Travel To The Oldest Places On American Soil 

The United States is rich in historical sites that attract visitors from near and far. Whether you're a history buff or just like a cool spot, these old places across the nation will fascinate you. From 400-year-old buildings to the world's first national park, here are America's most ancient tourist attractions:     

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1. Plymouth Rock

On the shore of Plymouth Harbor in Massachusetts, a very famous rock rests inside Pilgrim Memorial Park. The ancient rock is said to signify the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620. Four centuries later, patriotic Americans and tourists alike visit the old rock and explore the historic site.      

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2. The Witch House Of Salem

Visit the scene of the witchcraft “crimes”! In the heart of the renowned witch town of Salem stands the only house left from the witch trial era. Built back in 1675, a judge named Jonathan Corwin lived there until 1692. He was responsible for many of the examinations of accused witches and rumors claim it often took place inside this house.     

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3. Cahokia: The Oldest CIty

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Cahokia is said to be the largest and earliest prehistoric settlement in the country. Cahokia is also claimed as the first true North American city, dating back to 700-1400. You can get a taste of what life was like in the ancient city where thatch-roofed houses and ceremonial plazas once stood.  

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4. Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park

Near Santa Barbara, Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park is nestled within the Santa Ynez Mountains. The site is home to an attractive cave decorated with 500 year-old paintings. After a brief upwards hike, you can enter the cave to admire the colorful symbols and illustrations up close.  

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5. The Fairbanks House

Just outside of Boston is one of America’s oldest timber-framed homes. The house has remained standing for almost 400 years, with eight generations of the Fairbanks family living inside. It’s now open to the public as a museum with much of the original handiwork intact.  

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6. San Miguel Mission: Oldest Church

Regarded as the oldest church in the country, San Miguel Mission stands as a piece of Spanish colonialism. It can be found in Santa Fe, New Mexico, America’s oldest capital city. The colonial chapel finished construction in 1710 and you can still join Sunday mass in 2025.  

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7. Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop: Oldest Bar

On the far end of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, you can order a pint from one of the country’s oldest bars. The local drinking spot first opened its doors to pirates and smugglers in 1722 and has been in operation ever since. From a gay bar to a candle-lit pub, it’s gone through a few changes but it’s never been shy of nightlife.   

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8. Peabody Essex Museum

In the enchanted witch town of Salem is one of the nation’s oldest running museums. The building once housed the cabinet of natural and artificial curiosities founded by the East India Marine Society in 1799. Today, you can see over 1.8 million pieces of maritime art from Asia, Africa, India, and Oceana.   

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9. United States Botanic Garden

George Washington admired flowers and his vision came to life in 1820 when President Monroe had the botanical garden built on the grounds of the Capitol building. You can visit the glass conservatory any day of the year to soak in the smells and the views of a rose garden, butterfly oasis, jungle leaves, and desert plants.    

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10. Yellowstone National Park

Straddling the territories of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho is allegedly the world’s first national park. Although some will argue that claim, Yellowstone has been a wilderness vacation hotspot since 1872. It continues to attract Americans and international guests as a nature hub and hiking paradise.    

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11. Wainwright Building

In downtown St. Louis stands an old skyscraper known as the Wainwright Building. Built in 1892, the steel and brick structure is admired by locals and tourists alike. With only 10 storeys, it’s no longer considered a very tall building but it’s a historic monument nonetheless.  

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12. Fort Morgan

If you’re interested in the history of the Civil War then a trip to Alabama’s Gulf Coast is a must. From 1819 to 1834, the fort took 15 years to build and was constructed with revolutionary materials like granite, iron, sandstone, and cement. The fort has been preserved well and transports you back to a significant time in American history.  

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13. Leap-The-Dips: Oldest Roller Coaster 

Can you brave one of the world’s oldest roller coasters? If you trust a century-old roller coaster then by all means take a ride on the Leap-the-Dips in Lakemont Park in Altoona. The rickety wooden tracks were constructed in 1902 and we can only assume they’ve been renovated over time.  

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14. Cliff Palace

In Mesa Verde National Park in wild Colorado you can visit an incredible historical landmark. Dating back to 1891, Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America that once housed around 100 people. Evidence shows that the enchanting rock structure was a social site that served ceremonial purposes.    

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15. New Castle Court House

This court house in Delaware stands out in American history. Built in 1732, the old building sits on land where William Penn landed in 1682. The famous court house was home to four signers of the Declaration of Independence and Delaware was declared a state inside its doors.  

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16. Castillo De San Marcos

St. Augustine in sunny Florida holds an ancient fortress on its twenty-acre grounds. The Spanish fort dates back to the 17th century and is one of the oldest in the United States. The historic area is now a national park and can be visited all year round.   

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17. Russian American Magazin

In Alaska, the town of Kodiak was once a Russian settlement back in the 1790s. The building, once referred to as the Russian American Magazin or the Erskine House, was kept well-preserved over time. Today, the national landmark is home to the Baranov Museum which transports visitors back in time. 

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18. Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fort Scott in Kansas served as a gateway to the Westward expansion between 1842 and 1873. Fort Scott National Historic Site sits on 17 acres and features 20 buildings, 11 being originals. You can take self-guided tours through the grounds while employees dressed in period attire share historical information. 

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19. Locust Grove

This Georgian-style mansion in Louisville, Kentucky has seen some famous visitors like Andrew Jackson. Built in 1792, the grand old estate sits on 55 acres. Today, the grounds host many events like periodic festivals, day camps, and summer concerts.  

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20. College Park Airport

The Wright Brothers would be proud to see that planes are still taking off from their airport. College Park Airport in Washington DC dates back to 1909 as the first military airfield in the United States. Today, an on-site aviation museum gives visitors and insight to all the notable events that took place including classic aircrafts on display.  

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