
- Survey of 3,021 Americans asking which landmark makes them most proud to be American.
- Other New Jersey landmarks included were: Princeton Battlefield + Thomas Edison Park.
- Infographic included.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Memorial Day means more than the unofficial start of summer. For many, it’s a day carved out for something quieter: remembrance. It’s a time to think about sacrifice, service, and the places that have come to hold those memories. These aren’t always grand or flashy. Sometimes it’s a battlefield marked by silence, a statue that once promised hope, or a building where freedom first took shape.
To find out which landmarks stir the deepest sense of patriotism, Mixbook polled 3,021 Americans across all 50 states were asked a simple question:
Which U.S. landmark makes you feel most proud to be American?
The answers weren’t just about history – they were about identity, resilience, and belonging. The top 5 were as follows:
#1. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – New York, NY
In first place, this towering green icon in New York Harbor has long been more than a monument. For generations of immigrants, it was their first glimpse of America – and their first hope. Just beside it, Ellis Island holds names, dreams, and stories etched into the DNA of the country. Together, they symbolize a nation built by those who dared to believe in something better.
#2. Pearl Harbor National Memorial – Oʻahu, Hawaii
Even before you see the white memorial above the USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor hits you with a kind of quiet gravity. The harbor still holds the echoes of December 7th, 1941—a day that changed everything. For many, especially those from Hawaii, this isn’t just a historical site. It’s sacred space, a place where bravery and loss meet beneath Pacific skies.
#3. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace – Hodgenville, Kentucky
In a small patch of rural Kentucky sits the beginning of something enormous. The marble shrine housing a simple log cabin speaks volumes about Abraham Lincoln’s origins. For locals, it’s a humbling reminder that leadership, grit, and moral clarity often come from the unlikeliest places.
#4. Arlington National Cemetery – Arlington, Virginia
Few places in America hush a crowd quite like Arlington. The endless rows of white headstones stretch across green hills, each one a chapter in the nation’s story. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with its silent, precise guard, offers a moment of reverence that words can’t quite touch. For many, it’s where the weight of service becomes real.
#5. Independence Hall – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Inside this unassuming brick building, bold ideas sparked a nation. Independence Hall isn’t just where America was born – it’s where democracy took shape. For Philadelphians, it’s no museum piece. It hums with meaning, a reminder that freedom comes from dialogue, argument, and shared conviction.
3 New Jersey landmarks were named among the most patriotic in the nation:
#44. Battleship New Jersey – Camden
The most decorated battleship in U.S. naval history is now a museum on the Delaware River. For New Jersey residents, it serves as a floating monument to national defense, global engagement, and the enduring presence of service members from the Garden State.
#87. Princeton Battlefield State Park – Princeton
Here, in the winter fog of 1777, George Washington’s troops won a pivotal Revolutionary War victory. For many in New Jersey, the open fields still hum with the intensity of that moment – a turning point not just in battle, but in belief. The site reminds visitors that freedom’s footing was uncertain, and that courage made all the difference.
#92. Thomas Edison National Historical Park – West Orange
This site preserves the laboratory where Edison developed early sound recordings, movie cameras, and electric innovations. New Jerseyans regard it as a hub of creativity and invention, celebrating a time when their state helped shape the technological future.
Infographic showing American landmarks that inspire the most patriotism
“These landmarks hold more than history – they carry a sense of shared experience,” says a Mixbook company spokesperson. “They connect people across generations, backgrounds, and regions. Especially on Memorial Day, they remind us that no matter where we come from, there are places that bring us together.”
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