A Timeless Tribute: Honoring America’s Most Meaningful Landmarks.

Each Memorial Day, people across the U.S. pause - not just for the extra day off or a backyard cookout, but to reflect on something profound. It’s a moment to honor the sacrifices that shaped our freedoms and to remember the places that carry those stories. Whether it’s a quiet cemetery on a hill, a historic battlefield, or a civil rights marker in a small town, some spots stir something deep within us.

We asked 3,021 folks across every state: What landmark sparks your sense of patriotism? Their answers went beyond history, touching on memories, family, pride, and resilience. From iconic memorials to lesser-known sites, these places aren’t just relics of the past - they’re reminders of who we are now.

Here’s a look at America’s most cherished landmarks, shared by the people who know them best.

The Top Ten Landmarks Across America:

1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - New York Harbor, New York

The Statue of Liberty stands as more than a monument - it’s a beacon of welcome. For countless immigrants, it was the first glimpse of a new life. Nearby, Ellis Island holds the records and dreams of millions who came with nothing but hope. Together, they capture New York’s spirit and America’s essence: open, tough, and shaped by those bold enough to chase a better future.

2. Pearl Harbor National Memorial - Oʻahu, Hawaii

A stillness hangs over Pearl Harbor, a quiet that hits you deep before you even see the memorial. The white platform above the USS Arizona, where oil still seeps to the surface, carries the weight of a day that changed everything. For Hawaiians and visitors, this isn’t just a historical site - it’s hallowed ground, marking the moment America steeled itself for what was to come.

3. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park - Hodgenville, Kentucky

Tucked in Hodgenville’s hills is a simple place that gave rise to an extraordinary man. A marble memorial houses a symbolic log cabin, tied to Abraham Lincoln’s humble start. For Kentuckians, it’s more than a nod to one person - it’s proof that greatness can come from anywhere, and that true leadership is rooted in conviction.

4. Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington, Virginia

Arlington quiets the soul. Endless rows of white headstones roll across green slopes, each one a story of service and loss. For Virginians and all who visit, it’s a place for reflection, not just grief. The steady, flawless changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a ritual of honor, a reminder of debts we can never fully repay.

5. Old Faithful - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

There’s a timelessness to watching Old Faithful erupt, steady and unyielding. It’s a reminder that some things endure, even in a chaotic world. For Wyoming folks, this geyser is more than a draw for tourists - it’s part of the land’s heartbeat, a symbol of the natural legacy that defines their home.

6. Independence Hall - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Inside this unassuming brick building, bold ideas sparked a nation. Independence Hall isn’t just where America was born - it’s where democracy took shape. For Philadelphians, it’s no museum piece. It hums with meaning, a reminder that freedom comes from dialogue, argument, and shared conviction.

7. Gettysburg National Military Park - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Walking Gettysburg’s fields feels like stepping through time. The scars of a nation-defining battle linger here. For Pennsylvanians, it’s not just about the Civil War - it’s a stark lesson in the cost of division. Lincoln’s words here still echo, urging a divided country to remember its purpose, and they challenge us just as much now.

8. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park - Dorchester County, Maryland

This Maryland landscape tells a story of courage against all odds. Harriet Tubman navigated these woods and waterways, leading others to freedom. For locals, the park is more than history - it’s a testament to the power of quiet defiance and the lasting impact of one woman’s refusal to bow to injustice.

9. Flight 93 National Memorial - Shanksville, Pennsylvania

In a Shanksville field, ordinary people did something unforgettable. The passengers of Flight 93 faced an unthinkable choice and, in a fleeting moment, shaped history. This memorial doesn’t celebrate the day - it honors the people. It shows us that heroism doesn’t always wear a uniform; it can rise from anyone, anywhere, in an instant.

10. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park - Atlanta, Georgia

In Atlanta, Dr. King’s legacy feels alive. You can pass his childhood home, sit in the church where he preached, and stand where his words moved the world. For Georgians, this park is personal. It’s a neighborhood tied to struggle and hope, proof that one voice can grow from a local street to a global stage, carrying a dream that still resonates.

The Top Landmark Choice Per State:

What Makes a Place Patriotic? 5 Key Insights from America’s Top Landmarks

1. Sacrifice strikes a profound chord.

Places linked to military service and national loss resonated most. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island took the top spot, symbolizing freedom and the immigrant journey, but sites like Arlington National Cemetery (#4), Pearl Harbor National Memorial (#2), and Flight 93 National Memorial (#9) show how locations tied to sacrifice spark the strongest feelings of patriotism.

2. The fight for civil rights fuels pride.

People didn’t just choose battlefields - they also cherished sites of the struggle for equality. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park (#8), Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park (#10), and the National Civil Rights Museum in Tennessee (#72) reflect how acts of courage against injustice are central to what makes Americans proud.

3. Presidents leave lasting marks.

From Abraham Lincoln to Dwight Eisenhower, Americans celebrate presidents not just for their leadership, but for their humanity. Lincoln’s birthplace in Kentucky (#3), his boyhood home in Indiana (#18), and presidential libraries like Truman’s (#14) and Eisenhower’s (#15) ranked high, especially where locals feel a personal connection to their stories.

4. Nature carries deep meaning.

Some of the most treasured places weren’t man-made. Old Faithful in Yellowstone (#5), along with spots like Devil’s Tower (#67) and the Hoh Rain Forest (#105), show that patriotism often ties to the land itself - stunning landscapes that capture the country’s spirit.

5. Small towns hold big stories.

While some city landmarks stood out, many beloved sites were in quieter places - Hodgenville, KY; Shanksville, PA; Appomattox, VA. These spots reveal the deep, personal ties people feel to their state’s history, proving that small corners of America can inspire powerful emotions.

Methodology: Online panel survey of 3,021 respondents based on age, gender, and geography. We used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting. May 2025.

Image Credits:

Header: Photo by Brandon Mowinkel on Unsplash

1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, New York Harbor, New York. Photo by Gautam Krishnan on Unsplash

2. Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Oʻahu, Hawaii. Photo by Winston Chen on Unsplash

3. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hodgenville, Kentucky. By Jamie from Toronto, ON - Abraham Lincoln Birthplace (2) - The Stairs, CC BY 2.0

4. Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Photo by Chris Kofoed on Unsplash

5. Old Faithful - Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone, Wyoming. Photo by Morgan Newnham on Unsplash

6. Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by Ernie Journeys on Unsplash

7. Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Photo by John Kostyk on Unsplash

8. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, Dorchester County, Maryland. By Acroterion - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

9. Flight 93 National Memorial, Shanksville, Pennsylvania. By Acroterion - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

10. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Atlanta, Georgia. By Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0