1

Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest

Image: Jon Sailer

The forests of Oregon and Washington have been a treasure trove of Bigfoot sightings for decades. Hikers, campers, and loggers all have their own take, from gentle encounters to hair-raising escapes. Whether he’s a shy forest neighbor or just a legendary wanderer, the mystery has inspired countless hunts, tales, and devoted believers who swear the creature is still out there.

2

West Virginia’s winged visitor

Image: Bhong Bahala

Point Pleasant had quite a moment in the 1960s, when locals reported seeing a tall figure with glowing eyes sweeping through the sky. Newspapers named it the Mothman, and soon the stories were everywhere. Some people thought it was a bird, others guessed something stranger. The sightings even lined up with a real bridge collapse, which only added to the town’s long-lasting fascination.

3

Minnesota’s winter monster

Image: Anoushka Puri

Northern tribes have long shared stories about the Wendigo, a creature tied to greed, hunger, and the frozen wilderness. Descriptions vary, but all versions paint a picture of something you wouldn’t want to cross paths with on a snowy night. Whether seen as a physical creature or a spirit, the tale has survived because it taps into those deep winter fears we all understand, right?

4

The Jersey Devil in New Jersey

Image: Donovan Reeves

The Pine Barrens have been home to strange stories since colonial days. One of the oldest is about Mother Leeds, who supposedly cursed her thirteenth child. Folks say the baby flew off into the forest and took on a life of its own, complete with wings and hooves. Sightings pop up every so often, especially during the wave of excitement in 1909, when everyone was looking over their shoulder.

5

Riverdale Road in Colorado

Image: Dennis Schmidt

This quiet stretch of pavement near Thornton has earned quite a reputation. People love to talk about its old gates, said to be the ruins of a long-gone mansion, where a ghostly woman in white sometimes steals the spotlight. Drivers also swap stories about a phantom jogger keeping pace with them.

6

The Shaman’s Portal in Oklahoma

Image: Daniëlle Eibrink Jansen

Out in Beaver Dunes Park, people have been whispering for centuries about strange lights flickering across the sand. Early explorers were warned to steer clear, and some stories claim travelers simply vanished after a flash of eerie green. Modern visitors usually come for ATV rides, but the legend of an otherworldly doorway tucked into the dunes still gives the place a curious chill.

7

Hell’s Gate Bridge in Alabama

Image: The New York Public Library

Locals tell an old tale about a young couple whose late-night drive ended in tragedy. The story took on a life of its own, with people claiming that if you sit on the bridge in the dark, you might spot the couple. Everyone knows it’s just a slice of local lore, but it hasn’t stopped anyone from swapping stories.

8

Utah’s petrified forest curse

Image: Adrian Hernandez

Escalante Petrified Forest is a beautiful destination, but visitors hear one warning loud and clear: leave the wood where it lies. Rangers say they get packages every year with pieces of petrified wood sent back by people who swear they had nothing but bad luck after taking a souvenir. Whether you believe in curses or just want a peaceful trip, it’s safer to enjoy the scenery with your hands empty.

9

The Cropsey tale in New York

Image: Mahdi Bafande

Growing up in New York, plenty of kids heard a version of Cropsey. Sometimes he was a runaway patient, other times a shadowy presence lurking near camps or tunnels. The unsettling part is that a real criminal case in the 1980s made the stories feel even closer to home. Over time, the legend inspired scary movies, bedtime warnings, and a whole generation of whispered fears.

10

Virginia’s Bunnyman

Image: Justin Ziadeh

Clifton has a little train bridge that looks simple enough in the daytime. But the Halloween story tied to it turned it into a local fixture. Some say a dangerous fugitive patient once hid there. Others remember a real-life incident from the 1970s involving a hatchet and a mysterious figure. The tale grew in the retelling, and before long, the Bunnyman hopped right into regional folklore.

1

American Alligator

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

Did you know that American alligators are one of only two alligator species in the whole world ? China is the only other place with an alligator species, the Chinese alligator. Often confused with their relatives, the crocodiles and the caimans, alligators can be differentiated by the shape of their teeth, their round snouts, their darker color, and their preference for freshwater habitats. An inhabitant of tropical and subtropical wetlands, the American alligator can be found throughout the Southeastern U.S.

2

Nene

Image: Lyle Wilkinson

Also known as the Hawaiian goose, this bird can only be found in its wild state across the islands of Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, and Hawaiʻi . Believed to be distantly related to the Canada goose, the nēnē is considered the rarest goose species in the world and is a protected species. Thanks to successful conservation efforts, it has been reclassified from endangered to near threatened. It has also been designated as the official state bird of Hawaiʻi.

3

Common Raccoon

Image: Chris Ensminger

If you are asked to describe a raccoon, the common raccoon, native to North America, will most likely come to mind. The other two species of raccoon—also native to the Americas—present marked differences in color and size. Their name is derived from the Algonquian aroughcoune , meaning ‘he who scratches with his hands.’ The unusual shape of their thumbs, combined with their cleverness, allows them to open closed containers to access food and trash, which has earned them the nickname of "trash pandas." Due to human intervention, they have become a highly invasive species in European and Asian ecosystems.

4

Monarch Butterfly

Image: Alex Guillaume

One of the most recognizable butterfly species, the Monarch can be identified by its orange and black wings with white spots . Monarch subspecies can be found across the Americas, but the North American monarch is especially known for its remarkable migratory behavior. As winter approaches, monarch butterflies in the northern United States travel thousands of miles to overwintering sites in California and central Mexico. In spring, they will return home in time for summer.

5

North American Beaver

Image: Tim Umphreys

Though North American beavers are related to those found in Asia and Europe, their genetics are so different that they are unable to mix. North American beavers are generally larger and darker than their Eurasian counterparts , and they have a broader and longer tail. They are a widespread species across the Continental U.S., Canada, and northern Mexico and have been chosen as the official state mammal of Oregon and New York.

6

Bald Eagle

Image: Mathew Schwartz

Widely recognized as a national U.S. symbol and featured in multiple official imagery , the bald eagle came close to extinction in the late 20th century. Found across most of North America, it favors habitats near large bodies of water. Fun fact: bald eagles were named after the color of their head feathers, as the word ‘bald’ was anciently used for ‘having a white head.’

7

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Image: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Like the reptile it takes its name from, this pointy reptile is only found in freshwater habitats across the U.S. The spiky ridges on its shell give it an armored tank appearance, but these will flatten as the turtle ages. They have an extremely powerful bite , and they have been known for biting human fingers off, which makes them a dangerous animal that should be approached with caution.

8

Texas Blind Salamander

Image: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Unlike other entries on this list, this amphibian can only be found in a very specific place: San Marcos, Texas . Considered to be a critically endangered species, the Texas blind salamander lives in underground caves and streams and is highly sensitive to water pollution and droughts.

9

Coyote

Image: Dylan Ferreira

Also known as the American jackal or prairie wolf, the coyote fulfills a key role in North American ecosystems by helping regulate the population of smaller animals and consuming carrion that could otherwise spread disease. Somewhat friendly toward humans, coyotes play an important role in Native American folklore, and there are recorded cases of domesticated coyotes.

10

Giant Kangaroo Rat

Image: Harrison, George, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Although kangaroos are native to Australia, giant kangaroo rats are found only in California . Preferring dry, sandy habitats that allow them to dig burrows, these rodents are known for using foot stomps as a way of communicating. Due to habitat loss caused by agriculture, the giant kangaroo rat has been classified as an endangered species.

11

American Mink

Image: Alexandre Daoust

American minks can be found across Alaska, Canada, and the northern and central United States, both in the wild and on farms. Although they are not specifically bred to be tame, they are officially considered suitable to be pets if trained from a young age. Their introduction to many parts of Europe, Asia, and South America has harmed native species, and they have been classified as invasive in many of these regions.

1

Beignets

Image: Jessica Tan

We’ll start with this Louisiana delicacy. This won’t be the last time you see an exquisite Louisiana dish in this article, since "the Pelican State" has a lot of meals to share with the world. Beignets are particularly popular in New Orleans, as this gorgeous city has been producing these iconic pastries since the 1700s.

While there are several European varieties of beignets, the ones served in Louisiana are usually rectangular in shape and deep-fried. They are usually consumed with coffee during breakfast, fresh from the frier, and with a healthy dose of powdered sugar on top. As you might have already figured out, beignets are the official state donut of Louisiana.

2

Chicago Pizza

Image: Matt Antonioli

Chicago-style pizza is sometimes considered a divisive subject, but we truly don’t understand why. Sure, this deep-dish delicacy inverts the established order of pizza, putting a hearty amount of tomato sauce on top of copious amounts of cheese.

However, as any 5th-grade math teacher can tell you, changing the order of the ingredients will not change the end result: In the end, Chicago-style pizza is just as delicious as traditional pizza. If you ever find yourself in "The Windy City" , treat yourself to a slice!

3

Texas Chili

Image: Artur Kornakov

While Texas is world-known for its delicious barbecue (on which the brisket reigns supreme), the official dish of "the Lone Star State" is its famous "Chili con carne". Texas-style chili's main distinction from its Mexican counterpart is its lack of beans: A traditional Texan "bowl of red" may contain a generous amount of beef and peppers, but never beans.

If you ever want to try some amazing chili from the birthplace of Texas style, you might want to visit the wonderful city of San Antonio : It was in this place that the "Queens of Chili" started selling their delicious recipes at affordable prices.

4

Boston Cream Pie

Image: Alonso Reyes

Beignets are not the only sweet treat you’ll find on this list. From the very heart of New England comes the delicious Boston cream pie . As its name suggests, this spongy pie is filled with cream and usually topped with a layer of chocolate.

The Boston cream pie is a long-standing symbol of everything "Bean City" has to offer: After all, it has been proudly produced in this city since at least the 19th century. According to legend, this pie was created in 1856 in the historic Parker House Hotel, by Armenian-French chef Mossburg Sanzian.

5

Philly Cheesesteak

Image: Niramay Kachhadiya

Just like their trademarked slang noun "jawn", Philly’s most iconic dish is an extremely versatile sandwich. The cheesesteak and Philadelphia are as synonymous as… Well, Rocky and Philadelphia. This sandwich is made from pieces of roasted beef, grilled onions and melted cheese served on a hoagie roll, so its popularity doesn’t really need to be explained.

If you are looking for someone to thank for this delicious fast food, you can pay homage to brothers Pat and Harry Olivieri. In the 1930s, these two Philadelphians created what most believe to be the very first iteration of the Philly cheesesteak in their hot dog stand.

6

Gumbo

Image: David Trinks

We told you that beignets weren’t the only Louisiana delicacy making it to this list. Gumbo is an exquisite Louisiana Creole stew characterized for always including three ingredients known as the Creole "holy trinity": celery, bell peppers, and onions.

While this dish has been synonymous with "The Pelican State" since at least the 19th century, gumbo gained national popularity in the 1970s, after the U.S. Senate added it to the dining room’s menu in honor of Louisiana Senator Allen Ellender.

7

New England Clam Chowder

Image: Kevin Lanceplaine

Looking for "warm food for the soul"? Then maybe New England can help: Just try a hearty bowl of clam chowder in any of the states that comprise this beautiful region. This iconic soup has been produced in New England since the 18th century, although it is now widespread throughout the entire nation.

While several variations exist, all clam chowder recipes include clams, potatoes, and onions. The three most popular variants are the New England or "white" recipe (which includes cream or milk), the Manhattan or "red" recipe (which includes tomato sauce), and the Rhode Island or "clear" version which includes neither dairy nor tomatoes.

8

New Mexico Green Chile Stew

Image: Acton Crawford

If you ever visit New Mexico, don’t be surprised if someone asks you the state’s official question "Green or Red?" No, it's not a confusing haiku nor a piece of experimental poetry: they are just asking which type of pepper you would like with your meal. That being said, you should keep this entry in mind before you give out your answer, since you might want to try a bowl of mouth-watering "Chile Verde" or green chile stew.

While there are many variations to this recipe, green chile stew usually includes green peppers (of course), pork, garlic, and green tomatillos . Its spiciness might vary depending on the type of pepper used, but it might go from mildly to extremely spicy.

9

Florida Key Lime Pie

Image: American Heritage Chocolate

You would think the orange, Florida’s most famous fruit, would be featured in The Sunshine State’s iconic dessert, but that honor goes to the delicious Key lime pie. Should you ever find yourself in Key West, don’t leave without trying a piece of this exquisite and citric treat.

As the name indicates, Key limes are essential for making this pie, since they tend to be more acidic and aromatic than other limes. These limes are so revered by the good people of Key West that every year, the Key Lime Festival is held on the Independence Day weekend.

10

Apple pie

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

We’ll end this article with a sweet treat synonymous with being American . How many times have you heard that something is "as American as apple pie"? This iconic dessert has been tied with our nation’s history and identity since its inception, so it is no wonder that we always choose to have a piece of apple pie on the 4th of July.

While apple pies were brought over to America by European immigrants during the 17th century, it was quickly adopted as one of our nation’s most beloved symbols. Two different recipes for apple pie appear in America’s very first cookbook, Amelia Simmons’ "American Cookery", which was published in 1796.