10 Iconic Landmarks in the US

These were the words of Teddy Roosevelt when speaking about the Grand Canyon. Nestled in Arizona, the Grand Canyon stretches across 277 miles and was carved out by the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon is spilt into 2 regions, the North and South rim, which includes the skywalk.

The Grand Canyon is on the homeland of at least 12 Native American tribes and sees over 6 million visitors a year. The Grand Canyon is a national park and offers lodging and campsites inside the park for visitors to take advantage of. There are shuttles to take you through the park. They do run a seasonal schedule so be sure to check their website for the most up-to-date opening hours and times.

Lady Liberty was a gift given to the United States by France in 1886 to signify and celebrate their friendship during the American Revolution. How did they ship a statue, you might ask. It was broken down into 350 pieces and then packed into 214 crates.

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, a short ferry ride from Ellis Island. It is recommended to purchase tickets online ahead of time to avoid long wait times at the ticket office. Statue of Liberty tickets also now include admission to the historic Ellis Island immigration centre.

The infamous Hollywood sign has been featured in countless shows, films, and other media for years. If you find yourself in Los Angeles, definitely make time to stop by the legendary Hollywood sign to see it in person.

There are 3 different hiking trails to get to the sign, from easy to more difficult trails. The Mt. Hollywood Trail would be perfect for beginners and takes around 2 and a half hours, while the Cahuenga Peak Trail is for more adventurous travellers and will take just under 2 hours. You can also view the sign from the DASH Observatory bus that runs every 20 minutes, 7 days a week.

No passport is needed to view this side of Niagara Falls located in Buffalo, New York. The Niagara Falls state park is the oldest state park in the United States, established in 1885. Niagara Falls State Park is over 400 acres long and nearly 140 of those acres are underwater.

There is no shortage of attractions and tours here. In addition to the many hiking trails available throughout the park, there is a firework and light show, a cave tour, and—most popular of all—the Maid of the Mist tour. The Maid of the Mist boat tour will take you up close and personal with the falls. Be sure to wear your rain gear, there’s a good chance you’ll get wet along the way.

The Lincoln Memorial honours President Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16th president and abolished slavery in the United States in 1863. The statue itself was carved by the Piccirilli brothers and took 4 years to complete.

The memorial stands 99 feet tall, 190 feet long, and 120 feet wide. Inscribed on the memorial are quotations from Lincoln’s second Inaugural Address and the Gettysburg Address. There are also 12-foot-tall painted murals of notable events in Lincoln’s life. Tours and events are regularly scheduled, so be sure to check the website to see what’s coming up.

They say that it was 50 million years of wind and water eroding the land that created the Monument Valley. The valley stretches 17 miles and includes sandstones that are up to 1,000 feet tall.

Monument Valley is also a Navajo Tribal Park and you have the opportunity to purchase handcrafted jewellery and other specially made items made by locals to remember your trip by. During the warmer months, there is a guided tour by jeep that will take you through the valley. It’s recommended that travellers are prepared for any inclement weather and longer wait times during peak season which is from March to August.

EPCOT is 1 of 4 major parks at Walt Disney World in Florida. EPCOT is all about celebrating cultures from across the globe. From their International Flower & Garden Festival to their concert series, EPCOT shines a light on countries all around the world.

Take a ride to outer space on the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. Check out Nemo and his friends at the aquarium. You’ll certainly work up an appetite walking around EPCOT, luckily there are outdoor kitchens specialising in different bites with French, Italian, and Asian influences.

In 1933 architects started construction on the Golden Gate bridge and 4 years later it was completed. The bridge was originally called Chrysopylae, or Golden Gate in Greek, and cost $35 million to construct.

The bridge spans 2 miles and is over 700 feet tall. Each year the Golden Gate bridge sees more than 10 million visitors. There are 5 different on-site exhibits for visitors to explore that showcase the bridge’s history, science, and engineering. There is also a welcome centre to help you get started.

In the heart of city centre Chicago is Millennium Park and nestled in this park is Cloud Gate. This sculpture was completed by British artist Anish Kapoor and is his first outdoor piece of work to be displayed in the United States. It is also one of the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installations.

The sculpture weighs 110 tonnes and is made of stainless steel plates. Visitors can see the lovely Chicago skyline in the reflection. Perhaps even cooler is the twelve-foot arch underneath where visitors can stand and see their reflections.

Mount Rushmore is another landmark in the United States to have been featured in countless films and shows. The faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, some of the most influential men that built this country’s history, stare down from the rock face.

Many visitors come to simply take in the site. However, there are other activities to do here. You can hike the Presidential Trail that hikers can travel to get different views of Mount Rushmore or visit the Sculptor’s Studio to learn all about the process of carving this enormous sculpture.