Why I Love Washington D.C. School Trips
(It’s Not For the Reasons You Think!)
Washington D.C. is a destination I have contemplated relocating to countless times. My appreciation for the city started just after my first few visits as a GO Leader in training. Sure, we all know that D.C. is the political epicenter of the United States, and archives so much important history, but there are quite a few alternative reasons to love the city. You may be surprised to find out why I love the nation’s capital so much.
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Artistic Beauty
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Culinary Scene
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Diversity
Artistic Beauty
Yes, we all love stunning architectural superstructures when we travel, and Washington D.C. surely delivers impressive scenic views. From the embassies on Embassy Row, the White House, U.S. Capitol, or literally anywhere in Georgetown, we can universally agree that the city is very pretty. What I love specifically, is the art. If you visit neighborhoods like Shaw, you can find murals painted all around. My favorite artsy hotspots include the Watermelon House in Shaw, Meridian Park, and the Kogod Courtyard attached to the National Portrait Gallery. Artechouse is an interesting museum to visit if you are interested in digital art, too!
Culinary Scene
The food is immaculate. There are over 2,200 restaurants, 18 of them are Michelin star recipients. I’m not suggesting I dine at Michelin star restaurants on the regular, but I do wish to emphasize Washington D.C.’s growing culinary scene. I spent a few years living in Providence, RI. They, too, have an impressive culinary scene. It’s expected considering there is a culinary school in the city, but for D.C. to offer as much as it does is cool. The flavors are diverse and modern, but approachable for any age group. There are countless dining options for college students on a budget, trendy food items for millennials, appropriate business casual environments for your company’s meeting, formal atmospheres for extravagant nights out, and of course, brunch.
Diversity
Washington D.C. is very diverse. I celebrate diversity where it is deserved. There are over 168 languages spoken in the city of a little over 700,000 people. I love indulging in different cuisines and walking paska plethora of culturally and ethnically diverse populations of people. It feels rather symbolic, too! What better place for Americans to co-exist with representatives from all around the world than at the nation’s capital? “The Capital of the World”.
Visiting Washington D.C. with your students can seem like a rite of passage for most, but you won’t regret the experience. I would highly suggest visiting for a college campus tour, too. Devoting an entire trip to visiting college campuses away from home allows students to branch out. It presents opportunities they may have never considered for themselves before. It grants them a chance to envision themselves on the campus, in a neighborhood as an independent young adult in a more palpable way.
The energy of the city is unlike any other city I have explored. There is an intellectual buzz about the place; a city full of purpose for the greater good. I feel inspired as I ride the metro and blend with the locals. It’s truly a treat to introduce students to our beautiful nation’s capital.
We hope you will consider a school trip to Washington, D.C. for your students in the near future!
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