Starfield lets players explore space and visit famous landmarks from Earth. You can see things like the Shard in London or the Apollo 11 spot on the Moon. There is nothing much going on when you visit the landmarks and they’re put in the game’s version of the Earth as a future possibility where the planet is destroyed but these mega architectures still stand tall.
Key Takeaways
There are a total of 12 Earth-related Landmarks in Starfield.
Players can find 9 Landmarks on Earth, 1 on the Moon, and 1 on Mars.
Visiting these landmarks offers a nostalgic nod to significant historical moments in space exploration.
These landmarks provide insight into a potential future Earth, where resilient historical buildings endure, surviving any apocalypse.
1. The Shard – London Landmark
The Shard is one of the historic Starfield Earth landmarks in London, standing as the tallest structure in Western Europe. By 2330, the 310-meter tower lies in ruins, a relic in Starfield’s depiction of Earth.
Important: To access The Shard in Starfield, players must unlock the London Landmark. This requires obtaining and reading “Oliver Twist,” which is available at Sinclair’s Books in Akila City, the unofficial capital of Freestar Collective space.
This bookshop, situated in the Cheyenne star system east of Alpha Centauri, can be located on the left past Chunks, near the Sanctum Universum building. After obtaining the book, the London Landmark landing site on Earth’s map becomes accessible.
To ensure the landmark unlocks, players must speak with Ahnjong Sinclair at Sinclair’s Books and inspect the inventory under the Notes tab.
2. Egyptian Pyramids – Cairo Landmark
Egyptian Pyramids – Cairo Landmark [Image by eXputer]The Egyptian Pyramids, another of the Earth Landmarks in Starfield, represent Cairo’s mighty architecture.
Important: To access the Cairo Landmark, players need to acquire and read “The Ancient Civilization of Egypt.” While this artifact might randomly appear during exploration, the best method is to buy it from Sinclair’s Books in Akila City, situated in the Cheyenne star system.
Egyptian Pyramids – Cairo Landmark [Image by eXputer]After reaching the store, players should seek Ahnjong Sinclair to purchase the book from the Notes section. Once read, the Cairo Landmark landing point is activated on Earth’s map.
3. Empire State Building – New York Landmark
Empire State Building – New York Landmark [Image by eXputer]The Empire State Building is in my opinion another one of the tallest, and most iconic Earth landmarks in Starfield, a testament to the resilience of humanity’s architectural feats.
Important: Unlocking the Empire State Building landmark requires players to find the book titled “Our Lost Heritage.” I found that the easiest way to access this book is by visiting the MAST building in New Atlantis.
In the New Atlantis Mast Building, players must use the elevator to reach President Abello’s office located on one of the upper floors. The book can be found on the President’s desk. Upon reading “Our Lost Heritage,” the New York Landmark landing site is activated on the player’s Earth map.
4. Gateway Arch – St. Louis Landmark
Gateway Arch – St. Louis Landmark [Image by eXputer]The Gateway Arch, representing Saint Louis, is among the iconic landmarks of Earth in Starfield that players need to find.
Important: To unlock the Gateway Arch, players must find a book titled “The Price of Destiny.” This book is located in Benjamin Bayu’s penthouse in Neon. Gaining access requires some effort, as players will need to pickpocket Bayu for his penthouse key.
Bayu is typically found in the VIP areas of the Astral Lounge, especially Booth 4. After securing the key, players can use the private elevator to access the penthouse, where the book is placed on Bayu’s desk. Upon reading, the Saint Louis Landmark landing site becomes accessible on the player’s Earth map.
My Opinion: I personally really appreciate that they included The Gateway Arch in Starfield, as it’s uncommon to see representation from the Midwest US in most video games.
5. Burj Khalifa – Dubai Landmark
Burj Khalifa – Dubai Landmark [Image by eXputer]The Burj Khalifa, once Earth’s tallest skyscraper, stands as one of the resilient landmarks in Starfield’s destroyed Earth.
Important: To access the Burj Khalifa, players must locate a unique book titled “Race to the Heavens.” This important book isn’t found easily, but one sure location is aboard the luxury cruiseliner, the Siren of the Stars, during the “Breaking the Bank” quest from the Crimson Fleet Faction.
This quest is accessible after completing “Deep Cover,” “Rook Meets King,” and “Echoes of the Past.” On the Siren of the Stars, venture to the guest quarters through the ballroom. Find the room 5, Larry Dumbrosky’s suite. Inside, players can either pick the Expert lock or wait for an opportune moment in the quest. The desired book is on the left side desk.
6. International Commerce Center – Hong Kong Landmark
International Commerce Center – Hong Kong Landmark [Image by eXputer]The International Commerce Center, once a famous structure in Hong Kong’s skyline, remains standing in the destroyed Starfield’s Earth.
Important: Players who want to visit this towering structure must get “Maurice Lyon’s Journal.” This precious artifact is in the New Homestead museum on Titan, Saturn’s moon, within the SOL star system.
7. Abeno Harukas – Osaka, Japan Landmark
Abeno Harukas – Osaka, Japan Landmark [Image by eXputer]Starfield’s post-human Earth landmarks include the iconic Abeno Harukas skyscraper situated in Osaka, Japan.
Important: To unlock the Osaka Landmark, players must locate “Diary of Kyosuke Nagata”. Initially rumored to be at The Lock prison on planet Suvorov, the real location is at The Key, the Crimson Fleet’s hub. To access The Key, players join the Crimson Fleet, which you can achieve by getting arrested in UC territory and completing the Deep Cover mission.
Once inside The Key, head to the command center, ascend the stairs, and pass through the door with a red light overhead, leading to Delgado’s chamber. The diary awaits on a nightstand to the left of Delgado’s bed. Acquiring it activates the “Visit the Osaka Landmark on Earth” activity, marking a new Earth landing site on the player’s map.
After you unlock the activity, players can fast-travel to the Osaka Landmark, revealing whatever is left of the Abeno Harukas in the destroyed Earth of Starfield.
8. Shanghai Tower – Shanghai, China Landmark
Shanghai Tower – Shanghai, China Landmark [Image by eXputer]In Starfield’s depiction of post-apocalyptic Earth, among the surviving landmarks stands the Shanghai Tower in China.
Important: To visit the Shanghai Tower, players must first locate the book “Essentials of Modern Macroeconomics.” Journey to Porrima II in the Porrima star system, and dock with the unidentified ship, the ECS Constant. Here, ascend to the Residential Level, then the classroom, where the book awaits in front of a whiteboard.
After reading it, the “Visit the Shanghai Landmark” objective activates, granting access to the Shanghai Landmark landing site on Earth.
9. US Bank Tower – Los Angeles Landmark
US Bank Tower – Los Angeles Landmark [Image by eXputer]The US Bank Tower in Los Angeles stands as one of the game’s versions of Earth landmarks & visitable megastructure.
Important: To gain access to the US Bank Tower, players must locate the “Hope Family Tree” book. The book’s location is on Ron Hope’s desk in Hopetown, found on planet Polvo in the Valo system, near Alpha Centauri. In my opinion, the ideal time to acquire this book is during the “Where Hope is Built” faction quest, which is a part of the Freestar Rangers questline.
US Bank Tower – Los Angeles Earth Landmarks in Starfield [Image by eXputer]To gain access to the US Bank Tower, players must locate the “Hope Family Tree” book.
If missed, players can regain access to the office after completing the “Accidents Happen” quest for Ryujin. I suggest that you be cautious when retrieving the book, especially if Hope and Cosette are present. Utilize the Stealth skill, wait until unnoticed (when the Stealth meter reads “Hidden”), and swiftly take the book.
Once read, it unlocks the Los Angeles Landmark on Earth, providing a new landing site on the player’s map. Upon arrival at the location, the towering US Bank Tower looms above, a relic of a bygone era.
10. NASA Launch Tower – Cape Canaveral Landmark
NASA Launch Tower – Cape Canaveral Landmark [Image by eXputer]The NASA Launch Tower in Cape Canaveral is also a famous site that in my opinion players must visit.
Important: The NASA Launch Tower becomes accessible during the “Unearthed” main story mission. As players journey through this mission, they eventually arrive at the history of Earth’s space programs, ultimately leading them to this iconic facility. The quest starts with an exploration of Luna, Earth’s moon, where players find clues that direct them to NASA on Earth.
NASA Launch Tower – Cape Canaveral Landmark [Image by eXputer]
11. Opportunity Mars Rover – Mars Landmark
Opportunity Mars Rover – Mars Landmark [Image by eXputer]The Opportunity Rover is a reflection of real-world space exploration within Starfield, positioned on Mars where it once collected data for NASA over 14 years.
Important: To uncover the Opportunity Rover and its snow globe in Starfield, players must interact with the MER Program at the NASA Launch Tower. Located to the left in the lobby, this facility provides crucialbackground information. Upon engagement, a notification adds the Rover’s location to the player’s activity list. Subsequently, players can explore Mars and find the Rover south of Cydonia.
12. Apollo 11 – Moon Landmark
Apollo 11 – Moon Landmark [Image by eXputer]The Apollo 11 Landmark in Starfield is an homage to the historic NASA’s Apollo 11 Lunar mission.
Important: The starting point to access the Apollo Landmark on Luna involves finding “Sir Livingstone’s Second Journal,” mainly located in The Lodge on Jemison. After securing the journal, preferably from Matteo’s bedroom, reading it will grant players the quest “Visit the Apollo Landmark on Luna.”
By setting a course for Luna in the Sol system, the Apollo landing site becomes available. If difficulties arise in locating the journal, players can always resort to console commands in Starfield, but I recommend they use it with caution, as this action may disable in-game achievements.
Arriving at the Apollo Landing Site, players witness an iconic scene: the firmly rooted American flag surrounded by lunar debris. Bethesda masterfully presents Earth landmarks as an alternate and destroyed version in Starfield, inserting icons like the Opportunity Mars Rover and the Apollo 11 landing site. The game invites players to explore unknown territories and reflect on humanity’s monumental steps in space exploration.
Haddi is a Senior Writer & Editor at eXputer who loves to play games and talk about them like a fanatic. Hadi's years of experience in this industry let him provide a unique and critical perspective on games to share with his audience. His work is also featured on several other websites. You can hit him up on his gaming profile at Steam!
Experience: 5+ years || Previously Worked At Gamepur, Gear Siege, GearNuke
