Travel is all about learning and experiencing new cultures. Now, you may not think traveling within your own country gives you a great sense of new culture, but visiting historical landmarks is a great way to learn about our country’s cultural past and how practices and viewpoints have evolved.
Traveling domestically is also a great way to save on airfare and other expenses. So, instead of spending lavishly on an exotic travel destination, consider diving into the rich history of the United States by visiting a few of these incredible landmarks.
To help you decide where to start, we’ve compiled a list of 17 historic sites across the U.S. that you’ll want to include in your travel plans. Once you see the places on the lists, we think you’ll agree that they are well worth visiting.
1. American Civil War Museum — Virginia
The American Civil War marks one of the most important turning points in U.S. history. The museum in Richmond offers extensive coverage of the war’s timeline.
The American Civil War Museum tells the story behind the Civil War from the point of view of the people involved. The Union and Confederate sides have their narratives, along with stories from other significant Americans, including Native Americans and enslaved Black Americans.
2. The Alamo — Texas
The most popular tourist destination in San Antonio, Texas, is the Alamo, the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. The narrative includes information about the 13-day siege of a small group of independence fighters against the Mexican army.
Visit the Alamo and learn more about pioneer David Crockett and other Alamo defenders. You can also learn more about the Texas Revolution and how it came to be.
3. The White House — Washington, D.C.
The White House, built in October 1792, has witnessed the decisions and actions of U.S. presidents over the decades, whether good or bad. For more than 200 years, it has carried the secrets of American leaders.
The White House is open to the public, but some areas are off-limits. For more information about this national landmark, visit the White House Visitors Center.
4. Harriet Tubman National Historic Park — New York
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park tells the story of Harriet Tubman, a brave African-American woman who initiated rescue missions to save about 70 enslaved people before the Civil War. This network of activists and safehouses, also known as the Underground Railroad, is heavily featured in this historic park.
This park is in Auburn, New York, and houses landmarks like the Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Harriet Tubman residence.
5. Alcatraz Island — California
The infamous 22-acre Alcatraz Island in San Francisco has a negative reputation in no small part because of the movies featuring the prison and its harsh conditions.
If you’re up for the mystery behind its dangerous vibe, take the 15-minute ferry ride to the island, then join one of the tours offered by the National Parks Service, which manages the island.
6. Gettysburg National Military Park — Pennsylvania
The Battle of Gettysburg was a three-day fight between the Union and the Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. The Union Army prevailed, and this battle, which caused more than 50,000 casualties, marked a significant turning point in the war.
Gettysburg National Military Park houses thousands of historical memorials, monuments, and markers from the American Civil War. When you visit, visit Devil’s Den and Cemetery Ridge.
7. Arlington National Cemetery — Virginia
Arlington National Cemetery holds more than 400,000 graves of brave American soldiers who served their country during wartime. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which houses unknown soldiers from the Korean War and the two World Wars, is also buried there. U.S. Presidents William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy are also buried there.
8. Lincoln Memorial — Washington, D.C.
Henry Bacon designed the Lincoln Memorial to pay tribute to the 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. It’s in a Greek style similar to the Athens Parthenon. The monument symbolizes the president’s fight for freedom and calls for tolerance and honesty.
It has been the venue for many political events and speeches throughout history. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his inspiring “I Have a Dream” speech from this site.
9. Betsy Ross House — Pennsylvania
Betsy Ross is credited with sewing America’s first flag and is considered George Washington’s assistant as he created the design.
Many historians believe this is a just tale told by Ross’ descendants, making this site more fascinating. Visitors can conduct their own mini-investigations by looking at the historical documents and articles on the site.
10. Mesa Verde National Park — Colorado
If you’re curious about Native Americans, Mesa Verde National Park is the ideal place to visit. In 600 A.D., the area was home to the Pueblo Native American tribe.
Today, the park houses much more than well-preserved archaeological treasures from these indigenous people. For a complete experience, check out the Balcony House, Cliff Palance, and Far View Visitor Center.
11. Brooklyn Bridge — New York
John A. Roebling, a Prussian immigrant, designed New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. It was one of the world’s largest suspension bridges when it was completed. The bridge connects Brooklyn to Manhattan and assists with traffic.
More than just its historic value, the bridge’s Gothic double arches are a nod to the Middle Ages’ architectural style that history buffs love.
12. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum — Massachusetts
The Boston Tea Party refers to the December 16, 1773, event when American colonists protested against the tea tax. The East India Company monopolized the market, and 342 chests of tea were thrown into Boston Harbor.
The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museums tells the story that induced the American Revolution. It features the Robinson Tea Chest from the 1773 Boston Tea Party. Visit this historical site to learn what “spill the tea” means.
13. Statue of Liberty — New York
French activist Edouard de Laboulaye proposed building a statue representing liberty as a gift to the U.S. French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and builder Gustave Eiffel built the Statue of Liberty, which celebrates America’s independence and its camaraderie with France.
Lady Liberty is more than a massive steel and copper creation. The 305-foot-tall statue symbolizes the country’s freedom and independence. There are tours to Liberty Island, the statue’s location, and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
14. Colonial Williamsburg — Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg offers a unique picture of 18th-century Colonial America. It’s a great destination to experience America’s past.
The site contains 89 historical buildings, and the visit immerses tourists in a living museum. Employees dress and act as if they’re still in the 18th century, complete with working on sewing and blacksmithing.
15. Bunker Hill Monument — Massachusetts
The misnamed Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown commemorates the battle on Breed’s Hill on June 17, 1775, one of the first major battles of the American Revolution.
It features the story of a specific British victory in the Revolutionary War. If you’re curious about their weapons at that time, you’ll get more information about the musket.
16. Independence Hall — Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s Independence Hall showcases one of the most vital events in American history: the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.
Explore the area and visit other historical sites within Independence National Historical Park, including the Liberty Bell and the Congress Hall.
17. Jamestown — Virginia
Jamestown, Virginia, is a historic site of the first English colony in the United States. The colonization of Jamestown in 1607 led to what is today known as America.
Check out this tourist site and dive into the history of this attraction. You can visit popular gems like the Cape Henry Memorial and York Town Battlefield.
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