America in 250: Episodes 6-10

Week 2 of America in 250 is officially released and this week took us to all kinds of new places. We showed another amazing sunrise spot, a favorite local snack, and an awesome amusement park.

1. Eat Shave Ice in Hawaii

Our first pick of the week sent us all the way out to Haleiwa in Hawaii. This little town on the island of Oahu has a shave ice spot that has been busy for 75 years. Matsumoto Shave Ice opened in 1951 and has been serving this Hawaiian staple ever since. On a busy day, they can serve up to 1000 people!

This was our second visit to Hawaii and we knew we had to go back to get this staple. I got the same flavor I got the first time, Rainbow with condensed milk. On our latest trip, Juliana got Tropical. She didn't enjoy the sweetness of the Rainbow with condensed milk the first time we went but really enjoyed it this time.

This isn't the only shave ice store in Hawaii. There are tons of different spots to get this Hawaiian treat. We highly recommend trying some if you ever visit Hawaii.

2. Be in 4 states at the same time at Four Corners Monument

State borders are fun to pass through when traveling but there's only one spot that lets you walk around 4 states in one place. Welcome to Four Corners Monument at the corners of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. This is a really unique spot that you need to visit if you're driving through the Southwest.

Interestingly, this spot is actually about 1,800 feet away from where the actual geographic point for the four corners actually are. The mistake was made by a surveyor in the 1800's and it was later challenged and taken to the Supreme Court who ruled that the monument is the intersection of the four states, even if the geography is technically off.

This monument was created by the Navajo Nation and they still run it today. It costs 8 dollars per person and they only accept card payments. There is a small market that surrounds the monument where you can buy souvenirs from Navajo sellers. It's not a long stop but definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

3. See every state flower at the United States Botanic Garden

There is a really cool event at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington DC for the America 250 celebration. It's called America's State Flowers. As you can probably guess, it's a event showing all of the state flowers from across the United States.

They're not just displayed in one place though. The flowers are spread throughout the indoor and outdoor gardens across the entire Botanic Garden. Some are in the desert sections, some are in the more humid sections, some are in the medicinal herbs, and some are actually trees with flowers.

It was really cool to follow the map and see all of the different flowers. They had markers that told which state the flowers represented and a small description of each one. Some states actually share the same flower which was interesting to find out.

There is also a display in the lobby of all of the state flowers made of paper by botanical artist Emily Paluska. This is a great addition since some of the flowers were not in bloom when we visited. It was nice to see what they look like in the display case.

This event is free with no reservations or tickets needed and it is running through October 12th, 2026. It's a decent amount of walking and a lot of it is outdoors which was very hot on the day we visited so remember to bring your water. It's a great way to spend a couple hours if you find yourself in Washington DC.

4. Watch a sunrise from the Kuwohi Observation Tower in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Our fourth spot of the week took us to the Smoky Mountains to watch one of the best sunrises in the eastern United States. The highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers one of the best views in the park to watch the sun come up. As the sun rises, the mountains get illuminated in a beautiful blue glow and the clouds sit low underneath the peaks so it looks like the peaks are poking through some kind of shroud. It's really an amazing sight.

Kuwohi sits at 6,643 feet in elevation making it the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains and the third highest peak east of the Mississippi River. You might know Kuwohi as Clingman's Dome if you went to the park prior to September 2024. The name has since been changed to honor the original Cherokee name that means "mulberry place"

At the top of the peak sits a 45-foot tower that offers 360 degree views on clear days. To get to the tower, you must hike a steep, 0.5 mile paved path up to the tower. This is a very steep path so it takes a little more time than you might expect.

We got the views from the picture above from the parking lot. There is not cost to enter the park but they do require you to pay for parking at the different lots throughout the park. There is a pay station in the parking lot for Kuwohi. It's a popular spot so it can fill up fast if you decide to visit. It's well worth checking out this awesome spot on your next visit to the Smokies.

5. Visit Dollywood in Pigeon Forge

Consistently rated one of the best theme parks in the country and owned by one of the most beloved women in America. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is somewhere you need to visit.

During our most recent trip to Tennessee, we got to explore Sevier County and one of our stops was to Dollywood. This was our first trip to Dollywood and we had heard really good things about it and were interested in seeing how it was. There are over 50 rides, 11 themed areas including a 1950's main street and a mountain craft village.

I got to ride every roller coaster in the park and I can confidently say I think I've found my new favorite roller coaster. Lightning Rod is a wooden coaster that goes 73 miles per hour and has a 165-foot drop. It was so much fun I rode it three times throughout the day.

All of the roller coasters and rides are a lot of fun. As well as the other rides and shows we got to do. We watched Play On and the Sweet Summer Nights Drone and Fireworks shows that you could see from the Wildwood Grove area of the park. We also got to ride the train that was used during World War II shown in the picture above.

Dollywood is definitely a spot to celebrate America's 250th anniversary with its fun rides, entertaining shows, and stunning Smoky Mountain views. But also for Dolly's commitment to her home state and region after becoming the star she is today is an inspiring part of her story. It goes to show how America is the land of opportunity and when opportunity comes to you, remember to give back to those who helped you get where you are and to those in the generations coming behind you.

This section was sponsored by TNVacation.