# What's the coolest building in your state? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 1, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320 "2026-11-01T17:43:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/21 "2026-11-02T01:42:37Z")
Another Californian chiming in, but my personal favorite is the [Bradbury Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradbury_Building). ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/22 "2026-11-02T01:58:39Z")
Yeah, would not have thought of that one. Not so much on the outside, but WAY cool on the inside! ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/23 "2026-11-02T03:02:09Z")
At first glance I thought that was the LeVeque tower in Columbus. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/24 "2026-11-02T03:42:01Z")
There’s definitely a kinship there, but Terminal is taller, and also at the center of its complex, rather than off on a corner. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/25 "2026-11-02T05:05:28Z")
Tennessee’s entry is the replica of the Parthenon in Nashville. I beg to differ. Yes, it’s cool but if you are going with replicas of ancient buildings, you can’t beat the Memphis Pyramid. I went there many times when it was an arena but haven’t visited since its remake as a Bass Pro Shop extravaganza. It also houses two restaurants and a hotel. [![](https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12492750/pyramid-sunset-1.jpg) ](https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12492750/pyramid-sunset-1.jpg) [On the Banks of Bluff City: Inside the Memphis Pyramid - Local Profile | Collin County News & Events](https://www.localprofile.com/things-to-do/on-the-banks-of-bluff-city-inside-the-memphis-pyramid-7502278) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/26 "2026-11-02T12:45:52Z")
The one for Kansas is the museum that covers the world’s largest hand-dug well in Greensburg. Meh. I would have gone with the [Chase County Courthouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chase_County_Courthouse_(Kansas)). ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/27 "2026-11-02T13:01:32Z")
I’ve visited Arizona’s entry, the Chapel of the Holy Cross near Sedona and it’s a really impressive structure. Another good candidate for the state is [Taliesin West](https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west-tours/) but there’s already another Frank Lloyd Wright building on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/28 "2026-11-02T13:44:26Z")
I came here to say that they’ve gone terribly wrong on Massachusetts but I’ve been ninja-ed on both the alternatives I was going to propose. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/29 "2026-11-02T14:05:12Z")
Harrison Hall, on the North Carolina State University campus, was a round building on stilts, that was torn down in 2016. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/30 "2026-11-02T14:13:59Z")
Correction: Harrelson Hall. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/31 "2026-11-02T14:18:05Z")
[**The Willis Tower wins hands down!**](https://www.willistower.com/) ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/32 "2026-11-02T14:24:48Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > The Dom is possibly the most imposing and inspiring building I have ever visited. From a distance it reminded me of a sand castle…an enormous sand castle. And it only got better as I drew closer. That’s an apt comparison, as the Cathedral was mainly built from sandstone. Which is a problem today because sandstone gets damaged by acid rain. The construction work on the Cathedral is neverending… ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/33 "2026-11-02T15:39:55Z")
Hawaii is correct with Iolani Palace. Fun facts: The palace had electric lighting and telephones before the White House. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/34 "2026-11-02T15:57:35Z")
Missouri’s is a parking garage in Kansas City - next to the public library, and made to look like books. [![](https://img.atlasobscura.com/NSj2KzB9pGPCsNTPs0mivpnIVxygp-X6bhu--Ixx14k/rt:fit/w:1200/q:80/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9lMzVi/NjAwMTA5NWNjNDRh/ODM3Y2E0ZDM2Yzhj/MWNkN2JlY2E4NjE5/LmpwZw.webp) ](https://img.atlasobscura.com/NSj2KzB9pGPCsNTPs0mivpnIVxygp-X6bhu--Ixx14k/rt:fit/w:1200/q:80/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9lMzVi/NjAwMTA5NWNjNDRh/ODM3Y2E0ZDM2Yzhj/MWNkN2JlY2E4NjE5/LmpwZw.webp) I guess the Arch was too obvious? > **[Gateway Arch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Arch#/media/File:St_Louis_night_expblend_cropped.jpg)** > > The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot-tall (192 m) monument in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Clad in stainless steel and built in the form of a weighted catenary arch, it is the world's tallest arch and Missouri's tallest accessible structure. Some sources consider it the tallest human-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. Built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States and officially dedicated to "the American people", the Arch, commonly referred to as "The Gatew The Arch ... Neither of those have much zing, however. I, for one, think this abandoned castle in a state park is pretty cool. [![](https://dynamic-media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/0a/66/80/f8/ha-ha-tonka-state-park.jpg?w=1000&h=-1&s=1) ](https://dynamic-media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/0a/66/80/f8/ha-ha-tonka-state-park.jpg?w=1000&h=-1&s=1) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/35 "2026-11-02T16:22:55Z")
For Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Art Museum. [![](https://i.insider.com/6adbb608c8572251b197f8a3?width=800&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ](https://i.insider.com/6adbb608c8572251b197f8a3?width=800&format=jpeg&auto=webp) The ‘wings’ open in the morning and close at night. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/7yXw5HCHGlw/maxresdefault.jpg "Time-lapse of the signature wings of the Milwaukee Art Museum opening and closing") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yXw5HCHGlw) ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/36 "2026-11-02T16:25:25Z")
The parking garage of the central branch library in Kansas City is actually pretty good in person. Union Station in Kansas City is quite nice as well. I remember the movement to restore it was considered a cranks mission, until it suddenly caught fire. The movement I mean, not the building. Now it’s the centerpiece of a major urban revival that has taken place and brought suburbanites into the city again. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/37 "2026-11-02T18:08:33Z")
I do have to quibble with this part of their description of California’s pick: > It was designed in 1960, but the Chemosphere still looks futuristic Not to me it doesn’t. It looks like something straight out of the Googie / modernist era, which is exactly what it is. Not that that’s a bad thing; I _like_ modernist architecture, but that doesn’t make it “futuristic”. It looks like something very much of its time. I do think it’s cool, but in a “cool piece of midcentury architecture” sort of way, not a “woah, that’s so futuristic” way. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/38 "2026-11-02T18:26:32Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Not to me it doesn’t. I agree. It looks like it was designed in the '60s _to look futuristic_. Like many a Buick. It may as well have tail fins. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/39 "2026-11-02T20:32:43Z")
If Idaho gets some stupid dog hotel, New Jersey should get Lucy the Elephant: > **[Lucy the Elephant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_the_Elephant)** > > Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped wood frame and tin clad building, constructed in 1881 by James V. Lafferty in Margate City, New Jersey. Lucy was built with the purpose of promoting real estate sales and attracting tourists to the area. Today, Lucy remains the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in the US. On December 5, 1882, the U.S. Patent Office granted James V. Lafferty Patent #268503, giving him the exclusive right to make, use or sell an "animal-shaped building" ... My grandparents used to live in Margate, and I worshipped that building as a little kid. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320/40 "2026-11-02T20:38:04Z")
Roadside attraction, not cool. Seen it and all. The Twin Lights are way cooler. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-coolest-building-in-your-state/1034320.md?page=3)