There are many themes you can use to organize your trip and see most of the country in the process. History buffs, for instance, can choose from a variety of different locations and travel across the US while experiencing its history firsthand.
Our list contains locations important to the national history of different ages and it’s by no means a comprehensive list. An enthusiast for a certain era or historic figure could easily find a dozen more places to visit, that relate to their interest in particular.
The Alamo
Alamo, San Antonio in Texas is one of the most famous landmarks in the state and probably in the country as a whole. It’s where the famous Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836. A small regiment of Texas independence fighters stood their ground for 13 days after which it was overwhelmed by a much larger Mexican army.
It’s also a good place to visit if you want to learn more about Texas, its various rulers, as well as the local church that became famous after the battle. Visitors coming to Texas from abroad need to obtain an international permit issued by the International Drivers Association. There are self-guided tours as well as those run by professional guides.
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond used to be the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War and now it’s home to one of the best museums dedicated to it. The museum tries to tell the story of America’s deadliest conflict from all sides.
The museum includes items and stories originating from both soldiers and civilians from both sides of the conflict. There are also guided tours that focus on the role of women during the war, as well as on the experience of enslaved African Americans.
Boston Tea Party Museum
Boston was the center of the American Revolution and there’s no shortage of historic sites to visit in Massachusetts. Few, however, are more important than the ships on which the revolution began. The museum dedicated to the Boston Tea Party tells the story of colonial America and the events leading up to the revolution itself.
The most fascinating object you can see for yourself is probably the Robison Tea chest – an actual chest from the Tea Party in 1773. It’s one of those that wasn’t thrown into the water in the process.
Capitol Building
Capitol Building alongside the White House is one of those rare historic sites, that is both the museum and the working office of the Nation’s legislature. Guided tours can take through the most important parts of the building such as the Rotunda and the Crypt.
Some also get to see the Galleries of the Senate and the House, but that requires a written note from a senator. If you do get one, you can observe the session in action. The building itself is a stunning work of art heavily inspired by Greek and Roman architecture.
Ellis Island
Ellis Island used to be the first thing immigrants saw when they entered the US. It became the iconic site that was associated with the US and the promise it represented to generations of immigrants trying their luck in their new country. Now, it’s a museum dedicated to immigration and immigrants that passed through the island.
It also features the American Family Immigration History Center where you can trace the lineage of your own family. From 1892 to 1924 more than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Islands and it’s estimated that they have up to 100 million descendants at this point.
Graceland
Rock and roll is an essential part of American history and culture, and arguably one that has shaped the world more than any other American cultural accomplishment. Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee was Elvis’s mansion and now it’s a museum dedicated to the life and work of the King of Rock.
It also features a collection of automobiles owned by Elvis and if you’re a fan of the old-timer car chances are this will be your favorite part of the exhibit. Memphis isn’t famous for Elvis alone, it was also the hometown of Johnny Cash and BB King and you should pay a visit to those historic sites as well.
There are many other important sites that have played a role in long and complex American history. A road trip is a great way to visit them all since such trips in themselves are a great American tradition going back generations since before highways became parts of the landscape.