With Summer right around the corner, we’ve compiled a list of patriotic sites in cities throughout the US that will help you show off your red, white, and blue pride. Read on for travel inspiration for the upcoming warm summer months.
Freedom Trail
Boston, Massachusetts
Walk along Boston’s two and a half mile path known as the Freedom Trail to discover 16 historical sites where Revolutionary War heroes fought for US independence, including the site of the Boston Massacre, the Old State House and Bunker Hill Monument. Another must see while visiting Boston is the historic Quincy Market, near Faneuil Hall. It’s one of the largest market complexes built in the US in the first half of the 19th century, and was largely used as a produce and shopping center. Today, visitors can find many restaurant and shopping opportunities at the marketplace.
Statue of Liberty
New York, NY
This iconic copper statue of a robed female figure representing Liebertas, the Roman goddess who bears a torch, and a tablet evoking the law, has represented the country’s promise of freedom and democracy for millions of travelers, as it served as a welcoming sight for immigrants arriving from abroad from the late 1800s to the 1950s. It was a gift, along with nearby Ellis Island, from the French to commemorate the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most patriotic attractions in the US, especially if you are interested in connecting with your ancestry.
Independence National Historical Park
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Independence National Historical Park is home to major US historical landmarks including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center. Here, the Second Continental Congress penned the Declaration of Independence, and later, the Constitution. No visit to Philadelphia is complete without also visiting the Liberty Bell Center inside Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell was rang as citizen’s heard the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon on July 8, 1776.
National Mall
Washington, D.C.
As the capitol of the United States, it’s no surprise that Washington D.C. is one of the most patriotic cities in our nation. Visitors should head downtown to the National Mall, a national park which encompasses the historic Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, Constitution Gardens, the United States Capitol, and the Washington Monument. Each year, millions of people visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks to relax, commemorate presidential legacies, honor our veterans, make their voices heard in peaceful protest, and to celebrate our nation’s commitment to freedom and equality.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Keystone, South Dakota
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a massive, 60-foot high sculpture carved into Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The sculpture pays homage to the most influential US presidents in our country’s first 150 years: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Visitors can learn about their contributions to the birth, growth, development and preservation of the country.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
Veterans of every American war are buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, totaling over 290,000 heroes, including John F. Kennedy. Many visitors make their way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, atop a hill overlooking Washington D.C., where an unidentified American soldier from each war fought from Word War I to Vietnam lays at rest. Visitors may also want to see the Changing of the Guard, which occurs every half hour April through September, and every hour on the hour October through March.
The cemetery, along with Arlington House, Memorial Drive, the Hemicycle, and the Arlington Memorial Bridge form the Arlington National Cemetery Historic District. Visitors are encouraged to discover Arlington’s rich history, witness the time-honored ceremonies, take in the scenic landscapes and grounds, wander through the headstones and monuments, reflect on the names, and ponder the stories each person could tell.
