Washington D.C. 8th Grade Tradition

A Signature Experience for Middle School Students in Our Nation’s Capital

For 8^th grade students across this country, a trip to Washington, D.C. is the capstone experience that signals the end of middle school. Every spring, more than a million students experience this rite of passage. These shared days on the bus, inside jokes at the memorials, and late-night laughter at the hotel can weld the class together in a way nothing else ever will.

While the journey may only last a few days, the feelings of joy and quiet moments of understanding during the trip will last a lifetime. Long after the buses pull away, the details stick. The moonlight reflecting off the marble steps of the Jefferson Memorial. Lincoln’s famous words etched into the walls of the monument towering overhead. The cold granite of the Vietnam Memorial wall catching students’ reflections between the names. These sights, sounds, and chills never quite fade. Somewhere between the monuments and the museums, students realize democracy isn’t just something you study. It is something you inherit, protect, and pass on.

For 50 years, principals and trip leaders have chosen Junior Tours because we deliver what matters most: uncompromising safety, effortless convenience, and genuine affordability. This journey is where Junior Tours began. In 1976, our founder Marty Abrams, a Brooklyn middle school teacher, turned his own 8^th grade class trip into an annual tradition that exists today. That same care, that same attention to detail, is why hundreds of schools choose us year after year.

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Sample Washington D.C. Itinerary

Day 1

Departure from your school (or local airport if group is flying)

Time	Activity
1:00PM	Arrive in Washington D.C. – Meet Tour Escort, Visit Arlington National Cemetery, Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Visit gravesites of Kennedy Brothers and Challenger Space Expedition crew
3:30PM	Visit Iwo Jima Marine Corps, Air Force and 9/11 Pentagon Memorials
5:30PM	Dinner
7:30PM	Night Tour of the Jefferson, Martin Luther King and FDR Memorials
9:30PM	Check into the hotel
10:30PM	Security to monitor hallways

Day 2

Time	Activity
8:00AM	Breakfast at the hotel
10:00AM	Tour of U.S. Capitol Building
	See Supreme Court and Library of Congress
12:30PM	Lunch at group’s expense
	Visit Museums of Smithsonian Institute on the National Mall: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Air & Space Museum, Museum of American History, Natural History and/or National Gallery of Art
4:30PM	Visit Daniel’s Story at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
5:30PM	Dinner
7:30PM	Night Tour of the Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean War Memorials
10:00PM	Return to the hotel
10:30PM	Security to monitor hallways

Day 3

Time	Activity
8:00AM	Breakfast at the hotel (and check out)
10:00AM	Visit National Archives to see Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, and Bill of Rights
11:30AM	Visit Ford's Theater and the Petersen House
1:00PM	Lunch at group's expense
2:00PM	Visit The People House: A White House Experience
3:00PM	Ride down Embassy Row and past Washington National Cathedral
4:00PM	Approximate time of departure

Optional Extension: 4 Day Package

Day 4

Time	Activity
5:30PM	Dinner
7:00PM	Visit Rooftop of Kennedy Center for spectacular views overlooking Washington
	Visit Georgetown
9:30PM	Return to the hotel
10:30PM	Security to monitor hallways
	Day 4
8:00AM	Breakfast at the hotel and check out
10:00AM	Admission to Mount Vernon, the birthplace and home of George Washington
	Lunch at group’s expense
2:00PM	Visit World War I and World War II Memorials
4:00PM	Approximate time of departure

All-Inclusive Tour Packages Start at $675 Per Person.

Each tour package is fully customized. Popular add-ons include:

Dinner-Dance Cruise on the Potomac River
Pro sporting event where you can enjoy Nationals, Wizards or Capitals game
International Spy Museum to immerse yourself in the world of espionage
Daily lunches either through cash allotments or meal vouchers

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FAQs About Student Trips to Washington D.C.

My school normally plans our 8th grade Washington D.C. trip on our own. Why should we plan the trip using Junior Tours instead?

You get everything you already do right—only better, safer, and with far less work on your plate.

Safety first, always: Dedicated tour guides accompany your group for the duration of your trip, private security monitors the hallways at night, and all hotel and transportation partners are carefully vetted.
Stress free planning: We handle registration, payment collection, fundraising support, and all parent communication so you don’t have to. Itineraries are carefully planned months in advance to maximize your time on tour.
Liability insurance & 24/7 support: If there are any complications while on tour, we are with you every step of the way. You will have access to our team on our personal cell phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Comprehensive liability insurance also covers everyone on tour in the event of an emergency.
Better student experience at lower cost: Our long-term relationships with service providers translate to better pricing, priority access, and greater flexibility to pivot instantly if weather hits or unforeseen circumstances arrive.
You still control everything that matters: Travel dates and activities while on tour are yours to choose; we just make it all run perfectly.

How far in advance should I plan a Washington D.C. trip?

What is normally included in the tour package?

What is the average group size?

Rachel Ellis

Watson B. Duncan M.S.

“Being that this was my first field trip, I couldn't have asked for better customer service and guidance. From a trip leader perspective, I felt that the trip was organized very well. We were given a variety of activities that were both educational and entertaining to the middle school level. The hotel accommodations were very nice and comfortable. The security was fantastic and made sure the kids stayed quiet and safe throughout the evening.”

Jenny Carroll

St. John the Baptist

“The best part of working with Junior Tours is the customer service offered. The quick responses to questions and the expertise of the staff. Always willing to go above and beyond. I really enjoy watching my students grow in their independence over the 4 days and at the same time getting a close up look at the material they are learning in class. The personal care and attention by the Junior Tours staff is amazing. Thank you for planning another fantastic trip!”

Kari Wheeler

Oak Forest Academy

“In the past, I have had to secure the airline tickets and deal with all of the money. Turning all of that over to Junior Tours is the best choice I have ever made. The ease of traveling was the best part about Junior Tours. What I enjoyed most about our trip was the activities that weren’t on the agenda. Debbie arranged for three sentinels to speak with the kids after they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I have been touring for many years and the guides were amazing. I simply cannot sing their praises enough.”

Bill Farrand

St. Regis

“Junior Tours is a family company, and they make me feel like part of the family.”

Top 10 D.C. attractions by recent annual visits

Attraction	Recent annual visits
Lincoln Memorial	~8.5 million (2024). (National Parks )
Vietnam Veterans Memorial	~5.3 million (2024). (Camper Champ)
World War II Memorial	~5.2 million (2024). (Camper Champ)
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History	~4.4 million (2023). (NBC4 DC)
Korean War Veterans Memorial	~4,3 million (2024). (Camper Champ)
National Gallery of Art	~3.9 million (2024). (Wikipedia)
Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum	~3.1 million (2023). (Smithsonian )
Smithsonian National Museum of American History	~2.1 million (2023). (NBC4 DC)
Smithsonian’s National Zoo	~2 million” (2023) (nationalzoo.si.edu)
National Museum of African American History & Culture	~1.6 million (2023). (NBC4 DC)

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Washington D.C. 8th Grade Tradition