Forget burgers and backyard games for a moment. This Memorial Day, why not honor America's fallen heroes by embarking on a truly memorable journey? From sacred battlefields to towering monuments, these exceptional destinations offer an opportunity to connect with history, pay your respects, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
San Diego
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet moved to San Diego. San Diego is a very patriotic city, including the San Diego Air and Space Museum and the USS Midway Museum. It is also home to the Unconditional Surrender Statue that commemorates Japan's surrender to the United States.
Honolulu
Just west of Honolulu lies Pearl Harbor, where the United States suffered a surprise attack by the Japanese on “December 7, 1941, a date that will live in infamy.” A total of 2,403 Americans were killed, 1,178 wounded, and half of the Pacific Fleet's battleships and cruisers were destroyed. Today, the USS Arizona Memorial is a somber reminder of the lives lost that day.
New Orleans
The Louisiana Purchase nearly doubled the size of the United States, but America needed the War of 1812 to retain the territory. The Battle of New Orleans became a symbol of the victory of American democracy over old European ideas about aristocracy and entitlement. Today, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans emphasizes the American experience in World War II, as they fought alongside the French and British to liberate Europe from Hitler's tyranny.
Saint Louis
America is just a nation of immigrants and patriots. It is the land of pioneers and dreamers. “Going West, Young Man” wasn't just a song. It was the spirit that spread our nation from sea to shining sea. St. Louis is home to the Gateway Arch, one of the most iconic symbols of the United States and a place where the pioneering spirit still thrives today.
Gettysburg
You can't talk about military sacrifice in Pennsylvania without mentioning Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War and the location where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. With an estimated 50,000 casualties, it was the bloodiest battle of the bloodiest war in American history.
Philadelphia
The City of Brotherly Love is home to many of our nation's treasures including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Constitution Center, the President's House, and Valley Forge. The winter of 1777-1778 left indelible images of suffering and sacrifice from bloody footprints in the snow to starving men shouting “We want meat.” However, that winter saw them transform from a scattered army into a fighting force capable of liberating the colonies from the British.
Baltimore
Baltimore is another starting point for the American dream. From 1870 to 1920, more than one million immigrants entered the United States through the port of Baltimore. However, the city is more than just a gate, it is a brick wall that keeps the British out. The Star-Spangled Banner was written when Francis Scott Key saw the United States flag still flying over Fort McHenry. To this day, we rejoice that the star-spangled banner still flies over the land of the free and the home of the brave. .
New York
Since 1886, the Statue of Liberty has served as a beacon of freedom for millions of immigrants arriving in New York Harbor. The tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe freely have created a new nation here and the greatest city on earth. September 11 is a reminder that we must always be vigilant and never forget the sacrifices made. The September 11 Memorial and Museum will keep that memory alive.
Boston
Boston is known as the “Birthplace of American Freedom,” and the Freedom Trail is the place to go to get the full story. You can see the site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere's House, as well as the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill, where the American Revolution began.
Washington, DC
Our tour of national venues must end in our nation's capital, Washington, DC. It is home to the White House, Capital Hill, and the Washington Monument. Of course no one should forget the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You see America at its best, and you remember the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our country.
Something else you might like:
Our Boston Freedom Trail guide and route map includes all 16 historic stops along its 2.5-mile route through Boston. We will give you the tools and tips needed to take a free walking tour. View our interactive map in Google Maps and follow along as history comes to life. This map is essential if you plan to walk the Freedom Trail.
The ultimate guide to biking in San Diego
I don't use superlatives often, but this is the ultimate guide to biking in San Diego. Having lived in Pacific Beach and biked thousands of miles there, I know the secret routes that connect San Diego's bike paths to bike paths and bike-friendly roads. Read on and discover that getting around San Diego by bike is as easy as riding a bike.
Hello! We are Jane and Ed Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
