See America

In the desert of the southwest sits a looming, concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between Nevada and Arizona. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was a massive effort involving thousands of workers, many who lost their lives. Originally kn...

Along the eastern edge of San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area sits a jetty, constructed from an assortment of granite and marbel pieces taken from the demolition of the Laurel Hill Cemetery. Upon it, an art installation like no other. This week, the wave-activated acoustic sculpture known as The Wave Organ, one of many pieces created on-site at San Francisco’s Exploratorium.

Hollywood,1928. One of the biggest movie stars of the silent era sets out to build herself a gorgeous dream home, sparing no expense and employing a talented legion of industry colleagues to design and build it. But this house wasn't destined for the Hollywood Hills, nor would any human ever live in it. This was the original tiny house, long before tiny houses were cool. This week, Colleen Moore's...

The U.S. isn't really known for its vast estates, but a few were built by some of the most prominent families of the industrial revolution. One of those families seemed to be on a quest to outdo each other, building some of America's most famous homes, culminating in the country's largest, in Ashville, North Carolina. This week on See America, the Biltmore Estate.

Overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington sits one of the oldest continuously operating farmers' markets in the united states - the 112-year-old Pike Place Market, where small farmers, craftspeople and merchants hawk their wares. Pike Place boasts more than 10 million visitors annually. It's the 33rd most visited tourist attraction in the world, and for good reason. Here, you'l...

On the western banks of the Red River of the North is a flat region known as the Red River Valley, and a town that owes its existence to a flatboat race down the Red River in the late fall of 1870, in which the steamboat of Alexander Griggs came up short to the Winship's crew. The result was that Griggs spent the 1871 winter here, and founded the city of Grand Forks. This town was born with racing...

In July 1947, something happened in Eastern New Mexica during a severe thunderstorm. Was it a flying saucer? Was it a weather balloon? What happened? Whatever it was, it sparked an alien fever that continues to this day. This week, Roswell, New Mexico, and the International UFO Museum and Research Center.

Mobile, Alabama doesn't get the street cred of other historic southern tourism towns like Savannah, New Orleans, and Charleston. Perhaps it's the massive shipping industry that lends an industrial vibe to some, but consider that Mobile is steeped in history. It was founded in 1702 by the French as the first capital of Louisiana. It's host to a massive concentration of historic architecture. And ev...

Before Hollywood became the film and television capital of the world, it didn't look much different than other western frontiers. The area surrounding Los Angeles was full of farmers, cowboys, and prospectors, all wanting their piece of acres of undeveloped land. As the word got out about the sunny skies, mild temps, and dry weather, Americans began to flock to California. In 1887, a Mrs. Wilcox,...

One of the best things about a road trip is uncovering new experiences that weren't even on your radar. As we travel the country, it's very hard for my wife and me to pass up a historical marker. Often something small happened in that location, but other times it's a grain elevator museum or an old train depot. Fantastic reminders of the development of modern conveniences.  One such place caught o...

Colorado's Estes Valley was once a wild, lonely parkland known only to the nomadic tribes of Ute and Arapaho. When the Earl of Dunraven visited in 1872, he coveted this a "sportsman's paradise" of rushing streams and peaceful meadows teeming with fish and game. He sought to keep the valley to himself as a private hunting preserve, but as more and more American settlers were drawn by its natural be...

Rising high above the Seattle skyline is one of the most iconic structures in the world. It was built in just 400 days, held together 74,000 bolts. Today, it stands as a symbol of the Pacific Northwest, reminding us of plans of the past and dreams of the future. This week, Seattle's Space Needle.

Main Street of America. The Mother Road. Is there anything more American than cruising from Chicago to LA on Route 66 in a classic convertible blasting Springsteen's "Cadillac Ranch." Route 66 today has changed, it's less about the drive than the stops along the way. Many are boarded up or have been swallowed by the dust and tumbleweed of the Southwest, but those that survive remind us of where we...

Probably the most iconic American mammal is the bison, or buffalo as it’s colloquially called. They’re nearly synonymous with Yellowstone National Park, but there’s another, better place to see them. One where traffic jams rarely occur every time one meanders by. It’s also a bit easier for most Americans to get to and every bit as beautiful: the Black Hills of South Dakota. This week, the Great Bu...

Las Vegas, Nevada. The quintessential Road Trip destination. For nearly 100 years it’s been the American epicenter for gambling, live spectacles, shotgun weddings, magicians, and all sorts of assorted vice. Its proximity to Southern California ensures the desert oasis is fed with a continuous supply of visitors, and its reputation for hospitality delivers a steadfast flow of people from around the...

Coming soon from the creators of the RV Miles and the America’s National Parks Podcasts is a new show that journies to hidden and not-so-hidden gems that make up the fabric of our nation. We call it See America.