Keystone, South Dakota

What other landmark was portrayed by having Cary Grant crawl around on presidents’ heads? Even if one of North by Northwest’s pivotal scenes wasn’t filmed on the face of the monument, you’ll still be moved by the granite-carved faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln against the Black Hills backdrop. It took Gutzon Borglum and a crew of 400 to create the monument between 1927 and 1941, but their efforts were certainly worth it.

Number 4

Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco, California

Synonymous with the “City by the Bay,” this landmark has to be driven, walked and then viewed from vista points to the northeast and southeast to be fully appreciated. Contrary to the belief of some, the bridge was not named because of its color (which isn’t golden, but actually called “International Orange”). The name is related to Golden Gate Strait at the entrance of San Francisco Bay. Regardless, our No. 4 American landmark is more than just a way to get to and from the city.

Number 3

Grand Canyon National Park

Arizona

Let’s not think about the toilet seat-shaped tourist trap that now defaces Grand Canyon West. Think of the “real” Grand Canyon when you visit one or both of its more pristine vantage points: the popular South Rim and the less-traveled but equally impressive North Rim. Whichever vantage point you choose, your breath will be taken away. The elevation doesn’t help matters, but no wide angle lens can come close to interpreting the magnitude of our No. 3 American landmark.

Number 2

National Mall & Memorial Parks

Washington, DC

You can call it a cop-out or call it a catchall, but there are too many important American landmarks in our nation’s capital to get selective. Some of the most important are on and around The Mall. Stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and you can almost hear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reciting “I Have a Dream.” Just steps away, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will have a profound effect on you that you won’t soon forget. Not much farther away, landmarks like The White House, Washington Monument and more round out our No. 2 American landmark.

Number 1

Statue of Liberty

New York, New York

For the millions who have seen her in person, nothing comes close to this standout American landmark -- a gift from France, by the way. “Liberty Enlightening the World” is more commonly known as the Statue of Liberty, Lady Liberty or in this case, the ultimate American landmark. Visitors to the main attraction of Liberty Island haven’t been allowed into the torch since 1916 or into the crown since 2001, but it really doesn’t matter. There’s no better view than from outside, where you can reflect on everything she represents.

Domestic goodness

There are thousands of places around the world worth seeing in your lifetime. But don’t overlook these coveted American landmarks here at home. They are solemn, irreverent, grand, and humble. They are America.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 682