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- City tours of Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia
- Full-day tours of Arlington Cemetery and National Mall
- Guided tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield
- Visits to the National Constitution Center, Liberty Bell and more
- Self-guided visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
American History Tour – 250th Anniversary
Highlights
Celebrate 250 years of America’s story with an immersive journey through the places where the nation was imagined, tested, and forever changed. Your adventure begins in Washington, D.C., where the National Mall unfolds like an open-air museum of American ideals. Stand before the towering monuments to presidents and visionaries, feel the weight of history inside world-class museums, and take in the sweeping views that have framed countless moments of national pride.
Cross the Potomac to Arlington National Cemetery, a place of solemn beauty where rows of white headstones honor generations of service and sacrifice. Travel north to the rolling fields of Gettysburg, where the fate of the Union rested on three dramatic days of battle.
Continue to Philadelphia, where the spark of American democracy first caught fire. Step inside Independence Hall, the very room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed. Stand before the Liberty Bell, a symbol of the nation’s unyielding call for freedom, and dive deeper into the country’s founding principles at the dynamic National Constitution Center.
From revolutionary ideas born in 1776 to the sacrifices made to preserve those ideals across centuries, this journey brings the American story to life with vivid clarity. Join us as we trace the enduring legacy of freedom—and celebrate the milestones that shaped the nation we know today.
Active
Best suited for those who are comfortable with a steady-paced itinerary.
Walking distances typically start at 1–2 miles per day or more.
Longer travel days (4+ hours), multiple hotel changes, and early morning
departures should be expected.
Includes visits to sites with stairs, uphill walks, and uneven pathways.
Travelers should be prepared for extended sightseeing and potential changes in altitude or climate.
Not recommended for wheelchair users or those who require walking aids.
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Tour Includes
Locations Visited
- Washington D.C
- Arlington
- Gettysburg
- Philadelphia
Hotel Accommodations
- 7 nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 7 breakfasts and 1 dinner
Service
- A professionally trained English-speaking local tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.
Tour Starts:
Washington D.C.
Tour Ends:
Philadelphia
Day 1
Arrive in Washington D.C.
Welcome to Washington! If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a friendly YMT representative will greet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel.
Hampton Inn Downtown DC Convention Center
Day 2
Washington D.C. National Mall Tour
Start your day with a guided tour of Washington D. C. Begin at the U.S. Capitol, where the heart of American democracy comes to life. Explore the iconic Rotunda and learn about the history and workings of Congress as you walk the halls of power.
Next, dive into the nation’s past and learn more about American heritage at the National Mall, where you’ll stroll past landmarks that have shaped the nation’s identity.
Pay tribute to great leaders and fallen heroes with visits to the Lincoln Memorial and the powerful Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hampton Inn Downtown DC Convention Center
Day 3
Arlington National Cemetery
Begin your day with a moving visit to Arlington National Cemetery, a place of deep reverence and national memory. You’ll explore this historic site aboard the 45-minute hop-on, hop-off bus loop, which includes 10 key stops, allowing you to pause and reflect at your own pace.
Along the way, visit the U.S. Coast Guard Memorial, a striking tribute to those who served at sea with courage and honor. Continue to the Memorial Amphitheater, where powerful ceremonies and moments of remembrance take place throughout the year.
A highlight of the visit is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where you’ll witness the solemn precision of the Changing of the Guard.
Meals: Breakfast
Hampton Inn Downtown DC Convention Center
Day 4
Washington D.C. Leisure Day
Spend the day at leisure or explore the city on your own! We highly recommend joining our optional excursion to Mount Vernon today.
Meals: Breakfast
Hampton Inn Downtown DC Convention Center
Add-On: Mount Vernon Tour with Lunch
Day 5
Ford's Theater & Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Step into the heart of America’s story with a self-guided visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Explore at your own pace and discover iconic treasures like the original Star-Spangled Banner, Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, and artifacts from American pop culture, innovation, and civil rights movements.
Next, head to Ford’s Theatre, the site of one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Walk through the theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, and hear the dramatic story of that fateful night.
Meals: Breakfast
Hampton Inn Downtown DC Convention Center
Day 6
Gettysburg & Philadelphia
Today, you’ll take a guided day trip to Gettysburg, the site of the most pivotal battle of the American Civil War. Begin at the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, where immersive exhibits and artifacts set the stage for the day’s experience.
Then, join your expert guide for a Battlefield Tour, as you drive through the hallowed grounds where Union and Confederate forces clashed in 1863. Enjoy lunch on your own, and then proceed to Philadelphia, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia-Midtown by IHG
Add-On: Delaware River Dinner Cruise
Day 7
Philadelphia
Discover the birthplace of American democracy on a guided tour of Philadelphia’s most iconic historic sites. Begin at the National Constitution Center, where interactive exhibits and powerful storytelling bring the U.S. Constitution to life.
Next, visit the Liberty Bell, one of the nation’s most enduring symbols of freedom. Learn the story behind its famous crack and how it became a global icon of independence and civil rights.
Just steps away is Independence Hall, where the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and later debated and adopted the U.S. Constitution. Learn more about the struggle for liberty at the Museum of the American Revolution.
This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia-Midtown by IHG
Day 8
Depart For Home
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Dinner on the Tall Ship Moshulu
Step aboard the Moshulu at historic Penn’s Landing, the world’s oldest and largest 4-masted tall ship, which offers unsurpassed views and a unique backdrop for an extraordinary dining experience. Enjoy a three course meal of soup, salad, or appetizer, Entree, and Dessert. Water, soda, juice, coffee and tea are included, alcoholic beverages are available at an additional cost.
Inclusions
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Dinner, alcohol available for purchase at additional cost
Note: Dress in casual attire for the evening.
Duration: Approx. 3 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $159 USD
Mount Vernon Tour with Lunch
Discover George Washington’s Mount Vernon, an American landmark, on a guided tour. Experience the all-new Mansion Tour, revealing how Mount Vernon shaped Washington’s rise from revolutionary leader to president.
Explore untold stories in “Lives Bound Together”, the newly expanded slavery exhibit, featuring recently uncovered artifacts and stories of the enslaved men, women, and children who lived and labored at Mount Vernon. Learn more about the nation’s first president at “George Washington: A Revolutionary Life”, a powerful new exhibit that brings Washington’s world to life. Walk the Patriots Path, a life-sized Continental Army camp. Enter the tents, meet the soldiers, and experience the daily life of the Revolution. In the Revolutionary War 4D Film, history explodes off the screen with snow, fog, and cannon fire immersing you in the fight for freedom. The tour will be followed by lunch.
Inclusions
- Guided tour of George Washington’s Mount Vernon
- Round trip transportation
- Lunch (Entrée Option 1:Club Sandwiches – Lettuce, tomato, mayo, bacon, sliced turkey, peppers and ham on toasted white bread; Entrée Option 2: BBQ Beef Brisket (GF) – Roasted beef brisket, sliced and served with our house-made BBQ sauce (served with buns)
Note: Guests must choose an entrée at time of booking
Duration: Approx. 7 Hours (Morning/Afternoon)
Activity Level: Active
Price: $119 USD
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