Discover Washington, D.C.: The Best of the Capital

Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register 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 Leader and let them know you have arrived. Your program materials will be sent to you a few days before the program, digitally, through your roadscholar.org account. This includes your program itinerary, any related handouts, and restaurant/free time suggestions. Please plan to print them out and bring along to the program, utilize the hotel's business center to access them, or view them on your own personal electronic device. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader 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. 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 Leader 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.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

We will hear from a local expert and author on Washington, D.C.’s most popular floral attraction, the cherry blossoms. We will hear about the history of the blossoms, a gift and a sign of peace between the U.S. and Japan. We will then board our motorcoach with our expert and head out to the Tidal Basin. We will see some of D.C.’s most well-known spots for Japanese horticulture, and our expert will enlighten us on the history of diplomatic efforts of sharing flora and fauna across nations.

At a local restaurant.

Following lunch, we will spend more time at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on the banks of the Potomac River. The Kennedy Center annually presents some 3,000 events in all areas of the performing arts for an audience of more than 2 million people. The genesis of a national cultural center goes back to 1958. The finished complex was named as a living memorial to President Kennedy, its greatest advocate, after his death in 1963. We will have an expert-led exploration, learn how our national cultural center developed, and see an interactive exhibit on the life and presidency of John F. Kennedy. Next, we will go for a motorcoach exploration through our nation’s capital with expert commentary on-board as we drive through and learn about the history of “Embassy Row”— in and around a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue — and more. There are more than 170 foreign embassies in Washington.

At a local restaurant.

After reboarding the motorcoach, we will visit the exterior of the White House and learn about the executive mansion and its surrounding neighborhood from the Group Leader or a local expert. (Please note, interior White House tours must be scheduled personally through your Member of Congress. Requests must be made no less than 21 days prior to arrival.)

At the hotel.

We will start the day with a lecture from a local expert; possible topics include the media, international relations, current issues and the judiciary. We will then board the motorcoach and head out for a field trip to the Hillwood Estates. On a docent-led exploration, we will get an opportunity to see the acres of gardens meticulously maintained along with private access to the Estate & Museum's history.

At a local restaurant.

Heading back out on the motorcoach, we’ll ride to Washington National Cathedral for an expert-led field trip. We will see Woodrow Wilson's Tomb, marvel at the ironwork, and learn the history behind the country’s “National House of Prayer.” Pierre L’Enfant, the architect President George Washington commissioned in 1791 to create a master plan for the nation’s capital, envisioned it. The cathedral’s “birth certificate” authorizing construction was signed in 1893, but the cornerstone was not laid until 1907. It was officially completed in 1990 and is recognized today as one of the great achievements of ecclesiastical architecture. Following our visit, we will make our way over to what is locally known as the Big 3. We’ll explore Abraham Lincoln's life, principles and Civil War presidency at the Lincoln Memorial on the west end of the National Mall. We will also examine America's Cold War history through the prism of the Korean War Veterans Memorial and reflect on the tragic consequences of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

At a local restaurant.

At leisure.

At the hotel.

To begin our day, we will walk from the hotel to the Metro subway and head to the United States Capitol Visitor Center where we’ll see a short film that traces the development of our democracy and introduces the amazing building that houses our Congress: the House of Representatives and the Senate. We’ll see the Crypt, Statuary Hall, and the Rotunda with a representative from the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. “The Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The Senate and the House of Representatives have met here for more than two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government.” (https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/) . Next, walk to the Library of Congress (LOC) for a self-led exploration; detailed brochures are available from Information Desks in the Thomas Jefferson Building. The LOC is America’s oldest federal cultural institution, established in 1800 by an Act of Congress. When the British burned the original collection housed in the Capitol building in 1814, Thomas Jefferson replaced it with his own personal library. The LOC has grown to become the largest library in the world with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps, manuscripts, and other resources. The main Reading Room is one of the most magnificent spaces in Washington.

At a local café.

At leisure.

Dinner is on your own this evening to explore and sample the city's numerous dining options. Your group leader will be happy to offer suggestions

At leisure.

At the hotel.

We will start the day with a lecture from a local expert; possible topics include the media, international relations, current issues and the judiciary. Next, we will take the Metro downtown to Ford's Theater, still a working professional theater. We will explore Ford's Theater and experience One Destiny, a short performance that traces the events leading up to Lincoln's assassination on April 14th, 1865.

On your own. Eateries are available in the Smithsonian Museums.

Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most at the Smithsonian Institution museums. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.

At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

We will enjoy a performance at one of D.C.'s historic theaters on our final night in the nation's capital. Performance schedules and the particular theater location will be announced at a later date. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel.

We will hear one last lecture this morning at our hotel, followed by closing remarks from our Group Leader. 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!