California

Image: Ross Stone

California is famous for its grand sights, but few can compete with Methuselah, a Great Basin bristlecone pine more than 4,800 years old, widely considered the oldest known tree on Earth.

Beyond its ancient forests, the state also shines in pop-culture records: one of Kurt Cobain’s guitars sold in Los Angeles for over $6 million, becoming the most expensive guitar ever auctioned. California is also home to eye-catching personal records, including the world’s longest female arm hair and the largest male afro. From timeless trees to memorable modern oddities, California’s record list is full of true West Coast flair.

Nevada

Image: Jordi Vich Navarro

Nevada knows how to entertain…and break records along the way! Las Vegas boasts the highest density of hotel rooms in the world, along with an unmatched lineup of themed resorts that range from ancient pyramids to miniature European cities.

The Bellagio holds the record for the most fountains in a hotel, and the Venetian shines with the world’s largest polished-marble floor area. The city also has more resident magicians than anywhere else and hosts thousands of weddings each month. In Nevada, the show is always bigger, brighter, and endlessly jaw-dropping.

Idaho

Image: Craig Adderley

The Gem State holds some of the country’s most lighthearted records. Beard enthusiast Joel Strasser turned facial hair into a full-time hobby. He has tucked thousands of everyday objects into his whiskers, from 3,500 toothpicks to 600 barbecue skewers.

Idaho is also home to record-setter David Rush, known for everything from lightning-fast lemon-juice sipping to catching marshmallows fired from a homemade catapult. And on the scientific side, the University of Idaho helped welcome Idaho Gem, the first cloned mule in history.

Arizona

Image: Edmundo Mendez, Jr.

Arizona loves a good spectacle. In Phoenix, an exhibition opening once used a pair of 10-foot scissors —the largest in the world— to cut the ribbon in style. Down in Yuma, sunshine reigns supreme: the city enjoys about 91% of all possible daylight hours each year, adding up to more than 4,000 hours of bright, warm weather.

The state also embraces playful oddities, including its own “Poozeum”, the world’s largest collection of fossilized… well, you can guess the rest. And at the Phoenix Zoo, visitors can even meet Nikki, the world’s oldest mandrill, adding another unique distinction to Arizona’s lineup of record-setters.

Georgia

Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Georgia blends big art with big sports. The state is home to the world’s largest tattoo artwork —a massive 79-plus square-foot piece created by two Atlanta studios using a special silicone canvas and more than $30,000 in materials.

On the athletic side, Georgia Tech once set the highest football score ever recorded, finishing an unforgettable 222-0 game back in 1916. From oversized art to record-setting touchdowns, Georgia knows how to leave a bold, lasting impression.

Alaska

Image: Rod Long

Up north, “large” takes on a whole new meaning. Alaska’s Pribilof Islands host the biggest northern fur seal colony on Earth, with close to a million animals gathering during peak seasons.

The state also celebrates remarkable feats of endurance: a tagged bar-tailed godwit flew more than 8,400 miles nonstop from Alaska to Tasmania, setting a record for the longest continuous bird migration. And in the Arctic interior, the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes stretch across nearly 24 square miles —the largest active dune field in the region. Even in a land known for ice and mountains, Alaska proves it can go big in surprising ways.

Delaware

Delaware may be tiny on the map, but it knows how to draw a crowd. The state is home to 11 record holders, including the World’s Largest Doctor’s Bag Monument.

Delaware State University once gathered 1,709 people waving foam fingers at the same time, and another huge group buzzing handheld buzzers together. The state is also home to a towering 36-foot stack of cardboard boxes called the “Leaning Tower of Pizza.” Small state, big personality.

Hawaii

Image: Matt Paul Catalano

Hawaii’s natural wonders reach record heights, and many of them are straight from the islands’ own landscape. Kīlauea is recognized as the world’s most active volcano, with decades of steady activity and a name that fittingly means “spewing.”

The islands also celebrate remarkable achievements on the ocean: off Oahu, Australian surfer Laura Enever rode an astonishing 43.6-foot paddle-in wave, the largest ever recorded for a woman.

Illinois

Image: Brett Sayles

Illinois loves to go big, and it shows in all kinds of creative ways. In the small town of Casey, visitors can stand beneath a giant rocking chair more than 56 feet tall —one of the state’s many oversized roadside attractions.

The Prairie State also stirred up the world’s largest jar of spread, using more than a ton of peaches and tomatoes in a three-day cooking marathon. Are you waiting for something more extreme? An Illinois native set the record for the fastest clapping ever recorded, reaching an incredible 804 claps in one minute.

Alabama

Alabama has a special talent for turning simple moments into big record-breakers. Here you’ll find the largest bubblegum bubble ever blown —a bright 20-inch sphere made from just three pieces of gum and plenty of practice.

The state also celebrated the Apollo 11 anniversary by launching nearly 5,000 model rockets at once, filling the sky with a burst of color. Alabama is home to more than 50 record holders, including inspiring stories like Curtis Means’, the world’s most premature baby to thrive and grow. If you enjoy bold, cheerful achievements, Alabama delivers them in generous size.

Arkansas

Image: Jametlene Reskp

The Natural State mixes small-town charm with some truly memorable oddities. Arkansas was once home to Lurch, the African watusi steer famous for having the largest horn circumference ever measured —an incredible 37.5 inches around.

Arkansas also wears its heart on its sleeve: a statewide effort gathered more than 81,000 pounds of pet food in just 24 hours, setting a cheerful charity record. And for pure determination, a young Arkansan even held a deep squat for nearly three hours. In Arkansas, generosity and eye-catching achievements go hand in hand.

Florida

Image: Richard R

Florida takes “large” to heart. The Sunshine State is home to the world’s longest limousine, a restored 100 ft 1.5 in cruiser with room for 72 passengers —nearly three times the length of an ordinary stretch limo!

Florida also knows how to put on a show: Miami hosted the first-ever pay-per-view pillow fight, complete with pro fighters and custom-made pillows; in Bradenton, a Monster Jam driver set two eye-popping records for the most consecutive spins in a monster truck.

Seattle Underground City

Did you know the remnants of Seattle’s original streets are still accessible? Beneath the bustling streets of modern-day Seattle lies the Underground City, a network of subterranean passageways that formed the ground level in the 1800s.

By the end of the 19th century, after the Great Seattle Fire, it was decided to rebuild the city at a higher elevation to combat frequent flooding. So, these original streets, sidewalks, and storefronts were buried, and with it, much of their history.

Guided tours take people through tunnels and ladders and retell real and eerie stories about the history of the Underground City.

Luray Caverns

Image: Robert Thiemann

Have you ever heard of the underground Stalacpipe Organ? Not only is it a one-of-a-kind interaction between keyboards and cavern stalactites, but it is also the largest musical instrument in the world, according to Guinness World Records.

This instrument lives in the Luray Caverns, Virginia. It consists of an electric console that taps on these ancient stalactites of varying sizes to produce musical tones. A subterranean wonder, these caverns are also known for their extraordinary size, housing towering stalactites and stalagmites, mirrored pools, and delicate drapery-like calcite formations.

The Underground Gardens of Baldassare Forestiere

Image: Adrian Botica

This stunning subterranean retreat was built entirely by hand. Tucked under the sun-scorched landscape of Fresno, California, lie the Underground Gardens of Baldassare Forestiere. They are the life’s work of Baldassare Forestiere, a Sicilian immigrant who started digging in the early 1900s to escape the Central Valley’s oppressive heat.

Over 40 years, drawing inspiration from ancient Roman catacombs, Forestiere carved an elaborate network of underground rooms, passageways, grottoes, and courtyards that span 10 acres.

A unique masterpiece, the gardens are open with guided tours that lead guests through beautifully designed spaces featuring skylights, arches, and alcoves. This oasis also boasts an array of fruit trees, including citrus, figs, and olives.

Ruby Falls

Image: Goodfreephotos_com

Colorful and breathtaking, the Ruby Falls is a geological wonder located inside Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Hidden over 1,000 feet below the mountain’s surface, this waterfall cascades 145 feet into a pool, making it one of the tallest underground waterfalls open to the public.

Visitors enter the mountain and descend via elevator. Then, they walk through stunning cave formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. At the waterfall chamber, multicolored lights –powered by renewable energy– illuminate the falls. Lantern-lit tours are also offered as a chance to visit the marvel with a different charm.

The Catacombs of Green-Wood Cemetery

Image: Joy Ernst

Arched tunnels of tranquil, sacred vaults lie beneath the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Built in the mid-19th century, these catacombs were designed as a prestigious resting place for the city’s elite, prominent families.

While the catacombs are typically closed to the public, special events are sometimes organized to welcome visitors, such as art expositions, guided history tours, and candlelit tours seasoned with live music and storytelling.

Outside, where the sun does reach, await the serene landscapes and remarkable monuments of the cemetery, which is itself a National Historic Landmark.

The Lost Sea

Image: Roberto Nickson

The largest underground lake in America is in Tennessee. Hidden within the Craighead Caverns in Sweetwater, this enormous body of water lies in a cave system filled with fascinating formations, such as stalactites, stalagmites, and rare anthodites, also known as “cave flowers.”

A National Natural Landmark, this lake marvels scientists, who are yet unaware of the exact extension of its waters. Those who visit can embark on a boat ride called “The Lost Sea Adventure,” first walking inside the cavern before reaching a boat to navigate these ethereal sights.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Image: Sherin Jacob

The Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the longest cave system in the world. Located in central Kentucky, it extends over 420 miles of explored passages and many more likely undiscovered. Enormous chambers, underground rivers, a labyrinth of tunnels, and gypsum crystal formations can all be found at this site.

The park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. It also includes over 52,000 acres of protected land on the surface, renowned for its lush forests and diverse wildlife.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Image: Cason Asher

A large bat colony lives in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, but that’s not its only charm. The park boasts over 100 caves, with its centerpiece being the immense Carlsbad Cavern.

The cavern includes the Big Room, one of the largest underground chambers in North America, spanning 8.2 acres. Visitors can descend via an emblematic natural entrance or by elevator, dropping 750 feet underground. Stalactite formations like the Giant Dome, the Hall of the White Giant, and the Chandelier are some of the caves’ breathtaking highlights.

Indian Echo Caverns

Image: Magda Ehlers

The Indian Echo Caverns, which have been open to the public since the early 1920s, are carved into the limestone of the Appalachian Mountains. Located near Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, this site gets its name from the echoes heard within the cavern’s chambers, which were once believed to be mystical by Native American people in the area.

Unique, immersive sections of the caverns have names like the “Crystal Palace,” the “Echo Room,” and the “Wedding Room,” where, yes, real weddings are sometimes held!

Wind Cave National Park

Image: Francesco Ungaro

Wind Cave National Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is one of the world’s largest caves, but that’s not what it’s most famous for. One signature sight here is the boxwork formation, a rare lattice-like pattern formed by calcite deposits.

The cave system stretches for over 140 miles, though much of it remains unexplored. Popular tours take guests through captivating features like the “Ribbon Room” and the “Crystal Palace.”

Why is Wind Cave called that? Mainly due to the “wind” phenomenon that occurs at its entrance. The cave’s air pressure causes the entrance to draw in or expel air, depending on atmospheric conditions.

Barack Obama

Image: History in HD

We’ll begin with our most recent Laureate President. You’ll quickly notice that many U.S. Presidents have made it to this list, which seems only fitting considering their paramount efforts in maintaining world peace.

In this regard, President Obama is no exception, and in 2009 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

Al Gore

Image: Markus Spiske

The only American Vice President on this list, Al Gore, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his “efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change.” Gore has been a long-time advocate for fighting climate change, and his endeavors were featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth.

Nowadays, Al Gore continues to educate the world about environmentalism and the perils of climate change. In 2021, he addressed the United Nations during their Climate Change Conference.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Image: Unseen Histories

No other figure represents the fight for Civil Rights in America as Martin Luther King Jr. does. In 1964, Reverend King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “his non-violent struggle for civil rights for the Afro-American population.”

King, who was 35 years old at the time, became the youngest Peace Prize recipient in history. This title is now held by Malala Yousafzai, who was awarded the Prize at 17 years of age, in 2014.

Richard P. Feynman

Image: Zoltan Tasi

From his bongo playing to his iconic studying technique, American theoretical physicist Richard Feynman has become a pop culture icon. In 1965, Feynman received the Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Julian Schwinger and Shin’ichirō Tomonaga “for their fundamental work in quantum electrodynamics.”

While Feynman was by no means the first (nor will be the last) American Nobel-winning physicist, his recognition is still remembered fondly by the scientific community. With the money from the award, Feynman and his wife purchased a beach house in Baja California, Mexico.

Bob Dylan

Image: weston m

Bob Dylan is known as “The Voice of a Generation” and with good reason: his songs of protest and insightful lyrics have inspired generations of Americans for almost 70 years. Dylan is truly a renaissance man, being an accomplished musician, painter, and, perhaps more importantly for this list, writer.

In 2016, Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” Fellow American musician (and die-hard Bob Dylan fan) Patti Smith performed a heartfelt rendition of his classic song “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” during his Nobel ceremony.

Jimmy Carter

Image: Library of Congress

At almost 100 years of age, Jimmy Carter’s life has been filled with outstanding achievements and awards. In that sense, it is rather remarkable that our 39th President’s Nobel Peace Prize was awarded almost 20 years after he left the White House.

In 2002, President Carter received the Peace Prize for “his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts.” His award mostly acknowledged his work with the Carter Center and their exceptional work in defending and promoting human rights around the world.

Ernest Hemingway

Image: Annie Lang

“Beige” prose master and iconic American author Ernest Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Literature Prize in 1954 for his “mastery of the art of narrative”. The Nobel Foundation specially cited Hemingway’s then most recent novel, The Old Man and the Sea, as a contributing factor in their decision.

At the time of his award, Hemingway was recuperating from an airplane accident and didn’t travel to Stockholm to receive the award. He did, however, send a speech to be read at the ceremony, in which he stated that “Writing, at its best, is a lonely life.”

John Forbes Nash

Image: Roman Mager

American mathematician John Forbes Nash was brought into the spotlight thanks to the 2001 film A Beautiful Mind, in which Nash was portrayed by Russell Crowe. Thanks to this movie, the whole world was able to learn about Nash’s troubled but extraordinary life and the amazing theories that earned him a Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994.

Nash is mostly remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to the mathematical field known as “game theory.” He was awarded the prize alongside John Harsanyi and Reinhard Selten “for their pioneering analysis of equilibria in the theory of non-cooperative games.”

Toni Morrison

Image: Isaac N.

American novelist Toni Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 when she was 62 years of age. A few years earlier, Morrison received the Pulitzer Prize for her groundbreaking 1988 novel Beloved, which was instrumental in her Nobel nomination.

The Nobel Foundation acknowledged Morrison’s extraordinary talent, recognizing her as a writer “who in novels characterized by visionary force and poetic import, gives life to an essential aspect of American reality.”

Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

Image: Library of Congress

We’ll end this article with the very first American to win a Nobel Prize. Our 26th President received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906, in recognition of his tremendous and successful efforts in ending the Russo-Japanese War.

Roosevelt was not only the first American but also the very first statesman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. While at the time this award was deemed controversial, ultimately the Nobel Foundation decided to acknowledge Roosevelt’s “role in bringing to an end the bloody war recently waged between two of the world’s great powers, Japan and Russia.”