Play." Even in modern times, performers still keep these superstitions alive—just in case.

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Why it’s called the Great White Way

Image: Martin Sanchez

All those glowing signs around Times Square gave Broadway its sparkling nickname. Starting in the early 1900s, electric lights lit up the blocks between 41st and 53rd Streets, dazzling visitors and creating the famous "Great White Way." Today, it’s still one of the brightest spots in New York City.

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The first Broadway musical

Image: Kyle Head

In 1866, a play called The Black Crook made history. After a fire destroyed another theater, producers combined a ballet and a melodrama , creating a six-hour spectacle of music, dancing, and over-the-top staging. It became a runaway success and is often called the very first Broadway musical.

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What counts as "on Broadway"

Image: Andreas M

People often think "on Broadway" just means any theater on that street, but it’s actually trickier than that . A show is considered Broadway if the theater has 500 or more seats and meets certain contract rules. Only a handful of actual Broadway theaters are physically on Broadway itself, which can be confusing for first-time visitors.

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Phantom holds the record

Image: Rodrigo dos Santos

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera holds the crown as Broadway’s longest-running show. With more than 13,000 performances , it kept audiences hooked for decades. Some orchestra members even played the same music eight times a week for years, perfecting their own unique coping routines. Can you imagine doing that?

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Cats and its mountain of yak hair

Image: Roman Suslov

During its long run, Cats became famous for something other than the catchy songs. The costume crew went through over 3,200 pounds of yak hair for wigs alone . It certainly paid off, as the play also became one of the biggest shows in Broadway’s history. Talk about commitment to authenticity.

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The Lion King roars the loudest at the box office

Image: Iván Díaz

Since its 1997 debut, The Lion King has been Broadway’s biggest earner , pulling in over a billion dollars in ticket sales. With its breathtaking puppetry and Elton John’s music, it managed to win over both theatergoers and families who grew up with the movie.

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Carrie, the musical failure

Image: Samuel Regan-Asante

Even if we’ve mentioned the greatest on Broadway, we must say not every show becomes a hit . In 1988, Broadway tried to turn Stephen King’s horror novel Carrie into a musical. Let’s just say it didn’t land, and if you’ve read the book, you can imagine why. Critics compared it to disasters of epic scale, and it closed after only five performances. One thing is for sure: Even the flops are big on Broadway.

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Chicago’s real inspirations

Image: Sawyer Bengtson

The hit musical Chicago may feel like pure entertainment, but its leading ladies were inspired by real 1920s women accused of murder. Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner were both acquitted after trials that captured the public’s imagination. Their stories of crime, fame, and scandal became the backbone of the show.

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Why theaters skip row I

Image: Vlah Dumitru

Maybe you’ve never noticed, but many theaters go from row H to J, and that’s not because of superstition. The reason is that the letter I looks too much like the number 1 , which can make ticketing confusing in dimly lit theaters. Some places also skip O or Q for similar reasons. It’s all about keeping the seating simple for audiences. Do you agree with this policy?

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#15 - Lake Michigan (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin)

Image: Adam Bouse

Lake Michigan is a stunning natural treasure. Towering sand dunes, pristine beaches, and urban centers line up along its shores. Visitors flock to breathtaking hiking trails, like the ones in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore .

The lake's expanse touches several major cities, including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Traverse City, which explains the endless flow of tourists arriving each year.

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#14 - Flathead Lake (Montana)

Image: Josiah Gardner

Flathead Lake is a peaceful haven nestled between Glacier National Park and the Mission Mountains. Its vast, crystal-clear waters are ideal for boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking.

Surrounding small towns like Polson and Bigfork welcome visitors with their charming shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Visitors can also join boat excursions to Wild Horse Island, where bighorn sheep and wild horses roam.

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#13 - Lake Champlain (New York, Vermont)

Image: Ronan Furuta

Lake Champlain is the choice for history fans. Its guided tours explore the region’s rich history , including Revolutionary War sites and stories of naval battles fought on the lake.

The lake spans the border between New York and Vermont, with nearby towns such as Burlington and Plattsburgh, which offer waterfront dining and quaint streets.

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#12 - Grand Lake (Colorado)

Image: Ellery Sterling

This is the largest natural lake in Colorado. Right by Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake offers a serene escape into the state’s breathtaking wilderness.

The town of Grand Lake is also known for its historic boardwalk and artistic community . The area is particularly popular during winter when visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, ice fishing, and proximity to ski resorts.

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#11 - Lake Okeechobee (Florida)

Image: Heiner

Known as Florida’s "Inland Sea," Lake Okeechobee is the state’s largest freshwater lake.

Herons, egrets, and ospreys can be spotted here. The lake also offers some of the best bass fishing in the country, which has turned it into a world-famous spot for fishing enthusiasts.

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#10 - Lake George (New York)

Image: Bill Alexy

Sparkling waters surrounded by the Adirondacks, Lake George was dubbed the " Queen of American Lakes ." Visitors know it as a perfect spot for hiking, boating, and camping. The village of Lake George is a lively hub with restaurants, shops, and events like the annual Adirondack Balloon Festival.

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#9 - Crater Lake (Oregon)

Image: velichor

Famous for its deep blue color and clarity, Crater Lake is the centerpiece of Crater Lake National Park. The lake formed within a collapsed volcano and is the deepest in the United States. Visitors can take guided boat tours to Wizard Island or explore hiking trails around the caldera.

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#8 - Lake Powell (Arizona, Utah)

Image: Carmel Rossen

Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir straddling the Arizona-Utah border. It attracts approximately two million visitors yearly. A unique sight, this beloved destination is lined with striking geological formations like Rainbow Bridge, one of the world’s largest natural arches.

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#7 - Lake Superior (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin)

Image: Hans Isaacson

Of course, it’s on the list: Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area . Its vast expanse is lined with forests, rocky cliffs, and sandy beaches.

Visitors explore spots like Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with its sea caves and historic lighthouses, or the charming town of Duluth, Minnesota, known for its shipping heritage and beautiful harbor.

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#6 - Lake Havasu (Arizona, California)

Image: Jack Nueva

Lake Havasu straddles the Arizona-California border and offers an array of activities, from jet skiing and paddleboarding to relaxing on its sandy beaches. The nearby Lake Havasu City hosts famous events, including a hot air balloon festival and classic car shows.

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#5 - Lake Tahoe (California, Nevada)

Image: Artur Westergren

In summer, visitors flock to Lake Tahoe's beaches for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, while winter transforms the area into a skiing and snowboarding paradise . Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant nightlife.

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#4 - Lake Mead (Nevada, Arizona)

Image: Brett Funk

Lake Mead is a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River. It’s not just the largest reservoir in the country by volume , but also a popular recreational hotspot.

Its sprawling waters and rugged desert surroundings attract boaters, anglers, and hikers, and its proximity to Las Vegas has certainly helped attract tourists.

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#3 - Lake Erie (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York)

Image: Nicholas Mullins

As one of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie combines stunning coastal scenery with wineries and charming towns like Put-in-Bay, where visitors can tour historical sites and enjoy waterfront dining. The lake is also known for its diverse fish population, which has turned it into a top destination for anglers .

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#2 - Lake Washington (Washington)

Image: Henry Fraczek

Lake Washington, near Seattle, is surrounded by affluent neighborhoods and parks. The lake is also home to floating homes , famously featured in the movie Sleepless in Seattle .

Visitors can explore nearby attractions like the University of Washington Arboretum and take guided boat tours offering views of Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline.

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#1 - Lake of the Ozarks (Missouri)

Image: Davis Patton

Known for its distinctive serpentine shape, Lake of the Ozarks features over 1,100 miles of shoreline. Osage Beach serves as the main hub for dining, shopping, and nightlife.

Another popular attraction is its nearby caves , some with unique phenomena like the Angel Showers, a constant shower of water dripping from the solid rock ceiling.

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World's largest office building

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Among its many record-breaking achievements, America has one lesser-known record that also deserves attention.

Our country is home to the largest office building in the world. Want to know which one? The world's largest office building by floor area is the United States Department of Defense, also known as the Pentagon.

Ok, but how big is it? Located in Arlington, Virginia, and famous not only for its size but also for its distinctive five-sided design, the building has a total floor area of approximately 6.5 million square feet.

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People in New York

Image: Nicolai Berntsen

We all know that New York City is packed with people. In fact, it's the most populous city in our country. But how many live there?

As of 2024, around 8.8 million people call NYC their home. That's a huge number on its own, but it might be even more impressive when you consider that NYC's population surpasses that of 40 US states, including Montana, New Hampshire, and Mississippi, to name a few. In other words, NYC has more residents than each of those 40 states individually.

After all, New York City is famously known as "the city that never sleeps" for a reason!

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Many versions of the flag

Image: Chris Hardy

The US flag is one of our most beautiful and beloved symbols and also one of the most recognized worldwide. With its distinctive stripes, stars, and classic red, white, and blue colors, it is an unmistakable icon. But did you know it has undergone several changes over the years?

The US flag has not just had 1, 2, or 3 versions; in fact, there have been 27 official versions! Each of these versions served an important purpose, reflecting some key changes throughout our history. For example, whenever a new state joined the Union, an additional star was added. This is how we arrived at the 50 white stars you see in the upper left corner of our beautiful flag. The current version was made official on July 4, 1960.

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No official language

Image: Ben Duchac

While English is the most widely spoken language in the United States, the country does not have an official language at the federal level.

This might surprise some people, given that English is the primary language for most Americans and is used for government and legal purposes.

On the other hand, many other languages are spoken here as well. For instance, Spanish is the second most spoken language, though it is used considerably less than English. And that's not all; Chinese, Filipino, and French also have a notable number of speakers in the US!

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The fastest-speaking states

Image: Chris Liverani

We all have that friend who speaks so fast it's hard to keep up, even if you know them well. Would you like to know how fast Americans speak?

Fortunately, there's not just data on the languages we use but also on how quickly we speak in our daily lives. And it turns out that a few states lead the pack in this speed race.

According to the Smithsonian Institution, Oregon, Minnesota, and Massachusetts are the states where residents speak the fastest . So, if you know someone from those states, why not give it a try and see if you can keep up with their speedy conversations?

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Most airports in the world

Image: Alex Underwood

Americans seem to love air travel, and there's a good reason for that: the US holds the record for the most airports in the world!

This isn't just a coincidence. The vast size of our territory— yes, we're one of the largest countries in the world—requires fast, safe, and efficient ways to travel to all corners.

With thousands of airports of all kinds spread across the country, it's no wonder that so many movies feature airport scenes or are even filmed inside airplanes, right?

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Alaska's price

Image: Joris Beugels

We have the great advantage of having the gorgeous state of Alaska as one of the 50 states. Beyond its natural beauty, it holds another impressive distinction: it's the largest state by area, covering approximately 663,300 square miles.

As you may know, Alaska was purchased in 1867 when US Secretary of State William H. Seward sealed a deal with Russia to acquire the territory. However, what some people may not know is just how affordable it was: the purchase cost $7.2 million, which means we acquired Alaska for about 2 cents per acre! To put it in perspective, adjusted for inflation, that $7.2 million would be equivalent to about $140 million today.

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The first national park in the world

Image: Nicolasintravel

The United States is home to some of the most spectacular and diverse national parks in the world. And not only that, but we also have the honor of being the country that established the world's very first national park.

Inaugurated on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the Earth's first national park. This event marked a turning point, leading to the creation of many other national parks and protected areas both in America and around the globe.

The incredible Yellowstone spans approximately 3,472 square miles , primarily in Wyoming, with portions extending into Montana and Idaho. Have you had the chance to visit it?

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A special feature on Washington National Cathedral

Image: Ryan Arnst

The Washington National Cathedral offers many attractions for visitors, starting with its beautiful Gothic-style architecture. However, it also holds some secrets and fun facts within its walls.

Construction began in 1907 and took 83 years to complete. The wait was well worth it, as the Washington National Cathedral is now the sixth-largest in the world! And here's a fun fact: its famous Space Window features a real piece of moon rock at its center. Amazing!

Additionally, there's also a quirky feature that some visitors overlook: on the Cathedral's façade, there's a gargoyle with the face of none other than Darth Vader! This Star Wars character was added to the building's northwest tower in the 1980s after a children's design competition. A curious touch, isn't it?

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Miles of bookshelves

Image: Roman Kraft

The Library of Congress is much more than a beautiful complex of buildings. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., this famous landmark was established over 200 years ago in 1800 . Since then, it has preserved and protected countless documents, treaties, and books that reflect and constitute our nation's history.

Adding to our list of world records, the Library of Congress holds the title of the largest library in the world. It boasts an incredible 164 million items, which translates to 838 miles of bookshelves. That's enough to cover the distance from Atlanta, GA, to New York City, NY!