History school trips to Washington DC

The largest military graveyard in the world, Arlington National Cemetery’s rolling hills mark the final resting place for more than 14,000 veterans – including those that fought in the American Civil War. As well as an opportunity to learn about war on US soil, school groups can also build on their understanding of the Confederacy; the cemetery is established on the estate of Mary Anna Curtis Lee – wife of prominent Confederate general Robert E. Lee.

An icon in Washington DC’s skyline and a significant symbol of the American Revolution, the Washington Monument was built to commemorate the first President of the United States, George Washington. The monument is both the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk, and offers the perfect setting for discussions with your school group on United States history.

Home to Washington DC’s most iconic monuments, consider the Washington National Mall your base for sightseeing on your school trip. Here, you’ll find landmarks such as the Lincoln Memorial, the US Capitol building and the White House, as well as the world-famous Smithsonian museums, offering your students a range of learning opportunities to fit in with any curriculum objectives.

Home to nearly six decades of civil rights demonstrations, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech in 1963, the Lincoln Memorial is a must-see for any school group visit to Washington DC. The statue of the iconic President Abraham Lincoln will give your students an insight as to how Lincoln, who was a civil rights activist during the American Civil War, became one of America’s greatest heroes.

A symbol of the American people and their government, the Capitol Building is the meeting place of the nation's legislature. Visit here, and give your students the opportunity to learn about the characteristics of the House and the Senate. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the meeting of the United States Congress in session.

Holding the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world, the National Air and Space Museum is also a centre for research into spaceflight and the science of aviation. We’ve seen school groups captivated by the museum’s exhibits, as theories around planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics encourage their imaginations.

One of the largest museums within the Smithsonian complex, the American History Museum houses more than three million artifacts, displayed through a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits. With areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military interest all covered in this prominent insight into American history, we guarantee each of your students will find something they’re captivated by in the museum archives.

Take a photo at one of the most famous and important buildings in the United States with this excursion, where students can learn about the history and political power of the US. Known as ‘The People’s House’, the White House has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800, and is steeped in history.

Students can learn about the complexities of the United States’ justice system with a visit to the Supreme Court, which is the highest federal court in the United States. Walk around the courtroom and first and ground floors of the Supreme Court Building as you build your group’s understanding of this independent branch of the government, which has ultimate jurisdiction over all federal and state court cases involving issues of federal law.

Visit the oldest federal cultural institution in the US with this excursion, which serves as the research arm of the United States Congress. The site is the largest library in the world and contains incredibly important works from American history. While you’re there, don’t forget to seek out the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson.

The newest museum in the Smithsonian Institute, the National Museum of African American History & Culture features a wide selection of exhibitions across African American history, culture and community. During your visit, students will gain a greater understanding of the way American citizenship, liberty and equality have changed in definition over time.

Devoted to the culture of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the National Museum of the American Indian offers a space for your students to learn about the nomadic history and present-day life of these fascinating tribes. Don’t miss the ground-floor Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe, where your students will be introduced to authentic Native American cuisine.

Uncover the latest natural history collection in the world at Washington DC’s National Museum of Natural History, where more than 145 million specimens have been unearthed for your students’ viewing. As part of its vast collection of plants, animals, fossils and human cultural artifacts, which span millions of years, the museum is home to the fabled Hope Diamond, a giant squid, and a Tyrannosaurus Rex – all exhibits that shouldn’t be missed.

The United States’ official memorial to the Holocaust, this thought-provoking museum explains the story of the Holocaust through its collection of over 900 artifacts included across its permanent exhibition, Hall of Remembrance and Daniel’s Story. Upon entrance, students will be given a unique identification card which will give the lived story of a person connected to the Holocaust, to deepen their understanding of this tremendously horrific event.