Wise choice of bread
Some of my most memorable vacations have been money related—and not costly at all. I took a photo next to a stack of $1 million bills at Binion’s on a recent trip to Las Vegas. Another memorable experience was a visit to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, DC, where millions of dollars were printed on the production floor.
If you care about money, check out these unique attractions in the USA.
1. US Mint
Get up close and personal with the coin making process with a free tour of the US Mint’s facilities in Philadelphia and Denver. Learn about the coinage process from design to coinage. You will be able to see how billions of coins are produced every year and learn about the history of coin making. (See also: Where are they now? Forgotten dollar bills (and coins))
2. Gambling hall and hotel Binion
Get a free keepsake photo of you standing next to a million dollars in cash at the Binion gambling hall and hotel in Las Vegas. Stop by for a photo and come back in about an hour to pick up a free printable copy. It’s incredible to see so much money up close.
3. US Treasury
The US Department of the Treasury Main Building is the third oldest building in Washington D.C. and has been renovated to preserve its impressive Greek Revival architecture. Some of the US Department of the Treasury’s historical landmarks include the offices of Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War, and offices used by President Andrew Johnson after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The stately marble ticket office has been restored and appears as it did at Ulysses S. Grant’s inaugural reception in 1869. You can tour all of these places by booking a table in advance.
4. Wall Street
If your trip takes you to New York City, check out the sights of Wall Street, a New York area that has been involved in finance for over 200 years. Highlights include:
- New York Stock Exchange: on the corner of Wall Street and Broad Street
- Federal Hall National Memorial: On the corner of Wall Street and Broad Street.
- Museum of American Finance: Located at 48 Wall Street.
You can go on a self-guided tour on foot, or there are other tour options available for free or for less than $40. (See also: 6 Reassuring Facts About the Stock Market)
5. Chicago Board of Trade
Visit the trading floors of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to see how traders work in the pits buying and selling commodities. The Chicago Board of Trade building was once the tallest building in Chicago. Though eclipsed by other taller buildings, it remains an Art Deco historic landmark with a glass observation deck overlooking the skyline. The tour lasts an hour and costs $20 per person.
6. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
If you want to see where the money comes from, this is the stop for you! Learn about the process of making paper money and see how millions of dollars are printed on the floor of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s manufacturing facility in Washington, DC. The tour includes an introductory film and stops at the stages of the production process, which is in legal tender. Admission is free, but a ticket is required. (See also: 10 must-see US museums)
7. Federal Reserve Bank of New York Gold Vault
Unfortunately, the bullion vault at Fort Knox is closed to the public, but there is a place where you can see tons of gold – literally. The gold vault of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York contains about 508,000 gold bars with a total weight of 6,350 tons. Visit the gold vault for free and learn more about the Federal Reserve System on a tour of the Federal Reserve Bank.
8. Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Visit the Learning Center and Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland for interactive exhibits and activities. Try your hand at bartering, see if you can spot counterfeit bills correctly, and even try creating your own currency. Take a look inside the impressive Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and learn how central banks work. Entrance and tours are free.
Like this article? Pin it!
