Step into what’s often called “the most historic square mile in America.” Around Independence Square you’ll find historic buildings tied to the Revolution and the founding of the country, a milky-white clock tower, and bronze statues of the founding heroes set across the lawns.

U.S. Capitol In-depth Tour + The National Archives (optional, 120 min): If you’d like, head inside the U.S. Capitol, the geometric center of Washington, to walk its ornate congressional corridors and hear the stories behind the murals and statues. At The National Archives, you can see the founding documents themselves: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, alongside other landmark records. The tour also passes the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress from the outside.

White House (outside, 30 min): Stop for photos at the White House, the neoclassical residence and office of every U.S. president since 1800 and a byword for the American government itself.

Lincoln Memorial + Vietnam Veterans Memorial (45 min): Wrap up the day at two of the capital’s most moving landmarks. The Lincoln Memorial, a Greek temple-style monument to the 16th president, is where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Just to the north, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a long V-shaped wall of black granite, is inscribed with the names of more than 57,000 service members who died in the war. Note: if the U.S. Capitol cannot be entered, it is replaced with the optional Washington D.C. In-depth Tour (Air Force Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and World War II Memorial).

New York to Philadelphia: approximately 100 miles Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.: approximately 140 miles Day 1: New York → Philadelphia → Independence National Historical Park (30 min) → Washington D.C. → U.S. Capitol In-depth Tour + The National Archives (optional, 120 min) [inside: U.S. Capitol & National Archives; outside: Supreme Court & Library of Congress] → White House (outside, 30 min) → Lincoln Memorial + Vietnam Veterans Memorial (45 min) → Hotel