United States

As the New World’s largest country in both area and population, the United States of America possesses a rich history and more historic sites than you could visit in a lifetime.

Founded in rather rebellious fashion during the 1770s, the new nation’s unique system of government quickly became the model for the world. America’s national park system, the planet’s first, preserves both human and natural history sites for generations to come. The history buff cannot be bored in the USA.

 

History

While debate continues over the subject, most scientists and historians believe that the United States and the rest of the Americas had only animal inhabitants until 10,000-15,000 years ago. Near the beginning of the Holocene era (10,000 BCE), the ancestors of today’s Native Americans crossed a land bridge over the Bering Strait into what is now the US state of Alaska. (Native Americans probably migrated even earlier than this. It’s still up for debate.) These intrepid travelers came in waves, filtering south into the vast empty landmass of North and South America. In the United States, these migrants split into several hundred tribes, each with their own languages and customs. Most of these tribes settled into a nomadic lifestyle, but exceptions existed; the vast abandoned city at Cahokia in present-day Illinois shows that the Native Americans were capable of building major cities and urban societies.

The Ancestral Pueblos (the Anasazi) built fantastic large pueblos and cliff dwellings. The most mysterious is the ruins of Chaco Canyon.

In the early 1500s, immigrants from Europe began exploring and settling the Americas. Further ahead in technology (guns beat arrows most of the time), the Europeans crushed most opposition as war and slaughter ensued across the continent. Native Americans were often killed, enslaved or relocated to untenable land. Entire peoples and languages disappeared overnight as disease and violence took their toll. Today, modern Americans are still coming to terms with this embarrassing and sad chapter in their history.

Divided up between France, Spain, England, Russia and the remaining Native American powers, the American territory was in a state of constant turmoil during the 1600s and 1700s. Finally, the British colonies on the East Coast rebelled against their motherland over taxes and a host of other grievances. Shocking the world, backwoods farmers and a vastly undermanned force defeated the greatest empire on earth (with a lot of help from the French). Forming a loose confederacy of states that later collapsed, the colonies founded the United States of America in 1787, creating a Constitution that called for an elected system of government (the democratic republic), one that aimed to be sustainable and geared toward mass public participation. While imperfect, this system has become model for free societies across the globe.

Over the course of the 1800s, America’s government procured more land until it became a nation that stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, later adding Alaska and Hawaii. This expansion occurred despite a Civil War which tore apart the young nation between 1861 and 1865.

The iconic skyline of lower Manhattan in New York City. A must-see city.

In the early 20th century, America became a dominant force on the global stage. America’s rise from 13-colony mosquito farm to 50-state world power has been truly remarkable, considering that it took just 200 years. America’s historic sites reflect the swift decisions and hardworking spirit of the immigrants that founded it, but also showcase a willingness to recognize and rectify past mistakes. America is a nation of near-constant change, but also recognizes and respects its own history.

Travel Guides

Click on the map for travel guides and posts written on certain states.

Travel Tips

Rent a car. America’s cities are great, but it’s a vast country which deserves to be seen.

Get a National Park Pass – The concept of national parks began here, and they really are one of America’s great ideas. Obtaining a national park’s pass will let you into all the amazing parks for free. Don’t buy it online, however, it’s cheaper and faster to get it in person at any National Park site that charges an admission fee.

For Emergencies: Dial 911 for cuts, bruises, gouges or any other medical problem you might have. 911 is also the number for reporting on-going crime. In many large national parks, 911 is operated by the park itself, like Grand Canyon.

Despite the stereotypes about Americans and fast food, culinary options abound. Americans take pride in their locally owned delis and eateries, so never be afraid to ask someone for a recommendation.

Check out all these posts on the United States!


Cemeteries of Savannah

Bonaventure Cemetery. Savannah, Georgia

 Giant trees covered in Spanish moss. The cemeteries of Savannah are something unique.  Continue reading

Amelia Island

Fort Clinch. Amelia Island, Florida.

A northern Floridian island complete with an adorable downtown, a lighthouse, a fort and even a fantastic cemetery.  Continue reading

Wandering St. Augustine, Part 2

Memorial Presbyterian Church. St. Augustine, Florida

Explorations of two men’s outlandish taste in architecture that changed the look of St. Augustine.  Continue reading

Wandering St. Augustine

historic district. St. Augustine, Florida

Explorations of the colonial side of one of the the oldest European-settled cities in the United States! Continue reading

The Cemeteries of Charleston

Second Presbyterian Church. Charleston, South Carolina

A cemetery wanderer find a whole lot of great cemeteries on accident.  Continue reading

Wandering Charleston

Explore a southern city known for its unique houses, cobblestone streets and Fort Sumter (which I didn’t visit). Continue reading

Cathedral Caverns

Cathedral Caverns State Park, Alabama

Explorations of a cave that really lives up to its name.  Continue reading

Lookout Mountain

Little River Falls. Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama

One mountain, three states, and a whole lot to see.  Continue reading

The Appalachians of Georgia

All the gorgeousness of the Appalachians all the way down in Georgia.  Continue reading

Wandering Savannah

Lafayette Square. Savannah, Georgia

Explorations of Georgia’s oldest city, known for its southern charm. Continue reading

Congaree

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Explorations of one of America’s forgotten National Parks. Continue reading

Jekyll Island

deer on trail. Jekyll Island, Georgia

Explorations of one of Georgia’s Golden Isles! Continue reading

Gulf Islands

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida

Sandy beaches, ruined fortifications and alligators, explore Gulf Islands National Seashore! Continue reading

Dauphin Island

tunnel. Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Alabama

Off the Gulf Coast of Alabama is an island steeped in history.  Continue reading

Cemeteries of New Orleans

Lafayette Cemetery No. 2. New Orleans, Louisiana

One cannot go to New Orleans without exploring its unique cemeteries, at least I can’t. Continue reading

Wandering the French Quarter

New Orleans

Explorations of the most famous neighborhood of New Orleans. Continue reading

Wandering Baton Rouge

views from capitol building. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Explorations of the capital city of Louisiana! Continue reading

Poverty Point

Poverty Point State Historic Site, Louisiana

Check out a mysterious ancient culture and the 3,000-year-old mounds they left behind. Continue reading

French Illinois

Fort du Chartres, Illinois

The French were not just in Louisiana. They were all along the Mississippi.  Continue reading

Piney Creek

Piney Creek Nature Preserve, Illinois

This post has a lot of fungus in it. I’m not sorry. Continue reading

Wandering St. Louisish, Part 2

Even more explorations of a bunch of places in St. Louis and its suburbs.  Continue reading

Wandering St. Louisish

Jewel Box. Forest Park. St. Louis, Missouri

Explorations of a bunch of places in St. Louis and its suburbs.  Continue reading

More Ozarking

Amidon Memorial Conservation Area. Missouri

More explorations of the Ozarks of Missouri! Continue reading

Missouri State Penitentiary

Tour a really creepy old prison in the middle of Missouri’s capital.  Continue reading

Land Between the Lakes

Lighthouse Landing Lighthouse. Grand Rivers, Kentucky.

A unique geographic area with a unique kind of park.  Continue reading

The Little Grand Canyon

Little Grand Canyon, Shawnee National Forest, Illinois

A former Grand Canyon, Arizona, resident visits Illinois’ Little Grand Canyon. Continue reading

Giant City

Granite City Nature Trail. Granite City State Park, Illinois

A surprisingly gorgeous state park in Southern Illinois.  Continue reading

The Ozarks of Illinois

Indian Point Trailhead, Garden of the Gods. Shawnee National Forest, Illinois

Explorations of the gorgeous Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Continue reading

Badlands, Part 2

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail. Badlands National Park, South Dakota.

More explorations of the gorgeous Badlands National Park! Continue reading

Badlands, Part 1

Yellow Mounds Overlook. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Who knew that a place called badlands could be this gorgeous!?! Continue reading

Jewel Cave

Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota

Check out the third longest cave in the world! Continue reading

Wind Cave, Part 2

Lookout Point Loop. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Wind Cave National Park has much more to offer than just a breezy cave. Continue reading

Wind Cave, Part 1

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota.

Check out the seventh longest cave in the world! Continue reading

Custer State Park, Part 2

Needles Highway, Custer State Park, South Dakota

Explore the dramatic Needles Highway in Custer! Continue reading

Custer State Park, Part 1

bison. Custer State Park, South Dakota.

Explore South Dakota’s fantastic gem of a park, one of the best state parks in the country.  Continue reading

Roosevelt’s Badlands, South Unit

Buck Hill. Theodore Roosevelt National Park. South Unit. North Dakota

Walk in the footsteps of the man himself in Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit! Continue reading

Roosevelt’s Badlands, North Unit

Little Missouri Trail. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Unit, North Dakota

Explore the wonders of the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park! Continue reading

Makoshika

Kinney Coulee Trail. Makoshika State Park, Montana

Explore the gorgeous badlands of Montana! Continue reading

Medicine Rocks

Medicine Rocks State Park, Montana

Weird, eroded rocks in the middle of nowhere Montana.  Continue reading

Devils Tower

Devils Tower, Wyoming

A giant tower of stone in Wyoming’s Black Hills.  Continue reading

Agate Fossil Beds and Toadstool Park

Toadstool Geological Park. Oglala National Grassland, Nebraska

Check out two of Nebraska’s lesser-known attractions! Continue reading

Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff

Explore two iconic stops on the Oregon Trail! Continue reading

The Ozarks: State Parks

Francois State Park, Missouri

Explorations of a whole bunch of parks found on the Ozark Plateau. Continue reading

Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks as seen from Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Missouri

Explorations of two state parks on the banks of the Lake of the Ozarks.  Continue reading

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Alley Mill at Alley Spring. Ozark National Scenic Waterways

A boring name for a gorgeous National Park.  Continue reading

The Ozarks: Taum Sauk

view from Trail to Mina Sauk. Taum Sauk State Park, Missouri

A hike to a waterfall on Missouri’s tallest mountain. Continue reading

The Ozarks: Elephant Rocks

Elephant Rocks State Park, Missouri

An interesting name for some unique rock formations.  Continue reading

Cahokia

Monks Mound. Cahokia, Illinois

Before Columbus, there once was a large metropolis on the Mississippi larger than most European cities of the time.  Continue reading

España: Trujillo and Medellín

Two castles, one ancient theater and two adorable towns on hills.  Continue reading

Stone Mountain

A mountain of stone and a great state park in North Carolina. Continue reading