school tour washington dc

Discover Washington D.C.

Washington d.c. trips for schools.

A Washington, D.C. educational trip gives students the chance to visit the capital of the United States of America and home to our President, our Congress and our Supreme Court. From the White House to Capitol Hill, you can visit the three branches of our government that maintain the balance of power set forth in our Constitution.

Washington D.C. Overview

Washington D.C. is a city rich in history, culture, and politics. Capitol Hill is the active epicenter of the legislative and judicial branches of government and offers students a chance to step foot into the buildings where major decisions affecting the daily life of the American people are being made on a daily basis. A short distance away the White House is home to the President of the United States, head of the executive branch. D.C. is home to some of the country’s most iconic monuments and landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. War memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial honor the brave soldiers who fought for their country, while Arlington National Cemetery is both a memorial and an active cemetery where veterans and those who have died in combat in service to their country are still laid to rest today.

There is So Much More to D.C.

Washington D.C. has a vibrant arts scene that includes world-class theaters, music venues, and art galleries. It’s home to many of the country’s most important cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian museums, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Gallery of Art. The magnificent National Cathedral (the 6th largest cathedral in the world!) is one of few examples of Gothic architecture in the U.S. The powerful Holocaust Memorial Museum is a moving tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.

Thanks to the Smithsonian Institution, which includes over a dozen museums, galleries and even a zoo, D.C. can provide students with hands-on, interactive exhibits on a wide range of subjects, from natural history and science to art and culture. Take your students to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which offers a profound opportunity for students to delve into the rich tapestry of African American history, culture, and contributions.

With so much to see and do in Washington D.C., a student trip to DC with Educational Travel Adventures provides students with an unforgettable educational experience that will enrich their understanding of history, culture, and government.

Capitol Hill Guided Tours

It can be difficult for even the most motivated student to remember what each of those government branches do – which is why we recommend a trip to D.C.! Up on Capitol Hill, we help teachers give students the opportunity to see firsthand how their government operates and to understand the impact it has on their daily lives. Sights include the U.S. Capitol Building , The Supreme Court , and the Library of Congress .

A US Capitol tour for your students will help bridge the gap between what they have learned in the classroom and the real-world application of civics, history, and government. It will provide them with firsthand experiences and insights into the democratic process, the nation’s heritage, and the institutions that shape our society.

Visit The White House

There are few buildings in the U.S. more internationally recognized than the White House. Gather your students in front of this national symbol to snap a great pic, then head over to the White House Visitor Center , which illustrates many aspects of the White House including architecture, furnishings, first families and social events. Walking tours of the White House are available, but must be planned in advance and scheduled through your Congressperson.

Washington D.C. Memorials Tours

Memorials recognize the tireless work of our great leaders and honor the sacrifices made on behalf of the American people. At ETA we know it’s one thing to see a photo of a memorial in a textbook, and quite another to stand in front of a memorial, to sense the cultural weight of an event like a war, or to examine the facial features of a historical figure at the proximity we might examine the face of a friend. We’ll bring your students to experience the Korean War Veterans Memorial , the Vietnam Veterans Memorial , and the National World War ll Memorial and let them stand in front of some of America’s most influential figures at the Lincoln Memorial , the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial , the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial , and more.

Washington D.C. Itineraries

A 6 city tour of the northeast – 8 days.

The People & Places of our History Books

A Day Trip to Our Nation’s Capital – 1 Day

A one-day trip, starting with a half-day drive to DC with no overnights

A Deep Dive Into America’s Past and Present – 3 Days

This three-day, two-night adventure offers students a deep dive into the heart of America’s history and heritage.

D.C. Insider: White House & FBI – 3 Days

A half-day drive to DC with two overnights in the city

Quick Capital Highlight Tour – 2 Days

Start your two-day trip with a half-day drive to DC with an overnight in the city

Washington D.C. & Gettysburg: Iconic People and Places of our Nation’s History – 4 Days

Four day tour through our Nation’s Capital and the Battlefields of Gettysburg where the union almost broke forever

Washington D.C., Gettysburg & Hershey – 3 Days

Three days in Washington DC, Gettysburg and Hershey

Washington D.C. Tour FAQ’s

How does eta help plan tours of washington dc for large groups or schools.

Once you reach out to us, a dedicated tour manager will reply to your primary contact to start planning your trip to Washington DC. They’ll start by asking questions to understand your main goals for the trip, including what attractions you would like to see, what tours you would like to take, how long you’d like your trip to be, how many students will be traveling and other basic logistical questions.. Your tour manager will provide recommendations throughout your conversation as well. All trips with ETA are meticulously planned to meet the needs of each individual group.

Does ETA create complete Washington DC travel packages for groups?

Yes, your tour manager will help develop a custom package for your Washington DC school trip. All packages are custom-made to fit your budget and schedule, and can include everything from transportation to meals to tickets for museums, attractions, tours, and much more. Your tour manager will help you plan and strategize to make the most of your school trip to Washington D.C.

Does ETA provide planning for Washington DC trips for 8th graders?

Yes, we have helped many middle schools plan their annual Washington DC trips for their 8th grade students—and we have received glowing reviews along the way! If you are new to planning your school’s 8th grade field trip to DC, rest assured that we will be able to guide you throughout the planning process and even throughout your entire trip.

Why should we choose ETA to plan our educational trip to Washington DC?

We are a highly trusted and certified tour company that has been helping groups and schools plan educational and performance trips since 1991. For over three decades, we have been committed to executing highly engaging, memorable, and safe trips for schools and large groups.

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Three-Day Washington DC Educational Tour & School Trip

Washington DC Tours » Washington DC Educational Tours » Washington DC Educational Tours & School Trips » Three-Day Washington DC Educational Tour & School Trip

Three Day Washington DC Educational Tour

Our Three-Day Washington DC Educational Tour is perfect for those groups who want to have a taste of everything that DC has to offer without spending too much time in any one location. In this tour we explore the very heart of America’s government, history, and cultural heritage. This in-depth tour takes you to the United States Federal Government Buildings, the ever-popular Smithsonian Museums, the deeply moving Holocaust Museum, and iconic DC monuments.  The tour also includes a visit to Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington, our first president.

(NOTE: this tour is customizable your group’s goals and budget).

• Meet your tour guide
• Visit Arlington National Cemetery, witness the “Changing of the Guard” Ceremony, and pay respects at JFK’s gravesite
• Stop by the US Marine Corps War Memorial
• Tour the U.S. Capitol Building, including the Capitol Rotunda and Statuary Hall
• Visit the Supreme Court
• Discover the Library of Congress
• Optional visit to either the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Art Museum, or the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum

• Start with the Jefferson Memorial
• Visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• Visit the Washington Monument, with a chance to see the city from above
• Photo opportunity or tour at the White House
• Visit the National Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Permanent Exhibit or Daniel’s Story
• After lunch, visit Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s former home and final resting place

• Begin at the Lincoln Memorial
• Visit the Vietnam War Memorial and the Korean War Memorial
• Visit the World War II Memorial
• Tour the National Archives, home of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights
• Optional tour of Ford’s Theatre, site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination
• Conclude with a choice between three Smithsonian Museums – American History, Natural History or NMAAHC

Three Day Washington DC School Trip Review

After meeting your tour guide, your first day begins with a trip to the Arlington National Cemetery . Arlington in the final resting place to over 400,000 American Soldiers and Sailors. In our visit here, we will witness the moving “ Changing of the Guard” Ceremony as well as paying our respects to Former President John F. Kennedy .

After a quick visit to the US Marine Corps War Memorial we will visit the magnificent architectural wonder which is known as the U.S. Capitol Building , the venue for the national legislature. Our visit inside the Capitol Building will include the Capitol Rotunda as well as Statuary Hall. 

Next we will visit the Supreme Court, where landmark decisions that have shaped our country. Plus, we will visit  the Library of Congress , home to millions of books, images and manuscripts.

An optional visit to the National Portrait Gallery or the Smithsonian Art Museum may be added at the end of the day. Your group may also opt to visit the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum . 

Day Two starts with a visits to a few more of the memorials. We begin with a visit to the Jefferson Memorial, which is dedicated to our Third President. From here we will move up along the Tidal Basin to visit both the Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial .  Most of our groups like to explore the  Washington Monument. At over 555 feet tall it is the highest point in Washington DC and is a fitting memorial to our First President, George Washington. From the top of the monument you will not only see all of Washington DC, but you can see for miles around on a clear day.

From the Washington Monument, we will visit the White House for a tour or for a photo opportunity. We also have the option to visit the White House Visitor’s Center before moving on.

Next we will make a stop at the National Holocaust Memorial Museum . Here your group will have the option to spend time in the Permanent Exhibit or visit Daniel’s Story, which is more fitting for a younger audience. After lunch, we will off to visit Mt. Vernon, the former home of George Washington. This large plantation overlooks the Potomac River and is the final resting place for the First President and his Wife.

Our third day begins with visits to three of the popular memorials on the National Mall. We begin at the Lincoln Memorial where we can look to the distant Capitol Building and Washington Monument to the east. Nearby we will honor those who died in the Vietnam War and the Korean War . These two memorials offer a glimpse into the two conflicts America fought to contain Communism. 

Across the Reflection Pool we will visit the World War II Memorial, one of DC’s newest memorials. Divided into the Atlantic (Europe) and Pacific Campaigns, this memorial combines impressive stone pillars, water falls, and fountains. It is a fitting memorial for those who fought against Fascism during the war.

Following our visits to the memorials, we will tour the National Archives , the home of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Nearby, we can tour Ford’s Theatre . It was here where President Abraham Lincoln was Shot after the Civil War had ended.

Our third day concludes with visits to the Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture or   the Museum of Natural History . These three popular museums are located very close to each other which can give your group members options to choose from.

The tour can be customized to suit your group’s specific desires and needs, ensuring an unforgettable and memorable experience that goes outside of the schoolroom.   Explore, connect and explore with us during this three-day, immersive DC Tour.

Other Washington DC Educational Tours

Each of the Tours Below May be Customized to Meet Your Group’s Unique Needs. Call Today to Discover how easy it is to Arrange a DC School Tour.

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4 Day Washington, D.C. School Trip Itinerary

• Destination Highlight

4 Day Washington, D.C. School Trip Itinerary  

Our 4 day washington dc school trip itinerary is the perfect middle school students program. in these 4 days students will get to see the essential sites, museums and government institutions dc offers. it allows for a deeper dive into the various themes and allows your group to discover more than the highlights. washington dc is flush with symbolism; from the layout of the city of pierre charles l'enfant, its distinctive architecture and how the iconic buildings are situated. the museums of the smithsonian will have students see neil armstrong's space suit, the wright brothers first plane to flight under its own power. the 'star spangled banner' that inspired francis scott key and so much more. of course all of the monuments and memorials hold a special place as they will become indelible memories for your class., explore at the smithsonian museums.

Arlington National Cemetery

The Library of Congress 

The supreme court , the white house viewing from lafayette park , discover the monuments and memorials.

• George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate 

Itinerary 

4 Day Washington, D.C. School Trip Sample Itinerary: 4 Days/3 Nights

Choose from the optional attractions below OR customize to your preferred attractions, meals and more! 

Departure (Motorcoach, Flight, Ferry, Train Transportation) 

Optional Add On Boxed Lunch 

Visit the Museum of American History (Time Permitting- Closes at 5:00 PM) 

Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam War Memorials 

World War II Memorial & Washington Monument

Group Sit-Down Dinner 

Hotel Accommodations (2 Nights) 

Overnight Security Provided (2 Nights) 

Day Two 

Hotel Hot/Cold Breakfast 

United States Capitol Building - Official Tour 

National Archives (Declaration of Indepence, US Constitution, Bill of Rights)

Lunch Voucher or Boxed Sandwich (Customized Sandwich/Cookie Order)

Smithsonian Museums (+$ Add on George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate or Frederick Douglass Historic Site) 

Group Sit-Down Dinner (+$ Add on Pizza and Bowling or Dave & Busters)

TJ, FDR, MLK Memorials 

US Marine Corps War Memorial 

Visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum ( +$ Add on the International Spy Museum)

Group Sit-Down Dinner (+$ Add on the National Harbor experience OR Dinner Dance cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington or the Odyssey!)

September 11th Pentagon and Airforce memorials 

Guided walk around Lafayette Park and White House outdoor viewing

Visit the Smithsonian Museums 

Optional Group Sit-Down Dinner

Add Additional Nights Or Destinations To Your Package! 

*Travel Insurance With CFAR

GO highly recommends all passengers get travel insurance coverage with additional Cancel For Any Reason coverage. Learn more here https://www.goeducationaltours.com/travel-insurance

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Destination Highlights

We have a young team of dedicated travelers ready to make your next class trip a memorable experience for you and your students. GO guides you through every step of the planning process. You can customize all or parts of your trip. Or simply choose one of our Pick,Click & GO trips, our most affordable trips if you wish for an economical and quick trip booking. Planning can be daunting but all our efforts are channeled to make it easier on you.

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Washington DC Educational Tours

Washington DC Shutterstock

Washington, D.C. is the top-rated educational destination in the United States!  Offering some of the most popular sites for school groups to visit and experience, Washington, D.C. is at once a historical capital city and a thriving commercial center of sophistication. Each year thousands of students visit our Nation's Capital to see the many unique historical sites, government buildings, and informative museums. They gain a clearer understanding of how our national government works and they are able to touch American history through the many attractions they visit.

Take a tour of the National Mall to see the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and iconic reflecting pool, Capitol Hill, and the many landmarks surrounding the grand promenade. Visit the world-renowned Smithsonian museums such as the National History Museum, Air and Space Museum, and the American History Museum among others. Touring the White House and Senate are almost always on the top of educational itineraries alongside the Vietnam War Memorial, Ford's Theatre, and much more!

Below you will find a variety of Washington, D.C. educational tour packages to choose from. However, our specialty is customizing educational tours to fit your group's needs so if you see something you would like to change, just let us know. When you find the educational tour you are looking for or have an itinerary you would like to have customized, call us at 877-397-5700 and we will assist you with all of your needs!

Learn more about Washington, D.C., by watching these Washington, D.C., educational tour videos .

Check out this sample video itinerary!

Are you looking for an affordable, customized group trip?

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Sample Itineraries

1 Delightful Day in D.C

•  Highlights

2-Day Women in DC Tour

2 Day Washington, D.C. Educational Tour

3-Day Law & Order D.C. Tour

3-Day DC Art and Architecture Tour

3 Day Washington, D.C. Black History Tour

3-Day DC Education

3 Day Washington, D.C. Educational Tour

3 Day Washington D.C. Journalism Tour

4 Day Washington, D.C. Educational Tour

4 Day Washington, D.C. Williamsburg History Tour

5 Day Washington DC & Baltimore Tour

5-Day Washington DC & NYC Tour

5 Day Washington, D.C. Educational Tour

6 Day Washington DC & New York City Tour

6-Day DC, Philly, and NYC Tour

Customized Tour

Attractions.

• Alexandria’s Ghosts and Legends Lantern Tour
• Anderson House
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Audi Field – DC United
• Bureau of Engraving & Printing – DC
• Capitol Hill Photo Opportunity
• Capitol Hill Tour
• Carpe DC Food Tours
• Daughters of the American Revolution Museum
• DC Metro Food Tours
• Embassy Row Tour
• FDR Memorial
• Ford’s Theatre
• Annapolis Tours by Watermark
• Historic Homes Tour
• Historic Prince William County
• Hornblower Cruises
• Howard University
• International Spy Museum
• Korean War Memorial
• Library of Congress
• Lincoln Memorial
• Lunch at Union Station
• Manassas National Battlefield Park
• Mangia DC Food Tours
• Mary Mcleod Bethune Statue
• Meet Your Congressman or Congresswoman
• Monuments and Memorials Tour
• Mount Vernon
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial 
• Museum of the Bible
• National Cathedral
• National Gallery of Art
• National Geographic Museum
• National Law Enforcement Memorial
• National Law Enforcement Museum
• National Mall
• National Museum of American Diplomacy
• National Building Museum
• National Museum of the United States Army
• National Public Radio (NPR) Studio Tour
• National Museum of Women in the Arts  
• Pentagon Memorial
• Petersen House
• Planet Word
• Potomac Riverboat Co.
• Rock Creek Park
• Saint John Paul II National Shrine
• Sky Zone Trampoline Park
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
• Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
• Smithsonian National Museum of American History
• Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sc. Garden
• Smithsonian Nat. Museum of Af Am Hist and Culture
• Smithsonian National Museum of the Am. Indian
• Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery
• Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building
• Smithsonian National Postal Museum
• Smithsonian National Zoo
• Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
• Smithsonian Dillon Ripley Center
• Smithsonian Castle
• Smithsonian Freer|Sackler
• Southwest Waterfront
• Surratt House Museum
• The Capitol Steps Satire Show
• The Capital Wheel
• The Jefferson Memorial
• The National Archives
• The Supreme Court
• The Washington Ballet
• The Washington Monument
• United States National Arboretum
• United States Naval Academy
• US Holocaust Memorial Museum
• US Marine Corps War Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Voice of America Tour
• Washington D.C. Sports
• Warner Theatre
• Washington D.C. Colleges Tour
• Washington D.C. Performances
• Washington Photo Safari
• White House Area Walking Tour
• World War II Memorial

Popular Washington, D.C. Tours

Discover our nation's past, present and future. from the smithsonian museums to the memorials and monuments, d.c. is brimming with history. check out some of our most popular washington, d.c. tours for students..

Washington, D.C.: The Capital Tour

Visit the Smithsonian museums, Washington Monument and Capitol Hill.

Washington, D.C. & Gettysburg

Visit Gettysburg, Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon.

Washington, D.C. & New York

The Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and Times Square await.

Washington, D.C. & the Civil War Battlefields

Walk through Manassas, Antietam and Gettsyburg.

Washington, D.C. & Williamsburg

See the U.S. Supreme Court, Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello.

Missed the fun, or want to do it again?

Your next adventure is around the corner, or around this page, rather. take a look at our tours to find the right one for you and your group..

STUDENT TOURS AND TRAVEL – WASHINGTON D.C.

Washington D.C. has it all: historic artifacts like the Declaration of Independence, time-honored traditions like the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery, iconic sites like the Lincoln Memorial and even panda bears at the National Zoo!

Whether you are studying history, art, science, or anything in between, a visit to our nation’s capital is an educational experience no young American should miss!

Washington D.C. TRIP VIDEO

American Art Museum The museum celebrates the extraordinary creativity of our country’s artists, whose works are windows on the American experience.

Arlington National Cemetery See the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns, gravesites of President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the crew of the Challenger Space Expedition.

Embassy Row Walk along Massachusetts Avenue and see many of the beautiful foreign embassies in Washington D.C.

FDR Memorial Dedicated on May 2, 1997, the monument spreads over 7.5 acres, tracing 12 years of history through a sequence of four outdoor rooms, one for each of FDR’s terms in office.

Ford’s Theatre Learn the history of this working theatre and the events that led up to the assassination of President Lincoln.

Frederick Douglass and Cedar Hill Visit the home of Frederick Douglass, who spent his life in the late 1800’s working to abolish slavery and fight for the rights for all oppressed people.

Holocaust Museum The Holocaust Memorial Museum is a memorial to the millions who died during the Nazi regime in Germany during World War II.

International Spy Museum This is the only public museum throughout the world solely dedicated to espionage and global perspective on an all-but-invisible profession.

Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial The memorial is dedicated to all marines who have given their lives in the battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most historic battles of World War II.

Jefferson Memorial The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, modeled after the Pantheon of Rome, is America’s foremost memorial to our third president.

Kennedy Center The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts produces a variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk music, and multi-media performances for all ages.

Korean War Memorial This memorial provides 19 larger than life steel statues of soldiers dressed in full combat gear serve as a tribute to those who restored freedom to South Korea.

Library of Congress Started by Congress in 1800 who sent away to London for 740 books and 3 maps as a reference library for Congress, these materials were later used by the British to start a fire to burn down the Capitol in 1814. Jefferson then sold his personal collection of over 6,000 books to begin the 2nd collection of the Library of Congress in 1815. Today, there are approximately 90 million items on 540 miles of shelves.

Lincoln Memorial Standing at the west end of the National Mall, this neoclassical monument is in honor the 16th President and features his famous Gettysburg Address.

Lincoln Park Initially in honor of President Lincoln, consecrating the place to Lincoln’s memory really took hold several years later through the efforts by an African American woman named Charlotte Scott of Virginia who started fund raising among freed blacks to pay homage to the President.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial honors a man of conscience; the freedom movement of which he was a beacon; and his message of freedom, equality, justice and love.

Mount Vernon George Washington’s Estate & Gardens, including the farm where Washington and his family lived.

National Archives Here, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and many other documents can be found.

National Air and Space Museum Maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world.

National Museum of African Art This Museum fosters the discovery and appreciation of the visual arts of Africa, the cradle of humanity.

National Museum of American History Check out the multitude of exhibits exploring America’s history, identity and culture.

National Museum of the American Indian The first national museum dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of the life, languages, literature, history, and arts of Native Americans.

National Zoo The National Zoo is home to 2,000 individual animals of nearly 400 different species. The Zoo is best known for the giant pandas.

Navy Museum A celebration of maritime history.

Petersen House Across the street from Ford’s Theatre is the house where Lincoln died after being shot by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865.

President Lincoln’s Cottage President Lincoln’s Cottage is the most significant historic site directly associated with Lincoln’s presidency aside from the White House. During the Civil War, President Lincoln and his family resided here from June to November of each year.

Professional sporting event: Wizards :: Capitals :: Nationals

Supreme Court Initially convened in New York, then Philadelphia, then US Capitol, finally in 1935 the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. was completed.

The Awakening Sculpture of a giant struggling to emerge from the earth.

Union Station Among the most visited destination in the nation’s Capitol with over 32 million visitors a year. World-class train terminals, exhibitions, restaurants and stores.

US Capitol The construction of the Capitol began in 1793, and for over a century it was the only building created for the use of the nation’s legislature

Vietnam Memorial This memorial honors members of the U.S. armed forces who died in service or are unaccounted for during the Vietnam War.

Washington Monument The Washington Monument was built between 1848 and 1884 as a memorial to George Washington.

Washington National Cathedral Washington National Cathedral has opened its doors to people of all faiths as they have gathered to worship and pray, to mourn the passing of world leaders, and to confront the pressing moral and social issues of the day.

White House Visitors Center The Visitor’s Center features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events and relations with the press and world leaders.

World War II Memorial Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice and commitment of the American people.

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D.C. & Virginia College Tour 4 days, 3 nights

D.C. & Virginia College Tour

The College Experience

Trip Length: 4 days, 3 nights

Give your students the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history, tour college campuses, and experience diverse cultural attractions. Whether you’re bringing everyone or celebrating your seniors, NationsClassroom will create a personalized itinerary that maximizes your time in your destination city.

If there are other colleges or universities you’d like to visit that aren’t listed on the itinerary, just let your Student Travel Consultant know – we can create a customized itinerary for your group!

Trip Highlights

• College Campus Tours
• Career Exploration
• Jefferson’s Monticello
• Colonial Williamsburg
• Exciting Evening Activities

Our Itinerary

Below is a sample itinerary that may be customized to meet the needs of your group.

Day One: Washington, D.C.

• Afternoon arrival in Washington, D.C.
• Georgetown University
• Howard University
• Dinner at the campus dining hall

Day Two: Charlottesville

• Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Tour the historic home of Thomas Jefferson, the writer of the Declaration of Independence
• Lunch at Historic Mitchie Tavern
• University of Virginia: Campus tour & informational session
• Virginia State University
• Liberty University
• Lynchburg College

Day Three: Richmond

• Virginia Commonwealth University
• University of Richmond
• Lunch at the campus dining hall
• Old Dominion University
• Hampton University
• Evening at an indoor waterpark

Day Four: Williamsburg

• Colonial Williamsburg A living history museum with buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, this historic area is an interpretation of a Colonial American city with restored and recreated buildings, taverns, and trade shops.
• Lunch in Colonial Williamsburg
• College of William & Mary: Campus tour & informational session
• Afternoon departure home

What's Included

Accident and illness protection for all travelers.

Transportation

Either in the air or on the ground, your transportation will be convenient and comfortable.

Hotels are student friendly with only interior corridors in safe areas that maximize your touring time.

We provide three meals per day including a full student buffet at your hotel each morning.

Attractions

All admission fees to attractions are included.

Your Tour Guide will be an expert on your destination, but most importantly they connect with your students.

Coordinators

Your tour coordinator will secure tickets, inspect hotel rooms, and stay with your group overnight at your hotel.

Sleep worry free. Professional security will be on duty each evening.

Generous tips are provided for your bus driver, tour guide and hotel staff.

More Itineraries

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School Trips in DC: What Visitors Need to Know

Participating in one of the multi-day school trips in DC is a right-of passage for many 8th graders across the U.S. If you are not visiting with one of these groups but coming to DC between mid-March and mid-June, these are a few things you need to know.

What is school field trip season?

School trips in DC are a huge part of the local tourism industry. Most schools send eighth grade class trips. This is why you will also occasionally hear referred to as “eighth grade field trip season”. Eighth grade is usually the class that gets to come to DC because it’s a final reward before the kids head off to high school.

Trip Hacks DC offers tours specifically designed for school groups . We have led tours with students in fifth grade all the way up to 12th grade. Our tours are best for small schools who don’t pay for an all-inclusive package. For large schools, these services might make more sense.

When is school field trip season?

School group trips in DC typically happen at one of two times during the year. The big one is in the spring, roughly from mid-March through mid-June. There is also a secondary field trip season in the fall roughly from early October through Thanksgiving.

If you’re trying to avoid field trip season the months you want to consider for your trip are: December, January, and February in the winter, and July, August, and September in the summer. Most schools choose to come in the spring because it’s an end-of-the-school-year reward. Plus, the students get to spend all school year learning about social studies and history and then they get to come to DC and see things up close.

Fall field trip season is much less busy since most schools don’t want to do the trip at the beginning of the school year.

How will field trip season impact your trip?

The most important thing to know is that school groups travel together in large packs. So, if you are visiting the memorials, there might be four groups of 50 students or more at once. This can really change the feel of some of the sites, particularly smaller memorials like the Vietnam and Korean War memorials.

School groups are only in DC for a limited amount of time. They need to maximize that time as best as possible. That means that during the day they’re going to be at the sites that are only open from 10 to 5. This includes the museums and the other indoor sites. Then, after dinner, they are going to head out and tour the monuments and memorials. This is because there are not a lot of evening activities you can do with big groups of teenagers.  

The bottom line is that if you’re visiting during spring field trip season you’re going to be sharing those monuments and sites with a lot of other people.

Where do field trip groups eat?

As far as restaurants go, school trips groups in DC tend to stick to a limited number of places. For lunch they go to food courts. The food courts at Union Station, L’Enfant Plaza, the Reagan Building, and Pentagon City Mall are all popular choices. Food courts are ideal for school groups because they’re cheap and they give the students a lot of different choices. For dinner, they go to the inexpensive restaurants that can accommodate groups. This includes places such as the Hard Rock Cafe, Buca di Beppo, Carmine’s, and similar chain places.

Where do school groups stay?

School groups usually stay at suburban hotels because they travel on charter buses. Thus they do not need to be near Metro. Suburban hotels usually offer group rates to schools. Although, you will occasionally see school groups staying downtown, especially if they’re a small group who doesn’t have a charter bus. So if you plan to stay at a downtown hotel and eat at mostly local restaurants, you are probably not going to bump into too many of these groups at those places.

Coming to DC and want to book a tour? Trip Hacks DC was founded by Rob, a veteran tour guide in the Nation’s Capital. Trip Hacks DC provides tips, tricks and travel hacks for planning your trip; and guided tours to show you around once you get here. Our tours are family and school group friendly and our guides specialize in the major Washington, DC sites.  Click here to check out the upcoming tour options  and to book your tour here today!  Feel free to contact us if you have any tour questions

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Private Tour with Rob Monumental Trivia Tour Historic Georgetown School Group Tours

About Trip Hacks DC

Trip planning resources.

• DC Airports: a Guide to Navigating DCA, IAD and BWI
• The Ultimate Washington DC Travel Guide (2023)
• Hotels in DC: A Guide On Where to Stay
• The 5 Best Local Washington DC Tours
• Washington DC Trip Planning: Trip Hacks DC E-book
• Packing for Washington DC: What To Bring for Your Trip

Newest Podcast Episodes

• Podcast Ep.58 Tips for Attending Pro Sports in Washington DC
• Podcast Ep.57 Everything Visitors Should Know About Washington DC Cherry Blossoms
• Podcast Ep.56 Managing Your Washington DC Travel Expectations
• Podcast Ep.55 What to Expect for Washington DC Tourism in 2024
• Podcast Ep.54 Every Holiday in Washington DC
• Podcast Ep.53 Why I Don’t Recommend Airbnb in Washington DC
• Podcast Ep.52 Washington DC Experiences to DO and SKIP
• Podcast Ep.51 Rob’s Washington DC Travel Philosophy

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Student Group Tours

Our team of tour professionals is committed to transformational student travel.   Our tour guides have seen firsthand the powerful effect that educational travel can have on a young person.

We are eager to share our knowledge of Washington DC relative to its importance in US history, government, policy, leadership and more. We recognize each school group is unique, with differing curriculum by state or even school district.  We will work with teachers and parent organizers to customize the ideal trip for each group. For example, some groups can spend two or three days in DC while others longer, or some groups see a second or third city, like New York or Philadelphia. Some will arrive by air and others by bus. Some trips might emphasize history over the workings of government. 

What is it that you want your students to learn while in DC, and what is it most of all that you want them to see? Please contact us for more information and to start planning. Ideally, planning should start a year in advance, but we are happy to work with your student group on short notice, even if your trip is only in a matter of weeks or even days. This sometimes happens when a group is coming to the area for a game or a performance and the tour is secondary, but when this happens the memories of the tour become primary after returning home!  

Small Groups Welcome

Our specialty is smaller groups who might think that they are too few in number to travel, or that were told they must combine with other schools in order to participate at a level that is within their budget.  While other student tour travel companies are scaled such that they need to have large groups in order to be worth their time, we are happy to work with groups as small as 15 or even 10 students. Traveling with a small group has some considerable advantages, the most important being the level of personal attention both in the planning stages and with the tour guide who you will be traveling with. Even if you have already booked your travel and accommodations, we can help with your tour itinerary, tour transportation, and placing you with the best tour guide for your students.

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They will remember it for a lifetime., read more reviews.

A personal note from the founder:

Like many American kids, my first visit to DC was as an eighth-grader on a middle school trip. It was an unforgettable experience that has always remained significant to me. There were many firsts: my first flight on an airplane, first time staying at hotel without my parents, first time I kept a budget in order to plan out my spending. The list could go on.

Decades later, the feelings of wonder and the thrill I experienced on the trip still ripple through me. I recall seeing architectural marvels like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the US Capitol Building, the Library of Congress, the US Supreme Court and the Washington National Cathedral. 

I still recall the moment I saw the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives. Back then one had to step up to see it. I just remember being in awe at the sight. It was the very first thing we did after landing at DCA. It was after dark, probably about 6 p.m. Back then the Archives had later hours, so it was the perfect thing to do before checking into the hotel.

My classmates and I were all exhausted after traveling all day, rising about 3 am to be at the school in Pomona, CA in order to catch the flight that morning. But our excitement overcame our fatigue as we were propelled by the excitement of being in Washington, DC. Seeing firsthand our nation’s capital left me with a profound appreciation for this county as well as a deeper knowledge of our history and the workings of government.

Custom Tours of DC – A Private Tour Agency

Custom Tours of DC arranges private tours and plans custom itineraries for individuals and groups.

1030 15th Street N.W., #212 Washington, DC 20005

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High school students from across the country come together to make lasting connections with the people and places that represent our democracy.

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Close Up programs are unlike any other!

Using the city as a living classroom, Close Up’s Washington D.C. trip allows high school students to make personal connections with the people and institutions that embody our nation’s past and present.

Close Up’s once-in-a-lifetime program opportunities are designed to inspire and empower students to become active participants in our democracy. With the help of our program instructors, students experience history and government, consider a variety of viewpoints on important current issues, and build the skills of engaged citizenship.  

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Washington, DC & New York City

Washington, dc & williamsburg, new americans program, american indian focus programs, nais student civic leadership summit.

Develop the skills for a lifetime of active citizenship.

Close Up’s Washington D.C. trip curriculum uses the principles of cooperative learning and experiential, issue-centered education to inspire and empower students. We focus on:

• Reasoned discussion, debate, and deliberation of real-world issues;  
• Simulations of government processes;  
• Student facilitation and peer-to-peer engagement; and  
• Onsite learning about advocacy and policymaking.  
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Close Up brought me CLOSER to politics…

the entire notion no longer seemed obscure. I became very involved in politics on the local and national level.

I learned that there’s a huge network of people with the same goals and drive as me…

and that our collaboration really could make a difference. It gave me hope for the future of our communities and our nation!

Close Up is a positive experience for students…

seeing themselves as having the power to influence the democratic process.

I’m truly blown away by what Close Up’s been able to accomplish in the last two weeks during IMPACT 2020 …

The material seems very high level, and my daughter’s been very motivated to participate every day. I wanted to be sure to commend the staff on providing such a great experience!

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Shedd Aquarium

Fascinated with life under the sea? Well this is the perfect place to learn just about everything you would ever want to know about aquatic life. There are so many different types of sea life from all over the world at the Shedd Aquarium that you may not believe some of them are even real!… [Continue Reading]

Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is a great way for any group to tour some of Boston’s most historic landmarks. This two and a half mile trail goes through sixteen landmarks including Boston Commons, King’s Chapel, and Bunker Hill. Your school tour will be lead by tour guides dress as 18th Century townspeople. They will take you… [Continue Reading]

Consider this sample itinerary for a 4-day tour of New York City. Though we customize every tour we build, this will give you an idea about the many exciting attractions NYC has to offer and how you might be able to fit several into one thrilling tour. Day One Midtown Begin your NYC tour in… [Continue Reading]

Washington DC is the most popular destination for school tours. The National Mall draws millions of visitors every year as does the Smithsonian Institution. There is no limit to the variety of things you can learn in the many world-class museums in DC. And, of course, it’s the only place where you can visit the… [Continue Reading]

Boston is a beautiful mingling of the old and the new. Many call it the birthplace of a nation, and all of these reasons put it high on the list of great destinations for school tours. It was a journalist who came up with the idea of connecting Boston’s many historical landmarks by a red… [Continue Reading]

Washington DC

Washington DC is the most popular destination for school tours. The National Mall draws millions of visitors every year as does the Smithsonian Institution. There is no limit to the variety of things you can learn in the many world-class museums in DC. And, of course, it's the only place where you … [Washington DC Tours...]

Boston is a beautiful mingling of the old and the new. Many call it the birthplace of a nation, and all of these reasons put it high on the list of great destinations for school tours. It was a journalist who came up with the idea of connecting Boston's many historical landmarks by a red brick … [Boston School Tours...]

New York City

For sheer variety of attractions, New York City is the perfect choice. These famous sights are excellent for education and for leisure, making NYC the right destination for all kinds of school travel tours. You might begin in Times Square, where three New York City streets intersect, converging … [New York City Tours...]

Black History

Black history tours are a way to remember our heritage as a nation that has struggled with equal rights for all. They are a way to honor those who saw clearly and fought for that equality. They help us consider the legacy of those who went before and the courage to … [Black History School Tours...]

Chicago is the most exciting choice for school tours in the central United States. This huge city with a hometown feel has educational activities, recreational ones, and beautiful sights. It's known for its world-class architecture, which you can view from above on observation decks or from the … [Chicago School Tours...]

Broadway Tour

A Broadway Tour includes a Broadway performance every night. It's the perfect theme for aspiring actors, dancers, musicians, and artists. Broadway is perhaps the most inspiring experience for any student and every dreamer, and this tour celebrates every aspect of this … [NYC Broadway Tour...]

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This One Guy Made the Washington DC Field Trip a Middle School Rite of Passage

No, not the cherry blossoms. It’s the middle school T-shirt, the unofficial signal that spring has sprung in the nation’s capital.

Every year, more than one million eighth graders—about one in every three —can be seen running up and down the National Mall in matching school-colored tees, pacing awkwardly in the Smithsonian , taking lunch at the L’Enfant Plaza and Pentagon City food courts, and racking up soda fountain tabs at the Hard Rock Cafe.

A field trip that started as a business idea has since evolved into a decades-long tradition, bolstering economies and creating entirely new ones . And while it’s become the subject of debate in school districts from Ohio to Massachusetts , in DC, it remains both a fact of life and a total vibe .

Filling the Void

It was quite a different experience from what you might expect of DC tourism these days. In the 1960s, due to political strife and moral resentment against America’s involvement in Vietnam, many young people didn’t have an interest in visiting the president’s house. Bus companies and airlines took note, leaving a void for trips centered around our nation’s history for younger generations. Moreover, Wendel tells me that during his initial trip, “I’m listening to some tour guide who’s probably been picked off the corner, and he’s lecturing kids.”

Convinced he could do better, Wendel coordinated the following year’s trip with a fellow teacher, attempting to give his students a more academically driven experience. The year after that, he founded Lakeland Tours solely to coordinate travel for eighth graders to DC Wendel sold Lakeland Tours in 1999, but he estimates the company helped bring a million students to DC overall; the company is now known as WorldStrides , one of the largest student tourism companies in the country.

All the while, much larger trends were emerging as well. One of the most important—beyond the rapid growth in air travel—was the evolving access to museums. In the early 20th century, museums were seen as bastions of elitism, a place where culture lived but only existed for those deemed worthy of entry. “Culture for culture’s sake was what the Smithsonian meant to its lay visitors,” wrote Louise Connolly in her 1914 book, The Educational Value of Museums . “Young people led through it contracted, not the museum habit, but museophobia, a horror of museums.”

But that sentiment began to change heading into World War II with the rise of the museum as an educational companion (the concept of “visual education,” i.e., using visual aids to enforce concepts , was introduced in the early 1920s). No longer were museums reserved just for the upper echelons; they were a place to engage, learn, and question, no matter who you were.

Today, museums welcome approximately 55 million students from school groups .

How Do You Do, Fellow Kids?

For three to five days—the usual length of the trip—students are whisked around the city from dawn until dusk. It’s not atypical for every day to last from 8:30 am to 10 pm, says Lindsay Hill, the associate director of visitor experience and group tours at Destination DC, where she helps tour groups coordinate with tour operators. She says the jam-packed days are a win-win for everyone involved: Students get to see as much of the city as possible, and there’s less time for them to get into trouble (more on that later.)

The usual stops are the usual suspects: the US Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the MLK Jr. Memorial, several war memorials, the Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Zoo, the Holocaust Museum, and the Ford Theater. (All of these landmarks are free to visit.) You might also have been lucky enough to get a tour of the White House (also free but more challenging to plan), meet your local congressperson, or travel by boat to Mount Vernon to tour George Washington’s landmark estate. Or better yet, maybe you were whisked around DC in an amphibious World War II vehicle — as part of a so-called “duck tour”—allowing you to view landmarks by land and water (a tour that, sadly, no longer operates).

Meanwhile, the Hard Rock Cafe serves as a beacon of sustenance that helps to fuel all that sight-seeing. The Hard Rock not only plans for these travelers—a student group-focused menu, including a soda, entree, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert, ensures that students are “in and out in about an hour,” says Sara Lester, a regional sales and marketing manager at Hard Rock Cafe—but it relies on them, too. Case in point: Through March and April of this year, they’ve welcomed a total of 25,000 eighth graders, putting them on pace to reach 50,000 students by the end of the field trip season.

Not to mention, the Hard Rock isn’t without some political significance. Among its many pieces of music-themed memorabilia, two, in particular, speak to our nation’s history/sense of patriotism: 1) a saxophone played by President Bill Clinton; and 2) a red, white, and blue outfit worn by Beyoncé.

Not-So-Unruly Behavior

“Eighth graders are in a unique position where they’re big enough to be self-reliant, but not so big that they’re going to run out and create havoc in the streets,” explains John Raymond, the vice president of sales and marketing of student tourism company Grand Classroom, which oversees the travel of some 20,000 students to Washington, D.C. annually.

Raymond estimates that over the course of three decades, there have been just five or six instances where students were sent home on a trip. If anything, such rarity speaks perfectly to the eighth-grade mindset. “You don’t want to be outside of the herd. You don’t want to draw unnecessary attention to yourself,” Raymond says.

It helps, too, that the trip isn’t cheap—prices average from $2,000 to $3,000 per student. Additionally, parents must sign a liability waiver that holds them responsible for any financial damages incurred by their child, and no kid wants to have that conversation with mom and dad.

That said, if there is a mischievous will, eighth graders will surely find a way, an attitude that prompted Wendel, while at Lakeland Tours, to hire enlisted military members to sit outside students’ hotel rooms to ensure they didn’t sneak out at night. “That isn’t to say that the kids didn’t win some of the battles,” Wendel says. “But once we had a lights out or a curfew, with about 99% certainty, we were able to keep the kids confined to their rooms.”

It’s worth noting, too, that any havoc the students create is often unintentional and harmless. Or, in true eighth-grade fashion, just plain awkward. “I was accidentally locked in my hotel bathroom during my eighth-grade field trip to DC,” recalls Dan Howie, now a recruiting manager from North Carolina. “Maintenance had to come in and drill through the lock. It took about two hours for them to get me out, and there was quite an audience waiting to see if I’d emerge. It certainly added to my eighth-grade cool-kid mystique.”

The Kids Are Alright

As a result, what may be thought of as a few days for students to get away from their parents and vice-versa—a pitch that Wendel used while working at Lakeland—has become an opportunity for personal growth and cultural exposure. “Getting outside of your home base and what’s comfortable for you is where the change in perspective and the ability to really understand different cultures and people’s backgrounds comes from,” Hill says.

For that alone, maybe it’s worth the trip—matching T-shirts and all. Want more Thrillist? Follow us on  Instagram ,  TikTok ,  Twitter ,  Facebook ,  Pinterest , and  YouTube .

Colin Hanner is a freelance writer based in Chicago. He writes about food, travel, and whatever else he’s interested in.

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School Tours of America

A uniquely american story, it started in a small classroom in texas....

In 1976, charismatic social studies teacher Frank Harvey took his class on a trip from Texas to Washington, DC. Inspired by the effect on his students, Frank soon launched his own educational tour company, American Student Travel (AST). Over the next two decades, AST became the fastest growing and most respected company of its kind, taking over half a million students to the East Coast. Moreover, AST became a highly successful model for start-up companies in an emerging industry of educational travel boutiques.

The hallmark of AST’s success was its personal and customized approach. The company’s educational tour planners treated clients like family because AST was a family. Frank’s son, Lance, also grew up in this family of teachers, spending two decades working in every facet of the industry. Even as AST grew, Frank maintained his personal approach: meeting teachers in Washington, DC, listening to their needs, and quite memorably, giving generous gifts of authentic political memorabilia.

When it all changed…

As the boom of the late 1990s transformed the American economy, educational tours suddenly became big business. Bankers and foreign corporations entered the picture. While do-it-yourself websites replaced traditional travel agencies, the corporations recognized the potential profitability of “educational travel.” The first company they set their sites on was American Student Travel. Over the next ten years, private equity firms, Wall Street banks and foreign investors raced to purchase dozens of the remaining tour companies. The healthy, specialized industry of educational travel was replaced by a small group of enormous conglomerate tour corporations.

The corporatization of educational tours

Corporatization - to be influenced by or take on the features of a large commercial business, especially in being bureaucratic and uncaring ~ Collins Dictionary

The corporatization of educational travel snatched control of the industry from educators like Frank Harvey and handed it to large marketing teams. Investor profits became the top priority and every facet of the tour suffered. Inexperienced guides and coordinators, distant hotels, poor flight schedules, and call centers became standard. Even more frustrating was the emergence of Wall Street pricing tactics, punishing fees and skyrocketing prices.

Frank Harvey’s AST East Coast tours focused on empowering youth and the importance of citizenship, especially for those who couldn't normally afford the experience.

While the corporations attempted to maintain the appearance of these principles, the truth became evident to thousands of veteran tour leaders. A teacher entrusted with the responsibility of chaperoning 150 eighth-graders on a cross-country trip has far too much at stake to leave everything to a faceless corporation. Consequently, hundreds of veteran teachers began to abandon the tour, leaving fewer students able to experience this life-changing opportunity.

Being the change we wish to see...

The investment bankers, however, underestimated the determination of the educators who had built AST alongside Frank. The pioneers of the historic East Coast tour were not interested in compromising its quality in order to deliver more destinations or an inferior product at a higher cost. In 2002, ten of the most experienced and respected educational tour specialists joined forces to form School Tours of America.

Today, Frank Harvey, his son Lance, and the nation’s most experienced tour staff maintain the unique educational qualities of the East Coast tour.

By listening to teachers and rejecting the corporate tour one-size-fits-all model, School Tours of America preserved the quality of the guides and customization of the tour bookings. Most importantly, they brought back the personal educator-based approach that earned Frank Harvey’s AST such a fiercely loyal following. School Tours of America remains the original and only East Coast specialist by never aiming to be the biggest, only the best.

SPORTS ALERT: The Washington Commanders have released kicker Brandon McManus after two women sued him for sexual assault.

BREAKING: The Washington Post has announced that Executive Editor Sally Buzbee will be stepping down.

Top 20 Global Concert Tours from Pollstar

The Associated Press

May 31, 2024, 11:14 AM

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The Top 20 Global Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows Worldwide. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers. Week of June 3, 2024 :

For free upcoming tour information, go to www.pollstar.com

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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