Recent data from EF Go Ahead Tours and Qualtrics Research reveal a strong appetite among U.S. travelers for vacations that explore the nation’s historic roots. In a May 2026 survey of 1,200 respondents from the United States and Canada, 73 % said they would be interested in tours focused on American history, while only 16 % expressed disinterest.

Historical Themes Drive Travel Plans

The survey, released as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, shows the American Revolution as the top draw for 48 % of history‑interested travelers. Civil‑War and Civil‑Rights sites follow closely, with the Gilded Age and World War II also attracting attention.

Gap Between Interest and Experience

Despite high interest, many Americans have yet to visit the nation’s foundational locations. While 70 % of the most active travelers have been to New York City and 65 % to Washington, D.C., only about half have visited Boston or Philadelphia—cities where independence was debated and declared. Fewer than one in five have set foot at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; Lexington or Concord, Massachusetts; or Yorktown, Virginia.

Six Suggested Itineraries

EF Go Ahead Tours proposes six itineraries that blend historic sites with natural wonders:

• Western National‑Park Tour: Seven parks across six states—including the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Yellowstone—showcase the continent’s geological evolution.
• Hawaiian Heritage Tour: Visits Oahu’s USS Arizona Memorial, the Big Island’s Volcanoes National Park and Maui’s Road to Hana, linking Polynesian navigation, annexation and World War II.
• Alaskan Frontier Tour: From Fairbanks to Denali and Kenai Fjords, travelers see glaciers, wildlife and the long‑standing cultures of the Athabascan, Yup’ik and Tlingit peoples.
• New England Roots Tour: Starting in Stowe, Vermont, the route includes Boston, Lexington‑Concord, and the rugged Maine coast, highlighting the birth of the Republic.
• New England Fall‑Foliage & History Tour: Highlights Vermont’s Stowe, Woodstock, Massachusetts’ Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley, weaving Puritan, witch‑trial and abolitionist history into the autumn scenery.
• Rail‑and‑Rugged‑West Tour: Combines a transcontinental‑style train journey through the Rockies with visits to Arches and Zion, echoing 19th‑century settlement routes.

Traveler Sentiment

Overall, 57 % of respondents prefer a mix of city and natural‑landscape experiences, and 75 % plan to travel within the next one to two years. More than half (58 %) say learning about the history and culture of their destinations is “very” or “extremely” important.

Why It Matters

As the nation commemorates its semiquincentennial, the data suggests a growing desire to connect with the places that shaped the Republic. These itineraries offer families and faith‑centered travelers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of American heritage while enjoying the country’s scenic beauty.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.