1

Meryl Streep

Image: Montclair Film, CC BY 2.0

We’ll begin with a modern icon. Since her start in stage plays in 1975, Meryl Streep has completely risen to stardom, to the point of being considered by many as the very best actress of her generation.

Streep holds the distinct honor of being the most nominated actress for an Academy Award in history, with 21 nominations and 3 wins. Some of her most memorable performances include Sophie's Choice , Kramer vs. Kramer , and The Bridges of Madison County .

2

Marilyn Monroe

Image: Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0

What more can be said about the "Blonde Bombshell" that hasn’t been said before? Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, Marilyn Monroe is definitively one of America’s most famous pop icons. There’s a good reason why legendary pop artist Andy Warhol decided to immortalize her with a series of paintings: Marilyn not only perfectly encapsulates Hollywood in the '50s but also serves as a great representation of how the world sees the American dream.

Monroe’s first on-screen appearance dates back to 1947, when she briefly appeared as a waitress. Nobody knew that this small role would be followed by an extremely profitable career, which included classics like Some Like It Hot , The Seven Year Itch , and The Misfits .

3

Grace Kelly

Image: Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0

Many of the actresses on this list are considered Hollywood royalty, but only Grace Kelly holds the honor of being an actual princess. However, while her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco was truly a spectacular moment, we shouldn’t overlook the incredible career of this amazingly talented actress.

After a number of small roles, Kelly first achieved stardom with her performance in John Ford's 1953 film Mogambo , for which she was nominated for her first Academy Award. That being said, perhaps her most iconic roles are the numerous Hitchcock films she appeared in, including such classics as Dial M for Murder , Rear Window , and To Catch a Thief .

4

Judy Garland

Image: Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0

Sometimes actresses and actors are typecast after a particularly amazing role: Carrie Fisher will always be Princess Leia, Anthony Hopkins will always be Hannibal Lecter, and Judy Garland will always be remembered as the brave Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz . And while this role truly cemented Garland as an undisputed American icon, there’s so much more to this amazing actress's career.

Garland’s incredible voice and acting chops skyrocketed her to fame from an early age. One year before portraying Dorothy, she starred alongside Mickey Rooney in the 1938 film Love Finds Andy Hardy . As an adult, she received Oscar nominations for such iconic films as A Star Is Born and Judgment at Nuremberg .

5

Elizabeth Taylor

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

If there’s one thing that you probably remember about Elizabeth Taylor , it’s those hauntingly beautiful eyes of hers: They were a gorgeous blue that almost seemed to shift into a unique shade of violet under the right light. Regardless, this amazing American actress is still remembered as one of Hollywood’s most iconic legends.

Elizabeth Taylor’s many acting roles are too many to count, so we’ll leave you with a few of our favorites: two film adaptations of Tennessee Williams’ plays, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Suddenly, Last Summer , and her performance as the Queen of the Nile herself in the 1961 film Cleopatra .

6

Katharine Hepburn

Image: Volha Kudzina

Throughout her nearly sixty-year career, Katharine Hepburn amassed an impressive number of awards and accolades. Critics and fans alike adored the outspokenness, independence, and freedom that she brought to her characters. It seems only natural that her amazing talent earned her 4 Academy Awards for Best Actress, a record she holds to this day.

Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Hepburn started acting during her college years. After a very successful run on Broadway, she gained international fame after Hollywood discovered her. Her third film, Morning Glory , earned Hepburn her very first Academy Award.

7

Ginger Rogers

Image: Kyle Head

It should go without saying that all the actresses on this list have multiple talents, including singing and dancing. However, it would be a safe bet to state that Ginger Rogers , Fred Astaire’s most beloved dance partner, is the very best dancer on this list (which is definitely saying something).

Born in Independence, Missouri, but raised in Kansas City, Rogers began her career in a vaudeville act at the age of 14. In the 1930s, she met her perfect partner in crime, Fred Astaire. From 1933 to 1939, the duo starred in 9 iconic films, which completely revolutionized the Hollywood musical genre.

8

Julia Roberts

Image: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0

Julia Roberts became an instantly recognizable icon in the ‘90s, starring in such classics as Steel Magnolias , Pretty Woman , and My Best Friend’s Wedding . However, it wasn’t until the start of the new millennium that she earned her first well-deserved Academy Award, when she played the paralegal-turned-environmental activist in the 2000 film Erin Brockovich .

Nowadays, Roberts continues to shine on the silver screen. The 21st century saw her starring in films like Ocean's Eleven and Eat Pray Love . Not only that, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2014 for her performance in the 2014 TV film The Normal Heart .

9

Whoopi Goldberg

Image: Canadian Film Centre from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0

Caryn Elaine Johnson, known to the world as Whoopi Goldberg , is undeniably a jack of all trades. She is an Academy Award-winning actress, received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor for her work as a comedian, and is also a TV personality who entertains millions of American homes every day.

Whoopi first rose to prominence for her wonderful performance in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film The Color Purple , for which she received a Golden Globe for Best Actress. That first recognition was quickly followed by a myriad of awards, including an Academy Award for Ghost and an Emmy for hosting the TV show The View .

10

Rita Hayworth

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

Just like Judy Garland, many people know Rita Hayworth as "Gilda," a nickname she earned after starring in the titular 1946 film. However, there’s so much more this actress contributed to Hollywood throughout her spectacular career, so we decided to honor her life and work with this final entry.

Born Margarita Carmen Cansino, Rita was already a professional dancer by age 12, performing on stage with her father, who was also a dancer. By the time she was in her early 20s, she had already taken the world by storm, becoming one of the most profitable actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

1

Bigfoot

Image: Mandy Bourke

We’ll start with a classic. For many Americans, Bigfoot is the quintessential mystery —a fantastical creature that has fascinated generations. Also known as Sasquatch, Bigfoot is described as a large, hairy, ape-like being that supposedly roams the forests of North America, evading hikers and adventurers. Some believe most sightings result from misidentifying large mammals like black bears, but true believers continue their relentless search for this mythical creature.

2

Area 51

Image: Oliver Pacas

Who would have thought that a number could become synonymous with aliens and mystery? There’s no doubt that Area 51 exists—it is a real and highly classified United States Air Force facility in Nevada. However, most of us know it for the intrigue surrounding it. According to some sources, Area 51 houses crashed spaceships and alien life forms . Of course, the government denies these claims, but to quote the classic TV show The X-Files , some theorists "choose to believe."

3

Amelia Earhart

Image: Tomas Martinez

Amelia Earhart's life was one filled with adventure. She became the first female pilot to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, among many other feats. Beyond her achievements, her magnetic personality and best-selling books made her an international icon, forever cemented as an American cultural icon. Her mysterious disappearance only deepens the intrigue surrounding her: While attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe, Earhart’s plane vanished over the Pacific Ocean —no wreckage or remains were ever found.

4

Mothman

Image: Sonika Agarwal

Moths are sadly often given a bad reputation. Though they are close cousins to the beloved, colorful butterflies, some people find them slightly unnerving. For the people of West Virginia , there’s an even greater reason to find moths scary: The "Mountain State" is home to one of America’s most famous cryptids— the Mothman . According to legend, this eerie creature resembles a man , stands about seven feet tall , and has large white wings and glowing red eyes .

5

Jersey Devil

Image: Tech Nick

If you ever visit South Jersey’s Pine Barrens, be on the lookout for an oddly shaped creature often described as a cross between a kangaroo and a winged beast . If luck (or misfortune) is on your side, you might encounter the fabled Jersey Devil . Many legends surround this creature, but the most popular tells of the cursed thirteenth child of a Pine Barrens resident, forever cursed to haunt this region.

6

UFO Sightings

Image: Michael Herren

UFO sightings are the bread and butter of paranormal enthusiasts. Thousands of Americans have reported seeing flashing lights in the sky , unable to explain their origin. In that regard, we’ll focus on what is perhaps the most famous UFO sighting in this article: In 1947 , residents of the town of Roswell, New Mexico , claimed to have seen a UFO crash into the desert.

7

Haunted houses

Image: Ján Jakub Naništa

As soon as October comes around, hundreds of excited families transform their garages into spooky, fun haunted houses. It’s a thrilling activity that brings neighborhoods together, but let’s face it—these aren’t the haunted houses we’re talking about. From the LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans to the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose , America is home to some of the world’s most terrifying haunted houses—locations definitely not suitable for the faint of heart.

8

Chupacabra

Image: Nandhu Kumar

For such a terrifying creature, the English translation of " Chupacabra "—literally " goat-sucker "—somewhat diminishes its mystique. However, don’t let the name fool you. According to legend, this cryptid is a foul beast that preys on livestock , draining their blood. Descriptions of its appearance vary: In Puerto Rico , it is depicted as an alien-like creature , while in the Southwestern United States , it is described as more dog- or wolf-like .

9

Marfa lights

Image: Jr Korpa

Many cultures around the world have legends about mysterious lights appearing before wary travelers at night. In our case, the city of Marfa, Texas , is home to a strange phenomenon known as the Marfa Ghost Lights . While scientists suggest a rational explanation—claiming they result from automobile headlights distorted by warm desert air—some still believe the lights have a paranormal origin.

10

Chimayó, New Mexico – Land of Healing

Image: Lina Trochez

We’ve covered some dark and gruesome mysteries in this article, so why not end on a lighter note? In New Mexico’s Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties, Chimayó is home to a remarkable site . Some believers claim that El Santuario de Chimayó , a Roman Catholic church, possesses mysterious healing powers —particularly the "holy dirt" found in a small well at the back of the church.

1

Start here, end there: Boston Common to Bunker Hill

Image: Roger Starnes Sr

There’s no official rule about where to begin, but most people kick things off at Boston Common. From there, the trail snakes through the heart of the city and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. That final stretch leads to one of the most symbolic sites of the American Revolution. Of course, if you’d rather do it backwards, nobody’s stopping you—it’s your patriotic pilgrimage! Either way, the journey between these two iconic spots is packed with stories.

2

Where the trail begins: Boston Common’s surprising start

Image: Yassine Khalfalli

Boston Common might be a peaceful green escape today, but it began with a much more practical purpose. Established in 1634, it’s the oldest public park in the US, and it was originally used for grazing livestock, not lounging on park benches.

The land was purchased from Anglican minister William Blackstone and soon transformed into a communal area by the Puritans. Over time, it has witnessed protests, public speeches, and even British troops setting up camp.

3

Short and sweet: the 2.5-mile trail

Image: Naoki Suzuki

The Freedom Trail may only stretch 2.5 miles, but don’t let that fool you—it’s packed with history. The route winds through downtown Boston, passing 16 official landmarks. Most of the trail is flat and fully accessible, making it friendly for everyone. Just remember to bring comfy shoes!

4

Follow the red-brick road

Image: Yassine Khalfalli

No need for a map or GPS—just follow the red-brick line! That bright path under your feet is the Freedom Trail’s signature feature. It weaves its way from site to site, keeping you on track with zero guesswork.

The trail’s design was first suggested by a local journalist in the 1950s, who wanted to link all the key historical spots. It’s Boston’s version of a historical yellow brick road—minus the flying monkeys, of course!

5

Millions make the trip every year

Image: Aubrey Odom

More than 4 million people walk the Freedom Trail each year—and not just tourists. Locals, history lovers, and school groups all flock to this living museum. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Boston, and for good reason.

From Paul Revere’s House to the Boston Tea Party site, each stop tells a story. Even if you’ve walked it before, there’s always something new to notice. So go ahead—join the crowd.

6

No need to go in order

Image: Vika Chartier

Unlike history books, the Freedom Trail doesn’t follow a strict timeline. It’s organized by geography, not chronology, which means you can hop around without feeling lost. For instance, Boston’s North End has a cluster of must-see sites close together. It’s totally fine to explore them first and double back later. Just follow your curiosity—and your feet—along the red bricks.

7

Oldest this, oldest that, it’s a record-breaker

Image: Kelly Sikkema

The Freedom Trail is a goldmine of American "firsts." You’ll find the country’s oldest public park (Boston Common), its oldest public building (the Old State House), and even the site of the first major battle of the Revolutionary War (Bunker Hill Monument).

Paul Revere’s House is the oldest building still standing in Boston. And the Old North Church? That’s right—it’s the oldest church still standing in the country!

8

Rest in peace, revolutionaries

Image: Wenhao Ruan

Cemeteries might not sound exciting, but on the Freedom Trail, they can be. The Granary Burying Ground is the final resting place of Paul Revere and victims of the Boston Massacre.

Over at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, you’ll find figures connected to the Salem Witch Trials and shipbuilders like Edmund Hartt. These aren’t just graves—they’re chapters in America’s story. And you’ll be walking right through them.

9

No replicas here

Image: Liubov Ilchuk

Every building and site along the Freedom Trail is the genuine article. Thanks to meticulous preservation, nothing is a recreation or reimagining—you’re standing where revolutionaries stood, seeing what they saw.

There’s something special about touching the same walls and walking the same halls. It’s as close to time travel as you’re going to get. How great is that?

10

Past meets present in every step

Image: Brett Wharton

Sure, you're here for the history, but Boston’s modern charm is hard to miss. Between historic stops, you'll find lively markets, cozy restaurants, and the buzz of city life all around. Grab a cannoli in the North End or sip coffee where patriots once plotted revolts. The Freedom Trail offers a perfect blend of old and new.