In Louisiana

Louisiana Road Trip — Pontchartrain to Cajun Country

October 8, 2018 No Comments

Stretching from New Orleans to Lafayette, US Route 90 stretches through bayous, ancient cypress swamps, and the into the heart of Cajun country and the Louisiana bayou. The road trip starts in the French quarter of New Orleans, where visitors can explore a place and culture centuries old. From Creole to Acadian (Cajun), explore the bayous and byways of Southern Louisiana. French accents, plentiful wildlife, Cajun music, and tasty cuisine make the region a must see in the Fall and Spring months.

How Long? 300.5 miles from New Orleans to the end (around 7 hours). Once you’ve finished in Lafayette, it’s an additional 134 miles (2 hours) back to New Orleans.

When to go? Spring and Fall. Summers can be extremely hot and humid. Winter months are okay, but you’re less likely to see wildlife, especially alligators.

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Start in The French Quarter

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
/ French Quarter Visitor Center

419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Nouvelle Orleans, New Orleans’s French Quarter, was developed in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. As people moved to the quarter from all over the world, a unique culture rich in food, music, and tradition quickly developed. The Jean Lafitte’s French Quarter Visitors Center presents the history and traditions of the city and the lower Mississippi River delta region through a variety of exhibits and a film. The visitor’s center is also a great place to begin your tour of the old French quarter with sightseeing tours, brochures, and visitor’s information.

Love touring old buildings? Check out 15 of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter.

Side trip! New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

916 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Stop by the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park to learn more about the origins and evolution of jazz music. The 4-acre park is technically in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, but it’s near the French Quarter. The visitor centers can be found at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at 400 Esplanade Avenue.

Barataria Preserve. Source: Ken Lund, Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve at Barataria

6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero, LA 70072

Once you cross the Greater New Orleans Bridge, follow the West Bank Expressway (Route 90) west to Route 45, which leads south to the Barataria section of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Located just outside of Marrero, the preserve contains 23,000 acres of coastal wetlands. Walk along boardwalks and dirt trails to view the variety of animals (such as alligators) and over 20 species of birds that live in the swamps, freshwater marshes and hardwood forests. Download the trail map, explore with a cell phone tour, or enjoy a self-guided walking tour of Pecan Grove. The town of Jean Lafitte, named after the pirate-turned-patriot, is also just down the road from the preserve.

Example of a Cajun Cabin. Source: James DeMers

Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center

314 St Mary St, Thibodaux, LA 70301

You’ll take a slight detour on to Route 1 into the small town of Thibodaux. The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is a National Park Service center with exhibits on Cajun culture along with boat tours, walking tours of Historic Thibodaux, and Cajun music nights. Learn about the lives of the Acadians (Cajuns) and others who lived in Louisiana’s bayous. On Tuesday nights, the Cercle Francophone gives you a great opportunity to watch linguistic history in action and learn French, Cajun or otherwise. In the Spring and the Fall, boat tours tour Bayou Lafourche, locally known as the “longest street in the world.” Watch for birds and alligators and learn about the bayou ecosystem.

Houma, Louisiana Swamp Tours

Houma Area Visitor’s Center, 114 Tourist Drive, Gray, LA 70359

Getting back on Route 90, you’ll pass through Houma, nicknamed the Venice of America due to its 55 bridges that cross its waterways and over 2,500 square miles of wetlands. More than 65% of Terrebonne Parish consists of wetlands and open water. Houma’s streets hug the bayou, which served as towpaths in days gone by. Stop by the Houma Area Visitor’s Center to learn about the area and to get restaurant guides, local maps, and suggested itineraries. Houma’s marshland, diverse environment and wildlife, excellent food, and authentic Cajun culture make it an excellent stop on the Bayou Byway.

Looking for some authentic Cajun cooking? Stop at the Jolly Inn in Houma (1507 Barrow St, Houma, LA 70360) for spicy food and live music.

Another local favorite is A-Bear’s Restaurant (809 Bayou Black Dr, Houma, LA 70360), a small restaurant that serves authentic Cajun fare.

Oaklawn Manor

3296 E Oaklawn Dr, Franklin, LA 70538

Outside of Calumet on Route 90, you’ll detour onto Route 182. This new route allows you to follow the bends of Bayou Teche, a 125-mile-long waterway. During the steamboat era, sugar barons built large homes right along the stream leading the area to be called “Sugarcane Country.” Oaklawn Manor is one such plantation house, built in 1837 by Alexander Porter. The restored Greek Revival structure is surrounded by one of the largest groves of live oaks in America.

Shadows-on-the-Teche

317 E Main St, New Iberia, LA 70560

Several additional antebellum homes can be found on the route into New Iberia. (Stay on Route 182, despite your navigation system’s best effort to take you back to I-90. It’s the scenic route). The Shadows-on-the-Teche is one such house built by sugarcane planter David Weeks in 1834. This coral-brick, white-columned home is 3,750 square feet and nestled on the banks of Bayou Teche. The Classic Revival-style home with a traditional Louisiana garden has tours and seasonal events, such as Terror-on-the-Teche. The house was also the first site in the Gulf South listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Jungle Gardens and Bird Sanctuary (Avery Island)

Hwy 329, Avery Island, LA 70513

The home of TABASCO® Pepper Sauce, Avery Island is also home to Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre botanical garden and bird sanctuary. Jungle Garden features over 20,000 egrets and its egret rookery built on bamboo piers. The semitropical garden stretches along Bayou Petite Anse. The island itself is a large salt done, best known as the source of TABASCO® Sauce, a staple of Cajun cuisine. Go to the TABASCO® Visitors Center (32 Wisteria Rd, Avery Island, LA 70513) and take a tour, a cooking class, or book a TABASCO® Culinary Tour.

Rip Van Winkle Gardens

5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd, New Iberia, LA 70560

After leaving the antebellum manor, head down Route 14 towards Jefferson Island to explore another semi-tropical garden and mansion. The small island was named after Joseph Jefferson, an actor who played the part of Rip Van Winkle on stage over 4500 times. The Joseph Jefferson Mansion was built in 1870 in a Victorian style with a fourth-story cupola. It sits atop the salt dome approximately 75 feet above sea level. The Gardens consist of 15 acres nestled among 350-year-old oak trees.

Evangeline Oak in St. Martinville, LA. Sorce: Maren, Flickr, CC BY 2.0 — Evangeline Oak in St. Martinville, LA. Source: Maren, Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site

1200 N Main St, St Martinville, LA 70582

After leaving Jefferson Island, you’ll head east on Route 675 and then north on Routes 76 and Route 31 to St. Martinville, a town established as a military post in 1714. After being expelled from Nova Scotia by British authorities in 1755, the Acadians (Cajuns) settled in the town. During the French Revolution, so many Refugees came to St. Martinville that the town was called Le Petit Paris. The small town is best known as the setting for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epic poem, Evangeline.

Evangeline Oak Park (122 Evangeline St, St Martinville, LA 70582) has a large oak tree called the Evangeline Oak. The oak tree is where Emmeline Labiche and Louis Arceneaux, supposedly the inspirations behind Longfellow’s poem, reunited after years of separation. (It’s the third Evangeline Oak.) The tree itself can be found at the end of Port Street and is often used by musicians who sometimes gather to play Cajun tunes.

The Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site showcases the regions French-speaking people along the famed Bayou Teche. The 175-acre park also includes a reproduction of an Acadian Farmstead that shows what a typical single-family farm would have looked like in 1800. Also on the site is the Maison Oliver, a plantation built around 1815, in a distinct architectural style that is a mixture of Creole, Caribbean, and French influence.

Lake Fausse Pointe at Sunset. Source: Edd Prince on Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Lake Fausse Pointe State Park

5400 Levee Rd, St Martinville, LA 70582

About 18 miles east of St. Martinsville in the middle of the Atchafalaya Basin sits Lake Fausse Pointe State Park. The site of one of the oldest bald cypress groves in the region, the 6,000-acre recreation area was formerly the home site of the Chitimacha Indians. It was later occupied by French and Acadian farmers. The influx of Spanish and Canary Islanders also influenced the local culture. The park sits at the edge of a beautiful water wilderness. Hike the elevated walkways and view Lake Fausse or the nearby Dauterive Lake. You can also rent canoes or kayaks at the park’s visitor center and see the waterlogged forests and canopies of cypress trees up close.

Beaux Bridge

1908 Atchafalaya River Hwy, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517-8518

Known as the crawfish capital of the world, Breaux Bridge holds a festival every year in May. During this event, you’ll find Cajun music, carnival rides, and crawfish eating contests. In the Fall, the St. Francis of Assisi Fall Celebration has a variety of barbeque and catfish dinners as well. Antique stores, seafood restaurants, and other little shops fill the historic downtown area. You’ll often hear traditional Cajun music played by local musicians. The Atchafalaya Welcome Center offers additional background on the Atchafalaya area with educational exhibits and an introductory movie on Cajun food.

Atchafalaya Basin Landing & Swamp Tours

1377 Henderson Levee Rd, Henderson, LA 70517

Looking to take a swamp tour of the Atchafalaya Basin? The Atchafalaya Basin lLanding& Marina tour takes you deep into the Henderson Swamp. The swamp consists of mossy cypress forests, Louisiana Alligators, and a deep history as the original home of the Cajun people. Using an airboat, you’ll get to ride under I-10 on the swamp tour as you view alligators up to 10-feet long and a variety of bird life, such as the osprey. Depending on what you want to see, the Atchafalaya area has a host of tour providers that cover different regions of the swamp.

The tour will end in Lafayette, located in the heart of Cajun country.

Acadian Village

200 Greenleaf Dr, Lafayette, LA 70506

For a final stop on your tour, visit LARC’s Acadian Village, an open-air museum that features one of the oldest authentic versions of Acadian life. The village recreates a small, 19^th-century Cajun bayou community with 11 relocated Cajun homes and a Native American museum. Besides that, a bayou also runs through the community.

Looking for some (more) authentic Cajun cooking? Stop at the Blue Moon in Lafayette (215 E Convent St, Lafayette, LA 70501) for tasty food and live music.

Azalea Trail

1400 NW Evangeline Throughway, Lafayette, LA 70501

The Azalea Trail stretches for 20 miles across historical sites, city streets, and private homes in Lafayette. Landmarks along the trail include the Lafayette Museum, Boulevard of Floral Splendor and Mouton Plantation. The well-marked tour can be downloaded or picked up from the visitors center.

From here, take I-10 back to New Orleans.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

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In Nevada

Nevada Road Trip — 7+ Natural Wonders to Explore Near Las Vegas

October 2, 2018 No Comments

The 4-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard, “The Strip,” is known as the capital of glitter and glam with its concentration of resort hotels and casinos, quick-hitch wedding chapels, and neon signs that light up the desert sky. While marble and earth tones are slowly beginning to replace the old-school neon and faux-crystal of yesteryear, Sin City is still an entertainment mecca where you can find shows, buffets, and entertainment 24 hours a day. What many tourists may not know is that just beyond Nevada’s city of lights is a vast landscape of unexpected treasures. Here’s a list of more than 7 natural attractions near Las Vegas, Nevada.

How Long? One way, it’s 456 miles. That’s excluding the side trip to Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop, which is right outside of Las Vegas. That’s around 9 hours if you do not stop anywhere. Then you have to turn around and head back. It’s easy a three-day weekend road-trip from Las Vegas.

You can always break it up into segments. A straight trip from Las Vegas to the Great Basin National Park is a five-hour drive, heading north on Highway 93. It all depends on what all you wish to see.

If you’re planning for a full week, you can also jump over to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest or down to the Mojave National Preserve.

Time of Year? Year-round, with one caveat. As you get into the higher elevations, especially near Echo Canyon State Park and Great Basin National Park, the trails or campgrounds may be closed due to seasonal weather. However, the closer you stick to Las Vegas, the easier it’ll be.

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Start in Las Vegas

This road trip assumes that you are starting from a downtown hotel in the Las Vegas Strip. Whether you are staying at the Mirage, The New York-New York Hotel & Casino, or the Luxor, take the Las Vegas Freeway ( I-15) South to Loop I-215. Loop I-215 will take you around to the Great Basin Highway, which turns into I-11. Take the Highway 93 exit to Boulder City Parkway and then follow the directions from there.

Lake Mead Natural Recreation Area

601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005

Backing up more than 100 miles behind Hoover Dam, Lake Mead is the world’s largest man-made lake that encompasses 1.5 million acres. At 110 miles long, Lake Mead is a mecca for swimmers, divers, windsurfers, boaters, and tourists lining up to see the Hoover Dam. The park has nine wilderness areas to explore with trails, including the Historic Railroad Trail that overlooks the Boulder Basin area.

Hoover Dam

81 Hoover Dam Access Rd, Boulder City, NV 89005

Okay, so it’s manmade but it overlooks one of the natural wonders in the area. Less than an hour from downtown Las Vegas is the Lake Mead Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, and Lake Las Vegas. Considered one of the greatest engineering marvels of the 20^th century, the 726-foot gravy-arch Hoover Dam harnesses the power of the Colorado River feeding into Lake Mead.

Start with the guided tour of the Hoover Dam tour, which includes a 1-hour guided tour of the powerplant and passageways within the Dam. From the observation deck, view a panoramic vista that includes Lake Mead and the Colorado River. Take one of the large elevators 500 feet down into the wall of Black Canyon and walk through a 250-foot long tunnel drilled out of the rock. From there, you can view the 650-foot long Nevada wing of the power plant along with its generators.

Boulder Beach

Boulder City, NV 89005

Located about five miles north of Hoover Dam, Boulder Beach is one of the more popular areas of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It’s not a traditional beach with sand. It has rocks, lots of rocks, right before the water. It’s an oasis in the desert. However, it is beautiful in its own way with the starkness. A large campground area and places for boating and swimming are also available.

Valley of Fire State Park

29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, NV 89040

As you head north, the Valley of Fire State Park borders the northern arm of Lake Mead. The Valley of Fire Highway offers stunning views of the red rocks. These red sandstone formations were formed from shifting red dunes over 150 million years ago. The bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops are settled in gray and tan limestone throughout the park that contains ancient, petrified trees and 2,000 years-old petroglyphs. Interpretive trails lead past these petroglyphs and up into the red rocks. The visitor center also offers exhibits on the ecology, prehistory, history, and geology of the park.

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

Mile Post 32 HWY 93, Alamo, NV 89001

As US-93 runs north between the lean hills of the Sheep Range to the west and the Delamar Mountains to the east, the desert landscape can look deserted. However, underground water feeds the Lower Pahranagat Lake that leads into a sprawling 5,380-acre wildlife refuge. Part of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the refuge has an abundant of songbirds, wildlife, and hiking trails. Free camping can also be found at the Upper Lake part of the refuge. The Upper Lake Trail is a three-mile loop that goes around the Upper Lake and eventually connects with the Waterway Trail. A parking lot is available near the Upper Lake Trail.

You can also find gas, restaurants, and groceries in Alamo, Nevada, which is located three miles north of the refuge.

Rainbow Canyon Scenic Drive

Rainbow Canyon, Nevada 89008

South of Caliente, Nevada, the Rainbow Canyon Scenic Drive is a 21-mile side trip down State Highway 317 that takes you to Rainbow Canyon. Stained by minerals into a kaleidoscope of color, Rainbow Canyon is surrounded by the gentle Meadow Valley Wash. The Canyon lies between the Clover Mountains to the east and the Delamar Mountains to the west, lying 3,000 feet below the mountain peaks. The drive follows the Meadow Valley Wash, which collects just enough water for cottonwood trees to grow along its banks. Highway 317 also connects you to archeological sites such as the Kershaw-Ryan State Park. Not too far from Rainbow Canyon, you can also visit the Elkin Schoolhouse State Historic Site. The road is subject to washouts so check road conditions.

Cathedral Gorge State Park

111, Cathedral Gorge State Park Road, Panaca, NV 89042

As you continue along Meadow Valley Wash, you’ll enter Cathedral Gorge State Park. The park is a 2,000-acre park that offers a visitor’s center, walking trails, camping, and a trailhead up to Eagle Point. Cathedral Gorge is spiked with buttes and columns that rise above 4,800 feet in elevation. Miller’s Point Overlook, a mile north of the park’s entrance, is also a great place to take in the broad views of the Cathedral Gorge. Miller’s Point also has a one-mile trail that connects the overlook to the picnic area within the park.

Storm approaching Cathedral Gorge State Park. Source: Frank Kovalcheck on Flickr

Echo Canyon State Park

State Routes 322, Pioche, NV 89043

Echo Canyon State Park has a 65-acre reservoir that abuts steep rock walls, a perfect setup for echoes. Golden eagles soar through Eagle Valley and campers and hikers are known to enjoy the variety of songbirds, hawks, eagles and other birds that soar throughout the region. Hike the Ash Country trail, a 2.5-mile trail that climbs 300 feet up to the rim of the valley. The hike then descends into the Ash Canyon with its steep-sided walls and dramatic views. Camping is also available onsite, with flush toilets, an RV hook-up station, and drinking water at each site.

Great Basin National Park

National Park, 100 Great Basin, Baker, NV 89311

Nevada’s only national park, the Great Basin National Park includes everything from the majestic crown of Wheeler Peak and Mount Washington to the caves and some of the world’s oldest trees. Drive the park’s 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive through forests of spruce and limber pine on a 3,400-foot climb from the visitor center. This drive will take you to the overlook of the glacier, centuries-old trees, and mountain caves.

Wheeler Peak on the way up the Summit Trail; parts of the remaining part of the glacier can be seen from here. Source: National Park Service

Wheeler Peak Glacier

Nevada’s only alpine glacier sits at the base of Wheeler Peak, measuring 300 feet long and 400 feet wide. Alpine glaciers are the types that sculpt mountain ranges, such as the one at the South Snake Range. You can view the glacier from the Wheeler Peak Overlook on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive or take the Bristlecone/Glacier Trail 4.6 miles roundtrip to the foot of the glacier. At the end of the scenic drive, the Snake Range includes twisted pines in the rock-strewn soil that are estimated to be up to 3,000 years old.

Note that due to its high elevation, Wheeler Peak Campground closes for the season at the end of September.

Lehman Caves

5500 NV-488, Baker, NV 89311

One of the 40 known caves in the Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves are the only caves open to the public. View four distinctive groups of caves, including the Lehman Hill Caves, Baker Creek Caves, Snake Creek Caves, and Alpine Caves. Most of these caves are at high elevation, such as the Alpine Caves or the highest solution cave in the park, the High Pit at 11, 200 ft. The bottom of the High Pit is impacted by snow. The deepest cave in the park at 480 feet is the Long Cold Cave, which is also at an elevation of about 10,000 feet.

After visiting the Great Basin National Park, turn around and head back to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, there isn’t really a circular loop. However, you’ll have the opportunity to see many of the early attractions from a different viewpoint.

Once you finish the four- to five-hour route back to Las Vegas, you can either immediately head west or spend the night and start fresh in the morning.

Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive

Visitor Center, 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161

Located just 17-miles west of the Las Vegas strip is the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, a 13-mile path that takes you through the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The horseshoe-shaped drive takes you past spectacular sandstone cliffs. Turnouts along the way lead to stunning vistas and 26 numbered hikes and trails that can be found on a downloadable map. Take a short hike to Lost Creek or Pine Creek Canyon or longer ones such as the White Rock Mountain Loop or Grand Circle Loop. To find a list of hiking trails, visit the Red Rock Canyon Visitor’s Center or download the information online. If rock climbing is more your speed, you’ll find plenty of activities with the great boulders and sheer rock faces.

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In Alaska

Alaska National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

October 2, 2018 No Comments

With its staggering mountain ranges, old mining towns, and arresting natural attractions, Alaska is often dubbed as the Last Frontier. Both the largest and the most sparsely populated state, Alaska is filled with heavy crowds from May to September as tourists flock to see everything from the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve to the Black Sands Beach State Marine Park. The Fall and Spring months can be excellent times to visit without the crowds, especially in October when you can view the whale-filled waters near Anchorage and the colorful fall foliage. Over 2.7 million visitors per year venture north to visit the national and state parks in the Land of the Midnight Sun. This list of parks in Alaska includes 24 national parks, 9 national historic landmarks, 16 national natural landmarks, and a multitude of state parks. For history lovers, there are 430 places on the National Register of Historic Places along with 634 places on the Heritage Documentation Program.

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National Parks & Historic Sites

Alagnak Wild River

King Salmon, AK 99613

The headwaters of Alagnak Wild River lie within the rugged Aleutian Range of neighboring Katmai National Park and Preserve. Meandering west towards Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea, the Alagnak traverses the beautiful Alaska Peninsula, providing an unparalleled opportunity to experience the unique wilderness, wildlife, and cultural heritage of southwest Alaska.

Alaska Public Lands

Information Center: 605 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

Alaska’s parks, forests and refuges are rich and varied. The Anchorage Interagency Visitor Center helps visitors and residents to have meaningful, safe, enjoyable experiences on public lands, and encourages them to sustain the natural and cultural resources of Alaska. This center and three others statewide provide trip-planning, interpretation, and education for all ages.

Aleutian World War II National Historic Area

Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, AK; Unalaska, AK 99692

During World War II the remote Aleutian Islands, home to the Unangax^ (Aleut) people for over 8,000 years, became a fiercely contested battleground in the Pacific. This thousand-mile-long archipelago saw invasion by Japanese forces, the occupation of two islands; a mass relocation of Unangax^ civilians; a 15-month air war; and one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific Theater.

Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve

King Salmon, AK 99613

Given its remote location and challenging weather conditions, Aniakchak is one of the most wild and least visited places in the National Park System. This landscape is a vibrant reminder of Alaska’s location in the volcanically active “Ring of Fire,” as it is home to an impressive six mile (10 km) wide, 2,500 ft (762 m) deep caldera formed during a massive volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve

214 E Front St, Nome, AK 99762

Imagine a place of whimsical beauty and larger-than-life landscapes: an ancestral home to ice-age giants and turbulent volcanic activity. A land that holds secrets to the intriguing history of human migration, sustains people that have lived here before its establishment as a preserve and continues to be part of a wide breadth of traditions. Bering Land Bridge is unlike any other place on Earth.

Cape Krusenstern National Monument

171 Third Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752

North of the Arctic Circle, the monument forms 70 miles of shoreline on the Chukchi Sea. More than 114 beach ridges provide evidence of human use for 5,000 years. The Inupiat continue to use the area today. Vast wetlands provide habitat for shorebirds from as far away as South America. Hikers and boaters can see carpets of wildflowers among shrubs containing wisps of qiviut from muskoxen.

Denali National Park & Preserve

Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK

Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America’s tallest peak, 20,310′ Denali. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await.

Gates of The Arctic National Park & Preserve

Airport Rd, Bettles, AK 99726

This vast landscape does not contain any roads or trails. Visitors discover intact ecosystems where people have lived with the land for thousands of years. Wild rivers meander through glacier-carved valleys, caribou migrate along age-old trails, endless summer light fades into aurora-lit night skies of winter. It remains virtually unchanged except by the forces of nature.

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Gustavus, AK

Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site—one of the world’s largest international protected areas. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration.

Iñupiat Heritage Center

5421 North Star Street, Utqiagvik, AK 99723

On the rooftop of the world, the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska, tells the story of the Iñupiat people. They have thrived for thousands of years in one of the harshest climates on Earth, hunting the bowhead, or “Agviq.” In the 19th century, these lonely seas swarmed with commercial whalemen from New England, who also sought the bowhead for its valuable baleen and blubber.

Katmai National Park & Preserve

King Salmon, AK 99613

Katmai National Monument was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Mount Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve remains an active volcanic landscape, but it also protects 9,000 years of human history as well as important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Seward, AK

At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age lingers. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords’ crowning feature. Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests around this vast expanse of ice. Sugpiaq people relied on these resources to nurture a life entwined with the sea. Today, shrinking glaciers bear witness to the effects of our changing climate.

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

291 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840

Headlines screamed “Gold!” The dream of a better life catapulted thousands of people to Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Their journey shaped them, and changed the people they encountered and the north forever. Today, the park remembers the trails, boomtowns, and stories of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Kobuk Valley National Park

171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752

Caribou, sand dunes, the Kobuk River, Onion Portage – just some of the facets of Kobuk Valley National Park. Half a million caribou migrate through, their tracks crisscrossing sculpted dunes. The Kobuk River is an ancient and current path for people and wildlife. For 9000 years, people came to Onion Portage to harvest caribou as they swam the river. Even today, that rich tradition continues.

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Port Alsworth, AK 99653

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a land of stunning beauty. Volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, and craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes. Here, too, local people and culture still depend on the land and water. Venture into the park to become part of the wilderness.

Noatak National Preserve

Kotzebue, AK

As one of North America’s largest mountain-ringed river basins with an intact ecosystem, the Noatak River environs features some of the Arctic’s finest arrays of plants and animals. The river is classified as a national wild and scenic river, and offers stunning wilderness float-trip opportunities – from deep in the Brooks Range to the tidewater of the Chukchi Sea.

Sitka National Historical Park

103 Monastery St, Sitka, AK 99835

On an island amid towering spruce and hemlock, Sitka National Historical Park preserves the site of a battle between invading Russian traders and indigenous Kiks.ádi Tlingit. Park visitors are awed by Tlingit and Haida totem poles standing along the park’s scenic coastal trail, and the restored Russian Bishop’s House speaks of Russia’s little known colonial legacy in North America.

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument

Honolulu, HI, AK, CA

At World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, home of the USS Arizona Memorial, learn about one of the most pivotal moments in US history: the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II. The monument preserves and interprets the stories of the Pacific War, from the internment of Japanese Americans to the battles in the Aleutians.

Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Copper Center, AK

Wrangell St. Elias is a vast national park that rises from the ocean all the way up to 18,008 ft. At 13.2 million acres, the park is the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined! Within this wild landscape, people continue to live off the land as they have done for centuries. This rugged, beautiful land is filled with opportunities for adventure.

Yukon – Charley Rivers National Preserve

Eagle, AK

Located in Interior Alaska, Yukon-Charley Rivers offers exploration in a largely untouched landscape. Whether you float the mighty Yukon River or paddle the Charley River’s whitewater, your memories will last a lifetime. Geology, cultural history, gold rush remnants, wildlife, and vast scenery will be a part of your experience. But, the strongest element will be solitude. Your adventure awaits.

For more attractions, visit Travel Alaska.

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In Hawaii

Hawaii National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

October 1, 2018 No Comments

Over 6 million visitors enjoy paradise in Hawaii through its 8 national parks, 2 world heritage sites, and 7 national natural landmarks. The list of parks in Hawaii includes numerous state parks, over 400 named beaches, and 750 miles of shoreline. The famous weather in Hawaii keeps visitors coming year-round to surf at the beautiful beaches, walk through ancient lava forests, or be greeted with the infamous “Ahola spirit.” Historical attractions include pre-Columbus settlements and palaces of the Hawaiian Kings and Queens. Over 1600 years of Hawaiian history can be explored on the major islands. Go can go surfing or beach-combing on white sand, black sand, red sand, or even green sand.

There are six main Hawaiian islands and each of them offers something different. Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and the Big Island all have their own different and unique landscapes. From beautiful waterfalls and lush rainforests to Volcanic craters and majestic mountains, find your year-round adventure in the Aloha State.

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National Parks & Historic Sites

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

73-4786 Kanalani St #14, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Established in 2000 for the preservation, protection, and interpretation of traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175 mile corridor and trail network of cultural and historical significance. It traverses through hundreds of ancient Hawaiian settlement sites and over 200 ahupua’a (traditional land divisions). Connect now!

Haleakalā National Park

Kula, Maui, HI 96790

This special place vibrates with stories of ancient and modern Hawaiian culture and protects the bond between the land and its people. The park also cares for endangered species, some of which exist nowhere else. Come visit this special place – renew your spirit amid stark volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rain forest with an unforgettable hike through the backcountry.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is on Hawaii Island (the Big Island). At its heart are the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa active volcanoes. The Crater Rim Drive passes steam vents and the Jaggar Museum, which features volcanology exhibits and a viewpoint overlooking Halema’uma’u Crater. Thick ferns mark the entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku). The Chain of Craters Road weaves over lava. Trails crisscross the park.

Honouliuli National Monument

Waipahu, HI 96797

Although not yet open to the public, Honouliuli National Monument (NM) will tell the history of internment, martial law, and the experience of prisoners of war in Hawai‘i during World War II. Honouliuli NM will be a place to reflect on wartime experiences and recommit ourselves to the pursuit of freedom and justice.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

189 Kaiulani St, Kalaupapa, HI 96742

When Hansen’s disease (leprosy) was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands, King Kamehameha V banished all afflicted to the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula on the north shore of Molokai. Since 1866, more than 8000 people, mostly Hawaiians, have died at Kalaupapa. Once a prison, Kalaupapa is now refuge for the few remaining residents who are now cured, but were forced to live their lives in isolation.

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

To survive in a hot and arid environment the native Hawaiians (kanaka maoli) used ancient fishing skills, including the building of fishponds, and the knowledge of the location of precious fresh water (wai) that flows into the many brackish pools throughout the park. The spirit of the people (poe) and the knowledge of the elders (kupuna) created a tradition of respect and reverence for this area.

Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park

State Hwy 160, Hōnaunau, HI 96726

Imagine you had just broken the sacred laws, the kapu, and the only punishment was death. Your only chance of survival is to elude your pursuers and reach the Pu’uhonua, a place of refuge. The Pu’uhonua protected the kapu breaker, defeated warriors, as well as civilians during the time of battle. No physical harm could come to those who reached the boundaries of the Pu’uhonua.

Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Park

62-3601 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743

How many places in America can you walk in the footsteps of a king? Where else has a stranded sailor risen up to become a great chief over an entire island? Where else can you experience the culminating event of a people, foretold from centuries past? Where else can you stand on a beach and watch as sharks pass over a submerged temple? Experience all this and much more – only at Pu’ukohola Heiau!

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument

1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818

At World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, home of the USS Arizona Memorial, learn about one of the most pivotal moments in US history: the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II. The monument preserves and interprets the stories of the Pacific War, from the internment of Japanese Americans to the battles in the Aleutians.

For more attractions, visit Go Hawaii.

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South Carolina National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

September 27, 2018 No Comments

Known for its sandy beaches, islands, and historical coastal cities, South Carolina is home to a variety of attractions for outdoor adventurers and history buffs. Charleston is often voted as the number #1 city in the U.S. with its historic Southern Charm and coastal culture. Take in the scenic view at Caesars Head, where a 400-million-year-old granite outcropping looks over the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The Wingington Overlook on the Oscar Wingington Scenic Byway between SC 107 and 103 offers views of the waters of Lake Jocassee and the 2,000-foot “Blue Wall.” The list of parks in South Carolina include 7 national parks, 2 national heritage areas, a national trail, and 76 national natural landmarks. State parks include sandy beaches, forests, and historical attractions. History buffs can also find over 1,500 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

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National Parks & Historic Sites

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

1254 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

Charles Pinckney was a principal author and a signer of the United States Constitution. This remnant of his coastal plantation is preserved to tell the story of a “founding father,” his life of public service, the lives of enslaved African Americans on South Carolina Lowcountry plantations and their influences on Charles Pinckney.

Congaree National Park

100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061

Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern United States. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees.

Cowpens National Battlefield

4001 Chesnee Hwy, Gaffney, SC 29341

“…our success was complete…” — Daniel Morgan to Nathanael Greene, January 19, 1781, A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton’s British army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, was one of only a few in history.

Fort Sumter National Monument

Charleston Harbor, SC; Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina 29412

Decades of growing political tension around the issue of slavery between North and South erupted in civil war on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. Union forces would try for nearly four years to take it back.

Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

2817 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Designated by Congress in 2006, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor extends from Wilmington, North Carolina in the north to Jacksonville, Florida in the south. It is home to one of America’s most unique cultures, a tradition first shaped by captive Africans brought to the southern United States from West Africa and continued in later generations by their descendants.

Kings Mountain National Military Park

2625 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702

Thomas Jefferson called it “The turn of the tide of success.” The battle of Kings Mountain fought October 7th, 1780, was an important American victory during the Revolutionary War. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the British invasion of Charleston, SC in May 1780. The park preserves the site of this important battle.

Ninety Six National Historic Site

1103 SC-248, Ninety Six, SC 29666

Settlers struggled against the harsh backcountry to survive. Cherokee Indians hunted and fought to keep their land. Two towns and a trading post were formed then abandoned to the elements. And two Revolutionary War battles claimed over 100 lives. Come to discover the 18th-century history of South Carolina.

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

NC, SC, TN, VA; 2635 Park Rd, Blacksburg, SC 29702

Stretching 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable pathways.

Reconstruction Era National Monument

Penn Center Cir W, St Helena Island, SC 29920

The Reconstruction era,1861-1898 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economic, and labor systems, was a time of significant transformation. The people, places, and events in Beaufort County, South Carolina, reflect on the most important issues of this tumultuous time period.

South Carolina National Heritage Corridor

Edgefield, SC

Designated in 1996, the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor is committed to promoting and preserving the cultural, natural and historic resources of the state. The corridor stretches across 17 counties from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean.

For more attractions, visit Discover South Carolina.

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North Carolina National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

September 25, 2018 No Comments

From the white sand beaches of North Carolina’s outer banks to the Appalachian Mountains to the east, the natural wonders of North Carolina draw over 19 million visitors annually. The list of parks in North Carolina includes 10 national parks, 2 national heritage areas, 2 wild and scenic rivers, 3 national trails, and a multitude of state parks. As one of the original 132 colonies, history buffs will enjoy seeking out historic sites and parks from colonial times through today. Drive down Blue Ridge Parkway or view the lighthouses along the coast, still shining their beacons for distant ships.

Note: Due to recent flooding (September 2018), check the park’s website for closings before heading out. Some have already re-opened but do have warning notes for visitors. The southeastern part of the state was hit the hardest, but along the northern coast and up into the Great Smoky Mountains, many of popular tourist attractions are still open. For more information on closings, go to Visit North Carolina.

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National Parks & Historic Sites

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Maine to Georgia, CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV; one site is Appalachian Trail Conservancy Regional Office, 160-A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC 28801

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, NC,VA; one site is Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, 364 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Black Mountain, NC 28711

A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

195 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a place unlike any other on Earth, where ancient landscapes enchant the eye and age-old traditions warm the heart. The distinctive landscape of the North Carolina mountains and foothills combined with the region’s living traditions of craft, music, agriculture and Cherokee heritage create a wealth of natural and cultural treasures unmatched in our country.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Nags Head, Buxton, Ocracoke, NC

The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually. Whether you are enjoying the beach, kayaking the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Cape Lookout Rd, Harkers Island, NC 28531

A boat ride three miles off-shore brings you to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Horse watching, shelling, fishing, birding, camping, lighthouse climbing, and touring historic villages–there’s something for everyone at Cape Lookout. Be sure to bring all the food, water, and supplies you need (and carry your trash out of the park) when visiting these remote beaches.

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

1800 Little River Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the park, 1968-2018. Carl Sandburg provided a popular voice for the American people of the twentieth century and still speaks to us through his words, activism, music and the beauty and serenity of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. Explore Sandburg’s legacy and Experience Your America!

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

1401 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protects and preserves known portions of England’s first New World settlements from 1584 to 1590. This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

the states of NC, TN; one site is Icewater Shelter Spring, Appalachian Trail, Cherokee, NC 28719

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

2332 New Garden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410

“I never saw such fighting since God made me. The Americans fought like demons.” -Lt. General Charles, Earl Cornwallis The largest battle of the Revolutionary War’s Southern Campaign was fought at the small North Carolina backcountry hamlet of Guilford Courthouse. The battle proved to be a turning point for British military operations in the Revolutionary War.

Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

FL, GA, NC, SC; 2817 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC 29455

Designated by Congress in 2006, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor extends from Wilmington, North Carolina in the north to Jacksonville, Florida in the south. It is home to one of America’s most unique cultures, a tradition first shaped by captive Africans brought to the southern United States from West Africa and continued in later generations by their descendants.

Moores Creek National Battlefield

40 Patriots Hall Dr, Currie, NC 28435

In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776 Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with cannons and muskets poised to fire. This battle marked the last broadsword charge by Scottish Highlanders and the first significant victory for the Patriots in the American Revolution.

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

NC, SC, TN, VA; one location is Overmountain Victory Trail, Rutherfordton, NC 28139

Stretching 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable pathways.

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN; one site is 589 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719

Remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

1000 N Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights on December 17, 1903. With courage and perseverance, these self-taught engineers relied on teamwork and application of the scientific process. What they achieved changed our world forever.

For more attractions, go to Visit North Carolina.

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Tennessee National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

September 21, 2018 No Comments

Whether it’s hiking the Appalachian Trail or rafting down the Big South Fork National River, Tennessee offers a variety of outdoor activities year-round. Over 9.3 million people visit the 12 national parks, 30 national historic landmarks, ad 13 natural landmarks every year. Hike one of the four national trails or one of the multiple trails that lead out of its 56 state parks. History buffs can find something new to discover at one of the 2,126 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The list of parks in Tennessee is varied. Big Ridge State Park’s 3,687 acres along the Appalachian Ridge is a great place to canoe, kayak, and paddleboats during the summer month. Swimming holes with sandy beaches can also be found throughout the state.

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National Parks & Historic Sites

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

101 N College St, Greeneville, TN 37743

The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and National Cemetery interprets the life and legacy of the 17th President. Andrew Johnson’s presidency, 1865-1869, illustrates the United States Constitution at work following President Lincoln’s assassination and during attempts to reunify a nation torn by civil war. His presidency shaped the future of the United States and his influences continue today.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Maine to Georgia, CT, GA, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV; one site is 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

4564 Leatherwood Rd, Oneida, TN 37841

Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park

Fort Oglethorpe, GA,TN; 3370 Lafayette Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742

In 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought for control of Chattanooga, known as the “Gateway to the Deep South.” The Confederates were victorious at nearby Chickamauga in September. However, renewed fighting in Chattanooga that November provided Union troops victory and control of the city. After the fighting, a Confederate soldier ominously wrote, “This…is the death-knell of the Confederacy.”

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Middlesboro, KY, TN, VA; 91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965

At Cumberland Gap, the first great gateway to the west, follow the buffalo, the Native American, the longhunter, the pioneer… all traveled this route through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. Modern day explorers and travelers stand in awe at this great gateway and the many miles of trails and scenic features found in the park. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park lies along the borders of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Pinnacle Overlook has views of Cumberland Gap, a pass in the Cumberland Mountains once used by pioneers headed west. In Gap Cave are stalagmites and bats. Park trails include the Ridge Trail, running the park’s full length. The restored structures of the early 20th-century Hensley Settlement perch on Brush Mountain.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

120 Lock D Rd, Dover, TN 37058

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

the states of NC, TN; Cable Mill Visitor’s Center, Cable Mill Rd, Townsend, TN 37882

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America’s most visited national park.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Manhattan Project National Historical Park, NM, WA, TN; Manhattan Project National Historical Park X-10 Graphite Reactor, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

This site tells the story about the people, events, science, and engineering that led to the creation of the atomic bomb, which helped end World War II.

Natchez Trace Parkway

the states of AL,MS,TN

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the “Old Natchez Trace” a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, “Kaintucks,” European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy not only a scenic drive but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the parkway.

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

Tupelo, AL,MS,TN

The 450-mile foot trail that became known as the Natchez Trace was the lifeline through the Old Southwest. You can experience portions of that journey the way earlier travelers did – on foot. Today there are five separate trails totaling over 60 miles and they are administered by the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Obed Wild and Scenic River

208 Maiden St, Wartburg, TN 37887

The Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s. While meagerly populated due to poor farming soil, the river was a hospitable fishing and hunting area for trappers and pioneers. Today, the Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

NC, SC, TN, VA; one location is 760 Hampton Creek Rd, Roan Mountain, TN 37687

Stretching 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable pathways.

Shiloh National Military Park

1055 Pittsburg Landing Rd, Shiloh, TN 38376

Visit the sites of the most epic struggle in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Nearly 110,000 American troops clashed in a bloody contest that resulted in 23,746 casualties; more casualties than in all of America’s previous wars combined. Explore both the Shiloh and Corinth battlefields to discover the impact of this struggle on the soldiers and on the nation.

Stones River National Battlefield

3501 Old Nashville Hwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought here. Stones River National Battlefield, a 570-acre park along the Stones River in Rutherford County, Tennessee, three miles northwest of Murfreesboro and twenty-eight miles southeast of Nashville, memorializes the Battle of Stones River.

Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area

1416 E Main St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Experience the powerful stories of military conflict in a divided state, the demands of the homefront and occupation, the freedom of emancipation, and the enduring legacies of Reconstruction at sites across the entire state of Tennessee.

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN; one site is Brainerd Mission Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN 37411

Remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839.

For an additional list of attractions, visit Vacation Tennessee.

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Kentucky National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

September 21, 2018 No Comments

From hiking the multiple rails of the Appalachian Mountains to the numerous heritage and historic sites, Kentucky has a rich history and landscape. Historical trails like the Cumberland Gap and the Wilderness road give hiking and backpacking enthusiasts with multiple opportunities for adventure. Over 1.8 million people visit the 5 national parks, 32 national historic landmarks, 7 natural landmarks, and one national trail. The list of parks in Kentucky also includes 49 state parks, with multiple trails that lead to everything from kayaking vacations to rock climbing. Explore the multiple, clear lakes and streams and find multiple secluded swimming holes or beaches. Go stargazing by staying overnight at one of the many camping sites. Known as the Horse Capital of the World, Kentucky also has a variety of riding trails for equine enthusiasts.

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National Parks & Historic Sites

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

2995 Lincoln Farm Rd, Hodgenville, KY 42748

For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. His early life on Kentucky’s frontier shaped his character and prepared him to lead the nation through Civil War. The country’s first memorial to Lincoln, built with donations from young and old, enshrines the symbolic birthplace cabin. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park preserves two separate farm sites in LaRue County, Kentucky where Abraham Lincoln was born and lived early in his childhood.

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Oneida, KY, TN; 4564 Leatherwood Rd, Oneida, TN 37841

Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area preserve the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky. In addition, the former mining community of Blue Heron is preserved and interpreted via signage.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965; Middlesboro, KY, TN, VA

At Cumberland Gap, the first great gateway to the west, follow the buffalo, the Native American, the longhunter, the pioneer… all traveled this route through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. Modern day explorers and travelers stand in awe at this great gateway and the many miles of trails and scenic features found in the park.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Dover, KY,TN; 120 Lock D Rd, Dover, TN 37058

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.

Mammoth Cave National Park

1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259

Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south-central Kentucky. This is the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles (643 km) explored. Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a “grand, gloomy and peculiar place,” but its vast chambers and complex labyrinths have earned its name – Mammoth. Mammoth Cave National Park is in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It’s home to the Mammoth Cave, a long cave system of chambers and subterranean passageways. Sites include the Frozen Niagara section, known for waterfall-like flowstone formations, and Gothic Avenue, its ceiling covered in 19th-century visitors’ signatures.

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN; one location is River Discovery Center, 117 S Water St, Paducah, KY 42001

Remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839.

For additional attractions, visit Kentucky Tourism.

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Virginia National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

September 21, 2018 No Comments

History. Mountains. History. Beaches. Virginia has such a variety of state and national parks that the slogan “Virginia is for lovers” makes perfect sense. If you love outdoor adventures, you’ll love the multiple national and state parks and 10 natural landmarks. The list of parks in Virginia includes 22 national parks, 37 state parks, 5 undeveloped parks, and 63 natural areas. The state parks include more than 127,000 acres and more than 600 miles of parks. Over 25 million visitors explore these parks every year, especially its deep colonial history and close proximity to the nation’s capital. Virginia has over 3,000 places on the National Register of Historic Places, from Williamsburg to Mount Vernon.

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National Parks & Historic Sites

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

111 National Park Dr, Appomattox, VA 24522

On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the end of the nation’s largest war. Two important questions about its future were answered. Could the nation survive a civil war intact, and would that nation exist without slavery? The answer to both was yes and a new nation was born.

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial

321 Sherman Dr, Fort Myer, VA 22211

Arlington House is the nation’s memorial to Robert E. Lee. It honors him for specific reasons, including his role in promoting peace and reunion after the Civil War. In a larger sense it exists as a place of study and contemplation of the meaning of some of the most difficult aspects of American History: military service; sacrifice; citizenship; duty; loyalty; slavery and freedom.

Assateague Island National Seashore

MD, VA; 7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin, MD 21811

Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays. Rest, relax, recreate and enjoy some time on the edge of the continent.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, NC, VA; one site is Mabry Mill, Burks Fork, VA 24120

A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.

Booker T Washington National Monument

12130 Booker T Washington Hwy, Hardy, VA 24101

Booker T. Washington was born a slave in April 1856 on the 207-acre farm of James Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School. Later as an adviser, author and orator, his past would influence his philosophies as the most influential African American of his era. Come explore his birthplace.

Cape Henry Memorial Part of Colonial National Historical Park

Cape Henry, Virginia Beach, VA

English colonists first landed here in April 1607, erected a wooden cross and gave thanks for a successful crossing to a new land. In 1781, Americans could watch from these same sand dunes the largest naval battle of the Revolutionary War. Our French Allies defeated a British fleet just off this shore to set the stage for General George Washington’s victory at Yorktown.

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Various States VA, MD, DE, DC, PA, NY

Four hundred years ago Englishman John Smith and a small crew of adventurers set out in an open boat to explore the Chesapeake Bay. Between 1607 and 1609 Smith and his crew mapped nearly 3,000 miles of the Bay and rivers and documented American Indian communities. Smith’s map and journals are a remarkable record of the 17th-century Chesapeake. Come join the adventure on the Chesapeake Bay!

Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

Middletown and Strasburg, VA

The Shenandoah Valley invites you to learn about its rich heritage, from Native Americans who first shaped the land, to pioneers of this frontier; this fertile area became one of the most important wheat producing regions of the entire South. The Valley also witnessed some of the most dramatic events of the Civil War, including the Battle of Cedar Creek, a decisive October 19, 1864 Union victory.

Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay Watershed, DC, DE, MD, NY, PA, VA, WV; one good place is Newport News, VA area

NPS helps you learn about and enjoy the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in North America. Here, you can visit major league cities, colonial towns, American Indian landscapes, farms and fishing villages. You can learn to kayak, pick crabs, go fishing, tour a lighthouse, slurp oysters, and slow down to enjoy the natural beauty of the Chesapeake.

Civil War Defenses of Washington

Washington, DC, MD, VA; one site is Fort Marcy in McLean, VA 22101

On forested hills surrounding the nation’s capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. Built by Union forces, these strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world’s most fortified cities. This month, we will feature Fort Totten, part of the Northern Defenses and engaged during the Battle of Fort Stevens.

Claude Moore Colonial Farm

6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101

Step back in time and experience life on a small farm in northern Virginia. Living history programs and demonstrations offer a glimpse of what life was like for a poor farm family, just before the Revolutionary War.

Colonial National Historical Park

Jamestown and Yorktown, VA

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together – European, Virginia Indian and African–to create a new society that would eventually seek independence from Great Britain. On October 19, 1781, American and French troops defeated the British at Yorktown in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Middlesboro, KY, TN, VA; 91 Bartlett Park Road, Middlesboro, KY 40965

At Cumberland Gap, the first great gateway to the west, follow the buffalo, the Native American, the longhunter, the pioneer… all traveled this route through the mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky. Modern-day explorers and travelers stand in awe at this great gateway and the many miles of trails and scenic features found in the park.

Fort Monroe National Monument

Fort Monroe, VA

Fort Monroe National Monument spans the American story through the 21st century: American Indian presence, Captain John Smith’s journeys, a safe haven for freedom seekers during the Civil War, home of the US Army Artillery School, and a bastion of defense for the Chesapeake Bay. Visit this young national park with a centuries-old tradition and see on-going preservation work in action.

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

1013 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania–this is America’s battleground, where the Civil War roared to its bloody climax. No place more vividly reflects the War’s tragic cost in all its forms. A town bombarded and looted. Farms large and small ruined. Refugees by the thousands forced into the countryside. More than 85,000 men wounded; 15,000 killed–most in graves unknown.

George Washington Memorial Parkway

DC, MD, VA

The George Washington Memorial Parkway was designed for recreational driving. It links sites that commemorate important episodes in American history and preserve habitat for local wildlife. The parkway and its associated trails provide a scenic place to play and rest in the busy Washington, DC metropolitan area.

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

1732 Popes Creek Rd, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

In the heart of the Northern Neck of Virginia stands a tribute to America’s founding father, George Washington. Although only here a short time, the ideas that Washington learned here, helped shape the man he would become and forever alter the destiny of the United States of America.

Great Falls Park

9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22102

At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation’s Capital.

Green Springs

Louisa, VA 23093

Green Springs National Historic Landmark District in Virginia’s Piedmont encompasses over 14,000 acres. Its farmsteads offer a continuum of rural vernacular architecture in original context with minimal alteration. Landscapes and buildings, many predating the Civil War and connected to one another visually and through family relationships of early occupants, are today preserved through easements.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry, WV, VA, MD; 767 Shenandoah St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

A visit to this quaint, historic community, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping into the past. Stroll the picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike our trails and battlefields. Spend a day or a weekend. We have something for everyone, so come and discover Harpers Ferry!

Historic Jamestowne

1368 Colonial Pkwy, Jamestown, VA 23081

Walk in the steps of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas where a successful English colonization of North America began. Despite early struggles to survive, the 1607 settlement evolved into a prosperous colony. As the colony expanded, the Virginia Indians were pushed out of their homeland. In 1619, the arrival of Africans was recorded, marking the origin of slavery in English North America.

Maggie L Walker National Historic Park

600 N 2nd St, Richmond, VA 23219

https://www.nps.gov/mawa/

Maggie Lena Walker devoted her life to civil rights advancement, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for Jim Crow-era African Americans and women. As a bank president, newspaper editor, and fraternal leader, Walker served as an inspiration of pride and progress. Today, Walker’s home is preserved as a tribute to her enduring legacy of vision, courage, and determination.

Manassas National Battlefield Park

6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109

On July 21, 1861, two armies clashed for the first time on the fields overlooking Bull Run. Heavy fighting swept away any notion of a quick war. In August 1862, Union and Confederate armies converged for a second time on the plains of Manassas. The Confederates won a solid victory bringing them to the height of their power.

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

NC, SC, TN, VA; one location is the Town of Abingdon Segment in Abingdon, VA

Stretching 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable pathways.

Petersburg National Battlefield

5001 Siege Rd, Petersburg, VA 23875

Nine and a half months, 70,000 casualties, the suffering of civilians, thousands of U. S. Colored Troops fighting for the freedom of their race, and the decline of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of No. Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. It was here Gen. Ulysses S. Grant cut off all of Petersburg’s supply lines ensuring the fall of Richmond on April 3, 1865. Six days later, Lee surrendered.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage Trail, Virginia 20165

Linking the tidal Potomac and upper Youghiogheny river basins, the evolving Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail network lies within a corridor rich in historic pathways and waterways. You can travel this historic corridor today—on foot, bicycle, and horse and by boat—exploring contrasting landscapes between the Chesapeake Bay and the Allegheny Plateau.

Prince William Forest Park

18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, VA 22172

Prince William Forest Park is an oasis, a respite of quiet and calm. In 1936, Chopawamsic Recreation Area opened its gates to house children’s ‘relief’ camps during the Great Depression. Renamed Prince William Forest Park in 1948, these fragrant woods and trickling streams have welcomed generations of campers, hikers, bikers and nature lovers. Discover Northern Virginia’s best-kept secret!

Richmond National Battlefield Park

8761 Battlefield Park Rd, Richmond, VA 23231

The hub of Confederate manufacturing fueled a modern war, one of the South’s largest hospitals gave care to the sick and wounded, violent clashes of massive armies on open fields and miles of formidable defensive earthworks meant that from 1861 to 1865, Richmond’s fate would determine America’s future.

Shenandoah National Park

Blue Ridge Mountains near Luray, VA

Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is your escape to recreation and re-creation. Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows—take a hike, meander along Skyline Drive, or picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are haven to deer, songbirds, the night sky…and you. Plan a Shenandoah escape today!

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

DC, MD, VA; 2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230

For three years the young United States was embroiled in the War of 1812 and the Chesapeake Bay region felt the brunt of it, choked by shipping blockades and ravaged by enemy raids. Through sites and landscapes in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and throughout Maryland, the Trail tells the stories of the events, people, and places that led to the birth of our National Anthem.

Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail

MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, DC; various locations. One is the Yorktown Battlefield or Prince William Forest Park

In 1781, General Rochambeau’s French Army joined forces with General Washington’s Continental Army to fight the British Army in Yorktown, Virginia. With the French Navy in support, the allied armies moved hundreds of miles to become the largest troop movement of the American Revolution. The effort and cooperation between the two sides led to a victory at Yorktown and secured American independence.

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

551 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182

No matter what your age or taste in shows, you’ll find something you like onstage at Wolf Trap. From May through September, multiple amphitheaters in the park present performances such as musicals, dance, opera, jazz, and popular and country music. A good time to explore the beauty and history of the park without the crowds is October – April.

Yorktown Battlefield

1000 Colonial Pkwy, Yorktown, VA 23690

Discover what it took for the United States to be independent as you explore the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Here at Yorktown, in the fall of 1781, General George Washington, with allied American and French forces, besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British army. On October 19, Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war and ensuring independence.

For more attractions, go to Virginia is For Lovers Travel Site

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In District of Columbia

Washington D.C. National and State Parks, Lakes, and Historical Sites

September 17, 2018 No Comments

Washington D.C isn’t as much of an outdoor oasis as it is a history and art lover’s dream. The United State capital entertains over 43 million visitors annually to its 25 national parks, 4 national trails, 74 national historic landmarks, and 137 archeological sites. The National Register of Historic Places lists 621 buildings in its 68 square miles. The District of Columbia is also home to 11 of the 19 Smithsonian Museums. The best thing about Washington D.C.? There are a ton of free things to do. From the Smithsonian Museums to the national mall and memorials to the U.S. Capitol Building. One big tip is to ignore the driving directions and take the subway. It’s safe and extremely convenient for getting around the city at a low rate!

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National Parks & Historic Sites

African American Civil War Memorial

1925 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Over 200,000 African-American soldiers and sailors served in the U.S. Army and Navy during the Civil War. Their service helped to end the war and free over four million slaves. The African American Civil War Memorial honors their service and sacrifice.

Anacostia Park

1900 Anacostia Dr, Washington, DC 20020

Whether you exercise along the river trail or relax by the water, Anacostia Park is a breath of fresh air and a space to unwind amid a bustling city.

Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument

144 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Home to the National Woman’s Party for nearly 90 years, this was the epicenter of the struggle for women’s rights. From this house in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, Alice Paul and the NWP developed innovative strategies and tactics to advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment and equality for women. President Barack Obama designated the national monument on April 12, 2016.

Capitol Hill Parks

Washington, D.C.; See list of parks in the map above

The Capitol Hill Parks include several park areas east of the U.S. Capitol. Included in this group are Folger, Lincoln, Stanton, and Marion Parks, the Eastern Market and Potomac Avenue Metro stations, and several smaller land parcels such as Seward Square, Twining Square, the Maryland Avenue Triangles, the Pennsylvania Avenue Medians, and 59 inner-city triangles and squares.

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Various States VA, MD, DE, DC, PA, NY

Four hundred years ago Englishman John Smith and a small crew of adventurers set out in an open boat to explore the Chesapeake Bay. Between 1607 and 1609 Smith and his crew mapped nearly 3,000 miles of the Bay and rivers and documented American Indian communities. Smith’s map and journals are a remarkable record of the 17th-century Chesapeake. Come and join the adventure on the Chesapeake Bay!

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

1538 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Before Dr. Carter G. Woodson, there was very little accurate written history about the lives and experiences of Americans of African descent. Today a National Historic Site, Dr. Woodson’s home served as the headquarters for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week here in 1926, which we celebrate today as Black History Month.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Potomac River, DC, MD, WV; one site is Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20418

Preserving America’s early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.

Chesapeake Bay

Chesapeake Bay Watershed, DC, DE, MD, NY, PA, VA, WV

NPS helps you learn about and enjoy the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in North America. Here, you can visit major league cities, colonial towns, American Indian landscapes, farms and fishing villages. You can learn to kayak, pick crabs, go fishing, tour a lighthouse, slurp oysters, and slow down to enjoy the natural beauty of the Chesapeake.

Civil War Defenses of Washington

Minnesota Ave SE, Washington, DC 20019; Washington, DC, MD, VA

On forested hills surrounding the nation’s capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. Built by Union forces, these strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world’s most fortified cities. This month, we will feature Fort Totten, part of the Northern Defenses and engaged during the Battle of Fort Stevens.

Constitution Gardens

Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20024

Officially established in 1965, National Mall and Memorial Parks actually protect some of the older parklands in the National Park System. Areas within this premier park provide visitors with ample opportunities to commemorate presidential legacies; honor the courage and sacrifice of war veterans, and celebrate the United States commitment to freedom and equality.

Ford’s Theatre

511 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Explore Ford’s Theatre NHS, discover Abraham Lincoln’s life in Washington, D.C., the struggle for a united country, and the motivation behind Lincoln’s assassination. The National Park Service and the Ford’s Theatre Society present a variety of programs year round.

Fort Dupont Park

Minnesota Ave SE, Washington, DC 20019

Welcome to Fort Dupont Park in Washington DC! At 376-acres, the wooded park was once home to earthen fort built to protect the capital during the Civil War. Today, visitors can see the fort’s earthworks and escape to the great outdoors. Activities include picnics, nature walks, biking, gardening, environmental education, music, and ranger-led programs.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

1850 West Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242

These words by President Roosevelt ushered the United States into World War Two and defined what it is to be an American. Stop by this secluded memorial and begin to understand the Roosevelt legacy in the park’s largest memorial.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

1411 W St SE, Washington, DC 20020

Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for justice and equality. Born into slavery in 1818, he escaped as a young man and became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. People everywhere still find inspiration today in his tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity. Douglass’s legacy is preserved here at Cedar Hill, where he lived his last 17 years.

George Washington Memorial Parkway

DC, MD, VA

The George Washington Memorial Parkway was designed for recreational driving. It links sites that commemorate important episodes in American history and preserve habitat for local wildlife. The parkway and its associated trails provide a scenic place to play and rest in busy Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

1550 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019

In an age-old dance wind, water, and land combine here. Sparkling in the sun on a breezy day, this natural area of Anacostia Park has origins in a 1926 act of Congress to preserve the forests, water quality, and recreation value of the waterways of Washington, DC. The park reflects the policies that affect rivers and wetlands. Come, join the dance.

Korean War Veterans Memorial

900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC 20024 https://www.nps.gov/kowa/

Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met.

LBJ Memorial Grove on the Potomac

George Washington Memorial Pkwy, Washington, DC 20037

https://www.nps.gov/lyba/

From this distance, the seat of national power appears pristine across the river, so President Johnson came here often when he needed to escape from the stresses of building a Great Society. After he died, his wife chose this place for his memorial. A landscape of serpentine paths, white pines, a granite monolith, and an open meadow honors his legacy of social justice and conservation legislation.

Lincoln Memorial

2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20037

“In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.” Beneath these words, the 16th President of the United States.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024 https://www.nps.gov/mlkm/

Located in downtown Washington, D.C., the memorial honors Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice.

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site

1318 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005 https://www.nps.gov/mamc/

Mary McLeod Bethune achieved her greatest recognition at the Washington, DC townhouse that is now this National Historic Site. The Council House was the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and was Bethune’s last home in Washington, DC. From here, Bethune and the NCNW spearheaded strategies and developed programs that advanced the interests of African American women.

National Capital Parks-East

1900 Anacostia Dr, Washington, DC 20020

Welcome to National Capital Parks-East. We invite you to journey to parks Beyond the Capital of Washington, D.C. National Capital Parks-East is 13 park sites, parkways and statuary covering more than 8,000 acres of historic, cultural, and recreational parklands from Capitol Hill to the nearby Maryland suburbs

National Mall and Memorial Parks

900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC 20024 https://www.nps.gov/nama/

Each year, millions of people visit National Mall and Memorial Parks to recreate, to commemorate presidential legacies, to honor our nation’s veterans, to make their voices heard, and to celebrate our nation’s commitment to freedom and equality. Note: The Washington Monument is currently closed for modernization of the elevator.

Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, DC 20001

A street unlike any other. It is known the world over as the heart of the Nation’s Capital. America’s history has marched, paraded, promenaded, and protested its way along the Avenue.

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

The corridor between the Chesapeake Bay and the Allegheny Highlands, DC, MD, PA, VA; one site is Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge

Linking the tidal Potomac and upper Youghiogheny river basins, the evolving Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail network lies within a corridor rich in historic pathways and waterways. You can travel this historic corridor today—on foot, bicycle, and horse and by boat—exploring contrasting landscapes between the Chesapeake Bay and the Allegheny Plateau.

President’s Park (White House)

1450 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20230

Every president except George Washington has called the White House and its surrounding grounds his place of work, rest, and solitude. Recognizable around the world, the White House stands as a symbol of democracy. The White House and its park grounds serve not only as the seat of the executive branch of the government of the United States of America but also as an iconic place for civil discourse.

Rock Creek Park

Washington, DC 20008

Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation’s capital. This 1,754-acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history.

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

DC, MD, VA

For three years the young United States was embroiled in the War of 1812 and the Chesapeake Bay region felt the brunt of it, choked by shipping blockades and ravaged by enemy raids. Through sites and landscapes in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and throughout Maryland, the Trail tells the stories of the events, people, and places that led to the birth of our National Anthem.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Washington, DC

In the 1930s, landscape architects transformed Mason’s Island from neglected, overgrown farmland into Theodore Roosevelt Island, a memorial to America’s 26th president. They conceived a “real forest” designed to mimic the natural forest that once covered the island. Today miles of trails through wooded uplands and swampy bottomlands honor the legacy of a great outdoorsman and conservationist.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

701 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242

Author of the Declaration of Independence, statesman, and visionary for the founding of a nation.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington, DC 20245

Honoring the men and women who served in the controversial Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial chronologically lists the names of more than 58,000 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country.

Washington Monument

2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024

Built to honor George Washington, the United States’ first president, the 555-foot marble obelisk towers over Washington, D.C. The Washington Monument is currently closed to visitors to allow for modernization of the elevator.

Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail

MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, DC

In 1781, General Rochambeau’s French Army joined forces with General Washington’s Continental Army to fight the British Army in Yorktown, Virginia. With the French Navy in support, the allied armies moved hundreds of miles to become the largest troop movement of the American Revolution. The effort and cooperation between the two sides led to a victory at Yorktown and secured American independence.

World War II Memorial

1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Through stone architecture and bronze sculptures, the World War II Memorial recognizes the ways Americans served. The memorial also honors those who fell and recognizes the victory they achieved to restore freedom and end tyranny around the globe.

For more sites and attractions, visit the Official Washington D.C. tourism site.

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