10 American monuments you need to see at least once

10 American monuments you need to see at least once

The Old World has castles, quaint villages, and ancient ruins, but when you're on the lookout for looming, towering monuments… We have plenty of those on American soil. From sculptures carved into sweeping natural landscapes to icons that shape city skylines, these landmarks have become shorthand for the places they call home. They are not only impressive to look at, but they also tell stories about history, ambition, and identity. Here are 10 of the most stunning and iconic American monuments that you must visit at least once in your lifetime.

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Image: Ronda Darby

Carved into the granite face of Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota, you'll find the 60-foot-tall faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Designed by Gutzon Borglum and sculpted between 1927 and 1941, the Shrine of Democracy symbolizes the nation's birth, growth, development, and preservation.

Its remote setting, surrounded by forested hills and open sky, only adds to the impact. Mt. Rushmore blends human ambition and raw, natural scale in an unmatched display.

The Statue of Liberty, New York City

Image: Pierre Blaché

A gift from France in 1886, Lady Liberty has greeted millions of immigrants and visitors arriving by sea into New York Harbor. She became a global symbol of freedom, opportunity, and refuge, epitomizing the American Dream.

The Statue of Liberty isn't just an icon of New York; it's an American emblem recognized around the globe. Seeing her up close, whether from Liberty Island or a passing ferry, is a breathtaking affair.

The Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri

Image: Brittney Butler

Standing at 630 feet tall, the Gateway to the West is the tallest man-made monument in the United States, and the tallest arch in the world. Completed in 1965, it commemorates the city's key role in the nation's westward expansion and exploration.

You can ride a tram up to the observation area near the top of the Arch, where you'll get sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the city stretching out to the horizon.

The Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Image: Caleb Fisher

At the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., seated solemnly within a neoclassical-style temple, a massive marble sculpture of Abraham Lincoln honors the 16th president of the United States and the ideals he represented.

The memorial has been (and still is) a living stage for history. It continues to serve as a gathering place for reflection and change, as exemplified by Martin Luther King Jr.'s unforgettable "I Have a Dream" speech.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California

Image: Chris Brignola

Few structures are as representative of their home city as San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. It's one of the most photographed landmarks in the world and stars in countless establishing shots.

Whether shrouded in fog or bathed in sunset light, the bridge is inseparable from San Francisco's identity. Crossing it, or just looking at it from the bayside, offers one of the most memorable urban sights in the country.

Crazy Horse Memorial, South Dakota

Image: Tommy Bond

Still under construction since 1948, the unfinished Crazy Horse Memorial shows ambition on an almost unrivaled scale. When completed, the monument will depict a 563-foot-tall image of the Lakota leader Crazy Horse mounted on horseback and pointing to his tribal land, dwarfing the presidential faces carved into the nearby Mount Rushmore.

The sheer size of the undertaking is breathtaking on its own, and it stands as a testament to the hardships that the Native American tribes have faced throughout the nation’s history.

The Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Image: Rafik Wahba

Surrounded by the captivating natural beauty of the flowering cherry trees around Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin, the Jefferson Memorial perfectly blends classical architecture with one of the city's most picturesque locations. Inspired by Roman temples, it honors the 3rd president of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

Make sure to visit during springtime, when the cherry blossoms are blooming, creating one of the most iconic and photo-worthy scenes in the United States.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Image: Caleb Fisher

The Vietnam Memorial, honoring the U.S. veterans who served in the Vietnam War, is a two-acre site just northeast of the Lincoln Memorial. The site is dominated by two long black granite walls etched with the names of service members who died or were declared missing during the war.

The memorial’s minimalist and subdued architecture invites silent reflection, making the experience of visiting the site intimate and deeply personal.

The Space Needle, Seattle, Washington

Image: Zhifei Zhou

Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle is one of those American Landmarks so widely recognized that it barely needs an introduction. No film or TV show set in Seattle is complete without an establishing shot of the Needle rising above the city.

Standing 605 feet tall, the Space Needle defines the city's skyline, representing a distinctly mid-century optimistic vision of the future. From the observation deck, visitors get a sprawling view of the city, Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the surrounding mountains.