Experience the history and landmarks of the American East on this ten-day journey through Washington, DC; Gettysburg; Monticello; and the scenic Smoky Mountains. From iconic memorials and museums to the solemn grounds of Arlington and Gettysburg, each day blends powerful stories with memorable sightseeing. Travelers will also enjoy visits to the Biltmore Estate, the Ryman Theatre, and charming towns along the way. It’s a warm and engaging tour perfect for anyone who enjoys history, culture, and scenic travel.
• May 27 – June 5, 2026
• August 5 – August 14, 2026
Travel east toward Louisville, KY. Watch the scenery shift from open plains to rolling green hills and small towns. Enjoy a comfortable ride with rest stops and good company.
Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, including a guided track tour and insights on horse racing. Continue with a scenic drive to the hotel near Clarksburg, WV.
Spend the day at Gettysburg National Military Park, touring battlefield sites and learning about key events. Stop at the Visitors Center to explore exhibits and view the Cyclorama, a massive circular painting depicting Pickett’s Charge. Evening travel to Washington, DC.
Begin three days in Washington. First stop: Arlington National Cemetery, including the Changing of the Guard and other historic gravesites. Then visit the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Air Force Memorial.
Visit major landmarks including: • Washington Monument • Jefferson Memorial • Lincoln Memorial • FDR Memorial • Three War Memorials • White House (view) • Capitol Building (view) Spend a large portion of one day exploring the Smithsonian Museums of your choice. Two nights are spent in Fredericksburg, VA.
We will also get a good view of the White House and Capitol Building. On top of all that, we’ll visit the Smithsonian where you’ll have most of a day to browse and look closely at the hundreds of outstanding exhibits at the museums of your choice. We’ll spend tonight in Fredericksburg, VA.
Travel to Charlottesville, VA to tour Monticello, the mountaintop home of Thomas Jefferson. Explore the mansion, gardens, and historical exhibits. Overnight in Johnson City, TN.
Tour the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home, including its gardens and reflecting pools. Then travel through the Great Smoky Mountains and spend the night in Pigeon Forge, TN, with free time to enjoy local nightlife.
Day 9: Travel to Nashville, TN for a tour of the Historic Ryman Theatre, one of the most iconic venues in American music history. Day 10: Return home to Missouri, with one stop along the way. End the tour with new friends and memories.
These cross country trips are designed so that you can see and do a lot of things in a relatively short time. We use custom built full size touring coaches which are designed to accommodate 22 passengers very comfortably with a lot of special amenities. Some of these amenities include card tables for the avid players, a kitchen, wi-fi, 110 volt outlets, and a couch in the back. Just being able to get up and walk around or lie down and take a nap is a great advantage. We also prepare hot lunches on board and carry our own tables and chairs so we can have picnics at some of the most beautiful places in America. The idea is to create a “family” atmosphere which is easy to do with so few people on each tour. These are not ordinary bus trips.
On all the trips, except those with special exclusions, we have vans pick up passengers within 130 travel miles of Rolla and then meet up with the motorcoach to head out toward the destination (see next section for more details). Each day we will typically see or do one thing in the morning and then another in the afternoon. Since there is so much to see and do, we usually depart by 8:00 am and arrive at our destination city around 6:00 pm that evening. Dinner is on your own; however, we will drive to a neighborhood restaurant if there’s not one very near the hotel. On the last day, we arrive back in Missouri in the late afternoon. If we picked you up, we will take you back home, and everyone else will go to Rolla to get their car.
The price of each trip includes the motorcoach, lodging, hotel breakfasts, lunches and the cost of all venues shown. It also includes the shuttle to and from your home if you live within 130 travel miles from Rolla (if there are several people at the same location, this 130 mile criteria will be extended). Everyone living outside the 130 miles receive a $100 discount. If you live inside 130 miles and choose to drive to Rolla, you will receive a $50 discount.
The price is based on two persons per room. If four people share a room, the price will be reduced by the cost of the saved room divided by four. If you would like your own room, please call our office for a quote. To reserve a seat, you must send a $200 deposit per person. The remainder is due 45 days prior to the trip. The price does not include gratuity for the driver and hostess.
If you cancel more than 45 days prior to the beginning of the trip, you will receive back all but a $50 per person processing fee and any credit card fees that may apply. If you cancel between 45 and 15 days prior, you will receive a 50% refund. If we are able to fill the spot you vacated, you will receive back all of your money except credit card and processing fees. If you have to cancel less than 15 days prior or have to leave during the trip, you will receive a refund of any hotel costs and venues we are able to cancel. If you want a cancellation waiver to cover the potential loss if you have to cancel inside of 45 days, the cost is $100 per person (or $75 for the 5/6 day tours). Our cancellation waiver provides no coverage once the trip begins. If you have previously been on 5 or more of our tours, you will receive the cancellation waiver at no cost.
**Itineraries and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to circumstances beyond our control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the itinerary has been published.**
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