16 Nostalgic U.S. Destinations That Will Transport You to the Past

There’s a quote from Midnight In Paris that states,

“Nostalgia is denial – denial of the painful present. The name for this denial is Golden Age Thinking – the erroneous notion that a different time period is better than the one one’s living in. It’s a flaw in the romantic imagination of those people who find it difficult to cope with the present.”

Do you agree? Like most things in life, nostalgia isn’t quite so black and white. Sometimes, it’s nice to daydream of days gone by or read about a famous figure from the past. Whether you get wrapped up in nostalgia for a bygone era or your own, personal, history, we have a few locations listed below that will help you tap into a healthy dose of nostalgia.

Savannah, GA

The storied streets of Savannah are covered in history. From gruesome tales of the Slave Trade to one of the bloodiest Civil War battles, you don’t have to go far to hear a tale or two from the past. The air is also filled with riveting ghost stories. One visit to The Olde Pink House might give you a chance encounter with the ghost of Mr. Habersham, Civil War garb and all.

Boston, MA

Three words: The Freedom Trail. One stroll down this invigorating trail will lead you to countless historical buildings, including King’s Chapel, the Old Corner Bookstore, the Boston Massacre Site, and Paul Revere’s house. Every step is a step back in time and the key to a nostalgic’s heart. 

Mackinac Island, MI

At the tippy top of Michigan, you can board a ferry and land on an island where the main form of transportation is a horse-drawn carriage. Indeed, there’s very little car traffic on this island and the entire town is frozen in (a most glorious) time. You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time to the early 1900s, parasol and all. Before you go, watch the movie Somewhere In Time to be dazzled and delighted by what you’re about to see.

Philadelphia, PA

As an American historian, does it get any more exciting than visiting the hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed? Or, for added inspiration, how about a seat in one of Benjamin Franklin’s chairs? You can do all this and more at Independence Hall before taking a gander at the Liberty Bell. When the day is done, head over to Rittenhouse Square for a bite to eat at Parc, featuring some of the world’s finest French cuisine.