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An early morning view of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with the Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument, and U.S. Capitol building.
Washington, D.C.

The Best of the Capital: Discover D.C. With Your Grandchild

Program No. 24846RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
12 meals ( 5B, 3L, 4D )
11 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag.
Afternoon:
3:00-4:30 p.m.: Join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby to check in with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leaders and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. The Group Leaders will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures, lead field trips, performances and hands-on experiences. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach, public transportation, and walking. Your knowledgeable Group Leaders will provide you with all pertinent information. We will have meals at the hotel and local restaurants, and a period for you to explore local cuisine on your own. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leaders will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner, to prepare for our visit to Mount Vernon tomorrow, we will welcome Martha Washington herself, who—via a historical re-enactor—will share her experiences as the nation’s first First Lady. She will reflect on her life at Mount Vernon, her role in supporting the Revolutionary cause, and what it was like to help shape the social and political traditions of a new nation.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles throughout the day, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles on uneven or bumpy terrain and standing at museums. Climbing at least one flight of stairs at museum.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
To start off our day, we will board the motorcoach and head to Virginia for a field trip to explore George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon, a National Historic Landmark, where we will explore the mansion with a knowledgeable expert. We’ll learn about the history of George and Martha Washington’s beloved home and how Washington personally supervised its design and expansion. We will have some time to continue exploring Mount Vernon independently to see what interests each of us most. There are four different gardens, the tombs of George and Martha, a working farm, and re-creations of his distillery and gristmill. The Slave Memorial, designed by Howard University architecture students, is a moving tribute to the enslaved people who worked at Mount Vernon in the 19th and 19th centuries.
Lunch:
At Mount Vernon.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board the motorcoach for our visit to historic Old Town Alexandria. Alexandria was originally part of the District of Columbia until it was retroceded to Virginia in 1846. George Washington conducted much of his business in Alexandria and frequently visited the town. Washington, along with our other founding fathers, frequented Gadsby’s Tavern, where we will go on an expert-led exploration and learn about some of the historic conversations that shaped our nation. Continuing our time at Gadsby's Tavern, we will put our archaeology hats on with a hands-on activity using dendrochronology to learn about the 18th century ship that was discovered underground in Alexandria in 2015. After walking in the footsteps of the founders, we will walk to the Old Town Alexandria waterfront for dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. We will have the evening to explore Old Town Alexandria independently. The Group Leaders will discuss transportation options for heading back to the hotel.
Activity Note
Walking about 4 miles through the monuments. Getting on/off a motorcoach.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
To start off our day, we will board the motorcoach then, with the Group Leaders, we will head to the National Mall where we will see and learn about the history of its development, from the Washington Monument as a centerpiece connecting the Capitol building and White House to the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. We will end at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, where we will board the motorcoach and head out for lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Continuing our walk through history, we will head toward the eastern portion of the National Mall for visits to the Capitol Building and the National Archives, which preserve and represent the founding documents of the United States. Our first stop will be the United States Capitol, where construction began in 1793. The building has been expanded, restored, and rebuilt over the centuries, including after being burned during the War of 1812. Today it houses the legislative branch, where the U.S. Congress meets to write the laws of our nation. It is surrounded by key buildings such as the Library of Congress, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Senate and House office buildings. From the Capitol, we will stroll along Constitution Avenue to the National Archives, home to the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence is preserved in one of the most advanced archival encasements in the world. The National Archives and Records Administration, part of the executive branch, preserves and maintains the permanent records of the United States government.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
After dinner, you are invited to join our Group Leaders at the hotel for a screening of "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," a film that features many of the sights we will explore tomorrow.
Activity Note
Walking several blocks to the Metro; getting on/off the Metro. Walking and standing for several hours in the museums; urban terrain. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will be boarding the Metro and embarking on a field trip to The People's House: The White House Experience this morning. This brand new educational museum is located right around the corner from the White House and walks you through the history of all of its inhabitants and includes full-scale replicas of some of the most iconic spaces, such as the Oval Office. After our stroll through the Executive Mansion's history, we will enjoy a self-guided exploration of Ford's Theatre, where you can experience exhibits on President Abraham Lincoln's legacy and the events surrounding his assassination at your own pace.
Lunch:
At the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will explore the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, home to world-renowned collections that highlight the natural world and human history, including fossils, gems and minerals, ocean life, and cultural artifacts. This visit is self-directed, allowing you to explore at your own pace and focus on the exhibits that most appeal to you.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice. Walking several blocks to the Metro; getting on/off the Metro. Walking several blocks to the castle; walking and standing at the castle, walking several blocks to dinner.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Free time.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Following some independent time, we will regroup at the hotel and travel by Metro to the Smithsonian Castle. Often referred to as the “Castle,” this iconic red sandstone building serves as the Smithsonian Institution’s original headquarters and visitor gateway. In honor of the Smithsonian’s 250th anniversary, the Castle is reopening for a limited time with a newly designed visitor center, café, shop, and a special exhibition, American Aspirations, which explores the history and future of the Smithsonian. After our visit to the Smithsonian Castle, we will continue the afternoon with a Potomac River cruise. From the water, we’ll enjoy narrated views of Washington, D.C.’s monuments and memorials, offering a unique perspective on the sites explored throughout the week and a relaxing experience for grandparents and grandchildren alike.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening:
Upon our return to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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