Xplorie’s Favorite Destinations for History Lovers
September 7, 2021
Every travel journey tells a story and, likewise, every destination has a story to tell. The US has many famous historical destinations brimming with historic sites, landmarks, and memorials from Washington DC and the Gettysburg Battlefield to the Alamo, America’s most famous historic site in San Antonio, Texas.
Travel trends are changing, and experiential travel is on the rise! Travelers are searching for outdoor adventures combined with authentic travel experiences, inspiring destinations, connection with the community, and immersion in the local culture. We’ve chosen our topic pick of destinations with the perfect balance of outdoor adventures and the opportunity to step back in time, discover the stories of those that came before and visit local attractions preserving history and commemorating these heroes.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is ranked the #1 Trending Destination in the US for 2021 and is gaining the attention of travelers for endless outdoor activities, family attractions, scenic drives, and proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Blend outdoor adventure and history as you discover over 90 preserved and rehabilitated historic structures on Gatlinburg’s top trails and in the heart of town.
The Ogle Cabin
Gatlinburg has deep indigenous roots dating back to the American Indians that inhabited the Great Smoky Mountains. The first permanent European Americans to settle in Gatlinburg were the Ogle family. The Ogle Cabin was the first cabin built in Gatlinburg in 1807 and remained the primary residence of the descendants of the Ogle family until 1910, at which time it was sold as a hospital and museum before being donated to the city of Gatlinburg in 2015. The Ogle Cabin is the oldest preserved cabin in the Smoky Mountains and can be visited at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center, a short walk from Ripley’s Aquarium.
The number of visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains is not slowing down! Secure your stay in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains and enjoy complimentary activities, attraction tickets, and tours for each day of your stay in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the scenic Smokies.
Enjoy the natural beauty of The Smoky Mountains
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah has been listed as one of “The World’s Greatest Places of 2021” and “America’s Fourth Best Small City” for investing, living and vacationing. A vacation in Savannah boasts the best of both worlds with the unspoiled beaches of Tybee Island and watersports on the Atlantic Ocean only a short 15-minute drive away and the top attractions of historic Savannah on your doorstep
The Tybee Island Lighthouse
The Wormsloe Historic Site
Savannah is home to many historic sites and landmarks, beautiful churches, museums, and national monuments. Simply stroll the streets to view the striking antebellum architecture, explore the grounds at the colonial Wormsloe Historic Site or book a historic segway tour through one of Savannah’s most elegant and scenic cemeteries.
Established in 1846, the Bonaventure Cemetery is a top attraction in historic Savannah with curving pathways through ancient live oaks and Spanish moss and many historic tales to tell. Be sure to book a guided kayak tour of historic Cockspur Island, the Fort Pulaski National Monument, and the Cockspur Island Lighthouse during your stay in Savannah and Tybee Island.
Wherever you choose to lay your head, whether you’re traveling with family, friends, guys, or gals, our Xplorie partners offer the best vacation homes and condos with easy access and complimentary tickets to the top outdoor activities and historic attractions in Savannah and Tybee island.
Bonaventure Cemetery
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Only 45 minutes north of Savannah lies Hilton Head Island, the perfect destination for both the active traveler and history lover! Hilton Head Island is a top destination for water sports activities, outdoor adventures in the wildlife and nature preserves, award-winning golf, and historical sites dating back to 1846.
Savor the sunset on Hilton Head Island
Endless trails to explore
Hilton Head Island is steeped in Lowcountry history and the rich traditions of the Gullah/Geechee culture, still celebrated today. Discover Hilton Head’s natural history and cultural heritage at the Coastal Discovery Museum with exhibits, historical buildings, and scenic trails along through the gardens and live oaks. History buffs can experience the island through the eyes of an expert historian on a Hilton Head history tour of the most significant historical sites on Hilton Head Island including cemeteries, plantations, battlefields, and ruins.
The Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum is an iconic landmark and must-see Hilton Head attraction. Originally built as a tourist attraction, the lighthouse is today an important part of the island’s history. Climb the stairs to the top covering ten levels of rare, historical artifacts and photos that tell the fascinating history of Hilton Head Island, a Coast Guard Exhibit, and spectacular views from the top all the way to Tybee.
Harbourtown Lighthouse
Whether you book an ocean view condo with resort-style amenities or a luxury vacation rental home with a private pool just steps from the beach, our Hilton Head vacation rentals include free activities and tickets to historic sites for each day of your stay on historic Hilton Head Island.
Delaware Shores, Delaware
Catching waves!
The seaside villages of Delaware Shores tell historic tales of maritime history with monuments, museums, historic lighthouses, and pirates buried treasure. Take a scenic drive on the Historic Lewes Byway, visit the historic district and landmarks in Lewes, or book a cruise on the Cape May–Lewes Ferry to see the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse at Cape Henlopen State Park.
Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse
Fenwick Island Lighthouse
The Transpeninsular Stone marks the Delaware/Maryland state line and is situated at the oldest lighthouse in the state of Delaware, the Fenwick Island Lighthouse. The lighthouse is an important historic landmark on the Delaware coast constructed in 1858 to help mariners avoid the Fenwick sand shoals and navigate the waters along the Delaware coastline. The grounds are open from May to October and while the lighthouse is not open to climb, there is a small museum and gift shop for visitors to learn the history of Delaware and pick up souvenirs to take home.
From Rehoboth Beach down to Bethany Beach, our Delaware Shores lodging partners offer vacation homes and condos on the quiet inland bays and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with free admission to the top attractions, outdoor activities and historical landmarks on the Delaware Shores.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
The coastal towns of Cape Cod remain unchanged with a natural unspoiled beauty that beckons visitors into the great outdoors. Discover secluded beaches and swimming holes, wildlife refuges, hiking and biking trails, over three dozen golf courses, water activities on the bays and estuaries and life-changing wildlife encounters on whale watching tours from April to September.
Explore Cape Cod on a bike!
The Cape Cod Lighthouse
Cape Cod is also a well-loved destination for history buffs with many historical points of interest including plantations, monuments, museums, and 14 iconic lighthouses, each with its own unique story. Take the high-speed ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island to a further 8 lighthouses to your lighthouse tour of Cape Cod! A classic narrated excursion on the Cape Cod Central Railroad allows you to explore the natural beauty of the Cape and learn about historical mysteries, folklore, and the history of Cape Cod.
The Pilgrim Monument is Cape Cod’s top historical attraction and the tallest all-granite structure in the US, towering 252 feet above Provincetown. The monument was founded in 1892 and commemorates the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims to Cape Cod in 1620. Visitors can climb to the top of the monument and discover the rich history of Cape Cod at the Provincetown Museum.
The Pilgrim Monument
Whether you’re looking to stay in the Upper Cape, Mid Cape, Lower Cape, or Outer Cape, our Xplorie partners offer the best selection of vacation rentals in Cape Cod with complimentary activities, outdoor adventures, and tickets to historic attractions for each day of your stay.
