America's Greatest Monuments
When
planning a vacation or touring the United States (a voyage
that could take a lifetime) we are faced with two very challenging
questions; where do we go, and when we get there, what do
we see? With so many different states, modes of travel, and
sightseeing opportunities, the possibilities are endless,
and a bit overwhelming. There is, however, one thing of which
we can be sure. The United States is full of exceptionally
meaningful, and breathtakingly beautiful national monuments,
which are guaranteed to impress both young and old, and leave
a lasting impression of any vacation which features at least
one of these marvels of human creation
not to mention
the photo opportunities!
So
how do we define a national monument? Taken from the dictionary
definition, a national monument is a natural landmark, or
a structure or site of historic interest, set-aside by a national
government and maintained for public enjoyment or study. Although
the definition encompasses both natural and man-made monuments,
this article focuses solely on those that are man-made
Of
course, there are far too many monuments to visit on one trip,
and too many to list in one article, so the following is an
elite list, taken region by region, of a few well known American
monuments to keep in mind for a family vacation or good old
fashioned road trip.
If
you are planning a trip to a specific locale, and want to
see all of what that region has to offer, a more detailed
list can be found at the National Park Services web site,
www.nps.gov.
An alphabetical list of all national parks and monuments can
be viewed, or you can generate a search by location or specific
topics of interest.
Our
trip begins
The
first stop is New York City, home to one of America's favorite
symbols of freedom, the Statue of Liberty. The first image
of the United States seen by countless numbers of immigrants,
the Statue of Liberty means for many a promise of a new life
and a brighter future. Given to the United States as a gift
of friendship from France, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated
in 1886 and declared a national monument in 1924. The Statue
of Liberty Monument also includes the Ellis Island National
Monument.
For
more information on the Statue of Liberty and what New York
City has to offer, go to www.nps.gov/stli,
www.nyc.gov,
or www.nycvisit.com.
Heading
down the Eastern Seaboard
What
national monument adventure would be complete without a trip
to the nation's capital? Washington, D.C. is home to many
examples of monuments, ranging from architectural majesty
to spiritual simplicity. With so many memorials and monuments
to choose from, one could spend weeks trying to visit them
all. A few well known favorites include the Washington Monument
and the Lincoln Memorial. For those who study the history
of America's wars, there are powerful and moving war memorials,
including the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial, the Korean War
Veterans Memorial, and the National World War II Memorial.
There are also other historical sites, battlegrounds, and
cemeteries dating back to the birth of our nation. And although
they are not technically considered national monuments, there
are, of course, the perennial favorites of the White House
and the Capitol building, which are also must-visits for any
sightseeing tour.
Tourism
information for Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas
can be found at www.washington.org,
www.dc.gov,
and www.nps.gov
(and do a search for Washington, D.C.).
As
we make our way West
The
Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri is part of the Jefferson
National Expansion Memorial, which also includes the Museum
of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. Designed
by architect Eero Saarinen to commemorate the United States'
expansion to the West, contruction began in 1963 and was completed
on October 28, 1965. The Arch also features a unique tram
system which visitors can ride to the top.
For
more information about the Gateway Arch and the Jefferson
National Expansion Memorial go to www.stlouisarch.com,
www.gatewayarch.com,
or www.nps.gov/jeff.
South
Dakota, also the home of the Badlands National Park, contains
one of our nation's most recognizable and magnificent monuments.
Designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and hewn into the face
of a mountain of granite, Mount Rushmore captures the essence
of four of our most respected leaders, George Washington,
Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, each
embodying a specific leg of the journey the United States
took from fledgling nation to world power.
To
find out more about the fascinating history and construction
of Mount Rushmore, visit www.nps.gov/moru,
www.travelsd.com/parks/rushmore,
or www.state.sd.us.
And
as we hit the West Coast
As
we make our way west, the man-made monument gives way to the
breathtaking beauty of many of America's national parks, such
as Yellowstone, Glacier, and Yosemite. However, there are
still a few man-made monuments to take note of, including
the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is home to
two historical landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz
Island.
More
information about the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
can be found at www.nps.gov/goga.
These
monuments have the ability to spark our imaginations, teach
us the history of our country, and inspire us with the power
of what man can create. So whether you are planning an extended
cross-country excursion, or taking a weekend mini-vacation,
keep these national treasures in mind. They are guaranteed
to please.
Heading down the Eastern Seaboard
What national monument adventure would be complete without a trip to the nation's capital? Washington, D.C. is home to many examples of monuments, ranging from architectural majesty to spiritual simplicity. With so many memorials and monuments to choose from, one could spend weeks trying to visit them all. A few well known favorites include the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. For those who study the history of America's wars, there are powerful and moving war memorials, including the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the National World War II Memorial. There are also other historical sites, battlegrounds, and cemeteries dating back to the birth of our nation. And although they are not technically considered national monuments, there are, of course, the perennial favorites of the White House and the Capitol building, which are also must-visits for any sightseeing tour.
Tourism information for Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas can be found at www.washington.org, www.dc.gov, and www.nps.gov (and do a search for Washington, D.C.).
As we make our way West
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri is part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which also includes the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. Designed by architect Eero Saarinen to commemorate the United States' expansion to the West, contruction began in 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965. The Arch also features a unique tram system which visitors can ride to the top.
For more information about the Gateway Arch and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial go to www.stlouisarch.com, www.gatewayarch.com, or www.nps.gov/jeff.
South Dakota, also the home of the Badlands National Park, contains one of our nation's most recognizable and magnificent monuments. Designed by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and hewn into the face of a mountain of granite, Mount Rushmore captures the essence of four of our most respected leaders, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, each embodying a specific leg of the journey the United States took from fledgling nation to world power.
To find out more about the fascinating history and construction of Mount Rushmore, visit www.nps.gov/moru, www.travelsd.com/parks/rushmore, or www.state.sd.us.
And as we hit the West Coast
As we make our way west, the man-made monument gives way to the breathtaking beauty of many of America's national parks, such as Yellowstone, Glacier, and Yosemite. However, there are still a few man-made monuments to take note of, including the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is home to two historical landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island.
More information about the Golden Gate National Recreation Area can be found at www.nps.gov/goga.
These monuments have the ability to spark our imaginations, teach us the history of our country, and inspire us with the power of what man can create. So whether you are planning an extended cross-country excursion, or taking a weekend mini-vacation, keep these national treasures in mind. They are guaranteed to please.
(Source:
www.nps.gov) |