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museum

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Almanzo Wilder Homestead
New York

Stopping By the Almanzo Wilder Homestead

The Almanzo Wilder Homestead has long been on my “someday” list. Growing up, I read the Little  House books and was a fan of the TV show from the 1970s and 80s. As we planned our 2023 East Coast road trip, I looked for a way to include this historic farm on our itinerary. I was super excited when I realized we could fit it in between Niagara Falls and Bar Harbor, Maine! It wasn’t the perfect visit, but as many roadtrippers know, stops along the route aren’t always perfect. We weren’t able to stop while the homestead was open due to timing on the road. But if that happens to you, don’t fear. You are allowed to walk the grounds even when the visitor center and museum are closed. You won’t get a tour or get to go inside the buildings. Still, you’ll be able to walk the grounds where…

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Fort McHenry and National Monument and Historic Shrine
Back East

Experiencing the Star-Spangled Banner at Fort McHenry

In the summer of 2023, we took a road trip that started at our home in Missouri, went north to Canada, and then made the trek along the East Coast. As the journey neared the final stretch, we found ourselves stopping in Baltimore for a night before heading into a three-night stay in D.C. One attraction we definitely wanted to see was Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, home of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem, “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” that would one day become our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Written September 4, 1814, after the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, the poem was soon set to the tune of a famous British song, “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a melody we would recognize today as our national anthem, though arrangements over the years have varied slightly. Because of the battle…

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Museum of the American Revolution Philadelphia
Pennsylvannia

Visiting the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia

On our quick stop in Philadelphia, we wanted to hit the highlights and get a taste of the historic city. Of course, we wanted to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. We even chose our lodging at the Kimpton Hotel Monoco based on the ease of access to those attractions. One attraction that caught our attention in our planning stages was the Museum of the American Revolution.  This museum’s greatest claim to fame is General George Washington’s War Tent. That’s right; you’ll be able to see the actual tent he used during the revolution. It’s showcased in a special exhibit that only reveals the tent for a few moments during a presentation in a theater. When we looked up the location, we saw that this museum is also easily walkable from our hotel. It also looked like a great museum for learning more about U.S. history, so we added…

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RCA Studio B Tour Country Music Hall of Fame
Tennesse

RCA Studio B Tour at the Country Music Hall of Fame

If you’re planning a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, and American music history is your vibe, be sure to add the RCA Studio B Tour to your ticket. This tour begins at the Hall of Fame, but a short bus ride takes you to where some of our most beloved artists recorded their now-iconic songs. Even if you don’t know a lot about these artists of yesteryear, the tour is worthwhile and informative. It was a highlight of our Nashville trip. The Tour Begins We booked our tour before we left home for Nashville. It’s easy to select your entrance ticket and any add-ons on the website. For the RCA Studio B Tour, you do need to select a tour time when you purchase your tickets. We picked a late-morning time with plans to see the rest of the Hall of Fame after…

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Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C.

Summer Evening Tour of the Monuments in Washington, D.C.

Planning the Tour While planning our summer road trip for the East Coast in 2023, we opted to end the trip with Washington, D.C., before pointing the car west and heading back to Missouri. We booked two nights at an Airbnb on Capitol Hill, knowing we were only going to get a small taste of the city. We were determined to make the most of it, as we always try to do. We can sleep when we get home, right? I had been to D.C. twice before, but this would be Jeff and Kristin’s first visit. I knew I wanted them to experience the many monuments scattered about the Mall and nearby areas, but I also knew it was July and hot. And it was the end of a three-week road trip, so I knew energy could be down. An evening monument tour sounded like just the thing. Not only…

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Independence Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Assembly Room
Pennsylvannia

Touring Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell

If you’re heading to Philadephia, be sure to add a visit to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell to your list of stops. On our East Coast road trip one June, we made it a priority as we made our way from Maine to Washington, D.C. Our arrival time was planned for the evening, so we’d have to save official touring for the next morning. For the night, we stayed across the street at the beautiful and fascinating Kimpton Hotel Monaco. This beautifully quirky hotel put us right where we needed to be for our tour of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell the next morning. Even better, the location allowed us to take an evening stroll around the very buildings where our country was born. This was the perfect hotel for staying in Old City. In fact, it’s one of my favorites of anywhere we’ve stayed.on our adventures. Touring…

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Manzanar National Historic Site, Japanese Internment Camp, Lone Pine California
California

Visiting Manzanar National Historic Site

Everyone should visit Manzanar. The lessons within its borders are necessary. I didn’t know Japanese Internment during World War II was something that happened until well after high school graduation. I’d never heard the slightest murmur of such things all through high school, and I took advanced history classes. At 22, I’d moved to Front Royal, Virginia, a small town about an hour from Washington, D.C. One December day in 1997, I had the opportunity to visit the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History. Fortunately, I’d visited twice before as a child and a teenager. It was a favorite of mine, and I looked forward to seeing the First Ladies’ exhibit and the pop culture section. Imagine my confusion when I stumbled into a portion of the museum that looked like a neighborhood in California. Shops and restaurants in this replica San Francisco street were closed and boarded up,…

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The White House
Back East

Touring the White House in Washington, D.C.

If you’re hoping to see the White House during your Washington, D.C., trip, you’re not alone. Over a million people tour the White House, also known as President’s Park, each year. Planning Your White House Visit Planning a trip to Washington, D.C., can seem, at first, overwhelming. There are so many things to see and do, and if you’re visiting for a few days, there is no way you’re going to see everything. You’ll have to decide what your priorities are, and then the true planning begins. Most attractions in D.C., though often free, have ticket and reservation requirements, and keeping track of everything can be daunting. If you’ve decided to try for a tour of the White House, you’ll have some steps to complete. And even if you complete the steps correctly, you’re not guaranteed a tour. Even if you get that confirmation and all seems like a go,…

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A Christmas Story House, Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio

An Afternoon at the A Christmas Story House

If you’re heading to the Cleveland area, why not put the A Christmas Story House on your must-do list? Full disclosure: A Christmas Story is not my favorite Christmas movie. I first saw it at a Christmas party at church in middle school. Over the years, the movie found its way to my parents’ TV, especially if my sister was around. She loves this movie, and she made the trek to see the house long before we did. Still, I like the movie enough and it’s found its way into popular culture. When we had the chance, we made the stop. And I’m glad we did. You don’t have to be a super fan to enjoy the nostalgia of Christmas past that is oozing from this place. If you love Christmas like I do, you’ll have a good time. If you’re into cinema history, that’s also a good reason to…

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