6-Day US History Road Trip Itinerary Inspired by Hamilton

Hamilton the Musical sparked worldwide fascination with the founding fathers of the United States, so when planning an East Coast road trip, I was eager to walk in Alexander Hamilton’s footsteps and explore the real locations where American history unfolded (all while listening to the cast recording, of course).

For my Hamilton-inspired trip, I created a fast-paced US history road trip that connects the musical’s storylines and characters to travel destinations in North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

I was surprised to find the musical’s presence even in locations he himself never visited, such as Mount Vernon, which boasts a “Hamilton The Musical Tour.”

Whether you’re a devoted Hamilton fan planning a themed vacation or a history enthusiast seeking authentic Revolutionary War sites, this 6-day itinerary will take you to the key locations where these founding fathers lived, worked, and shaped our nation.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact route I took solo, day by day, with practical tips on driving and accommodations, and explain how each site, from Williamsburg to the Library of Congress, connects to the historical musical, so you don’t ‘throw away your shot’ at an informative yet entertaining trip.

Planning a US History Road Trip

The places listed below were part of a more extensive East Coast USA trip that took me from North Carolina to Virginia and then to Washington, DC.

I went through this at a rather fast pace, for instance, doing Monticello and George Washington’s Mount Vernon in one day. When I mentioned that to locals, they found it astonishing!

So, if you like to go at a more leisurely pace, make sure to add another day (or two if you want extra time at Williamsburg) to your US history road trip itinerary.

Not all of the places I’ll be listing have to do with Alexander Hamilton directly.

Some locations are related to other characters mentioned in the Broadway show, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Book Recommendation

Alexander Hamilton audiobook cover by Ron Chernow, author of Titan and The House of Morgan. Classical painted portrait of Alexander Hamilton in 18th-century dress on cream background. Badge noting inspiration for the hit Broadway musical. 2004 biography.

Have You Read the Book the Musical is Based on?

Lin-Manuel Miranda read Alexander Hamilton while on vacation and was inspired to adapt the Founding Father’s life into the hit Broadway hip-hop show.

I get my audiobooks from Libro.fm—they split the profits with an independent bookstore of your choice.

Is it Safe to Do this Route Solo?

I’ve driven across the United States, from Los Angeles, California to Portland, Maine, solo and felt completely fine doing so.

The one warning I will give, based on my over a decade of solo travel, for road trips, I tend to avoid driving at night.

This is in case I break down, get a flat tire, or encounter any other sort of issue, so I’m not stranded by myself in the dark.

I do recommend you get AAA, if you don’t have it already, as I’ve used them for emergencies like this to get my car towed when something does happen.

Day 1: New Bern, North Carolina

I began my US history road trip in New Bern, NC, because I have a friend who lives there.

Yes, I understand not everyone has a friend there, but I’m being honest, and for historical purposes, it’s actually a great place to start, as it’s where you’ll find Tryon Palace.

I also rented a car at Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN), which is the closest airport to New Bern.

This was a one-way road trip, as I didn’t return to New Bern, so I made sure to enter the pickup as EWN and the return as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Does this cost more? Yes, the car rental place has to figure out how to return the car to the place you picked it up.

However, the alternative would have been looping back to North Carolina just to drop off the car, and that would have cost me as well, so I saw it as a bit of a wash.

Tryon Palace

Originally built between 1767 and 1770, Tryon Palace was the first permanent capital of the Colony of North Carolina and home to the Royal Governor and his family.

During the American Revolution, the Patriots made the Palace their capital. It also became home to the first sessions of the General Assembly, where they started designing a free and independent state.

And after the conclusion of the Revolutionary War in 1783, it became North Carolina’s first peacetime capital.

Exterior of Tryon Palace in New Bern, North Carolina, featuring red brick Georgian architecture with symmetrical windows, a central pediment, and manicured gardens in the foreground.

I’ve written about Tryon Palace before in reference to the Starz TV series Outlander.

George Washington himself appears in the book and TV series, and he did indeed visit Tryon Palace in April of 1791.

He stayed two nights in New Bern as part of his southern tour in the 2nd year of his presidency.

The Palace was used for a ball, and Washington remarked that the Palace was “… a good brick building but now hastening to ruins.”

It looked pretty spiffy when I visited it, but I can imagine post-war it looked a bit rough.

I took their Outlander tour, but as the series is winding down, so are those tours.

🎟️ Tickets: I recommend you get one of their One Day Passes, which will get you access to the Governor’s Mansion, as well as other sites around New Bern.

The John Wright Stanly House

As I mentioned, on the evening of April 21, 1791, Tryon Palace held a dinner and dance in honor of President George Washington.

While in town, he stayed at the John Wright Stanly House, which is now located just across the street from Tryon Palace.

Exterior of the John Wright Stanly House, a restored Georgian-style mansion with symmetrical windows, white clapboard siding, and a central doorway framed by columns and brick steps.

Named after former owner John Wright Stanly, a Revolutionary War veteran, the home had been moved twice before (hence why I said ‘now’).

The last move was in 1965 when it was restored as part of the Tryon Palace complex.

The John Wright Stanly House was empty when George Washington was in New Bern.

Bedroom inside the John Wright Stanly House, featuring a canopied four-poster bed with white linens and wooden furniture, all styled in authentic 18th-century American colonial decor.

Dining room inside the John Wright Stanly House, featuring a long wooden table set with fine china, period chairs, a fireplace, and elegant colonial-era décor reflecting 18th-century American domestic life.

There’s a local legend that the people of New Bern realized what an elegant house it was, so they opened it up, cleaned it, and put in their own furnishings inside for President Washington to use.

George Washington later wrote in his diary that he had enjoyed “exceeding good lodgings.”

2026 Update: The Stanly House is currently closed, but the garden is open to the public.

Check its official page for updates on its opening.

Day 2: Yorktown, Virginia

From New Bern, NC to Yorktown, Virginia, it is a 3.5 hour drive.

You could try to do public transport for this US history road trip, however, it estimates it would take 14 hours on buses so yeah, that’s why I don’t recommend that route.

I left New Bern bright and early and got to the American Revolution Museum around noon.

American Revolution Museum

Yorktown, which is mentioned in Hamilton the musical, is where you’ll find the American Revolution Museum.

It provides an in-depth look at the story of the nation’s founding, hosting excellent exhibits, in-person presenters, interactive environments, and films.

Exhibit of George Washington at the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown, displaying a life-size figure in Continental Army uniform beside historical text panels surrounded by a iron gate, an important stop on an American History Tour.

You must see “The Siege of Yorktown,” a 180-degree film experience.

Featuring the likes of General Washington and Rochambeau, British General Cornwallis, and Alexander Hamilton in his first military role in the Continental Army, with his famous words – “Rush On Boys!” Hamilton’s big moment in the revolution!

Visitors seated in a curved theater watching The Siege of Yorktown 180-degree immersive film experience, surrounded by a wraparound screen depicting Revolutionary War naval battle scenes with tall ships firing cannons over churning ocean waters. — Image from Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, VA

In their exhibits, you’ll see hundreds of artifacts such as military equipment, maps, paintings, engravings, furnishings, and personal effects.

Primarily covering the colonial period to the Constitution, their galleries make the experience personal by showcasing objects made and used by people of the period.

Exhibit Themes:

“The British Empire and America” examines the relationship between America and Britain before the Revolution.
“The Changing Relationship – Britain and North America” showcases the growing rift between the American colonies and Britain. In 1774, the Patriots proclaimed that “our cause we leave to heaven and our rifles.”
“Revolution” follows the war, starting with the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 and ending with victory at Yorktown in 1781. It includes an exhibit on the Declaration of Independence, featuring a very early printing of the document. It also features stories of Patriots, Loyalists, women, and enslaved and free African Americans as they question, defy, or contribute to the Revolutionary War effort.
“The New Nation” shows the challenges faced by the United States in the 1780s, including a weak government under the Articles of Confederation, an unstable postwar economy, and new social tensions that culminated in the creation of the Constitution.
“The American People” compares and contrasts America after the Revolution with America before the Revolution.

Bust of Marquis de Lafayette at the American Revolution Museum, sculpted in white stone and displayed on a pedestal with a backdrop of informational panels detailing his contributions to the American Revolution.

Image of King George III at the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown, featuring a life-size figure in regal attire beside an informational display about his role during the American Revolution.

My favorite part of visiting the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown was a lecture on Alexander Hamilton.

They had other notable figures I could have heard about, but of course, I chose the Hamilton one.

Exhibit featuring Alexander Hamilton at the Museum of the American Revolution, with interpretive panels, a quote, and a portrait of the Founding Father.

Lecturer presenting an Alexander Hamilton program at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, standing before a projected slide titled Early Childhood in British West Indies, with a large battle lines map mural of the Siege of Yorktown displayed on the wall behind him.

They had a very knowledgeable man there who gave an action-packed talk about Alexander’s life and legacy, with a short mention of Hamilton the musical, of course.

If you’re visiting, I highly recommend checking out a lecture to add even more background on this American history tour.

It was a great way to get informed and entertained in a short amount of time.

I learned a lot about Hamilton in the Revolution from it.

When I went, they were included in the ticket price, but they are now listed as once-a-month events for $15 (**Prices last verified April 2026).

If you head outside the main building, you may luck into some reenactments at the Continental Army Encampment.

Here you’ll also find a Revolution-era farm and period-style buildings.

Revolutionary era farm garden at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown featuring rows of period vegetables including peas climbing wooden stake trellises, labeled plant beds, a wooden bucket, and historic outbuildings behind a split-rail picket fence.

Two reconstructed 18th-century log and wood-sided colonial farm buildings with brick chimneys and dark shingled roofs at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, set along a gravel path with green grass and trees under a clear blue sky.

Nearby, you can also visit the Jamestown Settlement, which was great, but as that’s before Hamilton’s time, I haven’t featured it prominently here.

However, you can get a combo ticket for both to save on admission.

🎟️ Tickets: Adults are $20 just for the American Revolution Museum, and the combo is also $20, so it’s very worth it even if you’re unsure you’ll make it to Jamestown.

**Prices last verified April 2026

Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort

Just over 20 minutes from the American Revolution Museum, I stayed at the Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort for 3 nights.

It was a convenient enough location that I could reach Colonial Williamsburg in 5 minutes, which I’d be at for the next two days.

And also the Yorktown Battlefield, which I’d do on the second half of Day 4, only 30 minutes away.

King bed with white pillows, taupe runner, and ornate patterned bed skirt against a dark wood headboard in a warmly lit guest room at Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort, with a bedside lamp and two Colonial Williamsburg framed prints on the wall.

Hotel bathroom at Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort featuring periwinkle blue walls, decorative navy tile border, white pedestal sink, ornate oval white-framed mirror, and a woman taking a selfie reflected in the mirror giving a peace sign.

I felt super safe, even while solo, and the room was clean and comfy.

Not super luxurious, but a solid stay for those on a budget.

Check Prices/Dates

Day 3-4: Williamsburg & York County, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg

I have to say, I only spent a day at Colonial Williamsburg, and I wish I had spent more time there!

However, living history museums are not for everyone, so if you’re unsure, try one day.

Then leave time for another if you can, as there is SO much to do!

I enjoyed my time at Colonial Williamsburg because I love re-enactments, and there are a ton of them going on here!

There are hands-on activities, guided tours, demonstrations, lectures, art collections, and more! Luckily, they have a nifty app to help locate it all.

I visited the Governor’s Palace, the Courthouse, the Capitol, the George Wythe House, the wigmaker’s, the print shop, and much, much more.

The reconstructed Capitol building at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, a two-story red brick Georgian structure with a white cupola, flags, dormers, arched windows, and a surrounding brick wall with a red gate, under a bright blue sky. — The Capitol

Their original 18th-century buildings take you back in time to what it would have been like in Colonial Williamsburg.

The people who work there are all in period costumes and are incredibly knowledgeable.

Ask anything you like, and I can almost guarantee they’ll have an answer.

Wigmaker's workbench at Colonial Williamsburg displaying wooden wig head forms topped with an elaborate white powdered wig with curls, loose hair, period tools, and a large multi-pane window overlooking the historic streetscape. — Wigmaker

Grand ballroom interior of the Governor's Palace at Colonial Williamsburg featuring vivid turquoise walls, a crystal chandelier, ornate blue and pink floral carpet, gold-framed royal portraits, and a historical interpreter in period dress. — Wigmaker

As the largest outdoor living museum in the US, it is an impressive place to go on your US history road trip.

While I didn’t find anything about Alexander Hamilton while I was there, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Marquis de Lafayette are featured in the Nation Builders.

In these presentations, real historical figures who made significant contributions to American history are portrayed.

The wonderful man who stood in for Thomas Jefferson can be seen with me below.

Costumed interpreter portraying Thomas Jefferson at Colonial Williamsburg, standing outdoors in period attire including a tricorn hat and long coat, engaging with a visitor.

I also took a ghost tour at night in Colonial Williamsburg, which was my first solo ghost tour.

I’m not ashamed to admit, it made it a bit spookier doing it without a friend or family member, as I did on the vampire tour in New Orleans, but I still had fun and felt like I got the darker side of Colonial history.

And no, I did not see any ghostly figures dressed in Revolutionary clothing, but it was a great evening activity nonetheless.

🎟️ Tickets: Colonial Williamsburg is the #1 thing to do in Williamsburg! If you plan on spending more than one day, save with a multi-day pass!

Yorktown Battlefield

On day 4 of this US history road trip, I headed to the Yorktown Battlefield.

I honestly had time to go to Colonial Williamsburg for maybe half a day, but I had underestimated how much I’d love it, so I had gotten the one-day pass. Big regrets about that!

If I were to do this again, I’d honestly get the multi-day pass and then, when it heats up in the afternoon, do the Yorktown Battlefield, as you can stay mostly in your car for it (oh, blessed AC)!

The Yorktown Battlefield is a great driving tour!

I did this in a couple of hours in the afternoon.

And it was an excellent way to stay mostly in the car and out of the heat!

I did this US history road trip in mid-May, and though it wasn’t yet the dead of summer, it was hot and humid.

As you’ll likely know from the musical, the Battle of Yorktown was the site of the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

It secured independence for the United States and was Alexander Hamilton’s shining moment in the military.

Redoubt 10 at Yorktown Battlefield, a grassy earthwork fortification with wooden defenses and historical signage mentioning Alexander Hamilton, marking a key site in the final assault of the American Revolutionary War.

Metal plaque at Yorktown Battlefield viewed during an American history tour, providing historical details about the Siege of Yorktown, mounted on a stone base.

Before going on the driving tour, you can visit the National Park Service’s Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center to see a 16-minute introductory film on the Siege at Yorktown.

Their exhibit also includes portions of the headquarters tents George Washington used throughout the war, as well as historic buildings such as the 1730 Nelson House, the Moore House (picture below), where the surrender terms were negotiated, and the National Cemetery Lodge.

Row of historic cannons at Yorktown Battlefield, secured to a cement circular wall, facing inward in front of trees at the site of the Revolutionary War’s final battle. — Moore House

The Second Siege Line at Yorktown Battlefield, marked by grassy trenches and earthworks, with historical markers showing troop positions from the final Revolutionary War battle. — Moore House

If you’d prefer a guided tour, ranger-guided tours of the battlefield are offered throughout the day.

I did the two self-guided tour routes for a total of 16 miles.

If you’re looking for something to skip on this US history road trip, this may be it: Yorktown is mostly fields where this battle once took place. There isn’t that much to see other than grass and some plaques, aside from the Visitor Center’s display.

However, I appreciated that I could do it at my own pace, in my car, in AC.

🎟️ Tickets: Maps of the self-guided tours can be found at the Visitor Center, as can the $5 CD I bought at the gift shop, which was great for background info. You can also purchase a tour online if you don’t have access to a CD player.

Day 5: Charlottesville & Mount Vernon, Virginia

I won’t lie, this is probably the most taxing day on this US history road trip, as I packed in both Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s home), just over a two-hour drive from the Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort.

And then toured it, before driving another two hours to Mount Vernon (George Washington’s home) and touring that.

Is it a lot? Yes, so if you’re not keen to speed through, add another day as you could easily break this into two.

Monticello

Monticello sits at the summit of an 850-foot (260 m)-high peak, deriving its name from the Italian meaning “little mountain.”

His plantation includes several buildings and quarters for enslaved Africans who worked in the home.

As well as gardens for flowers, produce, tobacco, crops, and Jefferson’s experiments in plant breeding.

Thomas Jefferson was also buried on the grounds in an area now designated as the Monticello Cemetery.

Thomas Jefferson's granite obelisk grave marker at Monticello cemetery in Charlottesville, Virginia, inscribed with his epitaph noting his authorship of the Declaration of Independence and birth and death dates, surrounded by lush green trees.

They have changed their tours since I went, as the ones mentioned as of my update (April 2026) don’t match what I have noted. However, it is likely now called the Behind-the-Scenes tour.

On it, I was able to see the main floor and the private quarters on the second and third floors, including the Dome Room.

A note on going upstairs at Monticello: these stairs are tiny and narrow, so if you have any mobility issues, you may not want to do this tour.

Unfortunately, no photography is allowed inside the house, so you’ll just have to visit.

Exterior of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s historic estate, featuring red brick walls, tan columns, and a central dome surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens in Charlottesville. — Map mentioning his trips to Williamsburg

Interpretive exhibit panel titled Traveling at Monticello displaying an antique map of Virginia and surrounding states with illustrated routes, period paintings, and text describing Thomas Jefferson's travel habits by carriage and horseback. — Map mentioning his trips to Williamsburg

During my visit, they also had a Hamilton Tour Takeover that I wasn’t able to attend, as I did the first available tour to get to Mount Vernon afterward.

But there is now a Founding Friends, Founding Foes Tour that is right up this Hamilton trip’s alley, as it focuses on a “tour of Monticello reveals how Jefferson and Adams became allies in revolution, bitter rivals in politics, and friends again in retirement.”

🎟️ Tickets: Tours follow a strict schedule, so to ensure you join the one you want, it’s best to reserve in advance.

Mount Vernon

Just over 2-hours northeast, you’ll land at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Here you can tour his 18th-century home, stroll through the gardens and farm, visit museum galleries, see his grave, taste Washington’s whiskey, and much more.

Aside from visiting the house, taking a tour (for an additional fee), and going to the museum, I didn’t get to do too much here since I had a little less than half a day, but if you have the time, you can spend an entire day here.

They were refurbishing his home when I was there, but I was still able to go inside and view the first and second floors of George Washington’s beautiful home.

I recall they didn’t allow photos inside, but it appears their rules have changed.

Exterior of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, a prominent stop on an American history tour, featuring a large colonial mansion with a cupola, red roof, and symmetrical design.

The museum exhibit covers the life of George Washington, starting with his first job as a surveyor.

Then, it moves on to his leadership during the French and Indian War and his growing businesses at Mount Vernon.

Of course, it also covers his time in the Revolutionary War, his spy craft (which you can learn more about at the International Spy Museum), and the founding of our nation.

Mannequin of George Washington on display at Mount Vernon, dressed in formal 18th-century attire with a red coat and white cravat, positioned in a wooded display. — Washington as a surveyor

Mannequin display at George Washington’s Mount Vernon showing him taking an oath, dressed in colonial attire with one hand on a book, set in a recreated historical interior as part of an American history tour. — Washington as a surveyor

The Revolutionary War 4D Theater, a 22-minute show detailing the American Revolution, features sensory effects such as snow, fog, and cannon fire and highlights Washington’s important military victories at Boston, Trenton, and Yorktown.

It’s a must-see while at Mount Vernon, as it immerses you quickly into his world.

National Treasure Tour

When I got to Mount Vernon, it was later in the day, so the earliest available tour was the National Treasure Tour.

Not that I’m not a fan of the National Treasure films; I just didn’t expect there to be a tour solely dedicated to the 2nd film!

But that’s because National Treasure: Book of Secrets was filmed on location at Mount Vernon.

This tour takes you behind-the-scenes to film locations and explains how they were used during Washington’s time.

I even got to visit Mount Vernon’s cellar since it was featured in the film! It’s where the Lawrence Washington cornerstone is!

Cellar beneath George Washington’s Mount Vernon, a dimly lit space with stone walls and wooden barrels, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look. — Cellar

Cornerstone in the cellar of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, with lighting that highlights the engraved text, offering insight into the estate’s historical foundations during a National Treasure tour. — Cellar

Hamilton the Musical Tour

However, for this Hamilton trip, you must go on the Hamilton the Musical Tour at Mount Vernon, which explores Washington’s role in the hit Broadway show.

It examines his views on many of the themes the musical addresses.

While there is no record of Alexander Hamilton visiting Mount Vernon, you can find many things mentioned in Hamilton at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

“What ideas was Lafayette fighting for with the Guns & Ships the French brought? Where are the vines? Where are the fig trees? Get the answers to these questions and more on this hour-long tour.”

Note: This tour is only offered Apr. 1 – Oct. 31

🎟️Tickets: Mount Vernon is a popular attraction, so DON’T forget to book your tickets in advance to get the time slot you want! And book a tour (additional fee), as they follow a strict schedule

Where Should I Stay in Washington, D.C.?

From Mount Vernon, it’s about a 30-minute drive into central Washington, DC, so I drove there afterward and dropped off my rental car at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

From then on, I got around by the metro (which is super easy to use) and Uber.

When I did this Hamilton trip, I stayed with a friend for the duration of my time in DC.

However, as I have an upcoming trip to the capital, I’ve been sussing out good places to stay.

My top picks are:

Hotel Nell ($$) – Big aesthetic vibes, popular with solo travelers
Highroad Hostel DC ($) – 9.6/10 rated, hostel-hotel hybrid
U Street Capsule Hostel ($) – 8.9/10 rated, feet away from the metro

Day 6: Washington DC

Library of Congress

There are a lot of things to see in Washington, D.C., but one of my favorites by far was the Library of Congress.

I’m ashamed to say that I had NO idea this building was so beautiful before my trip.

I was bowled over when I visited!

People visiting the interior of the Library of Congress, showcasing a grand domed ceiling, ornate columns, arched doorways, and marble statues in Washington DC.

Ornate interior of the Library of Congress in Washington DC, with grand arches, marble columns, intricate ceiling murals, and decorative carvings in the richly detailed entrance.

The Library of Congress is a research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the national library of the US.

It is also the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States and one of the largest libraries in the world.

The Library of Congress’s origins date back shortly after the founding of the United States.

James Madison is credited with the idea of creating a congressional library in 1783. President John Adams formally established it in April 1800.

Then, President Thomas Jefferson created the structure of the library, signing a bill that allowed the President to appoint the Librarian of Congress and establishing a Joint Committee on the Library to regulate and oversee it.

However, in 1814, the British army burned Washington and destroyed the Library of Congress and its collection of 3,000 volumes.

Thomas Jefferson, the avid reader that he was, offered to sell his personal library to replace the collection.

I heard he also needed the money!

Thomas Jefferson’s book collection at the Library of Congress, featuring an arrangement of historic books encased in glass with informational panels, displayed as part of a tour in Washington DC.

Congress accepted and spent $23,950 to purchase 6,487 books that he had accumulated over 50 years.

They included works in several languages and subjects such as philosophy, history, law, religion, architecture, travel, natural sciences, mathematics, studies of classical Greece and Rome, modern inventions, hot air balloons, music, submarines, fossils, agriculture, and meteorology.

Unfortunately, again, the Library of Congress was burned in 1851, destroying two-thirds of the Jefferson collection, with only 2,000 books remaining.

As of 2008, the Library of Congress librarians had found replacements for all but 300 of Jefferson’s original collection.

When visiting the Library of Congress, you can see which books are originals, replacements, or still missing (see the placeholder below).

Close up of the exhibit of Thomas Jefferson's Collection at the Library of Congress, part of a historical display featured in Washington DC.

The library also has a collection of Alexander Hamilton papers and artifacts, totaling 12,000 items.

It previously displayed a selection of significant letters penned by Hamilton throughout different stages of his life in 2018, but I can’t find any record of it still being there.

Among those items were writings from a 12-year-old Hamilton, a Marquis de Lafayette communication about the final battle in the Revolutionary War, a work about the formation of the U.S. Constitution, and a July 4, 1804 goodbye letter to his wife shortly before the Burr duel.

🎟️ Tickets: It is free to visit the Library of Congress, but you need to reserve a timed-entry ticket. If you don’t secure one, there are several guided tours that also include the Capitol or other sites.

If you are looking for a less crowded library to visit, check out the Folger Shakespeare Library, located just across the street.

Revolutionary Statues and Memorials

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the memorials and statues you can visit in Washington, DC.

Of course, there is the Washington Monument, which Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton helped establish.

The Jefferson Memorial looks over the Potomac River and is beautiful when lit up at night.

Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., a tall white obelisk standing prominently against a blue sky, surrounded by the National Mall and often visited during an American history tour. — Washington Monument

A 19‑foot bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson standing inside a classical domed rotunda with white marble columns, holding a copy of the Declaration of Independence in his left hand, under soft interior lighting in Washington DC. — Washington Monument

There’s another statue of him in the Capitol building as well.

Statue of Alexander Hamilton in the U.S. Capitol, depicting him in 18th-century attire standing atop a stone pedestal, surrounded by the historic government building in Washington DC.

Where Can I Find Alexander Hamilton in Washington, D.C.?

You can see parts of his life and legacy at:

The National Museum of American History – See a Portrait of Eliza Hamilton and a Costume Worn by Lin-Manuel Miranda
The National Gallery of Art – Check out the portrait of Alexander Hamilton
The Treasury Building – A 10-foot bronze statue of the man himself stands in the south plaza
Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum – Home to the original 1870 postage stamps that featured Hamilton
National Archives Museum – See the U.S. Constitution, signed by 39 delegates, including Hamilton, whose signature is seen on the right side of the last page
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum – Bar turned museum, which once entertained Madison, Jefferson, Washington, Burr, and Lafayette

Final Thoughts

This 6-day East Coast road trip traces the real locations behind Hamilton the Musical, traveling from New Bern, North Carolina, through Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia, to Washington, DC.

Key stops include the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown—where Hamilton’s battlefield moment is commemorated—Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, George Washington’s Mount Vernon (which offers a dedicated Hamilton the Musical Tour), and the Library of Congress, which holds approximately 12,000 Alexander Hamilton papers and artifacts.

The route works best as a self-drive itinerary; six days is the minimum, with eight recommended if you want more time at Colonial Williamsburg.

FAQs

What is the Hamilton the Musical Tour at Mount Vernon?

The Hamilton the Musical Tour at Mount Vernon is a 60-minute specialty tour that explores the estate grounds using references from the Broadway musical to discuss both the show and the actual historical events behind it.

Topics covered include French military contributions during the Revolutionary War, the character of William Lee (Washington’s enslaved companion), European cultural and economic influences on early America, a comparative analysis of Washington, Hamilton, and Burr, key messages from Washington’s Farewell Address, and the surprising parallels between George Washington and King George III.

The tour departs from Mansion Circle daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., April 1 through October 31 (not offered on July 4), and costs $10 in addition to standard admission.

While there is no historical record of Alexander Hamilton ever visiting Mount Vernon in person, Washington’s vision of democracy (described as the “ever favorite object of his heart”) connects directly to the musical’s themes.

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6-Day United States History Road Trip Itinerary Inspired by Hamilton the Musical