Williamsburg, Virginia ranks fourth on Byways magazine's list of top motorcoach destinations for 2008. The main reason for this high ranking is Colonial Williamsburg, the city's world-famous living history museum. People from around the world visit Williamsburg to immerse themselves in American colonial history.
If you're nowhere near southern Virginia, don't worry. Colonial Williamsburg isn't the only top-notch living history museum in North America – far from it. You can find outstanding living history museums in many parts of the U.S.
Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg is probably the best-known living history museum in North America. In colonial days, Williamsburg served as Virginia's capital. Today, costumed interpreters play the roles of George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other colonial notables. You can tour meticulously-restored buildings and immaculate gardens, or participate in theater and dance performances.
Stairways and some entrances to buildings in Colonial Williamsburg may present challenges for wheelchair users. Most wheelchair users are able to navigate outdoor walkways, streets and garden paths. Colonial Williamsburg rents folding wheelchairs and offers publications to assist hearing- and vision-impaired visitors.
Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, Massachusetts
At Plimoth Plantation, you can immerse yourself in two different worlds. The Wampanoag Homesite showcases the traditional ways of Massachusetts' first residents. You can watch demonstrations of cooking, weaving and more. In the 1627 English Village, you'll meet the area's first European settlers, the Pilgrims. Their accents and clothing are so convincing that you'll find yourself jumping into conversations and chasing stray chickens.
It's easy to enter and exit Plimoth's buildings, even with wheelchairs and walkers, but the pathways are hilly and sandy. Plimoth Plantation is working to improve these walkways; you'll need assistance navigating the paths until this project is complete.
Conner Prairie, Fishers, Indiana
When you visit Conner Prairie, you'll step into Indiana's past. You'll begin at the Lenape Indian Camp, where you'll talk with fur traders and learn the tricks of wigwam construction. From there, you can stop at Prairietown (1836), Liberty Corner (1886) and the Conner Homestead. Try your hand at milking cows and dipping candles.
Conner Prairie's visitor center is completely accessible. Wheelchairs are available. Some buildings are not accessible because of entranceway steps, and a few of the walkways are uneven or are made with materials that can be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. On a recent visit, I watched scooter and wheelchair users negotiate the flat paths with ease; some pathways do slope and could present problems.
El Rancho de las Golondrinas, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Elizabeth Mitchell, About.com's Guide to Southwest U.S. Travel, writes that El Rancho de las Golondrinas is "one of Santa Fe's best kept secrets." The museum takes you back to the days when Spanish ranchos dotted New Mexico's landscape. The rancho itself was built in the early 18th century. Many of the buildings at El Rancho de las Golondrinas date from the 18th and early 19th centuries and were moved to the rancho to create this living history museum. The rancho's weekend programs include everything from visits with mountain men to a fall harvest festival.
El Rancho de las Golondrinas is only open June through September each year. In April, May and October, you can make advance arrangements for guided tours.
