Montgomery County, Maryland offers a wide-range of student-friendly attractions that both educate and entertain. This sample 4-day itinerary is specifically designed for tour operators who specialize in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) student group market.
Day 1:
Arrive and check into one of the many student-friendly hotels in Montgomery County. Enjoy a fun evening of food, bowling and even bocce ball at Pinstripes at Pike & Rose.
Day 2:
Rise and shine and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. The day begins at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. Your students will explore the history and innovations of military medicine from the Civil War to present day, learn about the history of microscopes and explore the wonders of the human body.
Hop on the motorcoach for a quick ride to Brookside Gardens. Visit the Wings of Fancy live butterfly and caterpillar exhibit (April – September) and tour the award-winning 50-acre gardens including the Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden and Children’s Garden.
Enjoy a boxed lunch from Firehouse Subs at nearby Wheaton Regional Park.
Next up, you will visit the National Capital Trolley Museum. This museum preserves the heritage of electric and interurban railways of the Montgomery County and the Washington, DC region. Take a one-mile ride on a vintage streetcar, visit the Street Car Hall of Fame, and learn about trolley communities and engineering.
Return to the hotel to unwind and relax before dinner at Buca di Beppo and partake in laser tag at Shadowland Adventures.
Day 3:
After breakfast in the hotel, you will begin your day at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST). Your students will receive a hands-on tour of NIST, one of the nation’s oldest physical science laboratories.
Your next stop will be United Therapeutics Corporation. Your students will enjoy an educational tour of this biotechnology company that focused on the development and commercialization of innovative products.
For lunch, you will have a range of options at Ellsworth Place in Downtown Silver Spring. Not Your Average Joe’s welcomes student groups.
Off to Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, a hands-on-history experience about slavery, Colonial and Plantation life. Your students will visit an 18th century brick manor house, stone barn and hiking trail called the Underground Railroad Experience.
Wrap-up the day with dinner at Uncle Julio’s Mexican from Scratch Restaurant and enjoy free time at the popular and family-friendly Rio Washingtonian. Your students will love exploring around the lake, ride the carousal, enjoy the paddle boats and shopping.
Day 4:
Begin your journey home – thank you for visiting Montgomery County – we can’t wait to have you visit us again!
