July 16, 1790
689,545
Welcome to your unforgettable adventure with A-Z Travels, a leading educational travel company. As your trusted educational travel agency, we’re here to make learning come alive.
Day 1: Arrival, National Archives Museum, National Museum of American History, Welcome Dinner, Moonlight Monuments Tour of National Mall
Morning:
Arrival Day! Your group travels to Washington DC—our nation’s capital and the center of American democracy. Home to incredible collections of art, history, and science, your trip exploring some of America’s most iconic historical sites will include monuments and museums that tell the story of how the country began, grew, and changed. Aim to arrive around midday having lunch en route.
Afternoon:
Meet your A-Z Travels Tour Director and check into your hotel. Once settled, your introduction to the city begins at the National Archives Museum. See the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights—the Charters of Freedom. The impressive architecture of the museum coupled with standing before these foundational documents will set the tone for an inspiring trip. Then, see relics like the original Star-Spangled Banner flag and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat at the National Museum of American History—a space dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying artifacts of the United States.
Evening:
Celebrate your group’s first night in D.C. with a welcome dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Pick from an extensive dinner menu and save room for a decadent dessert! Then, end the night with a Monuments by Moonlight Tour featuring the famous tributes arranged around the National Mall and more. See the monuments in a new and dramatic light, including the impressive Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial, the thoughtful FDR Memorial, the iconic and striking Lincoln Memorial, the poignant Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, dedicated to the civil rights leader and his lasting legacy. After the tour, return to your hotel for a much-needed rest.
Day 2: Arlington National Cemetery, Changing of the Guard Ceremony, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, and Old Town Alexandria Ghost Tour
Morning:
Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before crossing the Potomac River to the largest military cemetery in the nation—Arlington National Cemetery. Admission to these hallowed grounds includes the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as access to the hop-on-hop-off trolley. See the final resting place of President John F. Kennedy and The Eternal Flame, as well as the Challenger Memorial and The Arlington House, the historic former home of general Robert E. Lee.
Afternoon:
Take a break with a pizza party for lunch and fill up on your favorite slices. Then, travel to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. The historic and sprawling former home of the first President of the United States. Learn about his life and his significant contributions to the nation’s foundation while exploring the massive grounds including the mansion, gardens, distillery, slave quarters, tomb, and walking trails. Take in majestic views as your students interact with real time preservation, restoration, and archaeological efforts.
Evening:
Head to Old Town Alexandria—a beautifully preserved historic district famous for its colonial charm. Have dinner with a view at Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge, named after the first female City Manager in the Washington DC area. Enjoy picturesque waterside dinning before having your group partake in a historic ghost tour! Walk lantern-lit, cobblestone streets as your guide shares chilling tales of restless spirits and dramatic stories of ill-fated past inhabitants. After exploring the city’s haunted history and landmarks, return to your hotel to rest and recharge for the next day’s adventure.
Day 3: Trip to Gettysburg, PA: Gettysburg Cyclorama, Dobbin House, Gettysburg Battlefield, Jenny Wade House, Medieval Times Farewell Dinner
Morning:
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before departing for Gettysburg. Upon arrival, immerse yourselves in the Battle of Gettysburg at the Gettysburg Cyclorama: a meticulously crafted 360-degree painting with narration that brings the viewer directly into the heart of the battle. This historical diorama and auditory experience shows “Pickett’s Charge,” the climactic Confederate infantry assault on the Union line on July 3, 1863, the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Afternoon:
For lunch, your group will savor a traditional “Pennsylvania Dutch” meal at the historic Dobbin House, built in 1776. After eating, begin a guided tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield, where one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War was fought. Learn about the strategies and tactics used, and see the key landmarks that shaped the battle’s course. Step back in time at the somber Jenny Wade House, home of Gettysburg’s only civilian casualty. Hear of her tragic fate as you view preserved furnishings and ponder the lasting impact of the Civil War on ordinary lives.
Evening:
To celebrate the last night of your tour, step even further back in time as your group delights in an entertaining farewell dinner at Medieval Times. Cheer on armored knights on horseback, feast on an epic historical banquet, and witness the pageantry of the Old World. When the show is over, head back to DC and your hotel for a full night’s rest.
Day 4: White House, U.S. Capitol Building Tour, Departure Day
Morning:
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for the White House. Here you’ll have a photo opportunity to capture the iconic residence and office of past, present, and future presidents— a universally recognized symbol of American political power. From there, continue to the U.S . Capitol, the building that shapes the nation. An architectural marvel infused with fine art, students will take a guided tour that includes the Rotunda and its great dome. Beyond its aesthetic, students will see a legislative hub where the nation’s laws are debated and passed. After gaining insights into where history unfolds, enjoy lunch at the Visitor Center.
Afternoon:
After gaining insights into where history unfolds, enjoy lunch at the Visitor Center. Following lunch, assemble on the capitol steps for a group photo– a final souvenir and reminder of the day your students stood on the steps of power, ready to write their own chapters in the nation’s story. Gather all belongings and begin your safe journey home.
Thank you for considering A-Z Travels, your go-to school travel company. We hope this experience will inspire lasting memories and learning.
