America's 250th: Iowa's Pella Among 15 Must-See Patriotic Destinations
America is turning 250, and there's no better way to celebrate our nation's birthday than exploring the places that tell our story. From small towns built by immigrants seeking religious freedom to towering monuments of our greatest leaders, these destinations capture the grit, faith, and pioneering spirit that built this country.
The USA TODAY Network rounded up 15 places that showcase the beauty, ingenuity, and distinct character of the United States. One of them is right here in Iowa, and it represents everything that makes our state and our nation great.
Pella: Iowa's Own Slice of Dutch Heritage
Set in central Iowa's rolling farmland, picturesque Pella is a postcard-perfect town known for its festivals and meticulously preserved architecture. Founded in 1847 by immigrants seeking religious freedom, Pella still feels like a small slice of the Netherlands on Midwestern soil.
Visitors stroll brick streets, admire gabled roofs, and pause for pastries at beloved Dutch bakeries that have served generations. Each spring, tulips burst across the city in a riot of color, drawing visitors from around the world. Blending Old World charm with modern hospitality, Pella offers an inviting escape steeped in culture, history, and warm community spirit.
Pella stands as a testament to the religious liberty that drew settlers to America in the first place. These were people who wanted to worship freely and build a community rooted in faith. That tradition lives on in Pella today, making it a fitting place to mark 250 years of American independence.
Mount Rushmore: The Symbol of America
South Dakota's Mount Rushmore needs little introduction. The granite busts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt stand as a colossal tribute to the leaders who shaped our republic.
The Black Hills memorial attracts 2 million visitors a year with nightly lighting ceremonies, ranger-led activities, and a half-mile Presidential Trail right under the 20-foot noses. Mount Rushmore is monitored four times daily for even 0.0001-inch movement to ensure its preservation for future generations of Americans.
Frontier Culture Museum: Virginia's Living History
Staunton's Frontier Culture Museum brings American history to life through costumed interpreters. Visitors learn about the life and customs of Native American tribes in Virginia, the arrival of German, English, and Irish settlers along the Great Wagon Road, and the painful journey of enslaved Africans to the first permanent British colony in North America.
The largest open-air living history museum in the Shenandoah Valley is expanding to include a 40,000-square-foot indoor gallery space by 2027, featuring a permanent exhibit gallery, rotating exhibits, a research library, and flexible education rooms.
Craters of the Moon: Where Astronauts Trained
Idaho's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve proves you don't need a spaceship to see something otherworldly. The preserve encompasses three vast lava fields and sagebrush steppe grasslands that the National Park Service describes as