Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, USA

Mount Rushmore, U.S.A
Perhaps the most famous American memorial, Mount Rushmore is an epic nod to the four American presidents deemed to have been the most influential in the country’s history. Carved, but mostly blasted with dynamite, into the granite Black Hills of South Dakota, the memorial features 60 foot likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Construction commenced in 1927, and now the memorial is reached by a stately walkway draped in the flags of each of the 56 U.S States. This leads to the Grand View Terrace, which offers the most uninterrupted view of the grand monument. In the evenings there is a nightly lighting ceremony, which involves a patriotic lowering of the flag and a salute to American veterans, as well as the lighting of the memorial. There is also a Presidential trail, which allows visitors to get other perspectives of the monument from the wilderness surrounding the Black Hills. Reward for the trail comes in the form of former president Thomas Jefferson’s delicious ice cream, made to his recipe that is believed to have been the first ever recorded by an American.

Where is it? 
The memorial is carved into the Black Hills near Keystone in the State of South Dakota. South Dakota is found in the north of the U.S.

What is it?
Sculpted by Danish-American Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln Borglum, Mount Rushmore is a 60-foot ode to four American presidents who represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of the country. It was completed in 1941 and now attracts over two million visitors yearly.

Best time to visit?
Visit from May to September as this is when the entire monument, including the lighting ceremony and the sculptor’s studio, is fully open.

Must See?
Step inside the sculptor’s studio to discover unique plaster models, carving tools and exhibits which explain sculptor Gutzon Borglum's vision. This creative space gives a true insight into the mind of the bold artist, who created several other popular monuments and statues throughout the country.