-
Day 1: Virginia Beach Boardwalk
20 minutes (19 miles) from Norfolk International Airport
9:00am - 10:30am (1.5 hours): Enjoy a morning walk on the beach and see the iconic King Neptune statue.
11:00am - 12:30pm (1.5 hours): Check out the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and learn about the history of waterfowl hunting in Virginia.
2:00pm - 4:00pm (2 hours): Spend the afternoon at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, featuring over 800,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats.
6:00pm - 8:00pm (2 hours): Head to the vibrant ViBe Creative District for dinner at Commune, a farm-to-table restaurant with seasonal dishes.
-
Day 2: Colonial Williamsburg
1 hour (60 miles) from Virginia Beach
9:00am - 12:00pm (3 hours): Step back in time and explore the living history museum of Colonial Williamsburg, where costumed interpreters bring the 18th century to life.
1:00pm - 3:00pm (2 hours): Visit Jamestown Settlement, a museum that tells the story of America's first permanent English colony, and see life-sized recreations of the three ships that arrived in Virginia in 1607.
4:00pm - 6:00pm (2 hours): Tour the historic campus of the College of William & Mary, the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
-
Day 3: Washington DC Monuments and Memorials
3 hours (180 miles) from Virginia Beach
10:00am - 12:30pm (2.5 hours): Start the day with a visit to the Lincoln Memorial, followed by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
1:30pm - 5:00pm (3.5 hours): Continue the tour with stops at the World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
7:00pm - 9:00pm (2 hours): Enjoy dinner at Ben's Chili Bowl, a DC institution known for its half-smokes and chili cheese fries.
-
Day 4: Smithsonian Museums
Located on the National Mall in Washington DC
10:00am - 12:00pm (2 hours): Visit the National Museum of American History and see the original Star-Spangled Banner, the First Ladies' Inaugural Gowns, and the Kermit the Frog puppet.
1:00pm - 3:00pm (2 hours): Explore the National Air and Space Museum, which houses the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world, including the Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer and the Apollo 11 command module.
4:00pm - 6:00pm (2 hours): Round out the day with a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where you can see the Hope Diamond, the giant squid, and the dinosaur exhibits.
-
Day 5: Mount Vernon
30 minutes (15 miles) from Washington DC
9:00am - 12:00pm (3 hours): Step into the world of George Washington and tour his beautifully restored mansion and gardens.
1:00pm - 3:00pm (2 hours): Visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps, a state-of-the-art museum that tells the story of the United States Marine Corps from 1775 to the present.
4:00pm - 6:00pm (2 hours): Take a stroll along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront, lined with boutiques, restaurants, and historic sites.
-
Day 6: National Zoo and Georgetown
Located in Washington DC
10:00am - 12:00pm (2 hours): Spend the morning at the National Zoo, home to over 2,700 animals from 390 species, including giant pandas, elephants, and lions.
1:00pm - 4:00pm (3 hours): Explore the historic neighborhood of Georgetown, known for its cobblestone streets, charming rowhouses, and upscale shops and restaurants.
Consider visiting the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, going on a dolphin watching tour in Virginia Beach, or taking a day trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. If you have more time, check out the Smithsonian National Zoo Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia.