by Karen Zortman-Loos

Created on: January 29, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

These are my top five tourist attractions in the USA that offer culture, history, and more.

WASHINGTON DC:

One of my favorites is Washington DC. I enjoyed seeing the Smithsonian when I was a child, seeing the hope diamond, and the chairs from "All in the Family". The Ford Museum where Abraham Lincoln was shot and the house across the street that he spent his final hours. Of course, Arlington Cemetery is famous for the Unknown Soldier, and other war heroes that are laid to rest. The eternal flame which is on the gravesites of JFK and Jackie Kennedy-Onassis. Driving by the White House, seeing the Capitol and Washington/Lincoln Monuments are fabulous. If you come at the end of March to the beginning of April you can see the Cherry Blossoms in season.

BLACKHILLS:

My next place would be the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming with the richness of the past. Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Poker Alice, and many others who played a hand in the legendary history of the West. Now days, you can see the saloon that Wild Bill was shot in, and take in the local casinos in Deadwood. One casino/restaurant/bar is owned by Kevin Costner and his brother, the Midnight Star, and he also owns Tatanka a museum about the great bison.

Mickelson Trail, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Reptile Gardens, Presidents' Wax Museum, and come to Rapid City where many Presidential Statues can be found on most corners as well as staying at a historical hotel.

Many enjoy coming to the Black Hills for the Sturgis Rally in August. The downtown of Sturgis you can see various types of bikes, and bikers. Many famous rock and roll singers come to the rally to perform on stage at the Chip. Several famous people have come to the Rally like: Peter Fonda, Jay Leno, Elizabeth Taylor, and more.

Several motion pictures were filmed right in the Black Hills: Dances with Wolves, North by Northwest, Lakota Woman, How the West Was Won, and, National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

CASCADE MOUNTAIN RANGE:

It's a site to see these beautiful mountains in the states of Washington, and Oregon State but these sites actually start at the base of Canada to the Northern Tip of California. Mt Hood where great skiers have gone to practice their skills for the Olympics, Mt St Helens where in May 1980 a volcanic eruption took place, and Mt Rainer in Seattle which is a site to your North from the Needles.

But while you are taking in the sites of the Pacific Northwest check out whale watching, Pikes Fish market, sports teams are mostly

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