Get ready, because this is going to make you want to take a road trip right away. The U.S. is scattered with national monuments from coast to coast. The United States actually has 129 protected areas known as national monuments. Good luck planning a trip with that many to choose from! Of course, we’ve compiled a list with some of our favorite monuments for you to visit during your next trip exploring the country.
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is a cliffside in South Dakota with the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln embedded into it. The project for the mountain began in 1927 and went until 1941, and has remained a prime tourist destination ever since. It even gets as many as three million visitors a year. The monument’s busiest best months to visit are June, July and August.
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is quite possibly the most famous U.S. monument, if not the most recognizable. It stands 151 feet tall, from the base to the top. In order to see the iconic Lady Liberty up close, you must take a ferry to the island, with prices ranging from $15.00 to $20.00. People visit the statue all year, but we recommend going during the warmer months because believe us, the snow isn’t always fun.
Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial is another iconic landmark that just had to make the list. It is located on the National Mall in Washington D.C. and was built in honor of the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The memorial is open for visitors to come and see 24 hours a day and there are no fees. Enjoy!
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad
This is the newest of all the monuments we have listed, as it was just named a monument in 2013. The site is located in Maryland and as of 2017, it also has a sister park in New York. It’ is not only a National Monument but has also been named a historic park. There’s plenty to do in the park, with exhibits for you to explore and get the full experience.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon, like a few other places on our list, is both a National Park and a National Monument. The Grand Canyon has so much to do and so much to see. Whether it’s river rafting, taking a bus tour, or even going on a helicopter ride over the Canyon, you’re bound to have an amazing time. Just be sure to be careful about when you plan your trip because it can get HOT.
Devil’s Tower
Trust us, Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, is a sight to see. The tower itself is roughly 300 feet tall, and that’s just from the summit to the top of the tower. Some people are even brave (or crazy) enough to climb to the peak! Of course, if you aren’t quite looking for that much of a thrill, there are plenty of beautiful hikes in the area that still allow you to enjoy the view.
Montezuma’s Castle
A cliffside ruin, you can find Montezuma’s Castle National Monument in Camp Verde, Arizona. The castle is a series of rooms that have literally been carved into a cliff face. While you can no longer walk in the ruins, a series of walkways nearby offer spectacular views of the castle for you to enjoy.
Mount St. Helens
Last on our list is the infamous volcano, Mount St. Helens. The mountain erupted back in 1980 and it was so big, the top 1,300 feet of the summit collapsed, leaving a huge crater in the mountain. Now, the mountain and park is covered with hikes for everyone and is a prime tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest.
Ready to take a road trip? Us too. We hope you enjoyed our list of national monuments throughout the U.S.If one of these monuments didn’t spark your interest, don’t worry. There’s, even more, coming on our next list! Go on, get out there!