Top US History Destinations for Student Groups

  Lets Explore the Top US History Destinations for Student Groups

In this week’s blog we will go over a few locations across America that are some of the top destinations for a US History educational trip. While I am only mentioning a few, our team can make tons more destinations a reality for you and your students! Deadwood and the Black Hills, Williamsburg, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, and Gettysburg are bursting with American history. This history aligns with many school curricula.

The Black Hills of South Dakota contain many historical US towns, landmarks and national parks. Deadwood, SD, is one of the legendary Gold Rush towns. It has daily performances and shootouts. During the summer months, it features the reenactment of Wild Bill Hickok’s murder. In the winter, there is ice skating and ice bumper cars. An hour away is the magnificent Mount Rushmore. Explore Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and the Badlands. Visit the Black Hills Mining Museum, Museum of Geology, and the Mammoth Site. See one of the nation’s most famous Gold Rush towns and enjoy the stunning Black hills!

As our nation’s first capital, Philadelphia has an extensive history and a significant number of historical attractions to visit. In the heart of Philadelphia, there are many historical landmarks everyone should see when learning about American history. From Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell to Carpenters Hall and the Quaker historic site and burial ground Arch Street Meeting House – there is so much to learn outside of the classroom! Not to mention the National Constitution Center and the Museum of the American Revolution are only a few minutes’ walk down the street. There is also Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously inhabited road in America. Plenty to see, do, and learn in Philly!

The Historic Triangle – Williamsburg, Jamestowne and Yorktown – offers multitudes of historic places to visit. Take a Colonial Williamsburg tour, visit historic Jamestowne and the Yorktown Battlefield. The Jamestown Glasshouse still operates to this day, and you and your students can watch artisans make all sorts of glass products. As sites for both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, reenactments are always happening. Colonial Williamsburg also has entertaining historical evening programs for your students to take part in. As one of America’s first settlements, there is no small amount of history to see here!

Washington DC hosts a variety of educational places to visit. With more than 15 different buildings, the Smithsonian Institution offers diverse learning experiences – science, math, art, culture, and history are all represented. If your students are learning branches of government, the White House, Capitol, and Supreme Court are a definite must see. Learning about Presidents? Your students should undoubtedly visit Ford’s Theatre and Mount Vernon. For a deeply grounding experience, visit the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and Arlington National Cemetery. All in all, Washington DC is a great city for any educational experience!

Boston – the city that sparked the American Revolution. Your students can walk the Freedom Trail with an 18th century costumed guide from Boston Commons all the way to the Bunker Hill monument with stops at the Paul Revere House, the Boston Massacre Site, and Faneuil Hall. A visit to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is a must for any Boston itinerary, as well as the USS Constitution Museum. You can also get on a Boston Duck – a WWII amphibious landing vehicle – for a guided historic tour of Boston.  Boston is rich in American history and a place you’ll never forget.

And last but not least, Gettysburg – home to one of the most vicious battles of the American Civil War. Visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitors Center and take a bus tour of the battlefield with a tour guide. While there you can also stop at the Eisenhower Historic Site and see the former president’s weekend getaway home where he hosted leaders from around the world. Then head to Seminary Ridge to see one of the largest field hospitals in Gettysburg during the Battle. Get to know families from the Civil War at the Shriver House and Jennie Wade House near downtown Gettysburg. This beautiful city is overflowing with Civil War History.

All of these cities are rich in American history. As mentioned, many more destinations await your students to learn. Let our team plan your History Educational Trip.