5 Days
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9/11 National MemorialArlington National CemeteryMartin Luther King Jr. MemorialStatue of LibertyThe White House
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Highlights

Video Overview

Christian Discoveries Video

Your Adventure, Day by Day

Day 1 Welcome to Washington, D.C.!
  • Arrive in Washington, D.C. Meet your Christian Discoveries WorldStrides representative and prepare for an action-packed adventure in our nation's capital!
  • Orientation † Discuss God’s hand in America’s history and the role of people of faith in our country
  • Arlington National Cemetery Pay your respects to the hundreds of thousands of brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country. During the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, reflect on the true meaning of sacrifice while Taps is played to honor the fallen soldiers
  • † Devotional Discussion: Learn from the sacrifices of others
  • Dinner
  • Lincoln Memorial Contemplate Lincoln’s achievements and stand where Martin Luther King, Jr., stood when he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
  • † Devotional Discussion: Reflect on the cost of freedom
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial Scan more than 58,000 names inscribed on the Wall, representing the men and women who were killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War.
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial Walk among 19 statues, each depicting a soldier in realistic garb, as they march through Korea’s rough terrain during the Korean War.
  • †Reflect on these memorials with the cost of freedom in mind.
  • Hotel Check-In
  • †Chat about the separation of church and state and its effects on our society.
Day 2 Walk in the Footsteps of our Founding Fathers
  • Breakfast † Morning Devotional
  • Alexandria Walk the beautiful streets of Old Town Alexandria and follow in the footsteps of many of our Founding Fathers.
  • Mount Vernon Explore George Washington’s estate, the mansion he shared with Martha, and an education center that showcases our first president as a farmer and businessman.
  • Lunch
  • Washington Monument (picture stop) Snap some photos in front of the world’s tallest stone monument, a tribute to our first president.
  • †Spend some time discussing the significant influence our Founding Fathers had on our country.
  • Smithsonian Institution Discover some of the museums making up the Smithsonian Institution, such as the National History Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and the American History Museum.
  • Museum of the Bible Learn about the narrative, history, and impact of The Bible in a series of specialized exhibits
  • Dinner Description
  • Jefferson Memorial Read some of Jefferson’s famous writings on the walls of this great memorial and gain a new respect for the foresight he had while writing the Declaration of Independence.
  • FDR Memorial Learn how Franklin D. Roosevelt reached out to the American people during the Great Depression. The words of FDR line the walls of the four rooms of this memorial and help you to imagine the comfort they brought to Americans during extremely difficult times.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Experience D.C.’s newest memorial dedicated to the famous civil rights activist.
Day 3 Discover Washington, D.C.!
  • Breakfast † Morning Devotional
  • Ford’s Theatre and Petersen House (by appointment) Follow the mystery of Lincoln’s assassination from Ford’s Theatre to the nearby house where he died.
  • White House (picture stop) Take a picture standing in front of the most recognizable symbol of the presidency.
  • † Devotional: Pray for the president
  • Lunch
  • Capitol Hill Walk the underground tunnels where lawmakers meet; explore the Visitor Center (by appointment); take in the miles of books at the Library of Congress; and sit on the steps of the highest court in the land, the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • National Archives See the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence, and understand how they impact our lives today and ensure our basic freedoms.
  • Dinner
  • World War II Memorial Deepen your appreciation for the 16 million who served and 400,000 who lost their lives in battle while fighting to protect our rights and freedoms.
  • Iwo Jima Memorial Think about the inscription on the statue’s base, “Uncommon valor was a common virtue,” while you explore this tribute to the U.S. Marines who died while serving our country.
  • Pentagon Memorial Visit the outdoor installation honoring the 184 victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks at the Pentagon.
  • †Take the time to explore the Christian foundations of our nation's government.
Day 4 Embark to New York City!
  • Breakfast †Daily Devotional
  • Hotel Check-Out
  • Depart for New York City
  • Lunch En Route
  • Rockefeller Center Visit the many famous sites within the world's largest privately owned business complex. This center is full of shops, museums, and tourist sites.
  • St. Patrick’s Cathedral Take in the beauty of one of the largest gothic-style Catholic churches in the United States.
  • Fifth Avenue Walk Experience Manhattan at its most glamorous with high-end boutiques, chic department stores, and student favorites like the Apple Store and Tiffany & Co®.
  • Dinner
  • Central Park Enjoy this 840-acre oasis in the midst of the busy city, which features the Carousel, Strawberry Fields, and the Great Lawn.
  • Broadway Show Enjoy the excitement of a Broadway show and pose for a group photo in Times Square.
  • Times Square Visit the iconic and lively center of New York City’s theatre district known as the “crossroads of the world”.
Day 5 Continue Exploring the Big Apple!
  • Breakfast †Daily Devotional
  • Hotel Check-Out
  • Statue of Liberty Ride the subway to Lower Manhattan and take a ferry to Liberty Island, where you will visit this landmark monument to freedom that greets newcomers to New York Harbor.
  • †Think about the symbolic connection between Lady Liberty and the cost of freedom.
  • Ellis Island Experience the immigration museum on the historic site of America’s primary gateway for millions of immigrants. See the more than 700,000 names listed on the Wall of Valor, and even research your ancestors by accessing passenger records in the museum’s interactive history center.
  • †Imagine living in a place where your faith in God is forbidden. Take some time to discuss the sacrifices and struggles of these immigrants.
  • Lunch
  • Wall Street and the Financial District Visit America’s financial center, home to the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Chase Manhattan Bank, and Federal Hall.
  • National 9/11 Memorial Reflect as you visit the twin pools paying tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
  • †Christian Discovery Closing Take some time to discuss what part you will play in God's plan for our nation's future.
  • Dinner
  • Depart New York City for Home *This itinerary may be modified and inclusions and airports substituted depending on your travel dates, arrival and departure times, national holidays, hours of operation, and events beyond WorldStrides’ control.

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