If you are a Georgia teacher planning a class trip to Washington, D.C., you are preparing for one of the most meaningful educational experiences you can offer your students. At Ollie’s Adventures, we have planned this journey many times and know how to make the most of every moment. Here is what a four-day trip typically looks like when you travel with us.
Day 1: Travel and a Nighttime Welcome
The motor coach ride from Georgia to Washington, D.C. takes a full day. If you leave around 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning, you will usually arrive between 7:00 and 8:00 in the evening. Along the way you will stop for meals and rest breaks, and you may have a relay driver for safety on the long route.
Instead of heading straight to the hotel, we like to begin with a nighttime bus tour. Since you are already on the coach, it is an easy way to start seeing the city without getting in and out repeatedly. We cross the Potomac River and circle the National Mall, passing the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the Washington Monument. Depending on the schedule, you might stop at the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, or the Jefferson Memorial. Seeing these landmarks beautifully lit at night gives students the immediate feeling that they have truly arrived.
Day 2: Government and History
Where you stay will affect your schedule and your budget. Hotels inside the city are convenient but can be expensive. Staying in nearby Arlington or Springfield can reduce costs, although you will need to plan around D.C.’s heavy morning traffic. We choose hotels that balance affordability, quality, and access to major routes.
After breakfast, we enter the city with a licensed local guide. These guides live in D.C., are part of the local tour guild, and can share details that bring history to life. A typical morning includes:
- Touring the U.S. Capitol with stops in the rotunda, Statuary Hall, and the underground tunnel to the Library of Congress.
- Visiting the Library of Congress, one of the most stunning buildings in America.
- Stopping at the Supreme Court to see the building and, when possible, take a tour inside.
Lunch can be at the Capitol Visitor Center or another group-friendly location. In the afternoon, you might:
- Drive Embassy Row to see the many foreign embassies.
- View the Vice President’s residence.
- Visit the National Cathedral with its carved wood interiors and Gothic design.
Later, return to the National Mall to visit memorials such as the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. To end the day, students can relax with something fun like bowling, skating, or a Potomac River cruise.
Day 3: Arlington, the White House, and Museums
Arrive at Arlington National Cemetery as it opens. Spend 90 minutes to two hours visiting important sites and watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Groups can schedule a wreath-laying ceremony in advance for an unforgettable experience.
From Arlington, head straight to the White House. If walk-up photos are available, this is your chance for students to get a picture in front of one of the most iconic buildings in the country.
The rest of the day is spent at the National Mall. Here students see all three branches of government up close: legislative at the Capitol, judicial at the Supreme Court, and executive at the White House. This is a complete civics lesson in person.
The Mall’s museums offer something for every interest:
- National Air and Space Museum
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- National Museum of American History
- National Museum of Natural History
- National Museum of the American Indian
Specialty museums like the International Spy Museum or the Museum of the Bible are also options. Lunch is often “on your own” inside a museum café or at the food trucks just outside. For older students, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is an important and memorable stop.
In the evening, you can visit the Air Force Memorial, enjoy a shopping center, or explore another safe location with meal vouchers for a more relaxed close to the day.
Day 4: One Last Highlight and the Journey Home
On the final morning, fit in one more special stop. This could be Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, or a Pentagon tour if you arrange security clearance ahead of time. After this visit, the group begins the drive home. We plan meal stops that keep you on schedule and return you to Georgia around midnight.
Why Groups Choose Ollie’s Adventures
A Washington, D.C. school trip offers an unmatched blend of history, culture, and fun. Students experience the heart of American government, world-class museums, and iconic monuments. Planning this on your own can take months and requires detailed coordination of transportation, lodging, guides, and meals.
At Ollie’s Adventures, we handle every detail so you can focus on your students. With our experience, connections, and planning expertise, your trip will be smooth, safe, and unforgettable.