This softly rounded mansion was built without corners not to avoid evil spirits, but to make them more comfortable.

A towering Art Deco movie palace made to look like a Mayan temple.

The carved remains of a 200-year-old oak tree memorialize the namesake of the iconic "Wizard of Oz" character.

A 400-foot-tall tall map of Chicago makes this once-ignored building stand out.

A historic beacon built in the aftermath of the worst maritime disaster on the Great Lakes.

This lush 12-acre site was once named the finest Japanese garden in North America.

While he no longer has an eatery to give him context, this off-brand Paul Bunyan still holds his giant hot dog with pride.

This architectural stunner is one of the few surviving Egyptian Revival theaters in the U.S.

Half-sized replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa built to honor Galileo.

Its eclectic exhibits range from the world’s first motorcycle to Luke Skywalker’s Land Speeder.

When you visit his grave, be sure to rub the Great Emancipator's nose for good luck.

This elaborate Hindu temple is located in a Chicago suburb, but looks like it was transported directly from India.

The unluckiest U-boat in the entire German fleet is now on display in a Chicago museum.

The city of Rockford, Illinois is symbolically protected by a quartet of fittingly stony sentinels.

Fragments of architectural wonders from around the globe are embedded in the newspaper building's walls.

These pretty kitties killed and ate as many as 135 railway workers.

River pirates, murderous bandits, and serial killers used this Illinois cave as their debauched hideout.

Years of archaeology, just chillin' by the water cooler.

A science teacher's dream.

Each of these gorgeous, intricately decorated rooms is painstakingly crafted to the scale of 1 inch: 1 foot.

The only Bahá'í house of worship in North America and one of only a handful worldwide.

A lush green oasis in the middle of Chicago.

A century-old wooden walkway where artists and free spirits have built a funky, countercultural main street.

One day a year it is legal to jump off of this astoundingly tall bridge that spans an Appalachian gorge.