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| Photo: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation |
Be enlightened and entertained on a summer getaway to see America’s treasures.
- Boston, MA
- Nantucket, MA
- Plymouth, MA
- Washington, DC
- Williamsburg, VA
- Shenandoah National Park, VA
- Lake George, NY
- New York City, NY
Summer is the time for long holiday weekends and spur-of-the-moment vacations. Whether you want outdoor adventure, a quiet retreat or days of sightseeing, it’s a time to pick up and go when the spirit moves you. Fireworks and cookouts remind us of our country’s rich history and ignite our desire to see the country. Here are some great places to explore this summer, where history and fun collide to make memories that last a lifetime.
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| Boston’s Public Garden Photo: Tim Grafft/MOTT |
Boston is a city rich in history and beautiful architecture, where you can relive famous moments in America’s journey to independence along Boston’s Freedom Trail. The self-guided walking tour includes Faneuil Hall Marketplace, where you can tour the famed hall for a history lesson, watch street performers, and eat and shop. The trail also includes Paul Revere’s house, the Old North Church and the U.S.S. Constitution.
On July 4th itself, take in spectacular fireworks overlooking the Charles River accompanied by the Boston Pops Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Bring a lawn chair and make a day of it as the city swells with patriotic visitors and locals alike.
Nothing says summer like a ball game. See the famous “Green Monster” at Fenway Park, the oldest Major League baseball stadium in the country, and be sure to get a Fenway frankfurter.
Perhaps the best way to spend a summer day in the city is strolling along the streets of the Back Bay with the flowers in bloom. Have a picnic alongside the Swan Boats in the Public Garden. Wander down Marlborough Street for a glimpse at the upscale historic brownstones, or sit on the banks of the Charles River and watch the row boats and sailboats glide by.
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| Brant Point Lighthouse on Nantucket Island Photo: © Kindra Clineff |
While there are many quaint New England towns on Cape Cod (Falmouth, Hyannis, Chatham), Nantucket Island off the coast truly embodies a real slice of Americana.
A whaling town in the mid-1700s to early 1800s, Nantucket is now a beach haven for Northeastern vacationers. With its lighthouses and weathered clapboard homes, Nantucket takes you back to a simpler time. The main transportation here is bicycles, and the way of life is casual and easygoing. Shop the boutiques in town, visit the beach, or explore the island bike trails. As you enjoy the spectacular views and beaches, reminisce about the classic summer movie Jaws, which was filmed on the neighboring island of Martha’s Vineyard.
Since the island is only accessible by boat or plane, you’re truly transported to a different time and place as you step off the ferry from Hyannis.
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| Re-enactors demonstrate sewing techniques at Plimoth Plantation. Photo: Tim Grafft/MOTT |
After a couple of days in the city, continue your tour of American history in Plymouth, a quintessential New England town. Here you can see Plymouth Rock, where some of our country’s first settlers landed after their perilous voyage on the Mayflower.
Meander along Water Street with an ice cream cone while you watch the boats on the waterfront. Take a tour of the Mayflower II, a replica of the historic ship, with live actors as your ship’s crew and tour guides. And enjoy fried clams or New England’s famous lobster roll at the Lobster Hut on the waterfront.
Plymouth is home to beaches and parks as well as historical sites like Plimouth Plantation, an interactive museum where the daily life of pilgrims is re-enacted. Miles Standish State Park offers an array of outdoor activities, including camping and nature trails. Head south to Buzzards Bay, where you can sit and watch the boats go by on the Cape Cod Canal while you eat amazing New England seafood across the street at the Seafood Shanty.
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| Tulips bloom near Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Photo: Destination DC |
With so much going on in our nation’s capital, there’s always something new to do. See an IMAX movie at the Smithsonian Museum, sit on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, walk through the serene U.S. Botanic Garden, or just have a picnic and take a stroll along the National Mall. Hit the Old Post Office Pavilion just off the Mall for live music, dining, shopping and free daily tours to the top of the Clock Tower for an amazing 360-degree view.
At night, reflect at the lights of the Vietnam or Korean War memorials, and the next day head to Georgetown for dining and shopping, or spend a day outside the city at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia.
Interactive Colonial Williamsburg draws millions of visitors each year for a glimpse into the lives of colonial Americans. Step back in time as you explore the streets of the restored first American city and experience living history as re-enactors portray English settlers and American revolutionaries.
Catch a fife and drums performance, skin an animal hide, participate in a live performance, or try some old-fashioned ginger ale. Take a day to visit the colonial settlement of Jamestown, or learn how the British surrendered to Washington at Yorktown.
When you’re ready to cut loose after all that history, kick up the adrenaline on the roller coasters at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Escape from civilization to the majestic mountains of Shenandoah National Park. Get in touch with America the Beautiful as you experience for yourself the pristine beauty of cascading waterfalls, white-tailed deer and some of our country’s most spectacular views. Take a leisurely trip along Skyline Drive, where you can pull over for stunning photo ops, or cross paths with black bears, wild turkey and deer. Enjoy camping, biking, fishing or hiking on the famous Appalachian Trail. Shenandoah National Park has more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Earn your merit badge convening with nature this summer as you explore this land of the beautiful.
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Leave the world behind you and get in touch with nature in Lake George. Located at the base of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George boasts an array of summer activities. Whether you want a relaxing ride on a steamboat, the thrills of whitewater rafting, or a family day at a water park, there’s something for everyone. Go hiking, enjoy incredible views of the mountains, or just relax on the beaches, basking in the serenity of the lake.
Celebrate Independence Day weekly with fireworks every Thursday in July and August at Lake George Village. Head north, where Lake George runs into beautiful Lake Champlain, and experience the history of Fort Ticonderoga, a popular destination. The site of the first American victory of the Revolutionary War, the fort includes tours, a museum and live re-enactments.
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| One of New York City’s most familiar icons: the Brooklyn Bridge Photo: Alexandra Neuber |
Sure, there’s Times Square and Broadway, but New York City boasts its own symbols of freedom that succeed in transporting you from the hustle and bustle to the reverent.
The best way to observe the Statue of Liberty is from the free Staten Island Ferry. Join local New Yorkers on their commute and get incredible skyline views of Manhattan as well as pictures of the majestic Lady Liberty.
Go up to the financial district for a visit to the 9/11 Memorial. Stand at the spot of the former World Trade Center buildings, and watch the activity on the surrounding streets as New Yorkers and tourists alike go about their daily business just as they did on that fateful morning. It’s impossible not to be moved.