Bridges aren’t always just a passageway over water. Sometimes they’re remarkable in their own right and worth the time necessary to see them. Here are ten remarkably unique and cool bridges from around the world.

All photographs copyright Jeff Aguilar

10. Old North Bridge

Ok, so it’s not the original bridge. But it was built to the matching historical design and it’s surrounded by all the original structures and markers of the Lexington to Concord route that initiated the War of Independence.

9. Hickman Natural Bridge

Hickman Natural Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park is a beautiful natural bridge surrounded by the multi-colored scenery of the park. It’s a relatively short hike to the bridge.

8. Seven Mile Bridge

The Seven Mile Bridge connects Key West to the rest of the Florida Keys and the mainland of Florida. With nothing but ocean surrounding you on all sides this is certainly a memorable drive.

7. Petrified Tree Bridge

It’s takes a lot to make a petrified tree bridge. First, you need a really tall tree. Then you need hundreds of millions of years of petrification to turn the tree into solid rock. Then you need the underlying layers of earth to erode away. With that magic combination, you have yourself a petrified tree bridge. You can find this bridge in Petrified Forest National Park.

6. Royal Gorge Bridge

If you are unafraid of heights, the Royal Gorge suspension bridge outside Cañon City, CO is for you. The bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the US at nearly 1,000 ft. The canyon views from the bridge are outstanding.

5. Swift River Bridge

The Swift River Bridge in Conway, NH was built in the mid-1800s. Of the covered bridges I found in New England this was my favorite. We walked across and around it to enjoy it and the surrounding fall scenery.

4. Bixby Bridge

This is one of those bridges that just begs to be photographed right off Highway 1 in California. I once lived about 50 miles south of this bridge and drove across it more than a few times on weekend getaways.

3. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge in London, England is what you get when you build two castles across from each other and link them with not one but two bridges. You really can’t get cooler than that.

2. Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy not only has a historic span across the Arno River but there are literally houses built onto the side of it.

1. Golden Gate Bridge

I walked the two mile span of this bridge a couple times and it’s darn right miserably cold and windy. But you have to admit it’s position at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay and it’s majestic form defines the very idea of a beautiful bridge.