2026 • East Coast Trip
June 1, 2026 to June 8, 2026
For the third straight year, the San Benancio East Coast trip took place during the first week of summer break. Thankfully, for the second straight year, we did not have to endure a red-eye flight across the country. Of course, that did not exactly mean we got to sleep in, as the bus left San Benancio at 3:30 in the morning! So, while we avoided the red-eye, I am not sure anyone would describe the start of the trip as restful.
Our flight from San Francisco left in the morning and arrived in Washington, D.C., that afternoon. After getting dinner, we began the trip with an illuminated night tour of the Lincoln Memorial and World War II Memorial. Seeing the memorials at night is always a great way to start the trip, and it helped set the tone for a week filled with history, government, and more walking than most students probably expected.
Our first full day in Washington began with a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol Building. After that, we visited the Supreme Court, which was a new addition compared to some past trips and a great opportunity to see another major part of the federal government up close. After lunch, the students had time to visit the Smithsonian Museum of their choice. Some went with the classics, while others used the opportunity to explore something new. That evening, we did something a little different and went to a Nationals baseball game. Even for those who are not huge baseball fans, it was a fun way to spend the night and a nice change of pace after a day full of government buildings and museums.
The next day, we visited Arlington National Cemetery. As always, Arlington was one of the most meaningful stops of the trip. Walking through the cemetery and seeing row after row of white headstones is a powerful reminder that freedom is not free. While there, we visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and were able to witness the changing of the guard, which is always one of the most moving moments of the week. After Arlington, we visited the Holocaust Museum, another serious and important stop that gave everyone a lot to think about. Later that afternoon, we visited the memorials around the Tidal Basin, including the Jefferson, FDR, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. Finally, after a very full day, it was time for the Potomac dinner dance cruise. As always, the cruise gave everyone a chance to relax, enjoy the views from the water, and see which schools were ready to dominate the dance floor.
After packing up our hotel in Washington, we got on the bus and started driving toward New York City. Before getting to the Big Apple, however, we made a stop in Philadelphia to see where it all began. Our visit was shorter this year, but we still had time to stop by Independence Hall and have lunch at Reading Terminal Market, which is always a favorite. Finally, as is tradition, we had to race up the Rocky Steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Unfortunately, for the first time ever, I lost. I do not want to talk about it, but I suppose every great dynasty has to come to an end eventually.
Once we arrived in New York City, we went straight to Summit One Vanderbilt. In the past, we have gone to the top of One World Trade Center, but this year’s observation deck gave us a very different view of the city. Between the mirrored rooms, the glass, the skyline, and the incredible views of Midtown Manhattan, it was definitely one of the most memorable stops of the trip. After dinner in Little Italy, we checked into our hotel right in Times Square and took our professional group photo under all the lights. There are few places that feel as chaotic, bright, and exciting as Times Square at night, especially for students seeing it for the first time.
The next morning began with breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, which is always loud, theatrical, and a lot of fun. After that, we took a quick walking tour of Midtown Manhattan, including Rockefeller Plaza, the Today Show window, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. From there, we headed to our Broadway rehearsal workshop. This was our second year doing the workshop, and once again it was a great addition to the trip. It is always fun to watch students step outside their comfort zones, especially the ones who start the morning acting like they are way too cool for anything involving Broadway.
After lunch, we headed to the BEAST speedboat ride on the Hudson River toward the Statue of Liberty. As always, it was fast, loud, wet, and just the right amount of ridiculous. Thankfully, we had time to return to the hotel and get cleaned up before heading out for the evening. That night, we saw Aladdin on Broadway, which was a perfect show for the group: colorful, funny, energetic, and full of huge production numbers. After the show, everyone had some time to explore Times Square, shop, take pictures, and enjoy one last night in New York City.
The next morning, we checked out of the hotel and headed downtown for a walking tour of Lower Manhattan. We visited the 9/11 Memorial, Trinity Church, Federal Hall, and the New York Stock Exchange before walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. Thankfully, this year’s Brooklyn Bridge experience did not involve waiting for the bus in a torrential downpour, so that alone made it an improvement over last year. After lunch, we got back on the bus and began making our way toward Boston. Along the way, we stopped in New Haven for a quick visit to Yale University before continuing on to Massachusetts.
Our first full day in Boston was a busy one. We started with the Duck Boat tour, which is always a fun way to see the city from both the streets and the water. After that, we visited the Boston Tea Party Museum, where the students got to experience one of the most famous acts of protest in American history in a more interactive way. Later, we toured Fenway Park, one of the most historic stadiums in the country, and then walked part of the Freedom Trail. Needless to say, by the end of the day, everyone had gotten their steps in.
On our final day on the East Coast, we visited Salem, home of the infamous witch trials. We took a guided walking tour and then went to the Gallows Hill show, which gave everyone one last memorable stop before heading home. From there, we made our way to Cambridge for lunch and some time around Harvard Square before heading to the airport. After a few hours at the airport, a long flight back to San Francisco, and one last bus ride to San Benancio, we finally made it home late that night, completely exhausted after another great week on the East Coast!
