Afar
The 9 Best Historic Hotels in the United States in 2026 and Why Each Is Worth Traveling For
Book a storied stay at one of these winners of the 2026 Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence.
Atlas Obscura
Chickahominy Riverfront Park in Williamsburg, Virginia
Just a few miles from Jamestown, Chickahominy Riverfront Park sits at the edge of a tidal river that has changed remarkably little since English colonists first explored it in 1607. Bald cypress trees rise from dark water, great blue herons stalk the shallows, and marshes stretch into the distance. Remove the occasional fishing boat, and the view is not so different from what the Powhatan peopl…
Atlas Obscura
Fossil Beach at York River State Park in Williamsburg, Virginia
The trail to Fossil Beach winds through a forest, a marsh , and ends at what appears to be an unassuming stretch of sand along the York River. But look down instead of out. Mixed among shells and pebbles are fragments of a much older world: fossilized teeth, bones, and other remnants of marine life that swam here thousands of years ago. Fossil Beach offers one of Virginia’s most accessible oppo…
Atlas Obscura
Freedom Park in Williamsburg, Virginia
At first glance, Freedom Park seems like simply a peaceful escape into nature. Mountain bikers weave through miles of trails. Families picnic beneath pine trees. Birdsong replaces traffic. But if you look closer, you'll discover there’s much more to the site than playgrounds and hiking paths. It was home to one of the earliest known free Black settlements in colonial Virginia. The community’s o…
Atlas Obscura
Jolly's Mill Pond in Williamsburg, Virginia
On a quiet stretch of water just outside Williamsburg, recipes, archives, and heirloom crops are revealing stories that conventional history has overlooked. Dating back to the late 18th century, Jolly’s Mill Pond has become an outdoor classroom where Black, Indigenous, agricultural, and culinary histories are explored together around a shared table. In the late 1700s, the pond and its dam were…
Atlas Obscura
Beyond Colonial Williamsburg: 11 Events Worth Planning a Trip Around
The Historic Triangle is often associated with powdered wigs, Revolutionary War reenactments, and America’s founding story. But between Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, the year is filled with celebrations that span far beyond the 18th century. You can spend a January weekend listening to world-class jazz, cheer a parade of illuminated boats, or deliciously discover why Williamsburg proud…
Lonely Planet
8 best amusement parks in the USA
The USA
Atlas Obscura
Salubria in Stevensburg, Virginia
Latin for "healthful" or "good health," Salubria, unlike James Madison's nearby home, Montpelier, is a lesser-known gem of the Piedmont region. Salubria, c 1757, is currently preserved though not restored- the house has not been repainted or re-furnished in period attire inside. Much of the wood is original! The Germanna Historical Society owns the home as of 2000, and was recently awarded a su…
Atlas Obscura
This Illinois Tower Was Built Exclusively for Swiss Goats
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and all major podcast apps. Kelly McEvers: This episode is for the DIY nation. The people who see something they like and say, “I can make that.” People like Marcia and Dave Johnson. Their farm in Windsor, Illinois, is filled with DIY projects. The house… Marcia Johnson: The house is modeled after one in Williamsburg, Virginia. We found the hou…
Condé Nast Traveler
The Best City in the US for Shopping Is Exactly the One You Think It Is
Condé Nast Traveler readers believe this major US city is the end-all-be-all for shopping destinations in the country.
Atlas Obscura
Exploring Virginia’s Historic Triangle, Then and Now
Few places blur the line between past and present quite like Virginia’s Historic Triangle. The places now known as Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg witnessed the arrival of the first British ships on Virginia’s shores, the rise of revolutionary ideals, and the battle that secured a new nation. But these events don’t just live in the past—they continue to shape American life, including how…