The interior of the Overlook Hotel in "The Shining" was based on this Yosemite original.

This opulent hotel has been visited by Spider-Man, Charlie's Angels, and the Ghostbusters.

Historic funicular railway, believed to be the shortest railroad in the world.

Gilded heaven for philatelists and architecture freaks, still in full working order despite sitting atop tremulous ground.

A bit of retro transportation flair preserved in the world's largest department store.

A visionary, futuristic sculpture in Los Angeles that never met its extraterrestrial potential.

The small peaceful island off the Venice tourist circuit is where the city began more than 1,500 years ago.

The legendary building that needed ghostly approval before being built.

Only hotel where you can legally launder money.

The last remaining relic of San Francisco's glittering 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition.

The so-called "Bridge of Thighs" in Palm Springs allows nudists to discreetly cross the road.

This southwest-styled home in Santa Fe claims to be the oldest house in America thanks to an ancient bit of foundation.

Despite time, colonization, and the brutal New Mexican heat, these Pueblo ruins still stand.

This 11th century tower is said to be the oldest building in Oxford.

This striking, two-toned confluence of rivers is visible from space.

Earth's tallest volcano is sacred to Native Hawaiians, and home to a dozen world-class observatories.

This historic address is home to the beloved ball and is an almost totally empty building among the most expensive real estate in the world.

Each year this Japanese temple overflows with scowling, bearded good luck talismans.