Top 10 Epic Destinations in the United States and Canada
Over the past twenty-five years, The Traveling American has visited over one hundred interesting sites in the United States and Canada. This article focuses on the best places we have visited which we call “epic destinations”. These destinations are not entire cities but are special places that are grand in scale and concept. They are distinctive and their histories often include an “epic” story. The task of naming these Top Ten epic destinations in the world was a difficult one. We evaluated an initial list of twenty-five notable destinations in the United States and Canada. We then selected ten as the most important and memorable for travelers.
Here are our rankings:
10. Number Ten - Gettysburg National Battlefield – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
No place in the United States captures the legacy of the American Civil War and embodies the ongoing American quest for equality as well as the National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The expansive national park consists of six thousand acres of rolling hills, farmland and more than 1300 monuments located all around the site. It is difficult for people today to conceive of the scope and impact of the battle which took place here. After General Robert E. Lee decided to invade the North in an effort to turn the tide of the war in favor of the South, an estimated 160,000 troops from the Union and Confederate armies converged on the town from all different directions in the summer heat on July 1, 1863. Three days later, after more than 50,000 soldiers were killed and wounded on both sides in fierce fighting, the Confederate army was forced to retreat to Virginia. The North regained the initiative and won the war 20 months later. It also led President Lincoln to visit the site in November 1863 and stir the nation with his Gettysburg Address. The quiet beauty and historical significance of this site make it worthy of inclusion on the Top Ten list.
The excellent facilities available in this small town of 8,000 residents include an impressive visitor center and museum, guided tours, both modern and historic lodging options, and nearby recreation and entertainment opportunities. The Museum and Visitor’s Center is a great place to get oriented and is worth exploring for 2 hours or more. There is an excellent 20-minute film entitled “A New Birth of Freedom” which explains the background of the encounter and its place in the Civil War. The museum also contains numerous exhibits showing the weapons, people, and stories of the battle.
One popular battlefield area to visit is the Round Tops and the Devil’s Den located south of town. The Round Top and Little Round Top secured the southern flank of the Union's position. From that position, Union troops from several states dodged sharpshooters firing up from the rocks of Devil's Den below and fought off numerous attacks. Another important area is a ridge to the west called Seminary Ridge where Confederate forces established a 5-mile-long line of cannons and troops. Throughout the battle, these soldiers ranged out across the grassland to attack Union troop positions to the east including the infamous Pickett's Charge where an estimated 12,000 infantry and cavalry charged across the grassland but were ultimately repulsed by Union forces. Finally, there are monuments both large and small throughout the National Park commemorating regiments from various states of the North and South, as well as statues of the leading generals who commanded troops there. For more than 150 years, Americans have visited the site seeking out information about long deceased relatives reported to have perished there.
9. Number Nine - Waikiki Beach – Honolulu, Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands attract 8 million visitors from around the world each year including some people seeking an exotic place to settle down and build a new life. Each of the islands of Hawaii reflects the tremendous diversity of the State. The environment includes everything from active volcanoes to rain forests to beautiful beaches and fertile farmlands. The culture reflects the practices and traditions of people with Hawaiian ancestry as well as influences from Chinese, Japanese, Pacific islanders and mainlanders who have immigrated there.
A stop in Honolulu and particularly Waikiki Beach is at the heart of the Hawaiian experience. There are few places in the world where you can simultaneously stay at a beachfront resort, walk a few blocks to modern stores, restaurants and conveniences, take in historical and cultural sites, participate in a variety of outdoor activities, and still get to the airport in less than an hour. The Waikiki Beach area was separated from the main city of Honolulu in the early 1900s and it consisted then of little more than a few guest houses. Much has changed as several traditional hotels such as the pink Royal Hawaiian Hotel and dozens of international hoteliers now offer close to 30,000 hotel rooms and many condo units to residents and tourists along the beach. Waikiki Beach is narrow, but the soft sand, warm water, gentle surf and gorgeous sunsets preserve the fabled ambience of the location. Crowded at times, one must keep an eye out when swimming at Waikiki Beach for catamarans and Hawaiian canoes going back and forth from the shore to the surf.
The view at Waikiki Beach includes the remnants of the Diamond Head volcano crater to the east which looms over the waterfront a few miles away. The visitors’ center in the middle of the crater can be reached by walking there or taking a local tourist bus. Along the way, many people stop to admire the statue of Duke Kukanamoku on the waterfront, a famous Hawaiian who publicized surfing throughout the Pacific and excelled at swimming. Once on top, you will be rewarded with some spectacular views of Waikiki Beach and the ocean.
8. Tie Number Eight – Fort Worth Stockyards – Fort Worth, Texas
The frontier area of Texas known as Fort Worth initially attracted a rough crowd of cowboys, outlaws, and former soldiers after the Civil War. However, Fort Worth also became a key juncture for transporting herds of longhorn cattle from South Texas to the railheads in central Kansas and later in Fort Worth itself. By the end of the 19th century, an estimated four million cattle had passed through Fort Worth trailed by drovers and ranchers. Meanwhile, Fort Worth convinced the prominent Swift and Armour beef companies to build meat packing plants and offices adjacent to the stockyards and the slaughterhouses in the town during the early 1900s. A Livestock Exchange Building where cattle were traded and the Cowtown Coliseum where cattle were displayed and rodeos were held soon followed.
The stockyards processed large numbers of cattle, sheep and hogs for the next 70 years. Finally, the interstate highway system and modern trucking decentralized the industry, and the herds were sold off. Fort Worth made a bold decision to preserve the cobblestone streets, livestock pens, and major buildings by obtaining designation of ninety-eight acres of land and buildings as the Stockyards National Historic District in 1976 and opening the area to development. Since then, the district has evolved into a unique Americana tourist attraction. It blends the cowboy culture, Fort Worth history and entertainment into an experience which attracts ten million visitors per year. There are seventeen attractions, fourteen restaurants, thirteen bars, and thirty-five shops at the Stockyards along with five nearby hotels.
One of the most unique attractions at the Stockyards is the Cattle Drive. Everything stops twice a day for an authentic cattle drive down the center of the main street known as Exchange Avenue. Several dozen Texas longhorns are escorted by cowboys on horses from the pasture to the cattle pens while visitors line the “parade” route. The spectacle of these majestic brown and white beasts passing by transfixes the crowd. There are also a variety of western experiences available for all ages such as group trail rides, or less stressful rides on a stagecoach, a horse drawn wagon, and a mini train.
Entertainment is also a big part of the Stockyards' attractiveness. Shows include staged encounters by the Legends of Texas group who reenact famous gunfights dressed as lawmen or outlaws twice a day on the weekends, a rodeo held every Friday and Saturday night with traditional displays like bull riding, cattle roping and bronc riding, and a Wild West Show on Saturday afternoons. The outdoor rodeo stage at the Cowtown Coliseum presents frequent live music acts with southern rock, music, and Texas country music. There is no shortage of food and drink establishments at the Stockyards. These range from restaurants and snack shops to popular honky tonks such as Billy Bob’s Texas which has the capacity for six thousand people to drink, dance to live bands, watch live bull rides or just hang out. In addition to souvenir shops, western boots, hats, clothes, belts, and other cowboy accessories are on display at retail stores scattered around the Stockyard.
8. Tie-Number Eight – Alamo – San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is America's seventh largest city with two million diverse people. History is never far from view in San Antonio as the legacy of the Alamo and the Texas War of Independence fill the air. In 1835, after more than three hundred years of Spanish colonial rule and later domination by the Mexican government of President Santa Anna, longtime Tejanos residents and pioneer residents rebelled. They were seeking local control of the sparsely populated region. Labeled as traitors and pirates by the authorities, a Mexican army of several thousand men accompanied by cavalry and cannons converged on San Antonio where a large group of resistors gathered at the Alamo military fort and church.
This motley crew included local farmers, supporters from all over the U.S. and well-known frontiersmen like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. After several days of bombardment, General Jose de Urrea’s troops broke through the northern walls of the compound, killed most of the 200 defenders through fierce fighting, and executed the rest. The Mexicans then destroyed the interior structures of the fort and moved on. While ostensibly a tactical victory, the massacre at the Alamo inspired Texans and their sympathizers in the U.S. to rally their forces. Under the leadership of Sam Houston, the Texans routed a large portion of the Mexican army at San Jacinto, captured Santa Anna, and then negotiated a disputed treaty acknowledging Texas’ self-rule in 1836. Texas later became the twenty-eighth state in 1845 when it was annexed by the United States which led to the Mexican War.
Today, a large portion of the walled compound has been preserved as a living museum open to the public free of charge. In addition to the iconic façade of the Alamo church, visitors can see relics and learn the details of battle in the museum. Walking through the gardens and watching reenactments of elements of the battle provides a memorable experience for adults and older children. The Alamo is not the only historic site in town. Spanish colonial architecture can be viewed at several Spanish missions found in the area, and at other landmarks such as the Governor's Palace and the San Fernando Cathedral.
7. Number Seven – Statue of Liberty – New York, New York
The Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York City has been a symbol of American liberty and freedom ever since it was opened to the public by President Grover Cleveland in 1886. It has been viewed by tens of millions of people over the years. Some were commuters riding back and forth to New York City on ferries from Staten Island or Jersey City. Others were the more than four million people who tour Bedloe Island annually to marvel at the 30,000 ton copper statue with a distinctive green color that rises a total of 305 feet above the land. But numerous American families also have ancestors from around the world who remember seeing it as immigrants arriving on ships in New York Harbor or while being processed at the nearby Ellis Island immigration center.
The statue, gifted to the United States by people of France in honor of the countries’ alliance during the American Revolution, was conceived and designed by French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi in 1871. After working to raise funds for the project for more than a decade, it was constructed in France using 350 separate pieces of copper, transported to the United States, and assembled there on a cement pedestal using a central steel pylon. The statue depicts Lady Liberty in a Roman toga holding a torch in one hand with a flame made of gold leaf and a book in the other. The flame represents the light of freedom, the tablet is engraved with the date of July 4, 1776, in honor of the Declaration of Independence, and the toga symbolizes the experimental democracy of the Roman Republic. The words “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” are engraved on the base.
Visiting the Statue is an inspiring experience particularly since the entire complex and the statue was restored at a cost of $100 million in 1986. While access to the arm and torch of the statue has been prohibited for over one hundred years, energetic guests can climb 354 steps to the crown with special tickets reserved in advance and then enjoy a spectacular view of the harbor and the statue below. Anyone visiting New York City should consider a stop at the statue or taking a one-hour round trip to view it twice on the Staten Island Ferry.
6. Number Six – Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona
The Grand Canyon is not the largest gorge in the world. However, its natural beauty and ancient geologic formations have awed scientists and visitors for over 150 years. The Grand Canyon was first publicized by John Wesley Powell, a Civil War Major and professor of natural history, who explored the canyon and traversed the rapids of the Colorado River with a small team of adventurers in 1869. Powell’s expedition was preceded by Spanish explorer Lopez de Cardenas who viewed the canyon from the south rim in 1540 while searching for gold, and by the numerous Hopi and Navajo natives who inhabited the region. By the early 20th century, Grand Canyon Village on the south rim emerged as the prime destination for tourists who came to see the sights. They usually arrived on a train that ran from Williams, Arizona to the Village and stayed at local lodges and inns including the majestic El Tovar Hotel.
More than four million people visit the Grand Canyon National Park every year to gaze at portions of the 217-mile-long gorge that is almost a mile deep and four to eighteen miles wide. The canyon was eroded over millions of years by the activities of the Colorado River, wind, rain, and the freezing and melting of ice. The steep slopes of the canyon walls contain beautiful rock formations made of sandstone, limestone, and shale, which exhibit sediment from geologic eras dating back two billion years. The colors of the canyon are resplendent throughout the day.
Over ninety percent of the people coming to the canyon still visit the south rim since it is open year-round and features many of the popular canyon viewpoints and activities. The best place to start is to take the South Entrance Road to the Grand Canyon Visitors Center and Theater. The Visitors Center provides comprehensive orientation information and is a short walk from the canyon overlooks at Mather Point and Yavapai Point. Since private vehicles are not allowed to drive along the south rim during warm weather months, the National Park Shuttles are the best way to see most of the sites. The Hermit Road Blue Route Shuttle stops at the Visitor’s Center and continues west along the rim making several stops at the historic buildings, shops, and hotels in Grand Canyon Village. From the Village, visitors can take the Red Route Shuttle along the rim for seven miles and enjoy excellent views of the canyon. It also stops at numerous viewpoints along the south rim including Maricopa Point, the Trailview Overlook, and Hopi Point.
Some people prefer to visit the less active north rim of the canyon which has a cooler and damper climate along with more foliage and more diverse animal life. This area is regarded as a peaceful place to hike and recreate, and offers a visitors center and a ranch lodge on the canyon floor. Another unique way to see the canyon is to visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk located closer to Las Vegas several hours away on reservation land of the Hualapai Indian Tribe at Grand Canyon West. At the skywalk, visitors can walk out over the rim of the canyon as if floating on air on a horseshoe shaped glass walkway built for $30 million in 2007.
For more adventurous travelers, there is a two-hour mule ride available from the south rim that goes down into the canyon and a full day hike on the Bright Angel Trail that descends along the narrow trails more than 4000 feet and then returns. Another popular activity is to take an overnight raft trip through the canyon floor on the Colorado River. Perhaps more than any other National Park, the Grand Canyon prohibits the deposit of any trash and works to prevent any ecological interference with the canyon.
5. Number Five - Kennedy Space Center- Cape Canaveral, Florida
Florida has many exciting attractions and beaches for families to enjoy. One of the most interesting and important ones is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex housed on a large island in Titusville. The space center is a working space flight facility with tours and exhibitions that link NASA’s historic accomplishments in space with its plans for future missions to the moon and Mars, along with privately sponsored space operations. A visit to the Kennedy Space Center begins with the modern visitors’ center and museum. The museum is organized into chronological mission zones. The first exhibitions are about the early jet pilots, unmanned rockets and astronauts that led America into space. The movies, rocket models and capsules on display there do an excellent job of conveying the broader context of the space race that took place between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the quest for technological and military superiority represented by that contest. In addition to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsules on display, there is a full-size Saturn V moon rocket hanging from the roof. Movies of the successful moon missions and early Mars landings that followed further show the sense of wonderment that prior generations had about space exploration.
Another part of the complex focuses on the 135 missions of the space shuttles over 30 years which carried eight astronauts and scientific payloads like the Hubble telescope up to the International Space Station and other space locations. The tragedies of the Challenger and Columbia missions are also tastefully memorialized. There is a special hall in which the entire Space Shuttle Atlantis is on display, along with a cockpit where you can steer and command the shuttle. While the shuttle program has now ended, the role played by these ships in keeping NASA’s missions alive was critical to future space exploration.
The outdoor portion of the visit includes a bus ride throughout the marshland and roads of the Space Center where you see some of the huge launch towers that were used for the moon and space shuttle missions. There is also an explanation and display of how NASA can move huge rockets and their payloads weighing as much as 12 million pounds from assembly hangers to the towers using a 131-foot-wide crawler platform and a special track. One notable change that has taken place at the Space Center is that the commercial company SpaceX leases a tower and control room from the government from which SpaceX personnel have launched rockets and payloads into space. SpaceX has also successfully deployed the first reusable rocket that has been launched, recovered by a barge, and then used again. Other companies also have facilities at the Space Center. These private companies are competing to build the spacecraft and rockets for the future moon and Mars missions. Once you have seen these reminders of past glories, viewed some exhibits about the plans for a manned mission to Mars, and driven the Space Shuttle, the new hall dedicated to Heroes and Legends of space is a good place to end your visit.
Photo by Kolala Sridhar
4. Tie – Number Four - Yosemite National Park – Yosemite Valley, California
During 2019, America's national parks attracted 327 million recreational visits by people from around the world seeking to experience the natural beauty and majesty of these locations. One of the most popular parks is the Yosemite National Park located near the eastern border of central California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This World Heritage Site which is the size of the State of Rhode Island is known for its mountains, alpine wilderness, tall sequoia trees and spectacular waterfalls.
Very few people other than local Native Americans knew of the existence of Yosemite prior to the California gold rush and the influx of settlers to the region in the 1850s. Over the next fifty years, prominent people took steps to set aside the land for public use and protect its natural resources. But it was not until Theodore Roosevelt became President and visited the park with renowned naturalist Walter Muir, that the decisive step of transferring the key parcels in Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the federal government was completed.
There are dozens of beautiful places to visit in Yosemite. The Yosemite Falls is one special site to see in the spring and early summer when a torrent of water emerges from the top of the cliff and plunges down the granite wall in two separate sections before crashing on the rocks at the base. The two Yosemite Falls drop 2,424 feet making it the highest waterfall in North America and the fifth highest in the world. Another impressive feature of Yosemite is the 8800-foot-tall Half Dome granite plutonic rock formation that towers over the valley. While looking like a flat wall from some vantage points like Mirror Lake, its dome-like shape is more apparent from other places like Glacier Point. This formation was created when the glaciers receded, and a large part of the mountain fell away. When it comes to impressive mountains, El Capitan’s sheer rock face that rises 3593 feet above the west side of Yosemite Valley is always high on the list. For over 125 years, climbers have coveted reaching the summit by various methods. George Anderson, one of the valley’s early settlers drilled holes for spikes and was the first climber in the late 1800s. He later ran a tour business taking people to the top.
Great natural beauty is all around you at Yosemite. Mirror Lake is a seasonal lake that often dries up into a meadow during the summer. It is known for its beautiful setting and reflections of Half Dome and Tenaha Canyon in the water. It is a popular spot for visitors to take photographs and for families to go swimming. Thirty-six miles away from Yosemite Valley at the south entrance of the National Park is the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias trees. A seasonal shuttle service provides an excellent way to see the forest and learn about the natural history of these ancient trees including the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest giant sequoias in the world.
There are many other activities and experiences for visitors to enjoy at Yosemite besides looking at these natural wonders. Hiking and backpacking, camping, swimming, river rafting, biking, bird watching, and nature photography are popular during warmer months, while mountain and cross-country skiing attract visitors in winter.
4. Tie – Number Four – Banff National Park and Lake Louise – Banff, Canada
There are four national parks and three provincial parks in the interior of the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. This large wilderness area is almost 10.000 square miles in size. It contains the beautiful snow capped peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, glaciers, hot springs, forests, turquoise lakes, miles of hiking trails, campsites, abundant wildlife, and world class ski resorts. The Banff National Park was the nation’s first national park and it remains the one most people have heard of. Consequently, for over 125 years, dignitaries, celebrities, and millions of visitors have flocked to the Town of Banff and Lake Louise to take in the natural wonders of this World Heritage Site. In recent years, the area has become increasingly accessible to visitors traveling along the Trans-Canada Highway, the Canadian Pacific Railroad, and flying into the international airport in Alberta.
Most people visiting the site spend time walking around the quaint town of Banff which serves as the center point for shopping, eating, and planning excursions around the area. One must see destination is Lake Louise where there are amazing views of the lake and the surrounding mountains, glacier, and forests. Popular activities there include hiking the numerous mountain trails or gliding across the lake on paddle boats or canoes. Another enjoyable activity is the Icefields Parkway which is considered one of the most picturesque highways in North America. Traveling along this route by yourself or with a driver from Lake Louise to Jasper provides not only views of the mountains and wildlife but also views and direct access to some of the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield. Alternatively, you can rise above the landscape during the summer by taking the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola to the top of the mountain to view the scenery around Banff or have a meal. With two premier resorts in the area including the castle like Banff Springs Hotel and the Fairmont Chateau Hotel on Lake Louise, there are unlimited activities available in the area whether you prefer skiing or golfing, horseback riding or dog sledding, or a spa day. While there are concerns that the region’s ecosystem could be compromised by overdevelopment, for now the pristine nature and beauty of the area has remained intact.
3. Number Three – Niagara Falls - Ontario, Canada and Niagara Falls, New York
There are three great waterfalls in the world and all three of them straddle the borders of two countries. Africa’s Victoria Falls has dramatic locations to see in both Zambia and Zimbabwe and South America’s Iguazu Falls can be viewed from both Argentina and Brazil. The third one, Niagara Falls, is on the border between Canada and the United States. It can be visited much easier than the other two by driving about twenty miles from downtown Buffalo in New York or driving about fifty miles south of Toronto in Ontario. The Niagara River connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and at Niagara Falls it separates into three different falls which plunge approximately two hundred feet into a rocky gorge. The falls create a roar that can be heard for miles, torrents of water, and a beautiful mist. A popular honeymoon site for generations, Niagara Falls is a destination that both teenagers and children can enjoy too.
There are three different ways to see the falls and experience its power up close. First, some people enjoy looking down on the falls from above by visiting the observation towers which offer a panoramic view of the entire area. On the American side, the Niagara State Park is readily accessible and features a 240-foot-tall Observation Tower. After an elevator ride to the top of the tower, visitors can look out on all three falls and see an interesting mix of bird species including some bald eagles, falcons and gulls. On the Canadian side, the mammoth 775-foot-high Skylon Tower has been attracting thousands of visitors each year since 1965. A ride on a glass enclosed elevator rushes patrons up to several observation decks which offer views of the Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, the Niagara River and sometimes the distant cities of Buffalo and Toronto. The Skylon Tower also has a revolving dining room at the top with a fine dining menu, and a family buffet and entertainment center at the base with a 3D movie theater, arcade, and gift shop. The towers are also popular at night when the falls are sometimes lit up with colored spotlights or fireworks shows.
A second way to experience the falls is to visit one of the many observation spots around the falls where the sound, spray, and mist of the falls are upfront and personal. On the American side, visitors can get a close look by stopping at the Terrapin Point viewing area on Goat Island or by enjoying a boat ride to the base of the falls with raincoats and hats on the iconic Maid of the Mist vessel or a jet boat tour. Another way to visit the base of the falls on the American side is to take a ride down on the Cave of the Winds elevator. By crossing over the Rainbow Bridge to the Canadian side, visitors can also access several g points of observation at the Table Rock Welcome Centre or by traveling to the base of the Horseshoe Falls on the Hornblower Cruise vessel or a jet boat tour. Perhaps the most dramatic way to experience the falls up close is to sign up for the Journey Behind the Falls excursion. This tour guides visitors down some stairs and through one hundred-year-old tunnels to rocky caves behind the falls. From there, tour guests visit a protected ledge next to the falls to see 3160 tons of water per second crash down.
For a real adventure, the falls has installed a zipline that runs across the Niagara River Gorge and a portion of the falls. After receiving instruction and their equipment, riders leave the launch deck for a 2200-foot ride at high speed and receive photos of their experience. In addition to this virtual flight over the falls, helicopter rides take passengers across and around the falls. Although some daredevils have attempted to experience the falls by riding over them in barrels or crossing them on high wires, such dangerous activities are now illegal.
2. Number Two– National Monuments – Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. has not only become one of the world's most important cities, but also a showplace for architecture and a historic place that brings to life the words and deeds of America's greatest leaders and patriots. There are dozens of sites in the city that could be considered landmarks, historic places, or great museums. The best way to see many of the important ones is to visit the areas along the National Mall or near the Tidal Basin where numerous monuments administered by the National Park Service are open to the public for free. Here are eight of the monuments in those areas which capture the American experience quite well:
Lincoln Memorial - The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most visited places in the National Park System attracting approximately 7 million people annually. Most visitors climb the marble steps and platforms on the east side of the building. Inside is a seated statue of a solemn Abraham Lincoln which looks out across the one third mile long reflecting pool. The statue is surrounded by walls carved with some of Lincoln's most famous remarks to the nation including portions of the Gettysburg Address. The grand building has served as the location for important speeches and rallies over the past hundred years.
Memorial to the Signers of the Declaration of Independence - This memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration is one of the least known landmarks in Washington, D.C. Located on a small island reached by a footbridge in the Constitution Gardens, it consists of a semicircular stone platform facing the water with the engraved names and backgrounds of the 56 heroic people who risked everything to sign the Declaration of Independence at the Continental Congress held in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.
World War II Memorial - Since its completion in 2004, the World War II Memorial located on seven acres of land at the east end of the reflecting pool has become a popular place for the families and friends of the "Greatest Generation". It commemorates the more than 400,000 Americans who died on battlefields around the world in winning that war. The center of the monument is a large pool and fountains but many people are drawn to the 43 foot high arches and entrances at each end of the pool called The Atlantic and The Pacific.
Jefferson Memorial - The inspiring words of Thomas Jefferson about the democratic rights of citizens to participate in self-government have influenced many nations and revolutionaries ever since he drafted most of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Centuries later those words, and a majestic 19 foot high bronze standing statue of Jefferson, lie at the center of the famous Jefferson Memorial finished in 1943 on the banks of the Tidal Basin that abuts the Potomac River. With an attractive domed roof and supporting columns, the Memorial and the cherry blossoms nearby are considered a popular place in the city to relax and take pictures.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial recognizes the American soldiers who fought in this long war in Southeast Asia. Completed in 1984, the memorial includes a 250 foot long, black granite, angled wall engraved with the full names of the 58,267 service people that died as a result of the conflict. It also features a recessed walkway and a bronze statue of three "Faces of Honor' representing servicemen in the field. While initially controversial, the memorial is now beloved by millions of people for the way in which it personalized the lives and deaths of those soldiers.
Ulysses S. Grant Memorial - Several miles to the east of the Lincoln Memorial at the base of Capitol Hill lies an impressive memorial to Civil War General and former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. This 100 year old memorial was erected on a 71 foot long terrace that includes a bronze statue of Grant mounted on his horse at the top of a high platform with the capitol dome visible behind him. He is shown at war with a cast bronze statue of Union artillery soldiers on one side and a statue of a Union cavalry group on the other. Grant faced an incredibly difficult task serving as President for eight years, after the Civil War and recent appraisals of his leadership have shown greater appreciation for his many important accomplishments.
Washington Monument – The sheer size of the Washington Monument makes it the grandest of all of the city's landmarks. Visible from every direction, the obelisk rises 555 feet above the middle of the National Mall and is the tallest stone structure in the world. There is no indication that George Washington ever wanted to be remembered with an Egyptian style obelisk. Nevertheless, architect Robert Mills designed one to honor his legacy as the first President and Commander of the Continental army. The monument was finally completed in 1888 and there are spectacular views from the observation area at the top.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial - Not long after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., an effort began to erect a monument in Washington honoring his legacy of advocating for human rights, justice, and freedom. In 2011, a memorial was erected along the western bank of the Tidal Basin close to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. The most dramatic feature of the memorial is a 30 foot carved statue of Dr. King with his arms crossed and a speech in his hands emerging from a huge stone which represents a "Stone of Hope" for future generations. Another portion of the memorial is a 450 foot long wall with selected quotes from his speeches and writings.
1. Number One - Disney World- Orlando, Florida
Disney World in Orlando is the world’s largest theme park which attracts over 53 million visitors annually. Equally important, it provided the foundation for transforming the city of Orlando which had 300,000 residents and was surrounded by lakes and citrus groves in 1970 into an entertainment and technology center with two million residents fifty years later. The Disney World complex now includes four separate parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Studios, and EPCOT. It also features a transportation system with a monorail, boats, buses and aerial tramway to circulate guests between the themes parks, water attractions, shopping venues, sports facilities and more than 30,000 hotel rooms on site.
The most popular park at Disney World is the original one, Magic Kingdom, which opened in 1971. It features close to a hundred separate rides, shows and attractions. Most importantly, this park includes attractions covering just about all of the traditional Disney characters which generations of North Americans have grown up with - starting with Mickey Mouse and continuing with everyone from Snow White to Buzz Lightyear to Jack Spratt. The Magic Kingdom has six entertainment areas centered on the huge Cinderella’s Castle which Walt Disney built to resemble the fairy tale castles he saw on a trip to Europe. These include Adventureland with rides like the Jungle Cruise, Frontierland with rides like Splash Mountain, Fantasyland with the classic “It’s A Small World” boat ride, TomorrowLand with the Space Mountain roller coaster, Liberty Square with the Haunted Mansion, and Main Street USA with shops, eateries and plenty of souvenirs.
In contrast to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT was originally designed to be a complete community with residents, businesses, and entertainment called the Environmentally Planned Community of Tomorrow. This plan was later converted into a more conventional series of attractions designed for both adults and kids. Opened in 1982, EPCOT featured large rides based on various technologies such as transportation (“Test Track”), space (“Mission to Mars”), energy (“Ellen’s Energy Adventure”), agriculture (“Living with the Land”) and communication (“Spaceship Earth”), coupled with venues for kids to enjoy such as the humorous “Figment of Imagination” ride and “Frozen Ever After”. EPCOT also functions as a permanent world’s fair with 11 pavilions from diverse nations offering food, stores, cultural shows, and other entertainment. Some of EPCOT’s attractions have been redesigned since 2021 or replaced by more youth-oriented rides. Nevertheless, the spacious layout of EPCOT’s grounds and the broader themes of its attractions make it a unique theme park in the Disney family. While Disney has other theme parks in California, France, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, none of those destinations have a park or attractions similar to those found at EPCOT.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened in 1989. It debuted with many attractions presenting vestiges of the glory days of Hollywood studios. The “Great Movie Ride” took guests on moving cinema seats through displays of legendary movies and stars while other attractions demonstrated how stuntmen work, animators and cartoonists bring characters to life, and disasters are filmed. There were also live shows with favorite characters like the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, and thrill rides like the Tower of Terror and the Rock and Roller Coaster. In recent years, Hollywood Studios has opened several large attractions dedicated to its Star Wars and Toy Story movie franchises which both draw long lines of devoted fans.
Animal Kingdom is the newest theme park at Disney World. Opened in 1998, Animal Kingdom features hundreds of animals scattered around the park. Some “animals” are automated such as the beasts in Dinoland, but many others such including the Big Five can only be observed by touring the woods in safari trucks or viewing them in enclosed habitats. Disney has also integrated many of its animal and environmental themed movies such as Tarzan, Lion King, and Avatar into attractions there. Two other worlds at Animal Kingdom seek to replicate the exotic decor and animals of Asian and African locales for guests.
As the world’s largest global entertainment company with product dominance in many different fields, it is likely that visitors will continue to flock to Disney’s theme parks at Disney World.