Overview
Bring history, government, and culture to life on this tour through Washington D.C. and Williamsburg. In the nation’s capital, explore the boundless collections of the Smithsonian Institute museums and see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Follow the footsteps of the founding fathers during visits to Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum, and the Jamestown Colony.
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
Travel to Williamsburg, VA
Dinner
Colonial Williamsburg evening program
Experience a ghost tour or another program that brings 18th-century colonial life to light.
Day 2
Breakfast
Jamestown Settlement guided tour
Journey through the early days of America’s first English colony as you explore interactive exhibits, life-size replicas of 17th-century ships, the reconstructed fort, and hear stories about the settlers and Powhatan people.
Lunch
Colonial Williamsburg guided visit
Transport yourself back in time to colonial Virginia as you take a guided tour of Williamsburg’s historic buildings and learn about 18th-century life, politics, and culture.
Dinner
Travel to Washington, D.C.
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).
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
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.
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.
White House photo stop
Snap a photo of your students at the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States.
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 4
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.
Lunch
Smithsonian Museum of American History visit
Walk through centuries of American history on display, including artifacts like President Lincoln's top hat and the infamous Greensboro lunch counter.
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
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 Williamsburg
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.