historic beauty

Texas icon named among 10 most beautiful landmarks in the U.S.

The Alamo truly is a beautiful site to behold.

In news that can definitely be categorized under the “mission accomplished” heading, The Alamo, perhaps the Lone Star State’s most recognizable icon, has been named one of the most beautiful landmarks in the country.

A new study from travel site ParkSleepFly ranks The Alamo, San Antonio’s cherished historical site and the inspiration for the city’s nickname, No. 10 on its list of the Most Beautiful Landmarks in the U.S.

In order to determine its landmark list, ParkSleepFly analyzed Tripadvisor reviews of famous landmarks, nailing down reviews using the words “beautiful,” “pretty,” “picturesque,” and “stunning” to reveal which landmarks travelers consider the most attractive.

The Alamo scored 1,703 “beauty reviews.”

Known as the “Shrine of Texas Liberty,” San Antonio’s most recognizable landmark was the site of the crucial 1836 Battle of The Alamo during the Texas Revolution, a fight that cost hundreds of lives, including that of U.S. frontiersman and politician Davy Crockett, and ushered in the defining Battle of San Jacinto and eventually the establishment of the Republic of Texas.

For Texans, The Alamo remains a cultural icon, historic hallmark, and the gold standard of the Lone Star State’s connection to its tumultuous past.

Here are ParkSleepFly’s 10 Most Beautiful Landmarks in the U.S.:

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. Beauty score: 3,163.
Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina. Beauty score: 3,042.
Empire State Building, New York City. Beauty score: 3,023.
National September 11 Memorial and Museum, New York City. Beauty score: 2,672.
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco. Beauty score: 2,497.
Statue of Liberty, New York City. Beauty score: 2,437.
Gateway Arch, St. Louis. Beauty score: 1,962.
St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans. Beauty score: 1,769.
Mount Rushmore, Keystone, South Dakota. Beauty score: 1,756.
The Alamo, San Antonio. Beauty score: 1,703.

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge also lands at No. 1 on ParkSleepFly’s list of the Most Beautiful Landmarks in the World, followed by Biltmore Estate at No. 7, the Empire State Building at No. 10, and the Statue of Liberty at No. 21. No other U.S. landmarks made the cut on the global list.

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coming in 2027

Texas hotel near NASA to get a Margaritaville makeover with lazy river

Rendering courtesy of Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Nassau Bay

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Nassau Bay will open in late 2027.

One of the signature hotels of the Houston Bay Area is undergoing a massive transformation. When it opens in late 2027, the new Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Nassau Bay will bring a boutique-style experience to one of the most popular vacation destinations in the state.

Located roughly 250 miles, about four hours, from Dallas in the former Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake (3000 E NASA Parkway), the Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Nassau Bay will feature a comprehensive set of upgrades. Launched in 2020, Compass Hotels carry on the brand’s vibes in smaller markets and without the full resort price point.

Plans call for four Margaritaville-themed restaurants, a lazy river, conference and meeting spaces, and “fully reimagined guestrooms,” according to press materials. Once complete, the 229-room property will also offer marina access, boat parking, and a store.

“We are excited to introduce Compass Hotel Nassau Bay and bring this new destination to the Clear Lake community, just minutes from NASA/Space Center Houston,” Nassau Bay Resorts LLC CEO Kam Miramadi said in a statement. “We look forward to transforming this property into a welcoming hotel and recreational experience that reflects the character of the surrounding area while providing guests with a comfortable place to stay and explore.”

Nassau Bay Resorts LLC acquired the property in 2025. In June, it filed a notice with the Texas Workforce Commission that it would lay off all of its employees on July 31 to facilitate the renovations.

Margaritaville, named after the Jimmy Buffett hit, has expanded the singer’s easygoing vibes into a global empire. The company is also working on a $250 million, 334-room property on Galveston Island.

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