Recently, CNN ran a story about the 8 places every American should see…
Their recommendations were the Sears Tower, Gettysburg, Yellowstone National Park, New York Harbor, Monticello, Graceland, Pearl Harbor, and the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. I have only been to one place on this list: the New York Harbor. What about you? Do you even agree with this list? What places would be on your list?
Compare that with a list of the 15 Places Every Kid Should See by Budget Travel…I have been to four of the fifteen landmarks.
As for me, I think it would also be nice to visit each of the 50 states. The list below illustrates which states I have visited…
* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California (had a layover here, but I won’t count that)
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Florida
* Georgia
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois (had a layover here, but I don’t count that)
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming
As you can see, I still have quite a few states to visit…I have been to a little less than half of them. In addition to visiting each state, here are some specific sites I would like to see: Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Redwood National Forest in California, the lights in Marfa, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, and more!
Posted by Jessica on October 26, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I haven’t been anywhere on CNN’s list. I think the Budget Travel’s list is a little better, I’ve been to 6 of those locations!
I’d love to visit all 50 states, but have quite a ways to go.
As for your list, Grand Canyon is freaking amazing! We really want to go back and spend more time there. We only got to visit a few hours on our way to CA driving the Farland’s U-Haul. SF is pretty neat, and you can visit Muir Woods which is nearby, much closer than Redwood Forest. Marfa was only ok, just kinda cool to say you’ve been.
I think you’ve inspired me to do a similar post!
Posted by thedeinesfamily on October 26, 2009 at 9:55 pm
We didn’t travel much when I was growing up, so I’m behind most people when it comes to states I’ve visited. I’ve been to 1 place from CNN’s list: Graceland. I’m not sure I’d put it on that list either. I’ve only been to 2 places on the kid’s list.
Posted by michellek on October 27, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Jessica, the Grand Canyon is one of those must-sees, I hope to make it happen soon!
Kasey, my family didn’t do a ton of out of state traveling when I was growing up, either. I have done most of my traveling high school and after. The US just has such a variety of places to see…I hope to see more of them in my lifetime!
Posted by Young Wife on October 27, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Graceland? Really? I’d think the Grand Canyon would come before that. And Washington, D.C. I haven’t been to any of these places.
Posted by michellek on October 28, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I agree that the CNN list if a little odd, but I think they were going for those tourist spots that are a little off the map or sometimes forgotten.