Geography school trips to New York

The place where bright lights, shopping, and shows collide, Times Square is a bustling amalgamation of the New York seen on screens, providing an unforgettable experience for your students. Spot yellow taxi cabs, soaring skyscrapers and street entertainment in this thriving heart of the Theater District, which draws around 50 million visitors each year.

Discover the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Museum via ferry on this excursion, where your students can enjoy magnificent close-up views of the Statue of Liberty. We can’t wait to show you the gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the United States, as well as a different perspective to Mid and Lower Manhattan from the water.

Located inside the 9/11 Memorial Gardens, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum commemorates the horrific terrorist attacks at the Twin Towers in 2001, which killed almost 3,000 people. Students can contemplate the museum’s collection of more than 40,000 images, 14,000 artifacts, 3,500 audio recordings and more than 500 hours of video – each surrounding the deadliest terror attack in human history.

Climb to the top of the Rockefeller Center and get ready to take in dramatic panoramic views of New York City from 850 feet above street level. During your visit, students can learn about the legacy of John D. Rockefeller, as well as one of the most architecturally important sites of the 20th century, while taking in the spectacular view from 70 floors up.

Students can experience a world of wildlife right in the heart of Manhattan at the Central Park Zoo. On top of some of the city’s most unique views, the zoo can offer your school group the chance to spot a snow leopard, sit and watch a sea lion show, or participate in one of its many educational programmes, which can be tailored to accompany the curriculum.

One of the world’s most recognised green spaces, Central Park brings scenes from the silver screen to life with its tree-lined walkways guiding visitors through fields, European-style gardens and a lake – among other glorious features. Do as New Yorkers do and lounge on Sheep Meadow (the perfect spot for a lunch break) or head to Central Park Zoo to prompt unforgettable experiences in nature for your students.

Enjoy the spectacular views of the Empire State Building's 86th Floor Observation Deck with this fantastic excursion, which is one of our favourites here at Equity. Inside, school groups can also explore the landmark’s brand new galleries, which are complete with interactive exhibitions around the building’s construction and engineering.

A huge museum full of interactive exhibits for all ages, New York’s American Natural History Museum offers students the opportunity to learn about space, dinosaurs, the Earth and the world underwater – all in one place! During your visit, be sure to seek out the world’s largest sapphire, 10,000 year old flint spears, and discover both the history and future of food.

Experience the grandeur of mid and lower Manhattan on this two-hour Semi-Circle Cruise. During the cruise, your students will enjoy the magnificent views of the New York City skyline as you sail down the Hudson River, taking in close up views of the Statue of Liberty and the Battery, and travelling beneath the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges.

The building occupied by the New York Hall of Science can be spotted a mile off thanks to its intriguing exterior, which is reflective of what’s inside. Within the museum, students can interact with exhibits which are sure to fascinate, from operating a Mars Rover to comparing the natural modes of connection to the Internet in Connections: The Nature of Networks.

Named for its collection of 17th-century artillery batteries that were built to protect the nearby Dutch settlement in Lower Manhattan, The Battery is a natural oasis, spread across 12-acres of winding walkways. Site of the historic Castle Clinton and the outbound ferry service to the Statue of Liberty, the park is a popular stop for our student groups, who we’ve also seen really enjoy its beautiful SeaGlass Carousel.

Once a dingy freight line, the 2.33-kilometre High Line is a shining example of urban renewal and an icon of American contemporary landscape architecture, stemming north from the city’s Meatpacking District. As one of the city’s best-loved green spaces, students will relish the opportunity to relax in the park, where they can take in fantastic views across Manhattan’s urban landscape and the Hudson River while enjoying public art installations and food from independent vendors.

The very first museum in New York, the New York Historical Society has been dedicated to presenting exhibitions, public programmes and research that explore the history of America for more than 200 years. Here, students can find out about a variety of topics and periods in the history of the United States, from the Civil Rights Movement to the history of the Constitution.

Connecting Roosevelt Island to Manhattan’s Upper East Side, this tramway was the first commuter aerial tramway in the continent, and offers students magnificent views of the Queensboro Bridge en route to the city’s Franklin D. Roosevelt Museum and Four Freedoms Park.

Enjoy cinematic views of the Manhattan skyline from the Staten Island Ferry, which will take your student group between Lower Manhattan and the northeastern tip of Staten Island. Passing the iconic Statue of Liberty en route, the ferry offers students the opportunity to view and photograph New York’s landmarks from the water – a unique perspective they won’t get anywhere else.

Give your students an experience to remember as they look out across one of the world’s most famous skylines from Edge – an observation deck rising more than 1,000 feet over the streets below. The highest viewing platform in the Western Hemisphere, Edge provides a full panoramic view of the city, which makes for an postcard-perfect photo opportunity for your entire school group.

Part museum, part thrilling aerial tour of the New York skyline, this one-of-a-kind interactive experience gives student groups an immersive view into the city that never sleeps. At RiseNY, students can expect a three-part journey that covers New York’s most famous sites, its global impact, and its incredible history, through captivating film, galleries, and a soaring rise that suspends you 30ft in the air!

Located on the Hudson River between the Whitney Museum and the High Line, Little Island is a striking example of urban redevelopment on the former Pier 54, and offers a site of respite for students amid the bustle of Manhattan. This little oasis is packed with flora to enjoy, while the river-facing amphitheatre is perfectly placed for reflecting on a packed day during sunset.

Embark on a culinary adventure in the cultural melting pot of New York City. From iconic establishments like Hard Rock Café and Ellen's Stardust Diner to the flavours of Little Italy, our restaurant recommendations provide educational and cultural benefits for students, ensuring a delectable experience in the Big Apple.

Experience the thrill of live sports in the heart of New York City. From iconic venues like Madison Square Garden to the energetic atmospheres of Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, our sports excursions offer unforgettable opportunities to witness basketball, hockey, and baseball, while fostering teamwork and cultural appreciation of the city.