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Journey just isn’t all the time about visiting one of the best seashores, partaking in wild adventures, and downing sundown cocktails. It can be a journey of studying and diving deep into tradition and historical past.
If you wish to find out about American historical past, then one of the best place to do this is alongside the East Coast. It’s the place British explorers first landed on the shores of North Carolina in 1606, and the place main occasions in The American Revolutionary Conflict (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783) came about.
In case you’re planning a Revolutionary Conflict Street Journey alongside the East Coast, and unsure what websites to go to, then under is our full itinerary for a Revolutionary Conflict street journey.
Our household loved this street journey, which took us 3 weeks to finish. We cherished studying about what makes up the spirit of People and visiting the locations and experiences that inform the story of the Revolutionary Conflict.
Ditch the textual content books, soar within the automobile and head to the areas alongside the east coast have been the story was born.
Map of this Revolutionary Conflict Street Journey Itinerary
That will help you plan your individual street journey of those Revolutionary Conflict websites, right here is an interactive map of the sights and locations talked about on this information.
Charleston, South Carolina
This street journey begins in Charleston in South Carolina, a quaint metropolis identified for being a serious web site of battle through the struggle for independence.
It’s residence to Fort Sumter, the place the primary pictures of the Civil Conflict have been fired.
Right here, the Patriots fought laborious to defend Charleston from British troopers, culminating within the Siege of Charleston in 1780, one of the important defeats for the Continental Military.
You’ll be able to tour the Previous Trade and Provost Dungeon, the place British Military officers as soon as held prisoners and the place the Stamp Act was famously protested in 1765, a pivotal second main as much as the Revolution.
One of the crucial essential historic websites is the Charles Towne Touchdown State Historic Website, the place the primary everlasting English settlement within the Carolinas was established in 1670.
Camden Battlefield and Longleaf Pine Protect, SC
After visiting Charleston, drive north to Camden Battlefield and Longleaf Pine Protect, identified for being the grounds of The Battle of Camden, fought on August 16, 1780.
It was one of the important and disastrous defeats for the Continental Military within the struggle.
The location is now a preserved battlefield the place guests can discover the world and be taught concerning the pivotal conflict between American forces, led by Normal Horatio Gates, and the British forces underneath Lord Cornwallis.
The American defeat at Camden set the stage for a shift in management inside the Continental Military and marked a low level within the struggle for the Patriots.
In case you’re lengthy on time and curiosity, you could wish to detour two hours west to the Ninety-Six Nationwide Historic Website, which is a part of the Southern Marketing campaign of the American Revolution Parks in South Carolina. The web site gives a glimpse into the Revolutionary Conflict historical past of the area, with well-preserved fortification, the location of the unique Ninety-Six Village, and academic displays within the museum. Savannah and I visited on a street journey via the Previous 96 District and loved strolling the loop path via the location.
Cowpens Nationwide Battlefield, SC
One other battlefield in South Carolina to go to is Cowpens Nationwide Battlefield, the place the Battle of Cowpens was fought on January 17, 1781.
It marked a vital turning level within the Southern Marketing campaign, because the Continental Military, led by Brigadier Normal Daniel Morgan, decisively defeated the British forces underneath Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton.
This was one of many nice American victories that significantly weakened the British maintain on the South and set the stage for the eventual American triumph.
You’ll be able to discover the well-preserved battlefield, the place interactive displays and strolling trails present an in depth account of the battle’s techniques, and go to the park’s customer heart to learn informative shows and marvel at displays concerning the battle, its leaders, and the strategic significance of the victory.
Kings Mountain Nationwide Navy Park, SC
Only a brief drive away is Kings Mountain Nationwide Navy Park, the place the Battle of Kings Mountain was fought on October 7, 1780.
The battle is legendary as a result of it came about on a rugged, wooded mountain, the place a gaggle of over 1,000 American frontiersmen, led by figures like Colonel William Campbell, decisively defeated a drive of 1,100 Loyalists underneath Main Patrick Ferguson.
This victory was the primary main victory following a sequence of defeats.
Stroll the well-preserved battlefield, the place a 1.5-mile path takes you up the mountain to key websites associated to the battle, and be taught extra concerning the occasions on the Guests Middle.
Higher Williamsburg, Virginia
Visiting Higher Williamsburg in Virginia gave me a captivating perception into the delivery of the USA, a better understanding of the American tradition, and unusually sufficient, a greater understanding of my very own tradition.
It’s the right start line on your Revolutionary Conflict Street Journey and gives you a deeper perception into life earlier than the Conflict of Independence, which result in the unrest and the ensuing trigger.
For a complete historical past lesson on America’s Enduring Story, I like to recommend spending a day at every of the next:
Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne
Jamestown Settlement is a dwelling historical past museum that tells that story of the English colonist establishing a everlasting English colony (and their many nearly failures).
Study concerning the first settlement and Powhatan and her folks’s battle to simply accept the overseas invaders.
Historic Jamestowne is the unique web site of the 1607 Fort and the place the place legendary figures John Smith, Pocahontas, John Rolfe and extra walked and helped write the beginnings of the USA.
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the place the beliefs founding the Structure started to develop. It’s 18th Century Colonial Virginia introduced again to life with reside reenactments, midday day cannons, Patriots at Play video games and galvanizing speeches by George Washington.
The re-enactments and characters roaming the streets offer you a profound sense of the evolving American story and assist children perceive the concepts and values that crafted the world they reside in in the present day.
There are over 35 historic websites and 22 commerce websites in Colonial Williamsburg, together with the Capitol, the place the folks’s representatives voted for Independence; the opulent Governor’s Palace; and dealing commerce outlets together with the apothecary, the shoemaker and extra.
Yorktown Battlefield and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
The Yorktown expertise is the place these hard-fought beliefs turned actuality.
Right here, you possibly can stroll the Yorktown battlegrounds the place the People defeated the British, which finally led to America’s Independence.
The interactive American Revolution Museum at Yorktown tells the story of the nation’s founding from the twilight of the Colonial interval to the daybreak of the Structure. It helps you additional perceive difficult paperwork just like the Structure and the way it’s related to our present lives.
This fascinating studying expertise was most likely the spotlight of my journey to the Higher Williamsburg space.
Monticello, Virginia
Monticello is a spot to go to get a glimpse into the lifetime of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the USA and the creator of the Declaration of Independence.
Nestled atop a hill sits Jefferson’s architectural masterpiece, a house designed by him and reflecting his Enlightenment beliefs.
The property, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage web site, permits friends to discover the mansion which options Jefferson’s research, private belongings, and designs he created.
You may also find out about Jefferson’s complicated legacy—his position in shaping the nation’s early democratic beliefs alongside his possession of enslaved folks, together with those that lived and labored at Monticello.
Washington D.C.
Though Washington, D.C. didn’t turn into the middle of American authorities till 1790, the U.S. capitol is residence to varied monuments and artifacts of Revolutionary Conflict historical past, together with the Washington Monument and the Declaration of Independence.
You’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the authorities created due to the Revolutionary Conflict on the Capitol Constructing and White Home.
Close by is Mount Vernon, the house of George and Martha Washington, one of many heroes of the Revolutionary Story.
You’ll be able to to see the place the previous common and first President of the USA lived.
The Washington D.C. Sightseeing Cross can prevent cash on excursions and sights in D.C. Study extra right here.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
One factor I really like about planning a street journey round a theme, is you possibly can utlize the time and route so as to add in different thrilling experiences or locations that won’t match the theme however move on via it.
Contemplate taking a detour over to be taught concerning the Civil Conflict historical past at Gettysburg, which is barely 2 hours from DC.
It’s a hauntingly non secular place that tells the story of this nice battle and turning level within the Civil Conflict.
The city is greatest identified for the Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1-3, 1863, which turned a turning level within the struggle.
Whereas the battlefield itself is situated in Pennsylvania, the influence of the battle was felt all through the complete area.
Discover Gettysburg Nationwide Navy Park, which encompasses a museum, a customer’s heart, and a battleground.
Study concerning the methods, key figures like Normal Robert E. Lee, Normal George G. Meade, and President Abraham Lincoln, and the influence of the struggle on troopers and civilians alike.
See the location of the well-known Gettysburg Tackle, delivered by Lincoln in November 1863, and stroll via the hallowed grounds the place there have been greater than 50,000 Accomplice and Union casualties.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia in Pennsylvania is a crucial cease on the Revolutionary street journey as its the place the USA Structure was written and Declaration of Independence was signed within the Independence Corridor.
Philadelphia was the headquarters, if not the official capital, of the colonies through the American Revolutionary Conflict. Philadelphia’s Historic District, the birthplace of the nation and the primary World Heritage Metropolis within the U.S.
There are lots of historic websites in Philadelphia that tells the story of the struggle together with The Betsy Ross Home, Carpenter’s Corridor, Declaration Home and Museum of the American Revolution.
You’ll be able to tour the Structure Middle, see the Liberty Bell, the well-known image of freedom for the USA through the Revolutionary Conflict and go to the location of Ben Franklin’s residence and places of work.
About 40 minutes north west of Philadelphia is Valley Forge Historic Park, the location of the third winter encampment of the Continental Military through the American Revolutionary Conflict between December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778.
Right here you’ll discover Washington’s Headquarters, a stone home on the Schuylkill River, which was occupied by George Washington.
The park incorporates historic buildings, recreated encampment constructions, memorials, museums, and recreation services. It additionally has 26 miles (42 km) of mountaineering and biking trails.
The Philadelphia Sightseeing Cross can prevent cash on excursions and sights in Philadelphia. Study extra right here.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts is certainly one of our favourite cities within the US for its European really feel and strong sporting tradition. It’s filled with historic experiences, particularly associated to the American Revolutionary Conflict.
Boston and the encompassing areas have been the settings for numerous essential occasions together with the Boston Bloodbath, the Boston Tea Get together, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. You may also go to Paul Revere’s Home and the Previous North Church, each essential Revolutionary landmarks.
One among our favourite excursions within the USA (to date) is the guided Freedom path strolling tour. We realized loads concerning the Founding Fathers, the Revolutionary Conflict and Independence via historic occasions and tales, many hilariously instructed.
Boston is a metropolis of so many firsts, so you should definitely learn our submit under to find how one can expertise them! Whereas on the town, why not get pleasure from a Boston Crimson Sox recreation at Fenway Park, tour Harvard College eat at America’s oldest restaurant, the Union Oyster Home.
Lexington Battle Inexperienced
About 40 minutes north west of Boston is the Lexington Battle Inexperienced, correctly often known as Lexington Frequent, is the historic city frequent of Lexington, Massachusetts the place the opening pictures of the Battles of Lexington and Harmony have been fired on April 19, 1775
These have been the pictures that began the American Revolutionary Conflict. Now a public park, the frequent is a Nationwide Historic Landmark.
West Level & Saratoga
West Level is on the best way between Boston and New York, so if touring via right here in both path it could be price placing it in your listing.
West Level is now residence to the United States Navy Academy.
In 1781, George Washington known as this space “an important Submit in America,” through the Revolutionary Conflict. Holding West Level meant stopping the British from controlling the Hudson River and dividing the colonies in two.
It’s additionally the place of Benedict Arnold’s act of treason. The traitor agreed to assist the British seize West Level. His plot included capturing Washington whereas he dined with Arnold at West Level
So as to add in additional Revolutionary experiences and a 2 hour detour to your route between Boston and New York Metropolis is Saratoga.
Why it is a helpful street journey?
Historical past is the story that has helped create who we’re, what we consider in, and reveals us what we’re able to. It (hopefully) conjures up us to comply with within the footsteps of these earlier than us who created greatness, or, warns us to show again from the trail that creates the alternative.
One of the crucial inspiring tales from America’s historical past is their combat (and victory) for independence from Britain – one thing my very own nation is but to do.
Earlier than touring this Revolutionary Conflict street journey within the east, I by no means may fairly comprehend America’s rhetoric over “freedom and liberty” and fascination with struggle, and seemingly over-the-top patriotism.
Due to this journey, I understood these statements are usually not essentially made in ignorance of different nations, however in celebration of how they arrived.
They consider in freedom for all because it’s what drove them to create the life they’ve now, which is why they’re on the forefront of combating for others to have it (more often than not – all the things is generally!)
All of us journey with our personal method of trying on the world. Many issues we encounter will appear unusual and we could also be judgmental or overly vital of them.
As soon as we be taught the tales and why they’re so essential, we are able to higher perceive. Our perspective adjustments and we are able to join extra deeply to the tradition.
It’s additionally solely after we step outdoors of ourselves (or our personal tradition) that we are able to look again and perceive ourselves higher. (Learn extra right here)
We included this in our greatest street journeys within the USA listing.
Remark: We’d love to listen to your tips about exploring the Revolutionary Conflict historical past on an East Coast USA street journey? Did we miss any stellar experiences? Are there different locations close by you’d advocate? Share under.