Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with family adventures all summer long. Hop on the Amtrak to Boston, or drive to Virginia and visit Williamsburg, where the fight for independence and the birth of a new nation are brought to life each day. Just as many of us still remember the Bicentennial celebrations of our childhoods, this could be the summer your own family looks back on with the same nostalgia. Add in road-trip podcasts, historical novels, movies and local Revolutionary War sites, and you have the makings of a season that brings history to life and sends kids back to school with a fresh sense of America’s foundation.
BOSTON-BOUND
TRAVEL TIME:
Stamford to Boston,
3 hours by Acela
DON’T MISS:
Sail250 Boston,
July 11–17, 2026
FOURTH OF JULY HIGHLIGHT:
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular,
July 4 • Free Admission
Ditch the car and Amtrak to Boston from Stamford. The Acela train line travels from Stamford to Boston’s Back Bay Train Station direct five times daily in just over three hours. Within blocks from the train station, stay at a range of hotels from the Marriott to the Fairmont, then walk or Uber to all the local destinations. Sail250 Boston is coming July 11 to 17. Witness the majesty of a fleet of the world’s most magnificent international tall ships as they sail into the port of Boston, or visit Beantown for Harborfest 2026, one of the nations largest Fourth of July festivals. Celebrate the holiday starting July 2 throughout Boston with roving historical reenactments and band performances in Christopher Columbus Park, Downtown Crossing and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Cool off indoors at the Boston Public Library as they showcase rare copies of the Declaration of Independence at their exhibition Declarations: Printing a New Nation. All ages can be in the room where it happens at Ruckus! Experience Revolution opening July 1. This immersive show gives you a seat in the heart of the history among ordinary citizens as they debate the future of our nation at Old South Meeting House Boston. Complete your trip with a bang and stay for the 2026 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, free July 4 on the Charles River Esplanade.
revolutionaryspaces.org; bostonharborfest.com
sailboston.com; bpl.org
OUR HISTORIC HOMETOWN
FAMILY SUNDAYS
July 12 and August 9
FREE TOURS
12 p.m. • 1:30 p.m. • 3 p.m.
DRESS FOR 1776
August 12 • $15 Members / $20 Nonmembers
History is right outside your door in Greenwich. Experience 250 years of it at Time Travelers Family Sundays at the Greenwich Historical Society Sunday July 12 and August 9. Enjoy free family friendly tours, along with an accompanying hands-on activity in the classroom. Please check in at the museum lobby before joining the fun. Walk-ins are welcome.
Take a view of history through the lens of fashion at the current Greenwich Historical Society exhibition Fashioning America: 250 Years of Greenwich Style, chronicling the evolution of American fashion and how these styles reflect changes in American society and culture. See how the ideals of the American Revolution have shaped our national identity via clothing worn throughout history. The exhibition is open during regular GHS hours or sign up for a day of dress up at their Dress for 1776 event August 12, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., $15 members $20 non members. Learn about 18th-century clothing and have the opportunity to see reproductions from that time period at this family friendly experience.
GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
47 Strickland Road
Cos Cob, CT
greenwichhistory.org
ROAD TRIP SOUTH
DRIVE TIME
7.5 hours from Greenwich
HISTORIC TRIANGLE
Williamsburg • Jamestown • Yorktown
SLEEP IN THE 1700s
Historic Houses & Lodgings
Step back in time and travel to Williamsburg, Virginia, where history comes alive in one of the country’s best-preserved colonial destinations. Visit Colonial Williamsburg on its own or pair it with nearby Jamestown and Yorktown, each offering a unique perspective on America’s founding.
While the town of Williamsburg provides all the modern conveniences, Colonial Williamsburg offers a fully immersive glimpse into the 18th century. Dine in candlelit taverns, explore trade shops staffed by costumed interpreters and take part in the many hands-on experiences offered throughout the day.
A range of lodging options, from familiar hotel brands to historic inns, makes the trip accessible for a variety of budgets. For a truly memorable stay, consider Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Houses and Lodgings, where guests can spend the night in authentic 18th-century accommodations.
The drive to Williamsburg is roughly seven-and-a-half hours from Fairfield County, passing through Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Richmond—all worthwhile stops for additional 250th-anniversary exploration.
colonialwilliamsburg.org
REVOLUTIONARY YONKERS
BRITISH HEADQUARTERS
Philipse Manor Hall
WALK IN WASHINGTON’S FOOTSTEPS
Albany Post Road & Waterfront
2.5-MILE GUIDED TOUR
July 5 • 1 p.m.
Revolutionary War history is just down the road in Yonkers. Visit Philipse Manor Hall, once the headquarters of the British Army, and explore the area’s pivotal role in the conflict on a guided walking tour. Follow the route of the Continental Army along the Albany Post Road and waterfront while learning about troop movements, skirmishes and George Washington’s time in Yonkers.
philipsemanorhall.com
THE WAR IN WETHERSFIELD
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S HQ:
Joseph Webb House
FIRST U.S. DIPLOMAT:
Silas Deane House
THREE HISTORIC HOMES:
One Museum Campus
The Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield features three houses that played important roles in America’s founding. Visit the Joseph Webb House, which served as George Washington’s headquarters and the site of his meeting with French commander the Comte de Rochambeau as they planned the campaign that would lead to victory at Yorktown. Tour the Deane House, built by America’s first diplomat, Silas Deane, whose efforts helped secure France’s recognition of the newly independent United States. Finally, explore the Isaac Stevens House for a glimpse into everyday life in the Connecticut River Valley during the colonial era.
wdsmuseum.org
