America’s 250th birthday is the perfect excuse to hit the road this summer, and few routes tell the nation’s story better than the East Coast! From New England meeting houses and early protest sites to the seat of federal power in Washington, D.C. and the battlefields of Virginia, traveling the East Coast is hands-on way to experience American history.
To help you get rolling, we’ve mapped out a practical, history-rich itinerary for travelers who want to see where the nation began. Whether you explore one state or travel the whole coast, America’s rich history waits around every corner. Let’s hit the road!
Boston to Plymouth, Massachusetts
This road trip starts in Massachusetts with Boston’s Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red-brick path linking 16 sites central to the American Revolution. Begin at Boston Common, the nation’s oldest public park, then wind your way through downtown to stops like Park Street Church, Paul Revere House, and Faneuil Hall, where fiery debates against British rule took place.
The Trail ends in Charlestown at the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned naval vessel still in the water. The museum digs into the story of “Old Ironsides,” including its role in the War of 1812. Nearby, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum brings one of the Revolution’s most famous moments to life with costumed interpreters and hands-on exhibits.
From Boston, head to Minute Man National Historical Park, which spans Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington. Walk through key battle sites, including North Bridge, where the “the shot ‘heard round the world” marked the start of the American Revolution in 1775. The five-mile Battle Road Tail connects battle sites from Meriam’s Corner in Concord to Fiske Hill in Lexington.
Wrap up your journey by traveling all the way back to 1620 when the pilgrims arrived in Plymouth. Known as “America’s Hometown,” Plymouth is home to Pilgrim Memorial State Park, where you can see Mayflower II, a replica of the ship that carried the pilgrims, along with Plymouth Rock, the famed landing site. The Pilgrim Trail leads to sites like Burial Hill, the first pilgrim cemetery.
Nearby KOAs:
Webster / Douglas Forest KOA Journey
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is practically mandatory when you explore American history! Start at Independence Hall. Ranger-led tours take you inside the Assembly Room, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and signed. Tours also include the Governor’s Council Chamber and the Supreme Court Chamber, which served as the nation’s first Supreme Court.
Across the street, Liberty Bell Center houses the iconic cracked bell, with exhibits that explore its origins, symbolism, and role in civil rights movements. Curious about the famous crack? Park rangers are happy to explain. There’s a lot to the story, too. Next door, the President’s House Site looks at the contradiction between liberty and slavery in early days.
Next, head to the Museum of the American Revolution, where immersive galleries connect the dots between people, places, and events. Highlights include The Declaration’s Journey, which features rare documents and personal artifacts in the fight for independence. Families with kids ages 5-12 will appreciate Revolution Place, a hands-on space within the museum for exploration.
Wrap up at the National Constitution Center. Exhibits explore how the Constitution was written and how it continues to shape daily life today. New galleries focus on the nation’s founding ideals and how the Constitution balances power among the three branches.
Nearby KOAs:
Philadelphia South / Clarksboro KOA Holiday
Philadelphia / West Chester KOA Holiday
Washington, D.C.
No road trip celebrating America’s 250th birthday feels complete without time in Washington, D.C. Start at the National Archives, home to the Charters of Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and for the first-time ever, the full U.S. Constitution, including the fifth page complete with George Washington’s handwritten notes.
Next, take a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol. Highlights include the Rotunda and Statuary Hall, home to 100 statues of notable Americans, including civil rights activist Rosa Parks of Alabama and aviator Amelia Earhart of Kansas. Emancipation Hall displays the plaster model that cast the 19.5-foot-tall bronze Statue of Freedom that tops the Capitol dome.
Continue to The People’s House, an interactive museum dedicated to the history of the White House. A scale model shows 19 rooms, including the Oval Office, while exhibits presidential china, the Resolute Desk, and behind-the-scenes roles of chefs, ushers, and gardeners. The real White House is just across the street.
Round out your visit with an exploration of the monuments and memorials. Ride the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument for scenic views, then walk between memorials honoring Lincoln, Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr., and veterans from World War I through Vietnam. Guided bus and bike tours make it easy to cover more ground in a single day.
Nearby KOAs:
Washington, DC / Capitol KOA Holiday
Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday
Mount Vernon to Williamsburg, Virginia
Called the “Mother of Presidents,” Virginia is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents, including George Washington. Start at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate on the Potomac River. Guided house tours show where he lived, entertained, and worked. Gardens, outbuildings, and a slave memorial offer a fuller look at life on the property.
Next, visit George Washington’s Ferry Farm in Fredericksburg, where a reconstructed house and interactive exhibits focus on his childhood and daily life. Side trips include George Washington’s Birthplace National Monument in Colonial Beach and Monticello and Thomas Jefferson’s home in Charlottesville.
In Richmond, tour the Virginia State Capitol, designed by Jefferson, where guided visits feature the Rotunda and legislative chambers. Just a short walk away, St. John’s Church marks the site of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech.
Wrap up in America’s Historic Triangle: Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg. Stroll Yorktown Battlefield, where the 1781 victory secured independence. At Jamestown, explore the first permanent English settlement and learn about the arrival of the first Africans in 1619. In Colonial Williamsburg, more than 300 acres of original buildings, reconstructed sites, and costumed interpreters immerse visitors in life on the eve of the Revolution.
Nearby KOAs:
Fredericksburg / Washington DC South KOA Holiday
Richmond North / Kings Dominion KOA Holiday
About the Author: Erin Gifford
Erin Gifford is a Virginia-based travel writer who loves road trips, outdoor adventures, and national parks. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, she created the digital travel guide Explore America: 250 Places to Go in 2026. Erin blogs about hiking at Go Hike Virginia and has written three hiking guides for Falcon Guides. Follow her on Instagram: @byeringifford.
