1

Palace of the Governors (New Mexico, 1610)

Image: Donald Giannatti

This is one of the oldest continuously occupied public buildings in the United States. Built in 1610 , it served as the seat of the Spanish, Mexican, and, finally, American government.

Some experts claim that the key to its longevity is the material of which it is composed. Adobe has always worked very well as a building material in areas that, like New Mexico, have a major thermal amplitude. This is because adobe works as a thermal insulator.

Besides all the historical artifacts this building holds, it also has many stories to tell. In 1862, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln gave a famous speech from the Palace's balcony.

2

Fairbanks House (Massachusetts, 1637)

Image: Lampos Aritonang

Built around 1637 by English immigrant Jonathan Fairbanks in what is now Dedham, Massachusetts, many sources claim that the Fairbanks House is the oldest timber-frame house in America.

With so many years of existence and so many people who must have passed through it, can you imagine the stories that could be told from inside those wooden walls? For 8 generations, Jonathan's descendants inhabited this place, and today, it functions as a museum for all of us to visit.

This 380 -year-old house was built with oak wood, straw, animal fur, and other materials of the time. Just imagine how cold it must have been inside during winter!

3

C.A. Nothnagle Log House (New Jersey, 1638-1643)

Image: Joshua Michaels

Can you imagine holding an object from the 1590s in your own hands? Well, that's what you could do at the C. A. Nothnagle Log House in New Jersey.

The Finns and the Swedish left testimonies of their building techniques in our territory with this log cabin built between 1638 and 1643, one of the oldest still extant in the country. The many inhabitants of this house never had to worry about winter; the interior features a large, centrally located stone and brick chimney that provides even heat for the entire place.

With so many years of history, it's not unusual for visitors to experience strange episodes at the C. A. Nothnagle Log House. Some have reported hearing footsteps and soft murmuring, while others affirm to have seen a specter of a woman dressed in colonial-era clothing.

4

Richard Sparrow House (Massachusetts, 1640)

Image: James Kovin

Richard Sparrow, surveyor and early settler of Plymouth, Massachusetts, built this historic house in 1640, making it the oldest surviving house in Plymouth.

With its timber frame, this house is an example of typical colonial architecture, demonstrating the durability of this type of construction. Despite the restorations necessary to keep it standing, the house keeps most of its original materials and still looks much as it did in the 17th century , making it an interesting source of education about the period.

5

House of the Seven Gables (Massachusetts, 1668)

Image: Joseph Corl

The Fairbanks House is not the only historic house in Massachusetts.

Considered a colonial mansion, the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion was built in 1668 for Captain John Turner and stayed with his family for three generations. The place became famous in 1851 for its appearance in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Gothic novel "The House of the Seven Gables," which also gave it its characteristic nickname.

While the dark stories Hawthorne wrote about are fictional, some visitors claim to have felt a scary feeling and strange vibes inside the house. Would you like to visit the museum?

6

Paul Revere House (Massachusetts, 1680)

Image: Timur M

As the name implies, this historic house was the home of patriot Paul Revere.

Built in 1638 , it is not only one of the oldest houses in the country, but it is also the oldest standing building in downtown Boston, and represents a fine example of classic Colonial American architecture.

The building originally belonged to another owner, and Paul Revere acquired it around 1770 . If you visit the house, you can see objects and artifacts that actually belonged to the Revere family! You won't be the first, though, as an estimated 300,000 people visit the house annually.

7

Shirley Plantation (Virginia, 1723)

Image: Belia Koziak

Shirley Plantation is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most famous plantations in America.

While the plantation was founded in 1613, construction of its main house began in 1723, designed in the Georgian architectural style.

Additionally, visitors can find artifacts, tools, and weapons from the Civil War era, making it a truly valuable experience. As another detail, Shirley Plantation also has the oldest known plantation portrait in America: it features Elizabeth Hill and John Carter, whose marriage united the Hill and Carter families. These families have owned the place since 1738 to this day!

8

Wright's Ferry Mansion (Pennsylvania, 1738)

Image: Marie Martin

Susanna Wright was a pioneer Quaker woman from Philadelphia, who decided to live in Wright's Ferry (what is now Columbia) in the early 18th century. Wright was active in poetry, science, and local politics and business.

In 1738, she built Wright's Ferry Mansion, which served not only as her family home but also as a business center. With its classic proportions and elegant style, the mansion is today one of the oldest in the country. It was preserved to keep its original appearance, remaining a fine example of early 18th-century architecture in the country.

Legend has it that the house is haunted by the spirit of its original owner, with several visitors claiming to have seen her, or heard murmurs and loud footsteps inside the house.

9

Mount Vernon (Virginia, 1734-1750s)

Image: Matt Briney

We can't overlook the iconic Mount Vernon. Built in Fairfax County, Virginia, it’s one of the most famous homes in the country. And you know why: it was the home of our first president, George Washington.

The original house was built in 1734 by George Washington's father, Augustine Washington, and then expanded by his son into the building we see today. Washington influenced American architecture with the design of this building. In fact, it is said that the design of the "New Room" in Mount Vernon inspired the White House's Oval Office!

While the exterior is made of wood, it was sanded and beveled to mimic stone for a classic, elegant style. The house also has Martha Washington's famous "Blue Room," one of the most beautiful and best-decorated spaces, which still preserves its appearance. Have you already visited it?

10

Drayton Hall (South Carolina, 1747-1752)

Image: Peter Herrmann

Charleston, South Carolina, was the site where the historic Drayton Hall was built between 1747 and 1752.

This 18th-century plantation is considered to be one of the best-preserved examples of Georgian architecture. In addition, it is also claimed to be the only plantation house on the Ashley River that survived the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, not without some damage.

With nearly 300 years of history, it's undeniable that this house was the scene of many stories and events. Some visitors have claimed that the house is haunted , reporting sightings of apparitions and hearing mysterious noises. Spooky, isn't it?

1

A bar hidden in plain sight

Most visitors know the famous Oyster Bar, but few stumble upon The Campbell, an elegant lounge tucked inside Grand Central. Originally the office of 1920s finance tycoon John W. Campbell , this spot sat forgotten for decades until 1999, before being restored to its former Jazz Age glory. Step inside today, and you’ll find velvet couches, grand rugs, and cocktails that make you feel like you’ve time-traveled back to the roaring 1920s.

2

Two clocks worth a fortune?

Grand Central has one of the most valuable clocks in the world , although there’s a myth that says there are two. The Tiffany clock outside towers 14 feet across, framed by Roman gods carved in stone. This clock is worth around $20 million. Inside the terminal, the four-faced opal clock crowns the information booth. Contrary to popular belief, this clock was not made of an actual opal, but out of opal glass, so there’s nothing priceless about it.

3

Hidden oaks and acorns

Take a closer look around, and you’ll start spotting oak leaves and acorns carved into chandeliers, railings, and stonework. These aren’t random designs. They’re a nod to the Vanderbilt family’s symbol: The acorn. The family funded the terminal’s construction in 1871 and wanted everyone to know it. Now, their family symbol quietly decorates every corner of their legacy.

4

The mysterious whispering gallery

If you whisper into one corner of the tiled archway near the Oyster Bar, someone standing diagonally across can hear you perfectly. The "Whispering Gallery" is one of Grand Central’s quirkiest secrets . The Guastavino tiles that make up the arched ceiling carry sound in an odd way, creating an intimate little magic trick, though no one really knows whether it was designed that way or just a happy accident.

5

A sky painted backward

Look up, and you’ll see the breathtaking celestial mural that covers the concourse ceiling. But here’s the kicker: the constellations are painted backwards . Whether it was a mistake or an artistic choice remains debated, but the Vanderbilts claimed it was intentional—to give us the "divine perspective" of looking down at the heavens. Either way, it’s still one of the most photographed ceilings in the world.

6

Game, set, match (inside a train station)

If you think tennis in a train terminal sounds impossible, think again. The Vanderbilt Tennis Club, perched on Grand Central’s fourth floor, is open to the public . You can book a court, take a lesson, or just peek inside to see this unexpected slice of luxury tucked away above the bustling commuters below.

7

Secret walkways above the windows

Those grand arched windows in the main concourse aren’t just decorative; they hide narrow walkways used by staff to move unseen between offices . These catwalks give a bird’s-eye view of the terminal, though they’re strictly off-limits to the public. Only a select few with key passes get to experience the view from up there.

8

A hidden entrance to the Waldorf

Deep beneath Grand Central lies Track 61, a secret passage that once connected directly to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It was used by VIPs who preferred to travel without public attention —most famously, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used it to conceal his polio and wheelchair from the public eye. Today, it’s sealed off, but the legend remains.

9

Almost lost to the wrecking ball

In the 1960s, plans were made to tear down Grand Central and replace it with skyscrapers. After the destruction of Penn Station in 1963, New Yorkers were not having it. Thanks to the efforts of preservationists , Grand Central was saved and officially declared a landmark in 1967. Their fight ensured we could still enjoy one of the city’s true architectural gems.

10

A 21st-century makeover

While much of Grand Central dates back to 1913, its evolution continues. The massive East Side Access Project, completed in 2023, added a new terminal for Long Island Rail Road passengers, complete with 40 miles of new track buried beneath Park Avenue. It’s a modern expansion of a century-old masterpiece.

1

Earthquakes

As if the incredible altitude and extreme temperatures weren't enough, Mount McKinley faces another challenge: earthquakes. Due to tectonic plate activity, this type of natural disaster is common in the area, with an estimated 600 earthquakes of varying strength occurring there each year.

2

Always dressed in white

The summit of Mount McKinley is always painted white. Even during the warmer months, when grass and plants flourish in the surrounding park, the mountain's upper half remains permanently covered in snow and massive ice formations.

3

Life thrives

It's not just snow around Mt. McKinley. In the area, you'll find about 160 bird species, 39 types of mammals, 14 kinds of fish, and even one species of amphibian. That's a surprising amount of life for such a cold region.

4

Super frog

If you're curious about this unique amphibian, here's the answer: it's the wood frog, a tiny species that can survive even the harshest winters. How? By almost freezing its entire body. While the frog's cells don't actually freeze, the fluids between them do. Its heart and lungs stop working until spring returns.

5

Millions of years ago

There was a time when giant reptiles roamed what is now the Mount McKinley area. In 2005, the first dinosaur footprints were discovered in the area, followed by fossil remains. The region was once home to three-toed theropods (carnivorous dinosaurs similar to Velociraptors) and winged pterosaurs that soared through the skies above.

6

Harsh weather

If you're a fan of summer, Mount McKinley might not be the best choice for you, as it's famous for its extreme cold. Temperatures at the summit can drop as low as -75.5°F, with wind chills plunging to -118.1°F.

7

Not an easy task

Climbing McKinley is not for everyone. In fact, it's considered extremely difficult and dangerous due to the harsh weather conditions. On average, only about half of those who attempt the climb succeed.

8

Alone

Mount McKinley is lonely. While that may sound sad, it actually means it's one of the most topographically isolated peaks on Earth. In other words, it's far from any other mountain of similar height, which makes it even more striking and impressive.

9

The first

In 1913, Mount McKinley was successfully climbed for the first time. Walter Harper, a native Alaskan, is credited with the honor of being the first person in history to reach the summit of North America’s tallest peak. He was followed by his teammates: Harry Karstens, Hudson Stuck, and Robert Tatum.

10

America's "Big 5"

When it comes to mammals, Mount McKinley and its surrounding park are home to what's known as the "Big Five." These are the most powerful mammals in the region: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, and wolves.