Two U.S. stunners are ranked among the world's most beautiful buildings
From the most beautiful places to visit to the most beautiful theaters in the world, Time Out knows the eye-catching spots that you just have to see for yourself. Just dropped is a list of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and two American venues made the list alongside architectural heavyweights like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Pantheon in Rome and Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. While natural wonders often get the spotlight, these man-made structures prove that human creativity can be just as awe-inspiring.
The top three are international stunners including the Taj Mahal in India, Hallgrímskirkja in Iceland and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, but at number four is the homegrown Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s, Fallingwater isn't just a house—it's a masterclass in blending architecture with nature. Built as a weekend retreat, the house is famously perched over a waterfall in the Bear Run Nature Reserve. With stone floors, cantilevered terraces jutting into the forest and a fireplace built around boulders from the site, it doesn't just sit in nature—it becomes part of it. The sound of cascading water echoes through every room, making Fallingwater feel alive.
The other American-based destination is Museum at Eldridge Street in New York, clocking in at number 16. Originally the Eldridge Street Synagogue, this 1887 architectural gem located in New York City's Lower East Side is a mix of Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque design, with stained glass windows and a striking star-studded ceiling. But the beauty goes deeper than bricks and arches. It was the first synagogue in the U.S. built by Eastern European immigrants, a bold expression of faith and freedom during a wave of immigration. After decades of decline, a major restoration brought it back to life. Today, it stands as both a museum and a symbol of resilience.
These two buildings capture different facets of American history and imagination. One blends with nature; the other rises from a cultural legacy. Both are breathtaking in their own right—and now, officially, among the world's finest. Find the full list here.
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