Politics 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.

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.

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.

Infamous for being the site of the assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln, Ford’s Theatre opened as a historic site in 2009 to commemorate the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. Students can examine multiple items related to the assassination at the museum, as well as learn about Lincoln’s arrival in Washington, his life as President, and further their understanding on the American Civil War.

An essential excursion for students learning about American civil rights, this exhibit details the life of former slave, activist and social reformer Frederick Douglas at his former home at Cedar Hill. Here, students can discover a fascinating collection of his personal belongings, which date between 1878 and 1895 and offer them a first-hand tale of the country’s civil rights movement.

A prominent figure in the American Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, Martin Luther King, Jr is recognised at the National Mall in Washington DC – a space usually reserved for former presidents. Situated just steps from where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, the memorial is an excellent spot to discuss African American history with your students.

Cross through two state lines to reach the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, site of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. There are several properties from the battlefield open for viewing during your visit, including hospitals, as well as the Gettysburg National Cemetery. At the visitor centre, students can also sift through 43,000 wartime artifacts.