There are so many historical places to visit in the United States that it can be hard to figure out where to go and what you should see. If you’re looking to travel in the United States, make sure to check out these 9 amazing historical places before you go. (In no particular order.)
Washington, D.C.: National Mall
1. The National Mall is full of history with monuments, museums, and national memorials representing U.S. History- including Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the White House. The National Gallery of Art houses one of the largest art collections in America on its two floors below ground. With trees and bushes that have grown on top of where wars were once fought for freedom, this land is also rich with peace for everyone today who seeks to visit old places or enjoys being an observer of historical places.
San Antonio, Texas: The Alamo
The Alamo was designed by famed architect and engineer General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. You can visit the old place and see it as it appears today. Now, there are tours available to help you see what is at The Alamo and then there are some books that may be available for purchase, too.
Honolulu, Hawaii: Iolani Palace
Visiting old places can be enlightening. Hawaii has plenty of beautiful destinations that are rich in history and culture. Take Iolani Palace, for example, it is over 130 years old but standing strong, as it’s one of the only buildings of its kind left. One visit and you’ll feel transported back in time and learn about events that helped shape our history.
Iolani Palace was built on December 23rd, 1882 by King David Kalakaua during the reign of Queen Liliuokalani who we learned was also royalty. The Royal Decree issued by King Kalakaua established this palace as his place of residence and granted him the exclusive use of its grounds according to PBS Hawai’i’s website.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is the best-known symbol of American independence, and one of Philadelphia’s most cherished icons. It began its life as the State House bell in 1753 and was recast twice, first in 1753 and again in 1846. The bell was designed to commemorate Pennsylvania’s Assembly’s vote for independence on July 4, 1776.
Two cracked strokes were added to its surface upon George Washington’s death when it had become a symbol of freedom for people all over America. Since then it has been heard each Fourth of July until 1938 when Franklin Roosevelt became president and decided that it should be rung only on special occasions. During World War II this patriotic emblem rang little as it was said that ringing out free people while they fought enemies overseas would be bad luck.
Savannah, Georgia: The Juliette Gordon Low House
In Savannah, you can visit the house of Juliette Gordon Low. She was known as ‘The Founder of Girl Scouts.’ It is where she wrote The Brownie Guide Book which served as the foundation for her Girl Scout organization. From March 17, 1912-June to 12, 1956, Juliette lived in this home with her daughter Susie and husband Joel Chandler Harris.
St. Augustine, Florida: Castillo de San Marcos
You may be interested in visiting Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida. This is one of America’s best preserved Spanish colonial-era fortresses, offering visitors a glimpse into Florida’s past. Built on June 8th, 1672 by Jesuits of France and Spain at the mouth of Matanzas Bay on Florida’s Atlantic coast and made from stone, mortar, and coquina quarried nearby. During construction, it was called Fort Mose as it served as a stronghold for Spanish infantry troops who were charged with defending Spanish settlers against raiders and plantation raids from various Native American tribes like the Calusa and Apalachee among others.
Williamsburg, Virginia: Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area
Williamsburg is an urban area, located within James City County. Colonists established the community of Williamsburg as America’s first planned town in 1699. A thousand acres were enclosed by a wooden stockade and cleared of trees and underbrush to create its 300 lots. Today, visitors can tour 20th-century Williamsburg while walking on 18th-century streets and see America’s first public school house, 17th-century houses, merchants’ shops, and taverns, and even observe an early colonial execution!
New Orleans, Louisiana: Jackson Square and Riverwalk Marketplace
Fort Sumter National Monument is one of the most historic sites along the coast. Built by General Beauregard and confederate forces in anticipation of attacks from Union troops, Fort Sumter was defended for four months until it finally surrendered on April 14, 1861. Within the battlements of this military site is Battery Point, where you can view cannons that were used during the Fort’s Great Bombardment and learn about its design and renovation efforts as well as restoration projects. To visit this historical location, simply take a ferry from Mount Pleasant Marina located at 1800 Bayview Ave., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464.
Charleston, South Carolina: Fort Sumter National Monument
Eighty-six years after the Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter, signaling an outbreak of hostilities with Union troops, Confederates surrendered and abandoned the fort on April 14, 1865. Union forces assumed control of Fort Sumter and spent nearly three decades fortifying it against possible Confederate attacks. On April 14, 1885, Sumter National Monument was created and placed under U.S. military control for commemorative purposes. In 1948 responsibility for administering the site was transferred to the National Park Service (NPS) as a unit of America’s national park system…
To Conclude:
These historic locations are all a perfect way to explore this great country. They offer some of the best historical backgrounds and teach us many lessons. Their natural beauty and architecture make these cities just as exciting as they were 100 years ago.
