The 15 Most Historic Towns in the U.S. That Are Worth Visiting Today

Est. 1623

Portsmouth is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the country. It was colonized by English settlers and served as a prosperous fishing, shipping, and trading port, which was very important during the American Revolutionary War.

The historic district, known as Strawberry Banke for the town’s original name, showcases colonial-era buildings. The city of Portsmouth shows how to honor the cultural heritage while embracing modernity, and it’s now a popular tourist destination for those who want to learn more about early American life.

Est. 1626

Most infamously known for its witch trials in 1692, the town of Salem, Massachusetts, was established in 1626 by the English colonist and drysalter Roger Conant. It was originally much larger than it is in the current day, with parts of it being broken off to form other towns.

Salem has a complex history. The city was the site of conflicts with Indigenous peoples and played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade. Today, Salem embraces its past by preserving and interpreting its history while striving to foster a more inclusive and welcoming community. It's also a popular tourist destination year-round, with visitor numbers peaking during the Halloween season. You'll find a variety of historic landmarks, along with great shops and restaurants to explore.

Est. 1630

Before the city of Boston played a huge role in the American Revolutionary War, it was a place of refuge for Puritan colonists. They settled in the area in 1630, and the Massachusetts town quickly became an integral port city for the British. The Boston Tea Party occurred in 1773, and the British evacuated the city in March of 1776, still known today as Evacuation Day. Boston is a lively destination with many historical sites mixed with modern points of interest.

Est. 1632

What we now know as Williamsburg, Virginia, was originally called Middle Plantation in 1632 when it was first established as a settlement by the English. They fortified the area against the Indigenous people, and the town quickly became a place of importance. In 1699, the town was officially renamed Williamsburg after King William III and was made the colony’s capital. It was one of the country’s first planned cities and is a center for preservation of colonial history today.

Est. 1639

The city of Newport, Rhode Island, was established on Aquidneck Island, a sophisticated Indigenous settlement, after English colonists fled Boston for religious reasons. Newport was founded on freedom of religion and conscience, and became one of the first secular democracies in the country.

Over the centuries, Newport has risen to prominence numerous times, and is best known today for its many mansions and beautifully restored colonial landmarks.

Est. 1640

It’s unknown when exactly European colonists first settled in the Sleepy Hollow area, but the village today claims it was in 1640. Indigenous tribes lived in this area of the Hudson River Valley long before this—and well before writer Washington Irving wrote his famous short story set in the town.

It’s said to be a haunted place shrouded in myths and mystery, but there’s lots for history and architecture lovers to appreciate as well.

Est. 1649

A colony of English settlers first established the land that’s current day Annapolis, Maryland, in 1649, but the town wasn’t officially founded until 1694. It was originally called Anne Arundel Towne but the name was changed to Annapolis just a few years after it became the capital of the colony.

The layout of the town mimics Baroque street plans found in European capitals. It grew into a thriving seaport community, meaning many wealthy merchants built gorgeous mansions and estates that can still be admired today.

Est. 1670

Originally named Charles Towne after King Charles II, the town of Charleston as we know it is South Carolina’s oldest city. Located between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers for protection against the native tribes, the Spanish, and pirates, Charleston quickly grew to be a thriving seaport and trading center. It was also a great climate for cotton, indigo, and rice, so many plantations popped up around the city as wealth grew.

Charleston was a city that promoted religious freedom, meaning many churches were built and some still stand today, attracting visitors who are interested in the historic architecture.

Thanks to preservation efforts, there’s a small historic district in Charleston now with stone streets, beautiful buildings, and modern shops and restaurants.

Est. 1682

Though originally settled by Indigenous peoples, specifically the Lenape tribe, Philadelphia as we know it was established in 1682. Quaker William Penn signed a peace treaty with Lenape chief Tamanend for the area, which quickly grew to be the biggest shipbuilding center in the colonies.

Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States of America. Inside the State House, now known as Independence Hall, is where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

Between then and now, Philadelphia has lived through many historic events. It is a city with a storied past, and there’s much to see for anyone who visits.

Est. 1692

Cape May's exact founding date is somewhat unclear, but Cape May County, New Jersey, was officially established in 1692. Long before English colonists arrived, the area was home to the Kechemeche Lenape people, according to the city’s website. The English later purchased the land in the early 17th century.

Cape May grew into a thriving whaling and fishing community before emerging as one of the country's earliest seaside resort destinations in 1766. Over the next two centuries, a series of devastating storms caused extensive damage to the town. However, Cape May experienced a revival in the late 20th century, thanks in large part to its residents’ commitment to preserving its historic Victorian architecture. Today, it remains a beloved coastal getaway.

Est. 1718

Spanish colonizers first began exploring South and Central Texas in the 1500s, but little is known about the Indigenous peoples who originally resided there. The history of San Antonio as we know it, though, started in the late 1600s as more Spanish explorers came to the area and formed roads (likely using preexisting Native trails) that grew into a main road for commerce and immigration. As this area became more developed by Western standards, San Antonio was officially founded in 1718.

In its storied history, the city has seen conflict between the Spanish and the Mexicans, and it was an important site during the Texas Revolution. It’s also seen a lot of quick growth in its time, now being a popular tourist destination with a lot of Spanish-style architecture lining its streets.

Est. 1718

Before Europeans colonized the area we know as New Orleans, Native Americans long used the site that’s now the French Quarter as a gathering place for trading, forming alliances, and hunting, according to the Historic New Orleans Collection. It was known as “Bulbancha” by the Choctaw, or the “Land of Many Tongues.”

The French established the colony of Louisiana in 1699, then the city of New Orleans was founded in 1718. It was a major port of entry for immigration in the 1800s, which is part of why the city is so lively and culturally rich today.

Est. 1729

Though it became a popular port in the early 1700s, Baltimore Town officially became established in 1729. Much of the industry obviously revolved around the port, but when the Baltimore Iron Works opened up in 1731, it made the city an industry leader and paved the way for other companies to open up.

At the very end of 1796, Baltimore Town became incorporated as Baltimore City, then in 1851, it separated from Baltimore County. It’s an old city with a lot of history, and its port is still important today.