Looking for great American architecture? Focus on these four cities
Blake Snow, CNN • Published 19th October 2018
Chrysler Building, New York: The dazzling Art Deco Chrysler Building, designed by William Van Alen, was built between 1928 and 1930. Click through the gallery to see more highlights of American architecture.
(CNN) — As the third-largest country in the world, the United States is roughly 2,600 miles wide by 1,500 miles long. And it's more culturally and geographically diverse than many larger or comparably-sized countries.
While that size and variety result in a top-rated place to see and experience a lot of new things, there is a downside -- particularly when it comes to seeing and visiting the nation's greatest buildings and architectural feats. With so much to see on such a large canvas, knowing where to start might seem overwhelming as you make travel plans.
For those interested in skyscrapers, big monuments and remarkable structures, however, the good news is that a large portion of America's most iconic buildings can be found in four of its greatest cities. To see many of the best in as little time as possible, consider the following sightseeing approach.
The Empire State Building rises above Midtown Manhattan.
There's no better place to see some of the world's most remarkable buildings than New York City.
In Midtown alone, you'll find the most architectural standouts, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, New York Public Library, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Grand Central Terminal, the Waldorf Astoria and Carnegie Hall.
The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, is an Art Deco masterpiece designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon. Tickets to either the open-air deck on the 86th floor or windowed lookout from the 102nd floor start at $37 for adults.
On the Upper East Side, you'll find The Metropolitan Museum of Art; on the Upper West Side, the Rose Center for Earth and Space. And on the southern part of the island, you'll encounter the famous Flatiron Building and historic Brooklyn Bridge.
The interior of the Jefferson Memorial features white Georgia marble.
Although jam-packed New York is understandably home to more architectural accomplishments, DC is home to noticeably more iconic and top-rated buildings and monuments in a hyper-condensed area.
For example, you can find the following four monuments on the western end of the National Mall, all within walking distance of each other: Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument.
The White House is within view of the Washington Monument. Designed by Irish-born architect James Hoban, the house sprawls a modest 55,000 square feet.
Self-guided tours are free, but they must be requested through one's Member of Congress or the appropriate embassy (for international visitors) in Washington DC.
On the east end of the Mall, you'll find the Capitol Building, Supreme Court Building and Library of Congress.
Like the White House, the neoclassical Capitol Building was first occupied in 1800. Admission to the four-acre office building is free but passes are required in advance for guided tours.
While in town, be sure to drive 20 minutes north to take in Washington National Cathedral, which is the second largest church in the country.
Willis Tower, formerly the Sears tower, has long been a defining structure of the Chicago skyline.
Chicago is world-renowned for its architecture, and the most stunning way to see much of it is by floating the Chicago River on a 90-minute guided river cruise.
That's for good reason. Operated by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the tour offers information from docents on more than 50 buildings of note and costs about $50 per ticket.
In short, there's no better way to see it all in one fell swoop.
A Chicago club crawl with a bus-driving bluesman
Chicago is teeming with notable buildings, including the Willis (aka Sears) Tower, Tribune Tower, Montgomery Ward Complex, the Old Post Office, Lake Point Tower, Sofitel Water Tower and the John Hancock Center, among others.
After your cruise, make your way to the Art Institute of Chicago for the masterpiece building and one of the greatest displays of art in the country, as well as the popular "Cloud Gate" sculpture (aka "The Bean") in nearby Millennium Park.
The Transamerica Pyramid is an eye-catcher in San Francisco.
Thanks in part to the 1849 Gold Rush that spiritually continues to this day in nearby Silicon Valley, San Francisco is home to some of America's greatest architectural feats.
And none is bigger than the open arms of Golden Gate, the marvelous suspension bridge that has served as an American icon since its completion in 1937. For the most scenic views of it, visit either Baker Beach or Crissy Field on the south side.