11 days America's Historic East with Extended Stay in Washington DC (Tour AHE)
Tour: AHE - 11 Day Tour from Washington DC to Washington DC
Head east for Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and the notable settlements, landmarks, significant battlefields presidential estates of the historic East. America’s greatest chapters in history come to life as you stroll down the quaint streets of Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, march in the steps of American Revolution and Civil War soldiers and stand inside the remarkable Palladian walls of George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Prepare to be moved as this East Coast vacation leads you to the marbled memorials of D.C., the sacred site of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, and the symbolic Liberty Bell in the City of Brotherly Love. Combining the nation’s birthplace with national treasures and small-town gems – plus a visit to see the wonder and expansive views of Shenandoah National Park – this vacation through America’s historic East promises discovery and wonder for all. Explore more by adding two more nights in the nation’s capital to your historic East Coast vacation. Hop on the included Big Bus for easy access to the monuments and museums, the galleries and gardens, and the bistros and bars where you can find every type of cuisine and a heaping, helping of topical discussion.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Washington, DC | At 6 pm, meet with your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome drink. |
| 2 | Washington, DC | Monuments & Moving Memorials. Explore historic landmarks to celebrate America’s 250th birthday on a Washington, DC sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, including the Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress, Kennedy Center, historic Georgetown, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial plus the Globus Local Favorite Vietnam and Korean War Veterans Memorials, 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 our optional dinner tonight at one of Washington’s favorite restaurants, followed by an illumination tour of the monuments at night. |
| 3 | Washington, DC - Mount Vernon, VA - Yorktown - Williamsburg | Visit Mount Vernon, the restored home of George Washington en route to Williamsburg. Tour the house and gardens and visit the museums. Continue south to Yorktown, known for its role in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Visit the Yorktown Battlefield Colonial National Historic Park and enjoy a bit of free time to explore the historic district. Continue to Williamsburg for a 2-night stay at the Globus Local Favorite Williamsburg Lodge and dinner at a local restaurant. |
| 4 | Williamsburg - Excursion to Jamestown | This morning, enjoy an exclusive Globus Local Favorite performance from Sylvia Tabb-Lee, a professional historian. Visit the Jamestown Settlement, a museum of 17th-century Virginia history and culture, for a guided tour of the first English Colony in America. Jamestown became the center of political events in Virginia leading to the American Revolution. Return to Colonial Williamsburg for free time to explore on your own as the remainder of the day is at leisure. History lovers are drawn to restored Colonial Williamsburg, part of the Historic Triangle with Jamestown and Yorktown – where America was born. |
| 5 | Williamsburg - Richmond - Monticello - Staunton | Depart Williamsburg for Richmond, Virginia’s capital and once the capital of the Confederacy. Visit St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry proclaimed, “Give me liberty or give me death!” Next, visit Thomas Jefferson’s estate at Monticello, the Palladian style structure designed by President Jefferson and displayed on the back of the U.S. nickel currency. Spend the evening in Staunton, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. |
| 6 | Staunton - Shenandoah National Park | Visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, located at the 28th president’s birthplace. Gain a better understanding of the life and times of President Woodrow Wilson, his impact on the world, and his relevance today and for the future. Then, journey to beautiful Shenandoah National Park. |
| 7 | Shenandoah National Park - Gettysburg, PA | Continue across West Virginia and Maryland into Pennsylvania to Gettysburg. Before visiting the battlefield, gain insight through the interactive exhibits in the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War and view the iconic Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum. Follow the decisive events of the war including Lincoln’s enduring address with the film, “A New Birth of Freedom.” Continue to the battlefield with your Local Guide as they vividly recount the American Civil War Battle of 1863. Enjoy a Colonial-style candlelight dinner tonight at the elegant Globus Local Favorite Dobbin House Tavern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
| 8 | Gettysburg - Lancaster - Valley Forge National Historic Park - Philadelphia | Visit a family-owned country market, specializing in local dairy products, fresh vegetables, and delightful sweets in rural Pennsylvania. Travel through Lancaster County past Amish farmland to Valley Forge National Historic Park and continue to Philadelphia, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner on the historic Moshulu ship. Launched in 1904, she had a long and exciting career on the seas and is now considered one of Philadelphia’s best restaurants. |
| 9 | Philadelphia - Washington, DC | Sightseeing this morning features the “City of Brotherly Love” famed historic treasures, including the iconic Liberty Bell. Continue to Washington D.C. for a 2-night stay and wave goodbye to your Tour Director and Driver upon arrival at the Washington DC hotel. |
| 10 | Washington, DC | The Nation’s Capital. A full free day includes a Big Bus day pass for easy access to the monuments and museums, the galleries and gardens, and the bistros and bars where you can find every type of cuisine plus live entertainment. |
| 11 | Washington, DC | Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. |