50 American Destinations Every History Buff Should Visit In Their Lifetime

America may not have a long history compared to some other countries around the world, but it does have a uniquely interesting history. If you're fascinated by American history but are far removed from the days when you would sit in a classroom and learn about it, know that your days of expanding your knowledge are far from over. We've curated a list of 50 of the most important destinations for history lovers to see across America. From museums that tell underrepresented stories to some of the most important battlefields to sites that defined our freedom, here are 50 American destinations every history buff should visit in their lifetime.

A 15-minute ferry ride from San Francisco, California, takes visitors to Alcatraz Island. On this 22-acre island, you can visit the former fort and federal prison, which is said to be one of the most haunted places in the world. Here, you can learn about military history and the infamous escapes from Alcatraz. The island also features exhibits on the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz Island by American Indian activists and information about the island's topography.

The Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, features over 400,000 graves of American soldiers, both those who died in battle and those who retired and died later of other causes. Every American should see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is the final resting place for unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Every hour in the summer (and half hour in cooler months), there is a changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, complete with a moving ceremony. Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of John F. Kennedy, William Howard Taft, the space shuttle Challenger's crew and more.

There's no shortage of things for history buffs to do in Boston, Massachusetts, but the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is an absolute must-see. The museum itself tells the story of the events that happened leading up to the American Revolution, and you'll see a colonial town meeting in action and can "dump the tea" on the ship. The Boston Museum features perhaps one of the most fascinating objects from this era of American history, the Robinson Tea Chest, the only known remaining tea chest from the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

The home of Congress, the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., is the pillar of the legislative branch of the American government. On a guided tour, you can see the Crypt, the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall, which feature truly stunning Greek-inspired architecture. You can also obtain a pass from your state senator or House representative to see the Galleries of the Senate and House. Here, you'll be able to watch Congress in action.

America would be nothing today without immigrants, and between 1892 and 1924, more than 12 million of them were processed at Ellis Island. Today, Ellis Island in New York, New York, is the home to a museum where you can see the plight and hope of these immigrants. Some 100 million Americans can trace their ancestry back to one of the aforementioned 12 million immigrants. At Ellis Island, you can visit the American Family Immigration History Center and try to trace your own family's heritage.

Opened in 1941, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York, was the first presidential library and continues to be a must-see for anyone interested in the presidency. FDR was the president during the Great Depression, New Deal and World War II, and his library features documents and self-guided exhibitions about that fascinating period of American history. A $20 ticket to this museum also grants you access to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's home, with a guided tour from a park ranger.

Without Fort McHenry, there would be no "Star-Spangled Banner." During the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, the raising of the American flag over this battlefield inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the song that would become our national anthem. Today, you can visit the Fort McHenry National Monument and hear talks about the famous battles that took place at this Baltimore, Maryland, spot. You can also raise and lower replicas of the flag that inspired Key.

The Civil War comes alive in Gettysburg, the famous Pennsylvania battlefield where the U.S. Army repulsed a Confederate invasion in the costliest battle of the war. Every weekend from April to October, Civil War living historians give demonstrations across the park to show how people of the time lived and fought. Gettysburg also hosts battle walks and campfire lectures throughout the summer. Visitors should also pay their respects at Gettysburg National Cemetery, where President Lincoln gave his stirring Gettysburg Address in tribute to those who fell in the battle.

If you're looking for the most breathtaking views of America while you learn a thing or two about this country, look no further than the Grand Canyon. The history of this Arizona wonder is largely in the visitors center on the South Rim. Here, you can watch a 20-minute movie about the canyon, see historic artifacts from the region or sign up for a guided tour of the area. The Yavapai Geology Museum is nearby, as is the Tusayan Ruin and Museum, where you can learn about Puebloan Indian life.

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is technically where U.S. history began, so of course any history buff should have this on their travel bucket list. At the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, you embark on a 40-minute guided tour where you see the Assembly Room as it actually was during the Constitutional Convention. An original draft of the Constitution is also a must-see.

If you have any interest in NASA and space, then Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, is a must-visit. Since 1968, Kennedy Space Center has been NASA's primary launch center. The facility still launches rockets every so often, which you can watch — and it really is a sight to behold. Even if there is no launch, you will see the launch site of the Apollo missions, including the famous Apollo 11 flight during which astronauts walked on the moon for the first time. This awe-inspiring center is one of the best things to do in Florida beyond Disney and the beach.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, is one of the country's most famous authors. He wrote quintessential American works, such as "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, is the Clemens family home and where Clemens wrote some of his most famous books. You can take a guided tour of the home, watch a Ken Burns documentary on Mark Twain and see the adjacent museum.

Montpelier in Orange County, Virginia, was the plantation home of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States and primary author of the Constitution. The estate features over 8 miles of hiking trails and offers a variety of tours, most of which touch on the Constitution and on Madison as a man. Slavery was also a huge part of Montpelier, and the former plantation does not hide or gloss over this fact. The permanent exhibition "The Mere Distinction of Color," curated by descendants of slaves who worked on the Madison family property, tells the story of slavery's impact on Virginia.

Learn the history of the family of our country's first president by visiting George Washington's Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon, Virginia. You can see the mansion, its stunning grounds and even George Washington's distillery. Learn more about Washington and his history as a military general during the Revolutionary War at the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center. There are also important exhibits about the life of Martha Washington, slaves at Mount Vernon and a moving wreath-laying ceremony at the Washingtons' tomb.

Built around the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination at the former Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, the National Civil Rights Museum tells the story of the search for civil rights in America from slavery in the 1600s to present day. This moving yet highly educational museum has over 260 artifacts, 40 films and interactive exhibits that show the history of racism and resistance in America.

There are a lot of museums in Washington, D.C., so don't worry if you haven't been to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It's relatively new; it opened in September 2016. The museum highlights the culture and strength of African-Americans in America but doesn't hide from the tragedies that they have faced during the country's short history. Must-see items include garments worn by slaves, a bible owned by rebellion leader Nat Turner and Emmett Till's glass-topped casket.

The rich culture of American Indian communities from the past and present is on display at the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum has two locations, one in Washington, D.C., and another in New York City. Both are definitely worth a visit, but the D.C. museum is an absolute must-see. This museum has one of the largest collections of Native American art and artifacts in the world, with over 800,000 items.

The National Portrait Gallery of the United States opened in 1968 and showcases the likenesses and stories of the people who have shaped America. No trip to this gallery would be complete without seeing the America's Presidents exhibit, which has the largest, most complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House. It's truly remarkable. The only museum in the country dedicated to portraiture, the gallery also features paintings of Benjamin Franklin, Michelle Obama, Martha Washington and more.

Though it's along the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts, the Paul Revere House is worth a special stop. This 17th-century house is the oldest house in downtown Boston, which is already interesting enough, but this was also the actual home of Paul Revere during the American Revolution. Here, you can learn about this silversmith's role in the early days of the Revolution and what really happened during his famous midnight ride as he warned that the British were coming — without actually muttering that phrase.

St. Augustine, Florida, is the oldest city in America, and the Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is the first site in that city. Learn about Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon and the 1565 colony in St. Augustine. While in St. Augustine, explore beyond this park to take in the Spanish-style architecture and stop by the very unique Spanish Military Hospital Museum to see Spanish Colonial medical practices.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is a truly unique thing to do in California and is an important place for fans of the modern presidency to go to. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this Simi Valley museum and library is the largest of the 13 federally operated presidential libraries. This is largely due in part to the Air Force One Pavilion, a 90,000-square-foot hangar that has the actual presidential plane used from 1973 to 2001 by Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, H.W. Bush, Clinton and Bush. The library also has tens of thousands of documents, photographs and films from the life and presidency of Ronald Reagan.

Perhaps the most iconic symbol of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty in New York City is also a national park and museum you can visit, though advance tickets are highly recommended. After a ferry trip to Liberty Island, you'll be able to explore the lush green grounds around the statue. You can also access the pedestal and see a museum telling the story of how the Statue of Liberty was built and how it became such an icon. With an advance reservation, you can also step into the crown of Lady Liberty to see a truly stunning view of New York.

The immigrant story in New York City and the United States isn't always a glamorous one, and the Tenement Museum in Lower Manhattan, New York, tells that tale. You can see actual apartments that immigrants lived in and learn their stories. The Tenement Museum tells the history of people from a variety of backgrounds, including immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Poland, Greece, China, Puerto Rico and more.

Yes, you actually can visit the White House without being a member of the presidential administration. You can request a public tour through your Congressman. The self-guided tour allows you to see public areas of the home of the executive branch, including the Red Room, the East Room and more.

While hiking across Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park may not be every American history buff's idea of a good time, this 2.2-million acre park has a storied history. It was designated as America's first national park by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872 and has numerous different ecosystems that tell the larger story of America's topography. Of course, be sure to see the erupting geyser Old Faithful, which goes off every 45 to 125 minutes. After you visit Yellowstone, you'll know why it's one of America's most popular tourist destinations.