Must See National Monuments in the U.S.A.

Are you ready to take a journey to some of the most amazing National Monuments in the USA? With its rich history, you are sure to have a truly unforgettable experience. There are many amazing places to explore within the USA leaving you with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

Here we will cover some of our favorite must-see National Monuments. So, come along with us and get ready to experience the best of USA's National Monuments!

**Pro Tip:** Pick up an annual National Park Pass, called an America the Beautiful Pass. The annual pass costs just 80 dollars for the entire family traveling in one vehicle. It can be used at all the National parks and over 2,000 federal recreation sites throughout the United States for an entire year from the month the pass was originally purchased in.

The National Mall, home to many memorials and monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, is perfect for history buffs. The National Mall, located in Washington D.C., is one of the most famous landmarks in the United States.

The Mall is a stretch of land in downtown Washington, D.C. that comprises museums, the U.S. Capitol building and various other monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. It’s home to many memorials and monuments with free admission for all visitors who wish to learn about American history or visit the beautiful scenery on a sunny day.

Make sure to visit the National Mall during your time in Washington and check out some of our favorite monuments. The Lincoln Memorial is a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16th President of the United States.The monument was built in 1922 and features several sculptures of Lincoln himself as well as quotes from his speeches.

The Washington Monument is one of the most recognizable structures in the capital and features an observation deck at the top at 555 feet above street level. The monument is 554 feet tall, making it taller than its 555-foot height suggests. You can reach it by taking the elevator up or you can climb 984 steps all the way to the top!

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States, given in 1884. It's made from copper sheets and stands 46 meters high, including its base. The Statue was created by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was dedicated on October 28, 1886.

The statue has become a symbol of freedom and democracy around the world. For this reason, it was chosen as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

The original design of the statue includes several symbols: she holds an olive branch in her right hand to represent peace; her left hand is open to symbolize generosity; she wears sandals to show that the United States is a country without an established religion; a broken shackle lies at her feet, showing that the country is free from oppression; her crown bears seven rays representing the seven seas and seven continents. 

These days you can visit New York City’s harbor for free but you will have to pay for transportation. There are many options for getting there: by walking down some stairs from either Battery Park or Castle Clinton; via ferries, which depart from Battery Park or Liberty State Park in New Jersey; or even by helicopter!

The recommended time for visiting depends on the season: in winter, it’s best to go early morning when it isn’t too cold outside because when it gets crowded during spring or summer there aren’t enough benches to sit on and wait.

Muir Woods is a stunning nature spot that Hollywood film scouts love. In addition to its potential as a movie set, visitors can enjoy the beautiful views, cool climate, and well-maintained trails for hiking and biking.

Muir Woods showcases the immense beauty of California's famous redwoods, featuring one tree in particular at a height of 258 feet (79 meters). Only 12 miles north of San Francisco, this wooded area is perfect for west coast travelers looking for a nearby place to spend the day. Guided tours are available from the city center.

The National Park Service offers free tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM throughout the year with reservations required (they do allow walk-ins if space permits). If you want to explore on your own time, there is also an easy 1-mile loop trail that gives you access to all of the park's main sights.

Fort Sumter National Monument is a beautiful place where visitors can learn about America's history through demonstrations and informative guides about the Civil War era, while looking out over the vast Atlantic Ocean. 

Fort Sumter National Monument was made famous by its firing on Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861. Located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, this national monument has been visited by more than 3 million people since it opened in 1961. Visitors to the Fort Sumter National Monument can see exhibits that tell the story of America’s past through programs and exhibitions available for purchase.

There are daily cannon firings and concerts in the summer, as well as a full-size replica of a Civil War hospital tent with living history presentations from park rangers dressed in Civil War uniforms. The Fort Sumter National Monument also features an observation deck that provides views of the water, park grounds and cityscape below.

As one of Charleston’s most popular tourist destinations, this national monument is a must-visit stop when exploring historic Charleston — no matter your age or interest level.

Four of the most recognizable faces in American history are carved into Mount Rushmore: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Between 1927 and 1941, approximately 400 artists (led by sculptor Gutzon Borglum) created this piece of natural art that has become synonymous with the nation itself.

Mount Rushmore was originally known as Mount Washington, named after President George Washington. It is a granite mountain in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, which is a sacred place to the Lakota Sioux tribe. It was renamed after three presidents who had been involved in expanding the United States territory: George Washington (1732-1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) and Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).

The sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the sculpture with his son Lincoln. The men hired 400 workers to carve it into the rock during the years 1927 and 1941. The finished sculpture depicts four U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln and has been listed as a National Historic Landmark since 1963.

The 2,000 pound Liberty Bell hangs in Philadelphia's Independence Hall. This bell has become a world-renowned symbol of liberty in America over the last two centuries.

The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom in the United States and around the world. It was forged in 1752 and named the "State House Bell".

On July 4th of every year, Independence Day in America, the Liberty Bell rang at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is not known who gave the bell this famous name. One documented story says that Reverend John Witherspoon, President of Princeton University declared that he was: "Proud to have hung one thousand pounds on such a merry bell."

Independence Day takes place annually to celebrate America's independence from Great Britain following the Revolutionary War.The day has been celebrated as an American national holiday since 1941 when Congress passed legislation designating it as such. Delaware became the first state to ratify the Declaration of Independence on December 7th, 1787, followed closely by Pennsylvania two days later on December 9th. Rhode Island ratified it on May 29th, 1790, giving it enough support for ratification by all thirteen colonies.

The Liberty Bell first cracked in the early 1840s, after nearly 90 years of use. The city decided to repair the bell in 1846, before George Washington's birthday holiday. Metal workers widened the thin crack to prevent its further spread and restore the tone of the bell using a technique called "stop drilling". However, the repair was not successful.

The Public Ledger newspaper reported that the repair failed when another fissure developed. This second crack ran from the abbreviation for "Philadelphia" up through the word "Liberty", silencing the bell forever. No one living today has heard the bell ring freely with its clapper, but computer modeling provides some clues about its sound.

Canyon de Chelly is unique because it is the only National Park that is entirely owned and operated by the Navajo Nation instead of the National Park Service. Carved into the landscape of northeastern Arizona, the canyon stretches across roughly 84,000 acres and still acts as a home for roughly 40 families of the Navajo Nation. Home to Spider Rock, visitors can see stunning geologic scenes along both the southern and northern rims. The Navajo people, native to the area, refer to the canyon as Tségháhoodzán, which translates to “place of the rock-walled wells.”

Here you can experience a landscape with more than 3,000 natural sandstone arches and hundreds of dwellings built into the cliffs. The ancient homes carved out of rock were believed to be used for ceremonies and shelter from natural disasters.

The canyon contains 1,250 known archaeological sites that date back thousands of years, including ancient villages and petroglyphs that show evidence of human activity dating back as far as 11,000 years ago. While it is off-the-beaten-path for many tourists,

Canyon de Chelly is an enchanting destination boasting activities like hiking and horseback riding.You can also enjoy views from overlooks or hike a few miles down into the canyon itself. During your hike, you will see a variety of wildlife such as deer or even bighorn sheep in their natural habitat.

Not only that but you will have the chance to learn about local history at one of their several museums on site!

Canyon de Chelly was established in 1931 by President Herbert Hoover who originally named it Monument Valley Reservation before it was renamed in order to preserve its original name given by American Indians long before European settlers came around. In this way, Canyon de Chelly National Park preserves and honors culture through tourism and protects historical areas for generations to come!

Devil's Tower was the United States' first national monument, inaugurated in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Located in Crook County, Wyoming, this geological wonder is distinguished by its "cracked" outer surface and high peak that towers above the surrounding trees — making it one of the nation's most popular locations for rock climbing. To accommodate visitors, Devil's Tower National Monument has two campgrounds: Belle Fourche Campground and Monument Campground. Both campgrounds are open year-round and are first-come, first-served only, so reservations are not required.

Devil's Tower offers a variety of recreational activities to keep you occupied during your stay. You can take a scenic hike on one of the park trails or enjoy day hikes on some of the surrounding mountain ranges like Bear Lodge Mountains and Snowy Range Mountains.

Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, located just south of the Utah-Arizona border, is one of the most rustic and remote national monuments. 

For a true backcountry experience, neighboring Paria Canyon offers three to five-day camping trips.Vermillion Cliffs are one of the most rustic and remote national monuments.

There are no paved roads or visitor’s centers at the monument, however, the steep, twisted escarpments and colorful walls of swirling sandstone draw visitors from all over.Hawks, eagles, falcons, and even California condors can be spotted flying high above the escarpments, which are part of the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona. 

For a true backcountry experience, neighboring Paria Canyon offers three to five-day camping trips.Vermillion Cliffs National Monument was designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as a protected area for its unique ecology and natural beauty. 

The Vermillion Cliffs rise like staircases up to 2,500 feet above the desert floor. It is home to many different species of animals including mule deer and bighorn sheep.Native American petroglyphs can be seen carved into rocks along with many old mining campsites.

Visitors come here year-round to hike the trails that lead up to panoramic views or just drive along the many dirt roads that wind through scenic desert landscapes.