Performing arts 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.

A familiar setting of so many famous film scenes, Grand Central Station is one of the most recognisable train terminals in the world. With a guided walking tour of the station, school groups will learn about the creation, evolution and restoration of this iconic terminal. Be sure not to miss the Whispering Gallery, which is famed for its acoustic properties.

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.

One of the undisputed icons of New York, Brooklyn Bridge offers incredible vistas that we’ve seen stun countless school groups. While the view from Manhattan is likely to take your students’ breath away, we recommend venturing on to the world’s first steel suspension bridge to enjoy the sights of the city, its twinkling lights reflected against the East River.

Built at the foot of the Rockefeller Center in the 1930s, Radio City Music Hall is one of the city’s most splendid performing arts icons of New York. Over the last nine decades, the auditorium – once the largest in the world – has hosted concerts, live stage shows, movie premieres and televised events, such as the Grammy, Emmy and Tony Awards.

Dance and drama students will jump at the chance to take a class with an expert practitioner with this workshop – set in one of the very studios where Broadway shows hold their rehearsals! Alongside a wide range of dance styles to choose from, most classes will also feature a Q&A with a cast member from the show you’ll be seeing.

No trip to Manhattan is complete without experiencing the bright delights of a New York Broadway Show. From timeless classics such as Chicago and the Phantom of the Opera to modern favourites such as Wicked and Mean Girls, there’s a wide variety of performances to inspire your entire school group. For many students, a Broadway show is the highlight of their trip.

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.

Take a guided tour of New York’s performing arts centre and see your students inspired as they learn about its iconic status before heading backstage. The world’s leading performing arts centre, the Lincoln Centre has hosted a spectacular range of world-class artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Leonard Bernstein, Renée Fleming and Bruce Springsteen.

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.

An international, world-class studio, Steps on Broadway offers school groups dance classes from beginner to advanced levels across a variety of styles. Students can perfect their routine in the studio’s 10 fully-mirrored and sprung-floor rooms, where they’ll be thrilled to take a class alongside seasoned concert dance companies.

Ingrained into the history and culture of New York’s Harlem neighbourhood, the Apollo has been a leading space for concerts and political rallies since 1914. The springboard for several major black performing artists – from Billie Holliday to Michael Jackson – the theatre is known today as an icon of black culture and a civil rights landmark, making it an essential stop for both historic and cultural school trips to New York.

Students can immerse themselves into the world of method acting at this brilliant group workshop, which is run by the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Originally set up by the father of method acting himself, the institute hosts two-hour workshops designed to introduce groups to the acting technique that took the actor through his own career. A unique and incredible experience for budding actors and filmmakers.

Students can follow in the footsteps of world-famous dancers and performers at this iconic dance centre, which has hosted the likes of Bette Midler, Madonna and Britney Spears, alongside Broadway performers who take classes here daily. The centre was founded in 1984 as one of the first drop-in dance schools in the world; to this day, school groups can take part and perfect routines across jazz, tap, ballet and contemporary styles.

Self-titled as the “World’s Most Famous Arena”, Madison Square Garden is the oldest major sports centre in New York, having been built in 1968. Since then, MSG has been a hub for the city’s professional ice hockey and basketball matches, and is the home of two of New York’s most famous teams: the New York Rangers (hockey) and the New York Knicks (basketball). The energy is palpable at either team’s matches, providing an unforgettable experience for any student.

Explore Alvin Ailey's vision at this incredible dance studio, which brings African-American cultural expression and the American modern dance tradition to the wider world. There are several options for school dance groups visiting the Ailey Studios, including private classes, participation in open classes, class observations and guided tours of the striking complex.

The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance has the distinction of being the longest continuously operating school of dance in the United States, primarily focused upon teaching the Martha Graham Technique and Repertory. Students who visit here will love the chance to take a private group masterclass as faculty members introduce them to new choreography.

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!

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.

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.