6 Brand-New Excursions and Meal Options for School Trips to New York

At Equity, we're always looking for ways to make our school trips even better. That means listening carefully to feedback from teachers and group leaders, reviewing what works well on the ground, and continually developing our programmes to offer fresh experiences that add value to every visit.

New York remains one of our most popular destinations, and for good reason. From world-famous landmarks and museums to its rich history, culture, and creative industries, the city offers countless opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. To help schools make even more of their time in the Big Apple, we've introduced six brand-new excursions and dining options designed to enhance itineraries, simplify logistics, and create memorable experiences for students.

Pizza Making at Pizzeria Uno

What better way to experience US food culture than by making your own pizza?

Located directly opposite the American Museum of Natural History, Pizzeria Uno's new pizza-making workshop fits seamlessly into itineraries that already include one of the city's most visited educational attractions. Here, school groups can learn how to create their own famous deep-dish pizza from scratch – before enjoying the finished result.

If time is already a little tighter, the venue also offers a buffet-style dinner option, so your students can still enjoy the cuisine without spending the time making it themselves. This includes deep dish and thin crust pizzas, chicken parmesan, broccoli alfredo, house salad, freshly baked cookies and brownies, plus unlimited soft drinks such as soda, iced tea, and lemonade. Vegan and gluten-free options are available, making it suitable for mixed dietary requirements.

2-Hour TV & Movie Bus Sightseeing Tour of NYC

Led by an expert guide, this private two-hour sightseeing tour takes students across Manhattan to discover filming locations from some of the world's most popular television programmes and films. Highlights include the apartment building featured in Friends, Washington Square Park, locations from Friends, Seinfeld, Succession, Ghostbusters, and many more.

Along the way, students gain a new perspective on how New York has become one of the world's most recognisable filming locations, while seeing neighbourhoods and landmarks they may not visit otherwise.

The tour is particularly relevant for media, film, and performing arts students, but offers broad appeal for any group looking to experience the city through a different lens.

2-Hour Make-a-Movie Workshop

For media, film and creative arts students, this hands-on workshop offers a fascinating introduction to the world of film production.

During this two-hour experience, students step behind the camera to learn about the many roles involved in creating a movie. Working with professional equipment, they'll explore directing, producing, filming, and editing, before putting their new skills into practice by shooting scenes both in a studio environment and on the streets of New York.

The workshop encourages collaboration, creativity, communication, and problem-solving, while providing valuable insight into career pathways within the film and media industries.

One Times Square

While millions of people may be familiar with New York’s famous New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, very few will get the bragging rights in their lifetime of having been in the building where it happens.

With a visit to One Times Square, that can change for your group, with this new attraction offering a floor-by-floor visitor experience that traces the history of Times Square and the city, revealing how the area evolved into one of the world's most visited destinations.

Here, students can discover the stories behind the iconic billboards, learn about the significance of the New Year's Eve celebrations, and explore interactive exhibits that chart the development of modern New York. The experience culminates with a viewing deck that provides a fresh perspective over present-day Times Square.

Hotel Pizza Delivery Service from John's Pizzeria

Sometimes the most valuable addition to a school trip isn't another excursion, it's making life easier for teachers and students. Due to flight times, we know that some of our school groups may arrive later in the evening, leaving little time to sort out a sit-down evening meal. We’ve arranged a new partnership with John’s Pizzeria to provide a practical solution – and one that requires little logistical planning (especially useful when you’ve been flying for eight hours!).

For schools staying in Midtown Manhattan, we can arrange for freshly prepared meals to be delivered directly to your accommodation (latest delivery at 10:30pm), allowing students to eat, settle in, and prepare for the days ahead without additional travel or restaurant reservations.

The menu includes cheese and pepperoni pizza (three slices per person), plus chocolate brownies for dessert. Gluten-free and vegan/dairy-free options are also available, making it adaptable for mixed dietary requirements.

Affordable Group Dining in Times Square at Yard House

Located in the heart of Times Square, Yard House offers a high-quality dining option that combines excellent value with a central location.

Here, groups can enjoy a two-course meal with a choice of main course and dessert, making it easy to cater for a range of tastes and dietary requirements. Main course options include tacos, cheeseburgers, BBQ chicken salad, and vegetarian mac and cheese, while dessert choices include chocolate lava cake or cheesecake brûlée. There’s also a choice of soda, iced tea, or coffee to compliment your meal.

Yard House’s convenient location makes it an ideal addition to a busy sightseeing day, helping groups maximise their time in the centre of the city while enjoying a relaxed dining experience.

Book a school trip to New York

Whether it's giving students hands-on experience in film production, exploring the stories behind Times Square, discovering New York's role in popular culture, or simply making mealtimes easier to manage, every new product we introduce is designed with teachers and students in mind.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our New York sports fixtures blog, or New York spotlight blog, for more information about things to do in the bustling City That Never Sleeps.

To find out more about our school trips to New York, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.