The best camping near Adams National Historical Park

You'll feel yourself enveloped by history the second you set foot in this park, home to our second president. Definitely take the tour (the only way to get inside the homes), and don't miss the video (you'll recognize Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, who starred in the award-winning miniseries—and Tom Hanks, too). You'll get a real understanding of what life was like at the turn of the 1800s, and if your kids are with you, they'll immediately be offered a chance to be a Junior Ranger.

The grounds at the park are stunningly maintained. Stroll through 13 acres of grounds—but take advantage of the trolley that carries you from the house John Adams was born in to the Peace Farm to the Stone Library on the 2.5 hour tour (well worth the time!). Those houses date to the 1600s—now that's old!— and the Stone Library is a true gift to any book lover. Don't miss looking at the entire wall of dictionaries that Adams used when he was writing letters in different languages. Yes, you can take photos, but no flash, no tripods, and no videos.

The tour guides and park rangers are amazing here. They really know their stuff, and they help bring all that history alive. You'll get a real sense of how hard life in the 18th and 19th century really was, and realize the uphill battle that our Founding Fathers faced.

There's no camping and no restaurants here—but there's plenty of inspiration to be found.