8 Religious Marvels in US

The US may not have the reputation of being chock full of religious landmarks, but CNN runs down a list of eight sites worth the trip to see:

• Bahai House of Worship: It's located in Wilmette, Illinois, one of only seven such temples in the world. "The circular temple has nine sides and is surrounded by fountain-filled gardens," and it's open for free to visitors of any (or no) religion.

• Hsi Lai Temple: The Buddhist site in Hacienda Heights, California, recalls the architecture of the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. It's shaped like a bodhi leaf in honor of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
• Islamic Center of America: The huge mosque in Dearborn, Michigan, may be modern, but it has a design inspired by "venerable houses of worship" in India, Turkey, and elsewhere.
• St. Patrick's Cathedral: The iconic church in Manhattan "has an old-world grandeur that's rare in New York."

Click for the full list, which includes the Palace of Gold in West Virginia. (More travel stories.)