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PHOTOS: 10 best historic destinations in the US

Patrick Roth | proth@wtop.com

June 19, 2018, 9:14 AM

It should come as no surprise that the nation's capital comes in at No. 1 on U.S. News and World Report's list of best histoic destinations in the U.S. Visitors can check out the home of all three branches of the federal government in addition to the monuments on the National Mall. Another historical highlight is the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, which is free to visitors. File. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)(ASSOCIATED PRESS/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON — As countries go, the U.S. is still relatively young but there is no shortage of history to be found in the country.

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U.S. News & World Report released its list of the 10 best historic destinations in the U.S. for 2018.

Check out the list in the gallery below.

Coming in at No. 10 is Charlottesville, Virginia. The city was the home of two presidents, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Jefferson's home at Monticello is just outside of the city. Monticello and the University of Virginia were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
1o. Charlottesville, Virginia. Charlottesville was the home of two presidents, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Jefferson’s home at Monticello is just outside of the city. Monticello and the University of Virginia were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Getty Images/Thinkstock
New Orleans comes in at No. 9. The city, known for its French and Spanish Creole heritage, recently celebrated its 300th birthday with a visit from the King and Queen of Spain. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
9. New Orleans New Orleans, known for its French and Spanish Creole heritage, recently celebrated its 300th birthday with a visit from the King and Queen of Spain. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Getty Images/Thinkstock
Charleston, South Carolina, comes in at No. 8 on the list. The city dates back to 1670 and was where the first shots were fired in the American Civil War. It also plays a major role in African American history with some historians estimating that nearly half of all Africans brought to the U.S. arrived in Charleston. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
8. Charleston, South Carolina Charleston dates back to 1670 and was where the first shots were fired in the American Civil War in 1861. It also played a major role in African-American history with some historians estimating that nearly half of all Africans brought to the U.S. arrived in Charleston. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Getty Images/Thinkstock
Coming in at No. 7 is Plymouth, Massachusetts. The site of the former Plymouth Colony dates back to the Pilgrims landing in 1620 and was the first sizeable permanent English colony in New England and the site of the first Thanksgiving. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
7. Plymouth, Massachusetts The site of the former Plymouth colony dates back to the Pilgrims’ landing in 1620. It was the first sizable permanent English colony in New England and the site of the first Thanksgiving. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Getty Images/Thinkstock
Williamsburg, Virginia, comes in at No. 6. Visitors can see Colonial Williamsburg and get a glimpse of what life was like in the U.S. at the start of the American Revolution. In addition to sites, visitors can also "meet" and interact with an array of historical figures who lived in Williamsburg at one point including some of the Founding Fathers. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
6. Williamsburg, Virginia Visitors can see Colonial Williamsburg and get a glimpse of what life was like in the U.S. at the start of the American Revolution. In addition to sites, visitors can also “meet” and interact with an array of historical figures who lived in Williamsburg at one point including some of the Founding Fathers. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Getty Images/Thinkstock
Savannah, Georgia, comes in at No. 5. As the oldest city in Georgia, visitors can see cobblestone streets and a number of historic buildings in the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA and the First African Bapist Church, one of the oldest African-American congregations in the U.S. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
5. Savannah, Georgia In Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia, visitors can see cobblestone streets and a number of historic buildings including the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA and the First African Baptist Church, one of the oldest African-American congregations in the U.S. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Getty Images/Thinkstock
Philadelphia comes in No. 4. While there, visitors can check out Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Entrance to the hall is by timed entry ticket only through December, although no ticket is required after 5 p.m. File. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
4. Philadelphia Visitors can check out Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Entrance to the hall is by timed entry ticket only through December, although no ticket is required after 5 p.m. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, comes in at No. 3 on the list. The site of what is arguably the most important battle of the Civil War, visitors today can tour the battlefield and see living history demonstrations from Civil War historians every weekend through October. Visitors can also visit the Soldiers' National Cemetry, where President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. File. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
3. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania In Gettysburg, the site of what is arguably the most important battle of the Civil War, visitors today can tour the battlefield and see living history demonstrations from Civil War historians every weekend through October. Visitors can also visit the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, where President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File
Boston comes in at No. 2 on the list. It was found in 1630, just ten years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and was the scene of several key events of the American Revolution. Visitors can check out 16 historically signifcant sites by following the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail. Boston is also the home to many firsts in American history including the first public school, the first public park and first subway system. File. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
2. Boston Boston was founded in 1630, just 10 years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. The city was the scene of several key events during the American Revolution. Visitors can check out 16 historically significant sites by following the 2 1/2-mile Freedom Trail. Boston is also the home to many firsts in American history including the first public school, the first public park and first subway system. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)
AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File
It should come as no surprise that the nation's capital comes in at No. 1 on U.S. News and World Report's list of best histoic destinations in the U.S. Visitors can check out the home of all three branches of the federal government in addition to the monuments on the National Mall. Another historical highlight is the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, which is free to visitors. File. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
1. D.C. It should come as no surprise that the nation’s capital comes in at No. 1 on the list. Visitors can check out the home of all three branches of the federal government in addition to the monuments on the National Mall. Another historical highlight is the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, which is free to visitors. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh, File)
AP Photos/Susan Walsh, File
(1/10)
Coming in at No. 10 is Charlottesville, Virginia. The city was the home of two presidents, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Jefferson's home at Monticello is just outside of the city. Monticello and the University of Virginia were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
New Orleans comes in at No. 9. The city, known for its French and Spanish Creole heritage, recently celebrated its 300th birthday with a visit from the King and Queen of Spain. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Charleston, South Carolina, comes in at No. 8 on the list. The city dates back to 1670 and was where the first shots were fired in the American Civil War. It also plays a major role in African American history with some historians estimating that nearly half of all Africans brought to the U.S. arrived in Charleston. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Coming in at No. 7 is Plymouth, Massachusetts. The site of the former Plymouth Colony dates back to the Pilgrims landing in 1620 and was the first sizeable permanent English colony in New England and the site of the first Thanksgiving. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Williamsburg, Virginia, comes in at No. 6. Visitors can see Colonial Williamsburg and get a glimpse of what life was like in the U.S. at the start of the American Revolution. In addition to sites, visitors can also "meet" and interact with an array of historical figures who lived in Williamsburg at one point including some of the Founding Fathers. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Savannah, Georgia, comes in at No. 5. As the oldest city in Georgia, visitors can see cobblestone streets and a number of historic buildings in the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA and the First African Bapist Church, one of the oldest African-American congregations in the U.S. (Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Philadelphia comes in No. 4. While there, visitors can check out Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Entrance to the hall is by timed entry ticket only through December, although no ticket is required after 5 p.m. File. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, comes in at No. 3 on the list. The site of what is arguably the most important battle of the Civil War, visitors today can tour the battlefield and see living history demonstrations from Civil War historians every weekend through October. Visitors can also visit the Soldiers' National Cemetry, where President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. File. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Boston comes in at No. 2 on the list. It was found in 1630, just ten years after the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and was the scene of several key events of the American Revolution. Visitors can check out 16 historically signifcant sites by following the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail. Boston is also the home to many firsts in American history including the first public school, the first public park and first subway system. File. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
It should come as no surprise that the nation's capital comes in at No. 1 on U.S. News and World Report's list of best histoic destinations in the U.S. Visitors can check out the home of all three branches of the federal government in addition to the monuments on the National Mall. Another historical highlight is the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, which is free to visitors. File. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)

If you or someone in your home is a history buff, then the D.C. area is a good place to be.

“A lot of the destinations on the historic list are really close to D.C.,” said Erin Shields, the assistant managing editor of travel at U.S. News & World Report. “So if you’re a history buff, you’re located in a great area. You can reach a lot of the top historic destinations by train or a quick drive.”

You won’t have to travel very far at all to visit the No. 1 best historic destination in the U.S. It’s right here in D.C.

The best historic destinations in the U.S. include:

  1. D.C.
  2. Boston
  3. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
  4. Philadelphia
  5. Savannah, Georgia
  6. Williamsburg, Virginia
  7. Plymouth, Massachusetts
  8. Charleston, South Carolina
  9. New Orleans
  10. Charlottesville, Virginia

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