Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage

4th of July Trivia!

How well do you know your US Independence Day history?

While marinating those steaks for tomorrow’s Independence Day barbecue, or having a sneaky taste of the red, blue, and white cupcake icing — so tempting — does your mind ever wander to the history behind it all? Maybe it’s just us, but the 4th of July has got us thinking about those destinations that tell the story of the Revolution and the Declaration of Independence so well. You could say the fireworks are sparking our travel lust!

We have the best local history guides on speed dial, but we aren’t going to cheat and give them a call. Instead, we’re going to test our 4th of July trivia, travel-destination-style. Want to join in for a little pre-festivity star-spangled fun? Read on to see how much you know about the five US cities that played such a huge role in the making of our nation.

Question 1:

Which famous building in Philadelphia was the site where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated and adopted?

A) Liberty Bell Center
B) Congress Hall
C) Independence Hall
D) Carpenter’s Hall

Answer
C) Independence Hall

This is the room where it happened. Independence Hall is where delegates from the thirteen colonies gathered in the sweltering summer of 1776 to debate — loudly, heatedly — whether to break away from British rule. Eleven years later, it was also where the Constitution was signed. Not bad for one building. Today, it’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for anyone even mildly interested in how the whole debate got started.

While you’re there, we can set you up with a guide who knows the founding fathers’ flaws and favorite taverns, with tours to Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, Congress Hall, Carpenter’s Hall, and perhaps a few secret underground tunnels. And yes — we also know where to find the best Philly cheesesteak. (Hint: it’s not Pat’s or Geno’s.)

Click here to contact us for a custom-made Philly trip with all the (cheesy) trimmings.

Question 2:

Which protest in Boston became a major turning point in the colonies' resistance to British rule?

A) The Boston Massacre
B) The Boston Tea Party
C) The Intolerable Acts
D) The Midnight Ride

Answer
B) The Boston Tea Party

In December 1773, a group of colonists boarded British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor waters in protest against the Tea Act, which handed the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies. No one in the colonies had voted on it, of course — they had no representation in Parliament. The backlash was swift, and this act of defiance became one of the sparks that lit the Revolution.

Boston wears its revolutionary past proudly. You can walk the Freedom Trail past the Old North Church, the home of “Midnight Ride” revolutionary Paul Revere, and the site of the Boston Massacre — all in a couple of hours.

We’ll hook you up with a private guide who knows the stories behind Paul Revere and the Freedom Trail’s landmarks — and where to grab the best lobster roll when you’re done. Revolutionary history and seafood — what more could you want? Perhaps a tall glass of iced tea, which can also be arranged.

Click here to contact us for a tailor-made Boston trip.

Question 3:

What was Colonial Williamsburg originally established as?

A) A theme park
B) A museum exhibit
C) The capital of colonial Virginia
D) A Revolutionary War battlefield

Answer
C) The capital of colonial Virginia

Before Richmond, there was Williamsburg — the capital of colonial Virginia from 1699 to 1780. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the world’s largest living history museum. It’s an entire district restored and reimagined to reflect 18th-century life, complete with working tradespeople, costumed interpreters, and candlelit taverns.

It’s not all powdered wigs and pewter mugs — the programming delves into the lives of women, the enslaved, and free Black citizens, offering a broader view of what independence meant (and for whom). Nearby Jamestown and Yorktown round out what’s known as the Historic Triangle — giving you the full arc from settlement to revolution.

Traveling with Art In Voyage means skipping the bus tours and going deeper. Think private access, thoughtful guides, and the kind of dinner reservations you don’t get from a brochure.

Click here to inquire about a tailor-made journey through Virginia’s historic towns.

Question 4:

Why is the 1777 Battle of Saratoga considered a turning point in the American Revolution?

A) It marked the end of British occupation in New York
B) It was the first American victory
C) It convinced France to join the war on the American side
D) It resulted in the capture of George Washington

Awnser
C) It convinced France to join the war on the American side

The American victory at Saratoga in 1777 was a strategic and symbolic turning point. It proved that the Continental Army could take on British forces — and win. The victory was impressive enough to persuade France to formally ally with the colonies, bringing money, troops, and a navy. Without that support, the outcome of the war might have looked very different.

Today, the Saratoga National Historical Park is peaceful and open, with walking trails, quiet viewpoints, and enough signage so you can find the important sites (though with an Art In Voyage guide you’ll never get lost): Saratoga Battlefield, Saratoga Monument, and the Surrender Site. But Saratoga isn’t all history. It’s also known for its natural mineral springs, Gilded Age architecture, and one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the US.

Why not pair a visit to Saratoga with our upcoming fall journey in the Hudson Valley? The foliage colors are unreal, the food’s on point, and Saratoga’s just close enough to make a smart, story-rich detour.

Click here to contact us about this history-meets-harvest trip in New York State.

Question 5:

Which Charleston landmark was used by the British to imprison American revolutionaries during the war?

A) Fort Sumter
B) The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
C) Charleston City Market
D) Drayton Hall

Answer
B) The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

This imposing 18th-century building in downtown Charleston was once a commercial hub — and, during British occupation, a prison for American patriots. The underground Provost Dungeon (in the building’s basement) still feels unsettling today, with low stone ceilings and heavy ironwork that hasn’t forgotten what it was built for.

Charleston's Revolutionary War story is often overshadowed by its Civil War history, but it played a critical role much earlier — enduring sieges, hosting covert meetings, and seeing power shift back and forth.

Beyond the history, Charleston is effortlessly good-looking, with gas lamps, palmetto trees, and pastel facades that lure you in.

Fancy a trip to South Carolina? We can arrange it all, from boutique hotels and private airport transfers to local historians and curated behind-the-scenes access.

Click here to inquire about a Charleston trip that takes you from historic dungeons to hidden rose gardens.

Well… how did you do? Did you score five out of five? If not, why not brush up on your US history knowledge in the best possible way — with an Art In Voyage trip to all five destinations (and perhaps another pivotal historical city we left out?)

Forget dusty books; travel with us to discover all the juicy stories from private guides who know their stuff, in the very places they happened. Click here to begin your journey into the USA’s revolutionary past.

You can also hit reply to this email with any places you think we left out or interesting Independence Day trivia. Or a long island iced tea recipe; we’re always up for those.

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

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