America’s amazing National Historic Landmarks

On Nov 1, 2020

Exploring our national treasures

Did you know that the United States has over 2,600 National Historic Landmarks? They serve as official markers of the country’s history and not just any old site will do. To be awarded this esteemed designation, the property or place must have a significant national impact by way of an event, person, time period, design or archeological finding. From the well-known to the surprising, here we’ve selected 5 places with a story to tell.

Slide 4 of 31: While you might think Florida is just about the theme parks, the truth is the southern state is chock-full of beautiful natural spots and historic sites. One visit to Crystal River and it's easy to see how it got its name. The water here is a gorgeous glimmering turquoise from afar and absolutely crystal clear up close. The 61-acre archeological site is one of the longest-inhabited areas in Florida. Plus, it's one of the best places to see manatees in the wild.

Crystal River Site, Florida

While you might think Florida is just about the theme parks, the truth is the southern state is chock-full of beautiful natural spots and historic sites. One visit to Crystal River and it’s easy to see how it got its name. The water here is a gorgeous glimmering turquoise from afar and absolutely crystal clear up close. The 61-acre archeological site is one of the longest-inhabited areas in Florida. Plus, it’s one of the best places to see manatees in the wild.

Biltmore Estate, North Carolina

Located in Asheville, the Biltmore Estate offers a glimpse at a life of pure opulence. This sprawling Gilded Age mansion estate is the largest privately-owned residence in the United States with the floor space measuring a whopping 178 square feet (16.6sqm). While no one currently resides in the late-1800s home, the family operates it as a visitor attraction with guided tours of both the interior and the gorgeous gardens.

Slide 6 of 31: Oak Alley Plantation has lived many lives over its 200-plus-year existence and though it started as a sugar plantation, today it's dedicated to educating visitors about the history of slavery. The 28-acre property gets its name from the double-row of oak trees that create a canopied path that leads up to the house (though the trees existed before the building). While its landscaping and architecture helped Oak Alley get its designation, it also earned a spot thanks to an enslaved gardener who pioneered a technique in the mid-1800s that made growing pecan trees commercially viable.

Oak Alley Plantation, Louisiana

Oak Alley Plantation has lived many lives over its 200-plus-year existence and though it started as a sugar plantation, today it’s dedicated to educating visitors about the history of slavery. The 28-acre property gets its name from the double-row of oak trees that create a canopied path that leads up to the house (though the trees existed before the building). While its landscaping and architecture helped Oak Alley get its designation, it also earned a spot thanks to an enslaved gardener who pioneered a technique in the mid-1800s that made growing pecan trees commercially viable.

Hoover Dam, Nevada

While we’ve listed the Hoover Dam as being in Nevada, it actually straddles the state line with Arizona. Miraculously, this concrete piece of architecture and design that stretches over the Colorado River was built during the Great Depression thanks to much blood, sweat, tears and money – it cost $165 million at the time, around $2.6 billion today. Although it’s named after President J. Edgar Hoover, it was initially dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Slide 9 of 31: San Diego's Balboa Park spans 1,200 acres and is packed full of photo ops. It's one of the oldest recreational parks in the United States, and home to several museums, gardens and attractions (including the zoo) plus chilled-out California vibes. Much like Central Park in New York, Balboa Park is a huge attraction itself and usually sees up to 15 million people flocking to hang out here every year.

Balboa Park, California

San Diego’s Balboa Park spans 1,200 acres and is packed full of photo ops. It’s one of the oldest recreational parks in the United States, and home to several museums, gardens and attractions (including the zoo) plus chilled-out California vibes. Much like Central Park in New York, Balboa Park is a huge attraction itself and usually sees up to 15 million people flocking to hang out here every year.