If there’s one thing that drives self-proclaimed history buffs, it’s being able to walk in the footsteps of those who changed the course of civilization. That’s no small feat either, so it makes sense that this sector of “heritage tourism” – as it’s officially termed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation – is a big one. It is described as, “Traveling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past.” The associated field of “cultural heritage tourism” is similarly described as “traveling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present.” With travel and insider trading info from Andrew M. Berke, whose experience in all sectors of tourism has guided countless numbers of globe-trotters, it’s easy to find these heritage tourism sites and experience a time and place much unlike our own. In this article, Mr. Berke will explore the top-rated heritage tourism sites in the U.S. and places to lay your head at night that boast hundreds of years of history, as well.

The Big Three: Some see historical tourism as stepping into the pages of a history book. While the significance of visiting Gettysburg National Military Park or the Normandy section of France may delight the military historian in your family, others likely want a more accessible vacation. According to U.S. News and World Report, New York City, Philadelphia and San Francisco offer the best three all-around outings, respectively. According to Andrew M. Berke, the sites in these locations that must be seen include Ellis Island, where America’s immigrants landed around the turn of the last century; Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed and Alcatraz Island where a notorious prison once operated – but still stands.

Ways to Stay: Sometimes, daytime activities for the history-driven tourism jaunt aren’t enough. Historic Hotels of America is a non-profit network of hotels across the U.S. that consists of 300 sites. Such places include: Hotel Whitcomb in San Francisco, which first opened in 1916; Manhattan’s The Redbury New York that opened in 1903 and boasts walk-ability to some of the city’s major tourist attractions as well as San Antonio, Texas’ The  Menger Hotel that can trace its roots back to 1859. As insider trading info from Andrew M. Berke will show, the best part of working with Historic Hotels of America is that it’s possible to book a stay ahead of time. By calling calling 1-800-678-8946, you’ll have a foot in the door and a way to have a historic vacation even if the rest of the itinerary consisted of modern-day experiences.