Benjamin Franklin once wrote that the existence of wine is “constant proof that God loves us, and that he loves to see us happy.” As the U.S. nears her 250th birthday, what better way to celebrate than by visiting our historic sites … and grabbing a drink at their accompanying local taverns, saloons, and inns?
The Heritage Foundation recently released the Heritage Guide to Historic Sites, which pinpoints and evaluates museums, battlefields, presidential homes, and the like, scattered across the country. Now, you can journey through the U.S.’ past with this accompanying historic bar crawl guide.
1. Colonial Williamsburg & King’s Arms Tavern, Williamsburg, VA
With hundreds of restored buildings, Colonial Williamsburg is an immersive recreation of the 18th-century capital of the Virginia Colony. Reenactors give visitors a view into all aspects of everyday colonial life and the major events that led to the revolution. While the Raleigh Tavern where the framers gathered no longer serves food and drink, a proper colonial experience, of course, calls for a drink at one of the town’s historic taverns.
Among these is the King’s Arms Tavern, established in 1772. The tavern features historic, locally sourced dishes and drinks, along with colonial tavern performers and staff dressed in 18th-century attire. Raise a toast to our forefathers with a colonial-era cocktail or traditional hard cider!
2. Paul Revere House & Green Dragon Tavern, Boston, MA
The Paul Revere House offers tours of the Revere property, where visitors can learn about the famous patriot and his midnight ride that kicked off the revolution. Visitors can retrace this journey to the nearby Green Dragon Tavern, a popular stomping ground for the Sons of Liberty.
It was here that patriots overheard the British plans to march on Lexington and Concord, word of which was sent to Paul Revere. While the original tavern was destroyed in the 1800s, today’s tavern has been recreated after the original and carries on the Green Dragon’s historical legacy. The bar offers a variety of “Sons of Liberty Libations,” including revolutionary-themed cocktails.
3. Minute Man National Historic Park & The Wayside Inn, Concord, MA
Minute Man National Historic Park commemorates the patriots who fought in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the American Revolution. One of the minutemen kept a nearby inn, which was founded by his father in 1716.
Now known as Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, it has become one of the U.S.’ most historic inns, welcoming notable guests like Marquis de Lafayette and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, whose stay inspired him to write “The Tales of a Wayside Inn” and “The Landlord’s Tale.” The inn offers New England cuisine and a wide selection of wines. You might hear echoes of the “shot heard ‘round the world” that opened the first revolutionary battles up the road.
4. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello & Michie Tavern, Charlottesville, VA
Tours of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello offer visitors a glimpse into the life and home of our third president and the author of the Declaration of Independence.
Just a half mile from Monticello is Michie Tavern, an authentic 18th-century style restaurant and pub. Founded by Corporal William Michie in 1784, the pub features Virginia wines, beers, and ciders, as well as colonial games. Raise a glass of wine (Jefferson’s drink of choice), or a beer or hard cider in a signature pewter tankard, in honor of the Declaration’s author!
5. Federal Hall National Memorial & Fraunces Tavern, New York, NY
Federal Hall is the original location of the first U.S. Congress, Supreme Court, and Executive branch offices, as well as the site of George Washington’s first presidential inauguration. This site is rightly seen as the birthplace of the American government.
But before then, the roots of American liberty were being sown at the nearby Fraunces Tavern, which was established in 1762. This tavern served as a key meeting place for the Sons of Liberty during the Revolutionary era. At the end of the Revolution, George Washington held his farewell dinner with his officers here. Today, Fraunces features year-round museum exhibits and a wide selection of beer, cider, whiskey, and spirits.
6. Mount Vernon & George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill, Mount Vernon, VA
Mount Vernon, home of the U.S.’ first president, is the most popular historic estate in the U.S. and attracts over one million visitors each year. Visitors can tour George Washington’s house, visit his tomb, and peruse the property so dearly treasured by the founding generation.
A couple of miles outside of the estate entrance is George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill, which has been restored to give visitors the chance to tour the distillery operated by Washington himself. The distillery sells whiskey of Washington’s very own recipe and offers whiskey tastings on Saturdays in May, June, and September.
7. Edgar Allan Poe House & The Horse You Came In On Saloon, Baltimore, MD
The Edgar Allan Poe House offers a peek into the home of the legendary American writer. Inside are many of Poe’s belongings, including the desk and chair where he composed his famously chilling poems and short stories. The tour would not be complete without stopping by The Horse You Came In On Saloon, about 3 miles from Poe’s home.
This saloon was founded in 1775 and has operated ever since, making it the U.S.’ oldest continually running saloon. But that’s not its only claim to fame. According to legend, the Horse was the last site where Poe was seen before his mysterious death in October 1849. Today the bar features daily live music along with a variety of cocktails, beers, and wines.
8. Gettysburg National Military Park & The Historic Dobbin House Tavern, Gettysburg, PA
Gettysburg National Military Park honors the memory of those who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle, not just in the Civil War, but in all of American history. About a mile away is the Historic 1776 Dobbin House Tavern, which was an Underground Railroad stop and field hospital during the Civil War. The tavern offers authentic dishes and drinks from the colonial and Civil War eras, as well as tours of the historic Dobbin property.
9. The Alamo & The Historic Menger Hotel, San Antonio, TX
From a Spanish mission to the famous last stand in the Texas Revolution, the Alamo offers visitors over 300 years of history. The site features a museum, reenactments, and tours commemorating those who fought in the Battle of the Alamo.
Next door is another Texas landmark, the Historic Menger Hotel. This hotel has hosted numerous legends, including Ulysses S. Grant, Oscar Wilde, and Theodore Roosevelt. It was at the Menger Bar that Roosevelt (then-lieutenant colonel) recruited his famous volunteer regiment, the Rough Riders, to fight in the Spanish-American War. Today, the hotel opens its iconic Western bar to all rough (and not-so-rough) riders.
10. Buffalo Bill Center of the West & The Irma Hotel, Cody, WY
Just outside Yellowstone National Park, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West offers an array of museums that showcase the life of this American legend and the history of the Wild West.
Top off your western excursion at the Irma Hotel, which Buffalo Bill founded and named after his youngest daughter in 1902. In its heyday, it was a popular attraction for cowboys, hunters, and ranchers. Today, the hotel is known for its classic Western ambiance, historic suites, and famous dining. The hotel’s Silver Saddle Lounge even has a saddle Buffalo Bill used in his famous tours. Visitors can also grab a drink on the porch and watch the Gunfighters perform.
Our Founding Fathers were wise men. They knew discussing politics calls for alcohol and so gathered in places like Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg and City Tavern in Philadelphia. And traditions are important. So, visit the Heritage Guide to Historic Sites to identify a historic site for your family vacation this summer, and, since tired parents and other sojourners have been known to desire some liquid refreshment at the end of the day to rejuvenate their spirits, stop at one of these historic drinking sites and raise a glass to the nation.