
If America is the most powerful nation in the world, then Washington DC, its purpose-built capital, is its most powerful city. The iconic architecture of Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court has hosted the most important political debates of the day, on power, on rights, and on the very identity of this global superpower.
Washington DC - Politics School Trip
- 5 days
- -5
- America
-
727kg pp
- US Capitol Building
- Memorials
- White House (exterior)
- Arlington
- National Mall
For the latest travel advice, including passport and visa information, visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website
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Sample itinerary
This sample itinerary is offered as a guideline. The trip focus, length and itinerary/activities can be tailored to meet your learning objectives.





- Day
Day 1 - Fly to Washington DC
Pack for a school trip to Washington DC and fly into Washington Dulles International Airport before transferring by coach to your hotel. Along the way, you’ll see some of the incredible monuments that make up the National Mall area. Get excited as you glimpse the Washington Monument. Even from afar, DC never fails to inspire.
Once in the city, get yourself oriented. Explore Constitution Avenue and take a stroll back along Independence Avenue. Capitol Hill, Downtown and Foggy Bottom are all easily accessible. Pause at the National Archives to read the original U.S. Constitution. Don’t forget to take off your hat! From here, head out to see memorials dedicated to FDR, Martin Luther King, and World War II. All can’t fail to spark excitement at the seismic impact of decisions taken here on the U.S. and across the world.
Day 2 - US Capitol tour
The main focus today will be a school visit to Congress with an expert-guided tour. Start learning with a short video on how representative democracy works in the US before embarking on a professionally led tour. Specialty tours include Votes for Women and Heroes of Civil Rights. School groups visiting the Capitol can also access the in-person education offerings, including a live simulation of the Congressional voting experience.
Next, students learn about the Supreme Court on a walk through the courtrooms and building – it is often possible to watch Supreme Court cases being heard. The Supreme Court debates the most important cases related to the Constitution and American identity, making landmark decisions such as Brown vs. Board of Education and, recently, overturning the seminal Roe vs. Wade.
Then, visit the Library of Congress. Among its 32 million books and 61 million manuscripts housed here is a draft of the Declaration of Independence.
Day 3 - Memorials tour
Today’s Washington DC trip itinerary is jam-packed, so grab a coffee and set out on a walking tour of the political landmarks of DC. Discuss themes of civil rights, international conflict, political ideologies, and state power whilst exploring the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the African American Civil War Memorial.
You can then cross the Potomac on Memorial Bridge into Arlington National Cemetery. Look out for the graves of President J.F. Kennedy and numerous astronauts from the 'space race' era.
This afternoon, focus on U.S. military might and U.S. global power, with either a visit to the Pentagon, the headquarters of the Department of Defense, or the Washington Navy Yard.
Day 4 - Choice of activity, fly home
Our Washington, D.C. tours are all customisable, no one tour is alike. DC hosts over 70 world-class museums, including the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. You could explore the Newseum or head to the White House to take photos of the iconic seat of U.S. presidential power. Follow this with a visit to the White House Visitor Center, where your school group can enjoy a virtual interactive tour of the home of the U.S. President, watch a short film about the role of the White House in the presidency, and see important artefacts.
Later on, transfer to the airport for your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 5 - Arrive home
Arrive home in the morning with some unforgettable memories of a fantastic Politics school trip to Washington DC.