Journey through America’s history to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial — our 250th anniversary! Explore the fascinating history of the United States in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. and visit prominent battlefields, attractions, and museums. From Valley Forge to the United States Naval Academy, this tour will take you to many of the places you have only read about in history books.
- Visit Gettysburg National Military Park and view the Cyclorama
- Tour Arlington National Cemetery
- View the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights
- Stay at historic properties such as The Watergate Hotel and Hotel Gettysburg
- Visit historic sites during America’s 250th anniversary
DAY 1: WELCOME TO PHILADELPHIA!
Arrive today in the “City of Brotherly Love.” This evening, enjoy dinner as a group. D
DAY 2: HISTORIC MILE/VALLEY FORGE
Start your day by being transported back in time to America’s most historic square mile. A period attired guide will lead us through the birthplace of American independence and past iconic sites such as Independence Hall. Visit the Liberty Bell and witness one of our country’s greatest symbols of freedom. After lunch, we will head to Valley Forge where our knowledgeable step on guide will take us to the key places in the encampment site of the Continental Army. Our dinner tonight will be at the Historic Dobbin House in Gettysburg, where Abraham Lincoln will be joining us! B, D
DAY 3: GETTYSBURG/ANTIETAM NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
This morning, follow the route of Lee’s Army to Gettysburg and enjoy an informative introduction to the park at the Visitors Center. We will see the Gettysburg Civil War Museum and Cyclorama, a 360-degree depiction of Pickett’s Charge. This afternoon, we head to Antietam National Battlefield Park where the bloodiest one-day battle in American History took place. B, L
DAY 4: NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM/ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Our first stop today is the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center, also called the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Here we’ll see thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery! Our next stop takes us to Arlington National Cemetery where the rolling hills mark the final resting place for more than 14,000 veterans, including those who fought in the Civil War. Then, we’re off to the charming Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. to check into the 5-star Watergate Hotel for the next two nights. We will learn about the history of the hotel and the infamous “Scandal Room” during our exciting stay. B, D
DAY 5: U.S. CAPITOL/NATIONAL ARCHIVES/NATIONAL MALL
We start our day with a tour of the United States Capitol, the meeting place for our nation’s legislature. Next, we head to the National Archives to get a firsthand look at the Declaration of Independence and other key historical documents. The group will then enjoy some free time to explore the many museums that make up the Smithsonian. Tonight, we board our motorcoach for a tour of the monuments at night to see the evening sparkle of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Vietnam Memorial. Your Tour Director will provide historical context for each stop as you gaze at our nation’s most beautiful monuments in a way many people never get to see them. B, D
DAY 6: ANNAPOLIS/US NAVAL ACADEMY
Today, we’ll head out of Washington D.C towards the beautiful seaside town of Annapolis. This former Capital of the United States will charm us with its enchanting streets and beautiful waterfront. Our period attired guide will share four centuries of history with us as we tour the Maryland State House and the U.S. Naval Academy. After lunch, step aboard the Harbor Queen for a narrated cruise of Annapolis Harbor and catch a glimpse of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. B, L
DAY 7: NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER/HOME
After breakfast, head to the National Constitution Center Museum to explore the story of the U.S. Constitution and its ongoing role in our lives. Visit the Signers’ Hall, a display of 42 life-size bronze statues depicting the signing of the Constitution. Then, travel back home with new friends and fond memories. B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Delta Hotel Philadelphia Airport, Philadelphia, PA
Night 2: Hotel Gettysburg, Gettysburg, PA
Night 3: Hilton Garden Inn, Frederick, MD
Nights 4-5: The Watergate Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Night 6: Homewood Suites Downtown, Wilmington, DE
Departure Cities:
- St. Louis
- Kansas City
Depart: September 19, 2026
Return: September 25, 2026
Price Per Person:
- DB $3,389
- TP/QD $3,199
- SG $4,199
Price includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI. Call for other gateway cities.
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on the coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
