Overview
Explore the intersections of government, history, and culture in two of the most historic cities on the East Coast. Your students can look forward to discovering the rich collections of the American History Museum and exploring Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. before experiencing the energy of New York City with a walking tour of midtown Manhattan, taking in a Broadway show, and visiting the Statue of Liberty.
Excursions & Highlights
Your program at a glance, including guided tours, independent visits, photo stops, and immersive activities.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Washington, D.C.
Lunch
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History visit
Explore one of the world's largest collections of artifacts and exhibits about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe, including the insectarium and a 94-foot-long blue whale.
Dinner
Washington Monument photo stop
Snap some photos in front of the world's tallest stone monument, honoring our nation's first president.
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.
Day 2
Breakfast
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.
Lunch
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.
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.
White House photo stop
Snap a photo of your students at the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States.
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 3
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).
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.
National Museum of African American History and Culture visit
This powerful, history-making museum focuses on understanding history through the viewpoint of the African American experience, featuring collections documenting art, history and culture covering artifacts from the African Diaspora to present day.
Lunch
Mount Vernon visit
Immerse yourself in George Washington’s landmark estate, with an interactive educational center, hundreds of rare artifacts, and his mansion set amid beautiful gardens and historic buildings.
Dinner
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.
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.
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.
Day 4
Breakfast
Travel from Washington, D.C. to New York City
Lunch
Central Park walking tour
Explore America's most famous park, home to the 2.5-acre Strawberry Fields, a moving tribute to John Lennon, and the Great Lawn, site of numerous iconic concerts and events over the years.
Midtown Manhattan walking tour
Take a walking tour through the humming streets of New York’s Midtown which is the home of famous sights such as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden and some of the city’s most revered museums and institutions.
Times Square visit
The lively center of New York City's theatre district known as the crossroads of the world.
Dinner
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.
Group Photo
Day 5
Breakfast
Lower Manhattan
Tour Lower Manhattan, where industry, immigration, and colonial history converge. As the symbol of Western capitalism, Wall Street's modern traders bristle with cell phones, PDAs, and other modern tech accessories. This area's original traders, however, were Dutch colonialists, who gave the street its name by building a wall here to protect themselves from British settlers. Nearby Trinity Church, once the tallest building in the city, holds the grave of Alexander Hamilton and other Revolutionary luminaries who helped shape the emerging United States, and thousands of immigrants, who shaped the modern country, came in through Battery Park, the immigration entry point for the city until the operation moved to Ellis Island.
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.
Lunch
Wall Street and The Financial District
Take a stroll through America’s financial center, home to the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Chase Bank.
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.
Dinner
Depart for home
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 Washington, D.C. and New York
Health & Safety
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.