Unmissable! Trivia Quiz

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, is located on the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia. Established in 1790 as a neutral federal district, it was designed by Pierre L'Enfant with a lot of forethought to showcase the power of the US Government. In the city, you can find all three branches of government: the Capitol (the legislative branch), the White House (the executive branch), and the Supreme Court (the judicial branch). The city is known for its world-class museums, monuments, and institutions like the Smithsonian.

The Washington Monument is a giant marble obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Construction began in 1848 but paused during the Civil War, finishing in 1884. Standing 555 feet (169 meters) tall, it was once the world's tallest structure and remains the tallest stone monument globally. Visitors can ascend via elevator to an observation deck for panoramic city views. It is one of the more unmissable landmarks in Washington, but not the only one.

Las Vegas is a city in southern Nevada, located in the Mojave Desert. Founded in 1905 and officially incorporated in 1911, it grew rapidly after the legalization of gambling in 1931 and the post-WWII economic boom. Initially a stopover for railroads and military bases, it transformed into a world-famous hub for entertainment, casinos, the underworld, and nightlife. The city's Strip, a 6.8-kilometer stretch of resorts and neon lights, is lined with world-renown themed hotels, live shows, and some of the world's largest casinos. Las Vegas is also a major destination for conventions and business events. Beyond gambling, it has emerged as a center for fine dining, sports, and technology.

The Sphere, officially known as the MSG Sphere at The Venetian, is an immersive entertainment venue in Las Vegas. Opened in 2023, it is 112 meters tall and 157 meters wide, making it the largest spherical structure in the world. Its exterior is covered with 54,000 square meters of LED panels that display dynamic images viewable from across the city which make it supremely unmissable. Inside, it houses a 16K-resolution wraparound screen and can seat around 18,600 people. Designed for immersive entertainment events (shows, music, and more), the Sphere uses advanced acoustics and haptic technology to create a captivating environment.

Founded by French fur traders in 1764, St. Louis quickly became a vital port and gateway to the American West, especially after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. It is located between Missouri and Illinois, though the main city is along the western bank of the Mississippi River. St. Louis played a key role in the westward expansion of the United States and was the launching point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It has hosted major national and international events, including the 1904 World's Fair and the first Olympic Games held in the USA, that same year.

The Gateway Arch is the iconic symbol of St. Louis and, actually, the tallest monument in the United States. Completed in 1965, it stands 630 feet (192 meters) high and wide, forming a perfect catenary curve (a hyperbolic cosine function). Designed by architect Eero Saarinen, the unmissable stainless steel structure commemorates the pioneers of the United States who moved to the West to expand the fledgling nation. The Arch has been made into a National Park and visitors can ride a unique tram system to an observation deck at the top. Beneath the Arch is a museum that explores America's frontier history.

Seattle, located in the Pacific Northwest between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, is the largest city in Washington State. Founded in the 1850s, it developed as a logging town before becoming a major seaport and industrial hub. Seattle played key roles in the Klondike Gold Rush, Boeing's rise in the aerospace industry, and the tech boom led by companies like Microsoft and Amazon. Known for its natural beauty, it has views of mountains and water in every direction. Seattle also boasts a strong music legacy from jazz to grunge, as well as a vibrant arts and coffee culture, being the hometown of Starbucks. The city is a leader in environmental policy and innovation, often ranking among the most liveable and educated cities in the Americas.

The Space Needle is Seattle's most unmissable landmark, built for the 1962 World's Fair to symbolize the future and innovation. Standing 605 feet (184 meters) tall, it features a flying-saucer-inspired top with an observation deck and rotating restaurant. The structure was designed by Edward E. Carlson and John Graham with a high-speed elevator that can take visitors to the top in about 40 seconds. Up there, they can enjoy a full panoramic view of Seattle, Mount Rainier, and Puget Sound.

The fourth-largest city in the United States is Houston, located in the southeast of the state of Texas and near the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America). Founded in 1836 and named after General Sam Houston, it became a center of commerce and transportation thanks to its port and railroad connections. The nearby discovery of oil in the early 20th century really opened up the city to the energy industry in all aspects. Now, NASA has its Johnson Space Center there as well as one of the world's leaders in cancer research, the Texas Medical Center.

The San Jacinto Monument, located just outside Houston, commemorates the Battle of San Jacinto, a decisive 1836 conflict in which Texan forces defeated the Mexican army to secure Texas' independence. Completed in 1939, the monument stands 567 feet (173 meters) tall, making it the tallest stone column monument in the world, taller, actually, than the Washington Monument. Unmissable indeed! The topper of the column, you ask? A star, a 10 meter (34 foot) Lone Star, representing the state. An elevator allows people to go up to the observation deck to see the site of the battle as well as the ship channel to the city.

Atlanta, the capital of Georgia (the state, not the country), is located in the southeastern United States at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It quickly became a major center for commerce and transportation after it was founded in 1837. In the 20th century, Atlanta emerged as a key player in the Civil Rights Movement, with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. calling it home. Today, it is a thriving metropolis known for its diverse economy, which includes sectors like media, logistics, aerospace, and technology.

When it was finished in 1992, the Bank of America Plaza was the tallest building in Georgia and the tallest in any US state capital. It rises to 1023 feet (311.8 meters) and was designed by Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloo. Used mostly as business office space, it's an important and unmissable part of midtown Atlanta and a prominent part of the skyline.

San Francisco, a city as old as the country, was actually founded in 1776. It was originally populated by Spanish colonists but it really boomed in the Gold Rush of 1849. Located on the bay which opens to the Pacific Ocean and a terminus of the railway, San Francisco was an ideal place for people to set out into the wilderness to try and make their fortunes. Known for its steep hills, Victorian architecture, and iconic cable cars, the city has long been a center of progressive politics, art, and innovation. It played a key role in the counterculture movement of the 1960s and later became a hub for tech start-ups in nearby Silicon Valley.

Designed by William Pereira and completed in 1972, the Transamerica Pyramid is easily one of the country's more unmissable skyscrapers. It stands 853 feet (260 meters) tall and the taper was designed to allow light to reach street level. While originally meant for the Transamerica Corporation, it's now a general-use office building. The Pyramid's lobby contains a historical exhibit and a virtual observation deck, though it's not open for public viewing, unfortunately.

The most populous city in the United States, the Big Apple itself, New York City has long been a city that screams "America"! Originally founded by the Dutch in 1624 as New Amsterdam, it expanded rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries with the immigration through Ellis Island. Millions of people came through New York City in search of the American Dream. It is home to the United Nations, Wall Street, Broadway, and world-famous institutions like the Met, MoMA, and several universities.

The Empire State Building is easily one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Unmissable at 1250 feet (381 meters) to the roof, or 1454 feet (443 meters) including its antenna and was opened in 1931. It was the world's tallest building for 40 years and has 102 floors and two observation decks for the thousands of tourists that come every year.

Birmingham, Alabama, was a hub for steel production, banking, and manufacturing since it was founded in 1871. It was located at an intersection of two main rail lines and close to a huge deposit of coal, limestone, and iron ore, all of which became important to the city's economy. It also played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, especially during the 1960s, when demonstrations, such as those led by Martin Luther King Jr., drew national attention to segregation and injustice.

The Vulcan Statue in Birmingham is the largest cast-iron statue in the world and the most iconic symbol in the city. Unmissably, it stands 56 feet (17 meters) tall and is perched upon a 124-foot (38-metre) stone pedestal. The statue depicts the Roman god of fire and forge, representing Birmingham's roots in iron and steel production. It was sculpted by the Italian-American artist Giuseppe Moretti for the 1904 World's Fair. It weighs over 45 metric tonnes (50 imperial tons) and there is an observation deck where one can get great views of the city.

The third-largest city in the United States by population, Chicago is a vibrant city right on Lake Michigan. This made it ideal for regulating the logging and fur industries in pioneer America. With the expansion of rail lines westward, Chicago became an even more important hub. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 nearly destroyed the city; however, it was rebuilt with purpose and planning and was the first city in the world to have a skyscraper. It is known for its deep-dish pizza, blues and jazz music, world-class museums, and diverse neighbourhoods.

The Willis Tower, originally named the Sears Tower, is one of Chicago's most unmissable landmarks and was the tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1973. It stands 1450 feet (442 meters) tall, or 1730 feet (527 meters) with its antennas. Designed by architect Bruce Graham and engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan, this famous 110-story skyscraper was built for Sears, Roebuck & Co., then the world's largest retailer.