DC/NYC Spring Break Trip Recap
by Ava McCullar
There’s something truly special about learning through new experiences, whether it’s discovering unfamiliar places, meeting new people or stepping outside of your comfort zone. Every other year for spring break, Mr. Gafford guides CAC’s 8th and 9th graders on a five-day journey through iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C. and New York City, bringing history to life in unforgettable ways. For many of these students, it’s their first trip without a parent, giving them a taste of independence as they manage to wake up on their own (and be on time!), keep track of their boarding passes and pay for their own meals. Freshman Ava McCullar generously shared the group’s itinerary along with some snapshots from this year’s adventure, a trip packed with learning, laughter and lifetime memories!
Sunday, March 23: Our adventure began bright and early with an early flight to D.C. When we arrived, we took a bus ride and headed straight to lunch. After lunch, we made a quick stop at the White House for some photos before visiting one of the Smithsonian museums—either the American History or Natural History Museum. Next, we explored the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and took a walk to see the cherry blossom trees! A visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial followed, where we even found the names of some individuals from North Little Rock. That night, we made our way to the Lincoln Memorial. Lit up against the evening sky, it was absolutely stunning!
Monday, March 24: We began our full day in D.C. with a tour of the U.S. Capitol. The dome was so beautiful and breathtaking! On our way to Mount Vernon, we stopped at the Canadian Embassy and experienced a cool echo effect out front. Once we arrived at Mount Vernon, we got the chance to explore the grounds. My friends and I visited the barns, saw the animals, and even saw Washington’s tomb! Our group was able to take a virtual tour showing what the house will look like after their renovations, and then we toured a couple of rooms.
After dinner, we headed to Alexandria for a ghost tour! We saw a lot of the city and heard many great spooky stories along the way! On our ride back to the hotel, we ended the night visiting the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Seeing it illuminated at night, surrounded by blooming trees, was a wonderful way to end the day.
Tuesday, March 25: Our morning was spent touring the Arlington National Cemetery. We visited the gravesites of the Kennedy family and learned why and how people are qualified to be buried at Arlington. We also witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was so amazing to see all of the work, art, and dedication in those moments.
After lunch, we started the five-hour road trip to New York City. Once we arrived, we had our first dinner in the city and walked on the High Line to Hudson Yards. There, we visited The Edge and watched the sun set over the city!
Wednesday, March 26: We started our day with a scenic cruise around New York Harbor, seeing Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. We also got the chance to walk up the Brooklyn Bridge for photos! For lunch, we had the option of eating in either China Town or Little Italy. Next, we hopped on the subway to Wall Street where we learned a bit about its history. We also passed by Trinity Church and walked through the 9/11 Memorial.
Later we took the subway again, this time to Times Square, where we ate dinner and headed to the theater to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. The show was truly magical and a beautiful sequel to the books! We ended the night taking pictures in Times Square. It was such a full and fun day!
Thursday, March 27: Thursday was the last day of our trip, and we began the morning by visiting Central Park. From there, we made our way to Grand Central Terminal and grabbed lunch. Afterwards, we returned to Times Square and had some free time to shop around Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue, the perfect time to grab souvenirs! With bags in hand and memories made, we headed to the airport to begin our journey home.
This trip was truly an amazing experience! My friends and I loved getting to travel and experience new things together!