A little-known wonder in northeastern Alabama, Cathedral Caverns State Park has been welcoming visitors since the Fifties. One of the largest stalagmites in the world is hidden inside – the aptly named "Goliath" soars to 45 feet (14m), with a 243-foot (74m) circumference. But what really wows is the cave's mammoth opening. According to Guinness World Records, it's the largest in the world, spreading out 126 feet (38m) in width and 25 feet (8m) in height. 

Mighty Denali needs little introduction. Rising from its namesake national park, the grand peak tops out at 20,310 feet (6,190m), soaring above forests, alpine tundra and glittering lakes. You'll get stirring views of the mountain from Talkeetna Riverfront Park on a clear day, or from the breathtaking Wonder Lake area within the national park.

Wedged on either side of Tucson is Saguaro National Park, a dramatic swathe of the Sonoran Desert home to epic sunsets and even more epic flora. The park is well-known for its towering cacti, billed as the largest found anywhere in the States. The tallest ever recorded was 78 feet (24m) and today trails beat a path among these spiny giants. You'll find giant Saguaro cacti at Organ Pipe National Monument too. 

The stark, stifling plains of Death Valley hold the record for the hottest air temperature ever recorded. The measurement was taken in July 1913 at Furnace Creek – the location for a visitor centre and a basic campground – and it came in at 57°C (134°F). This was a particular scorcher, but it's still not uncommon for temperatures to climb up to 49°C (120°F) in the shade. The park's Badwater Basin is also the lowest point in North America, stretching out at 282 feet (86m) below sea level. 

Discover the hottest record temperature in your state

The USA is awash with weird and wonderful roadside attractions from hulking animal effigies to giant food stuffs, and this one is probably the largest monster sculpture in America. The formidable, red-eyed giant – known as Miles the Monster – stands guard over the Dover Motor Speedway, brandishing a car in his mighty fist. He has burst from the track’s Victory Plaza since 2008 and is the speedway's official mascot. 

See more of the USA's best roadside attractions

Connecticut's capital is filled with attractions from a first-rate science centre to the gold-domed state capitol. But the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is a real treasure trove, and it just happens to be the oldest art museum in continuous operation in the States. Come by to delve into its 50,000-piece-strong collection, which includes European masterpieces from the likes of Salvador Dalí and Claude Monet and a collection of stirring paintings from the Hudson River School. 

St Augustine is a city with a whole lot of history and its crowning jewel is Castillo de San Marcos. This is the oldest masonry fort in the United States, constructed by the Spanish from 1672 to 1695. It's a hulking structure, with walls that thrust to 33 feet (10m) and over the centuries it survived several attacks by the British. Now it's protected as the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, which is open for self-guided walking tours.

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

The major hub that is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is consistently ranked as the world's busiest airport – and has reclaimed its title for 2021 (after being beaten by China's Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in 2020). An enormous 75.7 million passengers passed through Atlanta in 2021, and the gateway is home to more than 300 shops and restaurants, so you'll not get bored while you wait for your flight. 

The little Illinois town of Casey has a penchant for "big things". It's got a plethora of Guinness World Record attractions, from the world's largest golf tee to a giant mail box measuring some 32 feet (about 10m). However, most impressive of all is the giant rocking chair that sits before Casey City Hall. The enormous rocker teeters to 56 feet (17m), and it was the vision of local businessman Jim Bolin, who also thought up these other soaring creations. 

Yes, you read that correctly: the world's largest ball of paint has become a well-loved roadside attraction in Alexandria. It began as a baseball covered in blue paint – a fun project for local Mike Carmichael and his young son – and has grown, layer upon layer, into the juggernaut that it is today. Now it's got more than 27,000 coats of paint and visitors can make an appointment to see it. 

Who doesn't love a night at the movies? The State Theater in the Iowa city of Washington has been satisfying cinema buffs since 1897, making it the oldest continuously operating movie theatre in the USA. According to Guinness World Records, back then, tickets went for as little as 15 cents. Now you'll have to part with a few more dollars, but it's worth it to see the latest blockbusters within a piece of cinema history. 

This giant roadside attraction in Idaho is as cute as they come. Located in the town of Cottonwood, in the far north of the state, this enormous beagle doubles as Dog Bark Park Inn, a one-of-a-kind inn that brings a whole new meaning to "being in the dog house". And at 30-feet tall (9m), it's tipped as the world's largest beagle too. 

Precious little of the tallgrass prairie that once covered huge portions of North America remains, as most of it has been gobbled up and turned into farmland. That makes the great swathe of it in Kansas's Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve all the more precious. As it stands, it's the largest expanse of intact tallgrass prairie remaining in America. It serves as a habitat for species from bison and deer to the greater prairie-chicken, plus around 500 species of plant. 

Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the longest known cave system on the planet, with a network of limestone caverns wriggling out for more than 400 miles (644+km). Visitors can go into the depths with knowledgeable tour guides, who'll point out particularly impressive areas and give you a run-down of the cave's history. Best of all, the complex is growing: a further eight miles (13km) were mapped by explorers in 2021.

Check out the world's most beautiful caves and caverns

Guinness World Records recognises Louisiana's Lake Pontchartrain Causeway as the longest continuous bridge over water on the planet. The structure sees a pair bridges run parallel to each other, striking over the mammoth Lake Pontchartrain, north of New Orleans – and it's the second of the two, which runs on for some 23.87 miles (38.42km), that has earned the accolade. A drive over this watery wonder, connecting Mandeville and Metairie, is bucket-list stuff.

The Maryland State House, in the capital of Annapolis, might not be the grandest capitol building in the States, but it's the oldest in continuous legislative use. It was built from 1772–79 to the design of architect Joseph Horatio Anderson, with its dome erected from 1785–94, and it remains the largest wooden dome of its kind in North America. You can take a self-guided tour of the landmark, with extra info available in the Archives Room. 

America is serious about baseball and beloved Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, has been hosting ball games since 1912. It's the oldest ballpark in the States and Red Sox Nation – the legions of fans devoted to Beantown's home team – still pour in after more than a century. Nab tickets to a game, or take a behind-the-scenes tour which whisks visitors up to the press room, the Hall of Fame and the most coveted seats in the house. 

Sports fan? These are the best attractions for you in America

While Pennsylvania's King of Prussia Mall might have more square footage, Bloomington's still-mammoth Mall of America has the most stores in a retail complex in the USA. It packs in more than 500 shops (compared with King of Prussia's 450), alongside indoor theme park Nickelodeon Universe, an aquarium, movie theatre, mirror maze and endless food and drink options. It's the kind of place that'll keep you entertained all day. 

It might not look much, but this centuries-old building is impressive indeed. LaPointe-Krebs House was built right back in 1757 (meaning it predates the American Revolutionary War), and experts consider it among the most important structure on the Gulf Coast, for both its varied construction methods and its long history. The onsite museum tells the story of the people who called the house home, and the Indigenous peoples who once lived on the site too.

Colossal Gateway Arch is an impressive sight, rising as it does above the Mississippi River and dwarfing the rest of St Louis' skyline. It's the largest arch in the world and among the biggest manmade monuments in the USA, soaring to a whopping 630 feet (192m) and made up of 43,000 tonnes of steel and concrete. Experience it with a tram ride to the top, and a visit to the comprehensive museum, which covers the USA's westward expansion. 

Check out the tallest man-made structure in every US state

America's largest collection of tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops fossils can apparently be found in the Museum of the Rockies, a top-notch natural history museum in Bozeman, southwest Montana. In fact, the museum claims to be home to one of the biggest dinosaur fossil collections in the world. Head to the centre's Siebel Dinosaur Complex to see a mounted T-rex skeleton, plus dinosaur eggs and the remains of other prehistoric mammals.

Unsurprisingly, the world's largest mechanical neon sign can be found in glittering Las Vegas. The teetering neon cowboy, clad in a shimmering Stetson, check shirt and giant belt buckle, is known as Vegas Vic and he's set above the Pioneer Gift Shop. You'll find him off the Strip, on buzzing Fremont Street, towering over the action at about 40 feet (12m). 

Love Vegas? Find out more about Sin City and its secrets here

There's something extra charming about an old-school general store in America – especially one that's been around as long as this one. The Brick Store was opened in the 1790s and it claims to be the oldest of its kind in the States. Over the years, it's had high-profile visitors including Barack Obama and it still has a fresh deli counter and an ice-cream shop (currently under renovation), plus plenty of gifts and other tasty provisions for sale. 

Kingda Ka, at New Jersey's thrill-ride-packed Six Flags Great Adventure theme park, is the tallest roller coaster in the world. It tops out at a hair-raising 456 feet (139m), with riders catapulted up and over a giant arching track. It's also the fastest roller coaster in North America, reaching speeds of 128 miles per hour (206km/h).

White knuckle fan? How many of these record-breaking roller coasters have you been on?

The San Miguel Chapel in the New Mexico capital of Santa Fe is typically dubbed the oldest church in the United States. It's thought that the first church was built back in the 17th century, under the orders of Franciscan friars, though it was badly damaged in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The current structure dates from around 1710 and it's possible to visit today – knowledgable docents will be on hand to regale the church's history.

The Big Apple is crammed full of skyscrapers but One World Trade Center (pictured centre) still stands head and shoulders above the rest. Finished in 2013, it rises to an eye-watering 1,776 feet (541m) – a nod to the year that the US Declaration of Independence was signed. One World Observatory takes over floors 100–102, offering sweeping views of New York, while there's a moving memorial to the victims of the 2001 9/11 attacks at the building's base. 

These are the world's highest observation decks

Rising up off the coast of Cape Hatteras, in North Carolina's windswept Outer Banks, this brick lighthouse is perfect fodder for photographers. Several light stations preceded it, but the current structure was built in 1870, and it received its striking black-and-white paint splash three years later. It remains the tallest brick lighthouse in the USA, rising to a height of 198 feet (60m). Visitors can typically climb to the top, though it's currently undergoing restoration works.

You're pretty much guaranteed to find a seat the bar at Beer Barrel Saloon in Ohio's Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island. That's because it's recognised as the world's longest permanent bar by Guinness World Records, spreading out to 405 feet and 10 inches (123.7m). It's got a whopping 56 taps, so beer-lovers are spoilt for choice, and there's a whole roster of live music too. 

Test your luck at the world's largest casino – WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, which spreads over 370,000 square feet (34,374sq m). Opened in 2004, the sprawling space is filled with electronic and table games set in glittering 'plazas' themed after cities from New York to Paris. There are also live comedy and music gigs, with the complex having played host to big names from Bob Dylan to Jerry Seinfeld. Eating spots range from swish fine-dining restaurants to chilled-out cafés too.

Taken at surface level, Oregon's Crater Lake is a wondrous sight – but it beguiles even more when you consider that it's the deepest lake in the United States and among the deepest in the world. It plunges down for a head-spinning 1,943 feet (592m), meaning One World Trade Center, the tallest skyscraper in the US, could comfortably sit beneath its surface. Get the best views from Scenic Rim Drive. 

Established right back in 1808, Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia has a 200-year history, making it the oldest continuously operating theatre in the country. It's had a few name changes over the years, and big renovations have altered its face and interiors, but one thing remains: it's still a hub for exciting theatrical performances, from musical comedies and classics like A Streetcar Named Desire to opera, ballet and live music. 

The White Horse Tavern in Newport has been serving punters since 1673, and that makes it the oldest restaurant in the USA. It's also ranked among the oldest in the world. In its early history, it was a favourite among local councillors and, today a National Historic Landmark, it serves a menu of comforting yet imaginative European-American food – think Rhode Island clam chowder, lobster ravioli and beef Wellington.

The Charleston Museum bills itself as "America's First Museum", given that it was founded back in 1773. Its collection has expanded greatly over the centuries, beginning with a small yet impressive store of mainly ethnological and zoological relics, and building out to a series of impressive exhibits on the South Carolina Lowcountry. Expect photography, natural history galleries and displays delving into the Lowcountry's layered history.

Craighead Caverns sprawl out underground in East Tennessee and they're home to a special and surprising natural wonder: the Lost Sea. This mammoth expanse of water is billed as the largest subterranean lake in the USA and it's open for visitors to explore. Led by a guide, you'll wander through the caves on a three-quarter-mile (1.2km) path, before taking to the glassy water on a boat.

Discover more of America's underground attractions

Sprawling ranches are a fabled part of American culture, and the largest of them all exists in South Texas. Dubbing itself "the birthplace of American ranching", the aptly named King Ranch has roots in the 19th century and today covers 825,000 acres – that's bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island. You can come by for a range of tours covering the history of the ranch, plus those exploring its incredible natural world.

Utah is home to some of America's most stirring landscapes and among them is Bryce Canyon National Park, in the south of the state. It's best known for its hoodoos – rugged, knobbly rock formations that spread out in a salmon-coloured expanse, formed by erosion over millennia. The park holds the largest concentration of these fascinating forms on the planet.

Find out more about southern Utah with our guide

Yes, that's right – sweet-toothed Vermont is home to the world's largest gummy bear and, in fact, the world's largest gummy snake. You'll find the jelly creations at Middlebury Sweets in the namesake town of Middlebury and they both weigh in at an impressive 26 pounds (12kg). There are also candy-themed motel rooms at the venue, which is the largest candy shop in the state of Vermont. 

This bird's-eye shot shows off the scale of The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense and the world's largest office building, located in Arlington. The building was finished in the 1940s and today upwards of 26,000 employees work here. Though they are limited, it's typically possible to book hour-long tours of The Pentagon. You can also visit a moving memorial to those Pentagon workers who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. 

See more jaw-dropping photos of America from above

North Cascades National Park is one of the least-visited in the system, by account of its sheer remoteness. But its swathes of untapped wilderness beg to be explored and adventurous travellers will find a wonderland of lakes, snow-crowned peaks and, of course, glaciers. This national park has more glaciers than any other in the lower 48 states. Pictured is Inspiration Glacier and Moraine Lake, as seen from Forbidden Peak.

The biggest water park in the USA is located in Wisconsin Dells, a leafy city in the south of the state. Unsurprisingly, Noah's Ark is enormous, spreading out over 70 acres, with a head-spinning number of thrilling attractions and mellow, family-friendly amusements. Highlights include the Point Of No Return water slide, which has a near-vertical drop, and the Surfing Safari simulator. 

These are the world's most incredible water parks

America's oldest national park, Yellowstone holds plenty of records. It's got the world's largest concentration of geysers and the country's oldest free-roaming buffalo herd. A standout sight, though, is the kaleidoscopic Grand Prismatic Spring, which just happens to be the largest hot spring in America. It's more than 121 feet (37m) deep, with an approximate diameter of 370 feet (113m), and its dazzling colours are caused by tiny 'thermophile' organisms who thrive in the heat.