Discover American history in a way you’ve never seen before, Happy Birthday America, 250yo

The 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, from the mighty Mississippi River to the New England towns, to the discovery of the west, all praised as the birthplace of American liberty and represent integral elements of our national character. They are part of what makes the United States worth celebrating, worth arguing about and worth defending. They represent our national project and our best selves.

Though the events of the Revolution occurred largely within the bounds of the original 13 colonies, this anniversary represents a chance where all Americans, wherever they live, can commemorate together.

Places to Visit to Celebrate America: Ventured to sites of momentous events:

from Philadelphia’s Independence Hall
to the Greensboro lunch counter
to NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston.

Explore America’s uniquely great outdoors:

arching our necks to glimpse the top of California’s great sequoias
and squatting along the Platte River in Nebraska to witness the astonishing sight of migrating sandhill cranes.

You can include the “Oddball Americana,” identifying quirky attractions like:

the International Cryptozoology Museum in Maine
and Connecticut’s must-visit Pez Visitor Center.

Or wet your appetite in the “Food” category with stops at:

the first Sonic drive-in in Stillwater, Oklahoma;
the birthplace of the Buffalo Wing in (not surprisingly enough) Buffalo, New York;
and at Pequod’s Pizza for some classic Chicago deep dish.

Find out about and recognize inspiring figures such as Harriet Tubman, George Washington as places of convergence, such as Newport, Rhode Island’s 18th century Touro Synagogue; or athletic, as in the Williamsport, Pennsylvania, home of the Little League World Series; or in ethnic heritage, such as Miami’s Little Havana, plus much more.

Every state in the union is represented including Puerto Rico. This means that sites, such as Boston’s Old North Church, where lanterns were hung for Paul Revere’s Ride, or San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, as well as others such as Ground Zero in Manhattan, Antietam in Maryland, the Manzanar internment camp in California or Wounded Knee in South Dakota, whose historical significance is beyond dispute.

Celebrations last until the end of the year. Consult with city or state websites for more information before planning your trip.

By Joyce Bates, owner of Sun Connections Travel & Cruises. For more info on this subject or to book your next trip, email joyce@sunconnections.com. Call 503-655-4850 or visit us at www.sunconnections.com . *Travel Layaway plans available!*