The United States is a nation full of varied landscapes, people, and cultures. From the urban hustle and bustle of the East Coast to the more relaxed beaches of Hawaii, there is something for nearly everyone. When looking for patriotic hot spots, however, the options are a bit more limited. Here are four that could fit into your vacation plans.
Mount Rushmore
What can be more patriotic than having the heads of four of the most famous presidents in US history blasted and then carved into the side of a granite mountain? This iconic site is close to the small tourist haven of Keystone, South Dakota, and just a few short miles from the larger urban center of Rapid City. There are numerous hotels in the area for visitors to stay in. After parking at Mount Rushmore, you’ll have to walk through a short avenue of state flags. There is also a gift shop and a museum that commemorates the creation of this landmark.
Philadelphia
The first capital city of the United States was actually Philadelphia. It was at Independence Hall that the Founding Fathers met to declare their independence from Great Britain. This building also housed the Constitutional Convention just more than a decade after the Continental Congress voted to break with England. Those who have a great interest in the nation’s history can also visit the Betsy Ross House and the Liberty Bell. Finally, Philadelphia is home to the Benjamin Franklin Museum, which is dedicated to the founder of the University of Pennsylvania who first recommended a union of the colonies way back in the 1750s.
Boston
Few American cities have as much history as the port city of Boston. One of the first cities founded in what would become the United States, Boston was the hotbed of revolutionary sentiment in the 1760s and 1770s. It was in Boston that events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party set the nascent nation on the road to revolution. Paul Revere lived in the oldest building that’s still standing in Boston, and the Old North Church is tied to his legacy as it was here the lanterns shone out to warn of the British march toward Concord. Faneuil Hall saw many orations during the era of the Revolution. You can check out the USS Constitution, famous for being made of wood so hard that cannonballs just bounced off its sides during the War of 1812. You can also visit the Bunker Hill Monument, an obelisk erected to commemorate the famous battle.
Washington, D.C.
No discussion of the most patriotic places to visit in America is complete without a look at Washington, DC. This city is the seat of government for the United States. The President lives in the White House, and the Congress operates out of the Capitol. There are many monuments that represent important people from America’s past, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial. There are many museums in DC, and these include the Smithsonian and the Holocaust Museum. Those who would like to research can visit the Library of Congress, which is the most impressive repository of books and documents in the US. When considering where to stay in Washington, DC, it’s a good idea to remember that the entire metro area has quality lodging choices.
There are many great options when it comes to visiting patriotic hot spots in the US. However, these four have ties to American history and can improve your appreciation of the nation’s past. Those in the East also have the benefit of being major metro areas.