How many famous landmarks have you visited in your lifetime?
Millions of people travel worldwide to experience the beauty, grandeur, and heritage of some of the planet’s most famous landmarks. But, there’s usually more than meets the eye to many historical attractions, things most tourists would never guess are there.
For instance, many famous landmarks house hidden spaces you may not notice at first glance. If you’ve ever visited one of these important locations, then you might be kicking yourself for not knowing about some of them.
People visit these places with no idea of what’s going on underground! But, to be fair, not all these hidden spots are open to the public. They also prove that there’s more to famous landmarks than meets the eye.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the secret rooms in famous places that were under your nose all along.
The only question remains: Will you find any of them when visiting these famous landmarks?
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Mount Rushmore is probably one of the most famous landmarks in the US. It displays four of the most notable presidents in US history: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
However, many people might not know that behind the chiseled sculpture of Abraham Lincoln is a hidden chamber, which is known as the Hall of Records.
The secret room is lined up with Lincoln’s forehead and contains text from some of America’s most significant manuscripts. The designer of the famous political memorial, Gutzon Borglum, initially wanted the room to serve as a vault for a selection of US records.
In fact, his vision was to nestle an 800 ft stairway that would lead to the grand hall, which would measure 80ft by 100ft and be positioned directly behind the presidents’ sculpted faces.
Inside the gallery, he intended to build busts of great Americans from throughout history and a list of US contributions to the industry, science, and the arts.
Tragically though, Borglum’s vision was suspended due to his death in 1941. However, in 1998, monument officials wanted to make Borglum’s dream a reality by preserving records from American history in the secret hall.
The Bomb Shelter Inside The White House
You would think that the White House would have lots of secret spaces hidden among its walls, but there’s only one you’re allowed to know about without having a security clearance, and even THAT’S not really on any public records.
We’re talking about the bomb shelter President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had built in the East Wing in December 1941. While building it, apparently, “mum” was the word, but he DID acknowledge that the East Wing structure was under construction.
But the bomb shelter isn’t the only thing your history teacher never mentioned about the White House. Keep reading to learn about some more famous landmarks and their hidden treasures!
Lady Liberty’s Torch
Within the Statue of Liberty in the big apple, her torch holds a secret you might not be aware of. Seldom open to the public is the space inside this famous landmark’s lamp, which is the highest point inside the world-famous statue. So what can you find at the top?
The crown is only open to the public by private appointment. But unfortunately, the actual torch has been closed since 1916, when explosives had been detonated on the island causing $100,000 of damage to the iconic 151ft statue.
For those who say that they’ve been inside the torch, actually, it’s only the crown that allows visitors inside via a spiral staircase, and many of lady liberty’s visitors misremember this small detail.
The Secret Quarters At Monticello
As part of a $35-million project to restore the Monticello to the floorplan it had when Thomas Jefferson lived there, archaeologists and some other restoration experts have been reconditioning the building’s south wing, declares Smithsonian Magazine.
Throughout the course of their work, they’ve discovered an area next to where the former president was believed to have slept, a hidden chamber. It’s tiny, windowless, and believed to have been built in 1809.
It may have been where Jefferson’s slave, Sally Hemings, slept. Now, if you’re a history buff, whether Jefferson actually fathered six children with Hemings is one of the most mysterious presidential mysteries.
But no matter what you choose to believe, visiting this famous landmark is definitely worth it.
Track 61 Under The Waldorf Astoria
Beneath the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City lies a secret rail track that once guided President Franklin D. Roosevelt, among many other important people. The secret passage helped FDR to hide from the public how bad his Polio journey was.
The famous landmark hasn’t been in service for over five decades, but it once presented a way for famous people to avoid the dangers of travel in the Big Apple.
A secret elevator placed tunnel-goers directly into the hotel, which had leased the underground space for a 63-year-long lease sometime in the 1920s.
Today, the place is completely shut down, with a train still on the tracks, no less, and the MTA does NOT give tours. Nevertheless, you can catch a glimpse of this secret tunnel if you look closely to your right as you leave on the MetroNorth Trains.
Hidden Bus Station At The Carter Hotel In NYC
Talk about a blast from the past! Inside the Carter Hotel, an arguably dilapidated hotel in the Big Apple’s Times Square, lies a nearly century-old bus station, hidden in plain sight.
It was built sometime in the 1930s when the Carter Hotel was known as the Dixie, and the Central Union Bus Terminal was built partly underground.
After going below ground level, buses would rotate on a 35ft turntable and then proceed into a pre-established berth, describes Scouting New York.
Today it’s just a parking garage, but if you want to explore below this famous landmark, you’ll still be able to find that old turntable.
The Lincoln Memorial’s Secret Cellar
We all acknowledge that the Lincoln Memorial features a 19ft tall depiction of Abraham Lincoln sitting down, and this famous landmark has been the site of millions of visitors, not to mention thousands of protestors.
But, what you may NOT know is that there’s a secret tunnel behind the stone statue that very few people ever get to see inside of. The crypt, filled with the massive supports for the heavy stone on top, actually used to be open for tours.
And the structure was largely forgotten until renovations for the US Bicentennial in the 1970s uncovered a lost grotto-like structure. Unfortunately, the tours to the public stopped when asbestos damage was discovered.
The massive vault is now being prepped for visitors, and builders are planning to finish sometime soon for the centennial of the Memorial, so there IS a chance that you might be able to see this compelling space sometime in the future.
Niagara Falls, New York
While you’re probably used to going to Ontario if you want to see the impressive falls, you shouldn’t skip out on the US side for some magnificently hidden famous landmarks!
Among them, Devil’s Hole State Park is located a stone’s throw away from Niagara Falls, which many people visit to experience the beauty of the waterfalls.
The Seneca gave a cave inside the park the nickname “the Cave of the Evil Spirit” because they believed that an evil spirit had been trapped inside. They thought that only warriors who were ready for battle should enter the cave.
There’s also a superstition that if you steal a rock from this grotto, you will experience bad luck. So if you want a memento, we suggest you bring a camera and stick with a classic photo op to remember your trip.
Now that you know about all these unique hidden aspects of some of the most famous landmarks, be on the lookout the next time you visit one of them!….An don’t forget to leave us a comment to share your experience with us!
And don’t worry, besides this article on famous landmarks, we have many more interesting reads for you! We especially love: Top 9 Underrated US Destinations You Should Visit in This Lifetime
