Best Historical Cities to Visit in the US

The US has been shaped over and over again by a turbulent and remarkably diverse past. What’s more, the nation’s famed history is laid out in spectacular glory at every turn you take, nowhere more so than in our historical cities. True, Europe boasts a centuries-long and recognized past, but American history, which extends well beyond the New World’s discovery with its many ancient Native American civilizations, is compelling too.

In the past 400 years, America has woven a dynamic, complex, and controversial story. Our country is filled with cities of importance in terms of history and culture. Admire the grandeur of the centuries-old colonial architecture. Marvel at monuments, visit inspirational museum collections and study America’s evolution through its streets, homes, and landmarks.

For those who relish discovering a new place through its history, we’ve compiled a list of the US’s top 11 most historical cities. These destinations are brimming with heritage, culture, bizarre stories, and plenty of old-world appeals, each hiding a wealth of fascinating historical attractions waiting to be explored.

Plymouth, Massachusetts

The city houses museums, historic homes and places, and other monuments devoted to the Wampanoag American Indians. Visit Union Street that is a famous tourist attraction, to learn about the city’s historical culture.

Famous for being the birthplace of Thanksgiving, downtown is New England at its best, with colonial-styled bed-and-breakfasts and the historic quarters of sea captains lining its perfect streets.

Of course, your visit to Massachusetts can’t be complete without enjoying a warm cup of clam chowder, which you’ll find at the town’s many throwback-styled cafes and taverns.

Best Attraction: Plymouth Plantation- At the plantation, visitors can stroll through live reenactments portraying the daily life of both pilgrims and Native Americans, dressed in periodic clothing and speaking through a modern perspective of society 400 years ago.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston has been known as one of America’s most beautiful cities, and with its colonial-era architecture on full display, it isn’t hard to see why. At the start of the 19th century, Charleston had the country’s biggest Sephardic Jews population, and some of the earliest temples in the country can still be found in this city.

Also, be sure to visit the areas of former rice and indigo markets, which were some of the city’s most significant imports and businesses during the colonial era. A stroll down King Street provides numerous Southern outfitters for browsing, indulgent eateries, lively bars, and boutique hotels. This main street is often crowded, but a venture off to a side road will bring you into quieter avenues to find lots of hidden gems.

Best Attraction: Battery Park- This is home to rows of Antebellum-era mansions, vestiges of old money luxury on the southern end of Charleston’s peninsula. The park is at the tip of the neighborhood, a shaded oasis with cannons, statues, and a large veranda.

Williamsburg, Virginia

In 1699, this city became the Virginia Colony’s second capital (after Jamestown). It would serve as an early colonial center of learning, educating future Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe at its College of William and Mary.

While here, visitors will walk the same paths where the Founding Fathers once marched, serenaded by beating drums and fifes. You can watch theatrical revolutionary reenactments and wander through the halls of colonial manors.

Best Attraction: Colonial Williamsburg- Here, you will find an expert recreation of a colonial time. Shopkeepers, politicians, soldiers, and other townspeople greet visitors around the city, depicting real characters who once lived there. More than 20 guided tours around this historical location are all very informative, ranging in subject matter from ghosts to furniture. The most popular sites are the Governor’s Palace, once a symbol of British colonial power, Raleigh Tavern, a secret meeting place for talks of revolution, and the Capitol building, where Virginia voted for independence in 1776.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is an excellent place to learn about Texas state history, from its Native American occupation to colonial conquerings and the fight for independence. Locals have a strong sense of pride regarding their city’s history, and “Remember the Alamo” is a phrase still commonly heard.

Other historically significant sights to explore include the elegant San Fernando Cathedral, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, a handful of insightful museums, and the highly prized River Walk with historical treasures and authentic architecture.

Best Attraction: The Alamo- The Spanish government began setting up missions in the Americas in the 16th century to spread the catholic faith. However, the battle between Spain and the Republic of Mexico would lead to a decline for the missionaries in the late 18th century. These missionaries were all disbanded by 1824, and many of them were abandoned and left to rot during the 19th century. Thankfully, five of the missions around San Antonio have been preserved today by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Travelers mostly come here to see the Gettysburg Battlefield, the site of the bloodiest battle in the Civil War and a pivotal Union. But, this isn’t the only war that Gettysburg is tied to.

The Eisenhower National Historic Site examines the president’s life and Cold War participation as Eisenhower retired to Gettysburg.

On a different note, the town itself is full of mom-and-pop shops, antique stores, food tours, and countryside wineries.

Best Attraction: Gettysburg Battlefield- The turning-point battlefield is enshrined at the Gettysburg Military Park and honors the three-day battle with exhibits and guided tours. They also include a unique film narrated by Morgan Freeman. The David Wills House can be seen on the 6,000-acre home, where Lincoln finalized his famous Gettysburg Address. Devil’s Den is also a unique viewpoint where you can see the large boulders used as Union battle posts. An observatory deck here provides panoramic views of the field.

Boston, Massachusetts

The Freedom Trail takes travelers through Boston’s most important revolutionary sites, including the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere’s home, and the Old South Meeting House, where the Boston Tea Party began. Food should be on top of your mind when visiting Boston. Make sure to order some tasty lobster rolls and New England clam chowder.

Best Attraction: Boston Common- Besides being historic, it’s also picturesque. It is America’s oldest park and has the rich past to match. The plot of land originally belonged to Puritans and was used at first to graze livestock but later as the site of Puritanical punishments, whipping post included.

Today the Common is a bit brighter, offering activities like ice skating in the winter and outdoor theater shows on summer nights. The foliage here is fantastic during fall when striking reds, yellows, and oranges adorn the park. There are also many monuments in the park, including the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, devoted to the leader of the first all-black infantry of the Northeast, and the magnificent Brewer Fountain.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Surprisingly, most parts of the well-known and historical buildings you find in this extraordinary city are of Spanish ancestry regardless of its typical association with the French. The city was built in 1718 by the French Mississippi Company.

However, it was surrendered to Spain in 1763. The structures from the French Quarter, or Vieux Carre, were worked in the middle of the Spanish occupation. By 1801 the city ended up back in French hands just to be sold by Napoleon to the US in 1803 as a part of the Louisiana Purchase.

Best Attraction: Chalmette Battlefield- the Battle of New Orlean sites, which took place between the United States and Great Britain.
But you should also check out the Garden District, where the city’s upper classes began building their homes in 1832, thanks to the busy Mississippi River commerce and trade.

Washington DC, District of Columbia

Washington is the capital of America and is full of many historical places, so you might want to put on your walking shoes for this one! Enjoy your day by taking a guided tour to the White House, roaming around the Tidal Basin, and touring National Mall.

History fanatics can head to the Smithsonian National Museum of National History. This museum contains more than 145 million minerals, rocks, plants, animals, human remains, and human cultural artifacts. Art enthusiasts can head over to the art centers to enjoy some performing arts that have contributed to the cultural life of the US.

Best Attraction: Lincoln Memorial- This is a significant historical monument that is important to visit because of all of the nation-altering events on the site it occupies. The lawn has been the place of numerous protests and Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. And that’s in addition to, of course, the speeches Lincoln himself gave here. The memorial contains etched-in-stone transcripts of two of Abraham Lincoln’s most famous discourses, his inaugural speech, and the Gettysburg Address.

St. Augustine, Florida

Every corner of St. Augustine is filled with history. The oldest continuously occupied settlement in the U.S. has many captivating stories to tell. To start, in 1513, explorer Ponce de Leon came ashore nearby and named the land he found la Florida after Spain’s Easter celebration “Pascua Florida.” In 1586, Sir Francis Drake led a notorious and devastating raid against Spanish settlers.

The Colonial Quarter, on St. George in the downtown section, is divided into four main areas to represent the different colonial eras, the Spanish First City, Spanish Fortified Town, Spanish Garrison Town, and the British Colony.

Best Attraction: Castillo de San Marcos- This is the only remaining 17th-century fort in the country. This fort has become the city’s most loved tourist attraction. The fastest way to get to the monument is by foot or trolley from the Colonial Quarter. Visitors can watch a cannon-firing demonstration offered multiple times a day. Squint your eyes, and you MIGHT see three billowing white sails on the horizon!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As the nation’s former capital and the birthplace of American democracy, it’s hard to miss the city’s deep-seated importance in US history or its noteworthy sights.

Beyond the well-known displays, Philadelphia has more than its fair share of beautifully preserved colonial-era buildings, vintage row homes, and federal-style mansions, many of which can be found spread around its neighborhoods and surrounding hills.

If you need to recover from a busy day of sightseeing, occupy yourself in the city’s food and drink scene, making sure to sample the notable craft beer and famed Philly cheesesteak.

Best Attraction: Independence Hall- This building was the meeting place of the Second Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution was composed and signed here. It isn’t an exaggeration to call Independence Hall the birthplace of the United States. Not only is the building itself crucial, but the decisions and documents born here are some of the most impactful in US history, defining the structure of our government.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

One of the oldest sites in the United States, Santa Fe, was settled by the Spanish in the 15th century. The look hasn’t changed much in parts of the old city either. The area features Pueblo adobe architecture dating back to when Navajo Native Americans co-existed with the Spanish. Another historical site is the San Miguel Mission Church, also known as the San Miguel Chapel, which dates back to the 1600s.

Best Attraction: Historic Plaza- This is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, styled in traditional Spanish-American colonial cities. The plaza, or city square, was initially and is still the center gathering place of the town. Many call it “the heart of Santa Fe.” The landmark has grown into a playground for many tourists attracted to Spanish, Native American, and Mexican culture and includes music, design, jewelry, art, and dance. It is home to many annual celebrations, including Fiestas de Santa Fe, the Spanish Market, the Santa Fe Bandstand, and the Santa Fe Indian Market.

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