Explore Colonial America

8 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Get ready to explore the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to Virginia to Washington D.C.! Explore the history of America, seeing historic battlefields, villages, gardens, and parks. With your own rental car, you can explore as you wish throughout the journey! Spend time in Philadelphia, where you can stroll cobblestone streets, see the Liberty Bell, and roam his...
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Want to stay longer? You can extend this trip up to a total of 9 days!

What's this trip about?

    Get ready to explore the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to Virginia to Washington D.C.! Explore the history of America, seeing historic battlefields, villages, gardens, and parks. With your own rental car, you can explore as you wish throughout the journey! Spend time in Philadelphia, where you can stroll cobblestone streets, see the Liberty Bell, and roam historic neighborhoods. Don’t forget to try a famous cheesesteak, hoagie, or soft pretzel! Next, you’ll drive to Gettysburg. You can see the National Military Park and Cemetery. Continue your drive through the rolling green hills of Virginia to Shenandoah! You can wander through Colonial Gardens, tour historic houses, and chat with docents to learn more about the rich history of the country. After, discover Colonial Williamsburg, brimming with hundreds of years of history. Your journey ends in Washington D.C., where you can visit the Lincoln Memorial, Capital building, and much more! US history comes alive on this excellent vacation!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIndependent
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityPhiladelphia
End CityWashington D.C.

Destinations

Activities

  • Independent

Trip includes

    • Roundtrip economy class airfare into Philadelphia (PHL), out of Washington DC (IAD)
    • Automatic rental car for the duration of your trip Pick up PHL and drop off IAD 2 nights in Philadelphia at the Holiday Inn Express Midtown, or similar
    • 1 night in Gettysburg at the Gettysburg Hotel, or similar
    • 1 night in Shenandoah at the Big Meadows Lodge, or similar
    • 2 nights in Williamsburg at the Kingsmill Resort, or similar
    • 1 night in Washington D.C. at the Washington Hilton, or similar
    • Detailed day-by-day itinerary with trip highlights, hotel information, local guides, maps and driving directions This package is seasonal and runs April to October.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Philadelphia!

Welcome to your east coast adventure through America’s Colonial history! Your trip begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. See an iconic symbol of American freedom at the Liberty Bell Center! Visit the Betsy Ross house, and check out Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest residential street in the city!

Day 2 Philadelphia

Today, you might want to check out Valley Forge, one of the most popular historical parks in Pennsylvania. Stop into the Visitor Center for a treasure trove of history, a short film about Valley Forge, and a life-sized George Washington statue! Walk through the park to be transported back to Colonial times!

Day 3 Philadelphia - Gettysburg

Today, you’ll drive to Gettysburg. Visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center - you’ll see over 40,000 artifacts from the American Civil War. Visit the cemetery and The Angle, a battlefield area of Pickett’s Charge. You’ll find solemn monuments and immersive history around each corner.

Day 4 Gettysburg - Shenandoah

Drive to Shenandoah today! Your historical journey continues into Shenandoah, Virginia, where you can visit New Market Battlefield State Historical Park. See the battlefield and visit the Bushong House, an 1860’s war hospital turned visitor center. Enjoy the stunning nature surrounding you - one popular picturesque destination is Skyline Drive!

Day 5 Shenandoah - Williamsburg

Hop in your rental car and drive through the Virginia greenery to your next destination, Williamsburg! Walk among docents to travel back in time. Wander the Colonial Garden, visit the Courthouse, the Governor's Palace, and much more!

Day 6 Williamsburg

Today, spend more time in Williamsburg or take a brief drive to Jamestown to see historical artifacts and architecture dating back to the 1600s. Or discover Yorktown, another site rich with Colonial and Revolutionary history!

Day 7 Williamsburg - Washington D.C.

Zoom to your next destination: Washington D.C. You’ll find a massive amount of American history here, so see as much of it as you can! Whether you want to visit Arlington Cemetery, the US Capital, or the Washington Monument, you can spend hours gazing at incredible sights.

Day 8 Depart Washington D.C.

Fly home to share your memories of the east coast with your friends and family! 

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,687
Price per day$211
Last Updated: 5/15/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Value Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
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