Tour Begins: 5:00 PM, New York Marriott Downtown. A transfer is included from John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or Newark Liberty International Airport to New York Marriott Downtown. Welcome to New York City, a fitting beginning as the city was at the core of so many journeys in our earliest years of operation 100 years ago; your newly updated "downtown" hotel is set apart from the busy atmosphere of Midtown Manhattan. Join us tonight for a special welcome dinner at One World Observatory; enjoy priority access to ascend more than 100 floors – the city is illuminated below you at ONE Dine, the observatory's sophisticated restaurant on the 101st floor.

After breakfast, explore the city on foot with a local guide, walking to view iconic sites such as Trinity Church and Federal Hall. Learn about the Wall Street area, home to the New York Stock Exchange, see Battery Park, and the National September 11 Memorial. Board a motorcoach and head uptown, learning about the growth of the city and neighborhoods, and take a walk through Central Park. The rest of the day is free to explore as you please.

As you leave New York this morning, enjoy its iconic skyline and views of the Statue of Liberty. Head for Valley Forge National Historic Park, considered the birthplace of the American Army, for a guided tour. Have lunch in a building that has stood since 1746, Black Powder Tavern, then it's on to Philadelphia where you'll meet a local guide for sightseeing in the historic district, lined with cobbled streets and 18th-century townhouses.

The Museum of the American Revolution, a long-time partner of filmmaker Ken Burns, opens early this morning exclusively for Tauck – which means no crowds so you can explore in-depth. You'll have a guided visit with museum staff that provides expert insights, an "insider's view," into the stories behind the museum's historic artifacts – such as George Washington's original sleeping and office tent from the Revolutionary War. Next, visit Independence Hall, operated by the National Park Service and part of the Independence National Historic Park; a park ranger will provide information on the site during your visit. See the Liberty Bell at the Liberty Bell Center, then your afternoon and evening are free to explore as you please.

Travel through rolling Pennsylvania farmland to Lancaster County for a visit to the Amish Farm & House to learn about Amish daily life, powered by nature. Continue on to Gettysburg, where tonight's dinner is truly special. Nearly 400 years of history surround you at a special farm-to-table dinner at historic Mansion House 1757, led by Chef George Keeney, a Culinary Institute of America alumnus.

A morning drive with a licensed Gettysburg Battlefield Guide takes you through some of the hallowed ground, the battlefields. Continue to Harpers Ferry, a National Historical Park that tells the story of John Brown's failed 1859 raid on the town's federal arsenal. The Civil War was fought in more than 10,000 places, the majority of them in the South; homes became headquarters and hospitals as foraging armies swept across American towns like those you'll pass through this afternoon en route to Charlottesville, Virginia.

Begin your day in Charlottesville with a visit to Thomas Jefferson's beloved Monticello, the hilltop house he designed, and have lunch at historic Michie Tavern. Renowned for its locally produced wines, Charlottesville and the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) have been honored by Wine Enthusiast. Enjoy a private wine tasting at family-owned Jefferson Vineyards, set on historic land once intended for Virginia's first vineyards under Thomas Jefferson's vision. Your evening is free.

Richmond was capital of Virginia and the capital of the Confederate States of America during the war. Experience Richmond's role in shaping American ideals with a stirring one-man performance by Patrick Henry at historic St. John's Church – site of his legendary "Give me liberty or give me death" speech. Following lunch at a local seafood restaurant, travel to Colonial Williamsburg, where you'll enjoy dinner this evening at an 18th-century style tavern.

Today, you have the entire day at your leisure to delve into the rich history of Colonial Williamsburg. If you wish, there are a variety of activities to choose from – you can visit informative museums, stroll through the historically restored town, browse through unique shops – or just unwind in beautifully maintained green spaces and gardens.

Travel to Mount Vernon, the estate of America's first President George Washington, overlooking the Potomac River. Following lunch at Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, you'll have an opportunity to explore areas of the estate that illuminate Washington's life, leadership, and legacy. Arrive late afternoon in Washington, D.C. for a two-night stay at the historic Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. – you couldn't be in a better hotel or a better location. This evening, join us for a fascinating illuminated Washington, D.C. Memorials Tour.

First up today, a Tauck exclusive – early admission to the Rotunda of the National Archives for a private viewing of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, with welcome comments by a National Archives insider that illuminate their enduring legacy and the remarkable vision behind their creation. Your afternoon is free; join us for Washington, D.C. sightseeing or enjoy time as you please. Tonight, a memorable week concludes with a farewell reception and dinner at The Willard.