6 Historical Vacations Every History Buff Should Take In The Northeast
Tour through these destinations to learn the stories behind some of America’s most historic landmarks
When in Washington, D.C., be sure to check out the African American Civil War Memorial. Photo Credit: @peterhershey
Calling all history buffs: No other region in the United States captures the spirit of the events that shaped our nation quite like the Northeast. From Massachusetts’ Plymouth Rock to Maryland’s Civil War battlegrounds, this part of the country is packed with must-see landmarks that are the things memorable historical vacations are made of. Below are six destinations—some popular, some lesser-known—that all history enthusiasts should add to their bucket list.
Remember brave soldiers in Washington, D.C.
There are many historical sites and monuments in Washington, D.C., but don’t miss the African American Civil War Memorial, which commemorates the African-American troops who fought in the Civil War. Watch videos, see clothing displays, gaze at photographs and check out the weapons used during the war. You can even trace your lineage and see if you might be connected to any Civil War soldiers.
See the birthplace of the national anthem in Maryland
Watching the flag as it graced the skies above Baltimore, Maryland’s, Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, American lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key was moved to write The Star-Spangled Banner. Check out a replica of the flag Key observed on September 14, 1814, at the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Formerly the home and business place of Mary Pickersgill, who sewed the flag Key wrote about, the museum now showcases many early 19th century objects that belonged to the Young-Pickersgill family. Take part in plenty of interactive activities—see if you can hoist the flag’s weight—as well as special programs throughout the year.
Let freedom ring in Pennsylvania
See the Liberty Bell—and its famous crack—in Philadelphia.
Famous for its thick crack running down the side, Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell is one of our country’s most iconic symbols of freedom. From its tower in the Pennsylvania State House, the bell first called local lawmakers like Benjamin Franklin to meetings, where they’d “talk Politicks,” as Franklin wrote in 1755.
Today, you’ll find the bronze relic in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historic Park. While there, check out the Liberty Bell Center, where you can learn about the history of the bell and how it became a symbol of freedom during the 1830s. Admission is free, but hours vary seasonally, so check ahead.
Visit a Civil War armory in New York
Just 35 miles north of Albany, New York, stands the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs. This former 1889 armory displays more than 10,000 uniforms, weapons, artillery pieces and art from the Civil War to the present. You’ll see the largest collection of state battle flags in the country and the largest collection of Civil War flags in the world. The library within the museum also includes more than 2,300 Civil War photographs and a collection of Civil War-era newspaper clippings.
Relive colonial life in Massachusetts
Step back in time on the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
At Plimoth Plantation’s living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, you and your family have the opportunity to experience colony life as it was during the 17th century. See the history of Plymouth Colony from the perspective of both the Pilgrims and the Native Wampanoag people, whose populations topped 40,000 in the 1600s. Visit a Wampanoag homesite, where Native people from Wampanoag or other Native Nations dress in historically accurate deerskin clothing. Then check out the Craft Center, where you can watch locals make porcupine headdresses, tools and cabinets. Plimoth Plantation is open from the second Saturday in March through the end of November.
Journey along the Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania
Washington, Pennsylvania, fondly known as “Little Washington” to distinguish itself from our nation’s capital, is home to Pennsylvania's first National Historic Landmark of the Underground Railroad. Join a tour of Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne’s stately 1812 home, where runaway slaves often found refuge as they made the treacherous journey north to Canada and, ultimately, their freedom.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Albany, Plymouth, Washington.
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