When you’ve walked the cobbled streets of York Minster, stared up at the spires of Salisbury Cathedral, and sipped tea beside the Thames while watching the Tower Bridge open, it’s easy to think you’ve seen it all. But history doesn’t stop at the English Channel. For Londoners used to centuries-old stone and royal intrigue, North America offers something just as rich-just different. Think colonial forts that held back empires, ancient cities older than London itself, and battlefields where revolutions were won. And yes, you can get there from Heathrow in under eight hours.
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia: A Living Snapshot of 18th-Century Britain
Imagine stepping into a town where the streets smell of woodsmoke and leather, and the locals speak in period-appropriate accents. That’s Colonial Williamsburg, a 1930s restoration project that now feels more real than most British heritage sites. It’s not a museum-it’s a working town. Blacksmiths hammer horseshoes using tools from 1775. Costumed interpreters argue politics like they’re waiting for Parliament to reconvene. And yes, they even serve British-style pork pies in the taverns.
What makes this place special for Londoners? It’s the echo of home. The architecture, the language, the social hierarchy-all mirror the Britain that sent settlers across the Atlantic. You’ll see the same Georgian townhouses you find in Bath, but here, they’re surrounded by pine forests instead of rolling hills. It’s a cultural mirror. Take the bus from Richmond International Airport-it’s a 45-minute ride, and the visitor pass includes unlimited access to over 400 restored buildings. Don’t miss the Governor’s Palace. Its ballroom was designed by the same architect who worked on Kensington Palace.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado: Ancient Cities Built Before London Existed
London’s oldest buildings date back to the 11th century. Mesa Verde’s cliff dwellings? They were built between 600 and 1300 AD. That’s 500 years before the Tower of London was even a sketch. These aren’t ruins-they’re homes. The Ancestral Puebloans carved entire villages into sandstone cliffs, complete with kivas (ceremonial rooms), storage bins, and even indoor plumbing systems.
For a Londoner used to guided tours at Westminster Abbey, this experience is different. There’s no velvet rope. You climb ladders, crawl through narrow passages, and stand where people once cooked, prayed, and raised children. The guided tour of Cliff Palace is the only way in, and slots fill up fast. Book through the National Park Service website at least three weeks ahead. Pack layers-temperatures swing from 30°F to 75°F in a single day. And bring a good camera. The way the light hits the red rock at sunset? It’s like watching Stonehenge glow, but with more birds.
Chichen Itza, Mexico: A Mayan Metropolis That Outlasted the Roman Empire
Don’t skip Mexico just because it’s ‘close’. Chichen Itza isn’t a beach resort-it’s a city that once held over 50,000 people, with a pyramid so precisely aligned with the stars that twice a year, the shadow of a serpent slithers down its steps. This isn’t folklore. It’s astronomy. The Mayans calculated the solar year to within 0.0002 days of modern measurements. They had no telescopes. No iron tools. Just math, observation, and patience.
Londoners will appreciate the parallels. Like the Roman aqueducts or the Ring of Brodgar, Chichen Itza is a place where ancient people built something that still makes you wonder how. The El Castillo pyramid has 365 steps-one for each day of the year. The ball court? It’s the largest in Mesoamerica, and the acoustics are so perfect you can hear a whisper from one end to the other. Fly into Cancún, rent a car, and drive 2.5 hours. Skip the tour buses. Go early. Arrive at 7:30 AM, and you’ll have the site to yourself before the cruise ship crowds roll in.
Montreal’s Old Port and Old Montreal: Europe in North America
Walk the cobblestones of Old Montreal, and you’ll swear you’re in Lyon or Brussels. The stone buildings, the wrought-iron balconies, the churches with stained glass that tells biblical stories in French-this is Europe transplanted. Founded in 1642, Montreal’s historic core predates many British towns. The Notre-Dame Basilica? Its interior is more ornate than St. Paul’s. The ceiling is painted midnight blue, studded with gold stars. The organ? One of the largest in the world.
For Londoners, this is comfort food for the soul. You’ll find cafés that serve proper crème brûlée, patisseries that rival Fortnum & Mason, and bookshops that smell like old paper and pipe tobacco. Take the metro to Place d’Armes, then wander down Rue Saint-Paul. Stop at La Banquise for a poutine-yes, it’s that good. And if you’re here in July, catch the Jazz Festival. It’s bigger than Glastonbury in terms of stage count, and the free outdoor shows go until 2 AM.
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco: The Island That Held the Unbreakable
Think of the Tower of London. Now imagine it’s a prison on a rock in the middle of a freezing bay, with sharks below and fog that swallows sound. That’s Alcatraz. The island housed some of America’s most dangerous criminals-Al Capone, Robert Stroud (the Birdman), and George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly. But it wasn’t just about punishment. It was isolation. No phones. No mail. No visitors. Just concrete, steel, and silence.
The audio tour, narrated by former guards and inmates, is haunting. You’ll hear how prisoners tapped messages through the pipes. How they tried to escape by making dummy heads out of soap and toilet paper. How the water supply was so bad, they called it ‘The Sludge’. The ferry leaves from Pier 33 in San Francisco. Book tickets weeks ahead-they sell out. Bring a jacket. Even in summer, the wind off the Pacific bites harder than a London winter. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see the sea lions lounging on the rocks outside the prison walls. They’ve lived there longer than any inmate ever did.
Halifax Citadel, Nova Scotia: The British Fortress That Never Saw Battle
Here’s a secret: Canada has more British military history than most of the UK. The Halifax Citadel, perched on a hill overlooking the Atlantic, was built in the 1850s to protect British interests from American invasion. It never fired a shot in anger. But the drills? They’re real. Every day at noon, the guard changes in full redcoat uniform, with muskets, drums, and a band playing ‘God Save the King’.
For Londoners, this is nostalgia with a twist. The uniforms are the same as those worn at the Changing of the Guard. The drills are identical. The only difference? The air smells like salt and pine, not exhaust and tea. The site also has a museum with original uniforms, maps, and letters from soldiers who never made it home. It’s quiet. It’s respectful. And the view of the harbour? Better than any from the Tower.
Why These Sites Matter to Londoners
Londoners don’t travel to escape history. They travel to deepen it. North America doesn’t have the same density of castles or cathedrals, but it has something rarer: layers of history built by people who were trying to recreate, resist, or reimagine the world they left behind. These places aren’t just relics. They’re conversations-with colonists, with indigenous nations, with the future.
When you stand in Colonial Williamsburg, you’re not just watching a reenactment. You’re hearing the echoes of your own ancestors. When you climb the steps of Chichen Itza, you’re standing where people thought differently about time, space, and power. And when you sit in a Montreal café, listening to French spoken like poetry, you’re reminded that culture doesn’t need borders.
These sites aren’t just destinations. They’re reflections. And for anyone who’s ever walked past the Houses of Parliament and wondered how the world changed, they offer answers.
Practical Tips for Londoners Planning the Trip
- Flights: Direct flights from London Heathrow to New York, Toronto, Montreal, and Washington DC are daily. Look for deals on Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, or Air Canada. Avoid layovers in Dublin or Amsterdam-they add time without value.
- Visa: If you’re from the UK, you need an ESTA for the US ($21, valid for two years). Canada requires an eTA ($7, same validity). Both take 10 minutes online.
- Time Zone: The US East Coast is 5 hours behind London. If it’s 9 AM in London, it’s 4 AM in New York. Adjust your sleep before you go. Jet lag hits harder than you think.
- Money: The US dollar is cheaper than the pound right now. Use Revolut or Monzo for no-fee ATM withdrawals. Canada uses Canadian dollars-exchange at the airport only if you’re desperate.
- Weather: Pack for everything. A jacket, a raincoat, and a pair of sturdy boots. North America’s weather doesn’t care if you’re from Chelsea.
What to Skip
Don’t waste time on Disneyland. Don’t queue for the Statue of Liberty unless you’ve already seen the Tower of London. Skip the Vegas Strip. Skip the generic ‘American history’ museums in big cities. You’ve seen enough glass cases and faded flags. Go where the stones still whisper.
Next Steps
Start with one trip. Pick one site that speaks to you. Maybe it’s the silence of Mesa Verde. Maybe it’s the echo of drums in Halifax. Book the flight. Mark the date. And when you come back, you won’t just have photos. You’ll have a new way of seeing history.
Can I visit these sites on a short break from London?
Yes. Most of these sites are accessible on a 5-7 day trip. Flights from London to major North American cities take under 8 hours. You can do Colonial Williamsburg or Old Montreal in a long weekend. For Mesa Verde or Chichen Itza, plan for at least 5 days including travel. Use the UK’s 90-day visa-free rule to stretch your stay if needed.
Are these sites family-friendly?
Absolutely. Colonial Williamsburg has hands-on activities for kids. Alcatraz offers audio tours designed for teens. Mesa Verde’s guided tours are suitable for children over 6. Montreal’s Old Port has street performers, ice skating in winter, and chocolate shops. Just pack snacks, water, and sturdy shoes-no one wants a tantrum on a cliffside trail.
Is it safe to travel to these places alone?
Yes. These are all well-managed, heavily visited sites with strong security and clear signage. Montreal and Halifax are among the safest cities in North America. Alcatraz and Williamsburg are tourist hubs with staff everywhere. As with any city, avoid poorly lit areas at night, but the sites themselves are perfectly safe. Many Londoners travel solo here every year.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) are ideal. The weather is mild, crowds are thinner, and prices drop. Avoid July and August-too hot in the south, too busy everywhere. Winter works for Montreal (ice skating, Christmas markets) and Halifax (snowy forts feel magical), but Mesa Verde and Chichen Itza are better in dry months.
Do I need a car to get around?
It depends. In Montreal and Halifax, public transport and walking are fine. For Williamsburg, you can use shuttles. But for Mesa Verde, Chichen Itza, and Alcatraz, you’ll need a rental car or organized tour. Book early-US rental prices have jumped since 2023. Use Sixt or Enterprise-they have desks at Heathrow and accept UK licenses.
