The American south offers a great deal of natural beauty, diverse cultures and very
interesting sites of historical interest.
If you are anything like me then you love to visit preserved
pieces of history while enjoying a relaxing vacation. Often, these places offer us a rare
opportunity to experience first-hand a piece of history in a way that no book, film or
documentary can.
10. Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is the former home of our first president George Washington and his wife
Martha. It is a sprawling and beautiful plantation estate. At Mount Vernon you can tour
Washington’s mansion as well as the grounds which stretch over five hundred acres.
9. Harpers Ferry
If you are in Virginia to visit Mount Vernon, then you may want to make the trip to nearby
West Virginia to visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in the town of Harpers
Ferry. Harpers Ferry features a number of well-preserved nineteenth century buildings
including John Brown’s Fort, a site important to the history of abolition and the civil war.
8. Hermitage
If you find yourself in Nashville Tennessee it easy to get wrapped up in all of the great
nightlife and musical history, but don’t forget to visit the Hermitage Museum. The
Hermitage is the former estate of President Andrew Jackson, one of history’s most
exciting and controversial figures.
7. Graceland
Graceland, located in Memphis Tennessee, is the former home of rock and roll legend
Elvis Presley. Today it is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations and a
must visit for music lovers. It features exquisite architecture and is often host to live
music events. There is even a Graceland summer music camp for children.
6. Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine Florida is one of the oldest established cities in America. In fact, is was
established long before America was America. You can see everything here from old
Spanish forts and settlements to the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. Saint Augustine
also has a lively culinary/bar scene to explore when the sun goes down.
5. Williamsburg
Williamsburg Virginia is one America’s oldest colonial settlements. Today the streets are
teaming with lively re-enactors in period costumes, educating guests about life in the
colonial period. This is great destination for children as Williamsburg is also home to a
Busch Gardens theme park.
4. The Alamo
The Alamo mission in San Antonio Texas was at one time involved in a rather famous ill-
fated battle during the fight for Texas’ independence. Today the Alamo mission is a
world heritage historical site and museum.
3. Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs is a horse racing track is located in southern Louisville Kentucky and is
famously home to the annual Kentucky Derby. The downs were built in 1875 and today
are just as beautiful and plush as they were when they were back then. It's a great place
to experience southern charm and enjoy the spectacle once referred to as the sport of
kings.
2. Edmund Pettus Bridge
The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama is a site of great historical importance.
On March seventh 1963 civil rights protesters were violently blocked from marching
across the bridge by the authorities, two days later Martin Luther King led a famous
symbolic march to the bridge. Today the bridge is part of the Historic Civil Rights Trail
and is a designated nation monument.
1. Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia is where some of our nation’s greatest heroes are buried. While visiting you can see the majestic changing of the guard ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, visit the tomb of John F. Kennedy and the beautiful memorial arboretum.
Throughout the American south there are interesting landmarks significant to many different facets of our national culture. There is something for history buffs of every stripe and this list is only a small look at the many different sites of historical import to be found below the Mason-Dixon Line.
by Catalogs.com Info Guru Lauren DeJesus-Glasgow