A couple of years ago, our family joined our co-op group and embarked on a memorable vacation to our nation’s capital. The endless learning opportunities were almost overwhelming, so we put together this list of the best learning opportunities while visiting Washington D.C.
So, what are the best learning opportunities while on a school trip to Washington DC? The best Learning opportunities while on School trips to Washington DC are found in attractions catering to a combination of auditory, visual and hands-on learning styles including:
- The Smithsonian museums (obvious)
- White House
- Mount Vernon Estate
- Arlington National Cemetery
- The Capital Building
If you homeschool your kids, identifying teaching moments is part of life. However, few destinations can compete with the abundance of topics and subjects a homeschooling parent can leverage while visiting our nation’s capital.
Though everyone has their own preferences, here are our top suggestions and tips on how to make your Homeschool trip to D.C. an unforgettable experience.
Details on the Best Learning Opportunities on a Trip to D.C.
The Smithsonian Museums
The Smithsonian Institution consists of nineteen widely visible museums and galleries and a National Zoological Park, with seventeen of these attractions located in Washington D.C., and eleven of located on the National Mall. The remaining ones are in New York City and Chantilly, Virginia. The best part? They are all free!
National Air and Space Museum (my personal favorite)
My, oh my! As a former Aerospace Engineer, this is by far my favorite Smithsonian museum.
Talk about a kid in a candy store! I mean, where else can you tie in history, engineering, science, flight, technology, leadership, American ingenuity, failure and success, and character-building, all while staring at a tin can (Saturn lunar capsule) with less microprocessing power than an Apple watch?
The National Air and Space Museum opened its doors in 1976 and does an excellent job of displaying the history and science of aviation, spaceflight, planetary science, and terrestrial geology.
With an endless supply of activities in which to participate, you can spend all day soaking up valuable educational material and not realize it’s dinner time.
While there, make sure to explore the 22 exhibition galleries covering the history of:
- Aviation
- Spaceflight
- Astronomy, and
- Planetary science.
Along with historic aircraft and space objects, you’ll also find static displays of engines, instruments, uniforms, models, medals, trophies, artwork, and more!
Learn by doing! There are plenty of activities for the hands-on learner. You can build and race paper airplane, plan a mission to Mars, or climb inside a Cessna and work the controls. School groups can reserve a variety of Science Demonstrations, Discovery Stations, and Learning Labs.
Teaching a unit on how things fly? The Air and Space Museum has great online resources offering fun assignment ideas, images to show in class and access to kid-friendly flight simulators to solidify the mechanics of flight.
History buff? Millions of visitors pass through the doors of the National Air and Space Museum on a yearly basis, and most visitors focus on the tangible displays – the actual, physical air and spacecraft that shaped history. However, few if any of our visitors realize that aerospace history homeschooling on the site of the National Air and Space Museum in 1861. At the beginning of the Civil War, aeronaut Thaddeus Lowe wanted to demonstrate to President Lincoln the potential use of balloons in military reconnaissance. With support from Joseph Henry (then secretary of the Smithsonian), in the summer of 1861, Lowe made tethered ascents from the National Mall directly in front of where the Museum now stands. Lowe’s demonstrations led to the development of a balloon corps for the Union Army and the birth of American aerial reconnaissance.
Want to teach a unit on Pioneering Women in Aerospace? The Air and Space Museum provides plenty of content for this great topic. Women have flown since 1908, with each generation breaking down different barriers and gaining access to careers in the military, private and commercial flight, research laboratories, and space. From the first woman to earn her pilot’s license to the programmers responsible for making our trip to the moon a reality, you can learn about the women of the past and look toward what will be achieved in the future.
The White House
Visiting the White House was one of our top three favorite things to do while in D.C. as a homeschooling family.
If you have the patience, persistence and can manage to navigate all the hoops and loops to land a tour, do it! Trust me, it will all be worth it!
The White House is not only a beautiful building, but it’s also a symbolic cornerstone of our democracy!
Most visitors tour the East wing, but a lucky few (special arrangements with their congressman or a representative) get to see the West Wing where the president works.
Regardless of what side you end up touring, every hall and room in the Whitehouse gives a glimpse of American history as no other place or museum can.
If you want to make your D.C. a memorable one, a visit to the Whitehouse is a MUST!
How To Request A White House Tour
White House tours are free, popular, self-guided, and fill on a first-come, first-served basis.
Recognizing they are free and very popular, we encourage everyone to submit their tour request as early as possible as tours fill up quickly and have limited available space.
Also, keep in mind that the White House schedule can change at any moment and tours are subject to cancelation based on current events.
Note: Even though these are self-guided tours, a request to tour the White House must first be submitted through one’s Member of Congress.
Submitting a Request
A request can be submitted up to three months but no less than 21 days in advance.
Our homeschool group was literally notified just days prior to traveling to D.C. which, goes to show that it can take time to get approved, and approval is not guaranteed.
Be patient and stay the course; it will be worth it!
Tour Hours:
- 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and
- 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays unless otherwise noted.
If you are a national from another country and wish to visit the White House, please contact your embassy in Washington, DC for assistance in submitting a tour request. It’s not technically a requirement for foreign nationals to request a tour through their embassy, but its a good place to start.
What To Expect On A Tour of The White House
If you can secure a tour slot, you will be given a specific date and time to arrive and be instructed on where to check-in.
Security
- For security reasons, all guests over 18 years are required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon check-in.
- You are encouraged to bring as little as possible and avoid bringing:
- backpacks
- food
- large handbags
- bottled water, etc.
- Smart smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches are permitted but, video recording devices and flash photography are prohibited.
Rooms Accessible During a Tour
The self-guided, East Wing tours include access
- Blue Room
- Red Room
- Green Room
- The State Dining Room
- The China Room; and
- View of the White House Rose Garden.
Note that Secret Service members are stationed in each room and are available to answer questions about the history and architecture of each room.
White House Visitor Center
The White House Visitor Cente has just been renovated with brand new exhibits and is open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Watch a 30-minute video and learn about many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders.
Additional White House Information
- 24-hour Visitors Office Line: (202) 456-7041
- Address – 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC
- Transportation and Parking – The closest Metro stations to the White House are Federal Triangle, Metro Center and McPherson Square. Parking is very limited in this area, so public transportation is recommended.
The Mount Vernon Estate
There’s no better way to wrap up a homeschool unit in American History than by visiting the home of America’s first president, George Washington.
Just a short drive away from DC, George Washington’s Mount Vernon is one of the most iconic 18th-century homes in America, and a must-see for any homeschooling family.
The beautiful riverside estate of George Washington includes the iconic Mansion, George Washington’s tomb, outbuildings, and a working blacksmith shop.
A little history
- In 1734, George Washington’s father, Augustine Washington, built a modest one and a half story house where the mansion sits today.
- In 1754, George Washington began leasing the property, then inherited it outright 1762, after his brother had lived there for years. Over time, the structure was expanded to by raising the roof to make the Mansion two and a half stories high.
- In 1774, the north and south wings, the cupola and piazza were added to create the structure we see today.
A visit to Mount Vernon provides a full sensory experience for visitors who explore the grounds, buildings, and gardens. From the furnishings in rooms and art on the walls to the plants in the gardens and fence-lined walking paths, an onsight learning experience can be achieved through field trips or recreated using online tools paired with complementary primary sources
With so much to see and do, a visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon is simply a must if you homeschool!
The Arlington National Cemetery
This was one of the highlights of our visit to Washington DC. The grounds were gorgeous and the staff super helpful. This is solemn ground and immaculately maintained.
Our group was fortunate enough to visit DC in the Spring during Memorial Day weekend and volunteered in distributing roses to the graves within an assigned section of the cemetery – it was such an honor.
If you visit during the spring, be sure to bring an umbrella or a poncho! The weather turned on us while distributing flowers, but since we were prepared, we participated until we ran out of flowers.
However, in my opinion, the rain added even more solemness to the area which made this activity that much more memorable.
Sign up to Volunteer
Signing up to volunteer is easy. Simply visit the official Memorial Day Flowers website to register. You can sign up as an individual or a group but, make sure to register early as spots are limited and registration does close.
The distribution of flowers at the tomb of our fallen is an awesome way to tie-in homeschool units in American History and war while exercising respect for our fallen heroes.
The Capital Building
Whether you’re a student, teacher or homeschooling family, visiting the Capitol is a great way to solidify one’s understanding of the roots of our country’s government through stories and hands-on activities.
To make the most of your homeschool vacation, take advantage of the variety of lessons about Congress and the Capitol that go beyond the traditional Capitol tour. The Capitol Visitor Center offers students and teachers a wide range of resources, such as lesson plans, classroom research projects ideas, and even activity sheets to use on your visit
Student Programs at the Capital
The Capital offers free student programs between October and February each year on selected Wednesday and Thursday Mornings and is a great way to supplement a home education unit in Art, Architecture or the Constitution.
Program 1: The Art and Architecture of the U.S. Capitol
Through this program, students explore the history and culture of America by examining art and architectural elements found in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall.
Grades: 3 through 6
Number: 20-50 students per program
Length: 2 hours
Start Time: 9:30 a.m.
Program 2 Capitol Art: History, Culture, or Expression?
This program is similar to program 1 but geared more toward students between 7th and 12th grade. Through the arts and humanities, students study the art and architectural features of the U.S. Capitol and participate in a student-centered creative activity.
Grades: 7 through 12
Number: 20-50 students per program
Length: 2 hours
Start Time: 9:30 a.m.
Program 3: How Does a Bill Become Law?
To supplement your student’s understanding of how a bill becomes law, plan accordingly and register for this program. Students participate in activities that illustrate the process using the Chesapeake Bay and the Clean Water Acts of 1948 and 1972 as legislative examples. As a side bonus, groups receive passes to visit the Galleries of the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives.
Grades: 6 through 12
Number: 20-65 students per program
Length: 2 hours
Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
For more information about visiting the U.S. Capitol, including logistics and what not to bring with you, please go to https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit.
Additional Resources
Free Lesson Plans
If you seek teaching ideas, take advantage of the free lesson plans available like Secession and the Senate – What is secession? How did secession of the southern states from the Union during the Civil War affect the Senate, and how did the members respond? Or, The U.S. House of Representatives and the Gag Rule – What is a gag rule? Why was a gag rule imposed by the House of Representatives? What are the implications for the country if the House of Representatives should pass other gag rules?
Self-guided Tour Activities
Take a look at the free activity or self-tour guides below to help keep the young people more involved in their tour of the U.S. Capitol. These guides are available for download or pick up a copy at the North Coat Check on the upper level
- My Capitol – Student Self-Guide – Designed for young people ages 11 and older, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center’s student self-guide of Exhibition Hall includes historical background about the Capitol and Congress, directed-looking activities, and questions to encourage discussion during the tour or after at school or home. Parents and teachers may get copies of My Capitol at the Visitor Center’s North Coat Check on the upper level or download a copy here.
- Discover the U.S. Capitol – Student Activity Guide – With engaging activities related to locations in the Capitol as well as American history in general, Discover the U.S. Capitol is intended for upper-level elementary-school-aged students who can use it before or after they visit the Capitol. Copies are available at the North Coat Check on the upper level of the Capitol Visitor Center, or you may download a copy here.
For further information about educational programs, contact the Capitol Visitor Center’s Exhibits and Education Division at education@visitthecapitol.gov