There is a wealth of activities in Washington DC. The nation's capitol offers an abundance of historical sites, a vast array of museums and plenty of shopping, dining and exploring. A tour group could easily spend several weeks' sight seeing and touring the popular monuments and getting a feel for the way life moves in this city. But what if a several week tour isn't an option? For most student trips a few days at most is all that is possible. Make the most of your Washington DC visit by making sure your group visits the most popular attractions and historical sites.

- Trolley Tour -

A good way to see the most popular monuments and memorials is to take a trolley tour. These tours make stops at the most popular monuments and war memorials, so your group can be sure to get a glimpse of the Washington Monument, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials and the war memorials, including the Iwo Jima, Vietnam Veterans, and Korean War Memorials. A great option, especially for senior trips, is to take a city tour at night. The tour stops at all the same places, but offers the unique perspective of touring the city at night, and seeing the nation's monuments all lit up. The tours are usually narrated too, which offers a further glimpse into the history of each monument, and tells stories historical tales about the city.

- Smithsonian Institution -

Another must see is the Smithsonian Institution. This Institution was founded in the 1800's for the purpose of spreading knowledge. Today, the Smithsonian Institution contains not only the large castle-like structure located on the National Mall, but also features 19 museums, nine research centers and the National Zoo. Visiting the original institution is a good place to start as visitors will find information that helps them narrow down the specific museums that interest them. The museums within the Smithsonian museum chain include display exhibits and information on a vast array of subjects including art, history, architecture, technology, outer space, science and different cultures. Students may also enjoy an IMAX movie presentation. This 3-D theatrical experience takes them on a ride from the bottom of the sea, to an African Safari, to a distant planet in space. Most of the museums offer group tours, and they are all free of charge which makes this a very convenient and affordable place for a student tour to stop and visit for a day.

- Government Buildings -

Of course, a student tour can't visit Washington DC without visiting some of the famous government buildings. The White House is the obvious first place on most peoples list, but be warned that a visit requires planning ahead and going through your Member of Congress. The White House also requires tours to be in groups of at least ten, and only tours on weekdays. For a complete look at America's government, plan to visit the United States Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court Building. Both of these buildings have resources designed to display the inner workings of our government, and also have the option of sitting in on a Senate meeting, or listening to a Supreme Court hearing.

- Closing Notes -

These are a few of Washington DC's most popular locations. Let's face it. Most tours or student trips just don't last long enough, but if planned right, a student tour can encompass the most exciting sites that DC has to offer.