Washington D.C. is without a doubt the most popular and amazing city for educational tours. There is nothing quite so exciting as watching students light up with recognition over the concepts and events they’ve been studying in the classroom. Taking educational tours is the best way to see this happen, and Washington D.C. is possibly the most brilliant backdrop for the magic.
Since 9/11, security issues greatly decreased the ease with which a White House tour can be arranged. Not surprisingly, however, this attraction is still one of the most requested for Washington D.C. educational tours. White House tours are now arranged through each group’s representative to congress and should be done several months in advance to ensure availability and completion of all the necessary steps.
Not many student travel companies will still take on this sometimes daunting task, though some do. If they do so at a still reasonable price, you can assume they feel as driven towards the success of your tour and the inspiration of your students as you do. This is because very few national landmarks are as impressive and inspiring as the luxurious home of our nation’s President.
This mansion was built to impress, and it succeeds in every beautiful detail. The tour includes eight rooms. The Blue Room is one of the most luxurious with its rich draperies and fresh bouquet of flowers. The Green and Red rooms are equally breathtaking as well as the large, spacious East Room and marble covered Great Entrance and Cross Halls.
Throughout the tour, aside from the magnificent dcor, students will enjoy the presidential portraits painted by various artists depicting each and every president who has thus far held this respected role. Imagine how history will come alive for them in these surroundings.
Despite yours and your student travel company’s best efforts, a tour of The White House itself is not always possible. The White House Visitor’s Center, which offers a perfect preparation and complement to a White House tour, is also second best to actually being there. A thirty minute video sets the stage for this grand tour as well as the history of the famous home and many things you would never discover on the self-guided tour of the eight rooms available on the White House tour. The displays and exhibits within further enlighten students on previous first families and the White House’s role in social events and relations with other world leaders. The White House Visitor’s Center is a free and convenient way to include the White House in educational tours to our nation’s capital. It even provides a detailed brochure of this magnificent home. This will be invaluable, even if students tour the mansion itself, as no photographs are allowed within the White House.
There is one even easier way to make the White House a part of student travel, and that’s with simply the Photo Opportunity. This photo op is located on the south side of the grand home, overlooking the famous rose garden and official entrance. It’s a great way to commemorate any trip to our nation’s capital.
Perhaps the White House isn’t on your agenda at all. There are plenty of other amazing attractions in Washington D.C. – other government buildings, monuments, memorials, and some of the best museums in the world. An experienced travel coordinator will measure your group’s interests against each of these attractions and help you choose the tour best suited to your specific needs. Even if it does not include the White House, though, the White House photo opportunity is still an excellent way to capture forever your student group on their very memorable tour of Washington D.C. Perhaps no landmark will be better recognized.
The White House is a moving experience, albeit one that requires a little extra effort to obtain. It is an experience irreplaceable for students and one they will remember forever. The White House is a symbol of the United States itself. If a tour of its interior cannot be arranged, consider the White House Visitor’s Center with its detailed brochure, rich stories from history and exciting presidential trivia.
Finally, consider the once-in-a-lifetime White House Photo Opportunity. It’s the perfect finale to Washington D.C. educational tours and a beautiful way to commemorate what is sure to be one of the most inspiring trips in any student’s life.
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