U.S. Road Trip That Hits Major Landmarks in 48 States

What if you took a list of 50 must-see American attractions and plotted a road trip to hit all of them? Your route would likely look like this, says Discovery News, which partnered with a doctoral candidate at Michigan State University and used an algorithm to come up with what they say is the perfect cross-country American road trip.

You may disagree. Though the idea of a best-of-the-best itinerary is fun (if gimmicky), the attractions on this route are subjective. Discovery News may rate the Terrace Hill Governor's Mansion in Des Moines as a must-see, yet you might give it a disinterested shrug. There are quite a few places on this list that some experts might consider second- or even third-tier sites (such as the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, Fox Theater, Hanford Site, and others).

The itinerary is contrived to fit Discovery News' criteria of:

Remaining solely in the United States
Including designated national landmarks, historic sites, and national parks and monuments
Including only one attraction in each one of the lower 48 states (except for California, which got two).

The White House in Washington, D.C., rounded out the 50 picks. The issue is that some states are overflowing with road trip-worthy national landmarks and others are, well, not so much. This explains why a governor's mansion makes the cut while Zion National Park and Niagara Falls do not.

Methodology aside, this is a pretty comprehensive itinerary that does hit many iconic American landmarks. And if hitting all the states in the contiguous United States is one of your goals, this route accomplishes that. The researchers used an algorithm to come up with a loop that allows you to start this road trip in any state and follow it until you’re back at your starting point.

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Grand Canyon, AZ

USA, Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim), Toroweap (Tuweep) Overlook, Hiker on cliff edge (MR) — Michele Falzone / Getty Images

No question—of course, you need to see the Grand Canyon when you're driving through Arizona. Whether you go to the South Rim or North Rim (open May through October) depends on what time of year you're visiting. There are lookout points where you can get some nice photos if you don't have a lot of time, but a longer trip will allow you to dive deeper into this natural wonder.

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Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Bryce Canyon, Navajo Loop Trail — Ed Freeman / Getty Images

Utah is overflowing in natural beauty with five show-stopping national parks, but it's Bryce Canyon National Park that made the top of this list. Consisting of large gravity-defying rock formations known as hoodoos, geology-lovers should give themselves plenty of time to enjoy this park.

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Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID

Hiker stands on hill at Craters of the Moon, Idaho — Anna Gorin / Getty Images

Want wilderness? The Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho is an official Wilderness Study Area. This ancient lava-shaped landscape's nature remains "substantially uninfluenced by humans," which is hard to come by these days. A looping road takes you through a big part of the park and there are lots of places where you'll be able to park and explore the caves and craters on foot.

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Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone Grand Canyon — Kelly Cheng Travel Photography / Getty Images

Another bucket list place for multitudes of Americans is Yellowstone National Park, known for its geysers, amazing vistas, hot mud, and the way the ecosystem has rebalanced with the reintroduction of wolves. There are also entrances to the park in Montana and Idaho.

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Pikes Peak, CO

Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak — Dan Buettner / Getty Images

Attracting more than half a million visitors every year, Pikes Peak is one of the most popular mountains in Colorado due to its proximity to the town of Colorado Springs. In this part of the state, you'll also find the Garden of the Gods nearby, an area filled with dramatic rock formations that jut out of the ground.

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM

Caves, cacti, desert, and fossil reefs are all at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. Spelunkers can even arrange for permits to travel off-trail on self-guided or ranger-guided trips underground. Non-spelunkers can explore the caves on foot or sign up for a guided tour, which will allow you to walk through more physically challenging parts of the cave.

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The Alamo: San Antonio, TX

The Alamo as a fort was significant in the creation of San Antonio and its designation as "Military City, U.S.A." Just in case you don't remember, this is the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo (before Texas officially became a state) between Mexican and Texan soldiers including the famous raccoon hat-wearing Davy Crockett.

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Platt Historic District: Sulfur, OK

Thirty miles of trails in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in the Platt Historic District (formerly Platt National Park) are available for a variety of skill levels of hikers and have varying scenery among them, such as waterfalls, wildlife, Travertine Creek, ponds, and lakes.

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Toltec Mounds: Scott, AR

Toltec Mounds State Park, AR — Farther Along/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park contains ancient mounds—what remains from a "ceremonial and governmental complex"—from A.D. 650 to 1050 when the area was inhabited by prehistoric Native Americans. It's a short drive away from the Arkansas capital of Little Rock.

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Elvis Presley’s Graceland: Memphis, TN

Memphis Cityscapes And City Views — Raymond Boyd / Getty Images

Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion is like a time capsule and the home captures all the King's favorite 1977 kitsch. The best time to visit is in August during Elvis Week when mega-fans come together to celebrate his life and music.

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Vicksburg National Military Park: Vicksburg, MS

Illinois State Memorial in Vicksburg Mississippi USA — rustyl3599 / Getty Images

A key city in the opinion of both sides fighting the Civil War, Vicksburg, Mississippi, was the site of a 47-day long battle. Here, you can see an ironclad ship used on the Mississippi River during the war, visit 1,400 monuments and memorials, and watch battle reenactments.

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French Quarter: New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Marks 300th Anniversary Of Its Founding — Mario Tama / Getty Images

There's always something to see, hear, do, and eat in the New Orleans' French Quarter. You'll find many revelers enjoying the neighborhood's open container laws on Bourbon Street at night, but there is also plenty of history to explore during the day in this charming district.

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USS Alabama: Mobile, AL

USS Alabama (BB-60), Mobile Bay, Alabama — Buyenlarge / Getty Images

At home in the Mobile Bay, the USS Alabama is a World War II battleship that saw action in the South Pacific. You can buy a ticket to walk around the ship and learn about the United States' military history from the inside.

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Cape Canaveral Air Force Station: Cape Canaveral, FL

NASA Orion Rocket — Corbis via Getty Images / Getty Images

Kids and adults alike can imagine their space-explorer dreams at Cape Canaveral, a historic site and home to three rocket launch pads. Here, you can see where the U.S. space program began and tour the Kennedy Space Center and Visitor Complex.

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Okefenokee Swamp Park: Waycross, GA

Okefenokee Swamp - Florida — Craig Lovell / Getty Images

The Okefenokee Swamp Park is nature like you've likely never seen it before. The Natural Wildlife Refuge covers nearly half a million acres. Surrounded by the sounds of animals, it's a peaceful place to enjoy nature and learn about swamp ecosystems.

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Fort Sumter National Monument: Charleston, SC

Cannon battery at Historic Fort Sumter National Monument, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America, North America — Michael DeFreitas / Getty Images

Located in the Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter is the site where the American Civil War began. You'll have to catch a ferry to get to this island, but when you get there you'll find a small museum that tells the story of the first battle.

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Lost World Caverns: Lewisburg, WV

About five hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, West Virginia's Lost World Caverns inspire awe. Here, you can travel on a simple self-guided cave tour on trails 120 feet down, or you can go all in, deeper, on a four-hour guided excursion, where few humans have traveled.

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Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center: Kill Devil Hills, NC

The Wright Brothers weren't the only ones trying to fly, but their few moments sustained in the air in 1903 were historic. At the National Memorial Visitor Center, you can see the spot where the first successful flight first took off. It's located in North Carolina's Outer Banks, which also happens to be a great beach destination.

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Mount Vernon: Mount Vernon, VA

Mount Vernon, Virginia, USA — Travel Ink / Getty Images

Mount Vernon is the historic home of George Washington, who was not only the United States' first president but was also a hero of the Revolutionary War. Visiting the place he lived is one way to get a peek into the home life of the historical figure.

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White House: Washington, D.C.

It's easy to see the White House from the street when you're exploring Washington D.C., but if you want to take a tour of the inside, you will have to submit your application directly to your congressional representative way ahead of your visit. The process is a little complicated, but at the end of the day, there's no charge for a tour. If you're not a U.S. citizen, applications must be submitted to your home country's embassy in Washington, D.C.

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Colonial Annapolis Historic District: Annapolis, MD

Annapolis, MD Aerial View — Paul Souders/Getty Images

Annapolis has more 18th century structures standing than any other city in the United States. Sometimes called the "Athens of America," the downtown area draws more than two million visitors per year. It's also home to the U.S. Naval Academy, which is open for tours.

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New Castle Historic District: New Castle, Delaware

USA, Delaware, New Castle, historic district — Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

If you can't get enough of colonial buildings, set your GPS for New Castle, Delaware. Founded in the 17th century, this charming colonial city beset with cobblestone streets has many historic homes you can visit, such as the Dutch House and the Amstel House. You can learn more in the museums and at and the Old New Castle Courthouse, which was the location of the colonial and state government until 1777.

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Cape May Historic District: Cape May, NJ

Down the shore, you can check out the famous Cape May lighthouse at New Jersey's southernmost point. There are also many historic homes and businesses in this area, some that date back to the mid-1800s. Not far from Cape May, you can also visit the beaches and boardwalk in Wildwood, one of the beach towns in New Jersey.

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Liberty Bell: Philadelphia, PA

USA, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Liberty Bell — Ron and Patty Thomas / Getty Images

When you're in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell is a must-see. At the Liberty Bell Visitor center, you can see the bell in person and learn all about its long journey from practical noise-maker to a symbol of freedom. Many historians believe this was one of the bells rung when the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall.

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Statue of Liberty: New York, NY

Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan — Alison Langley / Getty Images

When visiting New York City, you can take a ferry from Battery Park out to Liberty Island to see the iconic Statue of Liberty. However, tickets need to be purchased in advance if you want to climb to the top and the National Park Service only allows 240 visitors per day to do so. If you don't have a ticket, you can still walk along the grounds and tour the National Museum of Immigration.

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Mark Twain House & Museum: Hartford, CT

USA, Connecticut, Hartford, Mark Twain House, former home of celebrated American writer Mark Twain in autumn — Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

In Hartford, Connecticut, you can visit the home of one of America's most famous authors. You won't see rivers and riverboats at Mark Twain's house in Connecticut, but you will see the place where he wrote his most famous novels from "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The Prince and the Pauper."

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The Breakers Mansion: Newport, RI

Newport, Rhode Island, USA — Travel Ink / Getty Images

In Rhode Island, you can see the Newport mansion of the Vanderbilts, one of America's richest families. Referred to as their "summer cottage," The Breakers is a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo and open for tours. Visiting is a fun way to take a fun peek into the lush lives of the wealthy at the turn of the century.

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USS Constitution: Boston, MA

U.S. Coast Guard Escorts 'Old Iron Sides' — U.S. Coast Guard / Getty Images

In Boston, you can climb aboard and tour the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard. And if this visit inspires you to seek out more of Boston's military history, you're just a short walk of the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum.

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Acadia National Park, ME

Acadia National Park in Maine. — Richard Freeda / Getty Images

Maine's pristine Acadia National Park is one of the east coast's hidden gems. The best time to visit is in the fall when the leaves change color and light up the whole landscape in shades of red and gold.

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Omni Mount Washington Hotel: Bretton Woods, NH

Omni Mount Washington Resort Against Mountains In Foggy Weather — Robert Fitzgerald / EyeEm / Getty Images

New Hampshire's Mount Washington was first explored by colonists in 1642, but three centuries later in 1900, construction began on the Omni Mount Washington. The century-old resort in a popular ski area is now a luxury hotel that has attracted elite guests from presidents like JFK and authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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Shelburne Farms: Shelburne, VT

Designed by Olmstead, Shelburne Farms — Barry Winiker / Getty Images

At Shelburne Farms in Vermont, you can learn about sustainable agriculture and indulge at their farm-to-table restaurant. The farm holds programs about historic preservation, natural resources, and farming practices. It's located just seven miles south of the Vermont capital of Burlington.

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Fox Theater: Detroit, MI

The Fox Theater isn't your run-of-the-mill cinema chain. When it opened in 1928 it had the second-largest seating capacity in the world with more than 5,000 seats. It's one of the largest surviving movie palaces of its era and has since been designated a National Historic Landmark.

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Spring Grove Cemetery: Cincinnati, OH

Not just historic and beautiful, Cincinnati's Spring Grove Cemetery is enormous, spanning over 700 acres. You could spend a whole day enjoying the peaceful grounds and exploring the lakes, islands, footbridges, and protected wooded areas. Historic figures laid to rest here include Civil War-era Major General Joseph Hooker and Salmon P. Chase, the founder of Cincinnati Law School.

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Mammoth Cave National Park, KY

Passage within Mammoth Caves — sreenath_k / Getty Images

Not far from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is the world's longest cave system with more than 400 miles of underground caverns. Much of the cave was first mapped out in the late 19th century by Stephen Bishop, a slave who was the first person to cross what was known as the "Bottomless Pit" and discover the sections beyond it.

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West Baden Springs Hotel: West Baden Springs, IN

The atrium of the West Baden Springs Hotel — Peter Ptschelinzew / Getty Images

The most historic and luxurious hotel in Indiana, the West Baden Springs Hotel hosts special events, entertainment, and historic tours, for those staying or not. It's worth visiting just to take a gander at the humungous atrium that spans 200-feet across and has a fireplace so big that it can burn 14-foot logs.

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Abraham Lincoln’s Home: Springfield, IL

Abraham Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois — National Park Service Digital Image Archives/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

In Springfield Illinois, you can tour the home of President Abraham Lincoln. The museum is filled with personal artifacts of the Lincoln family and the tour explores his rise as a lawyer and politician leading up to his presidential campaign.

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Gateway Arch: St. Louis, MO

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis — Joanna McCarthy/Getty Images

You don't just have to look at the arch, you can go to the top of it! In St. Louis, the Gateway Arch's tram will take you to the top for some incredible 360-degree views of the Twin Cities. The arch was completed in 1965 and is one of the city's most popular attractions.

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C.W. Parker Carousel Museum: Leavenworth, KS

Merry-go-round in San Francisco — Adél Békefi / Getty Images

In Leavenworth, Kansas, you can take a spin through the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. Here you'll find restored carousels that date back to the mid-1800s like the Liberty Carousel and a Primitive Carousel and can learn about the history of C.W. Parker's carousel factory, which produced about 1,000 carousels during its time.

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Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion: Des Moines, IA

Aerial Photo Of Downtown Des Moines From State Capitol Building — Monte Goodyk / Getty Images

In Des Moines, you can tour the governor's mansion at Terrace Hill. The governor's mansion hosts special events such as the "Tea & Talk" series and the annual garden party and the piano competition. While you're in Des Moines, the State Capitol is also a beautiful building worth seeing.

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Taliesin: Green Spring, WI

Taliesin, home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Spring Green, Wisconsin — Dennis K. Johnson / Getty Images

In Wisconsin, you can visit one of world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wight's creations at Taliesin Wisconsin. You'll be able to walk around Wright's home, which is also a designated National Historic Landmark, and studio, where he lived during the beginning of his career.

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Fort Snelling: Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN

Originally built as a frontier post in the 19th century, Fort Snelling is located near the Mississippi River. The fort tells the tense history of the region's new arrivals and the Native Americans who already lived here and in visiting you can learn the story of the Dakota War of 1862 and how the fort was used as an internment camp. On the river outside of the fort, you'll find a memorial for those that did not survive.

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Ashfall Fossil Beds: Royal, NE

A must-visit for dinosaur lovers of all ages, more than 200 fossils have been recovered from the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Royal, Nebraska. Here, you'll find remnants of North America's prehistoric rhinoceroses and horses that roamed the land millions of years ago.

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Mount Rushmore: Keystone, SD

It was a massive project, that extended over decades, to carve the presidents' heads into a granite bluff at Mount Rushmore. Just down the road is Crazy Horse Memorial, which is even bigger—although still under construction

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Fort Union Trading Post: Williston, ND

Bourgeois House. — John Elk III / Getty Images

Located right on the North Dakota-Montana border, Fort Union was one of the region's most important fur trading posts between the years of 1829 and 1867. It was here that Northern Plains Indian Tribes peacefully traded furs for goods until the smallpox epidemic decimated the area.

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Glacier National Park, MT

Cracker Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana — Feng Wei Photography / Getty Images

One of Montana's many natural gems, Glacier National Park is full of turquoise lakes, snowy meadows, precipitous mountains, and 25 active glaciers. The park is a part of the Rocky Mountains and shares a border with Canada's neighboring province of Alberta.

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Hanford Site: Benton County, WA

Abandoned Hanford Nuclear Plant — Joel W. Rogers / Getty Images

If you've got a taste for dark tourism and are curious about what it would be like to walk around a decommissioned nuclear testing location, Washington's Hanford Site is open for visitors. It was here where the U.S. government conducted its plutonium research as a part of the infamous Manhattan Project, which would lead to the development of nuclear weapons.

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Columbia River Highway, OR

Old Columbia river Highway from Rowena Crest — Anna Gorin / Getty Images

Not just a scenic road, this highway is historic and has been well cared for over the years. Driving along this stretch of road, you'll be able to see the Pacific Northwest's temperate rainforests, which offer great opportunities for hiking and biking. There are also dozens of waterfalls to see when you get to the Columbia River Gorge, including the popular Multnomah Falls.

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San Francisco Cable Cars: San Francisco, CA

San Francisco city tram climbs up Hyde Street with Alcatraz beyond, San Francisco, California, United States of America, North America — Garry Ridsdale / Getty Images

When you're in San Francisco, you have to ride one of the city's iconic streetcars in the place they were invented. Of course, after you've had your fun riding up the city's steep hills, there is plenty more to enjoy in the city from the food scene to the Golden Gate Bridge views.

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San Andreas Fault, CA

You've probably heard plenty about the San Andreas Fault, an area of high tectonic activity where the Pacific plate meets the Atlantic plate, but did you know there are spots where you can see it for yourself? Many sections of the fault are easy to visit throughout California and you can find fault sites near Palm Springs, Frazier Park, Pinnacles National Park, and even San Francisco.

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Hoover Dam: Boulder City, NV

On the border of Nevada and Arizona, you can see one of the country's greatest feats of engineering. The Hoover Dam draws approximately seven million visitors a year and while you're there, you can walk across it, crossing state lines and even a time zone border, and take a tour of the plant to learn more about how it works.