I love finding out more about our country’s history. The U.S. offers hundreds of years’ worth of events and stories and a lot of ways to find out more about them. Still, I believe that reading about a place doesn’t come close to seeing it for yourself. Here are my favorite U.S. travel destinations for history-lovers—of course, flying is a little tricky right now with everything going on in the world, so your best bet is to hop in the car and take a road trip to one of these historic sites. Some attractions may be closed right now, so you may also want to consider waiting until summer to take your road trip. Furthermore, if you’re like me and you’re heading out from North Carolina, some of these destinations can be quite a long drive. Just make sure y’all service your cars and replace your tires before you head out.
Savannah, Georgia
Fun fact: This was the first city established in Georgia, so I guarantee you’ll find something of interest. I recommend checking out the Historic District in downtown Savannah, where you’ll get to not only visit several museums and restored 18th-century homes, but also take in tons of art, culture, and food along the way. Y’all can go shopping down on River Street or at City Market, or you can take a riverboat cruise along the Savannah River for a really unique experience. There’s something for everybody here—spending a day or two in Savannah will definitely be worth it.
Charleston, South Carolina
For a look at life in the Civil War, Charleston is the place to check out. They still fire cannons over at Fort Sumter, and the South Carolina Historical Society Museum gives you a great insight into the state’s history. If you’re interested in naval history, you could visit Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, which houses several retired World War II-era ships.
Williamsburg, Virginia
The really exciting thing I love about this town is how authentically it recreates past events. Colonial Williamsburg beautifully reenacts 18th-century life with buildings that maintain their historical authenticity and costumed guides who demonstrate what daily life was like. You can also visit Historic Jamestown, a recreation of the first English settlement in America, which sponsors a lot of archaeological digs that keep uncovering more about the town.
Washington, D.C.
If you’re looking for the U.S. travel destinations for history-lovers, what better place to visit than our nation’s capital? Practically everything here provides a wealth of knowledge on America’s past and pays a great tribute to the people who have led the country. You can take a tour of the White House or the Capitol Building, check out the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials at the National Mall, or visit the Smithsonian Museums to learn about more focused topics such as natural history or space travel. To get a really good view of things, I recommend going up to the top of the Washington Monument—it lets you see as far as Maryland! Plus, D.C. is the perfect trip to take if you’re on a budget, as almost all the most exciting sites are free to visit.
