Historic America

Ellis Island processed millions of newcomers who became the backbone of American life, and your family's own story may trace back to this harbor. Walk the Great Hall, search the passenger records by name, and cross the water to stand beside the Statue of Liberty on the same day.

Four faces carved into South Dakota's Black Hills tell the story of a young nation finding its shape. Mount Rushmore rewards families with a short trail, a striking evening ceremony, and a monument that looks different every time the light changes.

The National Mall is two miles of open American ground running from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, lined with monuments, memorials, and free museums that together tell the full story of the country. A well-planned family walk here is one of the best single days any American family can spend together.