What makes something a landmark? Well, first and foremost it has to be so recognizable that you immediately know where you are. Often, a landmark will also provide an instant emotional connection to a place due to its historical value, special natural features, striking design or unique sense of place.

You'll find a mix of all of the above in the following slideshow.

Lady Liberty, whose full name is "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World," has been watching over New York's harbor since 1886. A gift of friendship from France, she has become not just a sign of America's promise to new arrivals but a shining symbol of freedom and hope to the entire world.

The heroic defense of this former Spanish mission by a plucky group of overmatched volunteer soldiers against the Mexican Army turned into a rallying cry for the Texas Revolution. Not only do we still "Remember the Alamo!", but the humble San Antonio building has turned into one of the strongest symbols of both Texas and the United States.

A fetching feat of engineering, you simply can't think of San Francisco without picturing the Golden Gate. Visit for yourself to walk across the span and explore the gorgeous National Recreation Area at its base.

A symbol of both the American Revolution and the city of Brotherly Love, the Liberty Bell and its iconic crack are a sight to behold. The bell was most famously rung on July 8th, 1776 to commemorate the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The striking rock formations of Utah's Monument Valley have been the backdrop for an endless number of films and television shows over the years and the area remains one of the ultimate symbols of the American West.

Regardless of whether you agree with the politics of the person living inside of 1600 Pensylvania Avenue, there's no denying that this is the most famous house in all of the land. Begun in 1792, but burned by the British in 1814, it only officially got the nickname "The White House" in 1901.

The first shots of the Civil War were fired here on April 12, 1861, at this fort in Charleston Harbor, thus beginning the bloodiest chapter in American history.

This site has only been with us since 2011, but in a short time, it has become a must-visit in our nation's capital. The sprawling memorial is anchored by the Stone of Hope, which features a statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. carved out of granite.

At the turn of the 20th century, St. Louis was one of the biggest and most prosperous cities in the United States. Its wealth was derived from its position at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, making it a "gateway" to those heading west. The stainless steel monument was designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen and opened to the public in 1967. And in case you are wondering, yes, you can ride to the top.

Yellowstone National Park is without a doubt our signature national park and Old Faithful is easily its most famous sight. Currently, the geyser erupts approximately 17 times a day and each performance is greeted with adoring crowds. Contrary to popular belief, the eruptions do not take place at a set time each day but can be predicted fairly accurately by park staff-usually within 10 minutes.

It takes a lot for a baseball stadium to achieve landmark status, but the "Friendly Confines" passed that threshold a long time ago. The Cubs have called Wrigley Field home for over 100 years and an afternoon spent under the sun popping peanuts and crackerjacks with a cold beer in your hand is the ultimate all-American experience.

The star of Sequoia National Park, General Sherman is the world's biggest tree. This gargantuan sequoia checks in at 275-feet tall and over 36-feet in diameter at its base and he has come to symbolize the sheer scale of the Western landscape.

America's Main Street stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica. Part physical place, part state of mind, Route 66 attracts people from all over the country-and the world-who relish the chance to retrace the past and find a slice of a bygone American era.

Tasked to think of a classic vision of fun in the California sun, the Santa Monica Pier is sure to be one of the first places that pop into your head. In addition to being home to a myriad of carnival rides and cafes, it is the official end of Route 66.

With a summit of over 20,000 feet, Mount Denali is the tallest peak in the United States and an enduring symbol of the State of Alaska.

Nowhere quite captures the bright lights of the biggest city in America quite like Times Square. Is it touristy? Yes. Can it be a bit tacky? Sure. Can you skip it on your first trip to the Big Apple? No way.

A marvel of engineering, this 700-foot tall arch-gravity dam holds back the Colorado River while straddling the border between Arizona and Nevada. Visit to find out how the construction was accomplished, observe day-to-day operations and learn about the importance of the dam to the region.

One of the most solemn sights in our nation's capital, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is made up of two striking walls that list the names of those who lost their lives or went missing fighting for their country during the Vietnam War. Its stark design was originally considered controversial, but it has become one of the most visited memorials in all of the country.

This moving overwater memorial pays respects to those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941, while educating the public about the impact that fateful day had on American history.

The triple steeples and distinct white shade of St. Louis Cathedral have come to symbolize the city of New Orleans to the world. Residents have been worshipping here since 1727, making it the oldest cathedral in the United States.

This mystical monolith on the plains of Wyoming is one of the most distinctive geological features in the entire country. It has come to symbolize the West and even had a starring role on the silver screen in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

While certainly not as historic or important as some of the other landmarks on this list, this fairytale castle at Walt Disney World and Disneyland symbolizes a sunny American vacation to millions of people around the world.

Music is one of America's most cherished exports, and the former home of Elvis Presley has become a place of pilgrimage from people from all over the world. Visit nearby Sun Studios in Memphis and the Mississippi Delta to continue your musical journey.

When completed in 1973, the Willis Tower (known then as the Sears Tower) became the tallest building in the world, a title it held on to for over two decades. Even though it has slid down the rankings since then, it is still a symbol for the Windy City the world over.

You can't come to Vegas without making a selfie stop at this kitschy, colorful sign just outside of town. It's been welcoming tourists to Sin City since the 1950s and has become the ultimate symbol of the city to the world.

The dramatic granite walls of El Capitan have come to symbolize this spectacular national park. Stop by towards the end of February so you have a chance to spot the "firefall"-a truly unique phenomenon where the setting sun lights up a small waterfall on the rock.

Visit this otherworldly landscape in New Mexico to see massive hills of sugary-white sand that are one of the most peculiar-yet-pretty landmarks in the country.

It was within the halls of this great building that both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Visit to see history come alive and learn more about the birth of America.

The closest thing to a castle on this side of the Atlantic, the beautiful Biltmore Estate is the largest home in America. The estate was opened by George Vanderbilt in 1895 and offers visitors a fascinating glimpse back to the Gilded Age.

When completed, this memorial to the famed Lakota warrior will be the largest mountain carving in the world. The fact that it's "in progress" hasn't stopped it from becoming a Black Hills landmark.

Often imitated, but never duplicated, this former advertisement for a subdivision has symbolized both the movie industry and the "Californian Dream" since 1923.

Whether you woke up early to see the sunrise from the South Rim, watched the last traces of daylight dwindle at sunset or caught the canyon under a midday sun, the Grand Canyon is certain to take your breath away.

One of America's many musical gifts to the world, rock & roll has been revered in this modern landmark in Cleveland since 1995. The striking design was overseen by renowned architect I.M. Pei.

You didn't think we'd forgotten about this quartet, did you? Mount Rushmore resides in the pantheon of American landmarks, with the massive chiseled faces of (from left to right) George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln long becoming one of our nation's most enduring symbols.

Whether you call it by its formal name or its nickname "The Bean," there's no denying that this 2006 sculpture has quickly become a beloved fixture on the Chicago cityscape.

Visit Mesa Verde to explore ancient cave dwellings and to delve into the culture of the Pueblo People. This sprawling Colorado park is home to hundreds of cave dwellings and fascinating archeological sites in addition to miles of hiking trails.

The Home of the Green Bay Packers is so much more than just a football stadium. No, Lambeau Feild is a sports institution, where even visiting fans get chills when they see the sidelines where legendary coach Vince Lombardi once walked.

Perhaps the most Instagram-friendly of our nation's landmarks, Antelope Canyon is like nothing else in the Southwest. This mindblowing slot canyon can only be visited by a private tour as it is located on Navajo land.

Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle has gone on to become an international emblem for the Emerald City. Visit the top to enjoy a recently revamped visitor experience.

This seemingly barren section of South Dakota has a bewitching beauty to it and is home to more fauna than you may expect. The park includes several grassy prairies that are home to prairie dogs, bighorn sheep and bison-in addition to a wealth of fossils.

Set on a rocky outcrop in chilly San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was notorious for being home to some of the toughest criminals in the country. The residents may have left, but the visual of "The Rock" has come to be one of the city's most iconic symbols.

Built to honor Abraham Lincoln after his assassination, the memorial's massive marble statue that depicts our 16th president sitting stoically has become larger than life. Stop by to pay your respects and to learn more about the man they called "Honest Abe."

On the other side of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, you'll find the most famous obelisk in the land: the Washington Monument. Built to honor our first president, the monument is made of marble and stands 555-feet high.

While its days as the world's tallest building are long behind it, this Art Deco skyscraper remains a timeless symbol of Manhattan. Visit the observation deck to get a bird's eye view of the Big Apple and to learn all about the building's fascinating history.

While we do share the iconic cascades with Canada and some people have been known to claim that the view from the Canadian side is better, that doesn't stop Niagara Falls from being one of America's most cherished landmarks.

The most famous span at Arches National Park and the symbol for the great state of Utah, Delicate Arch has assumed "archeological icon" status.

This historic hall and marketplace was the sight of many pivotal speeches during our country's struggle for independence and it remains one of the most revered landmarks of the American Revolution.

It may not be close to being the tallest mountain in Colorado, but Pikes Peak might just be the most beloved. Famous for its cog railway (set to return in 2021), the peak has more than earned the nickname "America's Mountain."

This neo-gothic wonder is the Mormon Church's largest temple and has become one of the most recognizable features of the Salt Lake cityscape.

This A-list bridge has been featured in countless movies and TV shows, usually as a complementary piece to the spectacular skyline of New York City. It's a major entry point into the city and you can cross this famous span in a car, bike, or on foot.