Parkway Middle School 2025

Get ready for an 8-day adventure along the iconic Eastern Seaboard, where history leaps off the pages and into your life! From the monuments of Washington DC to the legendary streets of Philadelphia, the electric energy of New York City, and the historic charm of Boston, this trip is packed with unforgettable moments. Whether you’re standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, reenacting Rocky’s famous run in Philly, taking in the bright lights of Broadway, or exploring the Freedom Trail in Boston, every day is an exciting mix of fun, history, and adventure. This is more than just a tour—it’s a journey through time, with plenty of laughs, learning, and memories along the way! So grab your walking shoes and your curiosity, because you’re about to experience the best of the East Coast like never before!

PROPOSED ITINERARY

Day 1

  • Arrival in Washington, DC
  • Depart for Washington, DC, and arrive in time for a delicious dinner.
  • This evening, embark on a fascinating tour of the capital’s most iconic memorials.
  • Discover the stories of sacrifice and courage at the World War II Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Day 2

  • Explore Washington, DC
  • Start the day with a stop at the White House for that must have picture stop!
  • Visit Arlington National Cemetery, paying tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to the country. Witness the solemn Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and reflect as Taps plays in honor of the fallen.
  • Next, visit the Iwo Jima Memorial, a powerful tribute to the U.S. Marines and their unwavering courage since 1775.
  • In the afternoon, explore Mount Vernon, the historic estate of George Washington. Tour the mansion, stroll the grounds, and visit the graves of George and Martha Washington. Learn about life on the plantation and Washington’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding.
  • For dinner, head to Old Town Alexandria, a charming colonial town filled with rich history and possibly a few ghostly tales!
  • Finish the day with visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial, each offering a powerful reflection on America’s history.

Day 3

  • More to see in Washington, DC!
  • Start your day with a guided tour of Capitol Hill, including the U.S. Capitol Building and a photo op at the Library of Congress and U.S. Supreme Court.
  • Then, visit the moving Holocaust Memorial Museum, where you’ll learn about the tragic events that shaped history.
  • Spend the afternoon exploring the vast and incredible Smithsonian Museums, from American History to Natural History, and immerse yourself in the stories of America.
  • Get your groove on this evening as we take a special dinner and dancing party cruise on the Potomac and see breathtaking views of Washington, DC’s monuments illuminated at night!

Day 4

  • Depart for Philadelphia & NYC
  • Be sure to see the movie “Rocky” before the trip! First stop – is the famous Philadelphia Museum of Art, where we can recreate the iconic scene from Rocky by running up the famous steps!
  • Enjoy a delicious lunch at the historic Reading Terminal Market, where you can savor the classic Philly cheesesteak.
  • Continue your tour of historic Philadelphia, stopping by Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Betsy Ross House. Don’t miss a photo op on Elfreth’s Alley, one of America’s oldest residential streets, dating back to 1703.
  • In the evening, depart for New York City and check into your hotel in Times Square.
  • We eat at the famous Chelsea Market, home to The Food Network and full of amazing local vendors where you can taste food from all over the world.
  • We do a tour of the high-line – a train track turned into a walkway through he Chelsea neighborhood.
  • Finish your night with stunning views from one of NYC’s newest observation decks, The Edge.

Day 5

  • Explore NYC
  • Kick off your day with a fun breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where the waitstaff doubles as a talented Broadway-worthy show.
  • Then, hop on a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, learning about the history of immigration and the hopes and dreams that brought millions to America’s shores.
  • In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Lower Manhattan, learning about Wall Street, and visit the 9/11 Memorial to pay your respects.
  • Head uptown to explore 5th Avenue and the Rockefeller Center, iconic landmarks that showcase NYC’s charm.
  • For dinner, indulge in some of New York’s best pizza – Famous Johns Pizza.
  • This evening, experience the magic of Broadway with a performance of the critically acclaimed show, Hamilton – and premium orchestra seats are guaranteed!

Day 6

  • Last minute NYC and Boston
  • Start your morning with an authentic NYC breakfast – bagels, of course!
  • Want to be on TV? Head to the Today Show and hold your signs up to get noticed!
  • Next, take a leisurely walking tour of Central Park, where you’ll see famous movie locations and stunning green spaces.
  • Afterward, depart for Boston, where you’ll enjoy dinner at a local “Bahston” restaurant that has been operating and serving locals for over 80 years! Enjoy Boston dining, like Fried Ravioli and Chicken, Broccoli and Ziti – a Boston fave!
  • Tonight – you get to test your skills at Boda Borg, where you will have to complete a “Quest” to succeed. This is fun, challenging and you and your friends will have to work together to make it out!

Day 7

  • Experience the best of Boston
  • Walk through history with a tour of the Freedom Trail, which will take you to Paul Revere’s House, the Old North Church, and the historic Granary Burial Ground, where many of America’s earliest patriots are laid to rest. This is more than a walking tour – it’s a walk through history where you don’t just “hear” about it, but get to stand where it happened!
  • We cap off our unforgettable day with an exciting evening at Fenway Park, where the historic rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox takes center stage. As you take in the atmosphere at one of America’s most iconic ballparks, you’ll feel the energy of Fenway’s century-old legacy. From the legendary Green Monster looming over left field to the smell of sizzling hot dogs wafting through the air, Fenway offers an experience unlike any other. Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, this is a perfect way to spend your final evening in Boston—immersed in the passion, tradition, and unforgettable charm of this timeless ballpark.

Day 8

  • Last day
  • Explore the historic neighborhood of Charlestown, home to the Bunker Hill Monument where you may get a chance to climb to the top – warning, there are 294 steps!
  • We get to climb aboard the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world.
  • Next, experience the interactive Boston Tea Party Museum, where you can throw some “tea” into the harbor and learn about the events that sparked the American Revolution.
  • In the afternoon, you’ll depart for home, taking with you unforgettable memories of your East Coast adventure.

WHAT's INCLUDED

Roundtrip airfare from San Diego
Private Tour Guide(s) for the entire trip, per bus
Private luxury motor coach in DC & Boston
Admission to included activities        
7 nights hotel accommodations, quad occupancy
7 Breakfasts, 7 Dinners and 7 Lunches, included
Walking & City Tours
A TripAdventure rep onsite throughout the trip (in the background) to oversee the operation side (confirm restaurants, check-in museums, etc) so your tour directors can be tour directors and focus on your group
This is a private trip
Driver and Guide gratuities

 

About YOUR group leader

Meet Stacey Leichtamer, the mastermind behind your unforgettable group adventures! With more than 13 years of experience in organizing student and adult tours, she knows just how to craft the perfect travel experience. Stacey is like a magician, conjuring up custom tours that are unique and oh-so-special.

But that’s not all! Stacey is also a seasoned teacher with over three decades of experience working with students. So not only will she make sure your journey is filled with excitement, but she’ll also ensure your safety every step of the way.

Get ready for a tour like no other, curated by the one and only Stacey Leichtamer. It’s time to buckle up and embark on an adventure of a lifetime!

The TripAdventures Difference

  • 100% Customized Tour
    We don’t believe in cookie cutter. Every trip is tailored to what your school wants to experience, and we go out of our way to make your trip something you can’t get elsewhere.
  • Authentic, local experiences
    Not just photo stops and sightseeing. Transformational, authentic experiences. We travel like a local: we’ll take trains, ferries, walking the streets, and eat like a local. You won’t be tourists.
  • Better Quality, Better Price
    Central hotels. We don’t cheat on quality by staying an hour away from the cities, and yet we can offer a better price because we don’t spend any money on marketing. We run on word of mouth based on our quality, which means your money goes to the trip, not to office space and glossy brochures.
  • 20+ Years of Leading Tours
    Our entire team is made up of experienced travel professionals who love what they do, and that shows in the tour.

Important Details, please read

  • Enrolling is easy! Click on the “Reserve Your Spot” button and submit your deposit. Please note, the deposit is non-refundable. Clicking the booking link will initiate your choice of a payment plan or pay in full.
  • We encourage you to pay by bank transfer, which is extremely easy to set up. The tour price is based on paying directly from your bank; paying by credit card will incur an extra 2.9% fee (charged by the processor).
  • Please take a moment to read our booking terms and conditions.
  • We are committed above all to the health and safety of your student, and will follow all local and national CDC guidelines for travel.

 

Preferred Travel Protection Plan

  • We offer travel insurance as part of travel protection plans from our partner TripAssure.
  • To cover you for the unforeseen, we encourage participants to purchase travel insurance, which may include benefits for trip cancellation, trip interruption, missed connection, travel delay, medical expense/emergency evacuation, baggage and personal effects, baggage delay and more. 
  • Covid-19 and its various strains are treated the same as any other Sickness under the travel protection plan.
  • TripAssure offers the Basic, Deluxe Plan and Deluxe Plus Plan options. Familiarize yourself with the
    contents of each plan to ensure to get the one that best suits your needs. 
  • The travel protection plan that includes “Cancel for any reason” coverage must be purchased within 21 days of enrollment with your deposit.

Base Trip Cost

from $3149
$199 deposit