• The US has diverse architecture across its 50 states.
• History, art, and local aesthetics are all reflected in some of America's coolest buildings.
• From prehistoric dwellings to kitschy designs, these buildings make for unique attractions.
Throughout its nearly 250-year history, the United States has produced some striking and unique architecture.
From preserving local history to showcasing each region's unique cultural quirks, these 51 buildings across the US are worthy destinations for your next travel list.
Defining what we consider to be the "coolest" is hard. We evaluated every state on its own terms and found that the architecture across all 50 states and Washington, DC, can be as diverse as the country's population.
In states like California and Massachusetts, it meant picking buildings that look futuristic and elegant, like something out of a science-fiction movie.
In other states, like Maine and the Carolinas, we found that the coolest buildings are distinctive because of their place in history or the state's culture.
Whether you're looking for a piece of history or a glimpse into the future, these buildings can show you what different worlds look like.
James Grebey and Jacob Shamsian contributed to an earlier version of this story.
