Meet your hosts at the Salt Lake City or Philadelphia airport. We will board a motor coach and travel to our hotel for the evening at in Philadelphia. Upon arrival, if there is any free time in the evening, we will visit the new beautiful Philadelphia Temple.

This morning we will visit Independence Hall where both the United States Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution was adopted July 4, 1776 and see the infamous Liberty Bell with its distinctive crack. We will board a motor coach and travel through lovely Amish country and stop for lunch to enjoy the atmosphere in this area. We will continue on to our hotel for the evening at the Comfort Suites in Gettysburg. We will get acquainted tonight at our group dinner at General Pickett’s Buffet. We will spend 2 nights at our hotel.

Today will be spent at Gettysburg National Military Park. We will have time to explore the museum, informational movie and visitor center. Our guide will tell of events that happened in this area as we make various stops around the battlegrounds of Gettysburg where the Union was saved and stand on ground where thousands gave their lives. If time allows, we may take a short trip to the Eisenhower farm to view the President’s home that gives insight into his down to earth lifestyle. That evening we will enjoy the quaint town of Gettysburg.

After breakfast at the hotel we will travel to Harper’s Ferry, with a short stop at Antietam where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers join. Thomas Jefferson said it was worth a trip from Europe just to see the beauty of Harper’s Ferry. We will stroll along the streets and visit the shops while taking a step back in time. We then move on to the Manassas National Battlefield Park to review the two Bull Run battles. The Henry Hill Visitor Center on site contains interesting Civil War information. We will conclude the day by traveling to Fredericksburg for a 2 night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Today we will spend the day traveling to Monticello to enjoy the beauty of Thomas Jefferson’s world. We will learn of his life and marvel at the setting of his home and plantation. Next we will visit Montpelier to see where James Madison lived on his 2,650 acre estate.

We will spend the morning in the area known as the Fredericksburg National Military Park where four major Civil War battles took place and the area changed hands between the Union and Confederacy 7 times during the War. Over 100,000 lost their lives here during the 4 years of the war. It is also the place which Washington called “the place of my growing infancy” and the cherry tree legend originated.

In the afternoon we head north toward Washington DC and stop at Mount Vernon where we will be inspired by the home of George and Martha plus the great museum and educational center on site. The mansion has been restored to appear as it was the last year of Washington’s life. We will also see the grounds and out buildings plus his tomb. We finish the day with a short trip into Washington DC. We stay in the DC area for the last 3 nights at the Holiday Inn Arlington.

This morning we will start the day at the Capitol Building and also see the Library of Congress. Next we will make our way over to the National Mall area. Here you will get to decide how to spend your time at the Smithsonian Museums or museums in the area.

Today we will enjoy our Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC! We will visit many breathtaking monuments dedicated to some of our great presidents and war memorials that honor our many war heroes and veterans. You may become overwhelmed with the pride and remembrance you may feel at these places we will visit. Next, we will go to Arlington Cemetery and view the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the final resting place for President John F. Kennedy. Next we will visit Ford’s Theater. This is the place of President Lincoln’s assassination, and we will learn about that event and how it affected our nation’s history. Later in the afternoon we will see the majestic National Cathedral. This beautiful church, built in 1907, has long played an important role in our nation’s history.

Today after breakfast, we bid farewell to Arlington to see the last of our highlights of our Nation’s Capital. Our first stop will be at the beautiful L.D.S. Washington D.C. Temple. Dedicated in 1974, the temple was the first L.D.S. temple built in the Eastern United States and at a height of 288 feet, it is the tallest temple in the L.D.S. Church! Next, we will visit the U.S. Naval Academy. Founded in 1845, the entire campus is a National Historic Landmark and home to several historic sites and monuments. Our last stop will be at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. This is the birth place of our National Anthem. The visit will emote our patriotic feelings and will deepen with the presentation at the Fort. We will then continue back to the Washington Dulles International Airport for our flights home and memories to last a lifetime! (B)