Washington, D.C.
School Trips

A trip to Washington DC is at the top of many classroom’s annual “must-do” lists. There is no better way to learn about the United States government than to see our nation’s capital. Educational Discovery Tours doesn’t just plan a cookie-cutter Washington DC school trip for your group. Instead, we’ll work with you to tailor the program to meet your educational goals and fit into your curriculum. Below are a few of the sites you can visit and there are many more EDT can recommend to complement your classroom studies. 

Smithsonian Museums

While in the nation’s Capital you can take advantage of the many free Smithsonian Museums in the area. Many are found near Capitol Hill, which makes it the perfect area to do some museum hopping. History buffs won’t be let down at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Science aficionados can explore the cosmos at the National Air and Space Museum and explore the natural world at the Natural History Museum. From dinosaurs to space shuttles, you’re guaranteed to find something that is relevant to your area of study. The vast combination of history, culture, art, and science is all brought to life at the Smithsonian Museums making them a great interactive experience for students and teachers.

Capitol Hill

According to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the now-famous hill was “a pedestal waiting for a monument.” Since 1800, it has been home to the United States government. It holds the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, and much more. Students will walk in the footsteps of lawmakers and history makers while visiting the seat of government. Reading descriptions and definitions in a textbook is one thing, but visiting an actual place brings the classroom to life.

Lincoln Memorial

This memorial is dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and his momentous accomplishments and advancements in human rights while president. The famous 19-foot statue is housed in a templesque building, in reference to ancient Greek temples, at the West end of the National Mall across from the Washington Monument. The walls include inscriptions of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the 2nd inaugural speech. The site was also grounds for many historical speeches and demonstrations, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream.” This historical symbol evokes feelings and tensions from the past, and students of any discipline can find personal meaning from the memorial.

Iwo Jima

Across the Potomac River, to the west of the Lincoln Memorial, lies the Iwo Jima Memorial, also known as the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial. It was inspired by the iconic photo of 6 marines hoisting up the American flag on the volcanic Mount Suribachi which signified the end of the U.S. Pacific campaign in WWII. Since then the memorial has been a site to honor all U.S. Marines from the American Revolution to the Iraq War. When walking up to the front of the memorial you will see the phrase, “Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue,” something that all marines share. This site will put in perspective the severity of U.S. conflict, and act as a historical touchstone for students to understand, respect, and remember the sacrifice that past generations had to make.

Tailor Your Washington DC School Trips

School trips to Washington DC can be overwhelming—to say the least—but with over 42 years of experience planning student trips to the Nation’s Capital, you can be assured that you’ll have an enjoyable and manageable schedule while accomplishing everything you set out to do. Let us customize your itinerary and take care of all the details!

Contact us and we’ll get started on planning your Washington DC School Trip today!