Liberty Bell
Aside from the myth, this bell is a tourist trap that lures visitors from all over the country to Philadelphia only to be disappointed. You’ll probably have a better time exploring Independence Hall, which is right across the street from the famed bell, so the journey isn’t a waste of time. Once you’ve seen the bell for ten seconds, it’s easy to forget about it. It’s more of a thing you see just to say you’ve seen it. If you’re simply going to see the bell to learn more about it, here’s what you should know. The bell was commissioned in 1752 and was previously housed in the steeple of Independence Hall. The iconic bell crack happened after the first rung. It was recast two more times after that.
Cloud Gate (a.k.a. The Chicago Bean)
If you’re a fan of strange public art, head straight to the Chicago Bean after landing at O’Hare. Otherwise, perform a simple Google image search and spend your time in Chicago somewhere. Furthermore, the location is a common target for pickpockets who prey on tourists. You might not notice someone digging through your pockets or handbag if your eyes are engaged in the enormous grandeur of the giant bean. The Chicago Bean has a polished appearance with no apparent welding lines and is made up of 168 stainless steel plates that have been welded together. It is designed to resemble liquid mercury while reflecting and distorting the cityscape. It’s interesting, but you don’t want to make a special effort to see it.
Plymouth Rock
This is merely a rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts, with a lot of history linked to it. If you wish to learn about history while visiting the area, visit Plymouth Plantation’s living history museum. There is a display about the settlement of Plymouth Colony. There isn’t much else to see besides that. The Mayflower II, a duplicate of the actual Mayflower ship, is also nearby. Visitors are welcome to hop aboard and explore, imagining what life was like onboard. Of course, it’s not the genuine thing because the ship has long since sunk – but you wouldn’t expect anything less. Sorry, ships, but boats don’t endure that long.
