9 Places Every American Should See

Rocky Mountains

Regardless of where you go in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, you are surrounded by beauty. The air is crisp and clean, evergreen trees stretch toward the sky, and wildlife abounds. Considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, the Rocky Mountains are an experience that every American should enjoy. 

Ellis Island

As the entry point for immigrants coming into the United States, this location has changed so many lives. Experts believe that approximately 40% of everyone in America was a descendent of an immigrant that walked through the very gates of Ellis Island. 

Hawaii

Numerous things make Hawaii an interesting and unique place to visit. For one thing, each island has its own flavor. While the people from one island to the next are warm and inviting and the scenery breathtakingly beautiful, the islands themselves offer sub-cultures. For instance, the big island of Oahu is more commercial, a place with shops, restaurants, events, Kawai is more of a free spirit island, a place where laid back people prefer to go, and then there is Maui, the affluent island or playground to the rich and famous.  

 

Pearl Harbor

While visiting Hawaii, one specific destination that should never be missed is the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese conducted a surprise attack on Hawaii, killing many people and doing significant damage. One ship in particular that sank was the USS Arizona and today, it sits just six feet below the surface of the water. The memorial is beautiful, creating an opportunity to walk over the battleship, seeing her resting in her final location.

 

Redwood National Park

While the United States has many amazing national parks and forests, the Redwood National Park in California is worth seeing. Redwood trees are the largest known species and the experience of standing next to a tree that stretches upwards some 300 feet is something never to forget. Some of the trees in the Redwood National Park are over 1,000 years old.  

 

Carlsbad Caverns

These caverns are located in New Mexico and are absolutely stunning. They are actually a group of 100 independent limestone caves and you can hike into many of them or if you prefer, take a guided tour. One of the primary attractions of Carlsbad Caverns is the Lechuguilla Cave, known to be the second largest cave in the world, falling behind Sarawak Chamber in Malaysia. Measuring almost 4,000 feet long, 625 feet wide, and 350 feet high, this cave is breathtaking.

Jerome, Arizona

Jerome is an old ghost town where people still live and work today. Located about an hour and a half from Phoenix and one hour from Sedona on a hillside above Cottonwood, Jerome is a fascinating place to visit and one with a haunting history. Today, some of the original businesses still exist and you can mine for real gold, walk through museums and old buildings, and talk to older locals that are happy to share stories about the old eerie hospital.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

With open, rolling fields dotted with wild antelope, Cheyenne is truly a piece of the old west. The countryside is beautiful, and for things to do Cheyenne has one of the best western museums in America called Old Western Museum, lots of rodeos, and the annual Western Spirit Art Show. If you want to take a drive to Cody, you could stop by the Green Gables Restaurant and enjoy the best and largest chicken fried steak in the country. This steak is so huge that it hangs over a 10-inch dinner plate by inches. 

Parkville, Missouri

This quiet town of approximately 2,500 was originally developed in 1865 by Colonial Park. To build the town, Park offered to provide students free tuition to the college he wanted to build in exchange for labor. Today, this charming town proudly boasts the large steeple from that same college, underground caves, a massive park, and a train that goes through downtown. The locals have a small town attitude of being friendly and always willing to lend a hand. Parkville is green and lush, with the perfect backdrop of the Missouri River that sits parallel to the town.