Can You Guess These American Cities Based on Just a Photograph?

All American cities have at least one landmark they're known for. In San Francisco, it's the Golden Gate Bridge. In San Antonio, it's the Alamo. In New York, it's the Statue of Liberty (or tons of other buildings you'd probably recognize). And while we're sure you could identify any of those iconic sites from a basic tourist-guide snapshot, that probably wouldn't be a very fun quiz.

That's why we've rounded up photos from a few of the lesser-known spots throughout the 50 states. For example, can you identify Miami, Florida, based solely on its public transportation? What about Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from just one of its countless museums? How about our country's capital from a monument that isn't the Capitol Building or the White House?

If that sounds like a blast, test your geographic mettle with this challenging quiz. Don't worry, we've included a few hints to help you out along the way.

Hint: You'll find more than 40 institutions of higher education in this New England town.

First photo: Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the Custom House Tower
Second photo: The Boston skyline, featuring the John Hancock Tower (left) and the Prudential Center (right)

Hint: Known for cable cars, hilly terrain, and amazing sourdough, this West Coast city is home to a vivacious counterculture. Also, you may recognize this shot from one of your favorite '90s TV shows.

First photo: A group of homes in San Francisco (remember Full House?)
Second photo: The Golden Gate Bridge at sunset

Hint: In the entire world, the only city with more skyscrapers—that's a building with 40 floors or more—is Hong Kong.

First photo: Bryant Park on a sunny day in New York
Second photo: The Statue of Liberty—which, technically, is in New Jersey state lines—against a shot of the Manhattan skyline

Hint: This Southern city is sometimes referred to as the Holy City.

First photo: Marion Square in downtown Charleston
Second photo: Charleston's historic French Quarter

Hint: The world's first high-rise, the 10-story Home Insurance Building, was built here. (It has since been torn down.)

First photo: The magnificent Chicago Riverwalk in all its illuminated nighttime glory
Second photo: Sir Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate sculpture, located in Millennium Park

Hint: Another city in the country (on the opposite coast) shares its name.

First photo: The Portland Aerial Tram, which connects the waterfront district to the Oregon Health & Science University
Second photo: The Portland skyline and the Willamette River in the dead of winter

Hint: The streets in this city are named after U.S. states.

First photo: Cherry blossom trees bordering the Tidal Basin, on the Potomac River
Second photo: A view of the National Mall, featuring the 555-foot tall Washington Monument (left), at dusk

Hint: It's got a whole lot of great steakhouses, and the residents sure love their football.

First photo: A view of the city's skyline, featuring the Reunion Tower (right)
Second photo: Dealey Plaza at night

Hint: This city is the second-largest music production center in the country.

First photo: A view of the city's skyline behind the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
Second photo: Neon signs of music venues along Nashville's famous Broadway thoroughfare

Hint: It's the "Cruise Capital of the World," as far as sheer numbers of cruise ships that dock each year.

First photo: The Metromover electric bus zips across the Miami River in this famous beach town
Second photo: An aerial view of Miami's buildings, river, and oceanfront

Hint: For exactly 10 years, this city was the U.S. capital.

First photo: Philadelphia City Hall in Center City
Second photo: The Liberty Bell, located directly in front of Independence Hall

Hint: The so-called birthplace of grunge, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden all have roots here.

First photo: The Olympic Sculpture Park in front of the Seattle Great Wheel
Second photo: Come on, you know this one—it's the Space Needle

Hint: Locals abbreviate this city "ABQ."

First photo: The Gazebo outside San Felipe de Neri Church
Second photo: Hot air balloons soaring over the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, as part of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Hint: This city is known as the "birthplace of California."

First photo: The San Diego skyline, featuring the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel (those two peaked skyscrapers)
Second photo: The lively Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego

Hint: On the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, you'll stop at this midwestern city.

First photo: The Heartland of America Park and Fountain
Second photo: Omaha's downtown city skyline overlooking its waterfront park

Hint: It's the largest city in the largest of the contiguous U.S. states.

First photo: Eleanor Tinsley Park, a subsection of the massive Buffalo Bayou Park
Second photo: Downtown Houston at night

Hint: There's only one city in America that's exactly 5,280 feet (that's a mile) high, to the inch.

First photo: The Denver downtown skyline peeking out behind City Park
Second photo: Denver's skyline against the Rockies

Hint: Throughout the history of the French monarchy, 18 kings were named Louis. Only one (XVI) had an American city named after him.

First photo: The George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, which connects Louisville to Indiana
Second photo: The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Hint: Locals here insist their city's version of chili is the only acceptable kind of chili.

First photo: The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which connects Cincinnati to Covington, Kentucky
Second photo: The Cincinnati skyline at dusk

Hint: One 2017 report deemed this city the "most hipster" city in California.

First photo: That's The Ziggurat, a 12-story office building designed to withstand an earthquake up to 6.9 on the Richter Scale
Second photo: The iconic Tower Bridge and the Sacramento River

Hint: A battle that occurred here inspired the national anthem.

First photo: The Washington Monument (no, not that one) in downtown Baltimore
Second photo: Baltimore Harbor

Hint: Since the city is surrounded by a circular highway, I-285, locals make a point of designating between "ITP" ("inside the perimeter") and "OTP" ("outside the perimeter").

First photo: The Atlanta skyline on a bluebird day
Second photo: The Varsity, a famous drive-in restaurant that's been open for nine decades

Hint: By air, this city is equidistant from New York City, Tokyo, and Germany.

First photo: The Anchorage skyline from across the Turnagain Arm
Second photo: The Anchorage skyline against a backdrop of the Chugach Mountains

Hint: The Battle of the Alamo took place here. (Oh, right: You'll find the Alamo here!)

First photo: The San Antonio River Walk
Second photo: The Alamo

Hint: The population of this vacation town increases tenfold in the summer.

First photo: Grand Victorian buildings looking over Cape May Beach
Second photo: Colorful Victorian houses along Beach Avenue

Hint: In the early 17th century, exiled citizens of Boston sought refuge here.

First photo: A statue of Roger Williams in Prospect Terrace Park
Second photo: Bridges over the Providence River

Hint: The palm trees are a dead giveaway.

First photo: Hollywood Boulevard
Second photo: The Griffith Observatory

Hint: There's a neighborhood named SouthPark, but it has no relation to the show. (The name is lifted from the nearby SouthPark Mall.)

First photo: The 5.4-acre Romare Bearden Park in Charlotte
Second photo: Marshall Park in Charlotte's Second Ward

Hint: This city is on the border of two states.

First photo: The Scout, a statue by American sculptor Cyrus E. Dallin, overlooking the Kansas City skyline
Second photo: Union Station, which is now so much more than a train station, and features science exhibits, movies showings, and countless cafes and restaurants

Hint: An attack near this city kickstarted American involvement in World War II.

First photo: Waikiki Beach, with Diamond Head, a hopefully dormant volcanic structure, in the background
Second photo: The vast Honolulu skyline

Hint: A robust live music scene and a widespread embrace of counterculture define this Texas town.

First photo: The Texas State Capitol in Austin
Second photo: The Austin skyline, as seen from across Lady Bird Lake

Hint: This view is from Canada.

First photo: What Detroit's skyline looks like from Windsor, Canada
Second photo: An aerial view of downtown Detroit

Hint: You can drink in public here, as long as it's from a plastic cup.

First photo: Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter
Second photo: The other end of Bourbon Street

Hint: Year after year, this is one of the three hottest cities in the country.

First photo: The Phoenix skyline
Second photo: Encanto Park Lagoon at night

Hint: Here, you'll find the headquarters of the Mormon Church.

First photo: The Salt Lake Temple, which was constructed in the 19th century
Second photo: Salt Lake City against the Wasatch Mountains, as seen from the outskirts of town

Hint: Patrick Henry gave his "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech here.

First photo: The Virginia State Capitol in Richmond
Second photo: From across the James River, the Richmond skyline

Hint: At 630 feet, the above structure is the tallest manmade monument in the Western Hemisphere—and the tallest arch in the world.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

First photo: The Gateway Arch
Second photo: The Gateway Arch, as seen from Eads Bridge

Hint: Nearly 10 miles of skyways connect buildings over an 80-block section of this city's downtown area. (Locals must really hate the cold.)

First photo: The Minneapolis Skyway System
Second photo: Spoonbridge and Cherry, a marquee statue at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Hint: This city, founded in 1733, is known as "America's First Planned City," thanks to its grid-like organization.

First photo: A view of River Street in downtown Savannah
Second photo: Spanish moss lines the path to the Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah

Hint: This Great Plains city has one of the largest livestock markets in the world.

First photo: The Lake Overholser Dam in Oklahoma City
Second photo: The Oklahoma City skyline

Hint: This city was the birthplace of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

First photo: The Milwaukee Art Museum, which features a whopping 25,000 pieces of art
Second photo: From Lake Michigan, a view of the Milwaukee skyline

Hint: When a politician gets an eye for higher office, this Midwestern town is the first stop on the tour.

First photo: The Iowa State Capitol
Second photo: The Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge

Hint: Fort Jackson, the largest facility for U.S. Army Basic Training, is located here.

First photo: A view of Main Street in downtown Columbia
Second photo: The South Carolina State House

Hint: This South Central city used to be called the "Oil Capital of the World."

First photo: A view of the skyline in Tulsa at twilight
Second photo: The Tulsa skyline behind the Arkansas River

Hint: This North Carolina city, plus two others, make up an area called the Research Triangle.

First photo: A statue of George Washington outside the North Carolina State Capitol
Second photo: A view of the downtown Raleigh skyline

Hint: This capital city is named after Christopher Columbus.

First photo: A fountain in Goodale Park
Second photo: The Columbus skyline behind the Scioto River

Hint: This city's name translates to "the meadows" in Spanish.

First photo: An aerial shot of the instantly recognizable Las Vegas Strip
Second photo: The unmissable "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign