By Sandy Klim

A deep and abiding sense of patriotism brings millions of visitors to historic locations across America. They walk in the footsteps of our forefathers, who forged our independence and created a new and promising country.

Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston and Colonial Williamsburg are four exceptional vacation destinations offering visitors the opportunity to see history come to life.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is called the birthplace of the United States and is the largest city in Pennsylvania. It has many nicknames including “Quaker City,” “City of Brotherly Love,” and “Cradle of the Revolution.” William Penn, a prominent Quaker, planned out the city in 1682, which has been an important commercial, industrial and cultural center of the nation throughout its history.

One of Philadelphia’s most popular destinations is Independence National Park. This 45-acre area is often referred to as “the birthplace of our nation,” and provides visitors with dozens of wonderful historic attractions, including Independence Hall. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drafted here.

Stop by the glass-enclosed Liberty Bell, one of our nation’s most beloved patriotic icons. In the park, you’ll also find the country’s first post office and the area where Benjamin Franklin’s home once stood.

All of these historic sites are filled with wonderful colonial charm and details of the era. Don’t be surprised by the many costumed characters and re-enactments in the area. You just might have lunch next to Ben Franklin or see Betsy Ross putting the final touches on an American flag.

Getting around Philadelphia’s a breeze, with most attractions within a 20-minute walk from major hotels. Color-coded directional signs posted throughout downtown are known as Walk! Philadelphia, with accompanying maps to help pedestrians get around. Visitors to the new 50,000- square foot Independence Visitor Center will discover a host of information on things to see and do while in Philadelphia.

Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., became the capital of this country in 1790 after members of the First Congress accepted President George Washington’s proposal that the building rest near the banks of the Potomac River. Respected French engineer and architect Charles L’Enfant designed the original area with the focal point being the Capitol Building and presidential mansion, surrounded by a series of sweeping boulevards.

Today, Washington, D.C., is home to some of the country’s most beloved memorials, gardens, museums and government buildings. Many of these can be found in and around The Mall, a two-mile stretch of cherry trees, gardens and reflecting pools.

For many, a trip to Washington, D.C., wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the White House, the official residence of the President of the United States since 1800. Each First Lady has contributed to a continuing effort to refurbish the interior after it was gutted and reconstructed in the 1950s. Today, the White House is a showcase of decorative artwork and furnishings from the 19th century.

One of the most recognized buildings in Washington, D.C., is the Lincoln Memorial. The building was constructed with 36 classic Greek columns representing the Union at the time of Abraham Lincoln’s death.

Nearby is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a somber tribute consisting of two 2,150-foot walls of polished black granite. More than 58,000 names are listed, representing the U.S. men and women who were killed or missing in the Vietnam War. From 8 a.m. to midnight every day, there is someone to help you find the name of a friend or loved one on the memorial. Flashlights are provided after dark.

The Jefferson Memorial is situated at the southern side of The Mall, near the tidal basin. It is one of the city’s most picturesque landmarks. At its center is a towering 19-foot bronze portrait statue on a six-foot pedestal. The memorial was dedicated in 1943, marking the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birth. Excerpts from Jefferson’s writing are inscribed on panels within the memorial. The memorial gives visitors spectacular views, especially in the evening, when a blue halo crowns the building.

Washington, D.C., is a treasure-trove for history buffs. Other popular sites in our nation’s capital include: the J. Edgar Hoover Building, the National Museum of American History, the Capitol of the United States, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the National Air and Space Museum and the Smithsonian.

Boston, Massachusetts
Puritans seeking religious freedom in the New World officially founded historic Boston in 1620. Over the years, Boston has richly influenced cultural life in the United States and is widely known for its prestigious educational institutions, architecture and art organizations.

Today you can relive Boston’s famous past through the Boston National Historical Park, a group of sites that help visitors understand the ideals and history of the 18th century. Most of these sites are connected by the Freedom Trail, a three-mile walking tour of 16 sites and structures in downtown Boston and Charlestown.

In the years between 1761 and 1775, Boston colonists began having differing views than the ruling British. The Freedom Trail takes visitors down a historical path tracing the actions and events of the colonists, including the Boston Tea Party.

One of the era’s most famous residents was a middle-class artisan named Paul Revere, who struck upon the idea of hanging lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church prior to his famous ride.

The Old North Church is one of the many popular stops on the Freedom Trail. Built in 1723, the church is a beautiful example of Georgian architecture. Visitors will also see Paul Revere’s house, built in 1680, considered the oldest home in downtown Boston. Today, it has been restored as a museum.

One of the city’s most renowned sons, Benjamin Franklin, is immortalized in a statue at Boston’s Old City Hall. Bronze tablets depict Franklin’s varied career as a printer, scientist and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Franklin’s statue overlooks the oldest public school in America, dating back to 1635.

Visitors on the Freedom Trail are also treated to a stop at Faneuil Hall, an old market building which housed town meetings between 1764 and 1774. In was here that Samuel Adams led the colonists in his protests against British taxes. Today, the four buildings collectively known as Faneuil Hall Marketplace—Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market—draw millions of shoppers, diners and history buffs every year.

Boston is a wonderful city to learn about life in revolutionary America. Explore the rich, cultural heritage unique to this historic city, where settlers assembled to proclaim their rights and create a new democratic society. “The Revolution was effected before the war commenced,” John Adams once wrote, “The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people.”

Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is a 173-acre, fully-restored 18th-century town. From 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the capital of the colony of Virginia. The city has a rich history. Thomas Jefferson studied law and George Washington plotted America’s freedom here. The capital moved to Richmond in 1780 and the town soon fell into disrepair. In 1926, townsmen dreamed of restoring Williamsburg and approached John D. Rockefeller for his help. His generosity funded the restoration effort to rebuild the town.

Today, visitors can see exhibits and demonstrations that help illustrate how residents lived in colonial times. A blacksmith plunges a red-hot horseshoe into a bucket of cold water, sending loud hissing noises through an appreciative crowd. Everything from candles to carriages are crafted by hand in Colonial Williamsburg.

Locals are more than willing to share stories about the history and life of the original residents. Museums, such as the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, offer a glimpse of the creativity of colonial artisans.

Carter’s Grove, a stately Georgian mansion just eight miles southeast of the historic area, was home to some of Virginia’s earliest settlers in the 1600s. More than four centuries of history are revealed through authentic displays and “living” exhibits. Carter’s Grove offers a good understanding of the lifestyles and traditions of the many generations of residents who lived here. This mansion, along the James River, was once the center of Virginia social life and culture. It also reflects the lifestyle of the slaves who lived and worked on this plantation and created a culture all their own.

Many beautifully designed gardens grace the Historic Area of Williamsburg. You’ll find various colors and shapes of brick called “brickbat paving,” an antique form of paving that made use of the accumulated broken bricks at a colonial house or business. These gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll or lunch beneath a shady tree.

Colonial Williamsburg is a wonderful historic destination. Visitors can immerse themselves into a lifestyle that imitates that of the colonists.

Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Boston and Colonial Williamsburg are four of many outstanding vacation destinations that provide visitors with a historical perspective of the events, people and places that shaped our American history, values and traditions.

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