MONUMENT VALLEY, ARIZONA, U.S.A

U. S. A.

America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it's all right to keep asking if we're on His side.

RONALD REAGAN, State of the Union Address, Jan. 25, 1984

States

Out of 50 States in the United States, you will never run out of beautiful places to explore. It's just a matter of choice and preferences.

Arizona

Arizona is located in the southwestern region of the United States. Here, you will find three national parks - Grand Canyon, Saguaro and Petrified Forest, as well as national monuments such as Monument Valley and Four Corners. Glen Canyon Dam is also found here.

California

The state of California is the third largest state in the United States. Here, you will find nine national parks: Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Pinnacles, Redwood National and State, Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.

Colorado

The state of Colorado is made up of mountains, foothills, high plains and desert lands. The state is not only known as a winter destination, but also a mecca for mountain climbing, hiking, biking, fishing and camping. Here, you will find four national parks - Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Great San Dunes National Park and Preserve. There are also five national monuments and a number of state parks.

Hawaii

Hawai'i, which is composed entirely of islands, is the only state in the United States located in the Pacific Ocean. It is not geographycally located to North America. The state has eight main islands and many smaller islands and islets. Here, you will find two national Parks; Hawai'i Volcanoes on the Big Island and Haleakala in Maui.

Idaho

Idaho, known as the "Gem State", is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It borders six U.S. states and one Canadian province. The state is known for its potatoes, and farmlands dominate the landscape, but there are rivers and mountains that offer a variety of outdoor activities. A small part of Yellowstone National Park is in Idaho.

Maine

Maine is located in the New England Region, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south. The state is well known for its lighthouses; at least 70 were built along the seacoast. It is the only state that borders on only one other state - New Hampshire. Acadia is the only national park in Maine.

Massachusetts

Massachussetts is located in the northeastern region of New England. It lies by the Atlantic Ocean and borders five other states: Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Here, you will find the oldest university in the United States, the Harvard University.

Montana

Montana is located in the Northwestern United States. Here, you will find Glacier National Park. Three of five entrances to Yellowstone National Park can be accessed here. Glacier National Park can also be found here, as can a small part of Yellowstone. The state provides year-round outdoor activities: hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, to name a few.

Nevada

Nevada, known as the "Silver State", is located in the Western United States. The state ranks second in the country by the number of mountains within its borders. It is also the driest state, covering large areas of desert and semi-arid lands. Great Basin National Park is in Nevada.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is located in the northeastern United States, the 5th smallest and 9th least populous state. The state is one of the prime destinations for viewing the fall colors. It has quaint colonial style villages scattered all over the state. This state has no national parks.

New Mexico

The state of New Mexico is located in the southwestern United States. It is called the "Land of Enchantment". The state is an important center of Native American Culture. Here, you will find the oldest house in the United States as well as native American villages. New Mexico has two national parks - Carlbad Caverns and White Sands, plus many national monuments.

New York

New York State is located in the northeastern United States. It is known for New York City and Niagara Falls, as well as the iconic Statue of Liberty. The vast majority of the state is covered by forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, meadows and farms.

South Dakota

South Dakota is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. Here, you will find Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National and Wind Cave National Parks and other memorial and state parks.

Utah

The state of Utah is located in the western part of the United States. It is well-known for its year-round outdoor activities and attractions. Here, you will find five national parks - Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon & Zion. It also has several national monuments such as Natural Bridges National Monument.

Vermont

Vermont is located in the northeastern United States, region of New England. The sixth-largest body of fresh water in the United States, Lake Champlain, separates Vermont from New York in the northwest part of the state. Majority of the state's terrain is forested. Here, you can hike the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and explore Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.

Virginia

Virginia is located in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The homes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee are in Virginina, which represents the birthplace of America. Here, you can visit the Colonial Williamsburg, a restored historic colony of the state. Sixty five percent of the state is covered by forests. Shenandoah National Park is in Virginia.

Wyoming

Wyoming is located in the mountain region of western United States. Almost half the land is owned by the government. Here, you will find two national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone. There are two national recreation areas and two national monuments, as well as national forests, fish hatcheries, wildlife refuges and historic sites.

Other Historic Sites to Visit

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Monticello, Virginia

Wooden Covered Bridges

Redstone, Colorado

Ashcroft Ghost town, Colorado

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Colorado

Historic Cities & Towns

East Coast

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Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and has the distinction of claiming that the nation started here. The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired here. It has some of the oldest and finest institutions of higher education in the country. For anyone interested in history, art and music, there is no place second to Boston.

Bennington, Vermont

The largest town in southern Vermont, Bennington is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with autumn colors dominating the landscape. All of this can be seen from the top of the Bennington Battle Monument, the tallest man-made structure in the state. A number of fine historic covered bridges can be found here.

Concord, Massachusetts

When it comes to the American Revolution, nothing played a more important role in the early phases of the war than Concord (along with its "twin" Lexington). You can almost still smell the gunpowder when walking across Concord Bridge!

Rockport, Massachusetts

The beautiful seaside town of Rockport is full of typical Old New England charm. It is a haven for lobster fishermen and artists. This is a suburban residential town that is very popular with tourists from southeastern New England, but visitors from afar will not be disappointed spending the better part of at least a day here.

Salem, Massachusetts

Anyone who has heard of the Salem Witch Trials will want to visit this historic seaport of northeastern Massachusetts. Much of the city's cultural identity reflects its role as the location of the infamous trials of 1692, which contibutes much to the economic stimulus of the town. But there is plenty more to seek out in this diverse city.

Portland, Maine

When you think of lighthouses, you think of Maine. And none is more iconic that the Portland Head Lighthouse, just outside of this wonderful harbor city. Portland is a very livable and historic city that affords easy access to great recreation and ever greater cuisine.

Stockbridge, Massachusetts

This quaint New England town is located in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts. A year-round resort, it has its share of cultural events and venues, including the famed Norman Rockwell Museum.

Middletown, Virginia

Middletown is located in the Shenandoah Valley of northern Virginia. A significant landmark in town is the Wayside Inn, the oldest continuously-operated inn in the country, providing accommodations, dining and entertainment to visitors since 1797. It is just a short distance from Shenandoah National Park.

Williamsburg, Virginia

When we talk about this town, we are really talking about Colonial Williamsburg, founded in 1632, today the economic tourism engine of the modern city. This was the colonial capital of the original colony as well as the state of Virginia. It is home to the College of William and Mary, the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the country.

Historic West

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Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is located in Pitkin County, Colorado. It is both a city and a ski resort, completely surrounded by mountains. It has one of the most beautiful settings of any mountain town. There is no shortage of celebrities in this town - they fly into the Aspen Airport in their private jets.

Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is home to the University of Colorado. It is located at the edge fo the foothills and offers great hiking opportunities. The Mesa Laboratory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research is a modern builing designed by the great architect I.M. Pei.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge is a major ski resort as well as a charming Victorian town dating from the old mining days. It is strategically situated at the foot of the stunning Tenmile Range in Summit County.

Buena Vista, Colorado

In the heart of the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado is the town of Buena Vista, conveniently perched at the foot of the Collegiate Peaks of the Sawatch Range.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

The second largest metropolitan area of Colorado, Colorado Springs is home to the United States Air Force Academy and sits practically at the foot of Pikes Peak.

Creede, Colorado

The historic town of Creede is tucked into a scenic corner of the San Juan Mountains (the largest mountain range in Colorado), in Mineral County -in the Rio Grande Valley.

Denver, Colorado

Denver is the capital of Colorado as well as the state's largest city. Parts of the city afford stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.

Estes Park, Colorado

Estes Park is a resort town in northern Colorado which serves as the main gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. If you want to see wild elk roaming the streets, this is the town to visit in the fall.

Frisco, Colorado

Frisco is a delightful tourist town located on the shore of Dillon Reservoir in Summit County, Colorado. It is surrounded by spectacular mountains.

Georgetown

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Glenwood Springs is best known for its natural hot springs, including the largest naturally heated swimming pool in the world. It is also famous because the historic gunslinger/dentist, Doc Holliday, is buried here. The town lies at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers.

Grand Lake, Colorado

This small mountain getaway is located on the shore of Grand Lake, the largest natural body of water in Colorado. It serves as the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Lake City, Colorado

The historic mining town of Lake City is located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. It is a mecca for hiking and jeeping, and has an historic association with the infamous "cannibal", Alferd Packer.

Leadville, Colorado

Leadville is a former silver mining town that lies near the headwaters of the Arkansas River, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Situated at 10,152 feet (3,094 m), it is the highest incorporated city in the United States. Leadville is a statutory city, the county seat, and the only municipality in Lake County, Colorado.

Ouray, Colorado

Ouray and its surroundings are often called the "Switzerland of America" because of the stunning setting in the northern San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It is a charming spa town with a wonderful climate and history.

Silverton, Colorado

Naturally, this secluded town in the San Juan Mountains got its name due to the silver mining that took place there. Now it is a popular tourist destination, although it can be completely cut off from the outside world after a major snowstorm.

Telluride, Colorado

Formerly a silver mining camp, Telluride has become a fashionable ski resort catering to locals as well as celebrities. With its splendid setting in a box canyon surrounded by massive mountains, this town hosts some major music festivals.

Vail, Colorado

Vail is one of the largest ski resorts in the world - and it has prices to match. But there is also lots of beautiful mountain terrain affording unlimited hiking opportunities - and they are free.

Deadwood, South Dakota

This town in South Dakota was named for the many dead trees that were found here by early settlers. During the Black Hills Gold Rush, this town attracted such old west legends as Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock. Its population today is one fourth of what it was in the late 19th century.

Moab, Utah

Moab might be a small town, but it has a big back yard. Both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are just a short drive outside of town. This place is all about recreation in the desert of the southwest.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The town of Jackson offers old west charm as it lures visitors to the magnificent Grand Teton National Park just outside of town. It is also home to the famous Jackson Hole Ski Area. Yellowstone National Park is less than two hours away.

Historic Southwest

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Las Vegas, Nevada

No, this is not New York City, but if you want to see fantastic imitations of famous places around the world, this gambling mecca is just right for you. It has grown from a dusty desert village to a world-class city offering just about anything a visitor could want. Anything - hence its other name - Sin City.

Sedona, Arizona

When the natives of Phoenix want to excape the summer heat, they head north to Sedona. This is a nicely manicured town with amazing red-rock formations, fine accommodations and food to die for.

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona - and it is smack in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. It is home to Saguaro National Park, which exhibits the world's largest collection of its namesake cactus. A great place to visit - in the winter, though many come in the heat of summer.

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the United States, as well the capital of Arizona. It is the only state capital in the country with a population of over one million. You have to love the heat to live here, although winters are quite pleasant - hence the reason the "snowbirds" migrate here in winter. This is a magnet for retirees.