Beyond BBQs: Unforgettable and Patriotic Places to Pay Tribute This Memorial Day

Forget the burgers and backyard games for a moment. This Memorial Day, why not honor America’s fallen heroes by embarking on a truly unforgettable journey? From hallowed battlegrounds to soaring monuments, these exceptional destinations offer a chance to connect with history, pay your respects, and create memories that will last a lifetime.



San Diego



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After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet moved to San Diego. San Diego is a tremendously patriotic city, including the San Diego Air and Space Museum and USS Midway Museum. It’s also home to the Unconditional Surrender Statue commemorating the surrender of Japan to the United States.



Honolulu



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Just west of Honolulu is Pearl Harbor, where the U.S. suffered a surprise attack by the Japanese on “December 7, 1941 A Date Which Will Live in Infamy.”  A total of 2,403 Americans were killed,1,178 others were wounded, and half of the Pacific Fleet of Battleships and cruisers was destroyed. Today, the USS Arizona Memorial is a somber reminder of the lives lost that day.



New Orleans



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The Louisiana Purchase roughly doubled the size of the United States, but America needed the War of 1812 to retain the territory. The Battle of New Orleans became a symbol of American democracy triumphing over the old European ideas of aristocracy and entitlement. Today, the National WWII Museum in New Orleans emphasizes the American experience in World War II, where they fought alongside the French and the British to liberate Europe from tyranny of Hitler.



St Louis



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America is just a nation of immigrants and patriots. It’s a land of pioneers and dreamers. Go west young man wasn’t just a song. It was a spirit that spread our nation from sea to shining sea. The City of St Louis is home to the Gateway Arch, one of the most iconic symbols of the United States and a place where the pioneering spirit still thrives today.



Gettysburg



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You can’t talk about military sacrifice in Pennsylvania without mentioning Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War and the place where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. With more than 50,000 estimated casualties, it was the bloodiest battle of the deadliest war in American history.



Philadelphia



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The City of Brotherly Love houses many of our Nation’s treasures including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Constitution Center, the President’s House, and Valley Forge. The winter of 1777-78 left indelible images of suffering and sacrifice from bloody, bootless footprints in the snow to starving men chanting “We want meat.” However, that winter saw their transformation for a ragtag army to a fighting force capable of freeing the colonies from the British.



Baltimore



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Baltimore is another starting point of the American Dream. From 1870 to 1920, more than one million immigrants entered the United States through Baltimore’s harbor. However, the city is more than just a gateway, it’s a brick wall that kept the British out. The Star-Spangled Banner was penned when Francis Scott Key saw the United States flag still flying over Fort McHenry.. To this day, we still rejoice that the star-spangled banner still waves over the land of the free and the home of the brave.



New York



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Since 1886, the Statue of Liberty has stood as a beacon of freedom for millions of immigrants arriving in New York Harbor. The tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning to breathe free created a new nation here and the greatest city on Earth. September 11th is a reminder that we must alway be vigilant and never forget the sacrifices made. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum will keep that memory alive.



Boston



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Boston is known as the `Birthplace of American Liberty, and the Freedom Trail is the place to go to get the full story. You can see the site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, and Paul Revere’s House as well as the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill, where the American Revolution began.



Washington DC



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Our tour of patriot places has to conclude at our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. It’s home to the White House, Capital Hill, and the Washington Monument. Of course nobody should forget the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You see America at its finest, and remember the brave men and women who have given their lives to protect our country.



Something Else You May Like:



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Our  Boston Freedom Trail guide and map  includes all 16-historic stops along its 2.5-mile route through Boston. We’ll give you the tools and tips to take a free walking tour. View our interactive map in Google Maps and follow along as history comes to life. This map is a must-have if you’re planning on walking the Freedom Trail.



Ultimate Guide to Biking in San Diego



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I don’t use superlatives often, but this is the  ultimate guide to biking in San Diego . Having lived in Pacific Beach and cycled thousands of miles there, I know the secret routes that string together biking trails in San Diego with bike paths and bike-friendly roads. Read on and discover that cycle touring San Diego is as easy as riding a bike.