Proudly sitting in New York Harbor, The Statue of Liberty is perhaps the greatest American symbol of freedom and everything for which our great country stands. From its role as a beacon of light for 15 years guiding ships safely to a symbol of ultimate hope for weary immigrants coming to America to make a new life, a visit to Lady Liberty will pull at your patriotic heartstrings.
"The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. Designated as a National Monument in 1924, it has been part of the National Park Service since 1933.
The city of Philadelphia is probably the most important cities in the founding of our great nation and The United States was born at Independence Hall. For it is in this building that the representatives of the 13 colonies debated and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, as well as the Constitution of the United States in 1787. There is a great sense of pride when strolling about Independence National Park where The Liberty Bell and other important historical sites and museums are also located.
From 1892 to 1954, 12 million immigrants passed through the now quiet halls of Ellis Island in search of new opportunity for themselves and their descendants. It still remains today, a symbol of The American Dream. The year 1907 marked the busiest year at Ellis Island with approximately 1.25 million immigrants processed.
Today, a visit to Ellis Island it is a wonderful way to connect with the past and get an overwhelming sense of what it felt like to be an immigrant arriving in the United States for the first time to begin a new life.
Comprised of 3 mile red-painted and bricked path, The Freedom Trail in Boston connects 16 principal historic monuments and sites. Starting at Boston Common, the nations oldest public park created in 1634, it winds though the streets of the city and along the way Freedom Trail walkers will see an array of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond.
Notable sites include The Massachusetts State House, Granary Burial Ground, The Old South Meeting House (the birth of the Boston Tea Party), The Boston Massacre Site and Faneuil Hall (which hosted America's first Town Meeting and often referred to as "the home of free speech" and the "Cradle of Liberty," )
The magnificence of the Freedom Tower or One World Trade Center, is a testament to the tenacity of the city of New York and a statement to the world that nothing or no one can destroy the United States of America. A visit to One World Trade Center and the National September 11th Memorial is quite an impactful experience. Not only is One WTC the tallest building in the United States, but it is also the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth-tallest in the world. The main observatory is on the 100th floor and features a “Sky Portal” which is a 14-foot wide circular disc that provides an unbelievable unforgettable view, using real-time, high definition footage of the streets below.
As our nation's capital, Washington D.C. is an unmatched treasury of the country’s history and artifacts. Representing all three branches of government, the city is home to the buildings that house the Executive Branch (The White House), The Legislative Branch (The U.S. Capitol) and the Judicial Branch (The U.S. Supreme Court) which can be visited for a first-hand look at the inner workings of our Republic.
The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Gettysburg was the Civil War's bloodiest battle and was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address". When visiting, you can feel the somberness in the air as you walk around the hallowed ground.
One of the most impressive patriotic destinations is Mount Rushmore where the figures of America’s most prominent U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt are carved from a granite mountainside high above the treetops of the Black Hills. It is carved from the design of Gutzon Borglum, who oversaw the project's execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum, taking 14 years to complete at a cost of $1million.
- Elisa & Tanya