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<p>Majestic mountain views, rushing waterfalls, otherworldly caverns — sure, you can trek to Europe to experience splendors like these, but you can also skip the international-travel expenses and hassle by visiting other incredible sites right here in the U.S.</p><p>From alpine peaks in Colorado and awe-inspiring falls in North Carolina to thousands of underground caves you can explore in Tennessee, plenty of stateside destinations are so scenic they'll take your breath away. Here are nine standouts. </p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_Aurora Borealis  reflections.jpg" alt="The Aurora Borealis" class="right_image" /><h2>If you're interested in: Oslo, Norway<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Fairbanks, AK</h2><p>Journey just below the Arctic Circle for the ethereal night-sky spectacle that is the aurora borealis. The horseshoe shape is made of electrically charged particles from the sun entering Earth's magnetic field, and Fairbanks, which lies within the Aurora Oval, is the ideal place to view it. (It's known as the "Golden Heart of Alaska," in fact.)  </p><p>Schedule your trip between mid August and mid April, when you can count on visibility as often as five nights per week. By contrast, your chances to catch the dazzling stream of lights in Oslo are more hit or miss unless you tack on an additional flight or train trip to a town north of Norway's capital city for a more reliable view.</p><h2>If you're interested in: the Swiss Alps in Switzerland<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: the San Juan Mountain Range in Ouray, CO</h2><p>Rising before the quaint city of Ouray (near Telluride), you'll find the San Juan Mountain Range, a collection of stunning snow-capped peaks just like those in the Swiss Alps. In the 1850s and '60s, miners flocked to this region to search for gold and other minerals.</p><p>Today, precious metals are no longer the draw (although you can play the prospector part on a tour of a former working gold and silver mine); instead, the natural abundance of alpine lakes and streams, trails and cliffs are what attract hikers, bikers, rock climbers and other visitors. Unwind after an activity-packed day with a leisurely dip in one of Ouray's natural, sulfur-free hot springs. You may want to visit outside of June, July and August, when the area is the busiest and hottest.</p><h2>If you're interested in: Gorges du Verdon in France<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: The Grand Canyon North Rim in Arizona</h2><p>France's deepest gorge, the Gorges du Verdon, was formed thousands of years ago by the Verdon River that now runs through the middle of its canyons. It's a striking sight, to be sure, but you can catch equally scenic vistas without leaving the U.S. at another river-forged geological marvel carved over millions of years: The Grand Canyon.</p><p>For a new spin on this much-visited attraction, head to the North Rim, a fantastic and less-frequented vantage point. During its short May-to-October season, the area sees only 10% of all Grand Canyon visitors. Take your time and drink in the panoramic views of the North Rim's more than 8,000 feet of elevation by walking along the Bright Angel Point trail. If campgrounds aren't your kind of accommodations, consider one of the refined-rustic Grand Canyon National Park Lodges.</p><h2>If you're interested in: Lamprechts Cave in Austria<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Appalachian Caverns in Blountville, TN</h2><p>Fun fact: Tennessee is the most cave-rich state in the country; according to the Nature Conservancy, it's home to 10,000 documented caves to explore. One standout among those is Appalachian Caverns — a site similar to Austria's Lamprechts Cave, known as Europe's largest cave system and one of the world's biggest multiple-entrance caves. Visitors to Appalachian Caverns can see the varied rock formations (and, at times, bats) on guided tours outfitted with gloves, helmets and helmet lights.</p><h2>If you're interested in: Mount Etna in Italy<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Haleakala National Park in Maui, HI</h2><p>Want to check out an epic volcano? You could venture out of the States to Sicily, but a trip to Hawaii's Haleakala National Park may be equally exciting. You can hike near inactive volcanic craters or bask in the shifting scenery (which runs from lush tropics to rugged desert) on horseback. Cap your day at the 10,023-foot summit where you can watch a dreamy sunset leaving thousands of stars in its wake.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_Bass Harbor Light.jpg" alt="rocky cliffside " class="right_image" /><h2>If you're interested in: Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, ME</h2><p>The lush, green rolling hills and plentiful seafood of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way of County Clare share similarities with the craggy coastal peaks and 158 hiking trails of Acadia National Park, though you can find way more lobster dinners at the Maine locale, of course. You can also navigate the park's trails on bike or horseback, explore the ocean in a kayak or paddle your way across more than 20 different ponds throughout the park. Plan your visit for the spring or fall months to hit all the highlights minus the photo-snapping crowds.</p><h2>If you're interested in: Lake Bled in Slovenia<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Duluth, MN</h2><p>With a picturesque island at its center, charming Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular vacation destinations, and Boundary Waters in Minnesota could be considered America's version of this pristine oasis (without the crowds). Soak up the serenity along more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes and various hiking trails. At the end of the day, set up camp at one of the 2,000 designated campsites, where you can drift off to sleep to the soothing sound of a chorus of grasshoppers.</p><h2>If you're interested in: Skradinski Buk in Croatia<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Pisgah National Forest in Asheville, NC</h2><p>Skradinski Buk is Croatia's most famous and frequently photographed waterfall system with its 17 gushing steps and vast swimming pool. Not nearly as congested with visitors are the many waterfalls within North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. You'll find 500,000 acres of hardwood forests and waterfalls (Moore Cave Falls, Twin Falls, Looking Glass Falls and others), and more than 1,600 miles of hiking trails.</p><h2>If you're interested in: the Desierto de Tabernas in Spain<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Moab, UT</h2><p>Besides the badlands of southeastern Spain, deserts are hard to come by in Europe, but the U.S. offers easy access via the eastern Utah expanse of the Moab. There, you can explore the more than 2,000 sandstone arches of Arches National Park, which glow in various shades of red at sunset, and spend the rest of your time fishing, bird-watching or hot air-ballooning. Don't miss the iconic Mesa Arch at nearby Canyonlands, the state's largest national park. It's set amid a forested area framed by brooks that ebb and flow near La Sal Mountains.</p><p> </p><p style="margin-bottom:11px"><em>— With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors.</em></p>

9 US Natural Wonders to Rival Europe's and Inspire Your Next Trip

<p>From the tranquility of an English country garden to the momentary splendor of an African desert in bloom, Mother Nature inspires far-flung journeys to glimpse her finest and most alluring work up-close.</p><p>But here's a secret: You don't actually need to travel far to behold plant life from around the world. Some of the most impressive green spaces in America are right in the backyards of major cities. These seven under-the-radar gems offer travelers a chance to immerse themselves in nature, while seeing a leafier, sweeter-smelling side of the country's urban landscape.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_Wave-Hill_Aquatic-Garden_credit-Wave-Hill-3_0.jpg" alt="pond with lily pads at Wave Hill Gardens" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Wave Hill Gardens</h2><p><em>Bronx, NY</em><br /><br />Boasting views of the Palisades Cliffs across the Hudson River, the Bronx's <a href="https://www.wavehill.org">Wave Hill Gardens</a> has been a fresh-air retreat for New Yorkers for more than 175 years, including past presidents. Now, the 28-acre property — anchored by a renovated English-style country mansion built in 1843 — provides present-day travelers with a lush escape just 12 miles north of midtown Manhattan. The Flower Garden resembles a French impressionist painting brought to life, while the Elliptical Garden has converted the estate's swimming pool into a formal garden of native plants in an eccentric color palette.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GreerLVhouse.jpg" alt="View of front lawn and mansion at Longue Vue House & Gardens" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Longue Vue House & Gardens</h2><p><em>New Orleans, LA</em><br /><br /><a href="https://longuevue.com/">Longue Vue House & Gardens</a> is only a 20-minute drive from Bourbon Street, but it might as well be an entirely different world. The manicured property serves as one of the most cherished examples of architecture from the Country Place Era, an early 20th-century design movement where affluent Americans started adding massive gardens (like those they'd seen on trips to Europe) to their country estates. Tours of the historic mansion take you through decorated rooms, some of which were dedicated to specific activities like flower arranging and wrapping presents, and a porch filled with contemporary art collected from France. But, just as magnificent are Longue Vue's 14 garden areas including an interactive Discovery Garden for children.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_Desert-Discovery-Trail_Desert-Botanical-Garden_Adam-Rodriguez-1.jpg" alt="exterior of greenhouse at Desert Botanical Garden" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Desert Botanical Garden</h2><p><em>Phoenix, AZ </em><br /><br />Next time you're in Phoenix, lace up your hiking boots and head to <a href="https://www.dbg.org/">Desert Botanical Garden</a>. The 140-acre natural attraction, which celebrates its 80th birthday this year, features five thematic trails that offer the chance to see towering cactus, plump succulents and desert wildflowers that explode with color. Among Desert Botanical Garden's collection of more than 50,000 plants are a 15-foot Euphorbia ammak from Saudi Arabia and Queen Victoria Agave plants from Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert. For an even more dynamic experience, plan your visit around one of the garden's regular performing arts events, like ballet recitals and dueling piano sing-alongs.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_09-055-17A.jpg" alt="elevated walkway through the trees at Morris Arboretum" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Morris Arboretum</h2><p><em>Philadelphia, PA</em><br /><br />Philadelphia may have been crowned "America's Garden Capital" (boasting 30 gardens within 30 miles of the city), but visitors are still discovering <a href="https://www.morrisarboretum.org/">Morris Arboretum</a>, a hidden gem in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood. The 92-acre Victorian arboretum is home to some of the city's oldest and rarest trees, like a 250-year-old bender oak, a Tatar wingceltis from China that turns yellow in the fall and a cotton candy-scented Katsura tree, native to Japan and China. Kids will love getting a view of the forest from 50 feet high on the canopy walk and sitting atop giant robin's eggs in the Bird's Nest. Travel tip: The Morris Arboretum is open late on Wednesdays during the summer, so guests can lay out a picnic dinner lit by fireflies.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_International-Rose-Test-Garden6.jpg" alt="rose garden at the International Rose Test Garden" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>International Rose Test Garden</h2><p><em>Portland, OR</em><br /><br />Portland's "City of Roses" nickname makes perfect sense once you've experienced the fragrant <a href="https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=viewpark&propertyid=1113">International Rose Test Garden</a>. Nestled within 410-acre Washington Park, one of Portland's oldest parks, the lush garden features more than 10,000 rose bushes that bloom from April to October, with their peak in June. This is more than just a perfumed place to stroll; it's the country's oldest continuously operating public rose test garden, home to varieties hailing from countries all over the world, including England and Germany. Check out the Gold Award Garden to see some of the most prized specimens or the Miniature Rose Garden, which contains pint-sized versions of the bigger blooms.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_Amphitheater.jpg" alt="Sibley Victoria pool at Fairchild Tropical Botanical garden" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden</h2><p><em>Miami, FL</em><br /><br />You may never make it to Madagascar, but at least you can say you've seen the island's array of extraordinary plant life if you visit <a href="https://www.fairchildgarden.org">Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden</a>. The Lin Lougheed Spiny Forest of Madagascar is just one of many unique plant collections at the 83-acre tropical botanical garden. You can also get up-close to exotic butterflies (like the Bamboo Page from Central America and Leopard Lacewings from Asia), tropical fish and rare plants at the Wings of the Tropics Conservatory. Explore one of the world's most important palm collections at the Montgomery Palmetum and see hundreds of orchids in Fairchild's rainforest exhibit. Don't miss the Sibley Victoria Pool, one of the only outdoor gardens in the U.S. to feature examples of the world's largest water lilies, the Victoria.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GettyImages-172729510.jpg" alt="Inside the arboretum at Garfield Park Conservatory" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Garfield Park Conservatory</h2><p><em>Chicago, IL </em><br /><br />For more than 100 years, <a href="https://garfieldconservatory.org/">Garfield Park Conservatory</a> has been reminding Chicago residents and visitors of the important relationship humans share with plants. Its eight indoor display gardens showcase living greenery from Madagascar to Mexico, earning the conservatory the reputation of having "landscape art under glass." If you're visiting with children, point out the Powderpuff Tree in the Show House — its fluffy fuchsia flowers look like something they'd see in a fantasy book. And in the warmer months, the 12 acres of outdoor gardens offer endless ways to commune and interact with nature, including beekeeping demonstrations and meditative walks through the winding labyrinth set in the Sensory Garden.</p>

No Passport Required: Secret US City Gardens Revealed

<p>Skiing the snow-capped Alps or strolling historic neighborhoods in France are dreamy vacation activities, but sometimes you don't have the vacation days or budget to swing a European escape.</p><p style="margin-bottom:11px">That doesn't mean you have to settle for a different type of trip; with so many American locales steeped in European influence, from architecture to cuisine, you can have an equally culture-filled trip without traveling far.</p><p style="margin-bottom:11px">To plan your perfect getaway, check out these no-passport-required, European-leaning U.S. spots offering Medieval-inspired castles, Parisian-style pastries and more. Then explore your travel options by visiting the <a href="https://online.citi.com/US/JRS/portal/template.do?ID=CitiTravelLogin&cmp=emc_tyrewards_2301_travel_sf_email9_promoem_article&tag=08082023email">Citi Travel<sup>SM</sup> with Booking.com</a> portal.</p><h2>If you're interested in: Paris, France<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: New Orleans, L.A.</h2><p>Early French settlers founded New Orleans, and that's evident in the local French Creole language, intricate ironwork balconies in the French Quarter and soaring St. Louis Cathedral dedicated to King Louis IX. Instead of the Seine River you have the Mississippi, along with mule-drawn carriage tours to give you a sense of the city's historic French Quarter. And the indulgent dining scene is what really sets Francophile hearts aflutter, especially when you start your morning with freshly made beignets. For something more au courant but just as Parisian, try the almond tarts at Beth Biundo Sweets. (The chef is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute.)</p><h2>If you're interested in: Munich, Germany<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Milwaukee, WI</h2><p>Nicknamed Brew City, thanks to the German immigrants who brought their beer-making skills here in the 1840s, Milwaukee is Wisconsin's largest city and a melting pot of cultures. The German influence has remained strong, right down to the industrial vibe on the Milwaukee River. Every October, the city hosts an authentic Oktoberfest with polka bands, a bratwurst-eating contest and other cultural festivities. Year-round German offerings include brewery tours at Lakefront Brewery and authentic specialties from spaetzle to strudel served by lederhosen-clad staff at the iconic Mader's restaurant.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/St. Augustine - small.jpg" alt="st augustine florida with palm tree" class="right_image" /><h2>If you're interested in: Barcelona, Spain<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: St. Augustine, FL</h2><p>This steeped-in-history destination is not only the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States but also one of the most heavily influenced by Spanish architecture. Check out the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish stone fortress — complete with a drawbridge — that rivals Barcelona's Montjuïc Castle. St. Augustine's beaches also give Barcelona's a run for their euros with 42 miles of sand and surf.</p><h2>If you're interested in: Semmering, Austria<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Stowe, VT</h2><p>The Austrian Alps are a powder-packed playground for serious skiers, and while Vermont may not match those majestic peaks in elevation, it does offer plenty of snow-capped fun for every level of skier and snow boarder with 116 alpine trails, 13 lifts and two gondolas. In downtown Stowe you'll find a charming main street with century-old inns, but for a true taste of Austria, book a room at the Trapp Family Lodge. The 2,600-acre, Alpine-style resort was built by the Trapp Family singers after they finished a musical tour of the United States in 1942. Today the resort offers miles of cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails and a traditional maple sugar mill. Refuel after a day on the slopes with Tyrolean-inspired favorites including locally made, Austrian-style beers at Von Trapp Brewing, as well as German sausage like knackwurst and pasta-like spaetzle.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Tarpon Springs - small.jpg" alt="tarpon springs at night water view" class="right_image" /><h2>If you're interested in: the Greek Islands in Greece<br />Visit this U.S. spot instead: Tarpon Springs, FL</h2><p>Home to the highest percentage of Greek Americans in the United States, this central Florida Gulf Coast town is full of Greek flavors, sights and sounds. Skilled divers first arrived from the islands of Kalymnos, Hydra and Halki in the 1890s to work in the sponge industry in the Gulf of Mexico. Today, the Greektown historic district houses vintage wooden sponge boats docked in the sparkling Anclote River. Acclimate to the area by downloading "The Florida Stories Walking Tour of Tarpon Springs," a mile-long, narrated and self-guided tour set to Greek music. You can also sample flaky baklava and rich Greek custard pie from the family-owned Hellas Bakery on Dodecanese Boulevard.</p><p>Explore your travel options at the <a href="https://online.citi.com/US/JRS/portal/template.do?ID=CitiTravelLogin&cmp=emc_tyrewards_2301_travel_sf_email9_promoem_article&tag=08082023email">Citi Travel with Booking.com</a> portal.</p><p> </p><p><em>— With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors.</em></p>

 5 US Escapes That Will Make You Feel Like You're in Europe

<p>Miami, FL, is dappled with its pastel-hued Art Deco buildings. Los Angeles, CA, has a lock on dreamy Spanish Revival villas.</p><p>And everyone knows to check out the latest from contemporary "starchitects" when wandering New York, NY. But you don't have to shell out the cash for a big-city trip or overseas jaunt to be wowed by great buildings.</p><p>From Victorian mansions to modernist museums, there are a host of amazing architectural destinations across the United States that won't break your budget or have you digging around your drawers for that passport.</p><p>Gas up the car for a road trip or book a domestic flight to see world-class architecture across the country.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Exterior-of-the-Miller-House-and_Garden-Columbus-IN.jpg" alt="Exterior of the Miller House and Garden, Columbus, IN" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Columbus, IN</h2><p><em>Mecca for Modernism</em><br /><br />The first hint that something special was afoot in this small southern Indiana city was when a striking, modern geometric church by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen rose up amid the traditional 19th-century Victorian buildings in 1942. And it didn't end there: In the wake of this triumph J. Irwin Miller — the young local businessman who had recommended Saarinen — decided to shepherd a full-on transformation of Columbus. Explore this relaxed city and you'll find more than 70 iconic Modernist structures, most built between the early '50s and late '70s.</p><p>Best of all, many of these libraries, churches, community centers and government offices are public buildings. So, visitors can explore these Modernist gems for free. Another way to see these marvels is on one of the Columbus Area Visitor Center's tours — don't miss out on the tour of the Miller house itself, designed in the 1950s by Eliel's son Eero Saarinen and a team of renowned 20th-century architects.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Exterior_of_the_Menil_Collection_in_Houston_TX.jpg" alt="The exterior of the Menil Collection, in Houston, TX" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Houston, TX</h2><p><em>Architecture as art</em><br /><br />This Gulf city often gets overlooked architecturally, but it is one of the only major American cities constrained by virtually no zoning laws, making it home to some of the most ambitious buildings constructed since World War II. French immigrants and modern art enthusiasts John and Dominique de Menil hired Philip Johnson to build their house in 1948 — and other Houstonians, newly flush from the post-war oil and industrial boom, soon followed suit.</p><p>Before long, world-renowned Modernist architects were building everything from skyscrapers to schools around town. Today, a visit to the Museum District reveals a neighborhood full of stunning Modernist buildings designed as — and for — art. The de Menils' is still the crown jewel, though: The Menil Collection art campus includes structures by Renzo Piano and Johnston Marklee, two of which were designed in conjunction with the artists Mark Rothko and Cy Twombly.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/City-Hall-in-Boston-MA.jpg" alt="City Hall in Boston, MA" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Boston and Cambridge, MA</h2><p><em>A Brutalist boomtown</em><br /><br />It's not only about colonial architecture in Beantown. For those who know where to look, the streets of the Massachusetts capital and its next-door neighbor Cambridge possess one of the largest concentrations of Brutalist architecture in the United States. Stroll the ivy-clad campus of a prominent university and take note of the visual arts center, a prime example of this modernist architectural movement that emerged in the mid-20th century.</p><p>Across the river in Boston, admire Madison Park High School and the Government Center complex, considered one of the most prominent American examples of the style. The controversial 1969 City Hall building has long been threatened with demolition, so don't sleep on your chance to see this unexpected Brutalist haven.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Facade-of-the-Biltmore-House-in-Asheville-NC.jpg" alt="Facade of the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Asheville, NC</h2><p><em>Turn-of-the-century time travel</em><br /><br />You could be forgiven for wondering if you'd been somehow transported to 16th-century France as you explore the Biltmore House, the grand Châteauesque mansion that put this scenic city in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the architectural map in the 1890s. The construction of the estate "brought a group of architects and artisans to Asheville that cities this size usually did not have access to," explains Kevan Frazier of Asheville by Foot Walking Tours. As a result, after the project's completion, many of the international artisans stuck around, filling the city with houses in such styles as Queen Anne Victorian, Arts and Crafts, and Spanish and Gothic Revival. By the mid-1920s, the thriving downtown was lined with ornate Art Deco buildings.</p><p>Though the boom ended with the Depression, Asheville's decision to pay off all of its debt before building anything new preserved the historic downtown for decades. In other words, to visit Asheville is akin to time-travel: The streets you stroll today look almost exactly as they did when they were built. For those interested, you can actually stay in this time preserved ambiance at an original Vanderbilt-era cottage on the Biltmore estate.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Milwaukee-Art-Museum-Milwaukee-WI.jpg" alt="Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Milwaukee, WI</h2><p><em>A legacy of industry</em><br /><br />In the late 19th century this Midwestern metropolis sought to rival Chicago, IL, in both scale and importance as an industrial hub. Newly minted titans of industry poured money into grand structures, proclaiming significance and planting a flag for posterity through Gilded Age Renaissance Revival mansions and ornate Victorian municipal buildings. Even after the city's industrial bustle faded, Milwaukee remained a center of architecture: Its distinctive cream-colored brick buildings still line the streets of the Brewery District today. The last remaining examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's American System-Built Homes can be found here as well, alongside several of his private commissions.</p><p>Thanks to these roots of architectural innovation, the city has continued to attract top architects well into the contemporary era. No archi-tourist's visit would be complete without a trip to the Milwaukee Art Museum, where "the architecture in itself is a reason for visitation," as Amanda Peterson, the museum's senior director of audience engagement, explains. Come for Eero Saarinen's 1955 War Memorial, and stay for Santiago Calatrava's sculptural Quadracci Pavilion, most famous for its moveable Burke Brise Soleil wings.</p><h2>Architecture worth traveling for</h2><p>For the true architecture fanatic, some experiences are worth going the extra mile. Explore beyond the façades at these architectural icons off the beaten path.</p><p><a href="http://www.stoneycreekhotels.com/hotel/travel/masoncity-parkinn/home.do"><strong>Park Inn</strong></a><br /><br />Mason City, IA, is a two-hour drive from Des Moines, and the pilgrimage will be worth it for many: The city is home to the last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened in 1910. Book the Historic Suite for the full experience and be sure to explore the other examples of Wright's Prairie School architecture around town.</p><p><a href="https://www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/reconstruction-of-the-church-of-st-mary.html"><strong>St. Mary Aldermanbury</strong></a><br /><br />Renowned English architect Sir Christopher Wren built this East London church in the late 1660s, but it was transported and rebuilt in Fulton, MO, in the 1960s. Now it's part of the National Churchill Museum, honoring British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.</p><p><a href="https://www.glenstone.org/"><strong>Glenstone Museum</strong></a><br /><br />The newest addition to this 300-acre Potomac, MD, art museum is a breathtaking series of pavilions from architect Thomas Phifer. Despite dancing on the architectural cutting edge, the complex is designed to blend into nature, taking full advantage of the surrounding landscape.</p><p><strong><a href="https://farnsworthhouse.org/">Farnsworth House</a></strong><br /><br />A number of the world's most celebrated architects have designed private homes in lesser-known spots around the United States. Journey 60 miles west of Chicago to Plano, IL — as many architecture students and curious fans do — to tour Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House. Set along the Fox River, this private-residence-turned museum is a pristinely restored and maintained example of minimalist architecture.</p>

No Passport Required: Unexpected US Architecture

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