For history travel lovers, there is no better area in America than New England. From the Revolutionary War heroes of early Boston to the many historical sites dotted across the area, New England is a treasure trove of American history.

Once outside of Boston, visitors can find many interesting sites, particularly those associated with American presidents. One such destination is located in Hillsborough, New Hampshire in the south central part of the state. In addition to a wealth of scenic beauty, you can also explore the life of America’s 14th president, Franklin Pierce. His birthplace and boyhood home is located in this typical New Hampshire small town, located about an hour from both Manchester and Concord, the state’s capital.

President Franklin Pierce: An Overview

Franklin Pierce was born into a prominent family in 1804, and the home which visitors can tour was once a gathering place for writers, politicians, and philosophers of the day. Pierce, a lawyer by trade, was highly regarded as a statesman and public servant. He added to his rapidly growing national reputation with exemplary service in the Mexican-American war of 1846.

In the election of 1852, Pierce was chosen as a compromise candidate, favored by influential leaders from both northern and southern states. At age 48, he was at the time the youngest man ever to become president in 1853. Faced with a rapidly dividing nation, Pierce was able to stave off civil war, at least temporarily.

During his term as president, the nation experienced a tremendous amount of economic growth, despite growing political instabilities. Pierce oversaw the completion of the Gadsen Purchase, a key piece of legislation that acquired important land in the southwestern area of the country.

Sensing he could not win a second term as president, he traveled to Europe for several years after leaving office in 1857. He lived to witness the reemergence of the United States and the beginning of reconstruction after the Civil War. The former president passed away at age 65 in 1869.

Visiting The Pierce Homestead

The home where Franklin Pierce was born and spent his formative years is now beautifully restored to reflect the time period in which he lived. A large ballroom and spacious parlor are the centerpieces, as well as the gardens and grounds surrounding the home.

Guided tours of the home are given, or you can take a self guided tour. The homestead is only open seasonally, so plan your visit for summer months. The site is open daily in July and August, and weekends only in June and September. There is a nominal fee for adults, and admission is free for those under 18.

The surrounding area showcases the natural beauty of New England and New Hampshire. Both nearby cities of Concord and Manchester are interesting in their own right for shopping and leisure activities. Hillsborough is also a charming small town with several interesting shops and restaurants serving New England style cuisine.

The Caribbean

A vacation at one of the islands in the Caribbean offers excitement as well as relaxation in a stunning, tropical setting. The eastern region of the islands, commonly known as the Lesser Antilles, Tobago and Trinidad, begins just east of Puerto Rico and stretches just about to the coast of Venezuela. These islands include impressive mountains, rain forests and black, as well as white, sandy beaches.

The western portion of the Caribbean is well-known for the ancient Mayan ruins that abound, as well as for the luxurious resorts, carnivals and local festivities occurring frequently throughout the year. St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan and Barbados are among the most popular travel destinations in the southern Caribbean and offer tourists an authentic island experience.

France

Paris, France, home of the famous Eiffel Tower, remains one of the world’s top travel destinations for honeymooners and travelers alike. Other cities in France that provide an ideal spot to vacation if you’re looking for beauty, charm and a rich sense of history are Lyon and Marseille. These gorgeous cities are filled with fascinating museums and feature numerous fragrant flower gardens.

Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy is perhaps one of the most beautiful and historic of European cities and also one of the most often visited by travelers. Ancient monuments, impressive museums, fountains as well as medieval churches and palaces, all lend to the old world charm of the city. There are also numerous restaurants offering delicious Italian cuisine and plenty of exciting nightlife to be had as well.

Other popular vacation spots to visit in Italy are the Vatican and St. Peter’s Cathedral, as well as the city of Venice, which was uniquely built right in the center of a lagoon. Venice has been deemed one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the entire world with meandering canals and interesting architecture everywhere you look.

Hawaii

With many gorgeous and unspoiled beaches to choose from, Hawaii and its smaller surrounding islands offer lush resorts, crystal blue waters and plenty of sunshine to visitors. Besides Hawaii, often called the “Big Island”, there are five other beautiful islands to visit such as Maui, which is the second largest of the group and features stunning volcanoes as well as breathtaking waterfalls.

Other islands include Lanai, which is famous for its impressive rock formations as well as the distinct ambiance of romance, luxury and privacy. The state’s capital, Honolulu, is located on the island of Oahu, which is home to the majority of Hawaii’s population and boasts a vibrant mix of culture and entertainment.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, the most populous city in Nevada, is often referred to as “Sin City” or the “largest adult playground” in the world. But this famous vacation spot is no longer just about gambling and casinos. Now there are numerous family-friendly hotels, resorts and activities to choose from as well as plenty of exciting nightlife along the Strip for the adults.

People vacationing in Las Vegas may also choose to visit nearby Lake Mead, which is the largest man-made lake in the United States and is only 22 miles from the Strip. The Hoover Dam, located in Black Canyon on the Colorado River about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, is also another impressive sight to see while visiting this area.

What American landmark did Marilyn Monroe made famous? If you answered, Niagra Falls, then you’re correct! It was due to her 1953 Film, curiously titled “Niagra” that initially made the place such a tourist hotspot.

Niagra Falls belong to two countries: the United States of American and Canada. From the American side, one would have to drive through New York to see the falls. Ensure that you go to State Park, the oldest state park in the US. It’s a place where you can bike ride, fish, and hike. There are also great views of the gorge and falls there.

Introduction: If you are planning to travel for some exotic locations, beautiful sea sores and beaches, variety of sea sports, mixtures of cultures and beauty then Central America is the right place for you where you will not only get these but many more during your travel. You will also find a number of adventure locations in and around some of the Central American Countries.

Some of the beautiful locations in Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Nicaragua are in competition with one another and you can get accommodation here at a very affordable rate. Central America is known for mixed culture and therefore you can see here people having different languages and civilizations.

Central American countries are the perfect place to enjoy either with someone special, or with the whole family. These countries are having several top resorts and hotels and your stay here will be very special and exciting. Here you will not only find historic sites, art galleries, museums, parks but plenty of other activities will keep your schedule tight and you will never face a shortage of things to do here.

You will find the people most receptive here. Native people in these countries are cooperative, ready to share their culture and history with the visitors. Your stay here will be wonderfully unique and you will have a desire to come here again and gain.

Most popular destinations in Central America: In Central American countries Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala you will find many popular destinations such as Panama City, Belize City, San Jose, Antigua, Bocas del Toro, Guatemala City and many more. You will find cheap hotels and restaurant here and you every person in your family will have something to do here.

There are a number of museums and national parks you would like to see. Excellent sea beaches and sunshine will really attract you and you will find yourself enjoying in these beautiful cities. What is more interesting is that you will find accommodation and food here quite cheaper.

Adventures available in Central America: There are lot of adventurous sports in Central America including sea sports such as kayaking in Panama River, scuba diving, motor sporting, mountain biking, rafting, snorkeling and many more. Panama canal adventure in itself is a complete combination of sports and adventure. You will see many excellent engineering marvels in your passage to Panama Canal and in the recent past an excellent viewing center is opened. This will help you understand the architectural thought behind it.

Water sport is more common and you and your family will enjoy fun water sports in the ocean. Some of the fun water sports available to you in these countries include diving, charter sailboats, paddle boating, Para-sailing, fishing, water skiing, snorkeling and many more.