I'm back. Apologies for missing last week's Friday travel article, but I had to take a few days off. Unfortunately, I was not traveling or doing anything fun for the Fourth, just cleaning out my garage and draining my pool for a refresh. (Yes, I lead a glamorous life, I know.) Anyway, before I decided to take last Friday off, I'd planned to do a list of patriotic places you might want to visit this summer... but with a slight twist. Since it was so much fun to research and learn, I decided to save it for this week.
Mount Rushmore, Independence Hall, Pearl Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, presidential libraries — there are so many patriotic tourist attractions around the country that everyone's either been to or heard of. But I didn't want to focus on those. Instead, I wanted to look at some of the lesser-known ones that you might not be familiar with but that are still filled with a lot of red, white, and blue history and pride (and, in some cases, beautiful United States landscapes).
1. Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Probably one of the more visited places on this list, Patriots Point sits just across the Cooper River from Charleston, S.C. It promises "one million square feet of history and adventure." It's focused around the USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier used in World War II, and it includes the destroyer USS Laffey, a Cold War Memorial, a Vietnam Experience, the Medal of Honor Museum, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. It's a very family-friendly place that takes visitors of all ages up close and personal with some of the country's greatest heroes through numerous hands-on activities.
Even better, it's located right on the water, so you can enjoy some of the most beautiful views in the Charleston area. If you're a history buff and you've never been to Charleston or Mount Pleasant, I recommend taking a few extra days to explore everything else the town has to offer, like the plantations and Forts Sumter and Moultrie.
2. Andersonville National Historic Site, Andersonville, Ga.
If you're really into military or Civil War history, I suggest heading over to Georgia and taking some time to visit Andersonville. During the Civil War, this area began as a military prison. While it was meant to hold 10,000 men, it ended up holding over three times that amount of Union soldiers at times in horrific conditions. 13,000 of them died and were buried there. Today, you can visit the former site of the Camp Sumter military prison, the Andersonville National Cemetery, and the National Prisoner of War Museum.
By June, Camp Sumter was overcrowded, leading to violence. On June 29, Union prisoners arrested 150 suspected 'Raiders.' A trial followed, and on July 11, six were hanged. Their graves stand apart, marked by disgraceful deeds. #History #CivilWar #Andersonville #ANDE pic.twitter.com/IMpN123vyJ
— Andersonville NHS (@andeNHS) July 11, 2025
3. The Center of the Nation, Belle Fourche, S.D.
Did you know that the geographic center of the United States is actually in South Dakota? That's what happened when Alaska and Hawaii were added to the country. In the city of Belle Fourche, you can visit a monument dedicated to this fact, along with a visitor center and the Tri-State Museum, which has a series of revolving exhibits related to history and science. I've never actually been to this one myself, but the website has a cool 360-degree tour that you can take, and the entire town looks like a fun and charming little place to explore.
By the way, in case you were curious, Lebanon, Kan., is the center of the 48 conterminous states, and Rugby, N.D., is considered the center of all of North America.
4. The American Village, Montevallo, Ala.
I'd never heard of this place until I started researching for this article, but it looks really cool and like a great place to take kids. Located in the small central Alabama college town of Montevallo, The American Village is an actual village of 20 buildings inspired by American history. Reenactors and storytellers bring the past alive throughout the grounds.
Here's more from Sweet Home Alabama:
Here in this museum of ideas, visitors step onto the stage of American history and discover the power and drama of America’s journey for independence and self-government. Highlights of the campus include Washington Hall, inspired by George Washington’s beloved Mount Vernon; the Colonial Courthouse; the Colonial Chapel, inspired by one of America’s oldest churches, Bruton Parish Church of Williamsburg, Virginia; and a full-sized replica of the Oval Office, including an exact replica of the Resolute desk used by most Presidents since Rutherford Hayes. The newest addition to campus is the National Veterans Shrine and Register of Honor, dedicated to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The American Village offers a daily public tour in addition to school programming. Customized group tours are also available. Special programs on major national holidays draw thousands of visitors. Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day are among the most meaningful days as the American Village commemorates the country’s founding and the service and sacrifice of those who have defended it.
Just make sure you check the hours before you visit, as it only appears to be open during the summer at this time.
5. National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, Texas
The National Museum of the Pacific War is located in the boyhood home of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who during World War II, served as the commander in chief, Pacific Ocean Areas. It's not the biggest museum you'll ever visit — though it's currently undergoing some renovations — but it is packed full of history. The website invites you to "Immerse yourself in history with a vast collection of artifacts and the personal stories of real people who lived and died during the Pacific War. Here, you can find the connection between the Allied victory in WWII and the world we live in today, and the hope it brings for the future."
Attractions include an introduction to Admiral Nimitz, including artifacts from his life; the George H.W. Bush Gallery, where stories and artifacts take you through the Pacific War; a Memorial Courtyard and Japanese Garden of Peace; and so much more. Again, I haven't been to this one myself, but after reading the rave reviews on various websites from people who have been, I knew I had to add it to the list.
6. Fort Mose Historic State Park, St. Augustine, Fla.
It's been a few years, but Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine is one I am familiar with, and it's a beautiful mix of scenery and history. Located along a saltwater marsh north of St. Augustine's Historic District, "Fort Mose Historic State Park is a 40-acre waterfront historic site, featuring a recreation of the original fort built to defend the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what would become the United States. This park preserves both history and natural beauty and offers picnic areas, an observation boardwalk, birding opportunities, a kayak launch, and a visitor center/museum."
Watch history rise. 🏗️✨
— FL State Parks Foundation (@FLStateParksFdn) May 15, 2025
This time-lapse captures the reconstruction of 1738 Fort Mose—the first legally sanctioned free Black community in what is now the U.S. A symbol of freedom and resilience, it's now standing strong once more.
Viva Mose! 🖤 #FortMose #VivaMose pic.twitter.com/NGT113pl2X
You can take the self-guided tour of the Flight to Freedom Trail, which takes you back to 1738 and shows you how "men, women, and children risked their lives to secure freedom for themselves and their families. The trail takes you through lush maritime woodlands. There's also an interactive museum that tells the story of Fort Mose. The original fort is no longer there, but there is a recreation that you can tour. Like Charleston, if you've never been to St. Augustine, I highly recommend making a trip of it and spending time in town visiting the other historic sites and forts at least once in your lifetime.
7. Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia, Calif.
I also chose Columbia State Historic Park because of its high ratings across numerous websites. It was rare to find a person who had visited and didn't love it. This one will take you back to the days of the Gold Rush when the town of Columbia welcomes prospectors from around the world. "Columbia was once known as the 'Gem of the Southern Mines,' and by 1853, was one of the largest cities in California. Unlike many other Gold Rush settlements that disappeared due to fire, vandalism, and time, Columbia survived," according to the website. It's more of a historic town than a traditional park, but it's still a whole lot of fun. There are over 30 buildings still standing.
Here's more from the website:
Merchants are also still doing business in town. Visitors can enjoy hand-dipped chocolates, listening to music in historic saloons, sipping a cozy cup of coffee, performances at the Fallon Theatre, dipping a candle, grabbing a bite to eat, or sitting down to full meal. Stagecoach rides are available season and weather permitting. Other highlights include walking to the two-story brick schoolhouse and cemetery overlooking town or hiking the one-mile nature trail.
I’m at a preserved historic California Gold Rush town…
— WTC (@FormerlyWTC) June 3, 2023
📍 Columbia State Historic Park pic.twitter.com/IhwYD11VSO
8. Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park, Kodiak, Alaska
If you're up for a trip to Alaska's Kodiak Island, might I suggest Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park? It's another place that combines history with beautiful scenery. Its website describes the park's 221 acres as "The historic ruins of a World War II coastal defense installation coupled with the steep surf-pounded cliffs, deep spruce forests, wildflower laden meadows, and a lake containing trout offer the public a unique opportunity to learn of the events of World War II while enjoying the natural beauty of the park." You can fish, hike, swim, camp, and spot unique wildlife ranging from 95 species of birds to aquatic mammals like seals and sea lions. There's also a Military History Museum, but from what I understand, you must make an appointment to visit.
This is by no means a definitive list. There are hundreds of places like these around the country that you can visit to learn more about our history, view more of our lovely scenery that you might not see often, and get to know the heroes that came before us. I could easily make another ten lists just like this, but I also love history and nature. I hadn't intended to keep my travel articles going beyond July, but I've gotten some good feedback and even some requests for topics to explore, so I'll probably keep them up a bit longer. Maybe I'll do a follow-up to this list with even more underrated patriotic places at some point.
Let me know in the comments about the places you've visited that make you proud to be an American.
