America is filled with iconic landmarks that reflect the country’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and architectural marvels.
However, a surprising number of Americans struggle to name or locate these famous places.
According to a 2021 OnePoll study commissioned by Charmin, many U.S. citizens are geographically challenged even when it comes to major landmarks that regularly appear in history books, travel shows, and Instagram feeds.
Here’s a closer look at 12 important American landmarks that too many Americans can’t name or can’t correctly place on the map.
1. Redwood Forest – California
The Redwood Forest, located in Northern California, is home to the tallest trees on Earth. These ancient giants can grow up to 350 feet tall and live for over a thousand years.
Walking among them is a humbling, almost spiritual experience. Yet, 49% of survey respondents didn’t know where the Redwood Forest is located.
Some confused it with other forested states like Oregon or Washington. It’s a reminder that one of nature’s greatest marvels can still go unrecognized by many.
2. Shawnee National Forest – Illinois
Nestled between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, Shawnee National Forest is Illinois’s hidden gem.
With its rolling hills, dense oak groves, and dramatic rock formations like those at the Garden of the Gods, it offers landscapes that feel more like the Pacific Northwest than the Midwest.
But only 35% of Americans knew it was in Illinois, and nearly 1 in 5 thought it was in Ireland highlighting just how under-the-radar this natural wonder remains.
3. Grand Canyon – Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural formations in the world, stretching 277 miles long and over a mile deep.
It’s an awe-inspiring reminder of Earth’s geological history, carved over millions of years by the Colorado River. Still, only about 40% of Americans could identify it as being in Arizona.
Many guessed Colorado, likely due to the river’s name a common but forgivable mistake that shows how even the most famous landmarks aren’t immune to confusion.
4. Niagara Falls – New York
With its thunderous roar and constant mist, Niagara Falls is one of North America’s most powerful and mesmerizing natural features.
Straddling the border between the U.S. and Canada, it’s located in upstate New York, near Buffalo.
However, only 32% of survey participants could place it correctly, and more than 20% thought it was in Iceland.
That’s quite the geographic leap one that underscores the need for stronger basic geography education.
5. Alcatraz Island – California
Alcatraz Island, sitting just offshore in San Francisco Bay, is a former military fort and infamous federal prison that once held notorious criminals like Al Capone and “Birdman” Robert Stroud.
Known for its harsh conditions and legendary escape attempts, Alcatraz has become a must-visit site for history buffs and tourists alike.
Yet, 13% of Americans thought it was located off New York, showing that even pop culture references can’t always set the record straight.
6. Jefferson Memorial – Washington, D.C.
Dedicated to the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the Jefferson Memorial stands prominently along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.
Its design is inspired by the Roman Pantheon, and it’s often surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms in spring a favorite postcard image.
Despite this, nearly a third of Americans couldn’t place the memorial in the nation’s capital, revealing a surprising gap in knowledge about America’s foundational figures.
7. Grand Central Station – New York City
A Beaux-Arts masterpiece and one of the busiest train terminals in the world, Grand Central Station opened in 1913 and continues to serve hundreds of thousands of commuters daily.
Its celestial ceiling, marble staircases, and classic clock have made it a pop culture icon. Still, 40% of Americans couldn’t correctly identify it as being in New York City. That’s surprising, given its frequent appearance in films and television.
8. The Space Needle – Seattle, Washington
Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle is a symbol of futuristic optimism and one of Seattle’s most recognizable landmarks.
Standing at 605 feet tall, it offers panoramic views of the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier.
Nevertheless, many Americans confused it with Cape Canaveral, Florida probably due to its space-age name. Nearly 1 in 5 survey participants placed it on the wrong coast entirely.
9. Hoover Dam – Arizona/Nevada Border
Completed in 1935 during the Great Depression, the Hoover Dam is a monumental engineering achievement that tamed the Colorado River and provides hydroelectric power to millions.
It straddles the border of Arizona and Nevada and towers over the Black Canyon like a concrete colossus.
Yet, only 40% of Americans could correctly place it. Many thought it was in California or even the Midwest areas far removed from its desert surroundings.
10. St. Louis Cathedral – New Orleans, Louisiana
With its iconic spires and position facing Jackson Square, the St. Louis Cathedral is a symbol of New Orleans.
It’s the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States. Despite its name, it’s not located in St. Louis, Missouri, which caused confusion for many survey participants.
Only 30% knew it was in Louisiana’s French Quarter, a location known for jazz, culture, and centuries of history.
11. Mount Rushmore – South Dakota
Featuring the carved faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, Mount Rushmore is a patriotic symbol and a feat of human craftsmanship.
It’s located in the Black Hills of South Dakota a fact that 40% of Americans couldn’t recall. Some guessed Montana or Colorado, again confusing the rugged terrain of the region.
12. Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
Yellowstone is America’s first national park and home to some of the most unique geothermal features in the world, including the famous Old Faithful geyser.
It spans three states Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho but fewer than one-third of Americans knew this.
Its size and location seem to make it a mystery to many, even though it receives millions of visitors each year.
Alicia Richards