Explore Historic Sites in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland

Few areas of the United States are as packed with history as the Capital Region. From the early American settlements of Colonial Williamsburg Virginia, to the first black president to live in the USA White House, the region has continuously played witness to the nation’s defining moments.

Washington, DC:

From rich neighborhood lore to the city’s many museums, every corner of DC brims with history and culture. Stroll along U Street through the historic heart of Washington’s African-American community, once home to jazz legend Duke Ellington and now a fashionable area of shops, cafés and lounges. As you shop the boutiques of Georgetown, stop by the Old Stone House on M Street – the oldest existing private residence in all of Washington. Beyond the city’s distinctive neighborhoods, Washington’s museums are enough to occupy visitors for days on end. View pop culture artifacts at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, where featured icons include Kermit the Frog, Julia Child’s kitchen and the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. Catch up on the history of media at the Newseum, or go undercover at the International Spy Museum, which is a particular favorite with children. At Ford’s Theatre, you can view the spot where Abraham Lincoln was shot; afterward, cross the street to the Peterson House where he died the following morning. Of course, no trip to America’s capital would be complete without a photo op in front of the USA White House, home of the US presidency for over 200 years.

Maryland:

Perhaps the easiest way to appreciate Maryland’s history is to drive along the Historic National Road. Stretching from Baltimore to Keyser’s Ridge, this scenic byway traverses destinations such as Baltimore’s B&O Railroad Museum and the C&O Canal Visitor Center in Cumberland, the town which also served as George Washington’s headquarters during the French and Indian War. Along your drive, be sure to stop off in Frederick County, where many different chapters of local history converge. Visit the gravesite of Star Spangled Banner composer Francis Scott Key, or rifle through the past in one of the area’s many antique shops. Civil War enthusiasts will also enjoy visiting Monocacy National Battlefield and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. For more “War Between the States” history, head to Antietam, where 23,000 soldiers were killed or wounded on September 17, 1862, the largest loss of life on any single day in American military history. Maryland’s history and culture can be further explored at any one of the state’s museums, including Baltimore’s Walters Art Museum and Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, once home to the famously macabre poet, or the Annapolis Maritime Museum.

Virginia:

Since English settlers first stepped foot onto Jamestown in 1607, Virginia has played a leading role in American history. Today, the 23-mile Colonial Parkway showcases the state’s importance throughout the colonial period, taking visitors past many of the region’s most prominent historic sites. At Yorktown, visitors can witness where the Revolutionary War’s final decisive battle was fought, as well as view recreations depicting 18th century military life. To see how ordinary colonists went about their days, head to Colonial Williamsburg Virginia, the nation’s “largest living history museum”. Spanning 301 acres, this extraordinary site showcases working blacksmith shops, taverns, printing presses and churches, offering a wonderfully preserved snapshot of the past. Virginia is home to eight US presidents, more than any other state, and several presidential residences are open to visitors. You can tour the homesteads and gardens of George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, which offer insight into the characters that shaped the nation. Virginia was also the backdrop for much activity during the Civil War. Tour major battlefields such as Fredericksburg and Manassas, or visit the McLean House in Appomattox, where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union Army. A wealth of museums are on offer across Virginia, from famed glass collections at Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum of Art to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, located near Washington Dulles International Airport.

Need a few more ideas for your upcoming USA holiday tour?  Learn about the endless things to see and do throughout the Capital Region.

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