Some people choose travel destinations because of the climate, while others focus on the activities they can enjoy. Recreational enthusiasts might prefer places to go surfing, while history buffs may be more interested in visiting famous historical landmarks.
Historical landmarks include places where significant historical events occurred. They also include sites occupied by people hundreds or thousands of years ago. Let’s look at some of the best vacation destinations for history buffs in the United States and around the globe.
The U.S. has its share of historical sites.
Some of the most famous historical sites in the U.S. feature Civil War battlefields. Vicksburg, Mississippi, is known as the Key to the South. History buffs can visit Vicksburg National Military Park and learn about the Campaign for Vicksburg, which led to a siege lasting from May 18 to July 4, 1863. Vickburg’s strategic location on the Mississippi River made it an enticing target for Union armies. The siege ended when Confederate troops surrendered the day after the Union victory in Gettysburg.
Mississippi’s also an excellent destination for music and literary history buffs. Mississippi was the birthplace of famous musicians such as Elvis Presley and B.B. King and the birthplace of Blues. Visitors can travel the Blues Trail, visiting the birth sites of famous Blues musicians and places they performed. The Mississippi Writers Trail marks locations significant to the literary figures from the state, including William Faulkner.
New York is another excellent U.S. destination for history buffs. One of the nation’s oldest cities is Albany, New York, and historical sites throughout The Empire State include mansions and museums. The Statue of Liberty has stood in Upper New York Bay since 1886, and tourists can visit the grounds and the museum. NYC’s been home to some of the best theaters in the world since the late 1700s, and taking in a show on Broadway’s a great way to acknowledge the city’s rich theater history.
There are many notable historic sites outside the United States.
Established in 1608, Quebec City is the second-oldest city in Canada. Quebec City’s narrow streets and stone buildings are evidence of its rich history. Visitors can visit the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a hotel operating since 1893, and the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec, built in the 1600s. History buffs can also tour the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site and learn about conflicts between the French and British settlers.
While Quebec enjoys warm temperatures in the summer, visitors in the fall, winter, and spring months will want to plan for cool temperatures. Some of the best women’s outerwear options include vests, which can be layered over long-sleeve T-shirts and sweaters. You may prefer a denim jacket if you’re visiting closer to summer, but fleece and water-repellent jackets are ideal for winter. Match your vest or jacket with jeans or khakis, and be sure to pack comfortable footwear suitable for touring historical sites.
Mexico’s historical sites include the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, which are over a thousand years old. Teotihuacan’s over two thousand years old and predates the Aztec Empire. Mexico City was built over parts of Tenochtitlan, although some Tenochtitlan sites remain. Visitors heading to Mexico City can tour Chapultepec Castle, which was built in the 1700s. Those who can’t get enough of Aztec history can also check out Templo Mayor and El Tepozteco, another Aztec temple. You can also set foot where the Mayans walked by touring the pyramids at Uxmal.
European history’s on display in every country. A trip to Rome offers a chance to see the Colosseum, where Roman gladiators fought before Rome’s leaders. Across the Mediterranean, a trip to Tunisia offers a chance to see the Colosseum at El Jem. Other African countries with significant historical sites include Egypt, which is home to the pyramids, and Libya, home to the ancient city of Leptis Magna.
The best vacation destinations for history buffs include sites in the United States and around the globe. History buffs can visit ancient ruins and cities, and sites where significant historical events occurred, such as the locations of Civil War battles.
