A huge musical instrument played by the ocean.

Beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge is the “Gibraltar of the West Coast,” a fort built to protect the San Francisco Bay from naval attack.

This lighthouse has been guiding shipping into the Golden Gate since before the American Civil War.

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

A remarkable lava formation encloses a line of Buddhist statues that can't be accurately counted, according to local mythology.

This little replica of Lady Liberty provides a bit of NYC in a Japanese city.

This tea house was a hand-built gift from Boulder's sister city in Tajikstan.

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

This iconic L.A. bookshop is housed in an abandoned bank—both symbolic and chic.

Austin’s nonprofit-run graffiti park where street art is meant to be painted over.

After 97 years of constant vigilance from the dome of the Texas State Capitol, the original Goddess of Liberty retired to a life of climate-controlled leisure.

Austin’s local mountain isn’t really a mountain at all.

Locals dubbed it the "Owl Building" because of its bird-like appearance.

Home to an endangered salamander, a full moon celebration, and a large spring-fed outdoor swimming pool.

Turning night into day in Victorian-era Austin to thwart a serial killer.

This simple frog painting created by musician Daniel Johnston embodies the spirit of Austin.

A grove of colossal man-made flowers built to collect the sun's rays.

A store full of vintage and indie toys designed to bring out the kid in even the crustiest of adults.

Free public park and gardens filled with peacocks and peahens.

Home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, estimated at 1.5 million bats.

One part antique store, one part curiosities hodge-podge.

A smoke stack so large, the Washington Monument could fit inside!

A classic carnival ride that was carved to be untouchable.

Modeled after a famous church in Vienna, Austria—but in Helena, Montana.