National Memorials & Monuments: Road Trip Through American History (and Scenery!)

By Posted on

National Memorials & Monuments: Road Trip Through American History (and Scenery!)

National Memorials & Monuments: Road Trip Through American History (and Scenery!)

Okay, picture this: you’re cruising down the open road, windows down, tunes blasting. You want to see something cool, something that screams "America!" Well, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the world of National Memorials and Monuments. These aren’t just dusty old statues; they’re places where history comes alive, where you can connect with the stories that shaped this country.

What’s the Deal with Memorials?

Think of National Memorials as official shout-outs to important people or events. They’re like the ultimate "We’ll never forget!" kind of places. Right now, the National Park Service (NPS) is the proud owner and caretaker of 31 official memorials. They also lend a hand to five other spots run by different groups.

And get this: Congress has also given the "National Memorial" title to 22 more independently run sites. So, there are tons of places to explore!

Now, here’s a quirky thing: Memorials don’t always have to be exactly where the thing they’re remembering happened. Take the Lincoln Memorial, for example. It’s a stunning tribute to Honest Abe, but it’s not like he was born or died there. And you might notice some memorials don’t even have the word "national" in their names. Go figure!

Sometimes, things get a little mixed up between memorials, monuments, and historic sites. They all kind of overlap, and it’s not always clear-cut why a place got labeled one thing versus another. But hey, that just adds to the fun, right?

Monuments: Nature’s (and History’s) Jaw-Droppers

National Monuments are where things get really interesting. These are protected areas that show off amazing natural landscapes, important historical spots, Native American sites, and all sorts of other cool stuff.

A lot of times, they’re smaller than National Parks, and they might not have as many different things to see and do. But what they do have is usually pretty spectacular.

Here’s a key difference: Unlike National Parks, a president can declare a place a National Monument all by themselves, without needing Congress to sign off. Talk about power! Theodore Roosevelt was the first to do this, way back in 1906, when he made Devils Tower in Wyoming a National Monument.

Today, the U.S. has a whopping 133 National Monuments. While the NPS looks after a bunch of them, others are managed by different government agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ready to Hit the Road?

Okay, enough with the background info. Let’s get to the good stuff: where to go! Here’s a massive list of National Memorials and Monuments to get you started on your adventure:

  • African Burial Ground National Monument, NY: A powerful and important place of remembrance.

  • Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, NE: Travel back in time and check out some seriously cool fossils.

  • Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, TX: Learn about ancient tools and the people who made them.

  • Aniakchak National Monument, AK: Volcanic landscapes and rugged wilderness – Alaska at its finest!

  • Arkansas Post National Memorial, AR: Explore the history of early European settlement in the Mississippi Valley.

  • Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial, VA: A controversial but historically significant site with incredible views.

  • Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM: Ancient Puebloan ruins that will make you wonder about the past.

  • Bandelier National Monument, NM: Cliff dwellings and hiking trails galore!

  • Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, DC: Celebrate the fight for women’s rights.

  • Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, AL: A crucial site for understanding the Civil Rights Movement.

  • Booker T. Washington National Monument, VA: The birthplace of a true American hero.

  • Buck Island Reef National Monument, VI: Snorkel or dive in crystal-clear waters and explore a vibrant coral reef.

  • Cabrillo National Monument, CA: Amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego skyline.

  • Camp Nelson National Monument, KY: An important site related to the Civil War and African American history.

  • Canyon de Chelly National Monument, AZ: Stunning canyon views and a deep connection to Navajo culture.

  • Cape Krusenstern National Monument, AK: Remote and wild, this monument protects thousands of years of human history.

  • Capulin Volcano National Monument, NM: Hike to the top of a dormant volcano!

  • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, AZ: Mysterious ancient structures that will leave you scratching your head.

  • Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, FL: A massive fort that’s seen centuries of history.

  • Castle Clinton National Monument, NY: A unique circular fort with a fascinating past.

  • Castle Mountains National Monument, CA: Desert landscapes and a sense of solitude.

  • Cedar Breaks National Monument, UT: A natural amphitheater of colorful rock formations.

  • César E. Chávez National Monument, CA: Honor the legacy of a labor leader and civil rights icon.

  • Chamizal National Memorial, TX: A symbol of peace and cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico.

  • Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, OH: Celebrate the contributions of African American soldiers.

  • Chiricahua National Monument, AZ: A "wonderland of rocks" with unique geological formations.

  • Colorado National Monument, CO: Dramatic canyons and towering rock spires.

  • Coronado National Memorial, AZ: Commemorates the expedition of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado.

  • Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID: Explore a surreal landscape of volcanic features.

  • Devils Postpile National Monument, CA: Unique basalt columns that look like they were made by a giant.

  • Devils Tower National Monument, WY: A towering rock formation that’s sacred to many Native American tribes.

  • Dinosaur National Monument, CO & UT: Dig into the past and discover dinosaur fossils!

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, DC: A tribute to the president and general who led the Allied forces in World War II.

  • De Soto National Memorial, FL: Learn about the expedition of Hernando de Soto.

  • Effigy Mounds National Monument, IA: Explore ancient earthworks built by Native Americans.

  • El Malpais National Monument, NM: A rugged landscape of lava flows and volcanic features.

  • El Morro National Monument, NM: Ancient inscriptions and stunning views from atop a sandstone bluff.

  • Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument, IL and MS: A somber and important reminder of the Civil Rights Movement.

  • Federal Hall National Memorial, NY: The site of George Washington’s inauguration.

  • Flight 93 National Memorial, PA: Honor the heroes of Flight 93.

  • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO: See ancient petrified trees and delicate insect fossils.

  • Fort Caroline National Memorial, FL: Learn about the early French settlement in Florida.

  • Fort Frederica National Monument, GA: Explore the ruins of a British fort.

  • Fort Matanzas National Monument, FL: A historic Spanish fort that protected St. Augustine.

  • Fort McHenry National Monument, MD: The birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner!

  • Fort Monroe National Monument, VA: A significant site in American history, including its role in slavery and the Civil War.

  • Fort Pulaski National Monument, GA: A massive brick fort that played a role in the Civil War.

  • Fort Stanwix National Monument, NY: A reconstructed fort that played a role in the American Revolution.

  • Fort Union National Monument, NM: The ruins of a 19th-century military fort.

  • Fossil Butte National Monument, WY: See incredibly well-preserved fossils of fish and other aquatic life.

  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, DC: A sprawling memorial that honors the life and legacy of FDR.

  • Freedom Riders National Monument, AL: Commemorates the courageous activists who challenged segregation in the South.

  • General Grant National Memorial, NY: The final resting place of Ulysses S. Grant.

  • George Washington Birthplace National Monument, VA: The site where the first president was born.

  • George Washington Carver National Monument, MO: Honor the life and work of a pioneering scientist and inventor.

  • Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, NM: Ancient cliff dwellings nestled in the Gila Wilderness.

  • Governors Island National Monument, NY: A historic island with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

  • Grand Portage National Monument, MN: Explore the history of the fur trade in the Great Lakes region.

  • Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, ID: Discover fossils of ancient horses and other animals.

  • Hamilton Grange National Memorial, NY: The home of Alexander Hamilton.

  • Hohokam Pima National Monument, AZ: Archaeological site preserving the ruins of an ancient village.

  • Hovenweep National Monument, CO & UT: Ancient Puebloan towers and structures.

  • Jewel Cave National Monument, SD: Explore one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world.

  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, OR: Colorful rock formations and a wealth of fossils.

  • Johnstown Flood National Memorial, PA: Commemorates the devastating Johnstown Flood of 1889.

  • Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, ME: Pristine forests, rivers, and mountains in northern Maine.

  • Korean War Veterans Memorial, DC: A solemn tribute to those who served in the Korean War.

  • Lava Beds National Monument, CA: Explore lava tubes, caves, and volcanic landscapes.

  • Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, IN: Where Abraham Lincoln spent his formative years.

  • Lincoln Memorial, DC: An iconic monument to Abraham Lincoln.

  • Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, MT: The site of the Battle of Little Bighorn.

  • Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac, DC: A living memorial to LBJ.

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, DC: Honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, MS: Preserves the home of civil rights activists Medgar and Myrlie Evers.

  • Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, KY: Site of a Civil War battle.

  • Montezuma Castle National Monument, AZ: A well-preserved cliff dwelling.

  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial, SD: Iconic sculptures of four U.S. presidents.

  • Muir Woods National Monument, CA: Towering redwood trees near San Francisco.

  • Natural Bridges National Monument, UT: Natural sandstone bridges.

  • Navajo National Monument, AZ: Ancient cliff dwellings of the Navajo people.

  • Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, OR: Explore caves and forests in southern Oregon.

  • Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ: Unique desert landscape with organ pipe cacti.

  • Pearl Harbor National Memorial, HI: Commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor.

  • Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, OH: Commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie and lasting peace between the U.S., Great Britain, and Canada.

  • Petroglyph National Monument, NM: Ancient rock carvings.

  • Pipe Spring National Monument, AZ: A historic Mormon fort and spring.

  • Pipestone National Monument, MN: A sacred site where Native Americans quarry pipestone.

  • Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, CA: Commemorates the Port Chicago disaster.

  • Poverty Point National Monument, LA: Ancient earthworks built by Native Americans.

  • Rainbow Bridge National Monument, UT: One of the world’s largest natural bridges.

  • Roger Williams National Memorial, RI: Honors Roger Williams, a champion of religious freedom.

  • Russell Cave National Monument, AL: Archaeological site with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years.

  • Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, NM: Spanish missions and Pueblo ruins.

  • Scotts Bluff National Monument, NE: A prominent landmark along the Oregon Trail.

  • Statue of Liberty National Monument, NJ & NY: An iconic symbol of freedom and democracy.

  • Stonewall National Monument, NY: Commemorates the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

  • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, AZ: A volcanic landscape.

  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, PA: Honors Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish military engineer who fought in the American Revolution.

  • Theodore Roosevelt Island, DC: A wooded island dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt.

  • Timpanogos Cave National Monument, UT: Cave system on Mount Timpanogos.

  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial, DC: A tribute to Thomas Jefferson.

  • Tonto National Monument, AZ: Ancient cliff dwellings.

  • Tule Lake National Monument, CA: A site of Japanese American incarceration during World War II.

  • Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, NV: A rich fossil site.

  • Tuzigoot National Monument, AZ: Ancient Pueblo ruins.

  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial, DC: A solemn tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War.

  • Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, VI: Coral reefs and marine life.

  • Waco Mammoth National Monument, TX: A mammoth fossil site.

  • Walnut Canyon National Monument, AZ: Ancient cliff dwellings.

  • Washington Monument, DC: An iconic obelisk dedicated to George Washington.

  • World War I Memorial, DC: Honors those who served in World War I.

  • World War II Memorial, DC: A tribute to those who served in World War II.

  • Wright Brothers National Memorial, NC: Commemorates the Wright brothers’ first successful flight.

  • Wupatki National Monument, AZ: Ancient Pueblo ruins.

  • Yucca House National Monument, CO: Unexcavated Ancestral Puebloan village.

So, What Are You Waiting For?

Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a cool road trip, America’s National Memorials and Monuments have something for everyone. So, grab your map, pack your snacks, and get ready to explore!

Safe travels!

Related posts: