We've compiled a list of the nation's historical hot spots -- the most-visited monuments in 2009 -- from National Park Service data. As crowds flock to the nation's national parks, consider these often less-crowded alternatives. These trips keep you firmly grounded in the U.S. With rolling white sand dunes, coastal redwood forests, war-scarred memorials, and, let's not forget the iconic Statue of Liberty, travelers get a taste of our rich past.<br> <br> -- Deborah Netburn and Kelsey Ramos<br> <br> <hr>
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