School History Trips to Washington DC

Where its monuments bear tribute to the magnificence and horror of years past

America’s political powerhouse
From £1,150pp i

An exciting, modern capital, Washington DC allows you to explore the city’s extensive political, social and military history and immerse yourself in its thought-provoking monuments and memorials. With its main areas all relatively compact, it’s easy to discover everything the city has to offer.

Taking you to the incredible sights of the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill, the Library of Congress and the mighty White House, a history trip to Washington DC promises an unforgettable exploration of American history.

  • Washington

Excursions in Washington DC

Browse a selection of our favourite excursions

Smithsonian National M...

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

US Marine Corps War Me...

US Marine Corps War Memorial

US Holocaust Memorial ...

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

The Pentagon

The Pentagon

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon

Washington Monument

Washington Monument

Arlington National Cem...

Arlington National Cemetery

Smithsonian National M...

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Ford’s Theatre

Fords Theatre

National Mall

National Mall

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill

The National Archives

The National Archives

White House Visitor Ce...

White House Visitor Centre

Accommodation

Popular places to stay in Washington DC

  • Located in the Forest Hills district
  • Short distance to the National Mall by Metro
  • Opposite Soapstone Valley Park
  • Within walking distance of local restaurants
  • Wi-Fi
  • Quad, triple, twin and single bed rooms
  • En-suite facilities
  • Restaurant
  • Souvenir shop
  • Wi-Fi
  • Enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurant
  • Pick up a souvenir in the on-site shop
  • Hop on the Metro and visit the National Mall
  • Walk to one of the nearby restaurants for a taste of American cuisine
  • Located in the heart of Washington DC's tourist district
  • Quad, triple, twin and single bed rooms
  • 3 minute walk from the Metro
  • En-suite facilities
  • Wi-Fi
  • 3 restaurants and bar
  • Souvenir shop
  • Wi-Fi
  • Sit down to a delicious meal in one of the 3 restaurants
  • Enjoy a drink in the bar
  • Pick up a souvenir in the on-site shop
  • Hop on the Metro to explore more of Washington DC

Curriculum Information

Perfect for KS4 and KS5 (or equivalent – may be suitable for KS3)

  • Curricular Links
    • British imperial history and governance
    • The founding of the US
    • The American War of Independence
    • The Declaration of Independence
    • The American Civil War
    • The USA and the First World War
    • The 1920s’ economic crash, depression and the new deal
    • The Second World War
    • The Cold War and American Soviet relations
    • The Civil Rights era
    • The US policies 1990-2010

Additional Information

Your journey doesn’t have to end here! See what else we can offer to help you get the most out of your tour. From expert History Tour Guides to dedicated Tour Managers, we’ll go above and beyond to support you and your students.

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Special Feature

There’s so much more to explore…

Explore History Hub!

Full of inspiration, articles, and FREE teaching resources. All content is FREELY available online.

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Trevor our history tour guide teaching students at a war memorial

History Tour Guides

Here's why we recommend a History Tour Guide to enhance your School History Trip to Washington DC.

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Other Destinations

Because choice is what makes life interesting

New York

Covering migration to America or post-war challenges in the USA? Explore these themes in New York!

From £895pp i
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new-york-washington

New York & Washington DC

Teaching the founding of the US, independence, war or the Great Depression? Try New York & Washington DC!

From £1,059pp i
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What our customers say

It is always good to hear the experiences of schools around the country and Rayburn has a very good reputation.

Mrs Annette Powell-Wiffen

Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School

FAQs about this tour

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

  • Can I talk to Rayburn Tours whilst out on tour?

    Yes, a 24-hour emergency phone number will be provided in your final documents pack and one of our experienced members of staff will be happy to help with any problems you have whilst out on tour.

  • What happens if I wish to cancel due to an act of terrorism?

    If there has been no official advice against travel, yet your group has opted to cancel, then your cancellation is totally subject to our booking conditions (for booking conditions, please see ‘What happens if flights are operating but we decide we do not want to travel?’). However, we will always work with you to try and minimise the financial effect and find the best solution for you.

  • Is our Tour Manager fully DBS (formerly CRB) checked?

    Our Tour Managers, Field Study Tutors and History Tour Guides, with UK citizenship, have an enhanced DBS check. Non UK citizenship Tour Managers cannot be checked under the DBS scheme. Rayburn Tours will seek confirmation that Tour Managers are suitable for working with children by liaising with relevant foreign agents and monitoring group feedback.

  • Is all of your accommodation audited in advance?

    Yes, all of our accommodation is audited prior to us offering it to a group. The criterion of these audits is governed by the School Travel Forum (STF). It is important to remember that each country is governed by their own standards and laws and these may differ from UK law. However, we require our accommodation to meet our standards as a minimum. We work with the hotels and agents to endeavour to ensure that our standards are met.

Lincoln Memorial

Travel in safe hands

Your safety is of the utmost importance to us and we monitor the safety aspects of all of our tours to ensure you have a memorable experience for all the right reasons.

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