As birthplace of the modern skyscraper, Chicago's steel mountains are a must for any architecture enthusiast. Here they will find a skyline bursting with tall buildings. The Willis Tower, or as it was formerly called, The Sears Tower, stands at a massive 1,450 feet 7 inches and is the tallest building in America. It has an observation deck on the 103rd floor where visitors can see 1,353 feet straight down. Other skyscrapers include the Aon Center, Trump International Tower and Hotel and the John Hancock Center. Architectural enthusiasts can also pay a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio or visit Cloud Gate, a Millennium Park sculpture that reflects 80 percent of the skyline.
For a glimpse of pre-Columbian American architecture, visit the pueblo dwellings of states like New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and Arizona. Made from stone, adobe-mud and other readily available materials, these structures have served as communities for Pueblo Native Americans for centuries. Taos Pueblos, situated in the foothills of New Mexico, has been designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO and as a National Historic Landmark. Additionally, Lowry Pueblo, home to pueblo ruins, is located in southwestern Colorado, in the Four Corners region where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet.
Traveling to Beijing, China, is an awe-inspiring experience for architecture lovers. The Great Wall of China, built over 2,000 years ago, stretches out for more than 5,500 miles and winds its way through Beijing. The Forbidden City, a feat of architecture reflecting traditions of symmetry and detail, once served as home to emperors and other powerful figures. The CCTV headquarters and the Beijing Olympic Stadium, often known as the Bird's Nest, offer a newer take on Chinese architecture.
London, though not dominated by a single style of architecture, has many historically significant structures. These include Buckingham Palace (home to the British monarchy), Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament.
