History on Holiday

Visit the destinations that birthed a nation.

from: AARP, June 30, 2010

OK, so maybe in sixth grade's two-dimensional textbooks, American history wasn't exactly compelling. But now that you're a grown-up, you can experience all the landmarks, entertainment and energy of Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., in person! And you don't have to wait for the Fourth of July holiday to visit these birthplaces of America--our Frommer's Destination Guides explain everything you need to know to enjoy these sensational cities all year long!

Boston's Colonial homes and cobblestones. — Getty Images

Boston

Other cities may quibble, but Boston fairly claims its position as the birthplace of America. The Freedom Trail incorporates many of the sites that played a crucial role in American independence, from the Boston Tea Party to the Old North Church. While Boston treasures its history, it is a city of diverse interests, ranging from a passion for the Red Sox to a love of shopping, museums and the fine arts. One thing that remains constant? Its enthusiasm for a good plate of seafood.

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Independence Day fireworks explode by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the Capitol building with reflections on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2009. — Chris Usher

Washington, D.C.

If power is your aphrodisiac, Washington, D.C. will seduce you. It's full of grand images and remarkable words, from The Capitol building and the Pentagon to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address inscribed on the Lincoln Memorial. Politics is this city's business: walk the corridors of government, hear big names dropped with nonchalance and marvel at the riches of its museums, from the Smithsonian Institute to the National Archives. Beyond politics, however, a creative, diverse community relaxes in shady parks and a bubbly, eclectic restaurant scene.

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Statue of Commodore Barry. — Getty Images/Tetra images

Philadelphia

History permeates Philadelphia. It's easy to imagine the Old City crowded with the nation's founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson --and founding mother, Betsy Ross. After seeing the historic sites, check out Philadelphia's more contemporary side. Dine around the world in Center City, watch coins being made at the Philadelphia Mint or dig into a Philly cheese steak. You'll find a lot more than history in the City of Brotherly Love.

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