America's Historic East

Welcome to Washington DC! At 6:00 p.m., meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.

Monuments & Moving Memorials Explore historic landmarks on a Washington, DC sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, including the Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress, Kennedy Center, historic Georgetown, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Korean War Veterans Memorial with stops for photos at the White House and at Capitol Hill. Enjoy leisure time this afternoon to explore on your own. Consider the Smithsonian Museums, C & O Canal in Georgetown, International Spy Museum, or a walk along Embassy Row. Try the optional excursion this evening for dinner and an illumination tour of the monuments at night. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT Georgetown’s 18th- and 19th- century grand mansions have been home to politicians, celebrities, and famous Washingtonians in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the district and continue to attract the DC elite. The cobblestone roads, waterfront views, upscale bars, trendy boutiques, and diverse culinary scene draw locals and tourists to the charming, historic area. ENHANCED FREE TIME The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with many of its museums located along the National Mall. Explore the National Museum of the American Indian’s expansive collection and indigenous landscaping; the Smithsonian National Museum of American History—rich in artifacts highlighting historic American culture, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves, and a special exhibit honoring the nation’s flag, the Star-Spangled Banner; the National Museum of African American History and Culture for significant exhibits illustrating African American culture and history, including the Revolutionary War and Civil Rights Movement.

U.S. History & Heroes Visit Mount Vernon, the restored home of George Washington enroute to Williamsburg. Tour the house and gardens, including the formal garden designed for Washington’s guests. Explore the museums and Washington’s Tomb, the final resting place for George and Martha Washington. Continue south to Yorktown, known for its role in both the American Revolution and the Civil War, and visit the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Then journey on the Colonial Parkway to Williamsburg for a 2-night stay at the [LOCAL FAVORITE] Williamsburg Lodge and dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT The Virginia mansion estate of America’s first president, Mount Vernon is one of the most iconic 18th-century homes in America. The patriot and president renovated the home, and it grew to 10 times the size of the average home in colonial Virginia. . George Washington slowly enlarged the dwelling to create the current 21-room residence. He oversaw each renovation, advising on design, construction, and decoration; the changes reflect his growing status as a Virginia gentleman and ultimately as the leader of a new nation. LOCAL FAVORITE A historic property built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood in 1939, the Williamsburg Lodge is the perfect base for which to explore Colonial Williamsburg. A colonial-themed property with modern amenities, the luxurious Williamsburg Lodge is steps away from historic taverns, museums, shops, and 18th-century living history demonstrations.

America's First Footsteps This morning, enjoy an exclusive [LOCAL FAVORITE] performance by Sylvia Tabb-Lee, a professional historian. Visit the Jamestown Settlement, a living-history museum that brings 17th-century Virginia to life and explore the story of the first permanent English settlement in America. Discover how Jamestown's struggles, successes, and cultural encounters helped shape the future of the Virginia colony and the nation that would follow. Return to Colonial Williamsburg for free time to discover the area on your own as the remainder of the day is at leisure. Explore restored Colonial Williamsburg, part of Virginia's Historic Triangle with Jamestown and Yorktown, where pivotal moments in America's past come to life. (B) LOCAL FAVORITE Join renowned actor Sylvia Tabb-Lee for a fascinating and moving performance in Williamsburg that illuminates and inspires insight into the experience of slaves in American history. In keeping with her philosophy of “Each One, Teach One; Each One, Reach One,” Tabb-Lee is an inspiration in sharing the trials and triumphs of African American history. TOUR HIGHLIGHT When the Virginia Company settlers landed at Jamestown to establish an English colony 60 miles from the Chesapeake Bay in 1607, they faced enormous challenges and hardships in a dramatic experience of disease and famine. Hear the dramatic details of this ambitious undertaking with a tour led by an expert guide, including the legend of Captain John Smith, the dark, starving winter of 1609, and the story of Pocahontas – all part of the thrilling story of America’s birthplace.