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America's Greatest Monuments


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…

Statue of Liberty

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…

Lincoln Memorial

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.

Mount Rushmore

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…

Golden Gate Bridge

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…

Lincoln Memorial

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.

Mount Rushmore

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…

Golden Gate Bridge

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)