The Most Historic Landmark in Every State

Minnesota: Mill City Museum

Flour power! That should be the motto of this Minnesota museum, built into the remains of the Washburn "A" Mill, which used to be the world's largest flour mill. It turned Minneapolis into the milling capital of the world for over 50 years, even earning it the nickname "Mill City." At the museum, tour the old flour elevators and spend some time in the lab learning fun ways to cook with the grain.

Mississippi: Old Mississippi State Capitol

It may be one of the most beautiful and extravagant buildings in the state with limestone accents, 11 different types of marble, and a gorgeous copper dome, but the former state capitol building in Jackson is also rife with history—like how it was the spot where Mississippi's secession from the Union took place in 1861. Make sure you see the Hall of Governors, where portraits of every Mississippi governor since 1798 are hung.

New Hampshire: Canterbury Shaker Village

This quaint village is where the original movers and Shakers of New Hampshire lived, aka the Canterbury Shakers who immigrated to America from England in the 18th century. Tour the 25 original Shaker buildings that have been preserved for over 200 years, including the carriage house, pump room, schoolhouse, and infirmary. At the peak of the Shaker movement, Canterbury was one of 19 communities along the East Coast.

New Jersey: Sandy Hook Lighthouse

Meet the New Jersey landmark that has literally been lighting the way for ships since 1764, making it the oldest working lighthouse in the country. The only times it's gone dark are during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and both World Wars. To get to the lens room at the top, you'll climb 95 steps followed by an iron-rung ladder.

New Mexico: Palace of the Governors

When you think about notable government buildings, you likely think of the White House or the Capitol Building. But the Palace of Governors, situated in Santa Fe, should be on that list, too. It's actually the oldest continuously-used government building in the country, originally built in 1610 for Spain's royal governor. Now home to the New Mexico History Museum, the palace also contains the Native American Artisans Program, where local vendors sell handmade crafts, jewelry, and more.

Ohio: Cincinnati Zoo

When it comes to zoos in the United States, Cincinnati's is a contender for king of the jungle. That's because it has the oldest continuously operating zoo building. The limestone dome, built in 1875, used to be the Monkey House but has since become the Reptile House, home to all sorts of snakes, lizards, and turtles. Adults and kids alike will love marveling over the architecture... and the animals, of course.

Oklahoma: Honey Springs Battlefield

On July 17, 1863, the largest battle in Oklahoma's history was fought. The Battle of Honey Springs during the Civil War, one of the few that took place in Indian territory, was won mostly due to the First Kansas Colored, which was the first African-American regiment in the Union army. Stroll one of the six walking trails that now wind through the battlefield with informative signs mapping out the battle along it.

Washington: Chinook Point

Hike to the top of the bluff at Chinook Point to stand in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, who saw the Pacific Ocean from this same vantage point for the first time in 1805. It's also where Captain Robert Gray became the first European to find the Columbia River in 1792, an area that eventually became Fort Columbia.

West Virginia: The Greenbrier

This isn't your average luxury resort. Built in 1858, The Greenbrier has served numerous important roles from being a hideaway for U.S. presidents like Woodrow Wilson and John F. Kennedy to temporarily being converted into a hospital for soldiers. But the coolest thing about this West Virginia icon? It sits atop an underground bunker, which was a top-secret fallout shelter for Congress and government employees during the Cold War.

Wyoming: Independence Rock

The Oregon Trail is more than just a computer game: It was the trail that pioneers traveled across the country in covered wagons to settle on the west coast. And one of the major markers along the trail was Independence Rock in Wyoming. Also known as the "Register of the Desert" because of all of the names engraved in it, the rock was named because pioneers had to reach it by the Fourth of July in order to make it safely across the Rocky Mountains before winter.