This month marks the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution. This is a huge, multi-year event that commemorates the founding of our country as we walk through each of the eight years of the war. I can’t wait for the big celebration next July for the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence! And the events leading up to the Yorktown surrender anniversary in 2031!
American Revolution historical sites can be found in most of the original thirteen colonies. Check out the national 250th anniversary website to see what’s happening near you. I’ve listed below my favorite American Revolution historical sites and books to give you a starting point! I’ve also linked to each state’s 250th celebration website to help you target the events in your area. Also check out my Favorite Patriotic Sites to see even more places you can visit.
Buy your kids a tricorne hat and get them in the Revolutionary spirit by visiting these sites and reading the books I’ve recommended!
Favorite Historical Sites
The place where the American Revolution had its first shot at freedom.
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
Over a year before the commencement of the war, Boston patriots snuck onto British ships in the harbor and dumped out the tea in protest of the tea tax. It was one of the big events that eventually led to war. My kids absolutely loved visiting these recreated ships and had a blast throwing the tea overboard themselves! Huzzah!
Freedom Trail (includes Bunker Hill, Boston Massacre Site, Old North Church, and Paul Revere House)
This is a fun walk to do with kids! You follow red-painted bricks around Boston to see some of the most important historical sites from this time period. It’s a must-do! Be sure to download the audio tour before you go.
Outside Boston:
Minute Man Historical Park, Lexington and Concord
This is THE place to visit in Massachusetts! You can walk on the Lexington Green where the “shot heard round the world” occurred as well as over the infamous Old North Bridge in Concord. The park is hosting a huge event on Saturday, April 19th – the exact day 250 years ago when American militia and British troops first encountered each other.
Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, Cambridge
The writer, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, lived in the home that General Washington used as his headquarters! I’ve walked by it hundreds of times but hope to visit its interior soon.
Adams National Historical Park, Quincy
Home to one of our Founding Fathers, this park is the best way to learn about John Adams and how Abigail experienced the Revolution as soldiers from both sides marched feet from her front door. It’s so inspiring!
Virginia, my adopted state, is the birthplace of the Revolution.
A living history museum where you can participate in votes at the House of Burgesses and march with a fife and drum corps, this is a must-see for any history buff!
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Alexandria
Visit George and Martha’s home above the Potomac to see many of his original artifacts from the war.
Great Bridge Battlefield, Chesapeake
This was the site of a pivotal early battle (December 9, 1775). It’s one of the only Virginia sites I haven’t yet visited.
Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond
I recently attended the 250th reenactment of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech on March 23, 1775. It was amazing. Reenactments are held every Sunday in the summer so you can join in with your “Huzzah!” when visiting! Kids will love this immersive experience.
Historic Westover, Charles City
Visit a beautiful home on the James River which still bears the scars of the traitorous Benedict Arnold!
National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico
This amazing museum has a gallery about the Revolution. And it’s conveniently located just off I-95 which makes it a perfect stop on the way to Washington, DC.
National Museum of the United States Army, Fort Belvoir
This museum’s Revolutionary War exhibit is moving and informative.
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Charlottesville
Don’t miss the home of one of our Founding Fathers and author of the Declaration of Independence.
Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond
With so many Virginians leading the charge, this museum has an extensive collection of American Revolution artifacts. It also has a temporary exhibit called “Give Me Liberty: Virginia and the Forging of a Nation.” It has tons of family-friendly activities and is a must-stop while in Richmond.
If you go to one site in Virginia to learn about the American Revolution, this little town should be it. It has the Yorktown Battlefield where British General Cornwallis met with the ultimate defeat, where soldiers sang, “The world turned upside down,” where Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette charged up redoubts to ensure victory. You can drive around the battlefield and then head to the amazing museum to round out your Revolutionary experience. It shouldn’t be missed!
While Washington, DC wasn’t our nation’s capital during the war, it now contains many of the amazing artifacts and museums about the conflict.
See the original Declaration of Independence and other important founding documents here.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The best museum in America! It houses many amazing artifacts from the war. Its galleries are well done and interactive for kids.
Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
This group is formed of descendents of soldiers and has its own museum with household items.
Home to some of the most iconic sites from the Revolution, this is a great place to see many places in one trip as the sites are centered mostly around the Philadelphia area.
Philadelphia:
Independence National Historical Park (includes Liberty Bell)
The iconic American Revolution site where the Declaration of Independence was signed. It’s a moving place! You can also visit many other sites that are part of the park like the Liberty Bell and the house where Jefferson penned the Declaration.
Museum of the American Revolution
This is one of the best museums and is a must-see! My kids absolutely loved it. It’s just down the street from Independence Hall.
See Betsy Ross’ home where she stitched an emblem of freedom!
This hidden gem is one of the most intact battlefields and forts from this time period.
Outside Philadelphia:
Brandywine Battlefield, Chadds Ford
Site of a 1777 defeat for the Continental troops, I love its summer camps for kids!
Valley Forge National Historical Park, King of Prussia
This is one of the most moving of the American Revolution sites. You can see Washington’s headquarters and the log cabins where regular soldiers barely survived the brutal winters of 1777-1778. I love how you can drive or bike around the park. It’s an easy day trip from Philadelphia and it really makes an impact!
Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing
See the place where General Washington and his troops set out on a snowy Christmas night to surprise the British troops in Trenton. I’d love to go to its 250th reenactment in 2026!
The site of many important battles, New Jersey should definitely be a stop on any American Revolution tour. I haven’t had a chance to visit any of these sites but hope to during the commemoration!
Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Monmouth
Any Hamilton fan knows about this 1778 battle where the Continental soldiers fought in one hundred degree heat. Check out Monmouth County’s own 250th website for more events.
Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown
Visit the site of the Continental Army’s winter camp from 1779-1780. I am especially excited to see the mansion where Washington made his headquarters. You can even tour the Schuyler/Hamilton house in town where Alexander Hamilton courted Eliza Schuyler.
Princeton Battlefield State Park, Princeton
Another pivotal battle from the war in 1777. Learn more here.
Trenton
This is where Washington landed after crossing the Delaware River in late December 1776 (see park listed Pennsylvania) and routed the Hessian outpost of the British Army. You can see the Old Barracks Museum and the Battle of Trenton Monument.
New York City:
Check out this great one day walking tour. It will take you to pivotal places like the site of the Battle of Brooklyn and Fort Greene Park where there is a memorial to the thousands of Continental soldiers who died in the horrific British prison ships. Don’t miss walking by Bowling Green Park where the statue of King George was torn down and City Hill Park where Patriots were hanged. Be sure to eat at the Fraunces Tavern which is where Washington said goodbye to his troops at the end of the war and tour the historic Morris-Jumel Mansion that served as his headquarters. I love visiting the New-York Historical Society to learn even more about this time in New York’s history.
Outside New York City:
High on my list to visit, this site is gearing up for its own 250th celebration in 2027. Fans of Outlander will be especially interested in visiting this important site! See other nearby Revolutionary sites here.
Saratoga National Historic Park, Saratoga
The site of a pivotal 1777 battle, this site also has the Schuyler mansion where Eliza and her sisters lived.
Washington’s Headquarters, Newburgh
See another one of Washington’s winter quarters which was visited by Martha Washington.
My home state was the first to join in the rebellion. Huzzah!
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Greensboro
This is the 1781 battle that made General Cornwallis hightail it to Yorktown where he met total defeat. It also features Nathanael Greene who is such an important part of the Revolution!
Home to the 1776 Halifax Resolves which was the first colonial government to order its delegates to vote for independence. There was also a battle fought here in 1781.
Moores Creek National Battlefield, Currie
Near Wilmington, this battlefield was the first significant victory for the Patriots and included some Scottish Highlanders charging with drawn swords!
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
Spread over four states, most of this trail is in North Carolina and leading to the Battle of Kings Mountain (see its entry below under South Carolina). You can see where the Overmountain Men camped and fought as they made their way to defend their land and livelihoods.
Tryon Palace, New Bern
Home to the colonial governor, this palace became the seat of government for the Patriots. It is high on my list of must-see sites, especially its Outlander tours!
This is my favorite city in the world, and it’s chock full of Revolutionary War history. Its citizens seized British tea right before the Boston Tea Party and held it in the cellar of the Old Exchange. After being successfully defended from the British in 1776 at Fort Sullivan (now Fort Moultrie), Charleston was under siege from March – May of 1780 and was under British control the rest of the war. You can get a good glimpse into this time period at the Heyward-Washington House.
Cowpens National Battlefield, Cowpens
Site of a pivotal 1781 battle, this is where Daniel Morgan’s troops beat back the British troops led by the infamous Banastre Tarleton.
Home to a 1780 Revolution battle as well as historic buildings, this city hosts a huge historic festival every year. They also have rides in conestoga wagons which would be so fun for kids!
Kings Mountain National Military Park, Blacksburg, SC/Kings Mountain, NC
As Thomas Jefferson said, this 1780 battle was “the turn of the tide of success.” This is my hometown! I grew up in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and while the battlefield is technically in South Carolina, I can’t help but include my hometown. It recreates the battle on stage every year in its Liberty Mountain play and hosts a festival on the anniversary every October.
Savannah
Savannah was the site of a battle in 1779 and was under siege for the remaining time of the war. You can visit the battlefield and learn more about this history at the Savannah History Museum. It figures prominently in the later Outlander books!
To learn even more about the historical sites you need to see, be sure to watch Ken Burns’ upcoming series called The American Revolution. I also recommend the History Channel’s series on Washington and Jefferson and HBO’s series on John Adams.
Happy 250th!
Books to Read:
There are thousands of books written about the American Revolution and the people involved. I’ve listed below some of my favorites or ones I have on my TBR. Be sure to check out the sites I’ve reviewed for more detailed choices. Check out this link for even more book recommendations!
All book links are Amazon affiliate links. You can also visit my Bookshop.org shop where your purchases help independent bookstores and creators. I’ve created a list of these books and will add as I read more!
Adult:
- Nonfiction:
- 1776
- Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence
- Nathaniel Philbrick’s American Revolution series
- Rick Atkinson’s The Revolution Trilogy
- Valley Forge
- From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War
- Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America’s Independence
- Fiction:
- Outlander books (An Echo in the Bone, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, and Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone)
- Jeff Shaara series
- John Jakes – Kent Family Chronicles (The Rebels)
- Lars Hedbor Tales from a Revolution series (one set in each state)
- King’s Mountain
- The Lacemaker
- A Girl Called Samson
- My Dear Hamilton
- Carrying Independence
- Answering Liberty’s Call: Anna Stone’s Daring Ride to Valley Forge
- A Fallen Sparrow: A Novel of the American Revolution
Young Adult:
- Worth the Read
- April Morning
- Sophia’s War
- Cast Two Shadows
- The Fifth of March
- The King’s Broad Arrow
Middle Grade:
- Susanna’s Midnight Ride
- Rebellion 1776
- The Seeds of America trilogy
- Johnny Tremaine
- My Brother Sam is Dead
- The Fighting Ground
- The Winter of Red Snow (Dear America series)
- Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy
- Revolutionary Anna
- The Epic Story of 1776: 25 People, 13 Colonies and 1 War
- Jenny Cote’s Epic Order of the Seven series (The Voice, the Revolution and the Key, The Declaration, the Sword and the Spy, and The Marquis, the Escape & the Fox)
- One if by Land, Two if by Submarine
- American Revolutionary War Adventures series (Patriots, Redcoats and Spies, Submarines, Secrets and a Daring Rescue, and Links to Liberty)
Younger Kids:
4 thoughts on “Favorite American Revolution Historical Sites and Books”