Educational Tours & Graduation Trips » Uncategorized » 4 Day Washington, D.C. Williamsburg History Tour

4 Day Washington, D.C. Williamsburg History Tour

Day 1 You'll See:

Grand Union Flag in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

Grand Union Flag in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

Day 2 You'll See:

Day 3 You'll See:

Day 4 You'll See:

You and your student group will spend three days in thrilling Washington, D.C., and one day - and a spooky night - in historic Williamsburg. This well-planned and delightful educational tour will allow you to explore the history and government of the United States; you’ll discover how our great nation came to be, and how it operates today. You’ll enjoy some pretty spectacular sights, too - including our Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, Mt. Vernon – the home of George Washington - and the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Day
1

Colonial Williamsburg Tour
Colonial Williamsburg sprawls over 301 acres – you’ll see authentic 18th-century structures and hundreds of stately homes, charming shops and public outbuildings that have been meticulously reconstructed on their original foundations. Centuries fall away as affable character guides lead your student travel group through garden gates, quiet courtyards, and shadowy doorways; can you hear the rattle of wagon wheels on cobblestone or the contented cluck of a Colonial hen? Do you smell the coal smoke and start, just a bit, a blacksmith’s hammer meets cast anvil, forging a shoe for a patriot’s faithful steed? This tour of Colonial Williamsburg is a fantastic way to kick off your student group’s amazing 3-day educational excursion!

The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour
The family-friendly Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Candlelight Tour has been treating guests to their special brand of delightfully frightening evening entertainment for nigh onto a quarter-century! The tour company bases its popular evening outings on acclaimed author L.B. Taylor’s “The Ghosts of Williamsburg”; expert storytellers neatly weave nearly a dozen of his exclusive tales into the fabric of a perfectly spooky-yet-informative stroll through the darkened streets of Colonial Williamsburg. P.S.: Don’t forget your cameras!

Day
2

Washington DC Stockfresh

Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library containing more than 128 million items including books, manuscripts, films, photographs, sheet music, and maps. As part of the legislative branch of government, the Library houses several internal divisions, including the Office of the Librarian, U.S. Copyright Office, Law Library of Congress, Library Services, and the Office of Strategic Initiatives. Visitors flock year-round to partake of its wonderful exhibitions, interactive displays, concerts, films, lectures, and special events.

Capitol Hill Tour
Your students’ visit to Washington, D.C. would not be complete without a tour of our legislative and judicial branches. In addition to the Library of Congress, you will see the magnificent Capitol and Supreme Court Buildings, the breathtaking Jefferson Building and the stunning U.S. Botanic Garden/Conservatory.

National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration stores and provides public access to the original documents that set up the American government as a democracy in 1774; the records of the nation's civil, military and diplomatic activities are also held here for present and future generations. Guests are transported on a dramatic and fascinating journey through time, with an opportunity to view the United States Government's Charters of Freedom, the U. S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. This experience deserves a slot on every D.C. student trip!

International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum explores the role of espionage in history and today, focusing on learning the craft, practice, tools, and missions of the world’s spies, in both reality and fiction. The museum was developed and continues to receive advice from experts in the field including the former directors of the FBI, Central Intelligence, and the former director-general from the British Secret Service, MI5. Exhibits include over 200 authentic spy gadgets, weapons, bugs, cameras and more. Test your own spy skills at interactive displays or buy your own spy gadgets at the Spy Store like a pen camcorder

Monuments and Memorials Illuminated 

Day
3

Arlington National Cemetery
You’ll recognize Arlington National Cemetery by the remarkably uniform white headstones spanning the 600+ manicured acres that mark the graves of more than 400,000 soldiers laid to rest here. The cemetery is one of the most popular attractions among student groups exploring Washington, D.C. - its rich history and beautiful setting make it a perfect place for remembering, for reflection, and for honoring US soldiers past and present. John F. Kennedy and William Howard Taft are buried here.

Iwo Jima Memorial
The United States Marine Corps War Memorial - better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial - depicts one of the most historic battles of World War II. The memorial, dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in battle, is sculptor Felix de Weldon’s recreation of an actual shot captured by news photographer Joe Rosenthal of 6 brave, young soldiers – five Marines and one Navy corpsman- raising the 2nd American flag planted on Mount Suribachi. Only three survived.

Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is an iconic American landmark and an enduring reminder of the life and legacy of the Father of Our Country – a successful Virginia gentleman planter and entrepreneur - and ultimately the leader of a fledgling democratic nation. What was once a simple one and a half-story farmhouse evolved into a grand home and prosperous plantation; First President George Washington’s estate is now one of the nation’s most visited historic sites. You and your student group will enjoy a tour of his authentically interpreted 18th-century home set on lush gardens and grounds, explore intriguing museum galleries, see Washington’s tomb, his progressive four-acre Pioneer Farm, a painstakingly reproduced working gristmill and distillery and experience first-rate dining and shopping while visiting this incomparable national treasure!

Ford’s Theatre
Ford’s Theatre was once a place of worship, constructed in 1833 as the second meeting house of the First Baptist Church of Washington. John T. Ford bought the former church and renovated it into a theatre, which he first called Ford's Athenaeum. It was destroyed by fire in 1862 and was rebuilt the following year with seating for 2400. Five short days after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, President Abraham Lincoln and his wife were enjoying a performance of Our American Cousin at this infamous venue; notorious actor John Wilkes Booth, desperate to aid the dying Confederacy, stepped into the box where the presidential party was seated and shot Lincoln, who passed away the next morning at Peterson House, just across the street. As a living tribute to President Abraham Lincoln’s love of the performing arts, Ford’s Theatre presents wonderful plays and musicals underscoring multiculturalism and highlighting the eclectic character of American life.

Day
4

Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall
The National Mall is the pivotal point of most sightseeing visits to Washington, D.C.; the tree-lined open space between Constitution and Independence Avenues unrolls all the way from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol Building. Ten of the museums of the Smithsonian Institution are located right here, showcasing a variety of exhibits ranging from fine art to space exploration. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely picnic and ideal outdoor festival venue; champions of countless causes, gritty young eco-warriors and hip movers and shakers, alike have staged all manner of energetic protests and rallies on its expansive lawn.