Daily Itinerary
Happy Birthday America! | June 11-19, 2026
Celebrating 250 years as a nation - from New York to Norfolk
Happy Birthday America!
Day 1, Thursday, June 11
Upon arrival in New York City, we will board a motorcoach and transfer to our Times Square hotel. The afternoon will be free to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Big Apple before watching the acclaimed Broadway show, Hamilton. This musical, winner of 11 Tony awards and a Pulitzer Prize for drama, tells the life story of one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, and his involvement in the American Revolution and the political history of the early United States. Overnight – New York City, Hotel Edison or similar
Day 2, Friday, June 12
This morning, we will check out of the hotel and enjoy a harbor cruise on the Hudson River. We will see many of New York’s iconic sights such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan Skyline. A group lunch will be served in the historic Frances Tavern, New York’s oldest and most historic bar and restaurant. This building is a National Landmark Building that once served as a watering hole for many of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. It is most famous as being the site where, on December 4, 1783, George Washington gathered a group of his officers, nine days after the last of the British troops left American soil, to thank them for their service and bid them an emotional farewell before returning home. After lunch, we will drive to Philadelphia. Overnight Philadelphia – Renaissance Hotel or similar (L)
Day 3: Saturday, June 13
This morning, we will visit the acclaimed Museum of the American Revolution. This museum explores the dramatic, surprising story of the American Revolution through its unmatched collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art. It brings to life the events, people, and ideals of our nation’s founding and is an absolute treat for American history buffs. After lunch at McGillins Old Ale House, we will visit the National Constitution Center which is also known as the “Museum of We the People” and “America’s Town Hall,” offering interactive exhibits, engaging theatrical performances and original documents of freedom. This is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to disseminate information about the Constitution on a nonpartisan basis to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people. The remainder of the afternoon/evening is free. Overnight Philadelphia – Renaissance hotel or similar (L)
Day 4: Sunday, June 14
This morning, we will enjoy a walk through America’s most historic square mile to see several of the significant sites of our freedom such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Franklin Court, the President’s House, and Elfreth’s Alley. Later this afternoon, we will visit Fort McHenry where Francis Scott Key witnessed the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, and proof through the night that our flag was still there which inspired him to write the lyrics of our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. What a memorable Flag Day this will be! Late afternoon, we will drive to Washington DC. Overnight Washington DC – Hyatt Place Downtown or similar (B)
Day 5: Monday, June 15
After breakfast, we will enjoy a guided tour of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. This museum houses numerous must-see items such as the Star-Spangled Banner flag, Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, George Washington’s uniform, Samuel Morse’s telegraph, and Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone. Other notable items include Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Julia Child’s kitchen, and the Declaration of Independence desk. The afternoon will be free to explore the other many museums of Washington, DC before enjoying a group dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, we will have the rare privilege of a private time of Prayer and Worship in the U.S. Capitol’s Rotunda where we will share communion, prayer and song for our nation. Overnight Washington DC – Hyatt Place Downtown or similar (B)
Day 6: Tuesday, June 16
This morning, we will visit The National Archives Building which houses the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, along with numerous other historical records of the three branches of the U.S. government. After lunch, we will drive to Richmond, Virginia and visit St. John’s Church. Historic St. John’s Church is an iconic Episcopal church established in 1741, renowned as the site of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech during the Second Virginia Convention in 1775 and a pivotal location in early American. Later this afternoon, we will drive to Williamsburg, Virginia. Overnight Williamsburg – Williamsburg Lodge, Historic Williamsburg (B)
Day 7, Wednesday, June 17
This morning, we will stroll the streets of Historic Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum, where we will see, hear and touch this influential city as it once was. Williamsburg was the thriving capital of Virginia when the dream of American freedom and independence was taking shape. From 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the political, cultural and educational center of what was then the largest, most populous, and most influential of the American colonies. After our guided tour, the afternoon will be free to further explore the original 18th-century buildings and grounds. Tonight, we will enjoy a group dinner with a special guest lecturer speaking on the “Faith of our founding fathers”. Overnight Williamsburg – Williamsburg Lodge, Historic Williamsburg (B)(D)
Day 8, Thursday, June 18
Following breakfast, we will drive to Historic Jamestown, the archaeological site and historical location of the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607. Jamestown played a crucial role in the early history of what would become the United States, serving as the capital of the Virginia Colony for nearly a century. After lunch in Yorktown, we will drive to the Yorktown Battlefield, the site of the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War, where the British forces, surrendered to the Continental Army under General George Washington. The victory at Yorktown led to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, formally recognizing the independence of the United States of America. Tonight, we will enjoy a group dinner with a special lecturer speaking on the founding of our great nation. Overnight Williamsburg – Williamsburg Lodge, Historic Williamsburg (B)(D)
Day 9: Friday, June 19
This morning, we will drive to the banks of the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton, Virginia and enjoy reserved seating as a fleet of the world’s most magnificent tall ships and military ships sail into the port of Virginia to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 1776 – the United States of America’s semi- quincentennial. Later today, we will drive to Norfolk, Virginia for our flight home. (B)