California's own medieval Italian castle, authentic down to the 300-year-old iron maiden in the dungeon.

Standing in a state of "arrested decay," this ghost town allows for a detailed peek into Gold Rush life in an unusually harsh climate.

Towering basalt columns, a creation of fire and ice.

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

Aqueducts have dramatically changed this old lake, now home to tufa towers and its very own species of tiny brine shrimp.

Despite being a perfectly pleasant place to be, Loyalton can't seem to attract any visitors.

Red frames showcase remnants of one of New York's original subway stations.

An artist's cute bronze subway sculptures belie his violent artistic past.

This sculpture by artist Fritz Keonig survived the 9/11 attacks and now stands as a monument to the victims.

Pulled from the rubble of one of the worst modern tragedies, a steel crossbeam became a symbol of hope for New Yorkers.

A remnant of the original World Trade Center complex continues to serve as a commuter gateway.

The last living thing to come out of the rubble after 9/11 is now a symbol of hope and resilience.

This 38-drawer structure claims the superlative title, but it isn't the world's only giant filing cabinet.

A pair of black granite tails dive into a sea of grass in landlocked Vermont.

Stepping away from the glitz of mobsters and casinos to learn about the other history of Vegas.

The fierce beast perches atop a pedestal marking where the historic City of London gates once stood.

The private clubhouse for the members of the Academy of Magical Arts.

The seawater playground of gilded-era San Francisco burned to the ground in 1966.

An exotic wildlife habitat right off The Strip.

A walk-in working camera obscura produces 360-degree live images of the San Francisco coast.

There is no trying to fall in love with this Star Wars fountain, you just do or do not.

Frank Lloyd Wright's most iconic home dangles over a Pennsylvania waterfall.

Eighty million natural history specimens call this gargantuan museum home.

A beautiful geyser under environmental threat.