Franciscan monks created a facsimile of the Holy Land for North Americans who couldn’t afford the trip overseas.

The lowest point in the state of Illinois, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

An abandoned observatory in the middle of the Illinois prairie.

Man-made geyser that rises to the exact height of the Gateway Arch.

Not to be confused with the iconic New York City skyscraper, this Chicago building is a vibrant hub for artists.

World's second largest particle accelerator, where nature reveals its secrets.

One of the last functioning antique elevators in Chicago.

What was once the second largest steel mill in the US is now a sprawling complex of modern ruins.

A beloved Chicago music venue offering cold beer and lots of “Friendly."

River pirates, murderous bandits, and serial killers used this Illinois cave as their debauched hideout.

Years of archaeology, just chillin' by the water cooler.

These abandoned grain silos and tunnels are an urban exploration dream.

One of just a few cities in the world to base their center of government on an island. Others: Paris and Osaka.

Piled high inside this warehouse and coffee shop are salvaged goods that span every corner of the globe.

Millions of dollars worth of sculpture decorate this Iowa city center.

The world’s largest truck stop includes a barber shop, chiropractor, and a huge museum with antique trucks.

A four story, football field-sized, nine-grotto creation made of shells, minerals, and rare stones.

A half-mile long and three stories high, this bridge over the Des Moines River Valley mimics a descent into a mine shaft.

When an ancient supervolcano erupted, some of Nebraska's prehistoric animals were forever preserved in ash.

Other-worldly rock formations and ancient fossils abound in this unique stretch of Nebraska badlands.

An experimental, automotive replica of Stonehenge.

Perched atop a brick smokestack, this enormous lug nut symbolizes the local minor league baseball team.

The largest cemetery in Louisville is the final resting place of Col. Sanders and Muhammad Ali.

The grave of the iconic Kentucky Fried Chicken mascot features a bust of the man behind the goatee.