America is filled with many wonders. From the exquisite Grand Canyon to the never-ending stretches of crystal clear beaches. The United States truly has something for everyone to experience, and this includes the impressive American bridges that can be found throughout the country.
From San Francisco to New York, you’ll be left in awe, not only of the beauty and grandeur of the bridges but also the complex engineering required to build these man-made structures.
You can find bridges that feel as if they have been built within the cliffs on peaks and others that expand over oceans for miles. So much so, you’ll feel as though you are driving on water.
Check out the list below, and be sure not to miss any of these wonders if you are in the area.
- Top 7 Beautiful American Bridges
- 1. Golden Gate Bridge
- 2. Brooklyn Bridge
- 3. Seven Mile Bridge
- 4. Royal Gorge Bridge
- 5. Bixby Creek Bridge
- 6. Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
- 7. Roseman Covered Bridge
- Frequently Asked Questions about American Bridges
- 1. What is the largest bridge in the United States?
- 2. What is the steepest bridge in the United States?
- 3. How many bridges are in America?
- 4. Is the Mackinac Bridge longer than the Golden Gate Bridge?
- 5. What is the longest suspension bridge in the United States?
- 6. How deep is the water underneath the Golden Gate Bridge?
- Final Thoughts on Bridges in America
Top 7 Beautiful American Bridges
Table of Contents
- 1 Top 7 Beautiful American Bridges
- 2 Frequently Asked Questions about American Bridges
- 2.1 1. What is the largest bridge in the United States?
- 2.2 2. What is the steepest bridge in the United States?
- 2.3 3. How many bridges are in America?
- 2.4 4. Is the Mackinac Bridge longer than the Golden Gate Bridge?
- 2.5 5. What is the longest suspension bridge in the United States?
- 2.6 6. How deep is the water underneath the Golden Gate Bridge?
- 3 Final Thoughts on Bridges in America
Let’s take a look at some of the most magnificent bridges in America. All of these are worth adding to your trip itinerary. Or, if you live nearby, give one of these spots a visit. And if you are road tripping through America, try and add as many of these bridges to your journey as possible.
1. Golden Gate Bridge
Possibly one of the most iconic bridges in America, this spectacular red bridge is picture perfect and fittingly used as the backdrop for many San Francisco postcards.
It stretches over nearly 2 miles (3.2 km) over the narrow strait connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. And once you’ve arrived, be sure to check out these restaurants in San Francisco.
The bridge was completed in 1937 and was considered an engineering marvel at the time. There are many interesting facts about the Golden Gate Bridge. One of the most fascinating is that the bridge can bend.
A bridge walk marked the 50th anniversary of the bridge, and the weight of 300 000 people caused the bridge to sag 7 feet under and flatten the arch.
Book a guided cycling tour over the bridge here
⇒ Interested in heading to California? Check out my posts on Unique Restaurants in San Francisco, Things to do in Calistoga review of the great Solage Spa, visiting Yosemite in One Day, 10 Stunning Sunsets in California and in Yosemite in October and my guide to a Livermore Wine Tasting.
2. Brooklyn Bridge
One simply cannot go to New York without visiting the Brooklyn Bridge. The suspension bridge that spans over the East River connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan is a stunning feature of the New York skyline.
Completed in 1833, the magnificent bridge has inspired poets, artists, directors, and songwriters since then. With Frank Sinatra producing the beautiful song, The Brooklyn Bridge, for the film – It Happened in Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Bridge really is something to look at. Gothic towers with double arches and crisscross steel cables stretch across the bridge. The best way to experience this beauty is with a walking tour over the bridge and don’t forget to explore Lower Manhattan while you’re there.
Book a guided walking tour here
⇒ Heading to the East Coast of the US? Check out my posts on the best things to do in Lower Manhattan, the most instagrammable places to visit in Philadelphia, and great Philadelphia food tours, and the best coffee shops Baltimore has on offer, more fab Baltimore food tour options, Hotel Indigo Baltimore and some very Instagram worthy Baltimore attractions!
3. Seven Mile Bridge
Ever wondered what it would be like to drive on water? Well, this is the closest you’ll get to experience it. As the name suggests, this bridge stretches 7 miles (11.2 km) over the ocean to Florida Keys.
The original structure was built in 1912 and was regarded as a harrowing drive with narrow lanes. With its upgrade in 1982, the longest bridge in the Florida Keys became a breeze to drive over, with enough space to stop and take in the views.
Book a day trip from Miami and experience the bridge
4. Royal Gorge Bridge
The Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in America. Walking across the bridge is equally thrilling and bone-chilling, so if you are afraid of heights, we recommend not looking down.
Located in Colorado over the Arkansas River, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty around you. In fact, the bridge was built solely for people to be able to marvel at the beauty of the canyon.
This was not built for road purposes, and up until May 2020, cars were unable to drive across the bridge.
If you are feeling brave after you have walked over the structure suspended 965 feet above the ground, then explore the Arkansas River on a rafting trip.
Book a half-day rafting tour here
⇒ If you’re enjoying this article you’ll love my articles on 15 North America Landmarks, the 10 Most Famous Landmarks in the US, 7 Most Beautiful Bridges American Bridges, 60 Most Famous Landmarks in the World, 9 Gorgeous Lakes Canada has on offer, 11 Beautiful Canada Landmarks and the 20 Most Beautiful Cities in the United States.
5. Bixby Creek Bridge
This Instagram-worthy bridge along the Californian coast is something to behold. Aptly nicknamed the Golden Gate Bridge of Big Sur, and while it may not be as long, it certainly is as beautiful with its deep arch structure.
This bridge sees many road trippers and tourists stopping for the perfect shot, especially for a Californian sunset.
With panoramic beauty, you won’t know where to look. On the one side, you’ll feast your eyes on the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean, and on the other, you’ll be treated to the majestic cliffs and steep canyon of Bixby Creek.
Book a private tour of the bridge and surrounding area
6. Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge
Connecting the states of Arizona and Nevada over the Colorado River is a spectacular display of modern engineering. Also known as the Hoover Dam Bypass, the bridge was built to relieve traffic on the highway over Hoover Dam.
It took 5 years to build and was completed in 2010 with the World’s highest concrete arch. You have great views of the manmade Hoover Dam as you drive over the second-highest bridge in America.
If you are road tripping to or from Las Vegas, this bridge needs to be on your list. And while you’re there, check out my guide on fun activities in Las Vegas or if you’re in Arizona Sunsets in Sedona.
Book a guided tour of Hoover Dam
7. Roseman Covered Bridge
This romantic red-covered bridge in Iowa is so charming it is one of the bridges that inspired the book and movie, The Bridges of Madison County. Originally built in 1883 and renovated in 1992, the bridge over the Middle River has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
This idyllic picture-perfect bridge is so inspiring there is even a Roseman Covered Bridge gift shop dedicated to gifts and trinkets to commemorate the bridge. Don’t miss out on seeing this
bridge if you are ever in Iowa.
Take a personal tour of the bridges in Madison County
Frequently Asked Questions about American Bridges
1. What is the largest bridge in the United States?
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Southern Louisiana is the longest bridge in the United States and the longest bridge in the world over water. The Causeway consists of two separate parallel bridges. The longer of the two bridges is just over 38kms long.
2. What is the steepest bridge in the United States?
Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland is the steepest bridge in the United States. It is nearly 200 feet high and 4.3 miles long. The bridge runs over the Chesapeake Bay. Looking down and seeing just open water can add to the sense of height.
3. How many bridges are in America?
As of 2017, the United States had 614,387 bridges. Nearly four in ten of those bridges are over 50 years old.
4. Is the Mackinac Bridge longer than the Golden Gate Bridge?
The Mackinac Bridge in Michigan is the longer of the two American bridges when measuring total length. It is 5 miles long whereas the Golden Gate Bridge is 1.7 miles long.
However, if you take the length of the bridges as being between the towers or the suspension span, the Golden Gate Bridge is actually longer at 4,200 feet vs the Mackinac Bridge at 3,800 feet.
5. What is the longest suspension bridge in the United States?
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York Bay is the longest suspension bridge in the United States with an overall length of over 4.1 kilometres. It is a double decker suspension bridge with six lanes of traffic per deck.
6. How deep is the water underneath the Golden Gate Bridge?
At its deepest point, it is estimated that the water underneath the Golden Gate Bridge is 115 metres.
Final Thoughts on Bridges in America
From awe-inspiring grand structures to charming historic bridges, America has them all. Many of the bridges boast exquisite views over natural landscapes and shouldn’t be missed. While others were built to connect two places together and at the same time boast spectacular engineering
You won’t be disappointed by any of the bridges on the list, so be sure to check them out next time you are in the area!
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