Historic Family Friendly U.S. Cities to Visit
At Showcase the World, my mission is to help busy moms stop the overwhelm and plan their dream vacations. Children benefit so much from traveling to other countries and experiencing new cultures, but let’s not forget the rich culture across the United States and the history behind it all. If you want to bring your children on a vacation destination where they’ll be enriched in history lessons, all while finding excitement throughout, then read along to discover some of the historic cities you can take your family to.
8. Fort Worth, Texas
If your kids love rootin’, tootin’ cowboys, then consider a family trip to Fort Worth Texas!
Established in 1849, Fort Worth served as an army outpost. The Texas Longhorn cattle trade has been historically in Fort Worth. If you want to take your children on a historic vacation, Fort Worth embraces their old Western cowboy culture.
Some notable, fun, must-see attractions consist of a visit to the Stockyards at the top of the list. If you want a historically accurate cowboy experience, head down to East Exchange Avenue to see real Texas cowhands handle the herd of Texas Longhorns, presented twice a day, every day at 11:30am and 4:00pm in the Stockyards National Historic District. The saddles, boots, cowboy hats, and every detail imaginable is incredibly accurate.
Also check out BillyBobs, a prize cattle barn built in 1910, now used as a live music venue, featuring the biggest country music stars.
Be sure to stop by at the Sid Richardson Museum for Western Art (free admission) and
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame to learn about the women who helped shape the west throughout history.
7. Solvang, California
Solvang (Danish for ‘”sunny field”‘) is located in the Santa Ynez Valley. Solvang was founded in 1911. It’s often referred to as “The Danish Capital of America”.
Quick history lesson:
Solvang’s origins date back to 1804, when a Spanish community founded Mission Santa Inés, but it was abandoned after the American Conquest of California. In 1911, Danish-Americans purchased and established a Danish community. The community created Danish-style architecture beginning in 1947, making it distinctive and drawing in tourism.
From Danish bakeries to Danish shops, this town has so much to see!
The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is an absolute must-see. If you don’t know, this is the author credited for such children’s fairy tales as, The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen (What Elsa is based off), and Thumbelina.
Some more things to see:
The Solvang Trolley & Carriage, uses trolleys that are horse-drawn to tour around the town to gain a historic perspective.
6. Savannah, Georgia
Established in 1733, Savannah is the oldest city in the state of Georgia. Savannah was and is a port city used in the American Revolution and during the American Civil War. Today Savannah is an important Atlantic seaport.
Savannah, Georgia is a family favorite vacation destination, bringing tourism to its beautiful cobblestone streets and historical buildings.
One of these buildings includes the birthplace of the infamous founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, Juliette Gordon Low. So if you’ve got yourself a girl scout, she will be excited to see the history of where it all originated.
Downtown Savannah mostly contains the original town plan designed by founder James Oglethorpe. It is truly a remarkable sight to wander through the Historic Downtown Savannah.
Other fun things to do:
-Pirates’ House – historic restaurant and tavern located in downtown Savannah.
-Hop on a trolley tour
-Stroll Savannah’s waterfront on historic River Street made from cobblestone
-Spooky ghost tours (family friendly tours!)
5. St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest city in America. Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is the first site in that city. Learn about Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon and the 1565 colony in St. Augustine. While in St. Augustine, explore beyond this park to take in the Spanish-style architecture.
The construction of the architecture of St. Augustine took place in 1672, after the fort was raided by the English. The new fort was built out of coquina stones, which were constructed of sedimentary rock or sorted fragments of the shells and mollusks.
The Fortress that was constructed to protect St. Augustine is known as the Castillo de San Marcos, which is now a National Monument open to tour. It is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.
St. Augustine is a very walkable town, with so much to see.
Some other fun things to do with the family in St. Augustine:
-St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum-
The world’s largest collection of authentic pirate artifacts; fun, interactive exhibits, including the world’s only pirate treasure chest; and rarely-seen shipwreck treasures. Your kids will absolutely love this experience!
-Old Jail Museum
-The Oldest Wooden School House
4. Williamsburg, Virginia
English settlers founded Williamsburg in 1632. The city became the center of political events in Virginia leading to the American Revolution. The College of William & Mary, established in 1693, is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and the only one of the nine colonial colleges in the South. Its alumni include three U.S. presidents as well as many other important figures in the nation’s early history.
Things to do:
-Colonial Williamsburg, a historic district and living-history museum where actors in period costume depict daily Colonial life, includes art museums, historic dining options and ox wagon rides.
-Duke of Gloucester Street is a great walking street to take the kids and it contains 18-century architecture, from the Wren Building to the Capitol.
-Jamestown
-Yorktown
-Ghost tours
3. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston was founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers named after the English town of Boston. Such historical key events took place as the American Revolution and the nation’s founding, as well as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the siege of Boston. After gaining American independence from Great Britain, the city continued to be an important port and manufacturing hub as well as a center for education and culture. There’s so much to see in Boston, Massachusetts, but the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is an absolute must-see.
Check out my blog post on my Boston Guide for Families for greater detail on where to go on your family vacation to Boston: www.showcasetheworld.com/blog/boston-with-family
2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia was founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker. The city served as capital of the Pennsylvania Colony during the British colonial era and went on to play a historic and vital role as the central meeting place for the nation’s founding fathers whose plans and actions in Philadelphia ultimately inspired the American Revolution and the nation’s independence.
What to do in Philly:
-The Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an 18th-century home featuring an audio tour of the building, which tells Betsy’s story. Betsy Ross is known as the woman who sewed the first American flag, but had a more complicated life than just being a seamstress.
-Liberty Bell Center: One of the most recognized symbols of America and its freedom and its world-famous crack.
-Museum of the American Revolution: free admission for children under 5. Your kids can play soldier in the interactive Revolution Place, for children that recreates 18th-century life.
1. Washington D.C., District of Columbia
Washington, D.C. is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city was named for George Washington, a Founding Father and the first president of the United States.
The City of Washington was founded in 1791 to serve as the national capital.
Washington, D.C. is top of the list for historic U.S. cities to visit with your family for the obvious reason of it being our capitol. And there is so much to do and see!
Things to do:
-The Capitol Building- the home of congress in Washington, D.C., is the pillar of the legislative branch of the American government. On a guided tour, you can see the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall, which feature beautiful Greek-inspired architecture, a nod to the culture in which we get democracy from.
-National Mall in Washington, D.C. Head to this grassy field, where numerous famous protests and presidential inaugurations have occurred. After such a sight, see the nearby monuments, which include the:
-Lincoln Memorial
-Vietnam Veterans Memorial
-World War II Memorial
-Washington Monument
-Visit the White House. You can request a public tour through your Congressman. The self-guided tour allows you to see public areas of the home of the executive branch.
Who is Christina?
Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. Afterall, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation too.
She specializes in Disney, Caribbean, Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her two-year old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
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