The nation's capital is more exciting than ever! Major new museums have recently opened to showcase special collections and the hallowed World War II memorial now graces the National Mall. In addition, Washington, D.C. is home to excellent theater and music and sumptuous restaurants. Learn more about the history of the nation's capital, enjoy special programs at the newest Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center, and enjoy unscheduled time to pursue personal interests.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Washington, D.C. - Explore this bustling city at leisure prior to meeting your fellow travelers for a special welcome reception and dinner.
Day #2 Washington, D.C. - Begin your day with a presentation on the Smithsonian Institution’s impressive collections, followed by a city sightseeing tour. Travel along Pennsylvania Avenue, the grand boulevard that connects the White House and Capitol Hill, where you’ll view the impressive U.S. Capitol and the venerable Supreme Court. Visit the Library of Congress and learn about its vast collection of more than 134 million items as well as its spectacular architecture. Enjoy a panoramic perspective of the elegant Reading Room. An engaging presentation about the city follows at your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Arlington National Cemetery - the final resting place of many of our national heroes. The Shuttle Columbia astronauts are honored here at a new memorial. You can pay tribute to John F. Kennedy at the eternal flame that protects his gravesite. View the venerable monuments to Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln and stop to walk through its newest memorial, dedicated to veterans of World War II. Tonight is yours to explore the city, dine at one of Washington’s fine restaurants, attend a theater performance or simply relax.
Day #3 Washington, D.C. - Enjoy a narrated city tour of Washington, D.C.’s famous monuments and memorials. In the afternoon, discover the treasures that lie within the National Gallery of Art during a guided tour. This famed gallery houses paintings by the Old Masters, French Impressionists and many other renowned artists.
Day #4 Washington, D.C. - Experience a day full of exploration and discovery when you visit two of the Smithsonian’s sixteen museums. Begin at the exciting and new National Museum of the American Indian, which possesses the largest and most extensive collection of Native American art and artifacts in the world. Continue your discoveries with a guided tour of the Freer Gallery of Art. The Freer is celebrated for its comprehensive collection of Asian American Art, including the opulent Peacock Room, an entire room painted by James McNeill Whistler. This evening, join your fellow travelers to celebrate the end of your memorable Washington journey during a sumptuous farewell dinner.
Day #5 Washington, D.C - Tour Concludes -
