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Fourth of July Travel Ideas

Northeast

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Follow the footsteps of our Founding Fathers with a fun, free Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia. It's a three-mile, outdoor tour that features more than 30 historical sites and landmarks. You'll see:

  1. National Constitutional Center
  2. Independence Visitor Center
  3. The Liberty Bell Center
  4. Independence Hall
  5. Congress Hall
  6. Old City Hall
  7. Philosophical Hall
  8. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  9. Library Hall
  10. Second Bank of the United States
  11. Todd House
  12. Bishop White House
  13. Polish American Cultural Center Museum
  14. Merchants' Exchange
  15. City Tavern
  16. The First Bank of the United States
  17. Carpenters' Hall
  18. New Hall Military Museum
  19. National Liberty Museum
  20. Franklin Court
  21. B. Free Franklin Post Office & Museum
  22. Christ Church (Old North Church)
  23. Elfreth's Alley
  24. Betsy Ross House
  25. Arch Street Friends Meeting House
  26. Christ Church Burial Ground
  27. National Museum of American Jewish History
  28. Congregation Mikveh Israel
  29. The Bourse Building
  30. Lights of Liberty & Signers' Walk
  31. Atwater Kent Museum
  32. Declaration House (Graff House)
  33. The African American Museum in Philadelphia

Download the free Print-n-Go Map and get started.

Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum

Congress Street Bridge • Boston, Massachusetts

The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is dedicated to preserving the the legacy of the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Great for the whole family.

James Madison House

429 Spruce Street • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

While this is a private residence—and not open to the public—it's still an interesting site.

The United States Mint

151 North Independence Mall East • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

One of five such facilities nationwide, Philadelphia was the first city to have a mint. Be warned: two weeks advance notice is needed to schedule a tour.

Freedom Trail

148 Tremont Street • Boston, Massachusetts

Learn all about the American Revolution on this acclaimed 2.5 mile walking tour.

Minute Man National Park

250 North Great Road • Lincoln, Mass

Minute Man hosts historical reenactments, musical performances, story telling, and other historical events. Hear "the shot heard round the world" for yourself!

Statue of Liberty

Liberty Island • New York, New York

Our Lady Liberty is a must-see. The amazing gift from France is well over 100 years old. The internal structure was engineered by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower). When you're through, take the ferry directly to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum as well.

SouthEast

Arlington, Virginia • Washington, DC

If you're looking for a general guided tour of the sites in and around our nations capital, one great way is to take a tour on the Tourmobile.

Mt. Vernon

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway • Mount Vernon, Virginia

One of my personal favorites, George Washington's estate and gardens provides a full day of activities…and then some.

James Madison's Montpelier

11407 Constitution Highway • Montpelier Station, Virginia

Virginia residence where Madison spent much of his life. Includes a look at the home's history and landscaping.

Washington Equestrian Memorial

NW corner of Capitol Square, near 9th and Broad Street • Richmond, Virginia

One of Richmond's most recognizable monuments, this monument honors our 1st president and war hero, George Washington.

Richmond National Battlefield Park

3215 East Broad Street • Richmond, Virginia

See the sobering sites where so many fought and died to preserve our freedoms.

Booker T. Washington National Monument

12130 Booker T. Washington Highway • Hardy, Virginia

This monument preserves part of the tobacco farm where Booker T. Washington was born into slavery. Of course, prepare for your trip by reading Washington's autobiography, Up From Slavery.

Monroe Tomb

Hollywood Cemetery • 412 South Cherry Street • Richmond, Virginia

This Gothic Revival structure—the resting place of our fifth president, James Monroe—is worth seeing even without its historical significance. He was originally buried in New York, but re-interred 27 years later at this location in his home state.

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington, Virginia

Home of The Tomb of the Unknowns, the mast of the USS Maine, Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial, John F. Kennedy's eternal flame, and many other memorials—you can't miss this site. This 200-acre military cemetery adds sobering perspective.

Monticello

931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway • Charlottesville, Virginia

This is the plantation where Thomas Jefferson lived out his retirement.

White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue • Washington, DC

With some advanced planning, you can take a personal tour of the White House. If admission isn't possible, check out the virtual tour

Washington Monument

The Mall • Washington, DC

The 555 foot obelisk is the most prominent monument in Washington, DC. Completed in 1884, it is also one of the oldest. While the event is free, it does require a ticket. The tickets are distributed each morning and go quickly. Honor our first president, George Washington, by visiting this great site.

Lincoln Memorial

The Mall • Washington, DC

My favorite memorial and the most impressive, the Lincoln Memorial—honoring The Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln—should not be missed. Download a free brochure describing the murals before you go!

Jefferson Memorial

The Mall • Washington, DC

Our third president, Thomas Jefferson, is honored at another amazing site. Visit his memorial on your trip to the District of Columbia.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Mall • Washington, DC

Let me must get on a little soapbox here for a moment. Controversy and debate have no place in the discussion of our soldiers. Having been born in the 60's, hearing about Vietnam on television was synonymous with hearing about protestors. Frankly, I don't give a hoot about a bunch of pot-smoking, sandal-wearing long-hairs. They are free—thanks to our military—to do and say whatever they please. But I won't let them overshadow the sacrifice that our brave soldiers have made.

I do not come from a military family and, because of that, feel a particular debt of gratitude to all those in the U.S. Military who have risked their lives and given their lives to protect the rest of us. God bless them and their families.

Please, whenever you get a chance, honor our courageous veterans. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a great place to start.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

15 Street and Hamilton Place, NW • Washington, DC

Take a one-hour guided tour of the Treasury by appointment or if you're traveling on the internet you can take a virtual tour.

U.S. Capitol Building

545 7th Street Southeast • Washington, DC

On the top of Capitol Hill, at the east end of the mall, you'll find the seat for our legislative branch. The United States Capitol is open for guided tours Monday through Saturday except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

U.S. Supreme Court

One First Street, NE • Washington, DC

You don't have to be indicted to have your day in this court. Exhibits, films, lectures—all sorts of great educational programs are available to the public. There is even a cafeteria. Numerous downloadable resources will help you get ready for your visit.

Library of Congress

101 Independence Avenue, SE • Washington DC

The largest library in the world is a dream for bibliophiles like me! The Library of Congress is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. Even the web site is s treasure trove of information.

Midwest

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

13000 Hwy 244 • Keystone, South Dakota

Think our presidents are larger than life? You've got to see Mount Rushmore at least once in your life. Your kids will be in awe.

South/Southwest

Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site

450 Auburn Avenue, NE • Atlanta, Georgia

The great civil rights leaders birth home, church, and grave site are all at the MLKJ site. The visitor's center points you in the right direction.

Selma to Montgomery National Voting Rights Trail

Brown Chapel AME Church • 410 Martin Luther King, Jr., Street • Selma, Alabama

This is the site of the 1965 voting rights march in Alabama. You can also go on a walking tour of Martin Luther King, Jr. Street while you are there.

Rosa Parks Museum

252 Montgomery Street • Montgomery, Alabama

Celebrate the hero who wouldn't go to the back of the bus. Rosa Parks was a force to be reckoned with. And her quiet courage helped change a nation.

West

America's Freedom Festival

Provo, Utah

Utahans know how to have good, clean fun. If you're looking for a family patriotic celebration to beat them all, this is it. Weeks of activities culminate in the huge Grand Parade and the world renowned Stadium of Fire.

Travel Ideas

Taking a road trip? Scenery is great, but what about those long stretches of endless road when the kids start to ask, "Are we there yet?" until you could pull your hair out?

We grabbed a Wii car adapter that plugs right into the cigarette lighter. It was incredibly cheap and worked like a charm.