For an event that leaves attendees talking for months—and filled with memories forever—not many sites can compete with a famous U.S. landmark.
There are reasons these venues are famed, of course, and whether it’s their intriguing history, spectacular setting, or a combination of such factors, groups gathering at these iconic spots are sure to appreciate the dramatic departure from a boardroom or ballroom.
Here’s an up-close look at five fantastic American landmarks, and how they can take your next event to another level.
The Statue of Liberty
It’s hard to picture a more dramatic setting than an evening on Liberty Island, beneath the Statue of Liberty, designed by the famed French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi and dedicated to the U.S. as a gift from France in 1886.
While the statue itself is off-limits for event-holding, Evelyn Hill Inc. helps host tented gatherings of up to a thousand attendees. Nearby Ellis Island is another spectacular option where the company can host an event.
Whether a corporate dinner for 1,000, an intimate gathering for 50 or an elegant reception, the Statue of Liberty—and Ellis Island—promise to deliver an event experience that will last a lifetime, according to Patti Golden, director of sales for Evelyn Hill, who adds, “Our events are truly monumental!”
The company can work with planners and groups to fit whatever vision they might have for a perfect night on the 12-acre isle, including upscale catering and decor.
The Space Needle
Seattle groups will be hard-pressed to match the views and vitality of a Space Needle affair.
“As the symbol of the city, we provide not only an iconic space, but an elevated experience,” says Kathy Gerke, the venue’s director of sales and catering. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Seattle skyline, she says attendees can enjoy delectable cuisine infused with regional influences, elegant and friendly service, and a fun and funky environment that can cater to any planner’s event goals.
Groups of up to 20 can enjoy a meal at the SkyCity restaurant, and larger private events can be hosted on the Skyline level 100 feet above ground, which has banquet/catering facilities and space for groups ranging from 20 to 360. Still-larger events can be hosted at the 500-foot-high O Deck, with space for up to 500 attendees.
The 605-foot-tall tower also offers top-notch catering services for groups small or large, focused on fresh regional elements from the Northwest’s bounty of flavors.
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Mount Rushmore
What attendee wouldn’t be excited over an event with four former U.S. presidents on hand? South Dakota’s most iconic attraction, carved into the granite hills by Gutzon Borglum and his team between 1927 and 1941, is a true celebration of American history and a breathtaking setting for an event.
“A dinner at Mount Rushmore is a very patriotic and moving experience,” says Lloyd Shelton, food and beverage manager with Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which operates the concessions at the famed site. A major highlight for attendees, he says, is sitting in the dining room listening to a speaker, as the monument is slowly illuminated behind the presenter.
Carver’s Cafe, with a focus on local ingredients and sustainability, overlooks the humongous presidential busts and neighboring pine forest, and can host up to 300 attendees for a sit-down affair September through May. During the summer months, up to 150 guests can partake in an outdoor patio party, and the cuisine is overseen by Chef Tom Dusing, who has been at Mount Rushmore for 35 years.
Options can include historically themed affairs, highlighted by an ice cream dessert fashioned from Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe.
Graceland
Opened to the public in 1982, Elvis Presley’s former Memphis estate attracts about 600,000 guests annually and is one of the most-visited private homes in America. The front gate embellished with musical notes has become a national icon, and guided tours go well beyond your typical estate exploration.
A trophy room, costume display and functioning diner provide plenty of fun, and fans will also enjoy checking out The King’s collection of more than 20 vintage automobiles. They can also climb aboard a pair of Elvis’ private jets and explore a special Elvis in Hawaii exhibit.
What might really surprise some planners, however, is that Graceland is also a hive of hip event spaces. The Pavilion is an evening-only space that can host up to 300, with spacious windows looking over the mansion and grounds; the Automobile Museum has a capacity for 250 around a host of cool vehicles and includes a faux “drive-in” area with Elvis flicks on display; the Chrome Grill can host groups of up to 110 and includes a booth integrated inside a full-sized Cadillac; and Rockabilly’s Diner can host 65 and includes an authentic Wurlitzer jukebox stocked with Presley classics.
Navy Pier
Chicago’s Navy Pier has evolved into a bastion of entertainment and experiences. Visitors can take in an IMAX film or Shakespearean play, climb aboard a towering Ferris wheel, investigate two different museums and even set out for a dinner cruise.
This all adds up to plenty of fun for groups before or after a function, and the promising pier is alive with event spaces as well.
Festival Hall, for example, is a 170,000-square-foot space that can be set up as one large venue or divided into units of 113,000 and 57,000 square feet. It’s adjoined by 36 meeting rooms ranging in size from 750 to 8,200 square feet. The Rooftop Terrace is a seasonal venue open in fair weather and host to a 5,000-square-foot tent.
Other intriguing options include the spacious Lakeview Terrace, able to host up to 1,000 attendees, and the Grand Ballroom, hallmarked by a large domed ceiling. It has capacity for up to 1,500, plus added balcony seating.
For something truly extraordinary, planners might ponder the Crystal Gardens, an enclosed one-acre botanical oasis housed in a six-story glass atrium.
