6 Places To Visit That Are Full Of History

One of the great pleasures of travel is getting to discover unique sites filled with historical significance. If learning firsthand about the history of different places excites you, check out the global destinations listed here, which include everything from grand old homes and temples to museums housing incredible regional artifacts. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

6 Destinations For Lovers of Local History

Place Description
Tampa Bay History Center Features three floors of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries focusing on 12,000 years of Florida's history
Richmond, British Columbia Offers a Canadian coastal experience filled with international cuisine, outdoor adventure, and two National Historic Sites located in the historic fishing village of Steveston
Kōchi, Japan Boasts such historic sites as the Kōchi Castle, the Kure Taisho Town Market, and 88 sacred Buddhist pilgrimage locations
The Stetson Mansion Built in 1886 in DeLand, Florida by famed hat maker and philanthropist John B. Stetson, it's the state's first luxury home
Milledgeville, Georgia The state's capital during the Civil War, it features an assortment of historic museums and sites, including over 40 Antebellum homes
The Summerland Museum and Archives Displays objects that reflect the history of the Summerland District and the immediate surrounding area in British Columbia, from the period of pre-contact, including Indigenous history, to the present

What to Do in Richmond, BC

10 Engaging & Informative Books About American History

Title Author(s)
1. I’ll Be Seeing You Karen Berkey Huntsberger
2. Unshackling America Willard Sterne Randall
3. Custer’s Trials T.J. Stiles
4. Love For Sale David Hajdu
5. The Long Shadow of 9/11 Brian Michael Jenkins & John Paul Godges
6. Empire of Self Jay Parini
7. Lincoln’s Last Trial Dan Abrams & David Fisher
8. The Fleet at Flood Tide James D. Hornfischer
9. Lies My Teacher Told Me About Christopher Columbus James W. Loewen
10. The Strange Career of William Ellis Karl Jacoby

A Brief Tour of the Stetson Mansion

In Depth

Culturally rich locations can add a dynamic element to your next getaway. Stopping in on an off-the-beaten-path or lesser known historical site can entertain you while also teaching you something you may have not known before. If you are interested in learning something new, consider checking out the following destinations, listed here in no particular order, which work to preserve the histories of their communities.

#1 on our list is The Tampa Bay History Center. With more than 100,000 annual visitors, this museum is one of Tampa's premier cultural venues, and an anchor of the city's arts district. The center's hands-on exhibit galleries, educational programs and community events offer a fun, entertaining and educational experience for visitors and locals of all ages.

The museum includes three floors of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries focusing on over 12,000 years of Florida's history. Visitors to the Tampa Bay History Center can dine in the Columbia Cafe, a branch of the world-famous Columbia Restaurant, featuring signature Spanish-Cuban cuisine, a staple of Tampa's iconic immigrant community of Ybor City.

The museum includes three floors of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries focusing on over 12,000 years of Florida's history.

Next up at #2 on our list is Richmond, British Columbia; a thriving city where culture and character converge in a stunning setting. Richmond has many things to offer its visitors including international cuisine to sample, outdoor adventures to experience, and a rich historical past to discover. It's a place where the Pacific and the Canadian coastline converge to create an atmosphere that is uniquely its own.

Culinary enthusiasts can travel the Dumpling Trail and visit the Golden Village to sample authentic Chinese food. Similarly, the Richmond Night Market offers a unique street food experience where foodies can meet the city's emerging culinary talents. For outdoorsy travelers, Richmond's waterfront is ideal for bike rides and whale watching expeditions, where you'll see orcas, porpoises, sea lions, eagles, and more.

#3 on our list is Kochi, which is located in the Southwest Shikoku region of Japan. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Kochi Castle, which is over 400 years old. It is the only castle in Japan which still has its original architecture intact. From the top floor of the structure's tower, visitors can enjoy a wide panorama view overlooking the entire city.

History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Kochi Castle, which is over 400 years old.

Those interested in spirituality can partake in a pilgrimage to the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku that was taken by the Buddhist monk Kukai over 1200 years ago. This pilgrimage is open to anyone, regardless of their nationality or religion. On completion of the journey, it is said that one can "find themselves" and be "freed of earthly desires".

Up next at #4 on our list is The Stetson Mansion. This is Florida's First Luxury Estate, built in 1886 for famed hat maker John B. Stetson. Its the largest and most historic home ever built in Florida before the 20th century. It was the first home in Florida to be constructed with electricity, steam heat, indoor plumbing and a call bell system.

After 100 years of it being hidden away from public view, The Stetson Mansion has been rescued, restored and updated in a timeless fashion. Tours are offered between February and September, and include an overview of the history of the estate and a behind-the-scenes look at the restoration process. Christmas tours are offered between November and January.

Christmas tours are offered between November and January.

At #5 on our list, Milledgeville, which was founded in 1803, served as the capital of Georgia during the Civil War. Today, this charming southern college town boasts a hip vibe that has an eclectic mix of locally owned shops and dining options. Milledgeville beckons travelers with its architecture, historic venues, a glistening lake and an authentic arboretum.

The assortment of historic sites, homes and museums provide visitors with a unique ambiance to learn about Milledgeville's days as the state capital during a fascinating period of America's history. Lovers of literature are encouraged to visit Andalusia Farm, the home of the famed American author Flannery O'Connor, which served as the setting for many of her stories and characters.

At #6 on our list, The Summerland Museum has been dedicated to collecting and preserving its community's history since 1965. This organization's mission is to collect, preserve, research, interpret, and display objects that are historically significant to Summerland and the immediate surrounding area. The museum focuses on Indigenous history and the present times.

The museum focuses on Indigenous history and the present times.

Located in British Columbia on the shores of Lake Okanagan, Summerland is a short drive from Penticton and Kelowna. Featuring a unique, 50 foot mural by local artist Bruce Crawford, the permanent exhibit explores Summerland's early history of development and settlement. Rotating yearly, the temporary displays in the Tait Room look into historical issues and events important to the area within a regional, national, and international context.