Overview
Explore our country’s origins on this tour through four of the most historic cities on the East Coast. In Boston, your students will walk along the Freedom Trail and travel back in time at Plimoth Patuxet—an immersive recreation of the original Plymouth Colony. In New York, your students will discover the rich cultural legacy of Chinatown and Little Italy before paying their respects at the September 11 Memorial & Museum. You’ll also visit Independence Hall and see the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia before rounding out your historical program with a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol and a visit to George Washington’s estate in Washington D.C.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Boston, MA
Lunch
Boston Duck Boat Tours Experience
This uniquely engineered vehicle operates on both land and water and takes you on a fact-filled tour of important sites around Boston from both the city streets and the Charles River.
Dinner
Freedom Trail city block walking tour
Understand Boston’s history by exploring seventeenth-century homes, the Faneuil Hall marketplace, and the Old South Meeting House on this Freedom Trail block.
Day 2
Breakfast
Travel to Concord and Lexington, MA
Lexington Green visit
Location of the first shots of the Revolutionary War.
Old North Bridge photo stop
Lunch
Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum visit
Discover the origins of the American Revolution as you explore a full-scale replica of an 18th-century sailing vessel and encounter the Robinson Tea Chest, the only known surviving chest from the original Boston Tea Party.
Freedom Trail North End walking tour
Explore some of Boston’s most historic sites as you pass by Paul Revere's House, the Old North Church, and Copp's Hill Burying Ground, all located in the city’s oldest neighborhood.
Dinner
The View at Prudential Center
Enjoy the sweeping 360º views of the city from the Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory.
Day 3
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Travel to Plymouth, MA
Plymouth Rock photo stop
Visit the historic site of the 1620 Mayflower landing and get an up-close view of the legendary Plymouth Rock–a granite slab that marks the spot where pilgrims first stepped ashore.
Mayflower II visit
Board the Mayflower II, a full-scale replica of the 17th-century ship, and explore cramped quarters as you imagine the voyage that shaped America and learn about the Pilgrim's daring journey.
Plimoth Patuxet visit
Step into 17th-century America as you explore historic homes, traditional crafts, and learn about the daily lives and interactions of the pilgrims and indigenous people of the Wampanoag Homesite.
Lunch
Travel to New York City
Times Square visit
The lively center of New York City's theatre district known as the crossroads of the world.
Dinner
Observation Deck visit
Day 4
Breakfast
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island visit
Feel the breeze against your face and admire the city skyline as you ferry across the bay to view the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, two enduring symbols of New York City’s history.
9/11 Memorial visit
Reflect on the events and aftermath of 9/11 on the site of the former World Trade Center. Honor the legacy of the brave legions of first responders at the breathtaking memorial.
Lunch
Little Italy
Check out unique shopping, authentic Italian restaurants, and amazing Italian pastries.
Chinatown
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of New York's largest Chinese community.
Dinner
Group Photo in Times Square
Snap a photo of your students in one of NYC’s most iconic spots.
Broadway show performance
Immerse yourself in the magic of live theater and the vibrant culture of New York City as you attend a world-class Broadway performance and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Day 5
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Travel to Philadelphia, PA
Historic Old City walking tour
Stroll through history on Philly's cobblestone streets, exploring Franklin Court, peeking into 18th-century homes on Elfreth's Alley, the nation's oldest residential street, and standing in awe before the Liberty Bell.
Lunch
Independence Hall visit
Discover where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the Constitution was written as you tour this prestigious building and hear fascinating stories about our country’s Founding Fathers.
Liberty Bell visit
Discover one of our country’s most iconic symbols of freedom and justice as you get an up close view of the bell and explore interactive exhibits that portray its history and cultural significance.
Travel to Washington, D.C.
Dinner
Jefferson Memorial
Dive into Jefferson's enduring legacy in American history, philosophy, and governance while standing before his remarkable bronze statue, reading his famous quotes, and reflecting on his role as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
F.D.R. Memorial
Discover how Franklin D. Roosevelt connected with the American people during the Great Depression. His powerful words line the walls of the four rooms in this memorial, offering a glimpse into the hope and comfort they brought during those challenging times.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Inspired by his legendary “I Have a Dream” speech, this 30-foot statue of Dr. King is emerging from a “Stone of Hope,” and includes powerful quotes on civil rights, justice, hope, and love.
Day 6
Breakfast
Capitol Hill grounds tour
Explore the exterior grounds of Capitol Hill, including its scenic gardens, and walk past the Supreme Court building, the Library of Congress, and other historic landmarks (external photo stop or by appointment).
National Archives Museum visit
Visit the home of the original U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence, and immerse yourself in interactive exhibits with original, historic documents.
Lunch
Arlington National Cemetery visit
America's most famous military cemetery, featuring the Changing of the Guard, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy gravesites, and Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial. Arlington National Cemetery is one of only two cemeteries in the United States National Cemetery System maintained by the U.S. Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried within its 639 acres in Arlington County, Virginia.
U.S. Marine Corps Memorial photo stop
Pay tribute to our past and present U.S. Marines while learning about this striking bronze statue, which is based on a famous WWII photo by Joe Rosenthal.
Dinner
Lincoln Memorial
In remembrance of President Abraham Lincoln and the nation he fought to preserve during the Civil War, visit one of the country's most popular memorials to immerse yourself in his legacy and read his history-changing speeches, including the Gettysburg Address.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Experience the power of this memorial, honoring the over 58,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in service during the Vietnam War.
Korean War Veterans Memorial
Explore this memorial’s 19 stainless steel statues, remembrance pool, and etched granite wall that honors American Korean War veterans with its famous inscription, “Freedom is not Free.”
Day 7
Breakfast and hotel check-out
White House photo stop
Snap a photo of your students at the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum visit
Experience a chronological narrative of the Holocaust, from the rise of the Nazi party to the victory of Allied forces, including personal objects and eyewitness testimonies of individual survivors.
Lunch
Smithsonian Museums visit
Spend time exploring the world’s largest museum complex, featuring renowned institutions like the National Air and Space Museum (by appointment), the National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Museum of American History.
Ford's Theatre visit
Explore this landmark theater to see the box where President Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 and learn about poignant insights on his legacy as one of our most celebrated presidents.
World War II Memorial visit
Reflect on the sacrifices made by the over 400,000 American service members who died during World War II as well as those who supported the war effort from home.
Washington Monument photo stop
Snap some photos in front of the world's tallest stone monument, honoring our nation's first president.
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from the East Coast
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.