Travel is one of life's great gifts. To lose yourself in a place or culture you have never experienced before is truly remarkable. For veterans, travel provides the opportunity to rediscover themselves on the road. Below are five U.S. destinations no veteran should miss out on.
1. Washington, D.C.
As the nation's capital, D.C. definitely tops the list of places former servicemembers should visit. Here veterans will be able to explore memorials from the World Wars, Vietnam and Korea. There are museums galore, and each one has something unique to offer. They can walk the steps of federal buildings and visit the home of their Commander in Chief. Washington, D.C. is the ultimate trip for veterans.
2. Boston, Massachusetts
Veterans with an affinity for history should make the journey to Boston. Former servicemembers can walk the Freedom Trail, visit the site of the Boston Tea Party, visit the location where the Boston Massacre took place and follow the path of Paul Revere's midnight ride. With so much of the nation's history packed into one city, former servicemembers are sure to have a great time.
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
Underneath the beautiful waters of Pearl Harbor lie the remains of the USS Arizona. Aside from being a paradise, Honolulu is great for veterans of any war to come and see the sunken battleship and explore the memorials.
4. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
On the now-quiet fields outside Gettysburg, there once raged one of the most important battles in American history. Veterans from every walk of life should make the journey to Pennsylvania to see the place where brother fought brother and the momentum of the war was changed. Walk in the footsteps of Civil War veterans and take in the history.
5. Yorktown, Virginia
As one of the eight shires that made up the colony of Virginia, Yorktown has been around since the country's beginnings. This region hosts some of the most impressive Revolutionary War reenactments around, and it is only an 15 minute drive to Williamsburg, another colonial city. Veterans can see what America was like in its infancy and how the earliest servicemembers made it what it is today.
Travel can provide veterans with a new outlook on life. It can offer them a glimpse of what life was like for veterans of other wars or remind them of their own service. Many destinations also have discounts that honor former servicemembers and their families. All that is left to do is hit the road.