1

Elvis Presley

Born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, with early dreams of music stardom, Elvis lived a short life that was nothing short of a miracle for music . His first career breakthrough came in 1954 when he recorded the single "That's All Right," fusing country, blues, and gospel to create a revolutionary new sound . Elvis’s unique music and tremendous popularity led him to achieve his first No. 1 hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," in 1956.

Elvis’ catalog is packed with absolute classics known and loved worldwide, such as "Can't Help Falling in Love," "Burning Love," and "Jailhouse Rock," among many others. Elvis’ image remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Rock and Roll, and his music inspired countless artists.

2

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is one of those artists whose cultural influence is quite difficult to explain because of how much he has achieved. He’s been frequently credited as the creator of folk-rock and is a member of three different Halls of Fame: the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

His music is a defining element of American culture, with memorable classics such as "Blowin' in the Wind," "Like a Rolling Stone," "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," and "The Times They Are a-Changin'." And in 2016, he became the first songwriter to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."

3

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra is the quintessential male vocalist. Who hasn’t sung at the top of their lungs some of his legendary songs like "My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon" or "Strangers in the Night." Born in 1915, Sinatra rose to fame in the 1940s as the lead singer for Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. But he would reach stratospheric heights of fame when he launched his solo career.

Sinatra sold more than 150 million records worldwide, won 11 Grammy Awards, starred in over 50 films, and even nabbed an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for From Here to Eternity (1953) . But his greatest achievement goes beyond numbers and metrics; he shaped generations of singers through his unmistakable voice.

4

Chuck Berry

It’s impossible to talk about Rock and Roll without naming its father, Chuck Berry. With his music, he created the blueprint for the genre , delivering a number of all-time classic songs like "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Sweet Little Sixteen."

Chuck Berry’s guitar riffs and his one-of-a-kind live performances went on to define some of the main elements of rock, and his signature "duck walk" became iconic and endlessly referenced in pop culture over the years. A fascinating detail about his music is that "Johnny B. Goode" was selected for the Voyager Golden Record music collection that was sent into space on NASA's Voyager spacecraft in 1977 to represent Earth's culture.

5

Dolly Parton

3,000 songs written, more than 100 million records sold, and 11 Grammy Awards are just some of the achievements Dolly Parton has racked up throughout her impressive career. Born in Sevierville, Tennessee, Parton went on to become one of country music’s greatest ambassadors .

Her music catalog is filled with gems like "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You," which gained international recognition when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard (1992). Parton famously wrote both "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" in one day. She also had a successful Hollywood career and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

6

Bruce Springsteen

Famously hailing from New Jersey, "The Boss" rose to international fame with Born to Run in 1975 and became the voice of working-class America . Songs like "Born to Run," "Born in the U.S.A.," and "Dancing in the Dark" spoke to everyday people, their hopes, struggles, and the coveted American dream.

Springsteen has sold more than 140 million records worldwide and has won 20 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2016, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. To this day, Springsteen remains one of the most respected American songwriters.

7

Madonna

It’s impossible to make a list of the greatest artists in history without including the Queen of Pop . Madonna was (and is) a sensation. She took the world by storm with Like a Virgin (1984) and transformed pop music by constantly reinventing her image, her music, and her provocative performances.

We all remember her from the MTV era and how she redefined the role of music videos and used them as a platform for artistic expression and cultural commentary. Throughout her successful career, she has reinvented her musical style, transitioning between pop, dance, electronic, Latin, and R&B without losing relevance, selling over 400 million records worldwide.

8

Prince

Few artists in history could ever embody versatility quite like Prince did. An incredibly talented person, he not only revolutionized popular music but also created a whole new style that was his own .

He would write, produce, arrange, and perform much of his music himself, and though he’s best known for his guitar, piano, and vocals, Prince could play more than 20 instruments . An absolute music genius! His album Purple Rain (1984) is one of his greatest and best-selling creations, and it earned him several Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.

9

Michael Jackson

A single white glove, a black fedora, military-inspired jackets, and the moonwalk: Michael Jackson’s visual identity is one of the most recognizable images in music history . From his beginnings as a child in The Jackson 5 to conquering the world as the "King of Pop," Michael’s career is marked by an unparalleled string of hits.

It’s no surprise that his most massive album was Thriller (1982), which still holds the record as the best-selling album of all time , with more than 70 million copies sold worldwide. And his total record sales are over 500 million worldwide.

10

Aretha Franklin

Often hailed as the greatest singer of all time, "The Queen of Soul" started singing gospel music in her father’s church before achieving international fame in 1967 with the release of "Respect," her signature song. Aretha’s powerful voice is unmistakable, and her energy on stage will forever be remembered .

Some of her most famous songs are "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "Chain of Fools," "Think," and "Freeway of Love." On top of her Grammy Awards and millions of records sold, Aretha became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

1

Skip Air Force One

Beyond the wishes of any president, flying on a commercial airline is completely forbidden under any circumstances. Due to security concerns, Air Force One is meant to be the only way a president can travel by air. But there is actually a historic exception in this matter. In 1973, during the oil crisis, Richard Nixon flew on a regular United Airlines flight to California . The trip was meant to show support for energy-saving efforts nationwide.

2

Break the two-term rule

Did you know that before Franklin D. Roosevelt, presidents were not limited to two terms? They mostly followed a tradition started by George Washington, the first US president in 1789, who decided to step down after his second term. It wasn’t until the 22nd Amendment in 1951 that two terms became the official legal limit to moderate the accumulation of power in one person.

Roosevelt, who was president from 1933 to 1945 , was the only president to break that tradition because of the country's exceptional situation: During the Great Depression and World War II, many Americans wanted solid leadership. He ended up winning four elections, but died of a stroke in 1945 during his fourth term.

3

Take diplomatic gifts home

Presidents have to buy their own gifts? Truth is, they can receive gifts from foreign leaders, but they cannot always keep them as personal presents. If a gift is expensive enough to go over the government’s "minimal value" limit, it is treated as a gift to the American people. From there, the White House Gift Unit helps decide what happens to it. In fact, the president or First Lady can still keep the gift, but only if they buy it at fair market value. This rule exists so that a diplomatic gift does not appear to be a personal favor.

4

Own their official speeches

A president can stand at a podium and deliver a speech heard around the world, but that does not mean he is the private author of those words. Under U.S. copyright law, official presidential speeches are usually considered part of the public record because they are part of the job. That means people can quote them, share them, and reuse them more freely than a normal copyrighted text. You could say that the speech belongs less to the president and more to the country.

5

Enjoy a simple breeze

Picture the president’s reaction on his first day of office when he is advised that he is prohibited from opening windows. The White House and presidential vehicles keep their windows sealed to prevent the president from being attacked.

Michelle Obama once shared that there was one small break from those strict rules . During a short drive to Camp David, her Secret Service agent allowed her to open the car windows for a few minutes. She later described it as a feeling of normal people's luxury.

6

Block followers from official pages

What about the president’s digital life? Technology advances quickly, and presidential security must keep up; presidents cannot simply use personal social media without being monitored. In 2018, a federal judge ruled that a president cannot block people from official social media spaces, because those accounts can be treated as public forums. So even online, presidents have some restrictions to follow.

7

Hit the road by themselves

While in office, presidents and vice presidents are not allowed to drive on open roads. What’s more, the Secret Service must control their transportation in real time . There are some exceptions, though: inside personal properties, and in places like Camp David, they can drive, walk, and even ride a bike.

8

Throw away their own papers

Presidents also cannot treat their office like a normal workspace. Under the Presidential Records Act, letters, notes, and emails may count as official records. That means presidents are discouraged from simply cleaning up or throwing mail away on their own. Instead, White House staff must sort everything carefully first, so no important piece of history ends up in the trash by accident.

9

Join normal family outings

Imagine the scene of the president casually arriving at his child’s school one morning. As we would assume, there are security restrictions that prevent presidents from attending a child or grandchild's concert or sporting event. These restrictions affect the entire First Family, but they also keep everyday situations from turning chaotic.

10

Scroll through a normal inbox

Even the president’s inbox has personal security. People can send a message to the president online, but it does not go straight to a personal email account; it actually goes through the official White House contact form first. Then staff members read it, sort it, and decide where it should go. Since presidential emails can become part of the public record, they must be saved and handled carefully.

1

Ventura County, California

Image: Paul Hanaoka

A place that hosts the annual Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is a sure bet if you are looking for a place that combines mountains and beaches. Mountain hiking and the classic California coastline lie within 26.2 miles of each other. Located northwest of Los Angeles, Ojai sits in a valley, and the village is dotted with art galleries, farmers markets, and high-desert hikes in the nearby Los Padres National Forest.

When the season is right, many trails can be followed through scrubland, sometimes revealing cascading waterfalls along the Rose Valley Falls Trail. But for waves, visitors head downhill to Ventura, a classic coastal town.

2

Westmoreland State Park, Virginia

Image: Alex wolf mx

Westmoreland State Park in Virginia was established in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Covering 1,299 acres, the park offers sweeping vistas of the coastal plain and the Potomac River.

You can hike, boat, swim, camp, or fish in the majestic wilderness. And if you’re looking for an amazing view of the area, you can head to the natural attraction of Horsehead Cliffs, which rests high above the water.

3

Astoria, Oregon

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Oregon is likely one of the first states that come to mind when we think of a combination of beach and mountain. The coastal town of Astoria sits at the estuary of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. It is perhaps most famous as the filming location of the 1980s film The Goonies .

The Pacific Northwest’s beaches have a picturesque quality that is hard to find elsewhere. Hiking trails are just outside the backdoor: the Cathedral Tree-Coxcomb Hill Trail, for example, starts at a 300-year-old Sitka spruce and climbs 164 stairs to offer views of the town, the Coastal Range, and the Pacific Ocean.

4

Herring Cove Beach, Massachusetts

Image: Quino Al

Herring Cove Beach is a national seashore located in Cape Cop and it’s recognized as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It’s a popular spot among Provincetown locals featuring warm, calm waters flowing from the Atlantic Ocean.

Activities in the area include swimming, walking along the coastal dunes, or exploring the Beech Forest Trail via bike or on foot.

5

Lake Tahoe, California, and Nevada

Image: Tim Peterson

A familiar name and for good reason, Lake Tahoe offers a beautiful shoreline without being anywhere near the coasts. Destinations like Sand Harbor Beach feature wide expanses of sand, freshwater swimming areas, and beach coves dedicated to snorkelers and divers.

This is the largest alpine lake in the U.S., so the pine-studded hills of the Sierra Nevadas practically tumble into the waters. This makes hiking easily accessible. The Rubicon Trail traces the shores of Emerald Bay and features incredible panoramic views, cliffs, coves, waterfalls, and even a lighthouse along the 13-mile round-trip route.

6

Fort Wetherill State Park, Rhode Island

Image: Praswin Prakashan

Located in Rhode Island, Fort Wetherill State Park is known for its historical significance in controlling the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. During the colonial era, a strategic battery was established to control this passage.

Because of its coastal location, the fort was also used during World War II. Nowadays, visitors come to explore this park and its coastal fort, which perches high atop granite cliffs.

7

Chimney Bluffs State Park, New York

Image: Frank Eiffert

Chimney Bluffs State Park is the spot where colossal rocky spires meet calm, collected waters. This park in New York sits along Lake Ontario on the south shore. To get a good view of the stunning chimney peaks and formations, you should hike the Chimney Bluffs Trail. The park is pet friendly too, so you can bring along your furry friends for the ride.

8

Calvert Cliffs State Park, Maryland

Image: Gary Cole

Calvert Cliffs State Park is not only one of the few parks with both mountains and ocean but it also displays a prized collection of 600 prehistoric fossil species. Between 10 and 20 million years ago, the cliffs at the park were submerged under the sea. But as the water receded, erosion and exposure of the cliffs occurred, unveiling massive fossils.

Visitors can walk, lounge at the soft sandy beach, investigate these fascinating fossils, trek near forested treelines, or admire the unusual cliffs that extend along the Calvert Peninsula.

9

Echo Lake State Park, New Hampshire

Image: Aaron Burden

Echo Lake State Park boasts two stunning ledges: White Horse Ledge and Cathedral Ledge, as well as a lake called Echo Lake. Each of these spots features scenic views of the area and top-notch sites for a family picnic. You can swim, walk, or hike the White Horse Ledge Loop Trail, a 3.1-mile loop.

10

Acadia National Park, Maine

Image: Peregrine Photography

Alongside Oregon parks, Acadia National Park is a prime example of a place that combines mountainous and seaside ambiance. Situated along the Atlantic coastline in Maine, it’s no wonder this impressive scenery attracts visitors for all types of recreational experiences, especially during the fall.

Rocky beaches, towering granite peaks such as the famous Cadillac Mountain, and miles and miles of natural treasure troves perfect for hikers are among the many features this park has to offer.