Spotlight on New York: Arts, American history, and more in the Big Apple
A bustling metropolis brimming with history, culture, and endless educational opportunities, New York presents as an ideal destination for school groups seeking to enrich their curriculum through real-world experiences. From iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building to world-class art galleries and museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York offers a diverse array of excursions that cater to various subjects and interests. Whether your focus is on business studies, art and design, performance studies or even American history, the city has something for everyone.
With its sheer number of attractions and logistical details to consider, we know planning a New York school trip can seem daunting. However, with the right guidance and resources, organising school trips to New York can be a seamless and rewarding process. In this blog, we aim to equip you with essential tips and insights for planning a successful school trip. We’ll explore key learning objectives that can be achieved in the city, suggest cost-effective activities to enhance your itinerary, and provide a realistic overview of everyday expenses. Join us as we navigate the exciting world of New York school travel, helping you create an unforgettable educational journey for your students.
Learning objectives covered by a New York school trip
Art & design
With bright lights, a stunning skyline and some of the world's best art museums, there’s no wonder that New York is one of our most popular destinations for art and design school trips. On top of the city’s world-class creative excursions, several of New York's galleries run workshops and activities to help students develop a greater understanding of their chosen artistic medium. If there’s one that you simply can’t miss, it’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art – home to one of the best and largest collections in the world, and including pieces by Auguste Rodin, Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock.
Business studies
Our business studies school trip to New York gives your students the ability to learn about the mechanisms behind a truly global city. A trip to Hershey's Chocolate World can include a tour with an introduction to the history of the company as well as revealing the importance of excellent customer service, merchandise placement, and marketing. The iconic Wall Street is not to be missed as well as the notorious NASDAQ building at Times Square. Our subject specialists can tailor-make a bespoke itinerary to include educationally rich excursions for a business studies trip to New York.
Enrichment
Embark on an unforgettable educational adventure when you take a cross-curricular school trip to the vibrant heart of learning and culture: New York City. Amid a vast tapestry of hotels, eateries, landmarks, theatres, and museums, students have ample opportunities to delve into the city's rich history and diverse arts scene; from strolling through iconic Central Park to wandering Wall Street, every moment unfolds a new lesson. An unbeatable trip for witnessing urban developments, understand the city's global influence, and igniting your group’s curiosity.
Film & media
A megalopolis of major media, including world-class newspapers, magazines, broadcasters, agencies and publishers, New York is brimming with opportunities to engage and excite film and media students. Students on a school trip to New York can enjoy a range of specially selected excursions, from tailor-made workshops led by industry professionals, to touring Radio City Music Hall and the Museum of Moving Image.
Geography
With its vibrant urban landscape and iconic skyline, there’s a lot to be discovered on a geography school trip to New York. World-famous skyscrapers, museums, and landmarks unite to offer your students a different view on life in the Big Apple, where they can investigate the development of urban areas and characteristics that define the city.
History
Take your students on a five-day visit to New York City, a vibrant and exciting environment to focus on the significance of the American Dream, its impact of African Americans and the highs and lows of American History since the 1920s. Sights in this remarkable city have links with a variety of syllabuses and topics for both GCSE and A-Level study. Students will be able to connect with and see first-hand the social and economic impact of the Boom and Bust era, as well as considering more recent events such as 9/11 through a variety of study opportunities.
Performing arts
There’s a reason they call New York the city that never sleeps. Whether you’re touring with your students through the city’s countless television and film locations, or taking them to a show and workshop at one of Broadway’s leading theatres, there’s so much for any performing arts group to experience – and that’s just during the day. By night, Times Square comes alive with street performers as skyscrapers dazzle overhead, providing a vibrant, once-in-a-lifetime experience for any student group that visits.
STEM
The grid pattern streets and tall skyscrapers in Manhattan offer an exciting destination for students to unravel mathematical problems on a school trip to New York. Explore the history of money at the Federal Bank and descend fifty feet below Manhattan to see what 7,000 tonnes of gold actually looks like.
Travel & tourism
Featuring a wealth of hotels, restaurants, shops, music venues, galleries, museums, and – above it all – the most iconic skyline in the world, New York City is a dream destination for travel and tourism school trips. Here, your students will experience first-hand the beauty of the city with a visit to Central Park, walk through television and film locations, and enjoy the views and history of the city’s many skyscrapers – learning just why around 50 million people visit the city each year.
Free things to do in New York for schools
New York, with its vibrant energy and myriad of cultural and historical sites, offers an array of free activities perfect for school groups. Here are some suggestions:
Central Park
Explore the sprawling greenery of Central Park. School groups can enjoy walking tours, picnics, and interactive playgrounds, while also discovering historical landmarks like Belvedere Castle and the Alice in Wonderland statue.
The High Line
Take a walk along the High Line, an elevated park built on a historic freight rail line. It offers stunning views of the city and features gardens, public art, and educational programs.
Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge for a scenic and educational experience. The bridge offers stunning views of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and students can learn about its history and engineering.
Staten Island Ferry
Ride the Staten Island Ferry for free and enjoy breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline. It's a great way to experience New York Harbor and learn about the city's maritime history.
The New York Public Library
Visit the main branch of the New York Public Library at Bryant Park. The library offers free tours and houses a vast collection of books and historical documents. The architecture alone is worth the visit.
Times Square
Experience the bustling energy of Times Square, known for its bright lights and towering digital billboards. It's a great spot for students to observe the dynamic atmosphere of New York's entertainment district.
Federal Hall National Memorial
Learn about American history at Federal Hall, where George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. The site offers free admission and educational exhibits.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
While MoMA charges admission to adults, it offers free entry to under 16s. It's an excellent opportunity for students to explore contemporary and modern art collections.
9/11 Memorial
Pay respects at the 9/11 Memorial, a powerful tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks. The outside memorial is free to visit and provides an important historical context for students.
Remember to check the opening hours and any specific guidelines for these attractions, as policies may change. New York’s vibrant neighbourhoods, parks, and historic sites ensure a diverse and educational experience for school groups on a budget.
How much do every day items for school trips cost in New York (2024)?
- Single subway ticket: $2.90
- Coffee: $5.70
- Burger and fries in a fast food restaurant: $12
- Bottle of water: $2.30
Ready to book your school trip to New York?
Embarking on a New York school trip is not just great for your group’s education, but also provides an experience we know students will love, as they visit sites previously only seen on screens. Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Lower Manhattan, enjoying the bustling nature of the ever-popular Central Park, or delving into the city’s vibrant cultural scene, a school trip to New York City offers endless opportunities for learning and exploration.
To find out more about our school trips to New York, or enquire about booking a school trip, 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.
