Tour Details

Happy Birthday America! | June 11-19, 2026

Celebrating 250 years as a nation - from New York to Norfolk

Happy Birthday America!

Group Flight Information

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Thursday, June 11

  • Delta Airlines #1417 – Depart Houston – Bush Airport @ 7:00am/arrive LaGuardia – NYC @ 11:34am

Friday, June 19

  • Delta Airlines #2926 – Depart Norfolk, VA @ 7:40pm/arrive Atlanta @ 9:41pm
  • Delta Airlines #1601 – Depart Atlanta @ 10:45pm/arrive Houston-Bush @ 12:01am

If you are flying with the group on the above listed flights, you will not be able to check in ahead of time for your flight.

On Thursday, June 11 by 5:15am, you will meet Jeff and Sarah at Bush Intercontinental airport, Terminal A at the Delta kiosk area to begin your check in process. (For the group departing Dallas, there will not be a representative to assist you with check in.) You will present your driver’s license to the ticket agent or a kiosk to check in and receive your boarding pass. If applicable, verify your TSA number and\or your Delta sky miles number with an agent to be sure it is linked to your ticket. Also, it is recommended to inquire about your seats for the flights. The airlines assign seats with groups and it is not always what was requested. Once you have tagged and dropped your checked bag and have seen Jeff or Sarah, you are free to proceed through security to the gate.

If you are not flying with the group

If your flight arrives within 20 minutes of the group flight, you are welcome to transfer to the hotel with the group. (However, we need to know this info as soon as possible to insure there is space on the motor coach). If your flight arrives at a different time, you will be responsible for your transfer to the Edison Hotel in New York City.

Upon arrival to the hotel, you will be able to check in by presenting your identification at the front desk and letting them know you are a part of the Prelude Tours group.

Hotel Edison: 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036 |  Phone: (212) 840-5000

Upon arrival to New York City

The afternoon is free to explore the city. There are no planned group activities until early evening. At 6:30pm, we will gather in the Hotel Edison’s lobby and walk across the street to see the Broadway production of Hamilton.

June 15, Washington DC

We will start the day at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. After a short introduction to the museum, you will be free to enjoy the museum OR enjoy other sites in the DC area. You will have until 4:00PM when the motorcoach returns to pick up the group at the Museum of American History and returns to the hotel. Suggestions of other sites to visit are Museum of the Bible, Other Smithsonian museums, National Mall, or the Holocaust Museum. We wanted to give you ample time to make plans for this free day in DC.

Schedule

We are in the process of confirming reservations and finalizing the schedule for the remainder of the tour. We will provide a schedule update in mid-April. If you plan to make reservations for other sites or tours, please check with Prelude Tours to ensure there is not a schedule conflict.

Time and weather in June

The weather will be early summer with average temperatures ranging from the mid 60’s – to low-80’s. The region is on EST which is 1 hour ahead of Houston time.

Luggage/Weight Restrictions

Each person is allowed one checked bag (up to 50lbs), one carry on bag, and one personal item. Be sure your checked bag is tagged with your name and contact number. It is recommended to carry all a change of clothes, valuables and medication in your carry on in case of lost luggage.

Recommended Dress\Packing

Dress for the tour will be comfortable leisure clothing (including shorts). Comfortable walking shoes are very important. Umbrellas for shade and rain as well as light rain jackets will be good to include in your packing.

Medications

Medications do not need to be carried in their original bottles. We do suggest that you have a list of your medication in your wallet or emailed to you in case of lost medication or an emergency. And always pack your medications in your carry-on luggage.

Tipping and entrance fees

All gratuities and entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary are included in your tour cost have been included in your tour cost.

Cameras\iPad\Laptops

You are encouraged to take photos throughout the tour to share with your friends and post to social media. We do not recommend packing valuable electronics in your checked baggage but rather in your carryon bag.

Emergency contact number while traveling

The Prelude Tours office number 281.667.1057 will be forwarded to a cell phone and will be answered 24 hours a day while on tour in case of emergencies. The Prelude Tours email address, preludetours@gmail.com,  will also be checked frequently during the tour.

Typical tour day

A typical day of touring usually begins around 8:30am and the motorcoach will stop every 75-90 minutes throughout the day for coffee breaks and rest stops. Lunch will be served between 11:00am -1:00pm depending on the tour schedule. It is recommended to have a back pack with you each day with a few snacks and an extra phone battery or charging cable for your phone. Some buses may be equipped with USB outlets and\or wi-fi. 2 complimentary bottles of water per person will be available each day on the bus.

Hairdryers

All hotels will provide hairdryers and toiletries (shampoo\body wash) in the room.

Travel Insurance

If you have purchased travel insurance, it will be helpful to have your policy number accessible in case of emergency. If you have not purchased travel insurance, you can purchase up to 24 hours before departure. Travel insurance not only protects your tour in case of cancellation or interruption but also offers coverage for medical and dental expenses while traveling as well as lost and\or delayed bag coverage. Information for travel insurance can be found at www.preludetours.com/travel-insurance/.

Hotels