50 Best Historical Sites To Visit In America

The United States of America is a young country, but even in its relatively short history, the nation has had an incredibly engaging story to tell — some told by Indigenous peoples, some by people from other places who voyaged to the New World. The U.S. is a vast country with an incredible number of historic and stunning places that tell us the story of this place and its people, from the inspirational to the devastating to the absolutely fascinating. 

We've compiled a list of 50 of the best historical sites in America, including national landmarks, places of historical significance, museums, galleries, memorials, centers of learning, and more. While reading about U.S. history in a school textbook might not have hooked you on the subject, it's different when you're standing in the actual spots where history occurred. Imagine taking in the same views as thousands of immigrants did when they first touched American soil, or seeing the Pueblo cliff dwellings, or visiting the ships of the Boston Tea Party. Whether you're a serious history buff or not, these historical sites in America help to tell the nation's story — a story that's anything but boring. 

The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is the most-visited tourist attraction in the Lone Star State. The mission and fortress was the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, at which a small garrison of Texas independence fighters was finally overwhelmed by a much larger Mexican army after a 13-day siege. Today, visitors can take guided or self-guided tours of the mission to learn more about the church, the various rulers of Texas, the Texas Revolution, and the defenders of the Alamo, including famed pioneer Davey Crockett.

A 15-minute ferry ride from San Francisco, California, takes visitors to Alcatraz Island. On this 22-acre island, you can visit the former fort and federal prison, which is said to be one of the most haunted places in the world. Here, you can learn about military history and the infamous escapes from Alcatraz. The island also features exhibits on the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz Island by American Indian activists and information about the island's topography.

The American Civil War was a complicated conflict that somehow Americans still can't agree on today. The American Civil War Museum in Richmond, Virginia, attempts to tell the story of the Civil War from all sides of the battle. Voices from soldiers and civilians both Confederate and Union are represented. The museum's main exhibition, "A People's Contest: Struggles for Nation and Freedom in Civil War America" also includes narratives from the eyes of women, enslaved African-Americans, Native Americans, and others.

The Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, features over 400,000 graves of American soldiers, both those who died in battle and those who retired and died later of other causes. Every American should see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is the final resting place for unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Every hour in the summer (and half-hour in cooler months), there is a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, complete with a moving ceremony. Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of John F. Kennedy, William Howard Taft, the space shuttle Challenger's crew, as well as 4,000 former slaves buried in a section of land known as Freedman's Village, which was Arlington's first free neighborhood.

Betsy Ross (1752-1836) was an upholsterer who was thought to have created the first American flag. While many historians dismiss this claim, it's been a part of American lore for a long time. That said, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, tells more than just this small piece — true or not — of her story.  You can view artifacts and historical documents, take an audio tour of the building, and chat with costumed interpreters, including Betsy Ross herself.

At the time of this writing, you can also join a "Sip and Stitch," which includes having a drink while learning needlework techniques of the time period, or take the "Spooky Twilight Tour" on Fridays during October to learn about Philly's darker past.

There's no shortage of historic things to see in Boston, Massachusetts, as it's one of the best U.S. cities for history buffs, but the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is an absolute must-see. The museum itself tells the story of the events that happened leading up to the American Revolution, and you'll see a colonial town meeting in action and can "dump the tea" on the ship. The Boston Museum features perhaps one of the most fascinating objects from this era of American history, the Robinson Tea Chest, the only known remaining tea chest from the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

One of the first monuments in the United States, the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston, Massachusetts, is actually on Breed's Hill, which is where the misnamed Battle of Bunker Hill actually took place. Here, you'll hear a talk on why this costly British victory was a major turning point for the colonies during the Revolutionary War, and can learn about the soldier's weapon of choice, the musket.

César E. Chávez was a Latino civil rights leader whose family lost their farm in the 1930s during the Great Depression and had to become migrant farm workers. He founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers labor union, working to improve life, pay, and working conditions.

The César E. Chávez National Monument, which is part of the Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz property, centers around the home of the Chávez family and honors his work. The site covers 108 acres in the Tehachapi Mountains. The man himself is buried in the Memorial Garden, which you can visit. You can also check out the visitor's center and the desert garden, as well as take a virtual tour. (Some of the center is closed to visitors as it's still a working center.) 

If you've never experienced the living history museum at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, move it to the top of your list. There are 89 18th-century buildings to see, and you're not just looking at pictures in a museum. You're actually transported back into time while walking the streets. Employees dress in costume and go about their daily lives blacksmithing, sewing, and performing other tasks you would have encountered during the Colonial period. 

The ability to talk to people in a living history museum further immerses you in this historic town during a time of great change in America. Highlights include the Governor's Palace, the Wythe House, the Bruton Parish Church, and the Raleigh Tavern. You can watch people working in a print shop, meet a wigmaker, visit a cooperage (they make barrels), as well as take a ride in a carriage and even visit the jail. You'll also learn how America gained independence from Britain.

Widely considered to be the first-ever theme park, there's a surprising amount of history at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Disneyland changed the American amusement park forever thanks to its innovations in themed lands and technology. There are a number of original 1955 attractions still operating today, including Autopia, the Disneyland Railroad, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and the Storybook Land Canal Boats. History buffs should also be sure to see Abraham Lincoln himself tell his story in Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, featuring the first-ever animatronic from the 1964 New York World's Fair.

America would be nothing today without immigrants, and between 1892 and 1924, more than 12 million of them were processed at Ellis Island. Today, Ellis Island in New York, New York, is the home to a museum where you can see the plight and hope of these immigrants. Some 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry back to one of the aforementioned 12 million immigrants. At Ellis Island, you can visit the American Family Immigration History Center and try to trace your own family's heritage.

The site of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., will teach you about the impact of that singular, violent act as well as the rest of Lincoln's presidency. A museum at the theatre features a number of artifacts, including the weapons assassin John Wilkes Booth used to murder the 16th president. The theatre itself is also a stunning, historical venue, and live shows take place there regularly.

Opened in 1941, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York, was the first presidential library and continues to be a must-see for anyone interested in the presidency. FDR was the president during the Great Depression, the New Deal, and World War II, and his library features documents and self-guided exhibitions about that fascinating period of American history. You can also access Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's home, with a guided tour from a park ranger.

The Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path across downtown Boston, Massachusetts, features a great number of historical sites tied to the early history of the United States. Walk this trail (recommended from south to north) to see the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, the USS Constitution, and more sights. The Freedom Trail also includes the Granary Burying Ground, where the likes of Samuel Adams and Paul Revere are buried, as well as King's Chapel Burying Ground, where early pilgrims are buried.

Without Fort McHenry, there would be no "Star-Spangled Banner." During the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, the raising of the American flag over this battlefield inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the song that would become our national anthem. Today, you can visit the Fort McHenry National Monument and hear talks about the famous battles that took place at this Baltimore, Maryland, spot. You can also raise and lower replicas of the flag that inspired Key.

The Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie monument in Charleston, South Carolina, is the site of the first shots of the Civil War. Here, you can take a self-guided or ranger-led tour to learn about how slavery and sectionalism in the early history of the United States eventually led to the devastating Civil War. This educational spot is meant to be a reflective, historical, and contemplative place.

Learn the history of the family of our country's first president by visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon, Virginia. You can see the mansion, its stunning grounds, and even George Washington's distillery. Learn more about Washington and his history as a military general during the Revolutionary War at the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center. There are also important exhibits about the life of Martha Washington, slaves at Mount Vernon, and a moving wreath-laying ceremony at the Washingtons' tomb.

The Civil War comes alive in Gettysburg, the famous Pennsylvania battlefield where the U.S. Army repealed a Confederate invasion in the costliest battle of the war. Every weekend from April to October, Civil War living historians give demonstrations across the park to show how people of the time lived and fought. Gettysburg also hosts battle walks and campfire lectures throughout the summer. Visitors should also pay their respects at Gettysburg National Cemetery, where President Lincoln gave his stirring Gettysburg Address in tribute to those who fell in the battle.

Rock 'n' roll music is an integral part of the American story, and perhaps no artist has had as much impact as Elvis Presley. Today, his mansion Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, is a memorial to the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," and you can take an iPad-led tour of his mansion home. There's also Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum and a collection of Elvis' automobiles in Memphis. Of course, the musical history in this town doesn't begin and end with Elvis; while in Memphis, be sure to also visit the legendary Sun Studio, where B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and more recorded some of their biggest hits.

If you're looking for the most breathtaking views of America while you learn a thing or two about this country, look no further than the Grand Canyon. You can learn about the history of this Arizona wonder in the visitor's center on the South Rim. Here, you can watch a 20-minute movie about the canyon, see historic artifacts from the region, or sign up for a guided tour of the area. The Yavapai Geology Museum is nearby, as is the Tusayan Ruin and Museum, where you can learn about Puebloan Indian life.

The history of American transportation and invention is told at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan. Car culture is at the forefront of this museum; the Driving America exhibit is a must-see, with the first car built by Henry Ford and the history of the American automobile. Other fascinating artifacts at this museum include steam engines, Rosa Parks' Bus, Model T Fords, JFK's limo, and other presidential vehicles.

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is technically where U.S. history began, so any history buff should have this on their travel bucket list. At the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, you embark on a 40-minute guided tour where you see the Assembly Room as it actually was during the Constitutional Convention. An original draft of the Constitution is also a must-see.

For English settlers in America, history starts in 1607 in historic Jamestown, near Williamsburg, Virginia, which was the first permanent English colony in the New World. Adjacent to the archaeological site is a modern reconstruction of the Jamestown settlement. The living history museum illustrates the story of 17th-century Virginia through the experiences of the colonists. See recreations of the ships that brought the first settlers, a colonial fort, and a recreated Powhatan Indian Village.

If you have any interest in NASA and space, then Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, is a must-visit. Since 1968, Kennedy Space Center has been NASA's primary launch center. The facility still launches rockets every so often, which you can watch — and it really is a sight to behold. Even if there is no launch, you will see the launch site of the Apollo missions, including the famous Apollo 11 flight during which astronauts walked on the moon for the first time. This awe-inspiring center is one of the best things to do in Florida beyond Disney and the beach.

You can see the original state house Liberty Bell and its world-famous crack at the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to the big bronze bell, one of the most recognized symbols of America and its freedom, the Liberty Bell Center also features exhibits on the iconography of this bell, which has been featured on everything from stamps to ice cream molds, and X-ray views of the bell.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, is one of the country's most famous authors. He wrote quintessential American works, such as "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, is the Clemens family home and where Clemens wrote some of his most famous books. You can take a guided tour of the home, watch a Ken Burns documentary on Mark Twain, and see the adjacent museum.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia, features several buildings documenting the life and work of one of America's foremost civil rights activists. Learn about MLK's roots by seeing his childhood home and the church where he was baptized. His final resting place is also in this national park in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. This center also features exhibits on King, his wife Coretta Scott King, and Mahatma Gandhi. Be sure to stop by the visitor center, where you can see various exhibits of the Civil Rights Movement.

The Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is home to the incredible stone cliff homes built by the ancestral Pueblo people, who lived here for over 700 years, though other tribes had lived here for over 1,400 years. The national landmark is now a World Heritage Site that celebrates the cultural heritage of the many tribes who've called this area home. 

Along with attending various cultural dances and demonstrations, you can check out the Mesa Verde Museum, where you can watch a film about the history of the settlement and take an audio tour. 

Montpelier in Orange County, Virginia, was the plantation home of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. The estate features over eight miles of hiking trails and offers a variety of tours, most of which touch on the Constitution and on Madison as a man. Slavery was a huge part of Montpelier, and the former plantation does not hide or gloss over this fact. The permanent exhibition "The Mere Distinction of Color," curated by descendants of slaves who worked on the Madison family property, tells the story of slavery's impact on Virginia.

If you're interested in and respect former presidents, then Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota, is the tourist destination for you. The likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are carved into stone here. For history buffs, we recommend taking an audio tour and listening to the story of Mount Rushmore and how this American vision was brought to life.

If you're looking for one of the best history museums in America, look no further than the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. This museum has an expansive collection of Revolutionary War weapons, diaries, letters, and other personal items, telling human stories of a war that happened long ago. See a replica of the Boston Liberty Tree, where the first rumblings of revolt were discussed. Must-see items also include George Washington's tent, a 13-star flag, and a copy of the first newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence on July 6, 1776.

Built around the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination at the former Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, the National Civil Rights Museum tells the story of the search for civil rights in America from slavery in the 1600s to present day. This moving yet highly educational museum has over 260 artifacts, 40 films, and interactive exhibits that show the history of racism and resistance in America.

Some of the most famous monuments in America surround the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Head to this grassy field, where numerous famous protests and presidential inaugurations have occurred. After you soak in that sight, see the nearby monuments, which include the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, Washington Monument, Reflecting Pool, and more.

There are a lot of museums in Washington, D.C., so don't worry if you haven't been to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It's relatively new; it opened in September 2016. The museum highlights the culture and strength of African Americans but doesn't hide from the tragedies that they have faced during the country's short history. Must-see items include garments worn by slaves, a Bible owned by rebellion leader Nat Turner, and Emmett Till's glass-topped casket.

Any history buff could easily get lost in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Nearly 4 million people visit this Smithsonian-run institution annually. Exhibits here focus on every part of American history and culture, including entertainment, politics, science, and the military. Not-to-be-missed items on display include Julia Child's kitchen, the John Bull locomotive, the lunch counter at which the Greensboro civil rights sit-in took place, a display of first ladies' dresses, and the original flag that inspired the "Star Spangled Banner."

The rich culture of American Indian communities from the past and present is on display at the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum has two locations, one in Washington, D.C., and another in New York City. Both are definitely worth a visit, but the D.C. museum is an absolute must-see. This museum has one of the largest collections of Native American art and artifacts in the world, with over 800,000 items.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, is the official museum of the United States Air Force. This museum tells the story of military aviation through its collection of planes, missiles, and uniforms from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and more. The museum also tells the history of pioneers in flight, including Ohio's own Wright Brothers.

The National Portrait Gallery of the United States opened in 1968 and showcases the likenesses and stories of the people who have shaped America. No trip to this gallery would be complete without seeing the America's Presidents exhibit, which has the largest, most complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House. It's truly remarkable. The only museum in the country dedicated to portraiture, the gallery also features paintings of Benjamin Franklin, Michelle Obama, Martha Washington, and more.

The National September 11 Memorial Museum tells the story of the largest terrorist attack in American history. The highly informative, 110,000-square-foot museum tells the history of the World Trade Center before September 11, 2001, what happened on that fateful day, and how 9/11 changed the landscape of New York and the United States forever. The National September 11 Memorial features twin reflecting pools where the Twin Towers once stood. The names of the 2,977 people killed in the 9/11 attacks and the six victims of the 1993 terrorist attack at the World Trade Center are etched in bronze around the waterfalls. It's a somber yet important place for every American to visit.

Though it's along the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts, the Paul Revere House is worth a special stop. This 17th-century house is the oldest house in downtown Boston, which is already interesting enough, but this was also the actual home of Paul Revere during the American Revolution. Here, you can learn about this silversmith's role in the early days of the Revolution and what really happened during his famous midnight ride as he warned that the British were coming — without actually muttering that phrase.

While there are many stunning places to visit in Hawaii, if you're looking for American history, be sure to travel to Honolulu and visit Pearl Harbor. This National Historic Landmark actually features four different attractions, so plan for a whole day here. The USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri Memorial both commemorate those who lost their lives when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. You can also take a self-guided tour of the World War II submarine USS Bowfin and visit the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest city in America, and the Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is the first site in that city. Learn about Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon and the 1565 colony in St. Augustine. While in St. Augustine, explore beyond this park to take in the Spanish-style architecture and stop by the very unique Spanish Military Hospital Museum to see Spanish Colonial medical practices.

Jazz is arguably the American musical art form, and Preservation Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the home of jazz. This music venue, which has been open since the 1960s, has multiple shows nightly where you can see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. American history is also about culture, and the Cajun culture and the excitement of a big brass band is a must-do for those who have never seen real, live jazz, especially if you're unfamiliar with New Orleans' rich music history. 

We often think about the sacrifices that soldiers made on the battlefields of World War II, but what about those who stayed on the home front? Surely you're familiar with posters and images of Rosie the Riveter, a character who embodied women in the war effort, promising "We can do it." The Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park celebrates the women who took up all the jobs vacated by men on the front lines, the sacrifices made at home, and the social changes that came about after the war ended.

There were 6 million women in the workforce for the first time during that war, and people's lifestyles at home were defined by rationing, learning about casualties of friends and families, budding industries to tackle, and the development of childcare centers due to working mothers. At this national landmark, you can visit a range of permanent exhibits while celebrating the women who helped the war effort on the home front.

Formerly known as the National Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., tells the story of American history through its various art movements. Here, you'll see everything from modern folk art to impressionist paintings to paper sculpture. It's one of the largest collections of American art in the world and spans everything from colonial works to modern multimedia pieces.

Perhaps the most iconic symbol of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty in New York City is also a national park and museum you can visit, though advance tickets are highly recommended. After a ferry trip to Liberty Island, you'll be able to explore the lush green grounds around the statue. You can also access the pedestal and see a museum telling the story of how the Statue of Liberty was built and how it became such an icon. With an advance reservation, you can also step into the crown of Lady Liberty to see a truly stunning view of New York.

The immigrant story in New York City and the United States isn't always a glamorous one, and the Tenement Museum in Lower Manhattan, New York, tells that tale. You can see actual apartments that immigrants lived in and learn their stories. The Tenement Museum tells the history of people from a variety of backgrounds, including immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Poland, Greece, China, Puerto Rico and more.

Though the horrors of the Holocaust took place largely overseas, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum not only tells the international story but also the story from the American point of view and asks why very few Americans helped. Like other places on this list, this museum is a sobering yet important place for all Americans to visit and asks us to confront other modern genocides and instances of antisemitism.

At the Women's Rights National Historical Park, you can learn about the landmark Women's Rights Convention, which was held in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. The place celebrates early feminist leaders, as well as abolitionists and reformers from the time. You can take a look at the Declaration of Sentiments — a document that argued for the rights of women, which was signed by 68 women and 32 men and authored principally by Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

You can reflect on how far we've come (and still need to go) while touring the beautiful Declaration Park waterfall, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, and the M'Clintock House, where the important document was drafted. 

While hiking across Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park may not be every American history buff's idea of a good time, this 2.2-million-acre park has a storied history. It was designated as America's first national park by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872 and has numerous different ecosystems that tell the larger story of America's topography. Of course, be sure to see the erupting geyser Old Faithful, which goes off every 45 to 125 minutes. After you visit Yellowstone, you'll know why it's one of America's most popular tourist destinations.