Summer Travel, Part 2: The Road Trip Through U.S. History Continues

[Adriana Gallegos]

We started you off on a cross-country road trip with Summer Travel Part 1. Now we're revving our engines for the next leg, which sees us passing through the“Cradle of American Culture” to the Badlands out West.

"Cradle of American Culture": Tour the Mississippi Delta to see the roots of much of American culture. Visit historic private homes in Vicksburg and Memphis, and enjoy a coffee reception at Mont Helena Manor, a magnificent example of Colonial Revival architecture. You can also tour the Delta region’s most important museums, historic homes, and sites, and learn about the area's rich and complex history while driving along the legendary Blues Highway. And make sure to stop at Po' Monkey's Lounge, one of the last surviving rural jukes, to sample tamales and listen to an acoustic blues performance by a renowned local musician. (Learn more about upcoming Mississippi Delta National Trust Tour.)

Train Time: It would be easy to rush through this historic train station without stopping to take in its sights, but this National Treasure has so much to offer. Union Station in Washington, D.C. is a Beaux Arts icon designed by renowned architect Daniel Burnham. It sits just two blocks from the U.S. Capitol, and is one of the busiest stations in the country, serving 14 types of transportation, from passenger trains and inter-city buses, to bike sharing services and D.C.’s subway system. Learn more about Union Station's summer activities, which include shopping, restaurants, free concerts, art and photography exhibits, and other more.

Gothic Revival Goodness: It’s hard to find Gothic Revival architecture stateside, but Lyndhurstin Tarrytown, New York, is widely acknowledged as one of the finest Gothic Revival mansions in America. In June, celebrate Lyndhurst’s spectacular rose garden in full bloom and honor the Irvington Garden Club that keeps it lush. And at sunset have a cocktail and listen to jazz right on the beautiful garden. Being there will transport you back to the late-1800s way of life.

George Washington Was Here: Head over to Alexandria, Virginia to visit Woodlawn, a 126-acre estate that was originally part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Woodlawn is a National Historic Landmark recognized for its role in the development of the American preservation movement. This summer the site will host the All American House, a MADE: In America exhibitionof emerging designers’ work. The exhibition runs until June 16.

Presidential Retreat: It’s been 129 years ago since Theodore Roosevelt moved to the North Dakota Badlands to heal after his first wife and mother both died on Valentine's Day. There he was able to find peace of mind and the inspiration for his views on conservation that greatly influenced his presidency. The source of inspiration? An isolated site on the river bank where he built a big cabin called Elkhorn Ranch. Today, the area President Roosevelt loved so much is the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a great place to get away from the everyday routine. Boating opportunities on the Little Missouri River are seasonal, with May and June usually being the best months. And if you’re an animal lover, enjoy the wide variety of animals roaming, including bison and deer.