Civil War Echoes

Day 1: Maumee

The American Civil War was a defining event in our nation's history. Between 1861 and 1865 10,000 battles and engagements were fought across the continent, from Vermont to the New Mexico Territory, and beyond. Come with us to discover the in depth history of this time in our country. Our first overnight will be in the Maumee, OH area.

Day 2: Gettysburg

Travels continue through Ohio and into Pennsylvania today. We pause for an included lunch before arriving in Gettysburg early evening. Relax at your three-star property for the next two nights.

Day 3: Gettysburg

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your day at the Gettysburg National Military Park & Museum, where powerful exhibits, preserved artifacts, and the mesmerizing Cyclorama painting set the stage for understanding the pivotal three-day battle that shaped the nation’s future. Then, step aboard your guided Gettysburg Battlefield Tour, where an expert historian brings the fields, ridges, and stories of heroism and sacrifice vividly to life as you travel past legendary locations such as Little Round Top, the Peach Orchard, and Pickett’s Charge.
Enjoy an included lunch at the Farm House Restaurant in Gettysburg, featuring comforting, homestyle dishes served in a warm, historic setting. This afternoon, continue your journey with a tour of the Shriver House Museum, a beautifully restored 19th-century home offering a poignant civilian perspective of the battle - complete with gripping stories of the Shriver family and the wartime events that unfolded within their walls.
Return to the hotel for a relaxed evening on your own, with time to unwind, reflect on the day’s powerful experiences, or explore nearby shops and restaurants at your own pace.

Day 4: Charles Town

Begin your morning with breakfast before heading to the Gettysburg Heritage Center, where interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations provide a fresh perspective on the battle, focusing on both the soldiers’ experiences and the lives of the civilians who found themselves in the crossfire. After exploring the center, enjoy an included lunch at the Dobbin House Tavern, the oldest building in Gettysburg, where candlelit rooms and 18th-century charm create the perfect backdrop for hearty, traditional fare.

This afternoon, bid farewell to the history of Gettysburg as you travel south to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, a beautiful setting where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet and where stories of John Brown, the Civil War, and early American industry converge. Enjoy a guided tour that brings the town’s dramatic past to life as you stroll past restored buildings, scenic overlooks, and cobblestone streets.

Continue to nearby Charles Town, West Virginia, and check into the Hampton Inn for the night. The evening is yours to relax, unwind, and reflect on a day filled with history and unforgettable landscapes.

Day 5: Front Royal

Continuing our travels northward bound, we're on our way to historic Winchester. Start your visit at the Civil War Orientation Center then pick up your guide for an intense education on the important Civil War cemetery and other sites. Have lunch at the Union Jack Restaurant before it's on to Stonewall Jackson Headquarters. Before leaving town, we enjoy a quick visit to the girlhood home of Patsy Cline. Tonight, overnight in the Front Royal, VA area.

Day 6: Lexington

After breakfast, depart Front Royal and journey through the serene Shenandoah Valley, a landscape rich in history and natural beauty. Stop for a visit at Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern United States. Paved walkways guide you through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings over ten stories high, where dramatic stalactites and stalagmites create a breathtaking underground world. After exploring the caverns, enjoy lunch on your own before continuing your scenic drive.
This afternoon, experience the glorious Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park, where sweeping vistas, rolling hills, and fall foliage (if in season) make every mile unforgettable. Pause at overlooks for photos and to savor the beauty of this historic valley.
Arrive in Lexington, Virginia, for your overnight stay.
Enjoy an included dinner, a perfect opportunity to reminisce and delight in the history, stories, and attractions you’ve experienced throughout your Civil War journey so far.

Day 7:Charleston, WV

After breakfast, depart the hotel with a local guide for a morning exploring historic **Lexington, Virginia**. Begin at the Lee Chapel and Museum, where the legacy of Robert E. Lee and Washington College come to life. Continue to the Stonewall Jackson House, the beautifully preserved home of the famed general, and then visit the Virginia Military Institute Museum, which showcases the history and traditions of one of the nation’s oldest military academies.
Break for lunch on your own, with free time to explore downtown Lexington for shopping or a casual bite. In the afternoon, board the motorcoach and begin your journey toward Charleston, West Virginia, where you’ll spend the evening. Dinner is on your own at nearby eateries, providing an opportunity to unwind.

Day 8: Parkersburg

After breakfast, depart your Charleston hotel and travel toward Parkersburg, West Virginia. Stop for lunch at J.P. Henry’s Restaurant, where classic regional dishes provide the perfect midday break.
This afternoon, board the Island Belle Sternwheeler for a scenic cruise to Blennerhassett Island, a historic site on the Ohio River known for its beautiful gardens, restored mansion, and intriguing early American history. Enjoy guided exploration of the island before returning to the mainland.
Continue a short drive to your hotel, The Blennerhassett Hotel, where you’ll check in for the night. An included dinner buffet awaits, providing a relaxing end to a day of history, scenic cruising, and memorable experiences along the Ohio River.

Day 9: Indianapolis

Today we're motoring back into the Midwest. Our destinations is the National Museum of the Air Force located in Dayton, OH. Designated as the official museum of the United States Air Force it's located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The NMUSAF is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display. We make a few more miles towards home for our last overnight at the always welcome Drury Inn & Suites just outside Indianapolis, IN.

Day 10: Home

On your final day, this detailed Civil War journey includes one last remarkable stop close to home. Visit The Civil War Museum in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a one-of-a-kind museum that tells the story of the Civil War from the perspective of the seven states of the Upper Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. These states sent over one million men to serve in the Union army and provided much of the food and raw materials that sustained the Northern war effort.
Through engaging personal stories and narratives, the museum explores how the war impacted everyday life on the Western home front before, during, and after the conflict, connecting the prewar causes to the postwar effects. As you walk through the exhibits, reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who lived through this pivotal period in American history. With your Civil War Echoes journey complete, return home with a deeper understanding of the people, battles, and lasting legacy of this defining era.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner