Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Abraham Lincoln was tall in real life—6 feet, 4 inches, though add a few more for his hat. But at one of the nation's most iconic sights, Honest Abe, along with presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt, towers over the Black Hills in a 60-foot-high likeness. The four images look especially spectacular at night, when they're always illuminated.
Follow the Presidential Trail through the forest to gain excellent views of the colossal sculpture, or stroll the Avenue of Flags for a different perspective. Also on-site are an impressive museum, an indoor theater where an introductory film is shown, an outdoor amphitheater for live performances, an award-winning audio tour, and concession facilities. The nightly ranger program and special memorial lighting ceremony (June through mid-September) is reportedly the most popular interpretive program in all of the National Park Service system. Be sure to see the Avenue of Flags, running from the entrance of the memorial to the museum and amphitheater at the base of the mountain. This avenue has the flag of each state, commonwealth, district, and territory---arranged alphabetically—of the United States. At the Youth Exploration Area, along the Presidential Trail beneath the towering visage of George Washington, rangers present interactive programs for youngsters.
