In its latest Budget Travel e-newsletter, there was a list of the 15 US landmarks they think every kid should see. It is a starting point - and I thought it would be interesting to see what sites you would add to their list, and if there are any on their list that you think should not be ranked among the "must sees".
I, for one, question the inclusion of Disney World - and would add one or two National Parks that are awe inspiring and a good reminder of why we need to take care of our world - Yosemite and Bryce Canyon National Parks come to mind quickly.
What are your thoughts?
Judy
Posts: 3899 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
I agree about Disneyworld. The kids may feel deprived if they haven't been, but they won't be any less ignorant for the deprivation. Also, I question the inclusion of "re-creations" like Colonial Williamsburg. And what is to be gained by a special trip to "Ground Zero"? Maybe once a memorial is built but I don't think that seeing it gives you any insight into our history.
Anyway, as I've said before, I am a curmudgeon so take that into account.
I would replace Ground Zero with the Statue of Liberty (though I am glad to see Ellis Island in the mix), not as just a drive-by either on the way from Ellis Island.
I'd probably re-word Lincoln Memorial to National Mall, including all the memorials.
Disneyworld is no more an national landmark than Coney Island, Great Adventure, or Universal Studios. There's nothing of our nation's history or commemoration, or natural beauty tied up with that attraction. If this list was being done for adults, would it include Las Vegas?
Can't decide about the St. Louis Arch.
I might add the Painted Dessert, though I've never been.
Yosemite.
I'm sure there's more - just can't think of them at the moment.
I certainly would not put Disney on the list either. Personally I would choose Plimouth Plantation over Williamsburg. I think it's more authentic living history, and also includes a section devoted to Native Americans.
And if you are going to have a list of top American landmarks, you shouldn't leave the Native Americans out altogether as this list did. I think perhaps I'd add Taos Pueblo or Chaco Canyon -- or does anyone have another suggestion for Native American culture?
I agree about seeing the entire Mall in DC, and of course, a visit to the Statue of Liberty. Just the whole NY experience is something every kid should experience.
Definitely our natural wonders in the Southwest, maybe the Rockies (any part), Route 1 on the California coast, and what about New Orleans, a uniquely American city?
And if you are going to have a list of top American landmarks, you shouldn't leave the Native Americans out altogether as this list did. I think perhaps I'd add Taos Pueblo or Chaco Canyon -- or does anyone have another suggestion for Native American culture?
- Roz
Great thread! How about Acoma(Sky City, NM), or Mesa Verde? I absolutely love these places. Although I love Taos too. I actually love anything NM.
I agree with the Statue of Liberty, and The Mall. Disney, nah.
I agree with you Terry,the Rockies, any part is a must.
As a foreigner I was going to suggest: - midtown Manhattan (especially Sixth and Fifth Avenues) - a baseball game - New England or the Appalachians in the Fall - the Washington National Gallery and/or the Metropolitan Museum and/or the Frick and/or the Guggenheim - the Aerospace Museum - a drive across the plains on a road such as Interstate 80 (with detours to pass through some "small towns") - the Wild West (Monument Valley, perhaps)
Of the suggestions in the original list I agree with: - Ellis Island - the monuments in Washington (does the Mall include the Jefferson Memorial) - Monticello - Niagara Falls - a theme park such as Disneyland (especially the parking lot!) - Redwood Park (or the trees in Yosemite or King's Canyon) - Yellowstone (which would, in fact, be top of my list for the place I would most like to revisit.)
Posts: 962 | Location: West Sussex, England | Registered: 08 February 2007
How about Acoma(Sky City, NM), or Mesa Verde? I absolutely love these places.
Yes, I just forgot about Mesa Verde -- I would definitely add that, especially as it is a national park. I love Acoma, too, but I think it's a bit harder to visit than Taos. One thing in favor of Taos (or Acoma) is that they are actual pueblos operated by the Indian tribes, and I think there should be at least one genuine Native American site on the list.
Yes, Acoma is wonderful, as are Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde. Acoma is, as Candi said, operated by the local tribal government. And Chaco Canyon has great Native American history. Painted Desert is great for wandering.
I'd add Yosemite, Yellowstone, Bryce/Zion, Mt. Rushmore, Little Big Horn. What about Las Vegas? (not an official landmark, I know) I think there are really too many to limit it to 15.
Tracey
Posts: 177 | Location: West Covina, CA | Registered: 19 February 2007
Originally posted by Jetbuny1: What about Las Vegas? (not an official landmark, I know)
If we're talking about KIDS, then I'd say NO to Las Vegas...altho there are plenty of things to see and do, it just woudn't make my list for places every kid should see. As a native Kentuckian I might be tempted to add Mamouth cave, but then I really love caves, so any cave would do - Carlsbad Caverns?
I agree with many of the sentiments on this board, but my opinion diverges on Disneyworld. Whatever the opinions of the crass commercialism concerning the the Disney company it remains the most fascinating and magical place for children. It is also a place which does a fine job of integrating entertainment with learning opportunities. The sites on the list are not meant to be synonymous with a list of the "most important sites in America." I have lived in appalachia for a number of years and find it very sad when children pine for disneyworld, but are financially unable to make the journey. It means so much to them. As an adult I sniff at Disneyworld, but its important to take their perspective as well.
As I live here in the land of the mouse and because of it, the Orlando area exists. Should every child see it once, yes but not as a landmark.
Landmarks are educational and that's not Disney.
After reading the list, here's what I'd view as 15 landmarks to take a child to see:
Washington, DC... The Capital, The White House, The Supreme Court Bldg and the Library of Congress... in essence make a week of it and let them see it all. My father pulled me from school to go and I had to write a report on it when I got back as my 'penance' for not being in class.
Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor.
Yorktown, VA... It's the surrender field of the Revolution.
Colonial Williamsburg and let them sit in the House of Burgesses and see how their country was formed.
Gettysburg
In NY.. the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building (Ground Zero..NO!!)... and take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry! See Times Square: at NIGHT!!
See the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and ride a cable car.
See the Grand Canyon and Sedona.
Philadelphia.. Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
Mount Rushmore
San Antonio... The Alamo
Monticello
Mount Vernon
Mystic Seaport
Okay, so it's more than 15 but they are all great and forever engraved in our memories. As a kid, we never got out west but my folks took my sister and I to all of those East of the Mississippi and we loved it all. I'm 57 now and can still remember each one!!
Doug
Posts: 2262 | Location: Winter Park, FL | Registered: 18 May 2005
In the interest of fair and balanced exposure to the bad, the good and the ugly, my list for the little buggers would include more off beat sites. These are sites that have been carefully considered in the interest of breadth of educational experience regarding US words and US deeds, US heroes and US villians, historical accuracy and fictional fun:
OJ's house in Brentwood Custer's Last Stand Monument Alcatraz Island OK Corral Deeley Plaza Ford's Theater Spahn Ranch Branch Dividian Compound Rikers Island Molly Stark Trail Lake Placid Ski Jump Four Corners, AZ The Space Needle The Old State House in Hartford Kitty Hawk, NC The corner of Hollywood and Vine Delaware River Gap Crater Lake Cheyenne Mountain Union Pacific's Bailey Yard Duval Street, Key West Tupelo, MS Bourbon Street Bath Ironworks, ME The Alamo Canandaigua Winery Little Diomede Area 51 Rangeley Lakes South Beach Skinners Falls Plum Island, MA Paul Bunyan Motel and Statue Washington Square, NYC Old Tucson Los Alamos Appomattox Courthouse Liberty Bell and Valley Forge The Rockettes Bennington Battle Monument Old (Underground) Atlanta Menlo Park Yale Bowl Chisholm Trail/Dodge City
...AND: THE PETRONIUS OIL PLATFORM, GULF OF MEXICO.
Posts: 738 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 12 September 2006
Okay, so it's more than 15 but they are all great and forever engraved in our memories. As a kid, we never got out west but my folks took my sister and I to all of those East of the Mississippi and we loved it all. I'm 57 now and can still remember each one!!
Old Tucson? You are aware that it burned to the ground about 10 years ago. To me as a native arizonan old Tucson is about as historically accurate as the mouse house (either of them). It is a movie studio. Admittedly a movie studio that has been around for a while but still a fantasy factory not reality.
I'd recommend Universal Studios before Old Tucson. Now the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum about 6 miles away from old Tucson I'd recommend as one of the great zoos, natural history, geology museums of the world.
Hello from Sue in NYC - I would rename Ground Zero to the World Trade Center Site and then add from this part of the world---Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History
Ahhh, NYC! I'd include the Manhattan branch of the NY Public Library on 5th Ave., between 42nd and 40th. A beautiful building from the early 20th century. The library and Bryant Park, which is adjacent, stretch for two blocks E-W and N-S and on the 5th Ave. side, the entrance is guarded by Patience and Fortitude, the famous lions.
Posts: 738 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 12 September 2006
I must disagree with the consensus of the previous posters concerning "Ground Zero" in NYC. (Yes the name is horrible).
However it is real living history for today's generations and will be a focal point for years to come. And the event has shaped the national conscienceless and will continue to have an impact on American history for at least the next 50 years. Standing there can only impress upon the visitor the true magnitude and scope of the event.
However ugly the event was, history was and can be an ugly process. That does not diminish its importance, nor should we omit the site from a list of historical must sees - regardless how repulsive it may be to some of us.
And I'm in the keep Disney camp. Let's face it, when it comes to American popular culture, they have certainly made their mark. Few things American with a greater presence globally than Disney.
Along similar lines, I'd throw in a game at Fenway Park or Wrigley Field before they disappear.
On the music front, the Cotton Club in Harlem, Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry or the Fillmore in SF - once again places that make the US stand out from the crowd.
I'd include Hollywood.
I'd also include the NYSE.
And a big second for the Library of Congress - that should be a required visit before giving anyone the right to vote !
-Kevin
p.s.: to Jeff - excellent stuff. Thanks for the laugh.
