1

Chuck Berry

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

Let’s begin with the man known as the "Father of Rock and Roll." To label Chuck Berry as a pioneer would definitively misrepresent the legacy of this amazing musician; Berry was almost solely responsible for introducing the key elements that would eventually define rock music.

Songs like "Maybellene," "Roll Over Beethoven," and "Johnny B. Goode" influenced countless musicians through the ages. Legendary artists like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones famously covered some of his songs, while Bob Dylan once defined Berry as "the Shakespeare of Rock n’ Roll."

2

Bruce Springsteen

Image: Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez

Up next, we have a boss that anyone would love to have in their office. Bruce Springsteen is undoubtedly one of New Jersey’s favorite sons. Known as "The Boss," Springsteen has dazzled the American public since his first album in 1973, earning a myriad of awards and recognitions in the process, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Known for his insane charisma and distinctive voice, Springsteen has performed with his iconic "E Street" band since 1972. Rolling Stone magazine has described him as "the embodiment of rock and roll" and included him in its list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

3

Jimi Hendrix

Image: Aditya Wardhana

Can the ‘60s be summarized by one musician? Many believe they can even summarized by one performance: Jimi Hendrix’s jaw-dropping rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock. In a way, this legendary guitarist embodies the innovation and freedom that characterize this era, but make no mistake: Hendrix’s contributions to rock and roll can’t be limited to a single decade. Suffice it to say that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame considers him to be "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."

Born in Seattle, Hendrix showed interest in music from an early age. He bought his first guitar at age 15 and practiced daily, imitating the styles of blues musicians like B.B. King and Howlin’ Wolf. While he sadly passed away at age 27, his legacy continues to live on in every single one of his amazing songs.

4

Elvis Presley

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Chuck Berry might have been the "Father of Rock and Roll," but Elvis Presley was this genre’s undisputed "King." This musician’s legacy is as timeless and eternal as his songs are, earning him a well-deserved spot among America’s most beloved pop culture icons. Just think of all the countless Elvis impersonators around the world to realize how iconic Elvis’s music and style were.

Elvis received his first guitar at the age of 7. Little did anyone know that this birthday gift would be the first step in a meteoric musical career. From his amazing dance moves to his unbelievable charisma, Elvis will forever be remembered as an American icon.

5

Tom Petty

Image: Samuel Ramos

In the 1980s, when Tom Petty joined the musical supergroup "The Traveling Wilburys," he stood shoulder to shoulder with juggernauts like Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison. While Petty was relatively a newcomer when he joined what many believe to be the biggest supergroup in history, time would prove that he had what it takes to become one of the most memorable rock stars in history.

According to the man himself, Petty’s love for rock 'n' roll first started when he met Elvis Presley at age 10. This love for music would eventually lead him to form his most iconic band, "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers," with which he performed for almost 40 years.

6

Jon Bon Jovi

Image: Simon Weisser

It takes talent to make your last name synonymous with rock 'n' roll, but John Francis Bongiovi Jr., better known as Jon Bon Jovi , was able to turn his last name into the name of one of the most groundbreaking bands of the ‘80s.

Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Jon formed Bon Jovi when he was still in his teens, quickly rising to fame and becoming an undisputed rock star. While he is still very much active in music, he has also built a very successful acting career, appearing in TV shows like Sex and the City and The West Wing .

7

Jim Morrison

Image: Markus Spiske

Take it to the world of rock 'n' roll to produce a nickname like "the Lizard King" to describe one of the most emblematic vocalists of the '70s. Regardless of whether there was someone who could pull off such a strange nickname, it was Jim Morrison . In fact, this singer chose the nickname himself, as it perfectly described both his fascination with reptiles and Native American culture.

Morrison’s deep voice and magnetic persona were among the main reasons behind The Doors' rise to prominence, quickly making them the first American band to achieve eight consecutive Gold LPs. While his life was unfortunately cut short at the age of 27, his songs, poetry, and journals will forever celebrate the Lizard King’s legacy.

8

Prince

Image: DJ Johnson

Prince's first live band was called "The Revolution," and we believe that this is one of the most aptly named bands in history. After all, this Minneapolis-born musician brought forward a revolutionary and fresh take on music, fashion, and art in general. Known for his amazing falsetto voice and flamboyant persona, Prince is considered to this day one of the very best musicians in history.

You would think that such a flashy and daring musician would take a more ostentatious stage name, but Prince Rogers Nelson performed under his first name throughout his entire career. Actually, that’s not entirely true: while in the midst of a contractual dispute, he performed as " The Artist Formerly Known as Prince " for approximately a decade.

9

Steven Tyler

Image: Matt Botsford

Steven Tyler might have the nickname that every rock singer probably covets: known as "the Demon of Screamin’," Aerosmith’s frontman is recognized for his powerful voice and vast vocal range.

Tyler has been at the helm of Aerosmith since its beginning in Boston in the early ‘70s, producing such hits as "Dream On" and "Walk This Way." While the band is currently on hiatus due to Steven injuring his vocal cords, Aerosmith still hopes to return to performing soon.

10

Kurt Cobain

Image: Panos Sakalakis

The '90s introduced the world to a new take on rock music: for many, grunge was the quintessential sound of this decade, characterized by its raw and angry tone. In that sense, there’s no band that represents the '90s better than Nirvana, and this legacy is in no small part due to Kurt Cobain.

Known for his scruffy yet powerful voice, Cobain led this iconic trio since its inception in 1987. While his untimely death deprived the world of his incredible talent, his legacy still lives on in amazing songs like "Smells like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are."

1

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Image: Yura Lytkin

Tucked away in eastern Nevada, Great Basin is the park that time forgot—in the best way possible. You can hike to a glacier, explore underground caverns, and camp under skies so dark you’ll see stars you didn’t even know existed , all without waiting in line or fighting for a decent photo spot.

2

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Image: Selma Rizvić

This park protects one of the largest remaining expanses of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, which is a fancy way of saying it's got trees so tall and old they make you feel like an ant at a giant's picnic. The real magic happens at night, when the fireflies put on a light show that'll make you forget all about mosquito bites. Plus, you can rent a canoe and paddle through what feels like the set of a Southern Gothic novel—Spanish moss and all.

3

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Image: Pete Alexopoulos

With jagged mountain peaks and more than 300 glaciers, this park offers scenery that’ll make your camera work overtime . The hiking ranges from "pleasant afternoon stroll" to "why did I think this was a good idea?" so there's something for everyone, assuming everyone likes being surrounded by absurdly gorgeous wilderness.

The best part? While everyone's fighting over hotel rooms near Mount Rainier, North Cascades sits there looking spectacular with hardly anyone around. The park sees fewer visitors in an entire year than Yellowstone does on a busy weekend.

4

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Image: Nick Rickert

Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas takes "off the beaten path" to a whole new level: you literally need a boat or seaplane to get there. The turquoise waters are so clear you could see fish judging your swimming technique from 30 feet away . Plus, there's Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fort that feels like someone plopped a Civil War–era fortress in the middle of paradise and said, "Sure, that works."

Just remember: there’s no fresh water (hence the "Dry" part), no food service, and no shade except what you bring yourself. It’s like camping, but surrounded by the kind of blue water that makes you understand why people write songs about the ocean.

5

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Image: Ryuta F.

Home to the highest peak in Texas (Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet), this park offers hiking that'll remind your knees they're not as young as they used to be, but in a rewarding way. The fall foliage in McKittrick Canyon is legitimately stunning , which surprises people who assume Texas is all tumbleweeds and barbecue joints.

The park sits on an ancient fossil reef from when this whole area was underwater, mind-blowing, if you think about it for more than two seconds. There’s no cell service, limited facilities, and the nearest town is about an hour away, which may sound like a complaint, but it actually forces you to unplug and take in the amazing place around you.

6

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Image: Vyacheslav Makushin

Voyageurs is a water-based park that’s basically a summer camp for adults who can legally drink beer. With over 200,000 acres—about 40% of it water—houseboating is the way to experience it.

The fishing here is legendary, the northern lights make regular appearances, and in winter, the frozen lakes become highways for snowmobiles and cross-country skiers . It's remote enough that you feel like an explorer, but accessible enough that you won't actually die if you forget your matches.

7

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Image: Dustin Weist

Colorado has so many stunning places that Black Canyon somehow gets overlooked. This canyon is deep, narrow, and so dramatically steep that parts of it only get 33 minutes of sunlight a day . The Gunnison River carved through 2 billion years of rock to create towering walls that make you feel appropriately insignificant, which is good for the soul occasionally.

8

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Image: Ivan Vashchenko

If you want to really get away from it all, Isle Royale is your jam: an island in Lake Superior that requires either a ferry ride or a seaplane to reach. Once you’re there, you’re committed; same-day visits aren’t really a thing. The park is car-free, crowd-free, and home to a fascinating wolf-and-moose study that’s been running since 1958.

The hiking trails crisscross the island through forests and along rocky shorelines where the lake looks more like an ocean . Backcountry camping is the main event here, and the solitude is so profound you'll hear sounds you forgot existed—like actual silence.

9

Pinnacles National Park, California

Image: Cyrus Crossan

California's newest national park is a playground of volcanic spires, talus caves, and rock formations that look like a giant was playing with clay and just walked away mid-project . The rock climbing here is world-class, and the cave exploration doesn't require any special gear—just a flashlight and a willingness to squeeze through some tight spaces.

The spring wildflower displays are spectacular, and the park is one of the best places to see the endangered California condor, which has a wingspan that makes eagles look modest. It gets hot in summer—and by hot, I mean "surface of the sun" hot—so plan accordingly.

10

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Image: Robson Hatsukami Morgan

This park sits on top of one of the world’s largest plug-dome volcanoes—and yes, it could erupt again—Lassen Peak last blew in 1915, which in geological time is basically yesterday. But don't let that stop you from enjoying the bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs that make you feel like you're walking on another planet .

The hiking is fantastic, with everything from easy boardwalk strolls through geothermal features to challenging climbs up Lassen Peak itself. Add in alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, and a fraction of Yosemite’s crowds (despite being just a few hours south), and you’ve got a spectacular California secret.

1

Roswell Incident

In June 1947, a rancher in Roswell, New Mexico, found strange metallic debris in a field. Soon after, military personnel from a neighboring air base gathered all the evidence and announced they had recovered a flying disc . The following day, however, they retracted their statement, claiming instead that the debris was part of a weather balloon — and suspicions of a conspiracy were born

Years later, government officials stated that the balloon story had been a cover, but there are still disputes about what actually happened. Military sources have since said the balloon was part of a program to detect Soviet nuclear weapons , but the contradicting stories have led many to believe that we don’t know the whole truth about the incident.

2

Washington, D.C. UFO Incident

In July 1952, a series of UFO sightings in Washington, D.C., was reported over two consecutive weekends near the White House and the Capitol. These objects were seen visually by pilots and air traffic controllers, and they were also tracked by radar.

Though the air force deployed jets to intercept the UFOs, the pilots reported that these objects had incredible speed and that they were easily outmaneuvered. The incident sparked attention from the media, which led President Truman to create the Robertson Panel, a scientific committee dedicated to investigating UFO sighting reports.

3

Cash–Landrum incident

In December 1980, Betty Cash and Vickie Landrum, alongside Landrum’s grandson, spotted what they initially thought was an airplane near Dayton, Texas, but was actually a diamond-shaped object, emitting a bright light and hovering near the ground . After getting out of their vehicle to inspect the object, they returned to the car to find it was extremely hot to the touch.

After the alleged UFO left, Cash and Landrum claimed to have seen a military aircraft following it. The three of them experienced burns, nausea, and other symptoms similar to those of radiation sickness , and Cash spent a month hospitalized. The government denied any involvement in the situation, but many investigators and researchers believe this could have been a secret military experiment.

4

The Westchester Boomerang

From 1983 to 1984, residents of Hudson Valley in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut reported the appearance of large objects that emitted bright lights , flying in a circle or V-shaped formation.

The police later claimed that these were actually a group of Cessna 152s from a neighboring town , and the alleged pilots expressed their amusement at the confusion. However, witnesses claimed that the flying objects could not have been small aircraft, as they made no sound and were able to hover in one spot for extended periods of time.

5

Travis Walton incident

On November 5, 1975, Travis Walton, a logger working in Heber, Arizona, was reported missing by his crew. They claimed that, returning from work, they had stopped because they saw an unusual light. Walton had walked into the forest following it and had been struck by a beam . Afraid that he had died, his companions fled and alerted the police, but Walton was not found despite intense searches.

Five days later, Walton appeared in Heber, confused and disoriented. He claimed to have been abducted by humanoid aliens, who kept them in their aircraft . He and other witnesses passed the lie detector test, but many people believed the incident was an elaborate hoax.

6

Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting

In June 1947, Kenneth Arnold, a pilot flying near Mount Rainier in Washington State, reported sighting of several flying objects, which he believed were experimental military aircraft. After an investigation by military officials, they found several witnesses who reported sightings at a similar time and location to Arnold.

Arnold described these aircraft as round objects that moved as a "saucer would if you skipped it across the water". The popularity of the story, the first UFO sighting after World War II, first popularized the term "flying saucer."

7

Stephenville, Texas sighting

Residents of Stephenville, Texas, reported in January 2008 that they had seen a massive flying object, moving at high speed and emitting lights. The witnesses, including a pilot and a police officer, claimed the object was up to a mile long and made no sound.

Though the U.S. Air Force initially denied having planes in the area , they later explained that training maneuvers for 10 F-16 jets had been conducted; this contradiction sparked rumors of a classified military aircraft.

8

Marfa Lights, Texas

One of the oldest alleged sightings in America, the first record of the Marfa lights dates back to 1883. These light orbs appear sporadically on the horizon, and their color varies between blue, red, and white. Appearing around 30 times a year, the Marfa lights can still be seen to this day.

Scientists have tried to explain these appearances as an atmospheric phenomenon similar to a mirage, or the reflection of car lights from a highway, but they have failed to reach a definite conclusion. Marfa has become a popular destination for UFO aficionados , which has led the Texas Department of Transportation to build a dedicated viewing area.

9

Japan Airlines Cargo Flight 1628

On November 17, 1986, the crew of a Japanese cargo plane claimed to have been followed by three flying objects —one massive and two smaller ones— as they flew over Anchorage, Alaska. Media outlets reported that these objects had been captured on a military radar, but government officials later discredited the claims.

After landing in Anchorage, the crew was interviewed by the FBI and the CIA, who allegedly confirmed a radar sighting. However, the agencies have since denied that the meeting ever took place.

10

USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" incident

In November 2004, jet pilots from the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier reported encountering a ‘tic tac-shaped’ object with remarkable flying capabilities. Besides the eyewitnesses, the object was captured by the jets’ cameras and tracked by the radar of another aircraft carrier for two weeks.

The videos were classified until 2020, when they were released by the Pentagon after a series of reports by the New York Times . Though several theories have been postulated, there is no official explanation for this incident.