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The Lincoln Memorial at dusk, Washington, D.C.
ADOBE STOCK
Remembrance and Reflection:
Famous U.S. Memorials
These five famous landmarks serve as side trips while in town or even meaningful reasons to travel in the first place.
By Spencer Carney
Sure, travel is often as much about the journey as the destination, but when was the last time you went somewhere truly inspiring? Here are five significant stop-offs in the United States tailor-made to boost your spirit (and maybe even put a lump in your throat).
Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Lincoln Memorial
Location: On the National Mall in Washington, D.C., overlooking the Reflecting Pool. The statue of Lincoln looks out toward the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol.Significance: With an architectural design inspired by ancient Greek temples, the Lincoln Memorial opened in 1922 to honor Abraham Lincoln—a man who rose from obscurity to become the 16th president of the United States, guided the nation through civil war and led to the freedom of 4 million enslaved people. Interesting fact: To the left of the 19-foot-tall statue of Lincoln are carved the words of his famous Gettysburg Address; to the right is an inscription of Lincoln’s second inaugural address.Visitors’ tip: Admission is free, and the memorial is open 24/7. Early morning or early evening visits can be more tranquil and usually offer the best light for photography.
AAA Tickets: Consider purchasing tour tickets through AAA.com/Tickets. A variety of tour options are available, such as Washington DC Old Town Trolley Tour and Monuments by Moonlight Tour.
Statue of Liberty at sunset, New York City
Statue of Liberty
Location: On Liberty Island in New York Harbor, reachable by ferry.Significance: Dedicated in 1886 and designated a national monument in 1924, the Statue of Liberty is a world-famous symbol of freedom that welcomed more than 12 million immigrants on their way to Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954.Interesting fact: France gifted the statue to the United States as a commemoration of friendship between the two nations.Visitors’ tip: The museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island are free to enter, but a ticket for ferry transportation is required. If you don’t have at least three and a half hours for combined ferry travel and time visiting Liberty Island, views of the statue can be had from nearby Battery Park. Or, ride the Staten Island Ferry for sights of the statue on a free round trip that takes about an hour.
AAA Tickets: A variety of tour options are available through AAA.com/Tickets, such as a the 45 Minute Statue of Liberty Express Sightseeing Cruise.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington, D.C.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE/MIKE LITTERST
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Location: West Potomac Park, next to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.Significance: The memorial honors the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., an advocate for racial equality who was also a voice for oppressed people around the world. Throughout the memorial, engraved quotes by the Rev. King on the topics of freedom, equality and justice line the South and North walls.Interesting fact: The granite block carved into the likeness of the Rev. King is called the Stone of Hope.Visitors’ tip: Admission is free and the memorial is open 24/7. It’s a short walk to visit the Lincoln Memorial steps, where the Rev. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963.
AAA Tickets: Consider purchasing tour tickets through AAA.com/Tickets. A variety of tour options are available, such as the Washington DC Old Town Trolley & Arlington Cemetery Tour.
Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis
Gateway Arch
Location: The west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Louis.Significance: While Gateway Arch National Park is less somber than some of the other places on this list, it is a bold symbol of America’s westward progress and can-do attitude. Jefferson National Expansion Memorial was the original name of the park, given in recognition of the Louisiana Purchase (made by Jefferson in 1803, which effectively doubled the size of the United States). Interesting fact: The tram ride to the viewing area at the top of the 630-foot-tall arch takes four minutes, but the ride down takes only three minutes.Visitors’ tip: Tickets to ride to the top of the arch are sold at gatewayarch.com and cost $11–19. The Gateway Arch Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the last ride to the top departs an hour before closing. In the summer, the Arch is open til 8 p.m.
AAA Tickets Consider the Small Group Walking Tour of Saint Louis with Arch Entrance available through AAA. This guided walking and tram tour includes admission to the Gateway Arch and Gateway Arch Museum.
Consider renting a vehicle for your next road trip. Visit AAA.com/Hertz for reservations and more information.
Tomb of the Unknown Solider, Arlington National Cemetery
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Location: Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia.Significance: Across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., a U.S. Army serviceperson stands guard before a white marble sarcophagus—the resting place since 1921 of the remains of an unidentified World War I soldier. The tomb, located on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, serves as a sacred memorial to servicemen and a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom. Interesting fact: The site includes two additional gravesites with unknown servicemen—one from World War II and one from the Korean War.Visitors’ tip: Arlington National Cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is the final resting place for more than 400,000 service members, veterans, and their spouses and eligible children. It is a place of honor, grieving and reflection. Visitors are asked to respect the property and to enjoy the space appropriately.
AAA Tickets: Consider purchasing tour tickets through AAA.com/Tickets. A variety of tour options are available.
Ready to visit an important U.S. landmark? Let a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent handle the logistics.
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