Story originally appeared on Club Wyndham.
Time traveling may not be something you can check off your bucket list (yet!), but a historic road trip down the east coast is a close second. Whether it’s visiting a Civil War battleground or simply strolling through cobblestone streets, exploring a place that has stood the test of time is an experience like no other. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the rich history of the United States, look no further than these fascinating cities. Your journey through time awaits.
Start In Washington, D.C.
Morning: Get up and at em with a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History . Here you’ll find thousands of fascinating artifacts like the original Star-Spangled Banner and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, to name a few.
Afternoon: A trip to the nations capital would be incomplete without a stop at the White House and surrounding national monuments. Along the scenic Tidal Basin Loop Trail , you’ll see historic sites like the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting in spring, you may even catch cherry blossom season in full swing.
Evening: Wind down with a stroll through the historic neighborhood of Georgetown . Grab a nightcap at Martin’s Tavern (where President John F. Kennedy is said to have proposed to his wife, Jackie) and absorb the sights and sounds of this iconic pocket of D.C.
Explore Williamsburg, Virginia
Morning: Start the day at Colonial Williamsburg , the worlds largest living history museum. Explore restored buildings as actors dressed in historic garb help set the colonial scene. Oh, and don’t forget to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage!
Afternoon: Williamsburg makes up one third of whats known as Virginias Historic Triangle, along with fellow famous counterparts Jamestown and Yorktown. Both historic sites are less than a thirty-minute drive from Williamsburg, so spend the afternoon checking some of the earliest colonial-era settlements off your bucket list.
Evening: What better way to end a historic day than with a historic dinner? Tuck in at one of Williamsburg’s many traditional taverns some dating as far back as the 18th century.
End In New Bern, North Carolina
Morning: As one of North Carolinas oldest cities, almost everything in New Bern is rich with history. Grab a cup of coffee or a tasty treat and browse New Berns picturesque farmers market for unique, handcrafted items.
Afternoon: Visit New Bern Battlefield Park , where the Battle of New Bern etched the city’s name into the legacy of the Civil War. Walk the grounds where soldiers clashed in a fierce battle on March 14, 1862.
Evening: A day filled with sightseeing may leave you feeling parched, but lucky for you, New Bern happens to be the birthplace of Pepsi. Check out the Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola store , which is the actual site where Pepsi-Cola was first invented by Caleb Bradham in his pharmacy in 1898. Learn about the history of Pepsi, grab a souvenir, and of course, enjoy an iced-cold glass of one of Americas favorite drinks.
