The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate America’s birthday than by visiting one of these patriotic places? From famous landmarks to historic sites, these destinations are sure to make you feel proud to be an American!
Washington, DC
Our tour of national sites should begin in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. It is home to the White House, Capital Hill, and the Washington Monument. Of course, one should not forget the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You see America at its best, and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our country.
Boston
Boston is known as the “Cradle of American Freedom,” and the Freedom Trail is the place to go to get the full story. You can see the site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere's House, as well as the USS Constitution and Bunker Hill, where the American Revolution began.
New York
Since 1886, the Statue of Liberty has been a beacon of freedom for millions of immigrants arriving in New York Harbor. The tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free have succeeded in creating a new nation here and the greatest city on earth. September 11 is a reminder to us that we must always be vigilant and never forget the sacrifices they made. The September 11 Memorial and Museum will work to keep this memory alive.
Baltimore
Baltimore is another starting point for the American dream. From 1870 to 1920, more than a million immigrants entered the United States through the port of Baltimore. However, the city is not just a gateway; it is a brick wall that keeps the British out. The American national anthem was composed when Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry. To this day, we rejoice that the American flag still flies over the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Philadelphia
The City of Brotherly Love is home to many of our nation’s treasures including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Constitution Center, the President’s House, and Valley Forge. The winter of 1777 and 1778 left unforgettable images of suffering and sacrifice, from bloody, shoeless footprints in the snow to starving men shouting “We want meat.” However, that winter saw them transform from a decrepit army into a fighting force capable of liberating the colonies from the British.
Gettysburg
You can't talk about military sacrifice in Pennsylvania without mentioning the Battle of Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War and the site of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. With over 50,000 dead, it was the bloodiest battle in the bloodiest war in American history.
Saint Louis
America is just a nation of immigrants and patriots. It is the land of pioneers and dreamers. “Going West, Young Man” wasn't just a song. It was the spirit that spread our nation from sea to shining sea. St. Louis is home to the Gateway Arch, one of the most iconic symbols of the United States and a place where the pioneering spirit still thrives today.
New Orleans
The Louisiana Purchase nearly doubled the size of the United States, but America needed the War of 1812 to retain the territory. The Battle of New Orleans became a symbol of the triumph of American democracy over old European ideas of aristocracy and entitlement. Today, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans emphasizes the American experience in World War II, as they fought alongside the French and British to liberate Europe from Hitler’s tyranny.
Honolulu
Just west of Honolulu is Pearl Harbor, where the United States was suddenly attacked by the Japanese on “December 7, 1941, a date that will live forever.” 2,403 Americans were killed, 1,178 wounded, and half of the Pacific Fleet of battleships and cruisers was destroyed. Today, the USS Arizona Battleship Memorial is a somber reminder of the lives lost that day.
San Diego
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet moved to San Diego. San Diego is a very patriotic city, including the San Diego Air and Space Museum and the USS Midway Museum. It is also home to the Unconditional Surrender Statue that commemorates Japan's surrender to the United States.
More from Coleman Concierge:
Our Boston Freedom Trail guide and route map includes all 16 historic stops along its 2.5-mile route through Boston. We’ll give you the tools and tips you need to take your free walking tour. View our interactive map on Google Maps and follow along as history comes to life. This map is a must-have if you’re planning to walk the Freedom Trail.
The Complete Guide to Cycling in San Diego
I don't use superlatives often, but this is the ultimate guide to biking in San Diego. Having lived in Pacific Beach and biked thousands of miles there, I know the secret routes that connect San Diego's bike paths to bike paths and bike-friendly roads. Read on and discover that getting around San Diego by bike is as easy as riding a bike.
Hello! We are Jen and Ed Coleman, also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation Huntsville couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative, experiential, activity-based travel.
