history tourist sites

The Top 16 Historical Sites in the World

The world is filled with mind-blowing man-made historical sites and wonders. Over the course of human history, we’ve produced some pretty amazing stuff, even if, sadly, not all of it has lasted until today.

With many breathtaking and incredible historical sites built by ancient civilizations, it’s sometimes hard to narrow down the best. Think of all the lists of historical wonders out there and how different they are.

What criteria do you use to judge? What makes a good historical site? What makes the best ?

Everyone has their own criteria for deciding what historical places are good or aren’t good — including me. Not only am I a history buff who studied history in college but I’ve spent over 15 years traveling around the world and have visited countless historical sites and monuments in the world.

Below is a list of the best historical sites in the world — sites that every traveler should visit at some point. The story these ruins and monuments tell is part of humanity’s shared story. They show us how we’ve developed as a species and as a civilization.

In short, they are great. You can click on the links below to jump ahead:

Table of Contents

1. Machu Picchu

3. the pyramids at giza, 4. angkor wat, 6. stonehenge, 7. the colosseum and forum, 8. the parthenon, 9. easter island, 10. taj mahal, 11. the alhambra, 12. the great wall of china, 13. chichén itzá, 14. volubilis, 15. sukhothai, 16. pompeii.

Concerns over growing numbers of tourists have led to limitations on how many people can enter the site, though only by a fraction of what is necessary. Hopefully, they will limit it even more so this site can last for hundreds more years to come.

Where to Stay : Viajero Kokopelli – Viajero Kokopelli is a fantastic hostel with free breakfast, modern pod beds, a bar/restaurant, and a lively social crowd.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Peru .  

You can channel your inner Indiana Jones early in the morning or late at night when the tourists go home when it’s just you and the jungle. It is very serene and doing just that made for one of the best travel memories I have. I particularly enjoyed seeing the sunrise from atop the temples. (Random trivia: The city at the end of Star Wars: A New Hope ? Tikal!)

If you don’t want to explore solo, you can take a more involved 8-hour guided tour of the site , which includes lunch, park admission, and the expertise of a local guide.

If you’re coming from Belize , you may find a bus at the border for 100 GTQ per person. Otherwise, the best way to get there from Belize is to do a tour from San Ignacio or drive yourself (watch out for border officials overcharging you for visas!). The park’s main gate opens at 6am and officially closes at 6pm. Adult tickets for foreigners are 150 GTQ (plus an additional 100 GTQ if you enter before 6am to see the sunrise).

Where to Stay : Los Amigos Hostel – An artsy, social hostel with a jungle garden for relaxing in, a bar/restaurant serving local cuisine, free Wi-Fi, and hot showers.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Guatemala!  

The largest, called the Great Pyramid, was built by the Pharaoh Khufu and has limited access.

Another popular and more convenient option for visiting the pyramids is via guided tour. There are tons of options departing from Cairo, including both full-day and half-day tours.

If you want to go on a multi-day tour through the country, here are my recommended options for tour companies in Egypt .

The pyramids are open daily from 8am-5pm (4pm from October to March). General Admission is 200 EGP, while admission to the entire complex, including entry to The Great Pyramid and the Solar Boat Museum, is 600 EGP.

Where to Stay : Horus Guest House Pyramids View – Just a short walk from the entrance to the pyramids, this guest house offers a complimentary Egyptian breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and exceptional views over the pyramids.  

The most popular temples are Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Thom, and they always have crowds. In order to really experience the temples, you’ll need to purchase the three- or five-day pass. The best time to visit is early in the morning before the big tour groups arrive and stay late after they have gone.

The temples are about a 20-minute drive from Siem Reap . A 1-day pass is $37 USD, 3-days is $62 USD, and 7-days is $72 USD. You can rent a tuk-tuk driver for about $20-25 USD to take you around for the day, or you can bike around yourself (the area is too big to walk).

There are also plenty of guided tours departing daily from Siem Reap, including sunrise tours so you can experience the complex before most of the crowds arrive. I personally enjoyed exploring the site by bike, and there are a number of bike tours that you can join (or you can rent your own bike and see it at your own pace).

Where to Stay : Onederz Hostel Siem Reap – This premium hostel is located right on bustling Pub Street and has multiple pools, a bar/cafe, and comfy private rooms and dorm rooms.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Angkor Wat!  

Under Roman rule, the site declined rapidly and was abandoned by the late 4th century and more or less forgotten by much of the world. In 1985, Petra became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Many tour companies run full day tours from Amman that include entrance fees and an English speaking guide. We also offer an 11-day tour of Jordan that includes several days in Petra!

Where to Stay : Ata Ali Hotel – This is a centrally-located, budget-friendly option for staying near Petra, with complimentary breakfast, a rooftop cafe, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.  

Stonehenge is now fenced off, and you can no longer go into the circle of stones; visitors can only walk around the attraction. But it’s worth visiting for the mystery behind it. There’s an excellent and detailed audio tour, which is included in admission ( booking timed tickets in advance online is required).

Group day trips from London are a popular option too (though keep in mind that it’s two hours one-way).

Stonehenge is open from 9:30am-7pm (closes at 5pm from September 6th–March 15th). Prices start at 20 GBP for adults, and 12 GBP for children, though prices fluctuate a bit by season.

Where to Stay : The Wheatsheaf – A traditional-style inn located in a historic 19th-century building in Salisbury with free parking and a pub downstairs.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to England!  

The complex has slowly crumbled throughout the ages, and much of it is restricted now, especially the floor and basement where everything was organized (though some tours, like this one , provide guided access to these restricted areas).

I definitely recommend a guided tour that includes skip-the-line access because the information presented by the authorities doesn’t go into much detail.

Where to Stay : YellowSquare – A fun, social hostel with a bar downstairs, organized walking city tours, and a coworking space.

For more hostel suggestions, check out my list of the best hostels in Rome , and for more insights into the different areas of the city, here’s a post that breaks down the best neighborhoods in Rome.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Rome!  

Though it’s currently (and seemingly has been forever) getting a face-lift, the Parthenon is still astounding and breathtaking. Moreover, it provides a sweeping view of Athens and nearby ruins, whose temples and buildings are equally as wondrous.

Admission is 20 EUR, or for 30 EUR you can get a 5-day combined ticket that includes many other archaeological sites in Athens. For a guided tour, Athens Walking Tours runs guided tours for around 50 EUR (including admission) that skip the line.

Where to Stay : Pella Inn Hostel – Located in the fun, vibrant neighborhood of Psyrri just north of the Acropolis, Pella Inn has affordable private and dorm rooms, all with their own balconies, and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city.

For other suggestions, check out this post on the best neighborhoods in Athens and where to stay in each.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Athens!  

The stones that attract visitors to this island are made out of volcanic ash; many still remain in the quarry, left behind by the inhabitants as diminishing resources on the island drove the tribes to go to war with each other.

There is much speculation about the creation, purpose, and transportation of the statues, and the mystery is part of what adds to the allure of visiting this enigmatic place. Due to its remote location, Easter Island is expensive to visit, though it’s still possible to find ways to cut your costs here if you’re strategic.

Where to Stay : Hostel Petero Atamu – Offers apartment rentals with kitchen access, complimentary breakfast in the mornings, and a free shuttle to/from the airport.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Chile!  

The Taj sees between two and four million tourists annually, so there have been recent restrictions on tourism in an effort to help protect the site. However, the greatest threat is the air pollution that is destroying the marble.

While it’s a bit far (three hours one-way), guided day trips from Delhi are popular as well as convenient option, especially if you’re short on time. You’ll get a knowledgeable guide plus all transportation is taken care of.

The site is open from 7am-5pm from Saturday-Thursday and closed Fridays. Adults cost 1,100 INR plus an additional 200 INR to visit the main mausoleum.

Five nights a month (on the full moon, as well as 2 nights before and 2 nights after), you can visit at night in order to see the marble spectacularly lit up by the natural light of the moon. Tickets are limited (only 50 people are allowed in per 30 minute visit) and cost 750 INR.

Where to Stay : Joey’s Hostel Agra – Offers affordable private and dorm rooms with air-conditioning, a shared lounge and kitchen, and a rooftop terrace with incredible views overlooking the Taj.  

It’s one of the best-preserved historic Islamic palaces in the world, with construction starting in 1238 by Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar, founder of the Emirate of Granada, on the ruins of a Roman fort.

During the Napoleonic occupation, the Alhambra was used as a barracks and nearly blown up. What you see today has been heavily but respectfully restored. This is a beautiful site with so many various gardens and buildings, and its view of the historic area of Granada is second to none.

Due to high demand and visitor restrictions, I highly recommend booking a ticket in advance .

If you take a guided tour , fast-track advance tickets are included, plus you’ll get a more in-depth experience with a local guide. Adult tickets are 19.09 EUR. Children under 12 are free.

Where to Stay : Eco Hostel – A modern, social hostel located in a beautifully restored historic building right on one of Granada’s main thoroughfares.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Granada!  

Many people take guided group tours from Beijing , which includes round-trip transportation, tickets, and the insights of a local guide.

Where to Stay : The Great Wall Courtyard Hostel – Located at the Badaling section of the wall, this is a simple yet nice hotel with Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and it’s just a short walk to both the train station and the entrance to the Great Wall.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to China!  

Historians believe the location was chosen due to its proximity to Xtoloc cenote, an underground freshwater source. At its height, the city was home to an estimated 35,000 people, and today the ruins include 5 square kilometers (1.9 square miles) of temples, intricately carved columns, tombs, and even ball courts.

Many tour companies also combine a visit to the site with other attractions in the area, such as this tour from Cancun that takes you to a cenote for swimming as well.

Entry to Chichén Itzá is 613 MXN and the site is open daily from 8am-5pm.

Where to Stay : Mama’s Home – This hostel in Tulum is located on a centrally-located street and offers a free home-cooked Mexican breakfast every morning, social activities, and bike rentals.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Mexico!  

I found it empty of tourists, not built up, and open in a way that really lets you get up close and see the structures without being behind ten feet of barriers and jostled by crowds.

Most of the city is still unexcavated, so the site has a very raw feel to it. I’ve been to a lot of Roman ruins in my travels, but I love this one the best. It’s a lovely day trip away from the crowds and noise of Fez .

There are many tour companies that offer day trips to Volubilis from Fez , or you can join a multi-day tour through Morocco. Volubilis is open daily and costs 70 MAD to enter.

Where to Stay : Riad le petit ksar – This is an excellent riad (a traditional-style Moroccan house with an inner courtyard) with a rooftop terrace, complimentary breakfast, air-conditioning, and a variety of rooms.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Morocco!  

The central area contains 21 temples enclosed by a moat. Its many temples showcase the unique Sukhothai style of decoration, which incorporates Khmer ( Cambodian ) and Sri Lankan influences. It’s a huge, huge site and takes a good day or two to see. Most of it is exposed to the sun, so bring sunscreen or you’ll get massively sunburned.

Since there are actually three ruined cities here, seeing them by bike is a fun way to cover a lot of distance. You can take a full-day or two-hour bike tour with Sukhothai Bicycle Tour .

Where to Stay : Old City Boutique House – This hostel is right near the entrance to the historical park and has AC, free breakfast, bike rentals, and friendly owners to help you with whatever you need!

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Thailand!  

Admission is 16 EUR while a guided tour with a professional archeologist is 59 EUR.

Where to Stay : Hostel of the Sun – Located in Naples, this is a cozy, award-winning hostel with private and dorm rooms as well as complimentary breakfast in the mornings.

To start planning your trip, read my budget travel guide to Pompeii!

The world has many amazing historical sites and these ones are the best but, even if you don’t make it to these, there are plenty more out there worth seeing. Just look some up where you are going! Make your own list! The more you know and understand the past, the more you can understand why people act the way they do in the present. Visiting these attractions and learning our history helps us get there!  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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17 historical landmarks to see around the world.

Learn about the heritage of your next destination with a trip to these significant historic sites.

(Getty Images) |

At these historical landmarks, history buffs and world travelers alike will get an authentic look into local culture.

Stonehenge: Salisbury, U.K.

Colosseum: Rome

Independence Hall: Philadelphia

Petra: Jordan

Moai: Easter Island, Chile

Great Pyramid: Giza, Egypt

Machu Picchu: Peru

Ephesus: Selçuk, Turkey

Chichén Itzá: Yucatán, Mexico

Acropolis: Athens, Greece

Angkor Wat: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Lalibela: Ethiopia

Auschwitz-Birkenau: Oswiecim, Poland

Great Wall of China: Huairou District, China

Statue of Liberty: New York City

Taj Mahal: Agra, India

Old Slave Mart: Charleston, South Carolina

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

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19 Top World Heritage Sites

Written by Lana Law Updated May 11, 2023

Author Lana Law has visited many of the top World Heritage Sites on her global journeys.

For centuries, or even millennia, some of the most astounding sites of ancient times were forgotten or hidden from the world, buried under jungles, deserts, or farmers' fields around the globe. Rumors of lost cities or chance discoveries by people going about their everyday lives have led to unimaginable finds that are today open for the world to see. Many of these have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Some of these incredible sites have been attracting tourists for hundreds of years and are as fascinating now as they were when they were first uncovered. It may be a cliché to say there has never been a better time to explore the greatest sites on the planet, but it is also true. While they're all significant, some are arguably more impressive than others.

Explore ancient wonders with our list of the best World Heritage Sites.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Pyramids of giza, egypt, bagan, myanmar, angkor wat, cambodia, great wall of china, roman colosseum, italy, acropolis of athens, greece, stonehenge, england, borobudur, indonesia, mesa verde, usa, terracotta army, china, petra, jordan, mayan ruins of tikal, guatemala, lascaux and lascaux ii, france, chichen itza, mexico, leshan giant buddha, china, easter island, map of world heritage sites.

Highlights : An ancient 15th-century city high in the Andes with breathtaking views

Built in lush, mountainous terrain high above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu lies in one of the most stunning settings of any archeological site in the world. This ancient city of Incas cascades down steep walls on each side of the mountain, with terraced steps that disappear over cliff edges into the valley below.

These incredible ruins have been restored and are well-maintained, giving visitors a good indication of what the city might have looked like when it was occupied during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Many people visit Peru for the sole purpose of seeing Machu Picchu, and the journey to the ruins can be an adventure in and of itself, depending on how travelers choose to reach the site.

Adventurous souls can opt for a guided, multi-day hike and camping trip along the famous Inca Trail to reach the site, or choose the easier option of accessing the ruins by bus from the small town of Aguas Calientes at the base of the hill, which most visitors get to by train from Cusco or the Sacred Valley .

Highlights : Majestic monuments set in the desert plains speak to human ingenuity

One of the most iconic sites in the world, the Pyramids of Giza, just outside Cairo , is a surreal sight rising from the barren desert landscape. Standing guard nearby, and almost as impressive, is the Sphinx , gazing blankly out over the land.

The pyramids were built as tombs for the Pharaohs, the largest of which was constructed between 2560 and 2540 BCE. To put their age in perspective, they were already more than 2,600 years old when the Colosseum in Rome was being built. Today, these giant monuments are the sole surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World .

For a memorable experience, take a sunset camel ride in front of the pyramids, one of the top things to do in Egypt. Also, be sure to follow the inner tunnels in the Pyramid of Chephren or the Pyramid of Cheops to the burial chamber deep inside.

• Read More: Pyramids of Giza: Attractions, Tips & Tours

Highlights : Countless thousand-year-old temples spread across an enchanting landscape

Thousands of ancient temples and stupas stretch endlessly across the landscape at Bagan, where the silhouette of the temple spires against the sky in the early morning or late day is a magical sight. The area is known for having the largest concentration of Buddhist temples in the world , many of which were built in the 1000s and 1100s, when it was the capital of the Pagan Kingdom.

Some of these have been restored, and others are little more than ruins. They also range in size and level of sophistication, creating an intriguing mix of structures that make visitors want to keep exploring the site. You can tour the area on rickety old bicycles, hire a horse and cart, take a hot air balloon ride over the site, or simply hire a taxi. Each of these methods has its own appeal.

Highlights : Ruins from the 12th century showcase the architectural mastery of the ancient Khmers

In a unique jungle setting, not far from the city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is known for being the world's largest religious monument , but it is more than sheer size that makes the Angkor complex so interesting. The site was built by the Khmers in the 12th century, and the architecture is nothing less than stunning.

The site has an intriguing mix of excavated and unexcavated temples in varying shapes, sizes, and states of decay, with some buildings taking on a mystical appearance as they're swallowed up by trees and roots. Huge stone carved faces peer out in all directions. Extensive and intricate bas-reliefs line the walls and doorways. Crumbling passageways and steep stone stairs call out for exploration.

Before its fall in the 15th century, Angkor Wat was the largest city in the world. The complex is huge, and you may want to spend a couple of days taking in the site.

Highlights : Wonderful views from atop this Ming Dynasty marvel, cultural history

Stretching almost 6,000 kilometers as it snakes its way through forests and mountains, the Great Wall of China is one of those undeniable bucket list sites that have long inspired great adventures. This massive wall, connecting battlements and watchtowers, was built over the centuries, with the oldest sections dating back to the 7th century BCE.

Today, you can opt to simply visit the wall on a day trip from Beijing , or tackle whole sections of it on organized, multi-day trips. Some sections of the wall have been restored, while other sections are badly in need of repair.

The Great Wall of China is one of China's most photographed attractions.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Beijing

Highlights : An iconic 50,000-seat ancient amphitheater that is a must-see when visiting Rome

One of the most recognizable structures in the world, the Roman Colosseum is the largest building remaining from Roman times . Its imposing presence in the city center of modern-day Rome is a testament to the incredible history of the city and the achievements of the Roman Empire.

Visitors popping up from the nearest subway stop or turning a corner and seeing it for the first time can't help but be stunned by its immense presence. Construction began on the structure in 72 CE, and today, it is still one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world.

The Italian Government has recently announced that the floor of the Colosseum, once the battlegrounds of brave gladiators, will be restored to its former glory. This will allow the Colosseum to be used for cultural and other special events and for visitors to imagine what it would have been like to stand and look up at the roaring crowds. This work is expected to be completed in 2023.

• Read More: Visiting the Colosseum: Highlights, Tips & Tours

Highlights : Ancient monuments dating from the 4th century BCE, fantastic views over Athens

Towering over the city of Athens from its hilltop perch, the Acropolis stands as a proud monument to Ancient Greece. Dating from between the 5th and 4th century BCE and dominating the site, the Parthenon is the largest and most recognizable structure from this period and symbolizes the extensive history of this country.

Just steps away from modern-day Athens, the Acropolis is a powerful sight, glistening in the Mediterranean sun during the day and lit for dramatic effect at night. For first-time visitors to the city, it is an awe-inspiring sight and sets the stage for travelers carrying on to other parts of Greece .

• Read More: Visiting the Acropolis in Athens: The Essential Guide

Highlights : Mysterious stones over 4,000 years old give the site a mystical air

This incredible prehistoric monument is one of the United Kingdom's most visited attractions and certainly one of its most unique places to visit, drawing huge numbers of visitors each year. The monument is thought to have been erected between 3000-1500 BCE, but there is no record of its origin or purpose, leading to all kinds of speculation and myths, some of which suggest religious or astronomical significance.

As a result, the Bronze Age ring of standing stones holds an almost mystical fascination, particularly around the summer and winter solstices, when the light from the sunrise and sunset is aligned with the stones. Located near the city of Salisbury , and not far from Bath , Stonehenge can be easily visited on a day trip from London .

Highlights : A massive temple site nearly 1,400 years old, stunning views of volcanoes in the distance

Borobudur is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world and certainly one of Indonesia's most famous landmarks. Set in lush, tropical surroundings, with mountains and volcanoes rising in the distance, the site is visually stunning and soothingly peaceful.

Located on the island of Java, near Yogyakarta, this massive temple complex was constructed in the 700s, but two to three hundred years later, the site was abandoned, possibly due to volcanic eruptions in the area, and went relatively undisturbed for centuries. The site was uncovered in the 1800s by the British and later restored. Today, it is one of the most important tourist attractions in Indonesia and one of the best places to photograph in the country .

Highlights : Fascinating cliff dwellings perched under massive rock ledges

Mesa Verde is home to one of the most visually stunning archeological sites in the USA and some of the most well-preserved Indian ruins in North America. The most impressive sites are the cliff dwellings tucked precariously into the canyon walls, but the entire area, including the forest-covered plateau, contains a vast array of ruins.

The Ancestral Puebloans inhabited this area of what is now Colorado for hundreds of years, living on top of the plateau between the 6th and 12th centuries and then in the cliff dwellings until the late 13th century. The drive up to the site is along a gently twisting road to the top of the mesa, where you can tour the sites on the plateau by car to see pit houses and other ruins, and enjoy stunning views of the dwellings in the canyon walls.

Those who are up for a slight physical challenge can take a guided tour through some of the cliff dwellings, climbing up ladders and exploring the site in detail.

• Read More: Exploring the Top Attractions of Mesa Verde National Park

Highlights : An incredible display of nearly 8,000 intricately carved clay warriors

Standing guard over the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, the Terracotta Army is like no other archeological site in the world.

Thousands upon thousands of life-sized warriors , each with a unique face, stand in rows, where they have stood since they were buried here in the 3rd century BCE. It is estimated that some 700,000 workers were involved in the creation of the site, which is thought to have approximately 8,000 clay warriors.

The site remained undiscovered for millennia, until a farmer was digging a well in the 1970s and uncovered the treasure. Some of the site remains intentionally not excavated, but you can't help but be more than impressed by the massive army that stands before you.

Highlights : A 5,000-year-old city carved out of rose-red stone, reached via a secret passageway

A dramatic, narrow rock gorge allows entrance to the ancient city of Petra, a stone city with dwellings hewn into sandstone walls . This ancient capital city of the Nabataeans has roots that trace back to as early as the 4th or 5th century BCE. Discovered by the West in the early 1800s, it has been referred to as "the rose city" for the color of the rock, and for obvious reasons, "the carved city."

Situated in a mountainous area with limited access, it held a strategic position on an important trade route in the region. Today, Petra is the most important tourist attraction in Jordan .

Read More: Visiting Petra: Attractions, Tips & Tours

Highlights : A partially restored ancient city buried in the Guatemalan jungle with more than 3,000 structures

The ancient Mayan city of Tikal is one of the greatest archeological sites in Central America. Located in northern Guatemala and surrounded by jungle, the site comprises more than 3,000 structures from a city that existed between 600 BCE and 900 CE. Ancient pyramids, temples, plazas, and foundations of all kinds of buildings reveal a complex society that housed tens of thousands of people.

The site was rediscovered in the mid-1800s and opened to the public in the 1950s. Some of the site has been restored, but work continues, with some areas not yet mapped or excavated at all. The ruins are in Tikal National Park, a biosphere reserve protecting the forest and wildlife in the area, considered one of the best places to photograph in Guatemala

Highlights : Incredible cave artwork more than 17,000 years old

The Lascaux Cave in the Dordogne region of France contains extraordinary cave paintings , thought to be some of the finest in the world from the Paleolithic period. These detailed paintings from more than 17,000 years ago primarily depict animals that are believed to have lived here during that time frame.

The paintings were discovered in 1940 but were later recreated at an adjacent site known as Lascaux II, 200 meters away, to protect the original site from damage. Painstaking care was taken in the construction of Lascaux II to create a detailed, accurate reproduction of the original cave and the paintings.

Highlight: Mexico's best restored ancient Mayan city

In the flat jungle interior of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, within easy day-tripping distance of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera , is the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza. This great city of the Mayans was an important center from the 7th to the 13th centuries and was, for a time, the regional capital.

Today, it is one of the most well-restored Mayan sites in Mexico , offering an astounding glimpse into this culture. It is also one of Mexico's biggest tourist attractions. The huge pyramid is the most recognizable symbol of Chichen Itza, but the site is very large, with many ruins to explore.

• Read More: Visiting Chichén Itzá from Cancún: Highlights, Tips & Tours

Highlight : A giant Buddha carved into a cliff wall standing over 300 feet tall

Carved out of a red sandstone cliff wall, the Leshan Giant Buddha stands 71 meters and is the tallest stone Buddha in the world . Started by a single monk in 713 CE and completed 90 years later by his followers in 803 CE, the statue looks out over the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu, and Qingyi Rivers. It was built with the hope that it would bestow calm waters for the boats that ply this waterway.

The statement "The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain" is said to be attributed to this enormous statue. You can view the Leshan Giant Buddha from very close range at either the base or near the head, each offering very different perspectives.

Highlights : Giant stone monuments from the 12th century stand as silent sentinels

Easter Island is a Chilean island in the South Pacific Ocean, famous for the giant statues known as Moais , which dot the landscape. Created by the Rapa Nui people, who are thought to have inhabited the island from the 12th century onward, hundreds of Moais are spread around the island.

Some are partially toppled, while others stand erect; some stand on ahu (stone platforms), and many still remain at the quarry where they were created. Ranging in size from a meter to 20 meters, each carving is unique and thought to symbolize an ancestor.

Highlights : 5,000-year-old caves carved out of strange rock formations, sunrise balloon tours

Perhaps one of the more bizarre World Heritage Sites, Cappadocia is a place of flowing rock formations and stone-capped chimneys that just beg to be photographed. Many of the formations are located in the Monks Valley and Goreme. Consider taking one of the many hiking trails that allow you to get up close.

Nearby, in the village of Uchisar, and equally unusual, are the ancient cave homes built by the people of the Bronze Age, some 5,000 years ago. Carved out of the soft rock, the caves were later used by Christians escaping religious persecution.

One of the highlights of a trip is a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia . Even if you don't take a ride, the sight of a multitude of balloons rising over the crazy landscape is well worth a photo or two.

Highlights : White marble that glows and shimmers in the sun, intricate workmanship and detail work

An incredible testament to one man's love for his wife is embodied in the fantastic architecture of the Taj Mahal. Standing proudly for nearly 400 years, this site tops the list of India's tourist attractions , drawing millions each year.

Glowing white in the hot Indian sun, the marble seems to shimmer and glow in the heat and makes for beautiful photos. Up close, the intricate carving and inlaid stones are fascinating and show the level of craftsmanship that went into creating the building.

Pleasant walking trails, fountains, and gardens surround the monument. On the far side, the Yamuna River flows slowly by.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Natural World Heritage Sites: While many people think of World Heritage Sites as being cultural, UNESCO also designates Natural World Heritage Sites. For information on these, see our articles on the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or the mountainous landscape of Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies .

In the United States , have a look at Yosemite National Park to discover one of the most famous landscapes in America, or Yellowstone National Park to discover the geysers and other geothermal attractions. Lastly, don't miss a chance to see the Grand Canyon in Arizona, or walk below the giant redwoods in Redwoods National and State Parks .

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13 Time Travel Vacation Ideas in the U.S.

Alene Laney

Alene Laney is a freelance writer covering real estate, personal finance, and travel. She lives in the Southwest with her husband, four boys, and German Shepherd.

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Some places offer an incredible glimpse into history. If you want to feel like a time traveler, put one of these unforgettable places in the U.S. on your bucket list. 

66 Million Years Ago: Dinosaur National Monument, Utah & Colorado

Want to go back to the time of the dinosaurs? Dinosaur National Monument is absolutely worth the trip. The fossils are so well-preserved and you’ll be able to see dinosaur tracks. The Quarry Exhibit Hall is a new visitor’s center that was built around a rock embedded with over 1,500 dinosaur bones. There’s even a place where you can touch a 149-million-year-old dinosaur fossil. 

13 Best Dinosaur Vacation Spots for Kids

1,400 Years Ago: Bluff, Utah 

The coolest thing about the area surrounding Bluff, Utah, is the feeling of discovery when you come across petroglyphs, dwellings, and artifacts of the Ancestral Puebloan people. The raw, authentic experience you’ll have in this under-the-radar destination makes you feel like you found something very few others have, much like Mesa Verde before paved roads brought tourists in. With the designation of Bears Ears National Monument , the secret’s out, so you’ll want to visit before the crowds come. 

1,000 Years Ago: Taos, New Mexico

The Taos Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico will take you back nearly 1,000 years. The multi-storied adobe dwellings tell the story of Native Americans whom Spanish explorers encountered in 1540. They believed Pueblo was one of the mythical golden cities of Cibola. The dwellings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark. The city is also known for the Historic Taos Plaza and San Francisco de Asis Church.

1521: San Juan, Puerto Rico

If you want to go back to the time of the Spanish Empire, Puerto Rico should be on your list. The oldest city under United States sovereignty, San Juan served as an important port city along trade routes between the new and old worlds after its establishment in 1521. The Spanish protected it with imposing military fortifications, including the massive fort, Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro). The Spanish Colonial architecture and cobblestone streets are great for exploring, photographing, and soaking in the history.

1699: Williamsburg & Jamestown, Virginia

The greater Williamsburg area will transport you back to the 17th century. You can visit the Jamestown Settlement and see where American Independence was won at the Yorktown Battlefield. Guided tours tell the stories of the people who lived hundreds of years ago and historic restaurants serve popular foods from colonial times.  

1700s/1800s: Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston’s zeal for historic preservation is evident throughout the city. Its past stretches back to 1669 , and buildings from architectural styles from every century survive. It’s an incredible city to explore on foot. There are also an abundance of excellent tours that tell the story of this beautiful city.

The 17 Best East Coast Family Vacations

1870s: De Smet, South Dakota 

Have you ever wondered what homesteader life was like? You can jump right into the novel, “Little House on the Prairie” in the small town of De Smet, South Dakota . You can camp in a covered wagon, grind wheat, make rope, attend a one-room schoolhouse, ride on a wagon or even attend the Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant in July. 

1876: Deadwood, South Dakota

Want to experience the history of a gold rush? An old mining town in the Black Hills of South Dakota called Deadwood has preserved its gold rush roots and mining town vibe. Theatre troupe characters from the Wild West roam the streets and produce reenactments from historical events. The shops lining the street maintain a historical feel. In fact, the entire town of Deadwood, South Dakota is a National Historic Landmark. 

1879: Tombstone, Arizona

There’s no better place to travel back to the American Old West than Tombstone , Arizona. The main drag is still a dusty street flanked by two-story, western-style buildings housing saloons, shops, and other entertainment venues. Re-enactments, celebrations, and historical sites depict life in the mining town during the 1800s. You’ll want to take a ride in stagecoach and watch a reenactment of the famous gunfight between Wyatt Earp and “Doc” Holliday at the O.K. Corral. This gunfight was the basis for the “Tombstone” movie. 

1900: Kennecott, Alaska

Trek on over to the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark , one of the best preserved relics in mining history, to experience mining life on the frontiers of Alaska. The distinctive, rust-red buildings are carved into the steep mountainside. The National Park Service has stabilized many of them, including a post office, general store, schoolhouse, recreation hall, railroad depot, residential cottages, and more. You can also go inside the tunnels, tramways, and trails of the mining operations. 

The 7 Least-Visited National Parks

19th Century: Mackinac Island, Michigan 

If you want a glimpse into the Victorian era, Mackinac Island in Michigan will steal your heart. There are no cars on the island and being transported by horse-drawn carriage only adds to the charm. Victorian homes with wraparound porches invite lazy afternoons with a classic book. You may also want to take a fudge-making class downtown. 

20th Century: Cumberland Island, Georgia

Cumberland Island will take you back to the turn of the 20th century when the Carnegies took ownership of the island. The Carnegies used the island as a winter retreat and built mansions for members of their family. Their private ownership of the island also meant the island escaped commercial development. Now a national park with over 9,800 acres of congressionally-designated wilderness and a limit of 300 visitors admitted per day, Cumberland Island’s pristine beaches and mystical forests will make you feel as if you’re in a new land.

1960: Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs has been called a mecca for mid-century modern architecture and design. The popularity of the city as a getaway for the rich and famous coincided with the rise of this distinctive style in the 1950s and 60s. As a resort town rising in the post-war era, many of the city’s residents were willing to take risks building second homes with the new building methods and materials of mid-century modern style. Recent, surging interest in the architectural style has resulted in restorations that bring the style (and the past it represents) back to life.

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16 Attractions That Put the "Historic" in Philadelphia's Historic District

The quintessential stops for those who love rich stories steeped in history....

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Whether you’re the ultimate history buff or just a fan of rich storytelling, Philadelphia’s Historic District has you covered, with plenty of must-see historic attractions that trace the origins of American democracy.

Spanning from the Delaware River to 7th Street and from Vine Street to Lombard Street, the Historic District was at the heart of Philadelphia’s original city boundaries. And the number of historic sites and buildings here played a major factor in the declaration of Philadelphia as the first World Heritage City in the U.S., as designated by the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

Those with a hankering for historical knowledge should read on for the essential Historic District experiences, including scoring an up-close view of America’s most famous bell at the Liberty Bell Center , taking a stroll through one of the oldest continuously inhabited — and possibly most charming — streets in America ( Elfreth’s Alley ) and tossing good-luck pennies on the grave of Benjamin Franklin at the Christ Church Burial Ground .

Liberty Bell Center

Dramatic home of the internationally known symbol of freedom....

One of the most iconic symbols in U.S. history, the 2,080-pound Liberty Bell stands proudly on Independence Mall. See it up close at the Liberty Bell Center and discover its powerful history — from the night it was rung to announce the Declaration of Independence to its current status as an international emblem of freedom and justice.

Where: Liberty Bell Center, 526 Market Street

Independence Hall and Congress Hall

Birthplace of the declaration of independence and the u.s. constitution....

Visionary moments in the creation of our nation unfolded in this monumental stopping point on Independence Mall. On a guided tour, visit the Assembly Room, arranged as it was during the Constitutional Convention in 1787, then head next door to Congress Hall, home of the U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800.

Where: Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut Street

Betsy Ross House

The birthplace of the american flag....

Did Betsy Ross make the first American flag or not? Ask her yourself when you visit the iconic home of America’s most famous seamstress. Chat with Betsy to hear about the history of the flag and her interaction with George Washington as you explore the tiny rooms and tight staircases of her 1740s abode.

Where: Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street

Elfreth’s Alley

One of the nation’s oldest continuously inhabited residential streets....

Literally step your way into history on Elfreth’s Alley , one of America’s oldest continuously inhabited residential streets. Cobblestones quilt the ground of this charming narrow pathway. The 32 houses once owned by some of the nation’s earliest craftsmen, merchants and artisans are now private residences, but two of the homes have been turned into an informative public museum.

Where: Elfreth’s Alley, 124-126 Elfreth’s Alley

The President’s House

Commemorating the lives of nine enslaved africans at the nation’s first executive mansion....

Before the White House, there was The President’s House, home to both George Washington and John Adams, when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States from 1790 to 1800. The open-air attraction  commemorates the nation’s first executive mansion and reveals a long-obscured glimpse into the lives of the enslaved Africans who toiled at the house during Washington’s presidency.

Where: The President’s House, 600 Market Street

Museum of the American Revolution

An expansive collection of art and artifacts from the nation’s revolutionary period....

Just steps from Independence Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution traces the evolution of the American colonies from the earliest days of unrest through a legendary war and the improbable victory that led to a new nation. Immersive exhibitions and priceless artifacts include General Washington’s original headquarters tent, Revolutionary War weaponry, centuries-old military documents and hundreds of other authentic objects.

Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street

National Constitution Center

The world’s only museum dedicated to one of our nation’s greatest documents....

It’s only four pages long, but the U.S. Constitution is among the most influential and important documents in the history of the world. The 160,000-square-foot National Constitution Center dives into all aspects of this amazing document — drafted just a few blocks away — through high-tech exhibits, artifacts and interactive displays.

Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street

Mother Bethel and the Richard Allen Museum

The mother church of the nation’s first black denomination....

Walk on hallowed ground when you visit Mother Bethel AME Church , the mother church of the nation’s first black denomination. Founded in 1787, the church rests upon the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans. In its basement, formerly used as an Underground Railroad station, the church memorializes Reverend Richard Allen, its founding pastor and first bishop. Visitors can view Allen’s crypt and explore other artifacts from his time as preacher.

Where: Mother Bethel AME Church, 419 S. 6th Street

Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Preserving and interpreting the american-jewish experience....

Take a journey through 360 years of Jewish history in the U.S. at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, which is filled with more than 1,200 artifacts and documents, 2,500 images, 30 original films and 13 state-of-the-art interactive media displays. The experience delivers a rich tale that traces the path of the nation’s Jewish population from struggling immigrants to integral citizens.

Where: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East

Benjamin Franklin Museum

Revitalized museum dedicated to the life and legacy of america’s favorite renaissance man....

As a scientist, diplomat, innovator and inventor, Benjamin Franklin certainly warrants commemoration. The Benjamin Franklin Museum does just that through an array of interactive displays that explore all aspects of his extraordinary life.

Where: Benjamin Franklin Museum, 317 Chestnut Street

Christ Church and Christ Church Burial Ground

Where colonial america made its break with the church of england....

Constructed between 1727 and 1744, Christ Church hosted some prominent worshipers in its pews back in the day, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross. The church’s burial ground , located several blocks away, also serves as the final resting place for a host of famous history makers. Throw a penny onto Benjamin Franklin’s grave while you’re there, as it’s said to bring good luck.

Where: Christ Church, 20 N. American Street

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Christ Church Burial Ground, 340 N. 5th Street

The African American Museum in Philadelphia

Celebrating and interpreting african american history and culture....

This museum is home to a permanent core exhibition, Audacious Freedom , a groundbreaking historic and cultural display spanning two floors and presenting the stories of African Americans such as Richard Allen, Octavius Catto and Harriet Tubman through a series of informative and interactive presentations. The upper galleries host a rotating calendar of special exhibitions.

Where: The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street

Carpenters’ Hall

Meeting place of the first contintental congress....

It’s not just the flawless, brick-lined Georgian architecture that makes Carpenters’ Hall a must-see attraction. In 1774, delegates from 12 colonies gathered here to vote on and pass a trade embargo against England, one of the first unified acts of defiance against King George III. This Continental Congress was the first step toward the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted and signed two years later at nearby Independence Hall.

Where: Carpenters’ Hall, 320 Chestnut Street

Powel House & Hill-Physick House

Luxurious 18th-century mansions with stories to tell....

Ever wonder where a president takes his wife to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary? For George Washington, that was the Powel House , home to 18th-century power couple Elizabeth and Samuel Powel, who bedecked the rooms inside their mansion with museum-quality clocks, portraits and other treasures. For mansion-viewing with a bit more scandal, head to the Hill-Physick House , where rich marital drama between the original homeowners leaves a story that’ll make you want to linger and listen.

Where: Powel House, 244 S. 3rd Street

Hill-Physick House, 321 S. 4th Street

American Philosophical Society Museum

Views of science and humanistic thought at ben franklin’s intellectual club....

On 5th Street, next to the east wing of Independence Hall, Philosophical Hall (1789) was built by the American Philosophical Society, the nation’s first “think tank,” as the first U.S. museum and scientific society. Today, the American Philosophical Society Museum’s exhibits feature treasures from the Society’s collections of over 13 million manuscripts and other historical objects.

Where: American Philosophical Society Museum, 104 S. 5th Street

Franklin Square

Fun and games in one of william penn’s original public squares....

With a colorful fountain show and activities like mini-golf and carousel rides, Franklin Square offers a carefree respite from the sometimes-serious business of historic sightseeing, but you better believe the historic elements are still there. This delightful patch of green space that lies  north of Independence Hall was one of five public squares laid out by William Penn in his original vision for Philadelphia. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park is home to a Once Upon a Nation storytelling bench , featuring short stories about the area from informed historical interpreters.

Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street

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The Perfect Hotel Package for an Easy Philly Escape

The  Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.

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30 East Coast Historical Sites You Need to Visit

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Learn about the best historic sites, landmarks, attractions on the East Coast of the United States!

The East Coast of the United States is full of some of the best historical sites in the US. The East Coast is special as it features historic sites and landmarks that chronicle the country’s earliest history from colonization to social and political conflict. These historic sites in the US demonstrate how early American history and culture were shaped and developed throughout the centuries into what we know today. Because there are so many interesting historical sites on the East Coast, you can easily make a historical vacation out of them!

Come explore the best historical sites on the East Coast with us and plan your historical vacation!

Top East Coast Historical Sites, Attractions, and Landmarks

Acadia national park.

You may think that Maine’s  Acadia National Park  is nothing more than beautiful granite mountaintops and a dazzling coastline sprinkled with lush forests and ponds, but you’d be mistaken. The park boasts incredible history in addition to its stunning scenery.

Before Acadia became the first national park east of the Mississippi River, Mount Desert Island was known for its ritz and glamor. After seeing paintings of the scenery, wealthy New England families built vacation homes here and would spend their holidays and weekends on the island shores. Families included the well-known Carnegies, Astors, Morgans, Fords, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers. Unfortunately, a great fire in 1947 consumed most of the extravagant estates.

Other than the impressive houses you will still find on the island, my favorite historical element of the park is the carriage roads.  There are approximately 45 miles of these rustic, unpaved roads throughout the park. The roads were gifted to the park by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. who desired to travel Mount Desert Island on motor-free roadways. They’re popular for cycling and hiking today. My favorite aspect of the road system is the marvelous stone bridge.

For hikers who consider themselves historians, Acadia is one of the best places to visit. By 1915, there were already 200 miles of trails established on Mount Desert Island. If you walk on any of Acadia National Park’s trails, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of American Indians, early European settlers, and the wealthy elite in addition to outdoor enthusiasts like yourself

In addition to the historic elements of the park, there are plenty of  things to do in Acadia . The park is popular for hiking and camping as well as auto touring and biking in addition to boat tours that focus on history and wildlife. To visit, bring your national park pass or $30 to admit your party for the week. 

While most come to Acadia for the scenic views, those coastlines are layered with stories of perseverance and preservation. Every grain of sand provides insight into the lives that came before and transformed Acadia National Park into what it is today.

Contributed by Riley of the Parks Expert

Boone Hall Plantation

When visiting Charleston in South Carolina make sure you venture out of town a few miles. Just outside the city in a peaceful parkland in Mt. Pleasant, you can visit one of the oldest American plantations that still grow crops to this very day. Boone Hall Plantation is significant in American history because the plantation was lucrative and the descendants of the first owner were influential in the politics of the colonies as well as the whole country for many decades.

Boon Hall Plantation is open all year and offers tours of the property as well as the grand mansion. They also offer seasonal activities so check their website for details and dates. The cost for a single ticket is around $26 and $12 for children. Take your AAA card for discounts.

As you drive towards the grand mansion, slow down to a minimum speed to fully enjoy the ride under the majestic canopy of live oaks. It took them over two centuries to grow and connect their tops into a tunnel.

The current Boon Hall Plantation owner still lives on the top floor of the mansion, which means you’ll enjoy the guided tour of the ground level only. Besides the grand house, there is more to see. Check out the slave quarters, boathouse, crop garden, and flower garden. Don’t forget to take a selfie under the live oak trees – you’ll never forget that view.

Learn more about the Boone Hall Plantation in this awesome video by Slavka from  On2Continents.com

First African Baptist Church in Savannah, GA

Founded in 1773, First African Baptist Church stands proudly in the Historic District of Savannah, Georgia, only a few steps away from the popular City Market.

The church has a long and fascinating history as both a congregation and a cultural touchstone and is one of the oldest Black congregations in the United States.

First African Baptist Church was founded and built–literally and figuratively–primarily by enslaved people, and the building itself was finished in 1859, just two years before the outbreak of the American Civil War.

Since then, the church has survived not only the Civil War, but the Reconstruction Era and the Civil Rights Movement, just to name a few.

During the 19th century, the church served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, carefully concealing people escaping slavery beneath its floorboards–today, you can still see the holes drilled into the floor that allowed those on the run to breathe while remaining concealed.

Tours of First African Baptist Church are given three times a day on Tuesday-Saturday (11am, 2pm, and 4pm), and once at 1pm on Sundays. Tours cost $10 USD.

It’s not possible to visit the interior of the church without a tour, but it’s well worth including First African Baptist Church in your Savannah itinerary , as it is a fascinating historic landmark and home to an important piece of the city’s history.

Contributed by Kate of Our Escape Clause

Learn more about some of the awesome National Parks on the East Coast !

Walter Gropius House

Significance

The home of German architect Walter Gropius and his family was built in 1938 in Massachusetts. Gropius was a revolutionary architect who founded the Bauhaus school in Germany. When he came over to the US to teach at Harvard, he designed his home himself. Gropius had a big impact on modern architecture. 

What you can expect

Today, you can tour the fully furnished house. You can see the terrace he designed so his daughter could sleep under the stars and the dining room table lit by a single spot light from above so as to encourage people leaning in for lively conversation and so much more. 

Even the library is still filled with Gropius’ books. They also host events, such as recitals and theme parties. For upcoming events see the Gropius House website . 

Planning your visit 

At the time of writing, admission for adults is $25. The Gropius House is located at 68 Baker Bridge Road, Lincoln, Mass. 01773 which is roughly a half hour drive from Boston. As of 2019 there is an app you can use to learn more about Gropius and his house, available from the website. 

I visited the house in the fall, when the foliage in New England is beautifully colored. It’s a very scenic drive out from Boston through the forests, so I can highly recommend visiting during that time of year. Walter Gropius paid a lot of attention to the connection between the house and its environment, so best to go in a season when you can take full advantage of that. 

Contributed by Christin of Christin has Fernweh Follow along on her Pinterest  for more travel tips!

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Of all of the historical vacation destinations on this list, the Outer Banks is our personal favorite! The Outer Banks in North Carolina is home to many adorable (and historic!) lighthouses, but one of the most interesting and beautiful is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse which is located in the town of Buxton. It is in the middle of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and reachable as an easy trip from almost any Outer Banks town. The lighthouse protects an especially dangerous portion of the coastal waters where the Virginia Drift meets the Gulf Stream. Because of the dangerous waters, this is also an interesting place to scuba dive as there are many shipwrecks from the Colonial era through World War II. The lighthouse was commissioned in 1794 and completed in 1802. The current tower was built in 1868 after the original was damaged during the Civil War.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse no longer is in use and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service operates the Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea in the old lighthouse keeper’s quarters. You can also climb to the top and enjoy fabulous sea vies. The lighthouse is located at 46379 Lighthouse Road in Buxton. Tickets for entry to climb to the top are $8 for adults and $4 for children and seniors.

Contributed by Stephanie of the History Fangirl

The Freedom Trail

Boston, Massachusetts is one of the best cities to visit that contains so many historical sites. The Freedom Trail is one of Boston’s main historical sites. This 2.5-mile long path connects 16 historical sites across Boston. These 16 sites had a great impact on the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. There is no cost to walk the Freedom Trail and many of the sites are also free or inexpensive to get into. One of the paid sites, the Paul Revere House, charges a $5 admission fee. To get around to the stops, visitors just need to follow the brick path that easily links the sites.

I recommend starting the trail at the Bunker Hill Monument. This ensures you can climb the tower when it is less busy and you are less tired when you climb the 294 steps to the top. Make sure not to miss the museum that covers the history of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Although the Americans lost this battle, the British suffered devastating losses, thus impacting them in the war. Other must-see sites along the Freedom Trail include the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the United States, and the site of the Boston Massacre. At the end of the Freedom Trail is the present-day state capitol building and the Boston Common, the oldest park in the United States. These sites along the Freedom Trail represent the foundations of America and portrays to visitors the process it took to become the country the United States is today.

Contributed by Francesca of Homeroom Travel. Follow along with her on Instagram

Castillo de Dan Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos is right on Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, Florida , the oldest city in the US.  It is $15 per person since it’s a walk-in park, but if you have a national park pass, that will get you in, too.  There is parking at the fort, it can be used to explore the town which is very convenient, and it is $2.50 per hour.  During your visit, you can do a self-guided tour of the fortress with a map and brochure, watch a demonstration by re-enactors, or do a ranger program if there is one going on.  I would plan for 1-2 hours here, depending on what is going on during your visit.

So, what’s up with the fort?  Well, it’s the oldest masonry fort in the US with construction beginning in 1672.  107 years after the city was founded, and while Florida was still under Spanish rule.  It is made up of Coquina stones and passed through many hands and was besieged twice.  However, in 1924 it was named a National Monument and after 251 years of continuous military possession, it was deactivated in 1933 and turned over to the National Park Service.  Even if you’re not a huge history buff, this is a great place to visit and offers wonderful views of the bay and the city.  

Contributed by Megan of Red Around the World. Follow along with her travels on Instagram

Gettysburg National Battlefield

Gettysburg is a small town located in Pennsylvania that was a key player in the American Civil War. The town dates back to 1761 when Samuel Gettys laid ground to a small tavern in the area for soldiers and merchants to rest. Gettysburg gets its true place in history as the location for one of the American Civil War’s largest battles that is known as the turning point in the war. The battle was fought July 1st to the 3rd in 1863 and saw the largest loss of life in one battle for the entire war. The battle was a win for the union and inspired the “Gettysburg Address” by President Lincoln

Gettysburg has much to offer in the form of American history. You won’t want to miss the Gettysburg National Military Park, the site of the battle. The area is largely an open field, but it has so many stories to tell. Throughout the park, you will see a number of different statues and monuments commemorating the lives lost during the battle. Tops sights to see within the Military Park include Seminary Ridge, Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, and Cemetery Ridge.

Aside from the Military Park, Gettysburg has much to offer. Visit the Jennie Wade home, the home of the only civilian killed in the battle, visit one of the many museums such as the Gettysburg Museum of History, take a ghost tour of the battlefield,  or stroll main street for quaint, cute shops and great food. Be sure to try some Philly Cheesesteak while there! Gettysburg is a fairly inexpensive destination as many of the top sights have no entrance fee. The National Military Park is free to enter as well as many of the top historical sites within the town. Many of the museums do have entrance fees, but are inexpensive. If you want to bring home some unique souvenirs the costs may add up, but a trip to Gettysburg can be done on any budget.

Contributed by Melissa of Navigation Junkie Follow along with her on Pinterest for her latest travel tips!

Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter, located on a small island in Charleston, South Carolina, was the site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. Commonly known as the location where the Civil Wat began, a visit to Fort Sumter is perfect for those who love history. 

To get to Fort Sumter, you will need to take a short (ten minute) ferry ride. Fort Sumter Tours is the only form of transportation available to the island. You can take them from Patriot’s Point (in Mount Pleasant), or Liberty Square (where the Visitor’s Center is located). While it is free to visit the National Monument, the ferry does cost $24 per adult and $16 for kids.

Once you are at the fort, there is plenty to see and explore. The fort itself is in good shape and there are many artifacts from the time (including cannons and artillery). The park rangers are there to answer any questions and sometimes offer tours. When our family visited Charleston, the rangers were very helpful and explained what happened on April 12, 1861, and Lincoln’s role during the battle. The kids participated in the  Junior Ranger program  and the whole family was involved in helping them complete the activities. It was a great learning experience for the entire family and a unique thing to do during our East Coast trip. 

Contributed by: Margie of DQ Family Travel. Follow along with their adventures on Instagram

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is a must-see historic site along Virginia’s Potomac River, and is famous for being home to American’s first president.  George Washington lived here starting in 1754, and was later joined by his wife, Martha, and her two children.  During Washington’s residence at Mount Vernon, he served in the French and Indian War, helped America win its independence from Great Britain, and eventually was sworn in as President of the United States.

A visit to Mount Vernon provides an intimate look into the lives of the Washington family, while also showing how people lived in 18 th  century America.  While the property consisted of 3,000 acres of land and a 3,500 square foot home when Washington first moved in, throughout his residence, he helped expand it to 7,600 acres with an 11,000 square foot mansion.  A lot of this labor was done by enslaved workers living at Mount Vernon, of which there were 317 by the time of Washington’s death in 1799.

There is much to do during a visit to Mount Vernon. You can tour the Washington home, visit the Washington family tomb, explore the grounds, and learn about the slaves who lived and worked there.  If you have extra time, watch the 4D film featured in the Revolutionary War Theatre, tour the museum to see the Washingtons’ personal belongings, such as George’s dentures, or dine at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. 

Entry to Mount Vernon costs $20 for adults, $12 for kids age 6 to 11, and free for children younger than that. It is smart to buy tickets in advance, since you will be assigned a time slot to tour the house.  The earlier you book your tour the better, especially on a weekend, as crowds will swell by the afternoon.

Contributed by Theresa of   Fueled By Wanderlust Follow along with her adventures on Instagram!  @fueledbywanderlust

Valley Forge

It isn’t much of an exaggeration to say that if it wasn’t for that winter of 1777 in Valley Forge , the United States may not exist. At the time the Continental Army was reeling from losses, including their capital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was in December of 1777 that General George Washington and 12,000 troops encamped at a then-unknown village just outside of the capital for what would be a six-month stay.

Over that winter, the troops trained and gained new confidence. By June, the Americans were in pursuit of the British and defeated them at a battle in New Jersey. Valley Forge was, indeed, a turning point in the American Revolution.

Today, 3,500 acres are preserved at Valley Forge National Historic Park for visitors to experience just want those soldiers experienced more than two centuries ago. The park is a mix of wooded areas and rolling meadows with trails meandering throughout.

Visitors can get an overview of the history at a museum that is home to artifacts found at the site. Then you can explore the site by car for the self-guided 10-mile Encampment Tour. There are parking lots throughout so that you can get on foot for a closer look at monuments (such as the massive National Memorial Arch) and reproduction log cabins. Occasionally you’ll see reenactors pop up around the park.

But don’t forget to simply enjoy this beautiful suburban park, too. Tourists tend to congregate around the historic sites but there are plenty of wooded trails to enjoy.

Entrance to Valley Forge National Historical Park is free. Trolley or bicycle tours of the site do charge a fee.

Contributed by Corinne of Reverberations. Follow along with her on Instagram !

Charleston, South Carolina

Best known for its cobblestone streets and palmetto-tree-lined streets, the city of Charleston, South Carolina is a true gem of the Southeast. Here, it’s not uncommon to hear the hooves of a horse-drawn carriage in the morning silence, or smell the scent of freshly, hand-baked buttermilk biscuits. Pastel antebellum homes contrast against clear blue skies, while visitors stroll through a city stuck back in time. Read below to find out why Charleston is consistently ranked as one of the top cities in the world.

Charleston’s Role in US History

Today, Charleston’s famous Battery Park promenade and Waterfront Park welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to its banks each year. However, more than 150 years ago, the area was a key component of South Carolina’s defense strategy during the Civil War. Here, Confederate soldiers placed cannons to protect against possible Union invasions. While they were were never fired, they still stand today to remind travelers of course-altering eras in American history. Across the junction of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, one can see Fort Sumter, the spot where the first shots of the Civil War rung out. 

Where to Eat, Stay, & Play in Charleston

Charleston is no stranger to great southern grub. In fact, there are so many top-ranked restaurants there, that it would be impossible to visit them all even in one week. Two hot-spots that are a must to visit are Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit (get the pimento cheese), and Husk (the menu changes based on what local farmers produce). After a good meal, stroll through downtown to Rainbow Row. Keep going straight and catch Waterfront Park at sunset — look for dolphins splashing around!

Visiting Charleston: Know Before You Go

As one of the oldest southern cities in the United States, there are endless opportunities to learn about the city’s rich cultural history just by walking. Expect to pay a bit more for accommodation and meals ($35 per day on average). Visit the official  Charleston.com  for information on travel restrictions and openings. 

Contributed by Alexandra of East Coast Contessa .

Plimoth Plantation

Of all the places to visit on the east coast, Massachusets has the most historical vacation destinations! Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA, is one of the most significant historic sites to visit on the East Coast of the United States. About 40 miles south of  Boston , the town of Plymouth is the site of the famous Plymouth Rock, where the pilgrims first arrived from England in 1620 on their ship, the Mayflower.  The nearby Plimoth Plantation is where they set up a village, friending the local Wampanoag residents, and where the first Thanksgiving celebration took place as a celebration of friendship and the bountiful harvest.  That celebration has gone on to be one of the most important holidays in America each November.

A perfect place for kids of all ages, visitors first learn about the site in the visitor center after watching a short film about the site’s history and what they will see.

From there, visitors experience the Wampanoag Homesite and structures that were typical of the Wampanoags, the Native People, whose descendants are still living in the area to this day. In fact, the Wampanoags you will meet in the Homesite are not actors.  They are modern-day Native People of the Wampanoag community dressed in traditional clothing but who will speak from a modern perspective. It is a great way to interact, get an idea of what life was like for the Wampanoags during the 1600s, and ask interactive questions, but it is important to be respectful of their culture. 

You can then venture into the historic 17 th  century English Village, which contains numerous houses you can enter. The village houses host role-playing guides dressed in period clothing acting as an English colonists of the time. The English colonists ARE actors who remain in character, though they do not perform a script. They interact as if they are in the time period and share a variety of fascinating information specific to the questions asked by the visitors. From what they are cooking to the religious beliefs of the group to all about what led to the first Thanksgiving, it is a fascinating way to learn more about such an important event in American history.  My kids absolutely loved our visit, which interestingly enough was a bitterly cold day in November, giving us a first-hand experience of what life was like for the Pilgrims.  

Tickets cost $32 for adults, $19 for kids ages 5-12, and $29 for seniors.

Following your visit to Plimoth Plantation, head over to see the actual Plymouth Rock and tour the Mayflower ship in downtown Plymouth. Tickets for the Mayflower are $15 for adults, $12 for kids ages 5-12, and $13.50 for seniors.

Contributed by By Keri of Bon Voyage With Kids and follow along with her on Facebook ! Learn more about visiting the Boston Freedom Trail with kids !

Pilgrim Monument

One of the many  things to do in Provincetown, Massachusetts  is to pay a visit to the Pilgrim Monument. This historic site commemorates the first landing of the  Mayflower  Pilgrims in Provincetown in November 1620. What many people don’t realize is that the Pilgrims landed in Provincetown five weeks before they landed on now-famous Plymouth. Additionally, the  Mayflower Compact , the first written document that referred to how the new colony would be governed, was signed aboard the ship while docked at Provincetown Harbor.

The Pilgrim Monument was built from 1907 to 1910 and can be seen from miles away. It is 252 feet tall and it is the tallest all granite structure in the US. You can climb to the top in about 10 minutes. The views from the top are quite incredible and you can almost see the  Mayflower  off in the distance.

The monument also has the Provincetown Museum at its base. Inside are exhibits that showcase the history of the area, including more information on the Pilgrim landing and Native American artifacts. Admission is $17 for adults and includes access to the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. It is located in downtown Provincetown. It does have its own parking lot, but if you’ve already found a parking spot in town we suggest walking to the monument.

Contributed by Vicky of Buddy The Traveling and follow along with her on Instagram .

Harper’s Ferry West Virginia

One historical site on the East Coast that is worth a visit is Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia. Located at the junction between the Shenandoah River and the Potomac River, Harpers Ferry is also at the crossroads of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Because of its advantageous location, as well as the railroad that went through it, this site was a hot commodity during the Civil War, changing hands eight times in four years.

Even before the Civil War, Harpers Ferry was historically significant as the site of John Brown’s Raid in 1959. John Brown was an abolitionist who attempted to start a revolt across the South by raiding the arsenal. Colonel Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were among the troops that ended the raid. For non-Civil War history, Harpers Ferry is a great place to learn about the Niagara Movement, which held its first meeting in America here, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, headquartered here, and even a visit from Thomas Jefferson.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park consists of the lower part of Harpers Ferry, while the Historic District is above it. Both the park and the district are laid out to mix recreations of historic buildings, events, and people with regular small-town businesses and restaurants. This, along with the free guided tours and historical markers throughout, allow for a history-rich atmosphere no matter where you are. Combine this with river views, fewer tourists, and no chain restaurants or hotels in sight, and this is the perfect historical getaway.

If you plan a visit, make sure to stay in a Bed and Breakfast, historical of course, and be aware that parking is limited. Whether you want to learn more about its history or a chance to just get away for a bit,  Harpers Ferry  is well worth a visit.

Contributed by Jordan of The Solo Life

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Historic jamestown.

Jamestown, Virginia, was the site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World, founded in 1607. From that tiny colonial foothold in North America came so much of the good (representative government) and the bad (slavery, conflict with Native Americans) that makes up American history. This is where it all started. 

Historic Jamestowne, unlike the Jamestown Settlement living history museum nearby, is the actual site of the original colony at Jamestown, Virginia. It is part U.S. National Park (Colonial National Historical Park) and part active archaeological site managed by Preservation Virginia. Plan to allow half a day for your visit to Historic Jamestowne. To get the full Jamestown experience, spend the morning at Jamestown Settlement and use the afternoon for your  visit to Historic Jamestowne . 

You can purchase tickets ahead of time online or at the Visitor Center, and make sure you pick up a map. The guest services representative will tell you when the next showing of the orientation film is starting (recommended) and what tours or activities are available. National Parks Service rangers are excellent tour guides. They are great at setting the scene and providing important historical context, especially if you’re at a site that requires a bit of imagination, like Historic Jamestowne, where not much remains of the original town.  

Regardless of whether you do the tour, use the official map to help you with your visit. It will guide you to important stops such as the hundred-year-old Memorial Church, statues of Pocahontas and John Smith, archaeological dig sites, the site of James Fort, the Voorhees Archaerium, and the Ambler Mansion. The Archaerium displays many artifacts unearthed from the digs around Jamestown Island.  

Contributed by Darcy Vierow from Plan, Ready, Go and Follow along on Pinterest  

Manassas National Battlefield

The Manassas National Battlefield Park is the site of two major American Civil War Battles.  The town of Manassas just to the north of the battlefield was of strategic importance during the Civil War as it was where the Manassas Gap and Orange and Alexandria railroads joined, providing for a direct connection from the Shenandoah Valley and the Washing Richmond Railroad.  The Confederate forces won the First Battle of Bull Run and the Second Battle of Bull Run in 1861 and 1862 respectively.  It was during the first battle that General Thomas Jonathan Jackson received the nickname ‘Stonewall”, having been compared to one by a fellow officer.  The first battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the Civil War.

The Manassas National Battlefield Park was established in 1940 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.   There is a visitor centre (open from 0830 until 1700) on Sudley Road near the south entrance to the park which includes exhibits Civil War-era uniforms and weapons and a map of the battle areas.  The 45 minute Manassas orientation film is a must-see.  The site has been preserved much as it was in Civil War times.  Entrance to the site and guided tours are free and it is best to experience the site through a guided tour–  details here .  

Contributed by Sarah Carter of Lets Grow Cook

West Quoddy Lighthouse

Though you wouldn’t guess it from its name, the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse is the easternmost building in the continental United States.

Perched on a peninsula on the northeastern tip of Maine, West Quoddy Headlight is half an hour’s drive from  Lubec , a charming fishing town on the Canadian border. The little lighthouse (and its predecessors) have guided ships through the Quaddy Narrows strait dividing the US and Canada since 1808. Lighthouses are essential in any coastal town, but this one was particularly important: thick fog engulfs the area for more than half of the summer. The original lighthouse’s foghorn logged more hours than any other lighthouse in the US in 1885!

Even if you’re not a sailor, there’s more than one reason to navigate your way to the lighthouse. Show up early enough, and you’ll be one of the first people in the US to see the sunrise. Even better, you won’t have to deal with the crowds at the US’ most popular sunrise spot, nearby Acadia National Park. Try to show up at least half an hour before sunrise; the blue hour is almost as beautiful as the golden hour after the sun rises. The entrance to the area is free.

Contributed by Alex of Lost With Purpose Follow along with her on Instagram !

Capitol Building in Washington DC

A list of the top historic sites on the East Coast cannot be complete with one of the most important buildings when it comes to political history. The Capitol.

The Capitol is the meeting point of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and a symbol of the American people and their government.  The building was finished in 1800 and has witnessed many historic events ever since. For example, the inauguration of every president, independence day celebrations, or national memorial day concerts.

After Washington D.C. was chosen as the new capital of the US design competition was held for the U.S. Capitol too. Of about 10 entries, the design by William Thornton won. Thornton’s design was inspired by the French Louvre and Pantheon, which explains why the Capitol is a characteristic neoclassic building.

You can learn more about the Capitol, the design, history, and US politics by joining one of the free tours, which you can book in advance if you please or arrange at The Capitol Visitor Center. Besides a tour, you can also explore the visitors center and check out one of the exhibitions, as the Capitol is also a center for American art. Again, visiting these exhibitions and the visitor center are free of charge.

The Capitol Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with the last tour leaving at 3.20 p.m.

Make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes before the time of the tour as you need to go through The Capitol security, which may take some time!

Contributed by Lara from Both Feet On The Road , a solo female travel blog written by the clumsiest and worst photographer on earth to give practical and realistic tips on how to travel the world! Follow along with her on Facebook !

Brookgreen Gardens Sculpture Garden

Especially when the display of that art is so unexpected, refreshing, and new to us. Honestly, we’d never heard of most of the American sculptors whose work is displayed at Brookgreen Gardens near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and we were so glad to make the introductions. Brookgreen Gardens, which is designated a National Historical Landmark, contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the country, with over 2,000 works by 425 artists. It contains almost exclusively figurative art–that is, human and animal figures from nature, history, and mythology. I’m especially fond of figures from the classical mythology field, and there are plenty of those. Oh, and the gardens and fountains that surround the sculptures are spectacular.

Brookgreen Gardens was founded by railroad heir Archer Milton Huntington and his wife Anna Hyatt Huntington to feature sculptures by Anna and her sister, Harriet Randolph Hyatt Mayor. The sisters made sure the works of other significant American sculptors were also included in the collection. Brookgreen Gardens was opened in 1932, and is built on four former rice plantations.

The famed Huntington Museum, Library, and Gardens in Los Angeles were founded by the same family. Allow at least several hours to walk the gardens and see the sculpture. If you do it justice, it may even take more than a day. If you have children, or if you’re a child at heart, don’t miss the special exhibits of charming animals and figures designed especially to amuse the young ones.

Adult admission is $18; seniors are $16; children 4-12 are $10; younger children are free. When you arrive, you can exchange tickets purchased online for seven-day passes so you can come back if you miss anything.

Contributed by Tom of Travel Past 50. Follow along with his travels on Facebook

Ellis Island, New York

Ellis Island is one of the most popular historic sites to visit when visiting New York City . Just a short ferry ride away from New York City and Liberty Island is Ellis Island, known as the gateway through which many new immigrants from Europe entered the United States. 

The island’s immigration station was in operation and processed immigrants from 1892 to 1954. During this time period, over 12 million immigrants arrived on the island, detained, and questioned before proceeding to their final destination in the United States. It has been said that over half of the American population have at least one person in their family history that has passed through Ellis Island. 

Ellis Island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and you can visit both Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty during the same trip. If you’re leaving from Battery Park in New York City, your ferry ticket to Ellis Island covers both with Liberty Island being your first top and Ellis Island the second. Ferry tickets are offered through Liberty Cruises and include admission to Ellis Island as well as the Statue of Liberty. They range between $19 and $22.25 for adults and $9 and $12 for children depending upon which Statue of Liberty admission ticket you chose. 

There is so much to see and learn at Ellis Island, it is definitely worth the trip to see! 

Contributed by Constance of Adventures of Panda Bear. Follow along with her on Instagram

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Women’s rights national historic park.

The many exhibits in the Women’s Rights National Historical Park paint the picture of women’s place in US history. The park is a tribute to the suffragists who fought to secure women’s voting rights in the United States. It’s located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region in Seneca Falls, New York. The park is a perfect stop off the New York Thruway when headed to Niagara Falls.  

A gathering of animated life-size bronze statues is the first thing you see when you enter the Visitors Center. The statues depict people prominent in the women’s rights and abolition movements.  More exhibits upstairs on the political life of women can fascinate for hours.

The informative ranger-led tour is worth taking. It takes you past the stunning stone water wall inscribed with the Declaration of Sentiments, a women’s rights take on the Declaration of Independence.  Next you will visit the Wesleyan Methodist Church.  You will learn about the first Women’s Rights Convention held here in 1848. The convention was the first step in a long journey ending in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. 

The home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who many consider the main sparkplug for the first convention for women’s rights, is another site to visit. There is also an interesting self-guided walking tour of the historic village of Seneca Falls.

The Women’s Rights Park is a fee-free national park with free entrance and tours.  It’s a wonderful place to bring the whole family. The achievements of women striving to gain equality for all promise to inspire everyone.

Contributed by Karen of Outdoor Adventure Sampler and follow along with her on Facebook .

Statue of Liberty, New York

Of all of the East Coast landmarks and attractions, the Statue of Liberty is among the most famous and recognizable symbols of the United States. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, the Statue is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The Statue depicts Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty, breaking out of her chains and striding forward. Interestingly, the statue was actually a gift to the United States from the government of France, where it was designed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and constructed by Gustav Eiffel (who would later build the Eiffel Tower). The statue opened in 1886 and now stands as an icon of freedom. New migrants arriving by boat to the United States would pass directly under the statue, and it came to represent the hopes and dreams of a new generation of Americans.

To visit the Statue of Liberty, you’ll need to buy tickets from the National Parks Service which administers the area. From the NPS you’ve got three options: a ferry ticket which provides access to Liberty Island (currently $19.25 for adults, cheaper for children and seniors), a Pedestal ticket which provides access to the statue’s stone pedestal, or a Crown ticket to access the viewing platform inside Lady Liberty’s crown (extra $3). Note that Pedestal and Crown tickets require advance reservations, particularly for Crown tickets. It’s strongly recommended to reserve tickets in advance from the National Parks Service, as many dishonest and aggressive third-party sellers hang around the ferry departure point at Battery Park. 

If you’re on a super tight budget and don’t mind just having a close-up view of the statue, there’s also a free option: the Staten Island Ferry which departs every 30 minutes from Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan. The ferry runs directly past Liberty Island and provides an excellent vantage point.

Contributed by Joel of World Heritage Journey

Art Deco Historic District of Miami

The Art Deco Historic District in Miami’s South Beach neighborhood combines vibrant buildings with an equally vibrant atmosphere. The mixture of quirky, colorful buildings built in a combination of iconic Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and MiMo (Miami Modern) styles is an architectural feast for the eyes – and a must on any  Miami bucket list .

With over 900 buildings, the District boasts the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the country. Built between 1923 and 1943, the unique building styles feature ornate statues, geometric fountains, porthole windows, chrome accents, and exotic flora motifs dotting their whimsical pastel walls. In 1979, the District became the first 20th-century neighborhood to be recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.

You can see the colorful District and all of its splendor by walking along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue, and Washington Avenue between 5th and 23rd streets. To explore the Art Deco Historic District, you can either take a guided walking tour or discover the area on your own. If you choose the latter option, I recommend passing by the Art Deco Museum and Welcome Center on Ocean Drive for more insight on the architectural styles and cultural heritage of the neighborhood.

Be sure not to miss famous buildings such as party central the Clevelander Hotel, the Spanish-style mansion Villa Casaurina – the former home of fashion designer Gianni Versace – and the oceanliner-inspired curves of Señor Frog’s.

If you decide on a walking tour, the Miami Design Preservation League offers a variety of tours depending on your preference. You can choose from the official Art Deco walking tour, a self-guided audio tour, or private group tours.

If you’re looking for something unique in Florida, add the Miami Art Deco Historic District onto your bucket list. With tons of things to see and do, you won’t only learn about Art Deco architecture; you’ll also be inspired by the neighborhood’s buzzing atmosphere.

Contributed by Rosalie of Coastlines to Skylines . Follow along with her on her Instagram !

Kennedy Space Center

Not viewed as a historical site by most people, Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral is absolutely packed with awesome history. For those interested in the history of America’s space exploration, there isn’t a better location to visit in the whole country. Even better, you can still catch rockets blasting off from the launch pads!

You’ll easily be able to see all that Kennedy Space Center offers over the course of a single day. Get there early to avoid some of the crowds and potentially hot or rainy afternoon weather. I’d advise catching the earliest bus tour of the launch sites. This also takes you out to the Apollo/Saturn V museum which is absolutely massive. The sheer size of the Saturn V rocket stored here will leave you speechless and in awe. The Saturn V is the marvelous machine that propelled our brave explorers to the surface of the Moon. The bus tour itself is super informative as well, so enjoy the ride!

Once you’re finished being stunned by the Saturn V, you’ll get the opportunity to explore the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The shuttle program was an amazing feat of American engineering and served to solidify NASA as the premier space agency. Atlantis is a marvel and the fact that you can get so close to something that spent hundreds of days in space is amazing. You’ll also want to pay your respects at the memorial dedicated to the astronauts who lost their lives in the Challenger and Columbia disasters which is located here.

I’ve barely scratched the surface of what you need to see at Kennedy Space Center. Admission prices are $57 for adults and $47 for children. You can also add on the extended bus tour for just $25 which is a great value if you want to extend your day. Kennedy Space Center is a great combination for anyone who loves science and history! 

Contributed by Zack of Florida Man on the Run. Follow along with his adventures on Facebook . And read more about responsible heritage tourism on his blog!

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Jekyll Island in south Georgia was once the most home to “the richest, most inaccessible club in the world”. From 1886 to 1942, the Jekyll Island Club operated during the winter month, aka Club Season. The club roster consisted of the most wealthy families in America, like the Rockefellers,  Vanderbilts, and Morgans. All winter long, the families would gather in rolling parties, creating powerful alliances, strategic marriages, and countless backroom deals. Two of the most historical events at the Jekyll Island Club were the first transcontinental phone call (along with San Francisco and New York) and the secret meetings to form the Federal Reserve.

During WWII, the club fell into disrepair and ultimately disbanded. In 1947, Governor Melvin E. Thompson gained control of the island for the good of the people of Georgia. The artifacts and furniture from the wealthy homes disappeared, and between mismanagement and human rights complaints about the use of convict labor, the project was a complete failure.

In the mid-eighties, a project began to preserve the history by promoting tourism.  Today, the former Club grounds comprise a 240-acre site with 34 historic structures. The Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark, one of the largest ongoing restoration projects in the southeastern United States, maintains the 240-acre former Club grounds 240-acre with 34 historic structures. Most of these structures were the winter mansions of the club members.

Visitors today can enter the island for an $8 fee, which gives them access to the historic district. However, a trip to Jekyll Island can be so much more. You can dine in the historic grand dining room or stay as a guest at the Club House or one of several cottages. The Jekyll Island Museum offers a guided tour including entrance to several of the historic structures. Another great way to see Jekyll Island is by bike. There are over 20-miles of  Jekyll Island bike trails  all through the historic district, as well as the natural areas, which inspired the club’s formation in the first place.

Contributed by Jenn and Ed of Coleman Concierge. Follow along with their adventures on Instagram !

Newport Rhode Island Gilded-Age Mansions

The Gilded Age historical mansions in Newport were built as lavish summer “cottages” in the late 1800s to early 1900s by some of the wealthiest Americans. Families like railroad tycoons, the Vanderbilts designed their 70-room “Breakers” mansion in 1893 with fixtures, furniture, art, and décor from around the world. Ten of these historical sites have been lovingly preserved and are open to the public. They’re all near each other, and many overlook the Atlantic Ocean. When you visit, you’ll see a snapshot of life in the Gilded Age when the upper class went to great lengths to create extravagant displays of wealth. If you take a servant-life tour, you’ll also see the stark contrast between the wealthy owners and the servants that lived, worked and depended on them to survive.

Whatever your interests, you’ll find a variety of tours, exhibits and events covering architecture, landscapes, social life, fashion, design, fine arts, and history at the Newport Mansions. You can purchase tickets online or at any of the homes. Adult tickets start at $18 for 1 property and go up from there, depending on which property or tours and how many you’d like to visit. Allow a minimum of 1 to 2 hours for each one, to enjoy the home tour, grounds and gift shop. Most of the houses are in the Bellevue Avenue-Ochre Point neighborhood of Newport.

Tips: The operating schedule for each house varies seasonally, so plan ahead and check the website to see which homes, tours and hours are available. If you love Christmas, then late November through January 1st is the perfect time to visit and see the homes lit up and decked out in their holiday glitter.

Find out more about Newport Mansions here .

Contributed by Nancy Hann. Follow Nancy Hann at Traveling with Purpose on Instagram

The Museum at Eldridge Street

There is no better place to explore the Jewish history of New York City than the Museum at Eldridge Street! The museum is housed in the historic Eldridge Street Synagogue, one of NYC’s most stunning cultural and historical landmarks. Eldridge opened in 1887 as the first grand synagogue built by the Eastern European Jewish community in the United States. Now, over 125 years later, the museum shares the story of the millions of Jewish immigrants who moved to New York in search of a better life and new opportunities in a new land. Eldridge offers guided tours starting hourly. The guides are true subject matter experts and many actually have a personal connection to the museum or neighborhood! Even better: the tour is already included in the admission price! 

On the ground floor of the museum is a small permanent exhibit and digital tables showcasing the building’s history and an introduction to Jewish beliefs and practices. More than just a history museum, Eldridge is truly an architectural masterpiece. Walk into the main sanctuary and take a step back in time to the turn of the 20th century. Meticulously restored walls painted in a trompe l’oeil marble design, original pine floorboards and even stained glass windows that the NY Times have described as ‘gasp-inducing’. The star of Eldridge Street is actually one of the newest additions to space: the contemporary stained glass window designed by artist Kiki Smith and architect Deborah Gans. Like the dynamic nature of New York’s ever-changing cityscape, the vibrance of this window reminds us that even historic sites like Eldridge are still alive and vivacious over 100 years later! If you’re on a budget,  Mondays are ‘Pay As You Wish’. Visitors of all backgrounds and faiths are welcomed with open arms, and visiting is a great opportunity to learn more about Jewish practice and synagogue architecture. Note the museum is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Check the website before planning your visit. 

Adults: $15

Students & Seniors: $10

Children 5-17: $8 (under 5 are free) 

Contributed by Courtney of Courtney in the Middle Seat

Fort Jefferson, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote National Parks in the US. It is located around 80 miles southwest of Key West, Florida.

Within the Dry Tortugas National Park lies an imposing Fort Jefferson, one of the most strategic fortress to defend the United States of America. Its location was chosen to protect both the Gulf of Mexico and Straits of Florida from approaching enemies ships. Even though it has never seen a battle, Fort Jefferson has assisted many ship routes, including the Spanish-American War in 1898.

Construction started in 1846 for the next thirty years with bricks brought from both sides of the US during the Civil War. Upon completion, Fort Jefferson holds the title of the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas.

You can join in the complimentary guided tour of Fort Jefferson, led by the Parks Ranger. Or, if you opt to enjoy the natural beauty of Dry Tortugas, you can do some popular water and beach activities, including snorkeling in some of the most pristine environments Florida can offer.

There are only two common ways  to get to Dry Tortugas National Park  from Key West. Fly with a seaplane costs around $356-625 roundtrip, or the most popular one with a Yankee Freedom III ferry for $180. Both will require you at least half a day to do.

Contributed by Halef and Michael of Around the World Guys. Check out their adventures on their Youtube Channel !

Are you ready to plan your trip to some amazing historical sites on the East Coast?

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12 Must-Visit Historical Sites Around the World

If you’ll travel far and wide to be awed by a unesco world heritage site, make sure you have these major attractions on your list..

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The 450-foot-tall Great Pyramid at Giza is made of an estimated 2.3 million blocks of stone cut by hand.

Photo by Mustafah Abdulaziz

Certain sites capture the world’s imagination not only because of their beauty and the human ingenuity they exemplify but also because of their unique window into the past. These 13 UNESCO-protected spots, including many of the New Seven Wonders of the World, are among the most sought-after tourist attractions around the globe.

Whenever you visit a new place, you should take special care to carry out what you bring in, stick to assigned trails, and leave the environment better than you found it (even if that means grabbing trash another visitor left behind). But this rule is particularly important when it comes to these protected spaces. Many are vulnerable for a whole list of reasons, including climate impact and fragility due to very old age. Treading carefully and showing respect will ensure that these life-changing places remain for as many generations as possible.

All right, now on to the list. And don’t worry: You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate these great, historical places around the world.

What kid wouldn’t love a real-life castle that is as colorful as Sintra just outside of Lisbon?

Photo by Shutterstock

1. Cultural Landscape of Sintra

Sintra, Portugal

You probably assume Sintra is on this list for the fairy-tale–inspiring National Palace of Sintra overlooking the city—but that’s only part of it. The city is home to some of the best (and first) examples of Romantic architecture anywhere in the world. The castle at the top of the hill once served as a monastery before Ferdinand II repurposed it as a castle mixing Moorish, Egyptian, Renaissance, and Gothic architectural and design elements. Also very notable is the maze of parks and gardens, which blend local and non-native plant species. You’ll never know what to expect next, whether it’s an intricate wall of azulejos (locally made tiles), a set of mock ruins tucked among the landscaping, or a massive dome overhead.

How to visit

Sintra is easy to reach from Lisbon—two trains make the one-hour journey every day. The most popular route is to take the train from the Rossio Station to the Sintra Station. It’s not recommended to explore the city by car; many of the roads are very narrow and not built for modern transportation, and parking in the surrounding area can be tough during tourist high season (May through October).

Chichén Itzá is located in close proximity to two cenotes (deep limestone sinkholes that expose groundwater).

Photo by Filip Gielda/Unsplash

2. Chichén Itzá

Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

Chichén Itzá , a complex of pre-Columbian ruins on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, thrived as one of the largest Mayan cities from 400 C.E. to the 1400s. It’s thought to have had the most diverse population in the Mayan world due to the variety of Mesoamerican architectural styles on-site. Chichén Itzá’s most famous structures include the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, and El Castillo (also known as the Temple of Kukulkan), a step pyramid that towers over one of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Chichén Itzá is a three-hour drive from Cancún and about 30 minutes from Valladolid. Tickets to Chichén Itzá can be purchased on-site. Entry costs approximately $36 for adults; entry for children 12 and under is free. The 16th-century colonial city has a baroque cathedral and a variety of accommodation options, from hotels with cenotes to the Coqui Coqui guesthouse and perfumery.

Jaipur’s magnificent Hawa Mahal palace was built in 1799 by a maharaja.

Photo by Annie Spratt/Unsplash

3. Jaipur City

Jaipur, India

The walled city of Jaipur is eye-catching for many reasons. At the top of the list is its rosy hue—the entire town was painted pink to welcome King Edward VII (then Prince Albert) in 1876, as pink was a color associated with hospitality. The prince supposedly deemed Jaipur the “Pink City,” and it stuck. In 1877, Maharaja Ram Singh took it a step further by passing a law ordering all future buildings to have the same pink exterior, from temples to private residences. Jaipur was the first planned city in India, known for its grid design and symmetrical buildings with even patterns and rows of chhatri (elevated domes sitting atop buildings).

It’s easy to get to Jaipur by train, car, or airplane from major cities in India. Jaipur is part of the Golden Triangle , a route that also includes New Delhi and Agra. You need at least a week to enjoy all that the Golden Triangle cities have to offer.

Rainy season is no joke at Machu Picchu—plan accordingly.

Photo by Stock for you/Shutterstock

4. Machu Picchu

Peru Located in the Peruvian Andes at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu cascades down a dramatic mountain spine surrounded by the Sacred Valley’s jagged peaks. Millions of visitors flock to this UNESCO World Heritage site each year to see the terraces and classical dry-stone buildings of the citadel. While it is recognized as one of the top historic, World Heritage sites, Machu Picchu had a short life span. It was built by the Incas around 1450 but abandoned a century later during the Spanish conquest.

You can reach Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu, by train from Cusco. Inca Rail, PeruRail, and the more luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham train have daily service between the two destinations; the journey takes more than three hours. The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a four-minute walk from the train station and looks like a village with terraced gardens, stone pathways, and guest rooms in adobe casitas.

Another way to visit Machu Picchu is to go on a guided hike of the famous Inca Trail, which can be booked through various tour operators in Cusco. Entry tickets cost approximately $23 for adults and $20 for students and must be purchased in advance for a specific date and time slot.

Angkor Wat is one of the world’s largest religious monuments, with five iconic towers that represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, a sacred mountain in Hindu mythology.

5. Angkor Wat

Siem Reap, Cambodia

With its wide moat and drip sand castle-like towers, Angkor Wat is one of the most scenic World Heritage sites and recognizable religious structures. King Suryavarman II, ruler of Southeast Asia’s former Khmer Empire, directed the construction during the 12th century. The Hindu temple complex, a network of stone temples decorated with intricate carvings of devatas (Hindu deities), is even more impressive when you consider it’s just one of the attractions at the UNESCO-designated Angkor Archaeological Park . Spread across approximately 400 acres in northwestern Cambodia, the complex has many other architecturally significant jungle-intertwined ruins and temples, including a temple featured in Angelina Jolie’s 2001 Tomb Raider film, as well as inhabited villages.

The park entrance is approximately three miles north of the center of Siem Reap. A convenient way to visit Angkor Wat is to hire a tuk-tuk driver for about $20 a day. Visitors can buy tickets at the main entrance to the temple. One-day passes cost approximately $37 for adults; entry for children 12 and under is free.

There are many affordable hotels in Siem Reap, but book a safari-style tent at The Beige (where even the floating forest pool has views of the World Heritage site) for a slight splurge.

The ancient city of Petra is just one of many notable historic sites across Jordan.

Courtesy of Visit Jordan

Wadi Musa, Jordan During its zenith, Petra , Jordan’s most famous archaeological site, was a bustling commerce center where citizens traded Arabian incense, Chinese silks, and Indian spices. Nabateans built the ancient city in the country’s southwestern desert in 400 B.C.E., but it was unknown to the Western world until the 1800s. Accessed via a narrow canyon and with towering temples and tombs carved into pink sandstone cliffs (earning it the name “The Red Rose City”), it feels otherworldly. Perhaps that’s why Petra’s treasury stood in for the temple housing the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade .

How to visit This UNESCO World Heritage site is about 150 miles south of Jordan’s capital, Amman. Most visitors access Petra Archaeological Park through Wadi Musa, a nearby town with a handful of luxurious hotel offerings for travelers who make the trip to the rock-wall crypts. One-day tickets for visitors who spend at least a night in Jordan cost approximately $70 for adults; entry for children 12 and under is free.

The somewhat mysterious Stonehenge monument is located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire in southwest England.

Photo by M.J. Parker/Shutterstock

7. Stonehenge

Wiltshire, United Kingdom

While experts agree that Stonehenge , a circle of stone megaliths in the English countryside, dates to 2500 B.C.E., the reason for its creation remains mysterious. Some archaeologists think ancient Britons built it for religious ceremonies, while others believe the structures were used to study the movements of the sun and the moon. Either way, the construction was an engineering feat. (To shape Stonehenge’s megalithic structures, workers hammered wooden wedges into cracks in the stone and then used rope to pull each mass upright.)

Travelers can take a 2.5-hour train ride from London or an hour-long trip from Bath to get to Stonehenge. From the Wiltshire visitor center, a free shuttle bus makes frequent trips to the ruins. Tickets purchased in advance cost approximately $33 for adults and $20 for children. Tickets purchased on-site cost slightly more.

The Parthenon was built from limestone and Pentelic marble.

Photo by Pamela Loreto Perez/Shutterstock

8. The Parthenon

Athens, Greece Perched atop a rocky outcrop known as the Acropolis , in Athens, this classical and partly intact temple has presided over Greece’s capital city since the Athenian Empire was at the peak of its power. In 447 B.C.E., the Athenians constructed the Parthenon—dedicated to the goddess Athena—to celebrate their victory over Persian invaders. It has since served as a city treasury, a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and, after the Ottoman conquest, a mosque. At the foot of the hill, the Acropolis Museum showcases the Parthenon frieze (although some sections are still controversially on display at London’s British Museum), artifacts discovered on the Acropolis, and even the remains of an ancient neighborhood uncovered during the museum’s construction.

Located in the center of Athens, the Parthenon is easy to visit thanks to metro and city bus stops nearby. The nearest metro stop is Acropoli. Tickets to the Acropolis can be purchased online or at the entrance. During high season, tickets to the Acropolis cost approximately $35 for adults and half that during the winter; entry is roughly $11 for students with ID.

Many sections of the Great Wall of China were constructed during the Ming Dynasty between 1368 and 1644.

Photo by Hung Chung Chih/Shutterstock

9. The Great Wall of China

China It took more than 2,500 years to build the Great Wall , China’s most recognizable symbol, which snakes through the northern part of the country for more than 13,000 miles. During the 8th century B.C.E., the Zhou dynasty–era state of Chu began construction on the wall to protect against foreign invaders. Most tourists explore a section or two of the stone-and-brick fortification; it would take approximately 177 days of nonstop walking to see the entire wall.

Frequently visited sections of the wall include Mutianyu and Jinshanling. The former is a 90-minute drive from Beijing and an easy day trip; the latter takes twice as long to reach but is one of the wall’s most well-preserved sections and is popular with hikers. Each section of the wall requires its own entry ticket. The cost is typically about $6 to $8, although prices vary.

The Taj Mahal was built on the banks of the River Yamuna on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth.

Photo by age fotostock

10. Taj Mahal

Agra, India

The perfectly symmetrical Taj Mahal features a 240-foot-tall central dome and an exterior with inlaid semiprecious stones. Widely considered the most beautiful existing example of Mughal architecture, the white marble mausoleum was erected between 1631 and 1648 after Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan ordered its construction to honor his late wife. (He tapped approximately 20,000 of the best craftsmen from Central Asia to complete the project.) Jahan intended to build a second mausoleum for himself, but the building never came to fruition. After he passed away in 1666, the emperor was buried next to his wife. Visitors to this World Heritage site can explore the grounds’ vast garden featuring long reflecting pools of water and a red sandstone gate.

Most people visit the Taj Mahal on a day trip from Delhi. There are many high-speed trains to Agra from Delhi, Varanasi, and cities across northern India’s Rajasthan state. Tickets cost approximately $13 for adults; entry for children 15 and younger is free.

Dutch explorers gave Easter Island its name in 1722 after spotting the landmass on Easter Sunday, but the Indigenous name is Rapa Nui.

Photo by Thomas Griggs/Unsplash

11. Easter Island

Chile Located 2,200 miles off the coast of Chile, this remote island was named by 18th-century Dutch explorers who spotted the landmass on Easter Sunday. It’s famous for its approximately 1,000 mammoth statues, which the Indigenous Polynesian inhabitants created from the 10th through 16th centuries to represent their ancestors. Rapa Nui National Park , which covers half of Easter Island, is the best place to see the carved figures, or moai . There are about 400 moai at the ancient quarry Rano Raraku, including a 70-foot-tall statue that was never raised upright. The most famous site, Tongariki, features 15 moai beside the ocean. Made from a soft volcanic rock called tuff, the monuments are vulnerable to the elements, and archaeologists believe one day they may disappear.

Latam operates two daily flights from Santiago de Chile to Hanga Roa, Easter Island’s capital. The trip takes about 5.5 hours. The entrance fee to Rapa Nui National Park is $80 for adults, $40 for children.

Egypt’s pyramids are one of the most iconic—and enduring—destinations in the world.

Photo by Lyndsey Matthews

12. The Pyramids at Giza

Cairo, Egypt The Pyramids at Giza arose during a construction frenzy from 2550 to 2490 B.C.E. Egyptian pharaohs believed they would become gods in the afterlife, so they filled these elaborate tombs with everything they would need in the next world, including jewelry, furniture, and sculptures of servants. Pharaoh Khufu ordered the building of the first and largest of the three structures, known as the Great Pyramid. His son Pharaoh Khafre built the second pyramid with a necropolis (burial place) that includes the Great Sphinx, a limestone sculpture of a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. Pharaoh Menkaure built the third and final temple. Each massive pyramid is part of a larger tomb complex that includes a palace, temples, and other features.

The pyramids are located on the Giza Plateau, about 11 miles southwest of Cairo. There isn’t an easy way to get there using public transportation, so travelers typically take a taxi, use Uber, or hire a car and driver. A few hotels like the posh Marriott Mena House are within walking distance of the pyramids. (Tickets cost approximately $17 per person.)

This article was originally published in May 2019 and was updated in March 7 2024 with new information. Erika Owens contributed to the reporting of this story.

21 Fun Things To Do in Indiana with Kids this Weekend

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11 Must-See Historic Sites in Indiana

Check out these historical landmarks in indiana to explore year-round.

The Hoosier state is chock-full of fascinating historical sites from every era of history – even prehistoric! Although history can seem dry when it is presented in history books, it comes alive when tourists have the chance to explore real historic landmarks in Indiana on the very places where history was made. From exploring ancient Indian Mounds in Anderson to visiting the elk tree where Indiana’s Constitution was written in historic Corydon, exciting adventures await you in every corner of Indiana. Here’s a look at 11 great historic sites in Indiana to visit .

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument: Indianapolis

No visit to Indiana is complete without a visit to one of its most important historic sites in Indiana. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Indianapolis was the first in the United States to be dedicated to the common soldier. The enormous monument is 284 feet high and located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Dedicated on May 15, 1902, the monument originally honored the Indiana veterans of the Civil War. It was then expanded to include veterans of the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812 and its territorial conflicts, the Mexican-American War and the Spanish-American War. The monument was designed by Bruno Schmitz and took 13 years to complete.

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is the centerpiece of Monuments Circle, the main gathering place in Indianapolis. It is surrounded by retail shops, such as the South Bend Chocolate Factory, and cultural institutions like the Hilbert Circle Theatre and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The monument is decorated as a giant Christmas tree during the holiday season.

Corydon Capitol State Historic Site

Indiana’s transition from a Western territory to a state is a fascinating time in Indiana history. To learn about this era, visit Indiana’s first state capitol in Corydon, a must-see on a tour of historic landmarks in Indiana. The Corydon Capitol State Historic Site commemorates many of the state’s most significant events, including the drafting of the first state constitution. The 43 delegates met to work out the details of the state’s founding, but the heat was so extreme they found it was cooler to meet outside. They drafted the Indiana Constitution under an enormous elm tree. Although the tree is gone, its stump remains. It is known as Constitution Elm. The stump is five feet in diameter. Indiana’s constitution was the first in the nation to ban slavery and mandate funding for public schools.

The original Indiana Capitol Building is located in downtown Corydon. The building is built in the Federal-style popular when it was built in 1816. The square building was made from limestone mined from nearby quarries. The logs are cut from the virgin capitol building, built between 1814 and 1816, is located in the heart of downtown Corydon. Workers hauled limestone from nearby quarries to erect the 40-foot square walls. The Capitol Building was opened as a state memorial in 1930 and is one of the designated historic landmarks in Indiana. Today, visitors to Corydon can take guided tours of the building as well as the nearby Governor Hendricks’ Headquarters and Indiana’s First State Office Building, also in downtown Corydon.

Leora Brown School: Corydon

Despite laws after the Civil War which required segregated schools, Indiana’s African American community was determined to create institutions of learning. The Corydon Colored School of Corydon, Indiana was one of the first African American schools, with its first class graduating in 1897. One of its graduates, Leora Brown, went on to receive a degree at Blaker’s Teachers College of Indianapolis. She then returned to Corydon to teach at her former school, where she remained for 26 years, until the end of segregation. Brown’s descendants have restored the school and named it in her honor. The one-room structure, built in 1891, remains Indiana’s oldest African American elementary and secondary school. Today it acts as both a historical site and cultural center. A section of the original blackboard still stands. The site is a must for any visitor to Indiana’s First State Capitol.

Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is a testament to the era when automobiles were hand-made and may be one of the lesser-known historic sites in Indiana. The Museum is dedicated to preserving cars built by Auburn Automobile, Cord Automobile, and Duesenberg. On the grounds, there are three buildings, each representing different stages in development and construction of Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg automobiles. The site also includes an impressive Art Deco showroom that remains virtually unchanged since its debut in 1930, with its terrazzo floors, Art Deco light fixtures, and columns. The car collection includes 120 classic cars from the era, including cars from Duesenberg and Cord’s rivals, Ruxton, Lincoln, Packard, and Rolls Royce. Other exhibits include cars made in Indiana and a gallery of racecars. The city of Auburn holds a parade of the old cars on the weekend before Labor Day.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art: Indianapolis

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art features one of the finest collections of Native American art. Founded by Indianapolis businessman and philanthropist Harrison Eiteljorg, the Museum also collects and preserves cultural objects and art of the American West. Its collection includes artists like T.C. Cannon, N. C. Wyeth, Andy Warhol, Georgia O’Keeffe, Allan Houser, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and Kay WalkingStick. Special exhibitions have included the work of artist Ansel Adams, Jewish life in the West, and the intersecting experiences of African- and Native Americans. Guests can enjoy lectures, tours, film events and hosts Native artists in residence. The Museum is one of only two museums east of the Mississippi that explore both Native America and the American West.

Falls of the Ohio State Park: Clarksville

One of the key ancient historical sites in Indiana is Falls of the Ohio River State Park , where 390-million-year-old fossil beds contain some of the largest, naturally exposed, Devonian fossil beds in the world. The Interpretive Center overlooks the beds and includes an exhibit gallery and video presentation about the geological history of the area. Originally the Falls were a series of rapids over the Ohio River, but today the original falls are behind the McAlpine Dam. Visitors to the park can enjoy viewing fossils, hiking, fishing, bird-watching and picnicking. The park is open 363 days a year.

Mounds State Park: Anderson

Mounds State Park in Anderson is an amazing Indiana historical landmark. The park includes 10 ceremonial mounds built by the prehistoric Adena peoples, and later used by the local Hopewell Native Americans. The earthworks include three enormous ceremonial mounds – Fiddleback, Great Mound and Circle Mound, and many rectangular and circular enclosures. Native peoples populated this area of Indiana for thousands of years, but experts believe the mounds were created in around 250 BC, with most work completed in 50 AD. That makes them older than world historical sites such as the Roman Colosseum. The site includes a Nature Center that has animal displays, a wildlife viewing room, games and other exhibits. Visitors enjoy the many events throughout the year, such as Audubon Society walks, scavenger hunts, geocaching treks and adventure backpacking.

Huddleston Farmhouse: Mount Auburn

Travel in the early nineteenth century was a difficult and prolonged affair. Travelers making a trip westward on the National Road often stopped at the Huddleston Farmhouse and Inn . The Quaker property was owned by John Huddleston and his family, who offered travelers a place to sleep, eat and rest their horses during the journey. The main house is a brick, three-story structure that was saved by Indiana Landmarks, the non-profit funded by Eli Lilly. Visitors to this historic Indiana landmark can view the main house, smokehouse, two barns and spring kitchens. In addition, the Farmhouse hosts annual events like hearth suppers, which serves up food cooked over an open fire. Huddleston Farmhouse was listed on the National Register of Historic places in 1975.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial: Lincoln City

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky but spent most of his most formative years growing up in Indiana. One of the related historic sites in Indiana is the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial preserves the farm where Lincoln lived with his parents from 1816 to 1830, between the ages of 7 to 21. Lincoln’s mother and other relatives were buried in Pioneer Cemetery. The main building is a limestone memorial building that was completed in 1945, showing all phases of Lincoln’s life. It features exhibits like portraits of Lincoln’s family and a film about Lincoln’s boyhood in Indiana.

The site includes a Living Historical Farm, where park rangers where clothing from the 1820s and work the farm, engaging with visitors about pioneer farming and living on the Indiana frontier. Archeologists have uncovered the original Lincoln house, which is protected by a wall. A replica farmhouse is available for tours.

Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site: Indianapolis

History buffs will enjoy a trip to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis, another Presidential stop among the historic landmarks in Indiana. Benjamin Harrison was a senator from Indiana, grandson of a former president (William Henry Harrison) and then a two-term president himself. Harrison lived in a 16-room house with a brick exterior, which was built in the 1870s. The home has historical significance because Harrison began his famous Front Porch Campaign for the presidency from his Indianapolis house. Harrison traveled the United States during the 1888 campaign, speaking to crowds in the street. Harrison renovated the home and added electricity after his term as president was over. He died at the home in 1901.

Today visitors can see ten of the 16 rooms, which have been decorated in the Victorian style popular during Harrison’s life. Nearly ⅔ of the objects in the home belonged to the Harrison family, including the 2,440 books. Researchers can access the archives of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which are also featured at the site.

Eugene V. Debs House and Museum: Terre Haute

Visitors of Indiana State University can visit the Indiana historical home of American labor leader Eugene V. Debs . The Museum commemorates his life and work as the founder of the Industrial Workers of the World (“the Wobblies”) and explores his legacy as a Socialist candidate for president five times between 1900 and 1920. Visitors will learn about Debs’ advocacy for workers’ rights, children’s’ rights, women’s rights, and the cause of worldwide peace. Debs has had a lasting impact on the lives of American workers, dating from his time at the helm of the American Railway Union and continuing to his death in 1926. The home was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

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Home » Historic Getaways » 50 Historical Sites For The American History Buff

50 Historical Sites For The American History Buff

As the region that saw the first European settlers, the Northeast US holds many of the most fascinating historical sites in America.

Colonial era, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Victorian and Gilded Age: much of what shaped our country happened on the Eastern Seaboard.  Choose one or more of the following 50 escapes to be immersed in American History.

Click on each town to find the best attractions, restaurants and inns for educational and enlightening getaways, Virginia to Maine.

Table of Contents

Historic Sites In Connecticut

New London CT

New London, a shipbuilding port during the American Revolution, was burned down by the Brits in 1781. It’s also home to the oldest continuously operating Customs House in the nation, where The Amistad was towed to after being found off the coast of Long Island, NY.

You’ll find the country’s last remaining Whaling Ship, the Charles Morgan, at Mystic Seaport.

Hartford CT

Discover why Connecticut is considered The Constitution State. The Fundamental Orders, adopted by the Connecticut Council on January 15, 1639 are considered by some to be the basis of the US Constitution.

Historical Sites In Delaware

Wilmington DE

It’s all about the DuPonts here. Improving on gunpowder in the late 1700’s, this French expat family established the chemical company that still bears their name. Its dynasty of wealth still supports hospitals and cultural programs.

The “First State” to ratify the US Constitution,  home of the only Founding Father to abstain from signing the Declaration of Independence, and site of Dover Air Force Base, Delaware’s Capital City has a cornucopia of historic attractions.  

Historic Sites In Maryland

St. Mary’s County MD

Deeply historic, St. Mary’s County drew early European settlers, most notably, a group of Catholics escaping persecution and execution in Protestant England. As Catholics were being slaughtered in England, 140 faithful arrived here in 1634. Finally free to worship as they chose, they built the first Catholic Church and settlement in Colonial America. Historic St. Mary’ City grew for sixty years, then vanished into the cornfields and was lost for 200 years. It is now one of the most exciting archeological digs in the US.

Dorchester County MD  

Birthplace of Harriet Tubman and site of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor’s Center.

Washington County MD  

Antietam Battlefield. Bloodiest one day battle of the Civil War.

Annapolis MD

This “oldest in the nation” State House is where George Washington tendered his resignation as Commander In Chief of the US Army. Also, tour the US Naval Academy! 

St. Michaels MD

The excellent Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum tells the story of this bountiful body of water.

Baltimore MD

Oh Say Can You See? Yes, you can see where our National Anthem was written.  The flag that served as muse to Francis Scott Key flew from Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

Historic Sites In Massachusetts

Provincetown MA

The Pilgrim Monument stands in commemoration of the Mayflower passengers who made the voyage from England to this Land’s End community. While they didn’t settle here, some of the “Strangers and Saints” set foot first on land here to search for a water source. Finding none, they sailed on to the more protected Plymouth.

Plymouth MA

Plymouth Rock is just the beginning. 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s landing.

One if by land, two if by sea …..Paul Revere,The Old State House celebrated its 300th year anniversary in 2013. Walk the Freedom Trail to discover our country’s revolutionary stirrings.

Lexington  –  Concord MA

The “Shot Heard Around the World” in Concord, and the accidental battle that preceded it by a few hours in Lexington.

Learn about “Mill Girls,” immigrant workers, and the forces of the Industrial Revolution in America. A monument to American Industry and Ingenuity, Lowell National Historical Park, in Lowell MA, 30 miles from Boston, is unlike any other U.S. National Park in that it takes up sections of a still thriving (or, as the case may be, reviving) city.

Deerfield MA

This tiny prep-school burg fleshes out stories of Colonial New England life on the fringes of civilization in the 17th and 18th centuries. 

Springfield MA

The Springfield Armory commissioned by President George Washington is a National Historic Site open for tours. Springfield is also hometown to Dr. Seuss and where the game of Basketball was invented.

Fall River MA

Battleship Cove comprises the largest collection of WWII warships in the world. It’s also where Lizzy Borden was arrested for, but never convicted of, whacking her parents with an ax.

Known primarily for the Witch Trials, Salem is also home to the Peabody Essex Museum, one of the oldest and best all-encompassing museums in the country.

Historic Sites In New Hampshire

One of the many misconceptions about the  Declaration of Independence and US Constitution is that they emerged from the minds of our Founding Fathers fully-fledged. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Both were works in progress, with many reworked drafts. The American Independence Museum illuminates this better than any other historical museum.

Portsmouth NH

The Strawbery Banke Living History Museum showcases Coastal New Hampshire history. With costumed docents, it’s one of the best of its kind in the country.

As Primary Central, Concord crawls with every Presidential hopeful every four years.

Historic Sites In New Jersey

Morris County NJ

George Washington was headquartered here. And it’s where Alexander Hamilton fell in love. Plus you can explore the laboratory where Thomas Edison invented modern America at the national historical park.

Princeton NJ

Albert Einstein escaped Germany with a $5000 Nazi bounty on his head. He lived in Princeton from 1933 until his death in 1955.

Historic Sites In New York

The Million Dollar Staircase, Modernist Empire State Plaza, and Alexander Hamilton history are huge draws to New York State’s Capital City. 

Chautauqua Institution NY

Founded by the father in law of Thomas Edison in 1874, Chautauqua continues to be a summer camp for the intellectually curious. 

Seneca Falls NY

In the mid-1800’s, Seneca Falls NY was drawing Abolitionists, Suffragists, proponents of Temperance, and other agitators. This whirlwind of evangelical fervor was so hot, this corner of Northwestern NY was known as “The burned over District.” Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman all lived in the area. And they spurred on movements that gained national attention. 

Hyde Park NY

Home to Franklin D. and Eleanore Roosevelt and Culinary Institute of America. See the bed FDR was born in and the wheelchair that the public never saw – plus a terrific new multi million dollar museum.

West Point NY

The Military Academy was established by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 at West Point. And yes, you can take a sanctioned bus tour. And even stay in a luxury hotel on campus.

Explore significant stops on the Underground Railroad.

Historical Attractions In Pennsylvania

Harrisburg PA

Pennsylvania arguably has the most spectacular Capitol Building in the USA. The Harrisburg-set National Civil War Museum is a can’t miss.

Find the bloody flag that cradled Abe Lincoln’s head after he was shot in this unlikely place. Milford PA was also home of Gifford Pinchot – “Father of the National Forest Service.” 

Bradford PA

The “PA Wilds” encompassed the country’s first “Billion Dollar Oil Field.” It’s also where Zippo Lighters were invented and still made.

Johnstown PA

Site of the most deadly flood in American history. (And fourth deadliest natural disaster of all time). Two museums interpret the event: a National Memorial at the site. And another in town.

For Railroad History fans and trainspotters – site of the engineering marvel, Horseshoe Curve.

Carlisle PA

Where the controversial Indian Industrial School was located, and the current must-see Army Heritage Center.

Bucks County PA

Where George Washington crossed the Delaware on that fateful Christmas Day 1776. See Washington Crossing Historic Park.

Gettysburg PA

Battlefield, Town, Eisenhower’s only home.

Philadelphia PA

Philly is “philled” with historic attractions. Museum of the U.S. Constitution. Liberty Bell. Grave of Benjamin Franklin. Museum of the American Revolution. With over eighteen historic sites, Philly is the best city for learning about our country’s origins.

Historical Sites In Rhode Island

History of the Gilded Age in full force. Also – home to the Touro Synagogue, the country’s oldest, established in 1763.

Providence RI

Roger Williams, founder of the Rhode Island colony, defected from the Puritans, sanctioning freedom of conscience and religion. See the original State Charter in the Capitol building.

This small bucolic peninsula town has some dark Slave Trade history.

Historic Sites In Virginia

Orange County VA

What world events influenced the Architect of the U.S. Constitution, James Madison? This Founding Father lived in Orange VA, and his home is a revelation. 

Yorktown VA

The fledgling US Army effectively won the Revolutionary War when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. The Yorktown’s Victory Center is among America’s best Living History Museums.

Southwestern VA

Birthplace of Country Music with the “Bristol Sessions.” Clog with other dancers at the Carter Family Fold.

Charlottesville VA

Don’t miss Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

Winchester VA

During the Civil War,  town allegiance to Union and Confederate sides changed a whopping 72 times. The Old Courthouse served as a Civil War prison where you can see anti-Jefferson Davis graffiti.

Richmond VA

Patrick Henry bellowed the immortal “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Edgar Alan Poe also lived here.

Newport News VA

Another best of its kind in the USA, the Mariners Museum is a can’t miss attraction. The $30 Million Monitor Center highlights Civil War Ironclad warships.

First slaves brought to US here in 1619. Hampton is also home to one of country’s first African American colleges. Langly AFB was site of NASA Mercury Project.

Arlington VA

Cemetery, Pentagon and yes, a DEA Museum showcasing the history of Drug Enforcement in the USA.

Williamsburg VA

The entire town lives and breathes the colonial era, joining with Jamestown and Yorktown to form the “Historic Triangle.”

Malerie Yolen-Cohen is the Author of the cross-country travel guide, Stay On Route 6; Your Guide to All 3562 Miles of Transcontinental Route 6. She contributes frequently to Newsday, with credits in National Geographic Traveler, Ladies Home Journal, Yankee Magazine, Shape.com, Sierra Magazine, Porthole, Paddler, New England Boating, Huffington Post, and dozens of other publications. Malerie’s focus and specialty is Northeastern US, and she is constantly amazed by the caliber of restaurants and lodging in the unlikeliest places.

1 thought on “50 Historical Sites For The American History Buff”

This is a great round-up of locations in the USA! Visiting the home of the US Naval Academy would be neat.

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Boston Historical Sites: 21 Must-See Stops for History Buffs

Teeming with history around every corner, Boston boasts an abundance of significant sites for history buffs.

From walking the Freedom Trail to strolling through historic cemeteries, visitors are bound to learn something new about our nation’s roots. Discover the must-see Boston historical sites so you can get the most out of your trip.

Historical Boston Sites: The Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail connects many of the most significant sites of our nation’s history, all within the city of Boston. Featuring a trail of museums, churches, meeting houses, parks, a ship, burying grounds, and historic places in Boston, each site tells its own history in Boston regarding the American Revolution and beyond.

Related Post: One Day in Boston: How to Make the Most of 24 Hours

This 2.5-mile trail features sixteen historic Boston sites from the Boston Common to Paul Revere’s house in the North End. Of course, you don’t need a tour to follow the markers, although tours are available during business hours.

Historical Things in Boston: Charles River Esplanade

Stroll down the scenic Charles River Esplanade in the Back Bay Area for beautiful views, sun, and exercise. Stretching for 17 miles, visitors can walk, bike, canoe, kayak, rollerblade, and more. There’s even a playground for kids to explore.

In addition, visitors can catch free summertime concerts as well as free moving showings at the Hatch Shell. Furthermore, the Hatch Shell features the iconic free Boston Pops concert each July 4th.

Historical Sites: Boston Common

Founded in 1634, the  Boston Common serves as an incredibly historic site with ties to the Revolutionary War, anti-Vietnam War rallies, civil rights rallies, and much more.

Related Post: Current Events and Festivals in Boston

Now owned by a nonprofit organization, the park contains beautiful walkways, fountains, statues, and play areas. Further, many families go ice-skating in the Frog Pond each year.

In addition, the Boston Common encompasses several Boston historic sites and monuments including:

• The Great Elm
• Brewer Fountain
• John Paul II Placard
• Central Burying Ground
• Soldiers and sailors Monument
• Boston Foundation Monument

Historic Sites in Boston: Faneuil Hall Marketplace

One of the most significant sites along the Freedom Trail , Faneuil Hall has served as a meeting place since the 1740s.

Related Post: 3 Days in Boston: How to Make the Most of 72 Hours

Once a hotspot for hearing speeches during the Revolutionary War, it’s now home to Quincy Market where visitors can wander through food stalls and dine at numerous eateries. One of the top Boston historical sites, this is a perfect stop once you get hungry.

Historical Places in Boston: Battle of Bunker Hill Monument & Museum

The Bunker Hill Monument and Museum commemorates one of the first important battles of the Revolutionary War.

Related Post: 21 Totally Free Things to Do in Boston

Standing 221 feet, visitors can obtain a climbing pass from the museum to climb to the top for incredible views. Across the street from the monument, the museum showcases exhibits on the battle, construction of the monument, and the history of Charlestown.

One of the most important historical sites in Boston, you don’t want to skip out.

Historic Sites: Boston Massacre Site

Along the Freedom Trail lies a marker indicating the site of the Boston Massacre . Located at the intersection of State and Congress Streets outside of the Old State House downtown, the marker lies a few yards away from where the massacre took place on March 5, 1770.

Related Post: What are the Most Unique Things to Do in Boston?

Each year, the Bostonian Society hosts reenactments of this significant historical event that led to the rallying of Bostonians against the British Crown and the expulsion of occupying troops.

Historic Things to Do in Boston: The Paul Revere House

Built in 1680, this iconic Bostonian residence houses three generations of fascinating history. First built and owned by a wealthy merchant, Paul Revere then bought the two-story home in 1770, where he lived with his wife, his children, and his mother.

After he sold the home in 1800, the house operated as a boarding house for sailors, immigrant tenement, and various businesses throughout the years. In 1908, the house opened to the public as one of the earliest house museums in the nation after restoration.

Related Post: 13 of the Top Things to Do in Boston at Night

Today, the house stands as the oldest building in Downtown Boston and one of the few 17th-century buildings in our nation’s inner cities.

Visitors are welcome to self-tour the period-furnished home of Revere’s family and learn about their lives and the real story of the historic Midnight Ride.

Boston Tea Party Ships Museum

With seven distinct sections highlighting the Boston Tea Party of 1773, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum enables guests to travel back in time through interactive exhibits.

Guests can experience reenactments of the historic event with full-scale replica 18th-century sailing vessels, historic artifacts, live actors, a multi-sensory award-winning film, and much more. Note that you need to purchase a ticket to tour sections 1-5 of the museum.

Related Post: Pet-Friendly Boston, MA: Hotels and Restaurants

Old North Church

Visit the site that launched the American Revolution and the phrase, “One if by land, two if by sea.” Made famous due to Paul Revere’s midnight ride to signal the arrival of British troops, the Old North Church lies along the Freedom Trail.

Related Post: When is the Best Time to Visit Boston?

Founded in 1723, the church is the oldest standing church in Boston. Visitors are welcome to take a seat in one of the box pews and listen to an eight-minute talk on the history of the church and the midnight ride.

Furthermore, guests can relax in out of the church’s five gardens, visit the gift shop, or learn about 18th-century chocolate through the colonial chocolate program. In addition, visitors can see the Patriots Corner Gallery in the historic Clough House. For a more exclusive, detailed peek into the past, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour.

Old State House Museum

Built in 1713, the Old State House once served as a seat of British power before transforming to a meeting hall for crucial debates that sparked the American Revolution.

Related Post: Educational Summer Vacation with Kids – Boston

Today, visitors can connect to our nation’s roots through interactive, hands-on exhibits suitable for all ages. Explore the Revolutionary story of Massachusetts, experience the Council Chamber as it once appeared in the 18th century. Also, learn about the Boston Massacre, and much more.

The Black Heritage Trail & Museum of African American History

The Black Heritage Trail  walking tour in Beacon Hill guides visitors through 14 significant ships that played a role in shaping African American history. You can stop by the Abiel Smith School for a helpful, free map.

Moreover, the Museum of African American History , located in the former Abiel Smith School, takes visitors on a journey through Boston’s Black history. The Boston African American National Historic Site is the largest museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans in New England with one site in Boston and another on the Island of Nantucket.

USS Constitution

Fun fact: The USS Constitution is the oldest ship in the world still afloat. Better yet, the public is welcome to visit this historic ship, which is permanently locked in the Charleston Navy Yard.

Explore what life at sea was like over 200 years ago with a free tour. Note that tours are available every 30 minutes days from 10 am – 4 pm (extended hours offered during summer).

Old South Meeting House

The Old South Meeting House has served as an active center for free speech and civic dialogue since the 18th century.

Related Post: Getting Around Boston: The Ultimate Guide for Any Visitor

Built in 1729 as a Puritan congregational church, the meeting house eventually served as the organizing point for the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Since 1877, Old South has operated as museum, historic site, education institution, and center for public forums and performances.

JFK Presidential Library & Museum

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum commemorates the 35th president’s life, leadership, and legacy. Located on a ten-acre park, the library features an extensive collection of historic materials that detail President Kennedy’s administration and the politics of his time.

Irish Heritage Trail

Did you know that the largest ethnic group in Boston is Irish (almost 16% of the population)?

You can walk the free Irish Heritage Trail to learn about some of the most noteworthy contributions made by the Irish community. Overall, visitors can see 16 sites along the 3-mile trail.

Boston Public Library

A beautiful work of architecture, The Boston Public Library contains more than 1.7 million rare books and manuscripts as well as a major art collection. Further, because of its vast collection of works, the Boston Public Library is considered one of the five most important libraries in the nation. Guests are welcome to take a free tour to learn more about the library’s history and collections, which is offered multiple times a day.

Historical Things to See in Boston: Burial Grounds

Because Boston is almost 400 years old, the city’s graveyards boast fascinating characters and historical significance around every corner. For instance, the Granary Burying Ground houses many notable historical figures such as John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, Crispus Attucks, and Robert Treat Paine. One of the top Boston historical things to do, visiting the burial grounds is more fascinating than creepy.

With three active graveyards and sixteen historic burial grounds, those interested in the macabre won’t be bored.

Boston History Sites: Boston Athenaeum

The Boston Athenaeum is one of the oldest and most prestigious independent libraries and cultural establishments in the nation.

Formed in 1805, the Athenaeum has informed the masses on works of literature, the arts, history, sciences, and more, now containing over half a million volumes.

Related Post: Top Attractions in Boston

In addition, the institution houses an impressive art gallery and presents exhibitions, and sponsors concerts, lectures, and community discussions.

Further, guests can find the infamous human skin book in the first-floor reading room. Included in the admission fee, you’ll find the memoirs of criminal James Allen (aka George Walton), which are bound in his skin.

Historic Things to See: Boston Garden

The oldest public garden in the United States, the Boston Public Garden was established in 1837 and presents many lovely meandering walkways, species of flowers and plants, and bird species that populate the area. Guests can ride the Swan Boats, picnic, play sports, and much more.

Boston Harbor Islands

The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area presents 34 islands and peninsulas that enable visitors to see historic lighthouses, hike, camp, fish, swim, and more.

Further, Fort Warren on Goerges Island offers tours and fun, educational special events. Visitors can take a short car, ferry, and boat ride away from downtown to reach the islands.

Castle Island

Castle Island has housed several forts since 1643, with Fort Independence serving as the most notable.

Built in the mid-19th century, Fort Independence was under federal control and used by the military during WWI and WWII. Today, this 22-acre urban park is open to the public, weather permitting, from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.

Boston Go Pass

Want to save up to 55% on admission to over 30 attractions and tours for a low price? Go Boston Pass is your key to simplifying your Boston travel itinerary (and budget).

Choose between the Go Boston All-Inclusive Pass or Go Boston Explorer Pass to customize your trip! Read more in our in-depth guide Boston on a Budget: How to Save BIG With a Go City Pass .

Boston Hotels Near Historic Sites

Looking for the best hotels in Boston historic district? We recommend Club Quarters Hotel, Boston, Faneuil Hall for it’s close proximity to all of the must-see Boston Historical Sites.

To get the best deal at the best prices, bundle a Go City Boston ticket with your hotel stay . The Go Boston pass provides entry to more than 15 attractions, tours, and museums, plus you’ll have a close, comfortable place to lay your head at night all for one low price !

Ready to Visit Boston Massachusetts Historical Sites?

Now that you know the best Boston historic sites, where will you venture to first?

Written by Talena M

2 comments about “Boston Historical Sites: 21 Must-See Stops for History Buffs”

Excellent information. Thank you.

Hello Mindy! Thank you, we’re delighted to have provided some insight. Are you heading to Boston soon?

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Discover the best that Southern USA has to offer! Hidden gems, vibrant cities and more!

16 Best Historical Sites In The South USA You Must Visit

February 11, 2022 //  by  Southern Trippers

Are you looking for historical sites in the South of the USA? If so you are in the right place. In this article, we will walk you through southern USA historical sites, southern USA monuments, and landmarks and famous sites in the southern USA. 

There is so much history in the southern states of the USA and much of it is well preserved. There are so many battlefields, monuments, and places of interest and we have included a variety here. 

The South has so much to offer with some really pretty cities , lots of castles and mansions, and some incredible state parks .

The history of the South while rich and abundant is also very complex. We think it’s important when you visit these historical sites that you keep in mind the nature of the region’s history. 

We have chosen here a mixture of different types of historic sites in the south. Obviously, the list is only a selection and not exhaustive.

Are you ready to see which historical landmarks in the south we have chosen for you? Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let us walk you through historical sites in the South USA.

16 Best Historical Sites In The Southern USA You Must Visit

Dry tortugas national park/fort jefferson – florida.

When it comes to Florida’s historic sites this is one you have to visit. Not only is the location outstanding but the fort is really interesting and makes for a great day out.

Of all the historic forts in the south, this one by far sits in the most beautiful location. Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of seven breathtaking islands 70 miles off the coast of Key West.

You will be greeted with white sand beaches, turquoise water a rich and lively coral reef, and the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere, Fort Jefferson.

The 19th century fort was named after the 3rd US President, Thomas Jefferson, and was built to protect the southern coast of the USA. It was also used as a prison for criminals and deserters during and after the Civil War.

The fort comprises 16 million bricks and still remains unfinished. It covers 16 acres of the largest island and is steeped in history.

This is one of the historical sites in the south that you can’t drive to. To get here you take a ferry or a seaplane from Key West. Believe us though this is one of the historical places in the southern USA you will want to see.

Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site – Alabama

This is one of the historical places to visit in the south that we feel everyone needs to visit. Here the legacy and history of the Tuskegee Institute, a college for African Americans founded in 1881 are preserved.

The first class was held here on July 4, 1881, when 30 students, mostly children of former slaves, celebrated their freedom. The school run by Booker T. Washington, a former slave who started the school with only $2,000 with no funds for land, buildings, or equipment.

The school later moved into the Bowen Estate on abandoned plantation farmland. Most of the early buildings were built by the students.

Today the main features are the house of Booker T. Washington known as The Oaks and the building that housed George Washington Carver’s laboratory. There is also an administrative office and the site includes a 50-acre Historic Campus District consisting of most of the original campus building. 

This is one of the southern USA historical sites in Alabama that are best enjoyed by a guided tour.

Freedmen’s Town National Historic District – Texas

Established in 1865 as a community for formerly enslaved people from surrounding plantations  Freedmans, Texas is now a nationally registered historical site. 

Located southwest of downtown Houston this is one of the historical sites in the south everyone should visit. It marks an important and significant historical story. 

After being established Freedman’s grew significantly and became a center for black culture in the area. Jazz clubs, black-owned restaurants, and businesses soon populated the area. 

The community went through a lot including dealing with segregation in the city, expansion into the area, broken government promises, and eventually a wall that separated the black from the white community beyond.  

In the 1970’s fearing the area would be lost to newer development historians stepped in to save the area. They began work to save the remaining homes, churches, and businesses. In 1985 the area was finally recognized as a nationally registered historical site.

The work still continues today to preserve this area and transform our understanding of emancipation to freedom. This is one of the historic sites in the south that we feel is so important for the understanding of our history.

Mercer Williams House – Savannah, Georgia

One of the historical places in the southern USA that is just beautiful. The Mercer Williams House, Savannah is in the Renaissance Revival style of architecture and dates from the 1860s.

Despite its name no Mercer ever lived in the house even though they began the construction in 1860. The house however is best known as the site of one of Savannah’s most notorious murders, depicted in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

The house now operates as a museum and runs guided tours throughout the day. One of the historical landmarks in the south that really does have a story to tell. It is truly one of the best Museums In Savannah!

Fort Sumter National Monument – Charleston, South Carolina

Only accessible by boat Fort Sumter is in Charleston South Carolina . This is one of the historic forts in the south that played an important role in the Civil War and saw some of the first shots fired. 

This sea fort was built on an artificial island to protect Charleston from invasion. It dates from the 1812 British invasion and still wasn’t completed in 1861 when the battle of Fort Sumter began the American Civil War. 

Here you will get to see the gun emplacements, the fort ruins, and the museum. They also have sunset tours during March and October. 

The fort is a 30-minute ferry ride from Charleston and there are a lot of tours to the island. These ruins in the south are well worth a visit. I have a post that walks you through exactly what Exploring Fort Sumter is really like.

The Biltmore Estate – Asheville, North Carolina

If you are in the North Carolina area we highly recommend a visit here. To say this place is beautiful is an underestimation. The Estate is also a vineyard so try some wine while you are here. 

George Vanderbilt built this home in 1895, and the gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who designed Central Park in NYC. It’s probably one of the most famous sites in the southern USA.

There are 250 rooms to see here each as grand as the one before. The real star here though is the beautiful gardens and the view of this incredible house from various vantage points. 

You could be forgiven here for thinking you are in a European fairytale with yourself as the main character. Definitely one of the historical sites in the south where you can stay and relax for a while. Don’t forget to visit the Biltmore during the holidays! It is one of the best places for Christmas in North Carolina and they really go all out!

Mount Vernon – Alexandria, Virginia

George Washington’s former home is a great place to learn about the president’s early life.  Close to Washington DC, Virginia , this is an excellent day trip from the capital. 

You can tour the house, visit Washingtons’ Grave and walk around the 50 acres of land that is part of the estate.  This is one of the southern USA monuments and landmarks that has a lot to offer.

There is also a working distillery on site. If you have never visited before it really is well worth a visit and makes a great day out.

Williamsburg- Virginia 

Williamsburg, Virginia is the premier center for the preservation and interpretation of American colonial history. This small town is full of famous southern monuments. 

Here you will find historic locations, museums, nature, and some beautiful buildings.  It’s also a great place for food and wine. The town is charming and quaint and was founded as the capital of the Virginia Colony in 1699.

It’s one of America’s first planned cities and still retains the beauty it had when built. When it comes to historical sites in the south USA this place should definitely be on your list.

Vicksburg National Military Park -Mississippi

Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg. This battle lasted from March 29 to Jul 4 1863 with a siege lasting from May 18th – July 4th and was some of the final major military action. This battle marked somewhat of a turning point in the war. 

This is one of the famous southern monuments where you will see reconstructed forts and trenches. There are over 1400 monuments and memorials to enjoy. The park also is home to the USS Cairo the only remaining example of a City Class ironclad.  

You can go on guided or self-guided tours here and there is so much to see and do you can really make a day of it.

Mooresville – Alabama

With a population of under 100 people, this town is on the National Registry of Historic Places. A visit here feels like going back in town. 

Nearly every building here is from the 19th century and you can tour many of them. A trip here is about learning what life was like in times gone by. 

Mooresville was the first town incorporated in Alabama in 1818. It’s one of the most intact historic villages and despite its small size, there is a lot to see and do and it’s a beautiful place to explore. 

Swan House, Atlanta, Georgia

The house of Edward Inman designed by Phillip T Shiutze is a beautiful example of Neoclassic architecture. Walking around the rooms you get a real feel of how the wealthy lived in the 1920s. 

It’s a house that might seem familiar to some of you as it featured as President Snow’s mansion in the Hunger Games. It’s listed on the national register of historic places.

This a beautiful house with some incredible garden and is well worth a visit. One of the historical sites in the south in Georgia for your itinerary.

Henry Clay’s Estate, Lexington, Kentucky  

The home of one the most influential early politicians that really does deserve a visit. Henry Clay escaped here when Washington DC when things got too much for him. 

Clay represented Kentucky in both the Senate and the House and he was influential in pretty much every part of politics. He is most known for helping establish a national bank and liberating the South Americans from Spanish rule. Most feel he is one of the most underrated politicians. 

The house is open from March to December and there are walking tours around the house and you’re free to explore the gardens. This house is a place that celebrates his life and legacy.

 Ernest Hemingway’s Home- Key West, Florida

If you could think of a perfect home for a writer chances are a home similar to  Ernest Hemingway’s would come to mind. It’s a light airy home that is just beautiful 

The tropical setting is beautiful, the breezes running through the home heavenly and the views spectacular. It’s one of those Florida historic sites that everyone needs to visit.

It’s also a home full of unusual treasures collected by the writer.  The house is in the Frech colonial style and really is stunning. 

The house is also inhabited by dozens of cats known as Hemingway cats who are named after celebrities and over half are polydactyl.

Shiloh Indian Mounds – Tennessee

Located in the Shiloh National Military Park, Tenessee on the historic Shiloh battlefield is the Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark. Here lies the site of an 800-year old Native American Village. 

The mound consists of six rectangle platform mounds and an oval burial mound. This area was the centerpiece of what archaeologists call the Shiloh Chiefdom. 

These mounds are unique for a few reasons, first, they have never been plowed so kept their original pyramid shape. Secondly, cultural deposits and artifacts have stayed intact with no looting or damage. 

It’s also one of the few sites where surface remains of prehistoric houses can be seen. When it comes to ruins in the south they don’t get much older than this.

Baton Rouge National Cemetery – Louisiana

Established in 1868 as a resting place for Union soldiers killed during the Civil War this United States National Cemetery, Louisiana sits in just over 7 and ½ acres of land. 

The first graves were placed during the Civil War but the majority of graves here are from the bloody battles in this area.  Soldiers who died in Baton Rouge and the surrounding battlefields, including Plaquemine and Camden are buried here.

It became an official National Cemetery in 1867 when money was given to anyone who could identify a grave of a Union soldier so it could be reinterred in the cemetery.

Notable interments here are General Philemon Thomas, Lieutenant General Troy Houston Middleton, Aden and Emma King, and Levi S. Porter.

The Massachusetts Monument is also here. This monument memorializes the officers of the 31st and 41st Infantry and of the men from Massachusetts who lost their lives in the Department of the Gulf during the Civil War.

The cemetery contains a total of 2,936 graves, of which 494 contain the remains of unknown U.S. soldiers. The cematory is beautifully maintained and while it may be a somber place to visit it’s one of the important historical sites in the south.  

Beaver Bridge – Beaver, Arkansas

Known as the ‘Little Golden Date Bridge” Beaver Bridge takes Highway 187 traffic across the White River. 

The last suspension bridge of its type in the state the bridge was built in 1949 and is located in the little town of Beaver, Arkansas . 

The bridge is 554 feet long and 11 feet wide meaning it can only take traffic one way at a time.    

The bridge is a unique feature in the Ozarks and nestles among the mountains making for some beautiful photographs.

As you can see when it comes to historical sites in the south USA there are so many to choose from. Whichever of these famous sites in the southern USA you choose to visit we know you will have a great time.

Visit some of the ruins in the south or the historic forts in the south or take in the southern USA monuments and landmarks. Whatever you decide to do have a great vacation and come back and tell us all about it.

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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Florida!

17 Historical Sites in Florida You Must Visit

February 12, 2022 //  by  Florida Trippers

Are you looking for a list of the best historical sites in Florida to visit? If so, we have you covered with all the Florida historic sites.

There are a plethora of historical landmarks in Florida to visit . Starting at the southernmost point in the state, you will find historic fort just off shore in the Dry Tortugas, to historic sites in Florida near Miami like Vizcaya Villa, to National and State parks featuring ruins in Florida as well as historic plantation where you can learn the history of Florida.

Outdoor lovers and adventures can wander through gardens in Tampa and St. Pete, and learn about educational battles and inventions that shaped the state. You can learn about the history of the state from the time of Native Americans through Modern day. There is no shortage to explore here in Florida !

Fort De Soto

Fort De Soto Park is one of the historical sites in Saint Petersburg Florida. It features 7 miles of waterfront including several beaches , 7 miles of paved trails, two large swimming centers, and historic forts.

Named after the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto, this is one of the famous Florida monuments. Home to the Tocobaga Indigenous peoples from 1000 AD to 1500 AD. Spanish explorers came in 1528 but sadly all that remains are historic finds.

The forts at Fort De Soto were constructed in 1898 and the forts were completed in 1900.By the mid 1800’s, the five keys that make up Fort De Soto were used as fortification. Fort De Soto area of Florida was used as a military blockade for the Civil War.

There are over 230 campsites and picnic shelters, making it a great place to visit for a day trip or overnight stay from Tampa or Sand Key .

The entrance fee is $5 to enter for cars and is open daily from 7am to sundown. Making it one of the best places to catch a sunset over the Gulf.

Fort Zachary Taylor

One of most instagrammable historical sites in Florida, Fort Zachary Taylor is a beautiful beach just 2 miles from downtown Key West. You can explore 87-acre  Florida state park .

Fort Zachary pre dates the Civil War with its deep red brick walls, largest collection of Civil War cannons and gun ports along the covered archways . Along with the fort there several walking trails to explore, sunbathe at the beach and explore the fort.

The entrance fee to the park costs $6 and parking is free. And should be a must do on every visitors list in Key West .

Windley Key State Park

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park is one of the best historical sites in Florida to visit for those interested in geology.

Opened in 1908 it is one of the coolest State parks , it is made completely of fossilized coral ! The park was built on the quarry that was used to create famous Floridian Henry Flagler’s railroad. A transformational moment at the turn of the 19th century for Florida.

Located in Islamorada visitors can wander through ruins in Florida featuring old quarry equipment, walk along where the mine was, or take one of five self-guided tours that you can experience at your own pace!

The park is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, but is open Thursday through Monday. Admission is $2.50 and ranger led tours are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Bok Towers is one of the hidden gems that you must add to your bucket list of what to do in Florida! Opened in 1929, visitors can come from 8 am to 6 pm daily. Admission is $15 for adults and you can even bring your dog for $5! During the holiday season the garden decorated with lights!

Bok Towers is a 250 acer lush garden and bird sanctuary located in Lake Wales, Florida. Visitors can explore the myriad of Florida flora and fauna as you wander through the expansive garden on paved paths at one of the outdoor historical places in central Florida.

Castillo San Marco

It features a 205-foot tall Singing Tower with carillon bells that ring, and tower sits next to the reflection pool which creates a stunning view and also houses koi fish. If you’re feeling adventurous hike the Pine Ridge Trail to view the Pinewood Estate mansion.

Castillo San Marco is the oldest of the historic forts in Florida and is located in Saint Augustine . We consider this not only the  best National Park but the best Saint Augustine historcial site to visit.

This masonry fort is constructed of coquina stone and mortar and has been under control of several European countries. Built by the Spanish during the 23 years between 1672-1695 to control their empire from other European powers.

In 1763 with the Treaty of Paris, Castillo San Marcos was transferred to British control. It was returned to Spain in 1784 until Florida became a United States Territory in 1821.

Take a ranger led or guided tour and visit the soldiers rooms, the large interior courtyard, cannon firing, gun deck with amazing views of the city and more! You can catch a historic weapons demonstration every hour, weather permitting, check the castle’s website You can even visit here on a ghost tour !

Admission is $15 for those 16 and older , and free for those under 15. You can’t miss a visit to the most historic of cities in Florida.

Ringling Museum

Ringling Museum is one of the famous sites in Florida, located in Sarasota that you must visit !

What draws visors here is the beauty of the exterior of the Renaissance inspired pink complex. In the courtyard, a garden area flourishes with flowers and fountains, as well as bronze and stone casts of iconic sculptures like Michaelangelo’s David. If you plan to visit, don’t forget to check out our Tips For Visiting The Ringling Museum!

The Ringling Museum of Art houses the collection of circus co-founder John Ringling favorite artists from the Roman, Greek, Medieval, and Renaissance periods.

The  Ringling  has an entrance fee of $25 for adults. Reduced entrance rates are offered on Thursdays between 5 PM – 8 PM.

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Located in West Palm Beach , Henry Morrison Flagler museum is one the must see historic sites in Florida. This 75 room Gilded Age mansion was the private residence of Henry Flagler and features neoclassical architecture with an open-air courtyard, modeled after palaces in Europe.

Built in 1902, you can admire the marble floors and walls with hand painted murals on the ceiling and heavy gilding everywhere. Or sip high-tea in the courtyard. The museum features special exhibits from the 1865 to 1929 time period.

The Flagler Museum reigns as a must-see on any  Florida road trip itinerary ! Take a tour Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission starts at $18 and includes self-guided or Docent-led tours Tuesday through Friday at 11 am and 2 pm.

Henry B Plant Museum

Henry B Plant Museum is one of the Florida historic sites located in Tampa . Originally opened in 1891 by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant as the Tampa Bay Hotel , it is now part of the University of Tampa Campus.

The museum’s exhibits are centered around tourism from the Gilded Age in Tampa where you will learn about the lifestyle of the rich and famous guests. The railroad was at the center of the Tampa’s economy connecting it with various parts of the state.

Start your visit with the 14-minute video  The Tampa Bay Hotel: Florida’s First Magic Kingdom . Then as you wander you will be struck by the sheer opulence of the building, furnishings and sculptures all handpicked by Mr. and Mrs. Plant while in Europe.

On the 4th Friday of the month admission is free for Tampa’s cultural “ Fourth Friday “. If visiting on 3rd Thursday from 11 am to 11:30 they there is live music. And during Christmas time , guests may attend the annual Victorian Christmas Stroll, hosted by the hotel.

Visitors can  visit this Tampa historical site Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5pm and admission is $10 for Adults.

Vizcaya Museum

Overlooking the Biscayne Bay, Vizcaya is one of the gorgeous Florida monuments and landmarks  attraction to visit in Miami . It was the winter estate of the Late industrialist James Deering.

Because of its timeless Mediterranean-style architecture, a visit to the Vizcaya is like taking a tour through the Gilded Age. While there are 32 decorated rooms and 10 acres of gardens have been pristinely preserved, only the first floor is open to visitors.

Once you step out into the gardens, you’ll be transported to Europe, and see why it made our list of historical places to visit in Florida !

The gardens will transport you back to Italy and France in the 17th and 18th century . Low hedges in geometric patterns divide the garden into a series of rooms. With sculptures made of porous coral stone throughout the gardens.

The Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is open on Thursdays through Monday from 9 AM – 4:30 PM. Admission is $22 for adults.

Saint Pete Sunken Gardens

The Sunken Gardens is one of the outdoor historic sites in St Petersburg Florida . We have put together tips for visiting here as it is one of our favorite places to visit on a hot summer day to during the winter. It is the perfect day trip from Tampa .

The gardens are over 100 years old, with over 50,000 native and exotic plants and animals from all around the world. Best of all it is one of Florida historic sites that is ADA-accessible. With wide paved paths wind through waterfalls, tropical environments, bird habitats, koi pound and the 22 Chilean flamingos!

There is plenty of shade in the gardens and places to stop and relax and enjoy the view on the 1.5 hour way.

You can visit the St. Pete Sunken Gardens from 10am to 4:30pm Monday through Saturday and 12 noon to 4:30pm on Sunday and admission is only $12, or if you are local a yearly family membership is just $100!

Edison and Ford Winter Estates

If you are looking for historic sites in Fort Myers to visit while in Florida, head to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates . A visit here will transport museum goers back to the turn of the century and how American life looked for two influential men.

Explore the 20 acer botanical gardens with 1,700 plants from six continents including a rare plant Moonlight garden.

The laboratory showcases Edison Botanic Research , and the 15,000 sq foot museum or you can take a tour of Edison and Ford’s historic homes. Inside the homes you will catch a glimpse inside the lives of the two men with model cars and electric experiments, as well as innovation gallery.

Tickets are $25 for adults, and you can talk a daily self-guided tour from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Or take a historian group tour for $30.

Fort Mose Historic State Park

Fort Mose is one of the most significant waterfront historic state parks. If you want to learn about the history behind free-slave settlement that preserves the history and educates visitors this is a must visit. Located in St. Augustine, it is open daily 9 am to 5 pm and is free to visit.

The museum ($2 entrance fee) here is a must visit for those looking for an educational and interactive learning about the first free African settlement in the entire United States. It was settled in 1738 by the Spanish for runaway slaves. While the structures are long past gone, you can sand on the land and feel the history behind the area.

On the first Saturday of the month the Fort Mose Militia trains for battle with weapon demonstrations with muskets from the era. Since 1994, it has been on the Florida’s Black Heritage Trail historic landmark list.

Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve

Located in Jacksonville , the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve is one of the historical places in Florida.

The 46,000-acre preserve is steeped in history over a 6,000 year period. This preserve is located on the Atlantic Coast is another of the free historical sites in Florida to visit! You can learn the history of the Timucuan Indian tribe, European Settlement, and Civil war.

Fort Caroline National Memorial is a memorial named after the French King, Charles IX. What makes this Preserve so important is its historical importance: it was the first contact between Timucuan and European settlers!

The Kingsley Plantation is located on nearby Fort George Island. Named after Zephaniah Kingsley who resided from 1814 to 1830s. Home to 60 enslaved labors, and his wife, who was a former slave you will learn all about life for the enslaved laborers here.

Eden Garden State Park

 Eden Gardens State Park is one of the Florida historical sites, that doubles as one of the historic plantations in Florida with Wesley Mansion. A trip here will transport you back in time to the Bridgerton era! Located near Panama City , the gardens and historic mansion needs to be on your list.

The center piece of Eden Gardens State Park is Wesley Mansion which was built in 1897. You can tour the mansion and the beautiful surrounding gardens with a large canopy of oak trees . As you wander through the home you will see American and European decor dating back to the 1700’s. It is the perfect place to pack a picnic lunch and relax under the trees.

Entrance fee is $4 for car, and it is open 8 am until sunset all year. The house is closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays, but other days you can take a 45 minute tour for $4.

Dade Battlefield

A visit to the Dade Battlefield will allow visitors to experience the history behind Dade’s battle in 1835 during the American Indian War.

If visiting during January, the park recreates the iconic battle. Spend the da in either rate Seminole camp or solider camps, vendors, canon firing and historical arts and crafts.

This is where by 1832 tensions had reached a boring point when Seminoles refused to move off the land. In 1835 the Seminole warriors ambushed soldiers led by General Dade though the area and started the second Seminole war.

Coral Castle

Coral Castle isn’t actually made out of Coral and isn’t actually a castle , it’s still one of the ruins in Florida to explore just south of Miami .

The construction has been compared to the likes on Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Egypt, because the exact method the builder Edward Leedskalnin used to make this magnificent castle is still unknown! It took him almost thirty years to build, starting in 1923 and finishing just after 1950.

More than 1,000 tonnes of limestone was constructed into various different shapes such as a crescent moon, a sundial, tables and chairs and many more! Surrounded by a rock garden carved out of coral feature beautiful bougainvillea trees and rocking chairs made from carved coral stone.

Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas is one of the best National Parks in Florida . Often considered one of the best day trip Key West historical sites, it can be accessed by sea plane or boat charter. There are seven islands in the 100 square mile National Park, named by explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513.

It became one of the off-coast historical sites in Florida in 1993 when it was registered as a historical landmarks in Florida. The only tropical reef in the United States and the third-largest in the world is located at Dry Tortugas . Snorkeling or S cuba Diving  here is a must!

Also home to the famous 19th Century Fort named Fort Jefferson after the 3rd US President, Thomas Jefferson. The entrance fee is $15 and a the pass is good for 7 days. It is a great primitive camping area at just $15 a night especially for those looking to  stargaze.

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[…] is likely one of the springs close to Orlando set within the Ocala National Forest, which can be an archaeological site. Remains of a significant freshwater Timucuan Indian settlement are evident in shell mounds […]

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History Hit Story of England: Making of a Nation

30 of London’s Most Famous Historical Attractions

Londinium, the big smoke, the great wen: london has experienced its fair share of change over its 2000-year history. here's our pick of some of the british capital's most famous historic sites to visit today..

Lucy Davidson

07 sep 2021, @lucejuiceluce.

Founded by the Romans in 43AD, London initially became an important city in Roman Britain . Although little remains from this period, some ruins remain, including parts of the Roman walls and the remains of a Roman theatre. After the Romans departed, the city’s influence waned until the site was refortified by Alfred the Great . The Norman conquest saw the city become increasingly important until it was established as the capital of England – a fact reflected by the many royal palaces and homes which still exist today.

Much of London’s history speaks for itself, with a wealth of historic sites providing an insight into the lives that thousands of years of Londoners have led. Here’s our pick of 30 of the most famous attractions – from Buckingham Palace to Highgate Cemetery – which you shouldn’t miss.

1. British Museum

The British Museum is one of the world’s foremost museums of history and anthropology. The museum has some of the largest and most revered collections from around the globe ranging from Babylonian stonework and Samurai armour to pottery and glass from the Roman Empire .

Three hour and children’s’ itineraries are available on the museum’s website and at the museum itself. Alternatively, free audio guides are available or visitors can book a highlights tour in advance for a fee, which take place daily. You can book this online or by calling the museum.

2. London Mithraeum

In September 1954 during the construction of a huge new office block for insurance firm Legal & General, builders discovered a Roman temple which sat on the banks of the long-lost River Walbrook (now a City of London street), an ancient tributary of the Thames and source of fresh water, vital to the running of the Roman city of Londinium.

The good news is that the owners of the original location of the temple, media behemoth Bloomberg have brought the temple back to life by way of ‘an innovative museum experience that will change the way we encounter archaeology.’ The resultant experience is both fascinating and superbly presented and definitely one to visit.

3. Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament or ‘Palace of Westminster’ is where both houses of the UK Parliament are located. Originally part of the great royal palace that had been home to English monarchs for over 500 years, Westminster Palace became the home of parliament in the 16th century after reign of King Henry VIII , when Henry moved the royal family out of the Palace of Westminster following a fire.

The original Westminster Palace burned down in 1834, and the building you see today is the result of the subsequent rebuilding by Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. The iconic clock tower, housing Big Ben, is probably the most famous part of this building and the complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site .

4. The Tower of London

The Tower of London, originally known as the White Tower, was commissioned by the first Norman king, William the Conqueror and work on it was underway by the 1070s. It was designed as a fortress-stronghold, a role that remained unchanged right up until the late 19th century. There is a great deal to see and do at the Tower: the beefeaters, ravens, site of the menagerie and just walking around it to soak up the history. Allow plenty of time for your visit.

5. Highgate Cemetery

Highgate Cemetery is a graveyard in London where the famous philosopher and political economist Karl Marx is buried. It is also the burial site of several other prominent people, including several novelists, artists, political activists and professionals. A list of famous internments can be found on Highgate Cemetery’s website. Guided tours of the East Cemetery, where Marx is interned, take place on the first Saturday of each month starting at 2:15pm and last around an hour.

6. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is an iconic medieval structure and the site of many historic royal and national events, from coronations and weddings to burials and even deaths. Centrally located in London, Westminster Abbey was first constructed in the eleventh century by King Edward the Confessor , a Saxon king who dedicated this new church to St Peter.

To have an informed visit and to see the most interesting parts of the abbey, take a tour, as just wandering around can be overwhelming. Poets’ corner is one of the main attractions, it being the burial site of many prominent non-royal figures. One of the other most impressive sites is the Coronation Chair, produced in 1300-1301 under the orders of King Edward I . Its purpose was to accommodate the Stone of Scone, which the king had brought from Scotland .

7. Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum is dedicated to exploring worldwide conflicts throughout history. The exhibitions in the London Imperial War Museum cover, amongst other things, different aspects of the First and Second World Wars including military history, the Holocaust , women’s roles in the conflicts, wartime artwork and the political issues of the time.

The Imperial War Museum is particularly child-friendly, with temporary exhibitions such as a reconstruction of a World War I trench.

8. London Roman Wall

The London Roman Wall was built between around 190 and 220 AD and stretched for about three miles from Blackfriars to Tower Hill. This defensive wall protected what was then the important Roman city of Londinium. Prior to the building of the London Roman Wall, Londinium already had a fort, parts of which were now incorporated into the new wall.

Over the centuries, most of the London Roman Wall has been obscured by medieval additions and other development. However, there are some well-preserved parts which can still be seen today. The map highlights one of the more prominent remaining sections of the London Roman Wall, that at Tower Hill.

9. Cabinet War Rooms

The Cabinet War Rooms are part of the underground bunker complex in London where Winston Churchill and his government operated during World War Two. The Cabinet War Rooms were left untouched from 1945, when they were no longer needed, until the 1980s when they were restored and opened to the public.

Those which are open today include the cabinet war room, where Churchill’s war cabinet met, Churchill’s office, and his bedroom. This underground office block even included a canteen and a hospital. Visitors should allow at least 90 minutes to savour the atmosphere of this iconic Second World War site.

10. Kew Palace

Kew Palace was built around 1631 by merchant Samuel Fortrey. The 17th century palace is noted for its distinctive decorative brickwork and gables, and it is the oldest surviving building in the Kew botanical gardens .

The Palace was opened to the public in 1898. The ground and first floor rooms at Kew have been restored to reflect the Georgian era, while the second floor has remained untouched.

11. HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser ship that played a role in both World War II and the Korean War. It is now open to the public in London under the remit of the Imperial War Museum. Launched in March 1938, HMS Belfast was commissioned by the Royal Navy in 1939, not long before the outbreak of World War II.

During the war, HMS Belfast took part in the blockade on Germany , patrolling northern waters from the Scapa Flow naval base in Orkney , among many other roles. HMS Belfast’s next wartime role would occur in the 1950s, during the Korean War, where she was one of the first ships to go into action to support American and South Korean Troops. HMS Belfast was involved in a few peacetime missions before finally being taken to London in 1971.

12. Jewel Tower

Originally part of the medieval Westminster Palace, the Jewel Tower was built in 1365 to hold the riches of Edward III , earning it the name of the ‘King’s Privy Wardrobe’. Following a fire in 1834, the Jewel Tower and Westminster Hall were the only buildings of the palace to survive.

Today, the Jewel Tower is open to the public under the remit of English Heritage. Visitors to the Jewel Tower can view its fourteenth century vault, an exhibition about Parliament’s history and view the remains of its medieval moat and quay. A visit usually lasts around half an hour.

13. 10 Downing Street

10 Downing Street in London has been the residence of every British Prime Minister since 1730, when it was presented to Sir Robert Walpole. Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister, and architect William Kent converted the three existing buildings of 10 Downing Street into a single large one, known collectively by its now famous address, connected to each other by what is known as Treasury Passage.

Since that time, 10 Downing Street has been the location from which Prime Ministers have run the country and entertained heads of state and governments from around the world. 10 Downing Street’s iconic black door hides a warren of offices and state rooms as well as numerous conference rooms, dining rooms, private apartments, kitchens and cellars.

Over the years, 10 Downing Street has undergone renovations and modernisations to bring it into the 21st Century. It is not possible to tour 10 Downing Street, except of course by invitation, although the official website does have a virtual tour. There are also several audio files available on the Downing Street website detailing the building’s history and that of its residents.

14. Banqueting House

The Banqueting House in Whitehall, near Horseguards Parade, is the only complete building of the Palace of Whitehall to remain standing. The original Palace of Whitehall was acquired from Cardinal Wolsey by Henry VIII and was a royal residence until James I came to the throne in 1603.

From 1654 until 1658, the Palace of Whitehall was the home of the revolutionary and statesman, Oliver Cromwell . After the restoration of King Charles II to the throne in 1660, the Palace of Whitehall once again became the royal residence and the Banqueting House once again was used for its original purpose. In 1698, a huge fire burned Whitehall Palace to the ground. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to convert the Banqueting House into a chapel to replace the one destroyed in the fire.

15. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of Britain’s monarchs since 1837, at the start of the reign of Queen Victoria . With its 775 rooms, Buckingham Palace was originally built for the Dukes of Buckingham at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

In 1761, Buckingham Palace, then known as Buckingham House, was acquired by George III who rechristened it “The Queen’s Residence” and had it remodeled by Sir William Chambers. When the building passed to George IV , he continued the renovations, and, from 1826 under the remit of architect John Nash, began transforming Buckingham Palace into the building with which we are familiar today. These changes took around 75 years to implement. The first monarch to actually live there was Queen Victoria. Today, Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II.

16. Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace is a medieval palace once favoured by Henry VIII which has served as everything from a royal residence to a prison . In 1514, Thomas Wolsey , soon to be made cardinal, leased Hampton Court for a period of 99 years. He began rebuilding on a grand scale, converting Hampton Court into a lavish palace.

Upon the fall of Wolsey, Henry VIII took Hampton Court Palace for himself. Henry set about further renovation of Hampton Court Palace, rebuilding and extending the existing palace, at a staggering cost of over £60,000. The palace was used as a country retreat by Edward VI and Mary I . Elizabeth I used it as a venue for diplomacy and Hampton Court Palace was also used by James I, but none of them altered the buildings to any great extent.

17. Kensington Palace

Originally built for the Earl of Nottingham, Kensington Palace was acquired by King William III in 1689, after he and his wife, Mary II , had taken the throne from her father, James II . They employed Christopher Wren to rebuild and improve it.

Other monarchs enjoyed the atmosphere at Kensington Palace. These included Queen Anne , Mary’s sister, and her husband Prince George of Denmark. Her successor to the British throne, George I, had new state rooms built, and Queen Caroline, wife of George II, had the gardens laid out. In the time of George III, Kensington Palace ceased to be the monarch’s residence, and it housed some of the more minor Royals.

18. Nelson’s Column

Nelson’s Column is a tribute to one of the great men in British history: Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson , victor of many naval battles, including the Battle of Trafalgar (hence the name of the square). Constructed in the nineteenth century, Nelson’s Column commemorates the death of this iconic figure.

Nelson’s Column is the best known of the statues in Trafalgar Square. One plinth still awaits a permanent tenant, and is currently used for a series of exhibits by British artists.

19. Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace is a spectacular Art Deco palace built in the 1930’s alongside a 15th Century medieval hall. The Great Hall of Eltham Palace is still extant and was originally built for the Yorkist king Edward IV in the 1470s and his grandson, Henry VIII, spent much of his childhood here.

However, the ‘new build’ at Eltham Palace, dating from the 1930s is a wonderful example of Art Deco. When Stephen and Virginia Courtauld built their 1930s Art Deco mansion beside the Great Hall of medieval Eltham Palace, they created a masterpiece of 20th century design.

20. Tower Bridge

The impetus to build Tower Bridge began gaining momentum in 1876, when it was decided that there was a need for a bridge to the east of London Bridge to accommodate the increasing commercial development in that part of the city. A competition was launched for the design of this new bridge, as a result of which city architect Horace Jones and engineer John Wolfe Barry were chosen to collaborate on the project.

Tower Bridge was opened in 1894 by the then Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). The walkways, much used by the population, were closed to the public from 1910 to 1982 as many ‘undesirables’ were using it. They were reopened in 1982 and now Tower Bridge offers a wonderful exhibition on its structure and engineering.

21. Battle of Barnet

The Battle of Barnet took place on the 14th of April 1471 and was one of the most decisive and bloody encounters of the Wars of the Roses .

There is little left of the battlefield now, but there is a monument on the A1000 road, which gives as good a view as any of the battlefield, which is now agricultural land, with little in the way of public footpaths. Like many of these medieval battlefields, the actual site is disputed, and is always under review.

22. The London Royal Air Force Museum

The Royal Air Force Museum (RAF Museum) in Hendon in North London has a series of exhibitions dedicated to the history of the RAF and aviation in general. Housing a fantastic collection of over 100 aircraft, the RAF museum has an impressive selection of planes including some of the most famous to have ever graced the skies.

Also on show at the London Royal Air Force Museum are a series of objects and structures from throughout the history of aviation, such as two World War I hangars, a World War II Battle of Britain exhibition and a timeline of aviation history.

23. Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum, better known as the V and A, in London is one of the world’s most prominent museums of design and decorative art.

Housing a vast array of items from around the world and throughout history, including Ancient Chinese art, Indian sculptures and medieval and renaissance masterpieces, the millions of artefacts and works displayed by the Victoria And Albert Museum span a period of over 3,000 years.

24. Big Ben

Big Ben is often thought to be the name of the iconic clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. In fact, ‘Big Ben’ is the nickname of one of the bells of this clock tower, originally called the Great Bell. It is unclear exactly where the name Big Ben originated, although it is thought that it was probably named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the man in charge of commissioning the structure. Another popular, although less likely, theory is that it was named after Ben Caunt, a champion heavyweight boxer of the mid nineteenth century.

In any event, most people now think of the whole of the clock tower as Big Ben. The clock tower of Big Ben was begun in 1843 and completed in 1859, while the clock was completed later that year and first sounded its bells on 7 September.

25. Kenwood House

Kenwood House is a picturesque historic stately home in North London run by English Heritage. Initially built in the seventeenth century, Kenwood House subsequently underwent a renovation in the mid-eighteenth century.

Today, Kenwood House is famous for its summer concerts, held in its extensive gardens. It also houses an impressive art collection, including works by Vermeer, Constable and Rembrandt to name a few.

26. Apsley House

Apsley House was the home of one of Britain’s most heroic figures, Arthur Wellesley better known as the Duke of Wellington. In fact, Wellington lived there following his most famous victory, that over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Named after the Baron Apsley, who originally built it in the 1770s, Apsley House came to be owned by the Wellesley family in 1807. The Wellesleys extended and altered Apsley House, transforming it into the building we see today. Now managed by the English Heritage, Apsley House has a range of worthwhile things to see, such as its remarkable regency interiors and exhibits relating to the Duke of Wellington. There are many things at Apsley House which belonged to the Duke, including his impressive art collection, much of which once formed part of the Spanish Royal Collection and which includes pieces by several famous artists such as Canova and Velazquez.

27. Fenton House

Fenton House in Hampstead in North London was built in the seventeenth century and has since remained almost entirely unchanged. It is unclear who built Fenton House, but it has been continuously occupied over the period of three hundred years.

Today, Fenton House and its gardens are managed by the National Trust and the house includes exhibits of, amongst other things, porcelain and early keyboard instruments.

28. St James’s Palace

St James’s Palace has been the official residence of the British Sovereign since the reign of King Henry VIII. In fact, it was under Henry VIII that the redbrick Tudor structure of St James’s Palace was begun in 1531 on the former site of a hospital. It was mostly completed by 1536. Much of this original work remains today, including a gatehouse, parts of the state rooms and the Chapel Royal.

With its status of royal residence, St James’s Palace has played host to many an important event. Amongst these was the death of Henry VIII’s illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy in 1536, the signing of the treaty of the surrender of Calais by Mary Tudor in 1558 and the births and baptisms of numerous future monarchs such as Charles II, James II, Mary II and James Francis Edward Stuart.

29. Clarence House

Clarence House has been the London residence of several members of the British royal family and is now the home of the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Built from 1825 to 1827 next to St James’s Palace, the prime location of Clarence House has made it the perfect place for royals to call home. The first member of the monarchy to live there was King William IV.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother moved in in 1953 and resided there for almost fifty years. Meanwhile, a newlywed Queen Elizabeth II also lived at Clarence House with The Duke of Edinburgh for a time in 1947.

30. Ham House

An opulent 17th century mansion, Ham House in London was once a bustling political playground for the courtiers of the Stuart dynasty from the reign of James I to Charles II.

Built by Sir Thomas Vavasour in 1610, Ham House epitomised the great competition for the favour of kings which was rampant during the seventeenth century and was often the battleground for courtiers competing for influence and power. In a time of intrigue and rivalry the material wealth of Ham House, still seen in the impressive collection of original furnishings and textiles, gives visitors a first-hand understanding of just what wonders were at stake for the glitterati of the English court.

Historical Tours & Trips in USA

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10 best Historical USA tour packages

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Tastes and Sounds of the South (10 Days)

Rhythms of the south (11 days), niagara falls, washington dc, philadelphia & amish country 4d/3n (from new york), usa: dallas to miami (10 days), los angeles, las vegas, and the grand canyon, east coast explorer: 8-day group tour of new york, boston & washington dc adventure, the big texan adventure, rhythms of the road (including hammond), historic highlights (8 days, washington dc airport and post trip hotel transfer), georgia history trail to nashville.

“The tour was so interesting as it was all about the history of music and the origins of country, blues, rock and soul.” Lisa Shaw, traveled in October 2019

• Coach / Bus
• Sightseeing
• Pay homage to the King at Sun Studios in Graceland
• Venture through the beating heart of America's Music City
• Dance through the streets at the birthplace of Rock n Roll

“The optional tours were well worth visiting. Got a very good insight into the music scene.” Michaela Sowden, traveled in October 2018

• Dance the night away to old classics in Nashville
• Explore the home of the King of Rock in Graceland
• Revel in the pure beauty of the antebellum estates

“I was blown away by the culture and nature of this part of the world. The whole trip was great.” Iris Lundstrom, traveled in April 2019

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Tourists taking part in ‘Temple Run challenge’ at historic Cambodian Unesco site receive backlash

Conservationists and academics have condemned the trend as a ‘disaster waiting to happen’, article bookmarked.

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Tourists have sparked debate after filming themselves sprinting around a Unesco World Heritage site in Cambodia as part of the ‘ Temple Run in real life’ trend.

Videos are gaining millions of views on social media of people running and jumping around the symbolic archaeological site of Angkor in Cambodia.

Angkor contains the remains of different capitals of the Khmer Empire spanning over hundreds of years and includes the famous temple complex of Angkor Wat , where tourists are visiting and filming videos recreating a popular mobile game.

The videos are an ode to Temple Run , a video game by Imangi Studios that has been a popular download since it was released in 2011, prompting many spin-offs. The main premise of the game is to guide an explorer around a temple while animals chase them as they run, duck, and jump through an obstacle course of ruins and ancient trees.

A series of TikTok videos have been created throughout this year, following tourists pretending to be in the game and running around the archaeological site, jumping off and sprinting up various parts of the remains.

While many people in the comments of these viral videos are praising the TikTokers for visiting Cambodia and sharing it on their platform, some conservationists and organisations have spoken out about the trend’s disruptive nature.

A Unesco spokesperson told The Independent that while social media trends can help out a destination’s tourism industry, it can also exacerbate issues of overtourism.

“Social media trends can threaten the sustainability of tourism by encouraging a high volume of visitors to congregate in specific areas,” the spokespersons said.

“Moreover, the obsession with capturing and posting the perfect video can detract from the authentic travel experience, reducing engagement with the cultural and historical significance of a place.”

“This loss of significance, essential to the existence of a cultural or natural site, is of concern for Unesco. It is the identity and history of the communities, who are the first custodians of the property, that can be impacted.

“Unesco urges visitors to approach these sites with respect and curiosity, encourages them to take the time to really experience the unique culture and heritage of destinations and to remember that their actions have an impact on the preservation of these sites and the wellbeing of communities surrounding the sites,” they added.

Conservation consultant Simon Warrack told Bloomberg : “It’s not just potential damage to the stones by people bumping into them and falling or knocking things over — which is real, but it’s also damage to the spiritual and cultural value of the temples.”

Others have also commented that the site is important to Cambodian heritage and is not just a tourist attraction.

“Tourists have been doing silly things at Angkor for years,” Alison Carter, an archaeology professor at the University of Oregon specialising in Southeast Asia, told Business Insider .

“People often forget that Angkor Wat and other Angkorian temple sites are places of living cultural heritage for Cambodian people," she added. “If one wouldn’t do something in a church or a mosque, they shouldn’t do it in an Angkorian temple.”

Andy Brouwer, a film producer and research consultant in the region, also noted that running around the sites could put them at risk of an accident.

"Allowing people to run through the temple, jumping up and down, is a combined accident and disaster waiting to happen,” he told the outlet.

However, not everyone has interpreted the ‘ Temple Run in real life’ trend as a bad or disruptive phenomenon, as in the comments of those viral videos, some praised the creators for promoting the site and Cambodia’s tourism opportunities.

“Fantastic, I am coming in a few weeks to do more videos there to promote tourism in beautiful Cambodia,” a user wrote under one video.

“Thank you so much for coming to Cambodia,” another wrote, while someone else said, “Wow, so amazing and thank you so much [for] sharing Cambodia.”

Other videos are also filled with users in the comments praising the creators for visiting and promoting Cambodia. The country is still recovering from the hit its tourism industry took from Covid-19, the Khmer Times reports.

In June, a parkour group visited the ancient Italian city of Matera, also a World Heritage site, when one free runner caused a segment of a historic building to fall off, sending him and the piece crashing to the floor.

Tourist damage and disruption happen all over the globe. In June, two people were also seen on social media smashing ancient and federally protected red rock formations in a national park in Nevada, while last year, there was widespread outrage w hen a tourist was caught carving his name into Rome’s Colosseum .

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Nicholas Kristof

Forget the Yacht. The Best Travel Is on Foot, Through Wilderness.

By Nicholas Kristof

Opinion Columnist reporting from Mount Hood, Ore.

Some folks think the best way to travel is by private jet. Or yacht. My choice: by foot.

Some think that the best thing about America is its wealth, technology and modernity. Others point to its Democratic institutions. But I’m with the writer Wallace Stegner that America’s “best idea” is our spectacular inheritance of public lands — purple mountain majesties — amounting to about 40 percent of our nation. As Stegner said of our national parks: “Absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best.”

Some people worship in a church, others in a temple or mosque. I attend the cathedral of the wilderness, for among wildflowers in an alpine meadow we can all connect to something grander than ourselves.

I don’t want to overromanticize the wild; my cathedral has no thermostat, so it’s always too cold or too hot, and it can be filled with mosquitoes. But wilderness still fills me with semireligious awe.

The 17th-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza argued that God and nature were the same, and perhaps in an age of declining religious practice some can find in nature another kind of higher power to be inspired by. Like religion, wild spaces teach us humility and patience (certainly mosquitoes do). Wilderness puts us in our place, calms us, soothes our souls. Like prayer or meditation, walking through the wild gives us an opportunity to detach, to reflect, to self-correct.

So here I am in my alpine cathedral on the slopes of Mount Hood in Oregon, marking the end of summer with my wife, Sheryl WuDunn, as we backpack on the Timberline Trail. My family hikes this loop around the mountain almost every year.

We cowboy camp, without a tent — if rain seems likely we set up a small tarp — and fall asleep watching shooting stars. Then we rise with the first orange rays of the sun: A sunrise serves as caffeine. We stow our sleeping bags and hike, with no schedule or plan. When we’re tired, we rest and eat. When we’re thirsty, we stop at a rushing creek and fill a water bottle with snowmelt. When dusk approaches, we find a flat patch of ground and lay out our sleeping bags.

As we walk, we ponder. What I’m pondering is how lucky we are that our forebears more than a century ago — prophetic leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot — fought industrial interests and succeeded in preserving wild spaces for our public use in 2024, and our great-great-grandchildren’s use in 2124.

The original model for America was to privatize nearly all land, so by one analysis only about 15 percent of New York State is now publicly owned. But over time in newer states, with champions like Roosevelt, national parks and forests were created and more state and city lands set aside as well.

Today a majority of the land in states like Oregon, California, Idaho and Nevada is held by the public. Alaska is an extreme example: About 85 percent of Alaska is set aside for the common good.

I can’t help thinking that if we were to allocate land in today’s more calculating age, America might make a different choice and sell pristine spaces to the highest bidder, perhaps with naming rights to mountains and rivers. This might be Mount Musk, and we’d be outside the fence wistfully exchanging stories of the glaciers on a billionaire’s playground.

Perhaps that would be more efficient. Private landowners might do a better job controlling forest fires than the government. But what a loss for the nation.

On our first night out on this trip, Sheryl and I found a spot under soaring fir trees beside a babbling brook, as the mountain and its glaciers loomed over us. During the night, some large animal, perhaps Bigfoot, woke us by crashing through the brush, adding priceless atmospherics.

This was a spot that no billionaire could buy. It was ours that night, perhaps some other hiker’s the next night, and maybe on the third night Bigfoot had it all to himself. In our shared wilderness, there are no tiers of pricing as at Disneyland; we are all equal before the majesty of nature.

In some parts of America, private beaches are the playgrounds of the affluent. But Oregon beaches are all public, so earlier in the summer my family backpacked on the Oregon Coast Trail, which meanders from Washington to California along deserted beaches (and forced us once, when we miscalculated the tides, to make a run for it around a small cape to avoid the waves). Those glorious beaches are mine, are yours, are ours .

In many ways, America is a class society. Rich and poor live in different neighborhoods, shop at different stores, send kids to different schools and inhabit different worlds. But one place of true democracy is on our public lands.

My daughter and I hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada over six years ( best parenting I ever did ), and the trail was the most egalitarian space I’ve seen. We met C.E.O.s, nurses, construction laborers and students, with none of the usual cues to judge status. We all stank.

In the course of writing a recent memoir , I came to realize that I probably had suffered a mild case of PTSD from covering too many wars and massacres. It was in this same period that I developed a passion for backpacking, and I suspect that I unconsciously prescribed myself wilderness therapy to heal.

It works. I see wild spaces as a place to think, to escape cellphones and editors (sorry, boss!), to connect with loved ones, to be dazzled and humbled by the vastness of space and the slowness of geologic time, to escape class divides, to purge ourselves of frustrations and political toxicity, to bare our souls, to be recharged.

Thank God for America’s best idea.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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Nicholas Kristof became a columnist for The Times Opinion desk in 2001 and has won two Pulitzer Prizes. His new memoir is “ Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life .” @ NickKristof

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Historian untangles how women’s hair changed american history.

A woman’s hair is more than something that merely covers her head.

Little girls learn this early. At least I did. I watched my mother color her gray roots over the bathroom sink, pomade her short crop, hide her frizz under a hat. I suffered as she combed out my knotted tresses and sat still as she wove my mane into a French braid.

It seemed that hair held some kind of secret power — that it did more than just make one more attractive or beautiful.

Art historian Elizabeth L. Block noticed this, too. Her fascinating new book, “ Beyond Vanity: The History and Power of Hairdressing ” (MIT Press, out Tuesday), untangles the importance of hair in women’s lives — emotionally, economically, socially and politically. 

Block is a senior editor of the publications and editorial department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has spent the past 15 years studying portraits of women from the 19th century by American painters like John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt.

But while historians have long analyzed the clothing depicted in these paintings, they’ve largely ignored the coiffures.

“Hair always comes last,” Block told The Post. “And I just couldn’t understand why, because women spend so much time on it!” 

“Beyond Vanity” focuses on hair practices in the US from about 1865 to 1900, a time of rapid growth, industrialization, the building of railroads and increasing freedoms — which brought enormous changes for women and their manes.

“I read a lot of women’s journals and letters [from the era], and sure, they’re talking about clothes, they’re talking about child-rearing, but they’re talking a lot about hair,” Block said.

“Beyond Vanity” shows that hair had enormous consequences. Letting your hair down in public could get you ostracized from society, but a good head of hair could land you a husband or job. Black women were routinely punished for their hair; former slave Louisa Picquet had her lustrous locks sheared when they provoked the jealousy of the master’s white daughter.

“Women definitely knew the value of their hair,” Block said. 

So ladies singed their split ends with candles and smeared egg yolks on their tresses. They spent hours air-drying their hair in the sun (as was recommended).

Women and girls of all classes and races — including in slaves’ quarters — braided and brushed one another’s manes. Some enslaved women donned brightly colored headwraps, to assert their own identity and dignity in the face of such dehumanization.

After the Civil War, several changes supercharged the hair industry, said Block: the building of railroads (which made the world “a little bit smaller”), the unprecedented wealth industrialization brought (which led the nouveau riche to throw fancy balls), the invention of the bicycle (which gave women unprecedented freedom and mobility), and the explosion of color print production. 

Photos of actresses such as the flame-haired Sandra Bernhardt sparked hair trends.

Gilded Age partygoers spent hours fussing over their outlandish hairdos for galas, which were like stages and breathtakingly covered by the press. (Block mentioned a taxidermied kitten headdress that one socialite, the eccentric Kate Fearing Strong, wore to a Vanderbilt ball.) Advertising flourished, and “hair rooms,” hairdressers, and hair products proliferated the market. 

Hair gave women economic and social mobility. Some opened their own salons or worked as independent dressers. One black entrepreneur, Christina Carteaux Bannister, hosted community events and abolitionist gatherings at her hair shops in Boston and Providence, RI, and made enough money to bankroll her husband’s landscape painting career.

Madame C,J. Walker became the first black millionairess with her products made specifically for textured African-American hair. 

And hair styles also helped blur class and racial lines. The black journalist Ida B Wells sported the same Gibson Girl updo as her white peers. Shopgirls and socialites donned identical styles. The “New Woman” hastily pinned her hair into a loose bouffant, regardless of status. These new coiffures made working and playing easier — whether scrubbing scalps, riding a bicycle, or swimming at the beach.

“Women were entering public life more, and entering the workplace,” Block said. “So their hairstyles and clothing needed to reflect the need for increased movement.”

Attitudes toward hair have largely relaxed in the past 125 years. Yet hair still has the power to beguile, to frustrate, to provoke, to assert one’s individuality and place in the world.

The global hair care industry is valued at $91.2 billion . But it goes deeper too. In 2022, women in Iran cut their hair in public to protest the death of the young woman Mahsa Amini, after she was arrested by the morality police due to her slipping headscarf.

In the US, Block noted, 24 states have passed the Crown Act, which prohibits schools and workplaces from discriminating against individuals based on the way they wear their hair.

“Hair is a part of all of our lives,” Block said. “It’s a common material, but with uncommon abilities and powers resonant within it.”

“In a lot of ways, this book is about women’s history,” she added. “It’s about women’s lives, and it’s a love letter to hairdressers.”

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Uswnt legend alex morgan’s farewell game set for historic broadcast.

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Alex Morgan addresses the media ahead of her farewell match on Sunday. (Photo by Orlando ... [+] Ramirez/Getty Images)

U.S. women’s soccer legend Alex Morgan’s farewell match on Sunday, featuring San Diego Wave FC against the North Carolina Courage, is set to be the first women’s sporting event shown across multiple outlets simultaneously in the United States.

Morgan announced in a social media post on Thursday that she will retire from professional soccer, ending her 15-year illustrious career which saw her win two FIFA Women’s World Cups (2015 and 2019) and an Olympic gold medal (2012) with the USWNT.

The 35-year-old, who is pregnant with her second child, will play her final match on Sunday at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, as the Wave host the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Alex Morgan celebrates with the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup trophy and the Silver Boot Award in ... [+] Lyon, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The match was initially scheduled to air on NWSL+ and Paramount+, but the league announced on Friday that it will also be shown on CBS Sports Network, Prime Video, ESPN2, and ESPN+. The game is due to kick off at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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“Alex Morgan has had an immeasurable impact on both the NWSL and the global soccer community, and she has inspired generations of players and fans around the world,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman.

“We are so grateful to CBS Sports for helping to elevate the league and for always being amazing partners and recognizing the pivotal moment to allow for this unprecedented broadcast to happen, as well as to Prime Video and ESPN for their partnership in celebrating a true sports legend.

“Our partners coming together to celebrate Alex is an event that speaks volumes about the power of sports and female athletes to unite fans everywhere. Alex couldn’t be more deserving of this moment,” Berman added.

Alex Morgan of the San Diego Wave FC poses with her MVP trophy and the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup at ... [+] Red Bull Arena on March 15, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. The San Diego Wave FC defeated the NY/NJ Gotham FC 1-0 to win the NWSL Challenge Cup. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Forward Morgan has been part of the American top-tier league since its inception in 2013, scoring 60 career goals during her stints with the San Diego Wave, Orlando Pride, and Portland Thorns.

She also won the 2022 NWSL Golden Boot winner with 15 goals and guided Portland to the first-ever NWSL Championship in 2013.

Away from the U.S., Morgan played for French club Lyon and won the league, the French Cup and the UEFA Champions League with them in the 2016-17 season. She also had a brief stint at English side Tottenham Hotspur.

Alex Morgan kisses the UEFA Women's Champions League Trophy in 2017. (Photo by Ashley Crowden - ... [+] CameraSport via Getty Images)

A two-time U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, Morgan played 224 matches for the national team (the ninth all-time), registering 123 goals (fifth all-time) and 53 assists (ninth all-time).

Morgan’s final game with the U.S. was on June 4, 2024 against South Korea in a friendly. She was not part of the squad that won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics .

Off the field, Morgan has been a trailblazer for equal pay and equal treatment of women in sport.

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