Five Patriotic Places Every American Should Visit

With July 4^th right around the corner, patriotism is swelling all across America.   Why not celebrate our nation’s freedom with a visit to a few of her most patriotic places?

Where should you go?  Here’s our list of the five patriotic places every American should visit!

1.     Lexington / Concord, Massachusetts – On April 19, 1775, the Revolutionary War begin here when America’s Minute Men “fired the shot heard ‘round the world.”  It was a bloody battle on this 22 mile stretch of road between Boston and Concord.  But, the Minute Men’s determination to persevere ultimately helped lead to the nation’s independence.  

Today, Minute Man National Historical Park (www.nps.gov/mima/) preserves many of the pivotal battles sites.  You can walk the Battle Road Trail and take the very route the Minute Men did on that fateful day.  See the famous North Bridge, visit the Hartwell Tavern (just as the patriots did back in the day), and stop by The Wayside: House of Authors where Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne spent time writing.

2.     Boston’s Freedom Trail (http://www.thefreedomtrail.org) – Walk through history on Boston’s Famed 2.5 mile Freedom Trail.  You’ll be able to visit Paul Revere’s home, stroll through Faneuil Hall, see the site of the infamous Boston Massacre, pay your respects at the Bunker Hill Monument, and tour the nation’s oldest commissioned warship, the U.S.S. Constitution.     

3.     Independence Hall in Philadelphia - Here is where much of America’s history was crafted.   The Declaration of Independence was adopted here on July 4, 1776.  The Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1781.  And the U.S. Constitution was drafted here in 1787.  The National Park Service (www.nps.gov/inde/independence-hall-1.htm) operates free guided tours of this iconic building.  Visitors are able to tour the very rooms our Founding Fathers gathered in and see period furnishings including the “Rising Sun” chair used by George Washington.  

4.     National Archives in Washington, D.C. – The nation’s most important documents are housed right here.  Visitors can view original copies of the Declaration of Independence, The United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.  Stunning murals depict the Founding Fathers.  An added bonus – visitors can view an original copy of the 1297 Magna Carta.    Free Admission; 700 Pennsylvania Ave.

5.     George Washington’s Mount Vernon – Mount Vernon was home to our nation’s first president.  The setting is idyllic, located on the bank of the Potomac River.  The history found here is immense.  Restored to its 1799 splendor, visitors can tour the very home George and Martha Washington lived in, walking through the very rooms the Washington’s did.  The guided Mansion Tour is a must, as is a visit to the Gardens and Pioneer Farm Site.    www.mountvernon.org/

Looking for more Great American Vacation Ideas?   Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!

Summer Fun in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the nation’s most visited National Park.  More than 9 million visitors head to the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina every year to soak up some of Mother Nature’s spectacular scenery.   Smoky covered mountain ranges, bubbling brooks, thunderous waterfalls, historic log cabins, and meandering black bears dot the park’s landscape.

Although fall is the most popular time to come visit, summer offers visitors a chance to see the park completely in bloom.   The forests are so thick and lush that sunlight can have a hard time penetrating the forest floor.   The mountain sides are as green as the eye can see.  And, wildlife seems to be a little more plentiful.

So, what’s the best way to see Great Smoky Mountain National Park?

1.     Drive It:   Auto touring has always been the most popular way to see this park.   The Cades Cove Loop, an 11 mile one-way loop, is the park’s most popular drive.  Restored log cabins, churches, barns, and a working grist mill replicate what the area looked like in the 1800’s when more than 270 residents called this area home.   Visitors are encouraged to pull over and explore.  Wildlife traffic jams are common here.  Deer and black bears love to roam the area foraging for food.     Looking to head deep into the forest?  Then, take the Roaring Fork Motor Trail.  This 6 mile loop follows a roaring mountain stream through a lush, thick forest.  Stretch your legs and take the easy self-guided nature trail to Noah “Bud” Ogle’s farmhouse and tubmill. 

2.     Hike It:  We think the best way to see the park is to hike it.  The trek to Clingmans Dome is a park favorite.   It’s the highest point in the park at 6,643 feet and offers spectacular 360 degree mountain views.  On a clear day, you’ll be able to see 100 miles in all directions.  The trail is short, just 0.5 miles, but is quite steep.   Waterfall lovers should consider taking Rainbow Falls Trail.  This 80 foot waterfall is one of the park’s best.  And yes, there is a rainbow involved.  On sunny days, a rainbow appears in the fall’s mist.  This 5.4 mile round-trip hike is considered moderate, with a 1,500 elevation gain.    Looking for something a little less challenge?  Then, consider the Gatlinburg Trail.  It’s a 1.9 mile trail from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to Gatlinburg.  Following the Little Pigeon River, hikers walk through a dense forest seeing old home site foundations and hopefully a little wildlife.

3.     Bike It:  Summertime offers a special kind of fun for those who love to bike.  On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the Cades Cove Loop is closed to all motor vehicle traffic.  Bicyclists are given the opportunity to experience this section of the park all to themselves.  It’s a peaceful way to enjoy the park and great exercise!   An added bonus – wildlife loves to frequent the area at this time of day.  Make sure to bring your camera! 

4.     Photograph It:  The Great Smoky Mountains are some of the nation’s most photographed.  Sunrise and sunset provide professional (and budding) photographers the chance to snap some of Mother Nature’s most dazzling displays.  As the clouds and mist cling to the mountain tops, the sky turns an amazing reddish, orange hue.   Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap Road are popular picture spots.

5.     See it With a Ranger:  Ranger programs are part of any visit to a National Park.  You can join a ranger and hike through an old growth forest or out to a waterfall.  There’s junior ranger programs geared just towards kids where badges can be earned.  And then, there’s the popular nighttime ranger hay ride through Cades Cove.   Visit www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/events.htm to see a complete summer listing of ranger programs.

Interested in learning more about Great Smoky Mountain National Park?  Visit the National Park Service’s official website for maps, special events, and more:   www.nps.gov/grsm

Looking for more Great American Vacation Ideas?   Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!

Saint Petersburg, Florida is an Art Lover’s Getaway

When you hear about Saint Petersburg, Florida, you probably don’t associate it with fantastic art collections.  But, you should!   Saint Petersburg isn’t just about those beautiful, sparkling Gulf of Mexico beaches.   Two of Florida’s (and the nation’s) best art museums are found right here:  The Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.   So, go ahead and head to the beach in the morning.  Then, spend the afternoon soaking up some of art’s greatest masterpieces.

The Dali Museum houses the most comprehensive collection of Salvador Dali works in The United States.  Dali, best known for his surrealist paintings, also dabbled with Impressionist and Cubist styles.  This impressive collection features some of Dali’s most iconic works from 1917 through 1970.   Among the collection highlights are Self Portrait, The Average Bureaucrat, and The Hallucinogenic Toreador.  With 96 oil paintings and over 100 drawings and watercolors, visitors can easily spend a few hours taking it all in.   Special events and programs are scheduled throughout the year, including the popular Breakfast with Dali for Families.   For more details, visit www.thedali.org.  Click on the Special Offers tab for a $2 coupon off admission.

The Museum of Fine Arts is one of Tampa Bay’s cultural gems.  It’s the region’s only museum that houses more than 4,500 years of art under one roof.   Art lovers will thoroughly enjoy taking in the works of Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir that adorn the walls.  History buffs will enjoy the Pre-Columbian pieces and the Greek and Egyptian antiquities on display.   We recommend taking the General Docent Tours that are offered daily (and included in your admission.)  The tours are entertaining and highlight the collection’s most impressive pieces.  Then, relax in one of the beautiful gardens and gaze out over sparkling Tampa Bay.  For more details, visit www.fine-arts.org

Looking for more vacation ideas?  Then, visit our website, greatamericanvacationideas.com , for complete travel guides to destinations around the country!