There’s a lot to be learned from the people who came before us. By many standards, the United States is a young nation—but that doesn’t mean these past 250 years have been uneventful. Our history, while rich, is also complex and at times fraught with inequality, conflict, and division. The Southeast, for all its vibrancy and diversity of culture, bears the scars of its past in even the most beautiful of places.
From historical homes and fortresses to culturally rich cities and iconic squares, the Southeast is a region that will leave a lasting impact on your group, whether their goal is to educate themselves or simply explore. There is no dearth of opportunity for historical immersion. Prepare your group for a journey that is as poignant and moving as it is exciting and memorable.
Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the oldest cities in the United States and is therefore a must-see for groups looking to explore the Old South. Founded in 1670 and known for its rich history, well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and lively cultural heritage, Charleston offers a unique glimpse into both Colonial and antebellum America.
Today, Charleston is a vibrant tourist destination known for its food, hospitality, and Southern charm. Walking tours, historic house museums, art galleries, and the city’s beautiful gardens are popular draws.
Two key attractions in the city are run by the Historic Charleston Foundation: the Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House Museum. These historic homes were built in 1808 and around 1820, respectively. The Nathaniel Russell House is fully restored using scientific methods like paint analysis. On the other hand, the Aiken-Rhett House is preserved as-found and unaltered.
“Our two house museums, Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House Museum, are wonderful places to step back in time and, as the director of these two houses, I think that also translates to visitors,” says Tracey Todd, director of museums for the Historic Charleston Foundation. “It’s really fun to see both of them on a trip.”
The Aiken-Rhett house in particular, Todd says, is a hidden gem tourgoers won’t want to miss. Visitors to the house might participate in a 45-minute audio tour, while larger groups can opt for a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent. The property, which contains one of the best-preserved slave quarters in the city, provides guests with an immersive experience that allows them to truly walk through history. Todd says the foundation will even tailor its tours to the needs of each individual group.
Credit: Historic Charleston Foundation
More must-see historic destinations in Charleston include the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, one of the last major buildings constructed by the British before the Revolution in the North American colonies; Rainbow Row, a street lined with colorful historic homes; the Heyward-Washington House, home of Thomas Heyward—a signer of the Declaration of Independence—and temporary residence of President George Washington; Fort Sumter National Monument; and the USS Yorktown.
“I oftentimes get frustrated that everyone thinks of American history as things that happen in Washington, D.C.,” Todd says. “American history happens everywhere, and our story is one that is collectively told through places like Charleston.”
Todd emphasizes the value of bringing groups to locations like Charleston. Tour planners, he explains, need cultural experiences that are exciting for their clients—but they also need plenty of access to necessities like lodging and dining options. “Charleston has its history and culture in spades,” he says. “It’s undeniable.”
More historical attractions found around Charleston are Middleton Place, a rice plantation dating to the 1730s, and Drayton Hall, a Colonial home-turned-museum. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens are two of the area’s more famous historic properties, and they offer a peaceful setting for reflecting on the past and learning about the impacts of slavery.
Magnolia, a property with roots dating to the late 17th century, offers 6 miles of walking and biking trails throughout the grounds that showcase serene wildlife along the Ashley River. The animal lovers of your group will want to explore the estate’s Wildlife Center, home to an array of native species and rescued animals. For a truly poignant and educational experience, have your group participate in a “Magnolia House” tour, a “Nature Train” tour, or the “From Slavery to Freedom” tour, which memorializes the lives of the Black folks who worked the former rice plantation and features four preserved slave cabins. For more history of Charleston’s role in the domestic interstate slave trade, consider a tour of the Old Slave Mart Museum.
In Virginia, Alexandria is another key Colonial-era community rich in Revolutionary history, Black history, and distinct architectural wonder. Established near Washington, D.C., Alexandria is home to the Alexandria Black History Museum, the Alexandria Historic District (complete with authentic oil-burning lanterns!), and Carlyle House. For a more immersive experience, bring your group on a fascinating and informative walking history tour of the city with Alexandria Colonial Tours, Gravestone Stories, Alexandria History Tours, or Manumission Tour Co.
Credit: Adobe/Bram
Established in 1702, Mobile, Alabama, has no shortage of military and antebellum sites for groups to explore. Nestled along the Mobile Bay of the Gulf Coast, this storied community’s top attractions include USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Colonial Fort Condé, the Oakleigh House Museum, the Bragg-Mitchell Museum, and Cathedral Square. And this might come as a surprise, but Mobile is also home to the first-ever Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.
One historic find of note tied to Mobile is the Clotilda, considered to be the last-known slave ship, which brought 110 men, women, and children from Africa to Mobile Bay in Today, the wreckage of the schooner lies in the banks of the Mobile River. Visitors to the area can learn more about the Clotilda and the 2019 discovery of its wreckage at the Africatown Heritage House.
New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in 1718 by French settlers, is a city celebrated for its unique blend of cultures, historic architecture, vibrant music, and distinctive cuisine. Its history is a captivating mix of French, Spanish, African, and Creole influences, which has shaped its character over centuries. Tour Jackson Square, the Garden District, or the French Quarter with your group, exploring attractions like the St. Louis Cathedral; the Cabildo and Presbytère, both parts of the Louisiana State Museum; Buckner Mansion, residence of cotton kingpin Henry Sullivan Buckner (and filming location for season three of “American Horror Story: Coven”); and The 1850 House, a preserved antebellum townhouse that offers a glimpse into 1850s-era New Orleans. More can’t-miss destinations in the Big Easy include Tremé, one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in the U.S., and the Historic Voodoo Museum.
Boasting iconic Spanish moss-draped oaks, colorful buildings, and historic squares, Savannah, Georgia, is another destination that offers tourgoers a glimpse into Colonial, antebellum, and Civil War-era history. Dive into that history with a tour of The Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters. Constructed in 1819, this residence includes one of the few intact urban slave quarters in the South, providing vital insight into the lives of the enslaved.
Also in Savannah is Wormsloe Historic Site, known for its stunning oak-lined drive and ruins of Georgia’s oldest standing structure. The site was once the Colonial estate of Noble Jones, one of Savannah’s original settlers, and includes a museum, nature trails, and reenactments that bring Colonial history to life. For more wartime history, consider touring Old Fort Jackson, a 19th-century military base that offers historical reenactments and weapons demonstrations.
As Tracey Todd so fittingly put it: “We are a product of our past.” The South of today might be different in many ways from the South of 100, 200, or even 300 years ago, but it is also unchanged in some ways. Many of the same structures stand as stoic reminders of a nation just beginning to take shape, a culture just starting to define itself. And while some changes are certainly for the better, it’s still vital that we explore the traditions, values, and events that our ancestors held dear—because these are our guiding light into the future.
By Madeline Fuerstenberg
Main Image: Aiken-Rhett House Museum, Charleston, South Carolina; Credit: Historic Charleston Foundation
