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Governor’s Palace, Colonial Williamsburg
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
Cities to Visit for
America’s 250th
America’s 250th birthday is here, and while July Fourth marks the official party, the celebration spans the entire calendar year. From colonial corridors to revolutionary landmarks, here are five historic U.S. cities worth a visit this year, plus what to do and where to stay.
By Kristy Tolley
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia was a hive of activity that helped spur America’s independence. It was the meeting place for the First and Second Continental Congresses, as well as the Constitutional Convention. From 1790 to 1800, the city also served as the nation’s capital during the construction of Washington, D.C.
Independence Hall
DANIEL KNOLL / VISIT PHILADELPHIA
Part of Independence National Historical Park, Independence Hall is a must for visitors who want to be in “the room where it happened.” The United States’ founding fathers met here to debate and adopt the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Perhaps the centerpiece of Independence National Historical Park is the iconic Liberty Bell, originally commissioned in 1752. Encased in a glass pavilion, the 2,080-pound bell is beautifully framed against the background of Independence Hall.
Don’t miss the Museum of the American Revolution, which holds General George Washington’s original war tent, the first newspaper printing of the Declaration of Independence and artifacts from the era.
Take a look at the AAA Philadelphia Travel Guide and start planning your trip through American history.
Where to stay
Immerse yourself in history with an overnight stay at The Bellevue, a AAA Four Diamond rated hotel located near Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Reading Terminal Market. A recent $100 million renovation preserved the building’s original details, including Thomas Edison’s electric panel and the lobby’s 120-year-old clock.
AAA Members save up to 10% and earn World of Hyatt points when booking AAA rates!
Interior of Old North Church
GETTY IMAGES
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston was the hot-bed of anti-British sentiment. The city bore witness to many pivotal events, such as the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre and the Siege of Boston.
For a comprehensive experience, follow the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path that links 16 historic sites significant to the American Revolution. Among them is the Old North Church, Boston’s oldest surviving church building. It was here that church caretaker Robert Newman hung two lanterns on April 18, 1775, to warn patriots of the impending arrival of British troops.
Other landmarks along the trail include Boston Common, the country’s oldest public park and the location for public gatherings, protests and other events. At the other end of trail, the Bunker Hill Monument marks the spot of the first battle of the American Revolution.
The AAA Boston Travel Guide can help you plan a Boston getaway.
Since 1855, the AAA Four Diamond designated Omni Parker House has welcomed a slew of notable guests, including Charles Dickens and President John F. Kennedy. Its central location makes it an ideal home base for nearby attractions and sites along the Freedom Trail.
A carriage ride is a relaxing way to see Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Step back in time and experience Colonial America on the brink of revolution in Colonial Williamsburg, the country’s largest living history museum. Beautifully restored colonial-era buildings and costumed docents bring 18th-century America to life.
Buildings of note include the grand Georgian-style Governor’s Palace, home of the state’s royal governors, and the Capitol, where the walls once echoed with political debates and speeches from history heavyweights like Patrick Henry.
At Bruton Parish Church, an active Episcopal church since 1715, visitors can sit in the pews once occupied by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Colonial Williamsburg is part of the Historic Triangle, along with Jamestown, North America’s first English settlement (1607), and Yorktown, the site of the British surrender in 1781.
Discount tickets for Colonial Williamsburg are available for AAA Members. Choose from single-day and multi-day tickets. Buy Now!
Enjoy a cozy stay at the Hornsby House Inn. Built in 1933, the upscale B&B overlooks the York River. A stay here is like spending the night in a museum, thanks to a number of historic artifacts displayed throughout the house. Guests enjoy daily homemade breakfast and a complimentary wine and cheese hour on Wednesdays and Fridays
Posing for a selfie inside the Lincoln Memorial
NPS / Nicole segnini
Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital is the symbolic heart of the American experiment, where monuments and museums tell the story of a nation still defining itself. It’s the only place to see the Declaration of Independence, and countless other experiences here shed light on U.S. history.
The city is celebrating the nation’s 250th in a big way with new venues and renovations to existing landmarks. Among them is the new Lincoln Memorial Undercroft museum situated underneath the Lincoln Memorial in a basement area that has long been closed to the public. Visitors also can experience the innovative National Geographic Museum of Exploration (set to open in the summer).
Additionally, renovations and expansions to The National Archives Museum, the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum are providing new experiences for returning visitors.
Discount tickets for Washington, D.C. tours and attractions are available for AAA Members—buy now!
In the Woodley Park neighborhood, the Omni Shoreham Hotel offers a quiet enclave that’s convenient to iconic attractions, such as the Smithsonian National Zoo and Rock Creek Park. Since it opened in 1930, the hotel’s guest list reads like a who’s who, including presidents Harry S. Truman and John F. Kennedy. President Franklin D. Roosevelt even hosted his first inaugural ball here.
Visitors gathered at Colony House for a reading of the Declaration of Independence
DISCOVER NEWPORT
Newport, Rhode Island
This charming coastal city played a vital role in America’s beginnings. It was the hub of the Franco-American alliance during the American Revolution, which provided vital military support that helped secure victory at Yorktown.
Newport is home to preserved historic buildings, such as the 1739 Colony House, where Rhode Island declared its independence in 1776. The streets of The Point neighborhood are lined with the country’s largest concentration of 18th-century colonial homes.
This year, visitors can enjoy special America 250 events, including living-history tours, tavern talks with historians and themed exhibits. Also, the Newport Center for Black History is set to open this June. It is located inside the 327-year-old Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, Newport’s oldest surviving home.
Set to reopen in May after a $300 million glow-up, Hotel Viking celebrates a landmark birthday in 2026, too. The hotel opened in 1926 to house the slew of guests visiting the uber-rich who spent their summers in the mansions of Bellevue Avenue. The historic five-story Georgian Colonial hotel was designed as a social spot for culture and conversation.
Let a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent handle all the planning, including route recommendations and savings on rental cars and accommodations. Visit AAA.com/TravelExpert today.
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