With its diverse landscape, incredible attractions and sprawling size, the United States is one of the most visited countries in the world. From a record-breaking park and bizarre state laws to hidden villages and a secret station, here we take a look at America’s most surprising travel facts you won’t believe are true.

An iconic symbol for entertainment across the world, the Hollywood Sign was actually built as an ad campaign for new housing. The sign, which was first erected in 1923, was designed to promote a new neighbourhood in Los Angeles known as ‘Hollywoodland’. Built by LA Times publisher Harry Chandler, the epic sign cost $21,000 (£15,298) to create, each letter was originally around 30 feet (9.14m) wide and 43 feet (13.1m) tall, lit up by 4,000 20-watt bulbs. Following the tragic suicide of actress Peg Entwistle who jumped off the sign and the stock market crash of 1929, the real estate development came to a standstill and the ‘Land’ part of the sign was eventually removed. 

A shining symbol of St Louis’ role as the ‘Gateway to the West’ during the 19th century, at a whopping 630 feet (192m) high, Missouri’s Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made structure in the country.

As of 2021, American Airlines holds the title of the biggest airline carrier in the world.

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more abandoned places and travel inspiration

The thrilling Kingda Ka roller coaster in New Jersey's Six Flags amusement park, is an impressive 456 feet (139m) high, making it the tallest in the world. Travelling from 0 to 128 miles per hour (206km/h) in just 3.5 seconds, Kingda Ka is also the fastest coaster in North America.

See more of the world's scariest roller coasters – only for the brave

New York City’s most famous building has a secret... another floor. One floor up from the Empire State Building’s official ‘Top Floor’, the hidden 103rd floor was originally intended to be used as a mooring mast for airships attached to the spire when it was first built alongside the 102nd floor. Strong winds and air currents meant that disembarking was not an option for passengers, and it was made off-limits to the public. Only VIPs and celebrities now have access to the floor. Narrow stairs lead up to the private balcony which, unlike the public floor viewing platform, provides a cityscape view unobstructed by glass and railings.

In the basement of the White House, there are several rooms that you probably never knew existed. The unexpected secret rooms in the presidential residence include a bowling alley, chocolate shop, flower shop and a home theatre, plenty to keep visitors occupied.

Discover more hidden secrets of America’s tourist attractions

When passengers fail to pick up their bags at baggage reclaim after a three-month search, the bag is officially deemed ‘lost’ and domestic airlines such as Delta and American will sell the lost items to the Unclaimed Baggage store. The shop then either sells or recycles the contents. Located in Scottsboro, Alabama, it is the only lost luggage store in the country. From shrunken heads to an Egyptian burial mask, plenty of weird and wonderful items have ended up at the store and, with more than one million visitors each year, it has become one of the state’s top tourist attractions.

Also known as the Fourth Street Elevator, at just 296 feet (90m) long, the funicular in Iowa holds the title of the world’s steepest and shortest scenic railroad.

The “Everything is big in Texas'' trope certainly rings true for its sprawling size. With an area of 268,820 square miles (696,241sq km), Texas is not only the second-biggest state in the US (after Alaska), it is also bigger than any country in Europe.

Check out 40 things you must do in the Lone Star state

This silly law is so insane that it’s very hard to believe – but it is in fact true. Following an incident in the 1920s near the city of Kingman when a sleeping donkey was found in a bathtub after a dam collapsed, the city lobbied for a law to ban such an activity. The crazy law was passed in 1924 and still remains on the books today. 

Originally named Long Acre Square after London’s carriage district, The square was renamed when The New York Times moved its headquarters and built the Times Tower building (now called One Times Square) between 42nd and 43rd streets in 1905. The Mayor of New York, George B. McClellan, signed a resolution that renamed the intersection from Long Acre Square to Times Square and the rest is history.

A city synonymous with luxury and entertainment, it may be no surprise that the most expensive hotel room in the world can be found in Las Vegas, Nevada. The price however may shock you, the Empathy Suite at the Palms Casino Resort will set you back an eye-watering $200,000 (£146,933) for a two-night minimum stay. Designed by artist Damien Hirst, the lavish suite includes 24-hour butler service, a gym, a 12-seat curved bar, a games room, media room and a luxury pool overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.

See more of the world's most expensive hotel suites

Founded just over 100 years ago in 1914, Greyhound, the country’s most recognisable transport system, is the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in the world. Greyhound serves a whopping 2,400 destinations across North America and is used by nearly 16 million passengers each year in the US and Canada.

A very unexpected building can be found in Hawaii’s capital Honolulu, Iolani Palace, the only official royal residence in the US. Finished in 1882, the palace was the home of Hawaii’s last reigning monarch, Queen Lili’uokalani and was extremely modern for its time, equipped with electricity, plumbing and even a telephone. After the monarch was overthrown in 1893, it was used as a capitol building before it was restored and opened as a museum in 1978.

Soaring 14,505 feet (4,421m) high, Mount Whitney in California’s Sierra mountain range is the tallest peak of the lower 48 states.

Discover America's most beautiful mountains

The Singapore Airlines flight, launched in 2020, between JFK New York to Singapore, takes an average journey time of 18 hours and 40 minutes, making it the longest flight in the world.

America’s most famous bridge and one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge was not always meant to be its famous orange shade. The US Navy wanted the bridge to be painted in blue and yellow stripes to increase its visibility, but when the steel arrived in a burnt red primer, the consulting architect decided that the eye-catching colour was more pleasing to the eye so it stayed. The bridge’s colour is officially known as International Orange.

Explore America’s 50 most important landmarks

Built in the 1930s to help prevent flooding and control the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam was made from a staggering 4.5 million cubic yards of concrete. There is enough concrete in the massive dam to build a two-lane road from Seattle, Washington to Miami, Florida or a four-foot (1.2m) sidewalk around the Earth at the Equator

The world’s most famous waterfall, the Niagara Reservation was established in 1885, making it the oldest park in the country. Over eight million people visit Niagara Falls State Park each year.

America is home to around 95,000 miles (152,000km) of coastline, which is more than all but eight countries in the world.

Check out America’s most beautiful seaside towns

Knocked off the top spot in 2020 by China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the second busiest airport in the world, with over 42 million passengers passing through its doors.

Stretching across some 19,000 miles (30,000km) from Alaska to Argentina, the Pan-American Highway is the longest road on Earth. The impressive route starts from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, passing through the US, Canada, Mexico and Central America before ending at the southern tip of Argentina.

Explore your state’s most scenic road

The world’s biggest and most famous canyon is not just filled with layers of red sandstone. Deep inside a 3,000 foot (914m) hole within the rocks is Supai, the only village in the Grand Canyon. Known as the most remote village of the lower 48 states, the only way to get to Supai is by hiking, riding an animal or by helicopter and it forms part of the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Supai is so remote that the village’s parcels, packages and letters are delivered by mule; in fact, it is the only place in the country that still uses mule mail.

Located in downtown Portland on SW Naito Parkway, Mill Ends Park measures just two feet (0.61m) across with a total area of 452 square inches, making it the smallest park in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

If you're travelling with a pal in Louisiana and want to send them a nice cheesy surprise, well think again. Ordering a pizza to your friend without them knowing is considered harassment and could land you a hefty fine of up to $500 (£364.58).

Discover more bizarre but brilliant facts about every US state

Port Miami (or PortMiami) in Florida welcomes more cruise passengers than any other port in the world, making it the ‘Cruise Capital of the World’.

See these picture-perfect ports from the skies

Hidden deep below New York’s Grand Central Station and the Waldorf Astoria, the city’s first skyscraper hotel, there is a secret train platform known as Track 61. Although the station was allegedly used to secretly transport VIPs including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the platform was actually built as a powerhouse and storage area for unused New York Central Railroad cars and not as a passenger station. Although now abandoned, there is an antique train permanently parked on the disused tracks.

Explore more incredible abandoned subway stations around the world

Known as the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress is home to more than 162 million items on approximately 838 miles (1,349km) of bookshelves, which is long enough to stretch from Houston to Chicago.

Although not as well-known as the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls, according to the US National Park Service, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the country. The park in Tennessee draws more than 12 million visitors annually. With its breathtaking mountain range, incredible wildlife and over 800 miles of scenic hiking trails spread across more than 500,000 acres, it’s easy to see why the park is so popular.

Towering over Washington DC since 1888, the Washington Monument’s marble blocks are held up by just gravity and friction, no mortar was used to keep it in place. Standing 555 feet (169m) high, it is the world’s tallest obelisk and is a true engineering wonder.

Many people may not know that New York City’s historic train terminal has been hosting sporting events and activities since the 1960s. Originally an art gallery located on the terminal’s fourth floor, the Vanderbilt Tennis Club features one indoor hardcourt, a junior court, two practice lanes and a fully equipped fitness room. The tennis club is open to the public all year from 6am until 2am.

Now, check out these travel ‘facts’ that simply aren’t true