Best of Aerial America

2016 • Smithsonian Channel
4.7
13 reviews
TV-PG
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (13)

1 On the Water
4/24/16
Water is a resource, a recreation, and a requirement for life itself. It is also a sight to behold, whether it's the product of millions of years of geological evolution or a remarkable feat of modern engineering. This aerial excursion whisks you above America's massive lakes, powerful rivers, mind-boggling glaciers, and shape-shifting wetlands as well as its man-made dams and canals. See how our interaction with water has shaped our nation's landscape and its history, and how its importance continues to ripple from coast to coast.
2 Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
1/16/16
Welcome to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where dazzling beaches, towering mountains, and stunning islands of all shapes and sizes meet under brilliant Caribbean skies. But these two U.S. territories have much more to contribute to the American story than magnificent views. Journey with us beyond the tourist hotspots and ocean cruise harbors and discover the region's turbulent but rich history and fascinating characters, from golf and basketball legends to kings of Latin pop and more.
3 Natural Wonders
5/8/16
Massive forces have transformed our nation over billions of years, sculpting and shaping it into the breathtaking landscape we know today. All around us, natural wonders abound, from South Dakota's badlands to Yellowstone's boiling cauldrons to West Virginia's stunning spine of quartzite. See them all from towering heights on this cross-country voyage over America's most astonishing natural sights, formed inch-by-inch over a period of time.
4 The Great Plains
5/22/16
It covers all or parts of 10 U.S. states and a vast area of more than half a million square miles. It's the Great Plains and this aerial tour makes it easy to understand why it's called America's breadbasket. Join us over prairies, where wild bison still roam, past fertile fields first planted by pioneers centuries ago, and across rugged badlands filled with fossils. We explore this region's stunning beauty and reveal the stories of emigrant families, religious exiles, and hopeful prospectors that collectively tell the birth of the Great Plains.
5 Roadside Attractions
5/29/16
Who said road trips actually have to be on the road? Take a soaring tour above America's famous routes, country lanes, and long highways on a coast-to-coast excursion to some of the most majestic sights on Earth. From the Oregon Trail to the fields of Gettysburg, and from Mount Rushmore to the Grand Canyon, we visit some of our country's many roadside attractions. We also share the larger-than-life figures, tragic tales, and inspiring stories that give us a better sense of our country's long and winding journey to the nation we know today.
6 Man-Made Marvels
6/5/16
The vast beauty of America isn't evident only in its spacious skies, dramatic shores, and sweeping plains. It's also in its skyline towers, stunning monuments, and gravity-defying bridges. Join us on a soaring, swooping voyage across our nation's biggest, boldest, and most dazzling man-made projects. From The Statue of Liberty to Seattle's Space Needle and everything in between, these majestic structures stand as symbols of our creativity, give us glimpses of our changing ideas, and provide building blocks for our future.
7 The South
6/12/16
What is it that makes America's southern states "the South"? Is it the legacy of eclectic music, from hip-hop to blues to country? Is it the rich history that survived notorious pirates, epic battles, and human rights movements? Or is it the stunning Gulf Shores, cotton fields, and towering rocky peaks? Whatever it is, it's easy to understand why Southerners feel such a deep connection to their land. Join us on this soaring tour over a region rich with history, culture, and a rare American lure that can only be found in the South.
8 Trailblazers
6/20/16
Presidents and pilots. Athletes and authors. Engineers and entertainers. America has seen over two centuries of trailblazers, pioneering men and women who have altered our culture, our landscapes, and our lives. Take a coast-to-coast tour over the locales where these leaders made history. From Mount Vernon to Silicon Valley, from Lambeau Field to Walden Pond and landmarks in between, we celebrate the places and the people who blazed a trail and took our nation in a new direction.
9 New England
6/26/16
The rich history of American independence rings out from just about every corner of New England, from the Massachusetts harbors where early rebellions triggered a revolution to the rocky peaks where freedom soars today. From the air, there's no end to the wonders of this northeastern region. Take a sky-high journey with us as we capture the pristine lakes on Maine's northern border, the rocky shores of Connecticut's stunning coast, the fall colors that blanket the mountains of Vermont, and beyond.
10 The Wild West
7/3/16
The American West has fascinated people for generations and it's no wonder. It's a region of tall tales and larger-than-life characters, intermingling cultures and powerful industries, and stunning landscapes best enjoyed from breathtaking heights. Aerial America: The Wild West whisks you across the western frontier, from the St. Louis Arch to the Pacific shores to the Alaskan wilderness. Watch as we capture its many visual wonders and celebrate the men, women, and children who made their way across our nation and into the pages of history.
11 Southern California
7/10/16
Southern California: land of movie moguls and big celebrities, Spanish missionaries and military heroes. It's a region full of character, from the people it has attracted over the centuries to the natural wonders that make up the Golden State's lower half. Join us as we soar above towering mountains of sand, race across a valley that's also the hottest place on Earth, and discover volcanic craters that are nothing short of otherworldly as we celebrate the sites, stories and spirit of this land of extremes.
12 Northern California
7/10/16
It's a region that has been hit by earthquakes, drought, and volcanoes, yet over the centuries, Northern California has produced an unmatched scale of achievement, thanks to the pioneering spirit of its citizens. Join us as we celebrate the northern half of the Golden State from thousands of feet in the air. We soar over natural and manmade wonders, from San Francisco's iconic landmarks to the wineries of Napa Valley. Explore the area's towering redwoods, tracing a dramatic history built on colonial settlement, gold digging, and hippie culture.
13 New York City 24
6/4/17
There's nothing like a day in the life of New York City, and there's no better way to appreciate it than from above. Join us as we span the five boroughs, capturing the city's man-made and natural wonders and revealing the surprising ways its citizens live, work, and play. From crane operators working 1,000 feet over Manhattan to beachgoers frolicking at Coney Island to the pulsing lights of Times Square, this aerial tour captures the excitement of a city that is always on the go.

About this show

Take off on a thrilling flight across America, a journey that allows you to leave yourself, and your travel organizer, at home. Shot entirely in high definition, this series offers rare glimpses of some of our nation’s most treasured landmarks, all seen from breathtaking heights. From busy cityscapes to quiet landscapes, from historical and cultural landmarks to untouched locations inaccessible by road, we offer the history and the pageantry of our amazing country, which is as diverse as the people occupy it.

Ratings and reviews

4.7
13 reviews
Weston Anderson
May 13, 2017
You people should be a f****** shamed of yourselfs. Not u guys paying.. But you fools charging for something that was never yours
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Lois DeLong
July 3, 2018
I gotta clubhouse m-f the only way I can get to watch it is because my parents got drect TV
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Dee Roberts
April 19, 2017
I'm in love with this show
1 person found this review helpful
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