United States Attractions

The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular National Parks in the United States of America. Like all National Parks, the Grand Canyon was not always the well known national treasure that it is today. It was not a protected area right after it's initial discovery a few hundred years ago. The Grand Canyon received a to-be protected status in 1893 by the government and was named as a Forest Reserve. It was later given the status of a National Monument, followed in 1919 by a National Park status. Over the years, the Grand Canyon has grown to be one of the most popular destinations in the United States.

There are many different theories as to how the Grand Canyon itself was created. Many people will agree, however, that it took a lot of time to form and become what it is today. It also means that the Grand Canyon is constantly changing and is not exactly the same year over year...

The Big Sur region is located on the central region of the state of California in the United States. 

Considered as one of the most sparsely populated coastal regions in this part of California, the Big Sur region is located 193 kilometers, or 120 miles south of the city of San Francisco and 394 kilometers, or 245 miles, northwest of the city of Los Angeles. 

The name of the region has been said to have been derived from the Spanish term El Sur Grande, which is literally translated as "The Big South". The primary source of income for the Big Sur region is tourism. The terrains that make up the Big Sur region offer visitors some of the most stunning sceneries on this side of the United States. One of the most visited sights in the region is Big Sur's Cone Peak, which is considered as the highest coastal mountain in the entire United States. 

Indeed, the Big Sur region is a haven for travelers who are looking for a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life and commune with the pristine beauty of nature...

The Arlington National Cemetery, located in Arlington, Virginia, is the final resting place of thousands of American military personnel, Native Americans, and former slaves. Over one hundred graveside services are performed in the cemetery each week. The cemetery attracts over four million visitors each year. The Arlington National Cemetery covers two hundred sprawling acres of the city and includes famous landmarks like the Arlington Mansion and the Tomb of The Unknown Soldiers. ...

The United States is home to many different icons that represent the country and have become some of the trademarks that many foreign countries use to identify the United States. The Statue of Liberty is one of these icons. If you ask anyone that lives in the United States what one thing that they associate with the United States and the freedom that the country represents, a majority of those people will likely answer the Statue of Liberty. She is one of the national treasures that every American citizen should visit at some point in their life.

The Statue of Liberty was actually not something that was created by a United States citizen nor was she even built in the United States. The Statue of Liberty was actually a gift that was given the United States from France. It was a gift that was to symbolize the friendship that existed between France and the United States. The statue was dedicated in October of 1886. She then became a National Monument in 1924...

Man has made many wonders in the world. It takes determination to change the face of the world and create history through revolutionary steps. The Golden Gate Bridge, a suspension bridge, built from the San Francisco Peninsula all the way to Marin County is no exception to this. The second longest bridge of the United State and the seventh longest in the world, this bridge was completed in 1937 and became the symbol of pride for the people of San Francisco and the United States.  

Before the bridge was constructed, ferries used to move from one point to the other. This later resulted in clogging of the ferries at the bay. James Wilkins, an engineer, evolved an idea to build a bridge to span the Golden Gate Strait. However, the idea was taken up and further developed by Joseph Strauss. It was the time of Great Depression in U...

Untamed Adventure Awaits You

Are you looking for a vacation that doesn't involve standing in long lines under the heat of a blazing sun, waiting for your chance to experience what the sign claims is a ride of a lifetime? You can by choosing to visit Yellowstone National Park, instead of those crowded, you seen one you've seen them all amusement parks!

Let your sense for adventure out with a visit to this wondeful nature's Park. It has nearly 3,500 square miles of unspoiled land and scores of animals roaming free, and spreads through three states of the United States of America, just like nature intended it to be.  Those 3 gloriously natural states are Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Yellowstone National Park was the world's first national park and is a proud and treasured landmark of the United States.  Here is where our national anthem echoes loudly: The land of the free and the home of the brave.

Get reacquainted with life of yesteryear. Back before high-rise buildings, power-meetings, cell phones, automobiles, and organized children's sports overtook our lands and our lives. Shed those business suits and dress shoes and slide into a pair of jeans and a good pair of hiking boots...

The White House is the official residence and workplace of the United States of America's Presidents, except for George Washington, who lived in Philadelphia, at the President's House. It is near the US Capitol House and the Mall, with the widely known address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C. The very sight of the White House evokes the power and strength held by this great country. A visit to Washington D.C. will never be complete without a trip to the White House.

Originally called the Executive Mansion, it was dubbed the White House when its exterior sandstone walls were painted white. The name "White House" was made official by an Act of Congress in 1902. Construction on the White House began in 1792. It took around 8 years to complete the building, only for it to be torched in 1814. British troops burned the White House, along with the Treasury, the War Department and the Capitol. Rebuilding was undertaken by James Hoban...

The Napa Valley is part of Napa County situated north of the San Francisco Bay area. Considered as one of the original counties that comprised the state of California in the United States, Napa County was established in the year 1850, about the same time that the state of California joined the other states to form what is now the United States of America.

Napa Valley has been considered as one of the Viticultural areas in the entire United States. This is mainly because a large portion of the entire valley continues to be dedicated for the production of different agricultural products. Today, the Napa County is primarily renowned all over the world for its wine industry. It is currently home to more than three hundred large-scale and boutique wineries that grow a variety of wines in the region. These wineries are a favorite among travelers heading out to the Napa Valley...

Situated in Carlsbad just 30 minutes away from the bustling city of San Diego is Legoland California, a uniquely themed park that has become a longtime favorite of families all over the world. Unlike most amusement parks, Legoland prides itself on being an amusement park that is mostly made out of Lego blocks. Opened to the public on March 20, 1999, it is the third Legoland amusement park in the world, and the only one that is not located anywhere in Europe.

Legoland is home to over 50 different rides and attractions amidst the massive monuments and infrastructures made purely out of lego blocks. These attractions are divided into nine different sections in the park, each having its own unique theme and giving each family member the opportunity to play the role of the hero. One of the favorite attractions in Legoland California is the Lost Kingdom Adventure ride, which can be found in the Land of Adventure section of the park. Families are taken back in time as they find themselves surrounded by ancient ruins as they journey through different paths in an all-terrain roadster to recover stolen treasure...

Get ready for Alcatraz. For all its checkered history and infamy, Alcatraz is one of San Francisco's main tourist draws and favorite landmarks. What attracts people to this bleak island with its sheer cliffs, swift currents and frigid waters? Well, for one thing, this has been home to some of the world's most notorious criminals. It is also a wildlife sanctuary with a number of bird species nesting there.

The history of Alcatraz, or The Rock, as it is more fondly called, began with high hopes. Juan de Ayala was the first European to discover and explore this island. He named it La Isla de los Alcatraces, or, Island of The Pelicans.

It then functioned as a military post starting from the mid1800s. This was the height of the Gold Rush. Thus a military fortification was built on the island to guard gold-rich California from possible invaders...

Magic – this is what Disney is all about. To be in Disney is to be a child again. And this is all the more seen at The Disney Resort Complex in Orlando, Florida. Be transported to worlds that only existed in your wildest imaginations and dreams. Fly away to a fairy-tale kingdom, soar through the California skies, travel through eons of time to arrive at Futureland, visit the world of Winnie the Pooh… Oh! There is so much to see and do at Disney.

Walt Disney World Resort is aptly named - it is a world all its own. It boasts of four large theme parks. There is the Disney Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney Animal Kingdom Park. The resort complex also has two water parks – Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. To complete your stay, there are accommodations and restaurants for all tastes and budgets plus a cornucopia of choices when it comes to entertainment and shopping...

Lincoln Park is one of the best residential neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois. It features vintage townhomes that offer single family and apartment-style living. The streets are tree-lined and many houses even boast a small yard. Parking is difficult though. If you don't have a residential parking permit, you may find yourself circling the blocks for quite some time, looking for a parking space.

In addition to its residential charm, Lincoln Park is host to numerous Chicago attractions. The best known are the Lincoln Park Zoo, North Avenue Beach, and the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Lincoln Park Zoo is open year-round and has free admission. Between this and their high-quality exhibits, the zoo attracts upwards of 3 million visitors a year. It is best to visit in the morning before the crowds grow too large. The zoo was first opened in 1868, and has been continuously committed to providing Chicagoans and visitors with a unique wildlife experience...

Located in Exeter, New Hampshire, the American Independence Museum is one of the Historic landmarks in the area. It is one acre that contains the Folsom Tavern that was built around 1775 and the Ladd-Gilman home built around 1721. This museum highlights the role of the Gilmans during the American Revolutionary War and their contributions to the founding of the country. These were normal people who played a vital role in the founding of a country dedicated to liberty, freedom, and equal justice under the laws.

There are a variety of activities at this American Independence Museum, such as:

1. The first copy of the Declaration of Independence that was published by John Dunlap, and is referred to as one of the "Dunlap broadsides is one of the original 200 copies of the Declaration that was printed. It is on display and is believed that both Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin may have been there when these were printed...

Recognized as the highest lake in the United States and the largest alpine lake in the North American continent, Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular destinations in California visited by both locals and tourists all year round. This is partly due to the breathtaking sceneries that greet you the moment you arrive at Lake Tahoe. With its crystal blue water, snowcapped mountains and lush pine forests, Lake Tahoe offers you the opportunity to relax and unwind as you escape the hustle and bustle of the city life and spend some precious moments in nature.

There are a variety of different outdoor activities that you and your family can enjoy during your stay at Lake Tahoe, ranging from hiking through the many trails that cut through the pine forests to fishing and water skiing in the lake's sapphire blue waters. During the winter months, Lake Tahoe is an ideal place to enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

One of the best times to visit Lake Tahoe is during the Gatsby Festival which is held during the month of August each year...

The Death Valley is perhaps the most popular desert region in the United States. Situated in the southwestern part of the country in between the borders of the states of California and Nevada, the Death Valley is the lowest, driest and hottest region not just in the United States, but in the entire North American continent.

Contrary to its name, the Death Valley is actually a region that is very much alive with a unique range of flora and fauna. In fact, many tourists visiting the southwestern region of the United States can be found spending some time in this seemingly desolate region. One of the prime tourist destinations in the Death Valley region is the Death Valley National Park. Located east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Death Valley National Park covers a land area of 5,262 square miles. More than 700,000 visitors visit the national park each year to explore the diverse geological features of the valley as well as the rich desert flora and fauna, historical sites, clear night skies, and the chance to be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and enjoy the silence and the wonders of the desert, especially during the night time...

The Battleship USS North Carolina, or BB-55, is the primary ship of her battleship class. It was the fourth ship to be named after a state. USS North Carolina, also nicknamed "Showboat," was built by the New York Naval Shipyard for a staggering cost of $76,885,750, with sponsorship from Isabel Hoey, daughter of then North Carolina governor Clyde Hoey.

USS North Carolina, 728.8 feet long, participated in every World War II offensive in the Pacific when she was commissioned on April 9, 1941 under the direction of Captain Olaf M. Hustvedt. By the end of the war, she has managed to take home 12 battle stars – making her the most decorated American battleship during World War II. Some of her medals include the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Navy Occupation medal.

The Battleship was decommissioned in June 1, 1960...

Legoland Discovery Center is located in Schaumberg, Illinois about 30 miles northwest of Chicago just off I-90/94W. This is just one of Legoland's locations, however. Other Discovery Centers can be found in Germany and Legoland theme parks are in California, the UK, Denmark, and Germany. One day admission to Legoland Discovery Center in Chicago is $14 for adults and $10 for children, if you book online. The Discovery Center is open all year round, though hours change slightly during the summer months, so check on their website before you plan your trip.

Legoland Discovery Center is full of amazing activities and displays. Almost everything you see is built out of Legos! There is Miniland, a miniature downtown Chicago built entirely out of Legos. Jungle Adventure is an interactive trek through a jungle full of Lego-built flora and fauna. There are many interactive areas for children to play and learn...

The Red Rock Canyon State Park is situated along the southernmost edge of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which connects with the El Paso mountain range. Once home of the Kawaiisu Indians, the picturesque desert cliffs and rock formations have served as landmarks for freight wagons and a haven for the survivors of the infamous Death Valley trek during the late 1800s. Today, the Red Canyon State Park, which is located some 120 miles just outside the city of Los Angeles in California, has become a vital excavation site where paleontologists continue to discover remnants of plant and animal life of species that had once flourished on the earth.

Each of the canyons found in the Red Canyon State Park offer visitors some of the most breathtaking sights they would ever encounter in this part of the country. With their dramatic shapes and spectacular colors, visitors enjoy looking at the sights as they trek through the numerous hiking and park trails on foot and bike...

No country is complete without its own set of historic landmarks. Oftentimes, these landmarks have been established for a purpose that is far from being a landmark. But, over the years, the popularity and its contribution to the culture and history to that particular country could not be disregarded that it eventually is granted this noble distinction.

In the United States, one particular historical landmark is the infamous Route 66. Stretching over 2,400 miles that begins in Chicago, Illinois and ends in Los Angeles, California, Route 66 cuts through the states of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Hailed by John Steinbeck as the "Mother Road", Route 66 was one of the first major highways that were constructed in the country as a result of the growing demands of the rapidly changing need of the American people...

Hotel del Coronado is considered the crowning glory of the island of Coronado, one of the most popular destinations in Southern California. Built in 1888, the Hotel del Coronado has been considered as one of the most beautiful beach resorts in the world. This is partly due to the breathtaking scenery it is surrounded with. The island of Coronado, after all is home to some of the world's most pristine beaches offering breathtaking sunsets and captivating seascapes.

The hotel is an exquisite example of Victorian architecture at its finest. The iconic red turrets provides a stark contrast to the white walls of the hotel and the clear blue sky over the island, causing the hotel to have a distinct taste of elegance and confidence characteristic of the Victorian Era. In 1977, the Hotel del Coronado was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Even more recently, USA Today rated it as one of the top ten resorts in the world, adding to its popularity and the number of guests who would like the experience the grace, splendor and elegance of a bygone era...

The Fabyan Dutch Windmill is one of the best examples of authentic Dutch windmills in the entire United States. Located along Fox River Trail in Geneva, Illinois, this working windmill was built between the years 1850 and 1860 by a German craftsman named Louis Blackhaus using wood and other materials that were shipped from the Netherlands to the United States.

In 1914, the windmill was purchase for an amount of $8,000 by Colonel George Fabyan, after whom the windmill was named after. The windmill was then dismantled and carefully reconstructed piece by piece to Fabyan's estate in Riverbank, now known as the Fabyan Forest Preserve. Over time, the windmill underwent some major renovations for it to continue on running in top condition using only the power of the wind as its main source of energy.

Today, the Fabyan Dutch Windmill is currently listed in America's National Register of Historical Places...

Located along River Drive in Moline, Illinois, the John Deere Pavilion was created to serve as a venue to celebrate the past, the present and the future of the agricultural industry. The beginnings of the pavilion can be traced as far back as 160 years ago when John Deere first invented and developed his first ever self-scouring plow. The success of Deere's self-scouring plow invention, and the company that was established shortly thereafter, has been recognized to be one of the primary factors for changing the course of the history of the Midwestern community.

Since its opening back in 1997, the John Deere Pavilion has attracted over one and a half million locals and tourists from all over the United States and in other parts of the world. As such, the John Deere Pavilion has not only been recognized as premiere attraction of the Quad Cities. It has also been hailed as one of the top five tourist attractions in the state of Illinois...

There are few tourist attractions in the world which can be considered to be more popular than the Empire State building in New York. This building has 102 storeys. It is a huge sky scraper. The exact location of Empire State Building is where the West 34th Street and the 5th Avenue intersect each other. The building is a very popular tourist destination due to a number of reasons. One of the very important reasons of the popularity of this building has been the fact that it has remained the tallest building of the world for more than 40 years. The construction of Empire state building was completed in 1931.

The Empire state building is a very popular building and it is included in the list of the modern wonders. The inclusion of Empire state building in this list was decided by American Society of Civil Engineers. Harold Helmsley is the owner of this building. Empire state building is considered to be a historic landmark of National importance...

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, located in Oklahoma City in the state of Oklahoma, is a 30,000 foot interactive memorial and museum that was established to commemorate the hundreds of people that died and survived in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City back in April 19, 1995. Dedicated by President George W. Bush in 2001, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum now serves as a startling reminder of the horrors that occurred in that dark April day in the hopes of educating locals and tourists alike of the impact of violence and the scars the bombing had left in the lives of the family members the victims have left behind.

Today, the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum serves also to be a source of inspiration with the different exhibits featuring the lives of the survivors and how they had been able to cope with the effects of the bombing had in their lives. Each year, thousands of visitors from all parts of Oklahoma and other parts of the world visit the memorial and museum to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives...

The Roosevelt Memorial is situated along the Cherry Tree Walk near the National Mall in Washington D.C. It is a tribute to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The memorial is wide and expansive, with close to 8 acres. It is a relaxing place – with a statuary, waterfalls, alcoves and shade trees that provide a warm atmosphere for the four outdoor galleries that house memorabilia related to FDR. With Lawrence Halprin providing the design, the memorial also boasts of sculptures and art works by Thomas Hardy, Robert Graham, Leonard Baskin, George Segal and Neil Estern.

The memorial is not only for FDR but also provides us with a nostalgic trip through history during FDR's time and is aimed to provide "a memorial that will do him the honor he deserves and transmit his image to future generations." This is how Congress described the goals of the Memorial when they established the FDR Memorial Commission in 1955...