Washington, D.C.: Is it or isn’t it a state? With D.C. holding the nation’s capital, does it matter? It certainly doesn’t make this area any less significant. When it comes to all things educational for America, Washington, D.C. has what you need. The D.C. area is the perfect place for students to explore our country’s history and even some current events.
Are you shaking in your D.C. field trip planning boots, wondering what to do with your students now that they’ve all signed up for a Washington, D.C. field trip? Simmer down; we have the entire itinerary set up, along with Washington, D.C. school trip transportation, so you and the kids can have a good time.
This itinerary starts you off from the first stop of your trip, the airport. We all know the chaos that can bring, but arranging airport pickup in Washington, D.C. is one of the most stressful aspects of group travel, especially after just traveling by plane, so we’ve got it sorted for you. Motor Coach East’s Washington, D.C. charter buses provide a comfortable and reliable mode of transportation that can smoothly transport you and the kids from the airport to your hotel.
After getting unpacked and settled, it will be time for exploration, and yes, you’ve guessed it, we’re here to support you and your lower back in our comfortable seats on this Washington, D.C. field trip.
So where should your school go in D.C.? We’ve got you covered.
What To Do on a Washington, D.C. Field Trip
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
This one’s a kid’s favorite, if not for the giant bones of animals, then for the facts they will learn to share with their parents for years to come. If you have never been to the Smithsonian as a child, you are in for a treat. What can you expect there? Going to the Smithsonian means going to the exhibits, and there are quite a few. Maybe you’ve been to the Rainforest Cafe; better yet, how about an actual rainforest? Do not worry if neither criterion fits into your experience, you’re here to learn after all. At the Barro Colorado Island: 100 Years of Discoveries and Wonder, you can learn about the Panamanian jungle and all its history. This exhibit gave way to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which has hundreds of years’ worth of history and a whopping 1,200 scientists! If the rainforest has you sweating from its hypothetical moisture in that educational heat, then check out their bone exhibit to see what’s going on beneath the surface, of animals that is. If you think this museum can’t get much better, think of ancestors, extinction, and survival; the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins explains what sets us apart from other humans. Although we could go on for hours with all of the other exhibits, we suggest you check them out for yourself. Whether you’re here for the amazing research or the views, this is sure to be a fun educational time.
National Gallery of Art
Education isn’t just about science and history; art is educational too. This is why the National Gallery of Art is the perfect place to go with the kiddos. This historic venue was a gift to the nation from Andrew W. Mellon and has over 15,000 sculptures, paintings, decorative arts, and so much more. What can you expect here? The gallery has many exhibits that change fairly often, so be sure to check out their website. But one constant will be Marc Chagall: Orphée Sculpture Garden, which displays a beautiful mosaic and shouldn’t be missed. Explore the timelessness of art in this special historic gallery.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
If you haven’t heard of this place, count your lucky stars that we are letting you in on the busiest performing arts center in the nation. How is that possible? Well, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hosts 2,000 events each year. This is amazing, but unless you’re taking the kids to a concert, what’s the point? Well, there’s also an immersive exhibit where you can learn about the art & ideals of John F. Kennedy. When you’re done, you can explore The Reach where they hold various events.
Ford’s Theatre
What’s up next? More theatrics and a bit of murder (in a kid-friendly strictly educational way)! The name Booth might ring some bells, and pair that with a theater on the date 1865, and yes, you’ve guessed it: the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Going on theme with historic places of America, you can take the crew to where Lincoln was before he passed: the very theatre where it happened. The theater isn’t all there is to see, though, despite its name. Ford’s Theatre has a museum that goes into the conspiracies that transpired from Booth and the Peterson House where Lincoln was carried to after the shooting for his last breaths. Ultimately, the site is an incredibly interesting and unique place to learn about American history.
Library of Congress
If we’re talking about historical architecture that will leave us breathless, this is the place to be. The Library of Congress began in the 1800s as a research library and is now home to the largest collection of books in the world. As you can imagine, books are involved, but what else may you ask? For starters, the main reading room is reminiscent of a Harry Potter movie and is a glimpse into a room dedicated to credentialed researchers. There’s even a Young Readers Lab that’s open for limited hours but well worth it. If this library couldn’t get any cooler, there are also exhibitions and reading rooms. Needless to say, the building itself encourages a learning mentality with tons to look at.
Now that we have given you an entire itinerary, all you have to do is keep track of those kids and enjoy the trip.