5 Great Travel Destinations for History Buffs

If you’re a history enjoyer planning a vacation, here are some historical travel destinations that I know you’ll enjoy. These places are both historically interesting and fun to visit.  

1. Camden, New Jersey.

Located directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, this travel destination has a lot to offer. The first of which is the USS New Jersey. Permanently docked at Camden as a museum ship, this I0wa-class Battleship is available for the public to tour and and is one of several museum ships found throughout the United States. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in seeing a real battleship that fought in multiple wars. Camden is also home to the Walt Whitman house, the last residence of famous poet Walt Whitman before his death. Whitman’s grave is also located at a cemetery in Camden County. If that’s not enough there are almost 100 different buildings within Camden County that are on the National Register of Historic places, so you’re not without options. Finally, Camden has a wide variety of convention modern attractions such as an aquarium, a variety of business headquarters, and a large amphitheater. Camden’s close proximity to Philadelphia also means that there’s an entire other city full of historical places and tourist attractions very close by, so if you somehow get bored, you have options upon options. 

2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This travel destination is kind of a no-brainer, given that Philadelphia is one of the oldest and most populous cities in the U.S. So many historical events went down in Philly that I couldn’t not put it on this list. Philadelphia has a lot of attractions that history buffs won’t want to miss, ranging from Revolutionary War-era forts, to multiple museum ships, to America’s first zoo, to the houses of famous authors. I could write a whole article just about the historic places in Philadelphia, but I’ll just give you a highlight reel. For those who want to know more about WWII, there’s the USS Becuna, a Balao-class submarine now serving as a museum ship. Another museum ship, the USS Olympia can be found in the same area and is the oldest American steel warship still afloat. If literature is more your thing, Philadelphia also has the Edgar Allen Poe house, and some of the oldest colleges in the states. There’s really something here for everyone, and even if you’re not a history buff, there’s more than enough attractions for you to enjoy. 

3. Boulder, Colorado.

This next travel destination is one very close to my heart. Boulder, Colorado is a great vacation spot in general, and the place where I have spent the majority of my life. Boulder has several historic landmarks in the county, and several more in the nearby mountains surrounding counties. Much of boulder’s history and the history of the surrounding counties is tied to the gold rush, and there are several old mines and railroads to be within driving of the city. There are also various historic buildings and business to be found within the city and county itself. While a lot of the more tangible places like the mines are up in the mountains, Boulder makes the list because it’s a great place to vacation in general. One of the best historic sites it does have is the Colorado Chataqua. This beautiful park and auditorium has been in operation since the 1920s, and is the starting point of many hiking trails. The Chataqua is open year-round, and houses both an auditorium and a restaurant. If you’re looking for a place that has both historical significance and a generally great atmosphere with good food and amenities, come on down to Boulder. 

4. Mendocino, California.

Mendocino is another wonderful travel destination with a special place in my heart. Situated in Northern California, Mendocino is a beautiful coastal county with interesting historical sites and beautiful nature to behold. The California coast in this area has a lot of history to it, and there are many old buildings in Mendocino that remain preserved, including homes, water towers, and lighthouses. The area is also generally pretty calm, with less mass tourist groups than more populated areas further to the south. In addition to the historical sites, the beaches and wildlife are also astounding. There are nature trails, boat rides, and many other attractions. Much of the history of the area has to do with maritime trade, and there have been multiple shipwrecks off the coast. It’s a more relaxed and quiet destination than the large cities I’ve mentioned earlier, and is great if you love oceanic history or marine animals. The historical significance of the area is a nice bonus to what is a lovely vacation spot where you can unwind and enjoy the sights and stories in peace and quiet. I can’t recommend this place enough. 

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5. New Orleans, Louisiana.

The final travel destination on this list is a place with a history and culture so deep I don’t know if I could do it justice: New Orleans. New Orleans has a history, legacy, and culture that is very unique, so much so that it would be wrong of me not to recommend it to you all. It has many sites and buildings steeped not only in history, but in conflict. Many of these places are tied to iconic people and events in the African-American community, so anyone interested in learning more about such history really should pay the city a visit. New Orleans has existed for a very long time, and many of its old buildings have endured the ravages of time and survived several natural disasters. Even if you’re not a history buff, New Orleans is absolutely worth visiting, because the food, the culture and nature that surround it are equally amazing. I found the trip I took there with my family to be an enjoyable, uplifting vacation, and I only experienced a fraction of what the city had to offer. I recommend this travel destination to anyone, be they foodies, history buffs, nature lovers, or music lovers. 

Are there any historical destinations you recommend? If yes, tell us about them!

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