Your state's most famous person and how they are honored

Made in America

Since its inception, the USA has produced enough famous faces and important historical figures to fill the pages of any library on the planet. From titans of literature to presidents that have towered over global politics, from household-name musicians to Hollywood legends, America has served up some incredibly influential people during its time.

And as this gallery will demonstrate, the American states most associated with these individuals rightly celebrate them through some amazing attractions.

Click through this gallery to discover how every US state champions its most well-known person...

Alabama: Helen Keller Birthplace (Ivy Green)

Found in the city of Tuscumbia, Alabama, the Helen Keller Birthplace (also known as Ivy Green) might look like a simple, white clapboard house. It was here in 1880, however, that Helen Keller was born and her inspirational story played out.

When Keller was just 19 months old, she was afflicted by an unknown illness that left her blind and deaf. Showing remarkable resolve, though, she would ultimately learn to communicate, understand language, and become a prolific author on these grounds. This property is now a museum dedicated to her life, preserving artifacts and hosting tours.

Alaska: Iditarod Trail Race HQ

In Alaska, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, held annually in early March, is the stuff of legend. For fans of major sporting occasions in these parts, this multi-day event which spreads out across roughly 1,100 miles and features more waggy-tailed canines than the human mind can comprehend, is a bucket-list staple.

Located in Wasilla, the Iditarod Trail Race Headquarters celebrates the life and times of Joe Redington Sr. Known as the "Father of the Iditarod," Redington was pivotal in preserving sled dog traditions and establishing the first Iditarod in 1973. At HQ, you’ll discover photos, memorabilia, education displays, and a statue of him with his sled dogs.

Arizona: Barry Goldwater Memorial

Take a wander through Paradise Valley, and you might just come across the Barry Goldwater Memorial. Dedicated to the former military pilot, US senator, and 1964 Republican presidential candidate – known as Mr Conservative – there’s a bronze statue of the man himself as well as various plaques honoring his contributions to Arizona.

Whether you agree with Goldwater’s politics or not, the desert landscaping and native plants on show in his public garden make it a nice place to spend some time. Be sure to add it to your Grand Canyon State itinerary.

Arkansas: William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

Saxophone-playing Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, led his nation from 1993 until 2001 and oversaw the country’s longest peacetime economic expansion. Born in Hope, Arkansas, in 1946, he became the youngest governor the US had seen in 40 years when he won his state’s governorship in 1978. 

The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum sits on President Clinton Avenue within – you guessed it – the Clinton Presidential Center and Park. The building houses archival collections, research facilities, exhibits, replicas of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, and a timeline of his stint in the White House. 

California: Hollywood Walk of Fame

Home to Los Angeles, the beating heart of the American film industry, California has produced its fair share of famous faces over the years. 

One place where the actors and actresses of Tinseltown are memorialized is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s here where you’ll find stars dedicated to household names like Marilyn Monroe, born in LA in 1926.

Connecticut: Mark Twain House and Museum

Although he was born in Florida, Missouri, Mark Twain, the author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, will always have a prominent place in the heart of Connecticuters. This property in Hartford, serving as a museum dedicated to the life of one of America’s great writers and defining cultural figures, is where Twain and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. 

It was here that Twain wrote the majority of his most important works. Today, his restored home, a National Historic Landmark, illuminates a unique literary legacy.

Colorado: Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave

Born in Iowa in 1846, William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody went on to become one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Wild West. His Wild West show wowed crowds around the world, and was even credited with mending Britain and America’s relationship when it performed in front of Queen Victoria during her Golden Jubilee celebrations. 

Buffalo Bill’s museum and grave in Colorado is one of the most popular historic attractions in the Denver and Golden metro areas, with the burial site pulling in half a million people every year. First visiting the state during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush in 1859, Buffalo Bill performed 35 times here between 1886 and 1916.

Delaware: Hagley Museum

With a name like Éleuthère Irénée du Pont, you won’t be surprised to learn that the man who founded the DuPont Company in Delaware in 1802 wasn’t a born-and-bred American. The Frenchman’s business, which produced black powder and later other explosives, has nevertheless played a prominent role in the state’s rich history. 

Stretched across 235 acres along the banks of the Brandywine in Wilmington, the Hagley Museum is the site of the original gunpowder works. It showcases early American industry, including restored mills, a workers’ community, and the ancestral home and gardens of the du Pont family.

Florida: The Hemingway Home and Museum

Ernest Hemingway wasn’t born in Florida, but the legendary writer’s must-visit home and museum in Key West means he will always have a place in the hearts and minds of the Sunshine State’s people. The literary titan who penned A Farewell To Arms, For Whom The Bell Tolls, and The Old Man and Sea, lived in this Spanish colonial-style house from 1931 until late 1939. 

Remarkably, this property is home to almost 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats. Some of them are descendants of a white cat, named Snow White, who was given to Hemingway by a ship’s captain.

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Georgia: Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

One of the most influential Americans of all time, Martin Luther King Jr. grew up in an era of segregation and went on to shape the modern civil rights movement like no one else. His “I Have A Dream” speech, delivered in Washington, D.C. in April 1963, is perhaps the most celebrated piece of oratory in world history. 

At the Atlanta-based National Historical Park and Preservation District that honors King, visitors can explore the great man’s roots, walk in his footsteps, and visit the home of his birth and where he played as a child. You can also hear his voice in the church where he delivered his sermons as a Baptist minister.

Hawaii: Iolani Palace

Built in 1882, Iolani Palace was the home of Hawaii’s last reigning monarchs. It was the center of the Kingdom’s political and social life right up until the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893. 

The only official royal residence in the United States has been registered as a National Historic Landmark since 1962. Restored to its former grandeur, a visit to Honolulu’s gorgeous Iolani Palace is to connect with a time when King Kalākaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliʻuokalani, walked the property's grand halls.

Idaho: Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center

Sacagawea (also spelt Sacajawea) was an interpreter and guide for Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s expedition westward from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast. Born circa 1788 in what is now Idaho, she was captured by the Hidatsa tribe and taken from her Lemhi Shoshone people when she was just 12 years old. 

At 17, and with a baby to care for, she courageously helped an all-male touring party make sense of their country's new territories following the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. This center and statue near the City of Salmon is an important reminder that the USA was built on Native American homelands. 

Illinois: The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum

There’s unsurprisingly more than one state in the US claiming Hemingway as one of its own. Nestled just west of downtown Chicago in Oak Park, the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Illinois is the perfect place to explore the origin story of the famous author. 

It was here, in a second-floor bedroom, that the wordsmith was born in July 1899. The Pulitzer Prize winner spent his first six years of life here. Thanks to a restoration that began in 1992 and returned the house to its 1890s Victorian heritage, it’s now easy to imagine a young Ernest in this setting.

Indiana: Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site

There has only ever been one US president from Indiana. And so, with that in mind, it's perhaps only natural that the Hoosier State proudly celebrates the life and times of Benjamin Harrison. Serving from 1889 to 1893, the 23rd president was inaugurated 100 years after George Washington. 

Known for his values-driven leadership, the respected Civil War general was a Progressive statesman when it came to immigration and the voting rights of Black Americans. His former home, now a National Historic Landmark and museum, receives up to 35,000 visitors annually.

Iowa: Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum

The presidential library and burial place of Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, is situated on the grounds of the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch. Exhibits here cover everything from his years as a young adventurer to his response to the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed.

While the museum and gift store are currently closed for renovation work, with plans in place to reopen in summer 2026, the wider site is still welcoming visitors. Educational programming is ongoing, and it’s still possible to check out the Research Room if you’re willing to make an appointment.

Kansas: Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

The story of the 5-star General who went on to become the 34th President of the United States rightly makes Dwight D Eisenhower a celebrated public figure in Kansas. Located in the town of Abilene, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home is the ultimate place to explore the man’s extraordinary life and legacy. 

Boasting a top-level research facility, catering to academics and history buffs from around the world, the vast holdings of the library here boggle the mind – there are 30 million pages of historical records, 335,000 photographs, 768,000 feet of original motion picture film, and 70,000 artifacts to uncover. 

Kentucky: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

For over a century now, people from all over the world have come to the rural surrounds of Central Kentucky to pay their respects to Abraham Lincoln and his humble origins. Situated on the outskirts of Hodgenville, this memorial to the United States’ 16th president is a tribute to a man who rose from simple beginnings to lead his country through the brutal challenges of the Civil War. 

Step inside the Memorial Building and you’ll come across a Symbolic Birth Cabin, representing the one Lincoln was born in on February 12, 1809. Once you’re done here, pay a visit to the Sinking Spring water source that the Lincoln family once interacted with.

Louisiana: Louis Armstrong Park

Despite the state literally being named after King Louis XIV of France, we’re focusing on the celebration of a different Louis here. Down in New Orleans, within beignet-throwing distance of the French Quarter, sits an idyllic public park celebrating the jazz great Louis Armonstrong, who was born in the city. 

Look upon a statue of the man himself, get your photo taken in front of the iconic arched entrance bearing his name (pictured), and generally relax in some lovely open space. You’ll also come across Congo Square here, a historic meeting place for enslaved people in the 19th century.

Maine: Stephen King's Former House

Feeling brave in Maine? Stop by Stephen King’s former residence, just outside of downtown Bangor, and pose for some spooky snaps in front of what must surely be one of the creepiest fences in America. Made of black wrought-iron, it’s decorated with spiders, bat-winged creatures, and a three-headed reptile. 

For fans of King’s enormous back catalog of published work, which includes nightmare-inducing novels like The Shining, It, and Carrie, this red house is something of a pilgrimage. The famous writer and his wife no longer live at the property, but it's the home of their non-profit and community-focused foundation.

Maryland: Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

Open to visitors throughout the year, the Edgar Allan Poe House in Baltimore is a National Historic Landmark. Beautifully preserved inside and out, the influential Boston-born wordsmith lived here with his aunt, grandmother, and two cousins from 1833 to 1835.  

Affiliated with the American Writers Museum, exhibits at this property tell the story of Poe’s life and death in Baltimore. Significant artifacts, such as his portable writing desk and chair, telescope, and crockery, pull back the curtain on the creator of gruesome stories like The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum.

Massachusetts: JFK Presidential Library and Museum

Sat within a 10-acre park in Boston, overlooking the sea that America’s 35th president loved to sail on, sits the John F Kennedy President Library and Museum. Looking to learn about the life, leadership, and legacy of the world-famous JFK? This is most definitely the place to start.

Within its walls, you’ll be able to find out more about the enthusiasm this 1960s icon had for politics and public service. The building also provides an illuminating look into the man’s time in office, and boasts a huge collection of historical materials relating to his administration.

Michigan: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Think about American industry for more than a few seconds and, chances are, your mind will conjure up Michigan’s Henry Ford and his revolutionary assembly-line methods. The titan of manufacturing not only changed factory production forever, but also fundamentally altered the economic and social character of the United States. 

Located 14 miles west of downtown Detroit, this much-loved museum features everything from classic cars and presidential vehicles to Rosa Parks’ bus, and even the red-cushioned rocking chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot. The outdoor Greenfield Village nearby gives visitors the chance to ride in a Ford Model T.

Minnesota: Paisley Park

When the seriously talented singer, versatile musician, and prolific songwriter, Prince died in 2016, his fans were left devastated by the void he left behind. Barack Obama, US President at the time, put it perfectly when he said the world had lost a “creative icon.”

Found in Chanhassen, a suburb of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Paisley Park celebrates a visionary like no other. Once the home and studio of the Purple Rain performer, it now draws people from around the world to attend tours, events, and concerts. 

Mississippi: Elvis Presley Birthplace

Elvis Presley stands tall as one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures. Born in Tupelo, in a two-room house built by the men in his family, Presley and his family had to move out of his birthplace when he was just a few years old due to a lack of payment. 

When the Presleys departed the property, they couldn’t have known that the place they were leaving behind would go on to become such a significant location in the history of music. After gazing upon the humble origins of a performer who changed everything, check out Elvis’ Childhood Church where he was first exposed to the Southern gospel that inspired him.

Missouri: The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum

Awaiting visitors in Hannibal, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home is a popular historic site and significant location in the journey of American literature. Playing a crucial role in the life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, the house was the backdrop to Twain’s formative years in the middle of the 19th century. 

Twain would later draw inspiration from his experiences here during the writing of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, which features a fictional village very similar to the one he grew up in. Undergoing major restoration efforts in the late 20th century, the property – now a museum – closely resembles the one Twain encountered in his youth.

Montana: Charles M. Russell Home and Studio

Cowboy, artist, and Montana legend Charles M Russell was born into a prominent St Louis family in 1864, and arrived on the frontier in 1880 when things were winding down. Despite this, Russell supported himself by riding the ranges and working the ranches. 

Never too far from his watercolors, pencils, or modeling wax, Russell chronicled what he dubbed “The West That Has Passed.” In 1894, he quit cowboying to pursue art full-time. Found in Great Falls, the house and studio he built with his wife Nancy in the early 1900s draws visitors looking to connect with the spirit of a bygone age.

Nebraska: Willa Cather Childhood Home

Noted for her portrayals of frontier life on the American plains, novelist Willa Cather is held in high regard in Nebraska. Although she was born in Virginia in 1873, and died in New York City in 1947, her Childhood Home in the Cornhusker State – a National Historic Landmark – means fans of her writing can’t help but gravitate towards this part of the country.

First opened for tours in 1967, the site in Red Cloud has undergone major restoration and rehabilitation work in recent years thanks to the support of a Save America’s Treasures grant from the National Park Service. Housing artifacts, furniture, and family photographs, the property was rededicated to Cather in 2024.

Nevada: Liberace Garage

Nevada is a state built on cathedral-sized casinos and the showmanship of the entertainers that perform here. And not many over the years have come close to the sheer glitz, glamor, and all-round extravagance of Liberace. 

Born Wladziu Valentino Liberace in 1919 to Polish-Italian immigrants just outside Milwaukee, Liberace performed in Las Vegas from 1944 until his death in 1987. Known for his flamboyant costumes and ornate pianos, he's credited with coining the term "Fabulous Las Vegas" that adorns the city’s iconic road sign. The Liberace Garage houses the wild cars that were used in his stage shows.

New Hampshire: Robert Frost Farm

One of America’s most acclaimed poets, Robert Frost’s writing is New England in a nutshell. Located in scenic Derry, and now a National Historic Landmark, this idyllic farm was home to Frost and his family from 1900 until 1911.

For lovers of creative wordsmithery, this New Hampshire tourist attraction is a must. Tours, displays, a poetry-themed nature trail, and reading events are all on the agenda here. Running from May through October, there are also seasonal programs offered to the public free of charge.

New Jersey: Thomas Edison National Historical Park

A world where Thomas Edison had never existed would look very different today. That’s how much of an impact America’s greatest ever inventor, who was born in Ohio in 1847, has had on the course of modern history. 

In West Orange, New Jersey, tourists can step back in time and see for themselves the home and laboratory that shaped humanity’s course over the last 150 years. Be warned, though, that Glenmont Mansion – the Edison family home (pictured) – is highly popular, so make sure you reserve your tour tickets online in advance.

New Mexico: Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

Situated in Santa Fe, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum opened to the public in July 1997. One of the 20th century’s most significant artists, O’Keeffe was dedicated to creating imagery that expressed what she described as “the wideness and wonder of the world as I live in it.”

To get a sense of what O’Keeffe meant by this, you’ll have to come and see some of the museum’s collection of over 3,000 of her works for yourself. In 2006, the museum took responsibility for the artist’s home and studio along the Chama River in Abiquiú. Tours of this National Historic Landmark, where O’Keeffe lived and created her masterpieces, are possible by appointment.

New York: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum

When President Franklin D Roosevelt, his country’s 32nd democratically elected leader, first pitched the idea of building a library for his papers and memorabilia, critics argued that he was wrapped up in the idea of building a monument to himself. FDR, though, understood that providing public access to the records of his presidency would create transparency for the American people.

If reading up on FDR, his wife Eleanor, the New Deal, and presidential leadership during World War II is your thing, then there's no better place for you to visit in the US. Sitting in the town of Hyde Park, the museum boasts interactive displays, immersive audio-visuals, and rarely seen Roosevelt artifacts.

North Carolina: Thomas Wolfe Memorial

In Asheville, North Carolina, you’ll find one of American literature’s most famous landmarks. Immortalized in his autobiographical novel Look Homeward, Angel, Thomas Wolfe’s childhood home and the portrayal of his family, hometown, and boardinghouse has turned this place into a real point of interest for Wolfe fans. 

A fire in 1998, caused by an arson attack, destroyed a significant portion of the original structure and artifact collection. After intensive restoration work, however, the property was able to open its doors to visitors again in May 2004.

North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, loved the outdoors. From his intrepid youngster era, where he got outside to observe wildlife and make notes on what he saw, to his time in office, where he made conservation and ecological preservation a top priority, he was dedicated to protecting natural spaces for future generations.

The National Park in North Dakota that bears his name honors his time adventuring here in 1883. Although he wouldn’t have known it at the time, the rugged ranching lifestyle he experienced in this corner of the US would shape conservation policies still evident today.

Ohio: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame kicked open its doors to the public in September 1995. This landmark moment was celebrated with a concert to end all concerts – featuring James Brown, Bob Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin, and Johnny Cash. That same momentous weekend also saw a downtown parade take place, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Little Richard and Yoko Ono.

Of course, this must-visit attraction for music lovers doesn’t just celebrate musicians from Ohio, but there are plenty of acts inducted here with connections to the Buckeye State. They include Nine Inch Nails, The Isley Brothers, and Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders.

Oklahoma: Will Rogers Memorial Museum

Not long after Will Roger’s untimely death in 1935, debate began swirling on how to honor America’s "Cowboy Philosopher." With the help of his widow Betty, the Oklahoma Legislature, and generous donors, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore became the solution, opening its doors to the public on November 4, 1938. 

The location for the beautiful limestone property was fitting as it was in Cherokee Territory, near present-day Claremore, that Rogers was born on November 4, 1879 (yes, they opened his museum on what would have been his birthday). All of Rogers’ writings, a dozen galleries, a theater, a library, and even the burial site of the man himself can be found here.

Oregon: The Simpsons mural

You only need to briefly look at this mural of television’s most famous cartoon family to hear the immediately recognizable theme tune sparking to life in your brain. Located in downtown Springfield (no, not the one from the show), it’s a fitting way to celebrate the best known work of the show’s creator Matt Groening.

Groening was born in Portland, Oregon, in February 1954. The man behind the longest-running animated sitcom in the world would, we think, fully respect your decision to pose for a photograph here holding one of those pink, sprinkle-covered donuts that Homer loves so dearly.

Pennsylvania: Betsy Ross House

Once you know the story of the remarkable Betsy Ross, you won’t be able to look at the stars and stripes in quite the same way ever again. Plus, there’s even more to the woman who stitched America’s first flag than many might even realize. 

Visit the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia and you’ll discover all manner of educational artifacts and documents. This is your chance to better understand the extraordinary life of an ordinary 18th-century figure who was a brave rebel, a grieving widow, a working mom, a business owner, and a survivor all at once.

Rhode Island: Roger Williams National Memorial

Roger Williams National Memorial was established in 1965 to commemorate his work championing religious freedom. The memorial, a 4.5-acre green space situated at the foot of College Hill in downtown Providence, features a freshwater spring that once sat at the center of the settlement founded by Williams in 1636.

It was here, almost 400 years ago, that Williams fought for his belief that religion must not be subject to regulation by the government, instead believing it to be a matter of individual conscience. To understand the origins of Rhode Island, and the separation of church and state that underpinned its beginnings, start here.

South Carolina: Brookgreen Gardens

Love art, nature, and history in equal measure? Head to the soul-soothing South Carolina surrounds of Brookgreen Gardens, a beautifully green cultural space nestled invitingly in Murrells Inlet, south of Myrtle Beach and north of Charleston.

Founded by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington in 1931, it’s one of very few places in the US to have accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in addition to being designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stroll through the gardens on a guided tour or explore them on your own.

South Dakota: Crazy Horse Memorial

The 87-foot high face of the Crazy Horse Memorial is hard to miss. Started over 75 years ago, it’s part of an enormous artistic undertaking in the Black Hills of South Dakota. When the work is finished, visitors will look upon the largest completed mountain carving in the world. 

Created to honor all Indigenous people of North America, it should, upon completion, serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of reconciliation and the respecting of cultural differences. The enormous sculpture of Crazy Horse, a hero of the Lakota people, is funded entirely by visitor donations and entry fees. The memorial has never accepted government funding.

Tennessee: Dollywood

Spread across 160 acres of the Great Smoky Mountains, in the excellently named Pigeon Forge, sits Dollywood theme park. It's named after the legendary country music singer-songwriter and all-round national treasure Dolly Parton, who partially owns the attraction too. Fun-seekers who flock here are treated to more than 50 world-class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning cuisine, and a friendly atmosphere that keeps the feelgood vibes flowing from arrival to departure.

Fans of the voice behind such hits as Jolene and 9 to 5 should head straight for the on-site Dolly Parton Experience. It features interactive elements and curated exhibits that span her entire career.

Texas: LBJ Presidential Library

Stepping up from the position of Vice President to lead his country in 1963, following the assassination of John F Kennedy in Dallas, Lyndon B Johnson led his country through one of its darkest hours. Fueled by his appetite for social reform, the forceful Texan signed over 200 landmark laws during his five years in office.

The iconic LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, designed by award-winning architect Gordon Bunshaft, houses 45 million pages of historical documents, 650,000 photos, and 5,000 hours of recordings from Johnson’s political career. This impressive collection also includes 643 hours of recorded telephone conversations.

Utah: This Is The Place Heritage Park

When it comes to the story of Utah, few places hold as much historic significance as This Is The Place Heritage Park. Honoring the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake in July 1847, legend has it that when their leader Brigham Young first came here a heavenly vision led him to announce, “It is enough. This is the right place.”

Inside the 450-acre park, you’ll find the 60-foot high This Is The Place Monument (pictured) featuring bronze figures of Brigham Young and other early church leaders. Elsewhere in this setting, you’ll find a reconstructed village of original pioneer-era buildings.

Vermont: Calvin Coolidge Homestead District

Vermont might be one of the smaller states in the US, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t served up some major historical figures in its time. Take Calvin Coolidge, for example. The 30th President of the United States, born in Plymouth in 1872, really put the state on the map when he took the oath of office in the parlor of his family home in 1923. 

The President Calvin Coolidge Historic Site in Plymouth Notch preserves the birthplace and childhood home of Coolidge. Around the home where he grew up, much has also been done to maintain the village and setting that shaped the Republican’s formative years.

Virginia: George Washington's Mount Vernon

George Washington simply had to feature in this gallery somewhere. There from the very beginning, Washington, of course, led the Continental Army during the American Revolution and became his country’s first president after the struggle for Independence had been won. 

Whether you’re a history buff looking to understand the origins of a nation, just passing through, or looking for a family day out, George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Northern Virginia is well worth a look. Explore the grounds of the enormous estate, either on your own or as part of a guided tour, and discover what life was like for Washington, his family, and the enslaved men and women who worked here.

Washington: Kurt Cobain Memorial Park

When Nirvana’s classic grunge album Nevermind hit the shelves in September 1991, it catapulted their frontman, guitarist, and chief songwriter, Kurt Cobain into the public imagination. With their brutal riffs, angry vocals, and loud drum parts, the three-piece band tapped into an entire generation’s growing sense of alienation and frustration.

For fans of Cobain, the small town of Aberdeen, Washington, has become a must-visit spot. It’s home to the Kurt Cobain Memorial Park and the Young Street Bridge, which was one of the young Cobain’s favorite spots to hang out. The park features a memorial plaque, graffiti tributes, a granite headstone, sculptures, statues, and portraits of the troubled artist.

West Virginia: Katherine Johnson Statue

Immortalized in the movie Hidden Figures, Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician best known for her work at NASA. Born in White Sulphur Springs in 1918, Johnson was one of the first three Black students (and the first Black woman) to be integrated at West Virginia State University in 1939. 

Overcoming racial prejudices and gender barriers, she succeeded in a field that was overwhelmingly dominated by white men. Her statue in Institute, West Virginia, where she studied, was unveiled in 2018. Pictured, we see a March 2020 memorial tribute to honor Johnson, who had died a few weeks earlier at the age of 101.

Wisconsin: Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin (Spring Green)

Fusing together nature and architecture in the dreamiest way imaginable, Taliesin is where Wisconsin’s very own Frank Lloyd Wright lived for nearly 50 years. Meaning "shining brow" in Welsh, a nod to Wright’s Welsh heritage, it sits on the brow of a hill in the state’s Driftless Area. 

Anyone interested in learning more about the visionary creative, whose Prairie Style became the go-to for 20-century residential design in the US, should have it on their list. Touring this beautiful property in Spring Green, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019, is sure to inspire some home improvement attempts of your own.

Wyoming: Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Last, but by no means least, we have Wyoming and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Named after Buffalo Bill – the legendary soldier, bison hunter, and all-round showman – who stands center stage when it comes to discussing the Wild West’s most iconic figures, this attraction consists of five family-friendly museums that explore the story of epic Yellowstone and the historic American West. 

Located in Cody, which was founded in 1896 by Buffalo Bill himself (his real name was William F. Cody), there is no better way to delve into an era that will forever be a fixture in the popular imagination. Saddle up, partner.

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Now discover the most mesmerizing attractions to visit in America's Old West