Trip Journal 2019
Explorica Information
Trip ID: Nicholson-3766
Number of students: 56
Day 1: Boston (April 13, 2019)
We landed in Boston on an absolutely picture perfect spring day. The city was buzzing because of the upcoming marathon on Monday, as well as baseball and hockey games going on in town. We walked through the historic North End, seeing the Old North Church, Paul Revere's house, and the USS Constitution from across the river. After that, it was time for a delicious dinner and some shopping time at Quincy Market. We called it an early night on our first night after being tired from the long journey, but we're excited for the week ahead!
Charles River and the USS Constitution
Quincy Market
Day 2: Boston (April 14, 2019)
We started our day with a tour through historic Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox. From there we went to Harvard University, where we walked through the campus and then enjoyed a great lunch in Harvard Square. Next up we went to visit the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," where we learned about the oldest active warship in the U.S. Navy. Next up was a walk along the Freedom Trail seeing some of the most historic sites in all of Boston. Finally, we had a delicious Mexican dinner before heading back to the hotel. It was a great Boston day!
Fenway Park
Harvard University
54th Regiment Monument on the Freedom Trail
"Make Way for Ducklings"
Day 3: New York (April 15, 2019)
After waking up, we hit the road from Boston and traveled down to New York City. We stopped for an authentic New York City lunch before visiting the amazing Metropolitan Museum of Art. After the museum, we enjoyed a stroll through Central Park and a walk down famous Fifth Avenue. We saw St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trump Tower, and Rockefeller Center, among many other sites. After that it was time for dinner and then an early night at the hotel to get ready for an early morning on Tuesday. It was a nice introduction to New York.
City view from Central Park
Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park
Day 4: New York (April 16, 2019)
We started our day with a visit to the breathtaking Statue of Liberty and the fascinating Ellis Island National Immigration Museum. Next up was a delicious lunch, then we went 1300 feet up in the air to the top of One World Observatory to check out the endless views of New York City. We then paid our respects at the 911 Memorial, followed by a walking tour through Wall Street and the Financial District. After dinner, we had some shopping time in Chinatown and Little Italy, followed by some free time under the bright lights of Times Square. It was a great, busy New York day!
Statue of Liberty
George Washington Federal Hall National Monument
Times Square
Day 5: Philadelphia (April 17, 2019)
We started our day with the drive from New York down to Philadelphia, where we explored the birthplace of our nation. We saw the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and had a tour inside Congress Hall, where the US Congress met while Philadelphia was the capital of the United States. After that we had a delicious lunch at Reading Terminal Market, and then it was time for us to head down to Washington DC. We visited the White House and had an amazing dinner at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a Washington DC institution.
Independence Hall
Congress Hall
White House
Day 6: Washington DC (April 18, 2019)
We started our day, with a wonderful cruise down the Potomac River. From there we spent the bulk of the afternoon visiting George Washington's estate, Mount Vernon. Next up we headed back into Washington, DC where we visited the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. We had one last delicious dinner, and then visited some more memorials at night, including the World War II Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial. We packed a lot in, but it was a great day!
Mount Vernon Forest Trail
Mount Vernon
Lincoln Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
Day 7: Washington DC (April 19, 2019)
We begin our day with a visit to the US Capitol for a tour. Next stop was to spend some time visiting inside the beautiful Library of Congress. We also stopped in front of the Supreme Court. Next up we headed to the National Mall for a picnic lunch on the lawn, after which we spent the afternoon exploring the amazing Smithsonian museums and the National Archives. Sadly, it was time to head to the airport, but it was a week we will never forget!
U.S. Capitol
