Although just a baby in comparison to many countries of the world, the United States is full of rich history. There are countless sites and landmarks that capture so many of America’s important dates and great leaders. Drawing inspiration from the Travel Channel and LA Times, here are 10 must-see U.S. monuments and memorials that we at DCH Millburn Audi recommend visiting at least once.
1. Fort McHenry
This star-shaped military base was home to the American flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the “Star Spangled Banner” after the 1814 Battle of Baltimore. Maryland visitors can take a self-guided tour or observe daily flag changes on this historic site.
2. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Located in beautiful Montana, this site memorializes the famous Battle of the Little Bighorn where Lt. Col. George A. Custer and 263 soldiers died while fighting several thousand Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. Today, it has become one of Montana’s most popular tourist attractions.
3. MLK Jr. Memorial
Honoring historic Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., this memorial was revealed in 2011 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Made of solid granite, the memorial symbolizes his legacy promoting freedom and equality.
4. Governors Island
For 200 years, Governors Island served as a military base and major command headquarters for the U.S. Army and later the U.S. Coast Guard. Located in New York, the island became a national monument in 2003 and offers tours open to the public.
5. 9/11 Memorial
Built where the Twin Towers once stood, the 9/11 Memorial remembers the lives lost on that tragic day. Anyone in New York can visit the site and observe the bronze parapets that are inscribed with 2,983 names honoring the individuals lost in the attack.
6. Devils Tower National Monument
Created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Devils Tower was America’s first official national monument. This awe-inspiring rock formation was a sacred site for many Native American tribes in the area. Today, climbers from around the world travel to Wyoming to scale this massive feature.
7. Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington is the final resting place for more than 300,000 active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces. Tourists can visit to see the endless rows of white marble headstones of the America’s bravest soldiers, honoring their great service to this country.
8. Statue of Liberty
It’s no surprise that this monument is one of the most visited attractions in the nation. Symbolizing freedom and democracy, Lady Liberty stands tall in New York and is once again open to tourists.
9. Mount Rushmore
Commemorating four of the nation’s greatest presidents, this South Dakota memorial attracts nearly three million people each year. Visitors come face to face with this massive site carved entirely out of the land’s natural granite.
10. Lincoln Memorial
Here is where tourists can remember one of America’s brave leaders. The 16th president sits inside a marble temple, gazing upon our nation’s Capitol. Visitors can read the words of the Gettysburg Address inscribed inside this enormous memorial.
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