250th American History Tour
14 day tour - August 28, 2026
Information
250th Birthday
NEXT YEAR the United States will commemorate its 250th Birthday or Semiquincentennial Celebration. The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, 2026 will officially be our nations 250th Birthday! The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future for the next generation and beyond. It is also an opportunity to look at the history of how it all began.
The Declaration of Independence is why we have the nation we do. The founders of America had a vision of independence and liberty that has affected all of us. Every American should honor 2026, giving thanks and celebrating everything our founders fought for to create a nation we all live in today.
What better way to celebrate and remember our founding fathers, the creation of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the war for freedom, than an American History Tour! Come spend two weeks with American History scholars Dr. Michael Wilcox and Jeff Lawson.
Michael Wilcox Loves American History!
He is excited to share with you his passion for American History. This will be a very comprehensive tour that will include the early beginnings of America, the Founding Fathers, the Constitution, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. We will spend two weeks visiting and studying the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, the beginnings of America, and the war of Independence.
Here is a small taste of what you will be experiencing:
- In the Boston Area: 2.5 mile Freedom Trail, Old North Church, Bunker Hill, The USS Constitution, the Paul Revere House, John Adams and John Quincy Home, Plymouth Plantation, the Mayflower II, Lexington, Old North Bridge at Concord, David Thoreau’s Walden Pond and more.
- In the Philadelphia Area: Liberty Square, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Constitution Hall, Benjamin Franklin Museum, the American Revolution Museum, the Historic Park where Washington crossed the Delaware, Valley Forge and more.
- Fort McHenry and the War of 1812: Where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write our National Anthem.
- In the DC Area: George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, the War Memorials, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Ford’s Theater, the Washington Mall and more.
- Charlottesville Area: Visit James Madison’s and Thomas Jefferson’s homes.
- Appomattox Court House: Where Lee surrendered to Grant.
- Richmond Area: St. John’s Church where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give Me Liberty or Give me Death Speech”. Richmond Historic Town.
- Williamsburg Area: We plan to spend two nights in Williamsburg, where costumed actors will take you back to the days of Colonial America before the Revolutionary War. We will also visit James Town and Yorktown National Battlefield.
What a fantastic way of celebrating the 250th Birthday of our great nation. This is a rare experience to be taught about our American History by two of the best educators on the subject. Michael Wilcox and Jeff Lawson – Both have a passion for American History. In fact, it was Michael that called us last year, asking us to put together a special American History Tour that he and Jeff would take in 2026. We all decided the summers are too hot and with all the celebrations, Washington DC will be too crowded during the summer. That is why Michael and Jeff wanted to start near the first of September when the crowds will be less and the heat doesn’t melt the sidewalks.
Location, Location, Location!
The QUALITY of hotels along with their LOCATION in places like Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Williamsburg can change a good tour to a fantastic tour. Consider the following:
- In Boston we have reserved the Hyatt Regency, a 4-Star Deluxe Hotel that is only a 5-minute walk to the start of the Boston Freedom trail. At the end of our Freedom Trail tour, we can take a ferry back to where the Boston Tea party took place, which is less than a 15-minute walk back to our hotel.
- In Philadelphia we have reserved the Kempton Monaco Philadelphia Hotel, a 4-Star Deluxe hotel that is located in the middle of the Philadelphia Historic District. The hotel is across the street from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. A Condi Nest Gold Standard Hotel.
- In Washington D.C. we have reserved the Hyatt Regency, a 4-Star Deluxe hotel that is only 4 city blocks from the U.S. Capital and even less to reach the Washington National Mall that has the U.S. Capital at one end and Lincoln Memorial at the other end, along with all the museums in-between.
- In Colonial Williamsburg, we have reserved the Williamsburg Lodge, a 4-star Deluxe Hotel right in the middle of the city. From here, everything is walkable.
Pricing
Package Price Includes:
This is a rare opportunity to experience a fantastic history tour of our nation with Dr. Michael Wilcox. Even your tour manager for this tour is another educator, Jeff Lawson. He was an American History teacher, has a passion for American History and has visited all of these sites.
Our Total Package Price includes:
- 3 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Boston.
- Partial list Boston Area: Freedom Trail, Ship Constitution, Lexington/Concord, John Adams Historical Home, the Mayflower replica, along with a visit to Plymouth Plantation’s Living History Museum what will include dinner.
- Includes the flight from Boston to Philadelphia.
- 3 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Philadelphia.
- Philadelphia historic sites, Valley Forge and where Washington crossed the Delaware – including the new Museum of the American Revolution, along with Fort McHenry.
- 3 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Washington D.C.
- Evening Washington Monuments tour, George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, Ford’s Theater, plus free time to visit the many museums on the national Mall.
- 1 Night 3-Star First Class Hotel Charlottesville.
Visit 2 the President’s homes – James Madison & Thomas Jefferson. Buffet Lunch at historic Michie Tavern. - 1 Night 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Richmond.
- St. John’s Church – where Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me Liberty or Give me Death speech.
- 2 Nights 4-Star Deluxe Hotel Williamsburg.
- Jamestown’s first permanent American Colony and Yorktown the site of the final battle of the Revolutionary War.
- Two Evenings and one full day to explore and experience Colonial Williamsburg.
- All tours, buses, guides and entrance fees.
- Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.
- Special Guest Educator: Dr. Michael Wilcox.
- Fun For Less Tours Staff and additional educator: Jeff Lawson – American History teacher.
- Headset receivers, which allows you to hear every word clearly from our educators and guides even when you step away from the group to take that important picture.
Package Price: $5,795*
**Per person cash discount price, based on double occupancy.
Does not include airfare and tips.
Itinerary
Day 1: August 28: Boston
Today we will fly from our home to Boston. Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel. (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)
Day 2: August 29: Boston
Today we will do the Freedom Trail walking tour with numerous stops and ends at the ship Constitution. The walking tour is done in two parts with a little free time in between. About 3 miles of walking total with a morning session and an afternoon session. Starts at Faneuil Hall. The morning walking tour stopping along the Freedom Trail. Then we will have a little free time at Faneuil Hall. Then we will continue the Freedom Trail. When the tour stops at the Constitution it is on the waterfront where they can catch the passenger ferry back. Enjoy a tour of the Constitution ship before returning to the hotel.
Day 3: August 30: Boston
Today we our Lexington/Concord – We will have a step-on guide for the Lexington/Concord tour for the half-day tour. Then in the afternoon we will visit the Mayflower ship replica, plus Plymouth Living History Village, followed by a dinner in the Plymouth Living History Village. Dinner at the village. Return to your Boston Hotel.
Day 4: August 31: Boston – Philadelphia
This morning we will visit two of John Adams’ homes, his boyhood home and his home after he became President. We then head to Boston airport for our afternoon flight to Philadelphia. Upon arrival into Philadelphia we will transfer to our hotel.
Day 5: September 1: Philadelphia
Today we enjoy a Constitutional Walking tour – 1.25 miles in length around the historical national park area of Philadelphia with guides. Tour inside Independence Hall. In the afternoon we will visit the National Constitution Center. Afternoon free time – If anyone wants to visit the Ben Franklin museum, it is close by but there will be an entrance fee to pay to visit this site. Overnight Philadelphia.
Day 6: September 2: Philadelphia
We will have a bus tour to Valley Forge in the morning, and then in the afternoon visit Washington Crossing Historical Park. We will have step-on guides for Valley Forge. Then on to Washington Crossing, spending some time to visit the grounds. Overnight Philadelphia.
Day 7: September 3: Washington DC
This morning we will have time to visit the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. We will then head to Ft. McHenry near Baltimore. This evening we plan on doing the Washington Monuments Tour after dinner. Overnight Washington D.C.
Day 8: September 4: Washington DC
Today we enjoy a visit to George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, plus Arlington Cemetery, plus Ford’s Theater. Overnight Washington D.C.
Day 9: September 5: Washington DC
Today is a free day to visit the Washington National Mall with all of the Museums. Most of the museums are free for walk-ins but the National Archives, where the original Declaration of Independence is housed, will make a reservation for a timed entry for a small fee. Overnight Washington D.C.
Day 10: September 6: Washington DC – Charlottesville
We will travel from Washington D.C. down to Charlottesville, Virginia. We will do a visit to 2 President’s homes today, James Madison’s and Thomas Jefferson’s. Before touring Monticello at Jefferson’s home, we will stop at the historic Michie Tavern near Jefferson’s home. We will do a buffet style group lunch. Overnight Charlottesville.
Day 11: September 7: Charlottesville – Richmond
We travel from Charlottesville to Richmond. We will stop at Appomattox Court House National Historic Site where Lee surrendered to Grant to end the Civil War. Then on to Richmond – about a 2 hour drive. Visit St. John’s Church where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me Liberty or Give me Death speech”. 2025 is the 250th anniversary of this event, one year before the Declaration of Independence was written and signed. Also, we will do a short tour of Richmond with a step-on guide. Richmond is a very historic town associated with colonial America as well as the Civil War. Overnight Richmond.
Day 12: September 8: Richmond – Williamsburg
This morning we will travel to visit Jamestown, the site of America’s first permanent colony and Yorktown, the site of the final battle of the American Revolutionary War. We will have step-on guide for the whole day. We will end the day at our hotel right next to Colonial Williamsburg so we can walk into Colonial Williamsburg the next day. Overnight Williamsburg.
Day 13: September 9: Williamsburg
Everyone will have the entire day in the living history village of Williamsburg with its shops, restaurants, and historic buildings to tour and visit. We will start the day with a guided walking tour orientation from our hotel. Then for the rest of the day is free time to tour the various historic shops and buildings that make up Williamsburg. Overnight Williamsburg.
Day 14: September 10: Home
Today we will travel back to Washington D.C. to catch an early afternoon flight back home. (Transfers are included if you booked our group airfare or your flight arrives on or before and departs on or after our group flights.)
