Looking for new socially-distant travel ideas?
The coronavirus pandemic has changed travel: no more champagne on planes or karaoke on cruises, for now. But a U.S. road trip may be an option if you’d like to experience a change of scenery this summer.
International tourism is expected to fall by as much as 80% in 2020 over the previous year, according to the World Tourism Organization. And in the week ending June 21, 2020, domestic air travel was down 78% and international air travel was down 96% from a year ago, according to the industry advocacy group Airlines for America.
But some Americans are easing back into travel with shorter domestic road trips. Corritta Lewis, her wife Mea and their one-year-old son Caleb left their California home earlier this year with plans to set off on a round-the-world trip. That’s on hold for now. But on July 5, they plan to leave for a three-week U.S. road trip.
“I’m a history buff, so I always drag my family to historical sites,” Lewis said, adding that they plan to visit the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the site of the first English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, and several museums that are open despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “I love museums,” she said.
The 13 original colonies provide ample opportunities for discovering (or rediscovering) American history. Here’s where to go, what to see and how to do it safely.
Connecticut
Connecticut is nicknamed the Constitution State because its Fundamental Orders of 1638 acted as a state constitution of sorts. It’s also home to the oldest U.S. newspaper, the Hartford Courant.
Delaware
On December 7, 1787, Delaware was the first colony to ratify the Constitution, so it’s known as “The First State.” The state’s motto is “Liberty and Independence.”
Georgia
Shortly after it was founded in 1732, this colony made slavery and alcohol illegal only to later reverse its decision on alcohol and become a rum-running hub. The state later played a key role in the civil rights movement.
Maryland
Founded in 1633 at the settlement of Baltimore, the Maryland Colony was named after King Charles I’s wife Queen Henrietta Maria and became the site of the first Catholic mass in the colonies.
Massachusetts
The colony was founded almost 10 years after the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock in 1620. It became the sixth U.S. state on February 6, 1788, and was home to our second president, John Adams.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire was the first colony to step out against the king and declare independence — six months before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Their motto: “Live free or die.”
New Jersey
New Jersey was named after a British island, and for many years before the Revolution, it was divided into two parts: East and West.
New York
The Empire State got its start as a Dutch colony called “New Netherland.” The British took it over in 1664 and renamed it New York.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s name was derived from Carolus, Latin for Charles, as in King Charles. The area’s first permanent settlement began in 1663.
Pennsylvania
This state is the birthplace of our democracy, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written and signed.
Rhode Island
This state’s slogan is simple: hope. Its name means “red island,” and Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation.
South Carolina
From its early days, South Carolina relied on a plantation system fueled by slave labor. The state seceded from the Union in 1860, a year before Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration, and was the site of the first battle in the Civil War.
Virginia
Virginia is for history lovers, too. The first English colony in the New World, it was the place George Washington and Thomas Jefferson called home.
How to travel safely during the coronavirus outbreak
Planning to hit the road this summer? Here are 7 tips for traveling safely during the pandemic while saving money and maximizing your rewards:
With these tips, you should be able to safely celebrate the red, white and blue while looking forward to more travel freedom in the future.
Lewis and her family are eager to take their planned international dream trip but will focus on enjoying their U.S. road trip this summer. “Everything has changed drastically, but we’re trying to see this in a positive light,” she said.
This article originally appeared on ValuePenguin.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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