With cultural, historical and artistic experiences that students simply cannot access in the UK or Europe, New York ticks so many educational boxes. Here’s why New York should be your next school trip destination.
The City That Redefines Learning
Travelbound knows that learning beyond the classroom is crucial for students’ individual development, and New York is where learning comes alive. With cultural, historical and artistic experiences that students simply cannot access in the UK or Europe, New York ticks so many educational boxes. Our Travelbound team ensures every detail is carefully planned; so teachers can feel fully supported, from takeoff to touchdown. We understand that a long-haul trip can seem like a big jump (quite literally), but with our expertise and safety experience, New York is an opportunity you can’t allow for your students to miss.
Travelling to the US requires all visitors to obtain an approved ESTA before departure. To give you peace of mind when making your booking, we’ve developed our ‘Withdrawal Guarantee’, which means that if a student’s ESTA application is refused for a valid reason, they can be removed from the booking with no penalty – find full details here.
Broadway: A Performing Arts Education You Can't Replicate Elsewhere
If you teach within the creative arts, you know that nothing comes close to the quality of Broadway. Due to its unparalleled production capabilities, elaborate sets and outstanding pool of talent, if you want to see how the stars are made, Broadway is where it happens. Known as the epicentre of American performing arts, Broadway attracts the highest tier of talent, which students would be in awe of. With over 41 dedicated venues, students will be gifted with career aspiration they may never have considered. No other destination in the world offers this concentration of world-class theatres, industry professionals and creative innovation. If schools want their students to witness the absolute pinnacle of live performance, there truly is only one place to go: New York.
Our tours to New York can be tailor-made to suit your curriculum aims, and the needs of your students. For example, be immersed in the magic with a Broadway Workshop, where professionals run classes ranging from dance and vocal, to improvisation. A 5678! workshop is a perfect opportunity for students to really compare different styles of dance, as well as different choreographic techniques. Students can be taught how to quickly pick up choreography with efficiency, which will prepare them for professional auditions in the future. A Broadway Rehearsal workshop is a fantastic insight into how a professional rehearsal is ran. Students can improve on their technique, whilst discussing aspects of the rehearsal with Broadway stars, an ideal opportunity for those who are considering performing arts for A-Level, or further education.
The Beauty of Backstage Tours
New York isn’t just an opportunity for performers to gain inspiration, backstage tours can also be organised which opens the eyes for future set designers, costumer makers, and stage managers. New York creates remarkable productions which allows students to gain experience they can then relate to when considering job applications and interviews. For schools committed to offering performing arts education at the highest possible level, New York isn’t just an option, it’s the benchmark. Nowhere else provides this unrivalled access to the world of professional performance. A fantastic opportunity we can organise is a behind the scenes of The Metropolitan Opera House, which housed The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running musical on Broadway. Students can learn how sets are adapted throughout the show, and how the stage moves according to a storyline.
First-hand Performances
Want your students to experience a performance like no other? In New York, the entire city becomes their stage: a place where young performers step into the spotlight and realise just how far their talent can take them.
Imagine your choir delivering a 30-minute concert from the famous staircase inside the Empire State Building, their voices rising above the buzz of visitors from around the world. It’s not just a performance: it’s a moment your students will never forget, surrounded by breath-taking views and the energy of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Your group can also take centre stage in the Cathedral of St John the Divine, where even the most talented performers are pushed to new heights. With its’ soaring ceiling and powerful acoustics, this awe-inspiring venue creates a sound experience unlike anywhere else. Students feel the music respond to them, echoing back in an 8-second reverberation that turns every note into something magical.
Travelling with dance students? Then give them a stage that makes a statement. Performing on the flight deck of the Battleship Intrepid is like nowhere else on earth. With the Manhattan skyline rising around them, students showcase their talent on a professional dance floor with full sound support and on-site assistance: a show-stopping moment in a setting they’ll never experience again.
These are just a few of the outstanding performance spaces your students can experience. Whether you’re travelling with a choir, instrument ensemble or dance troupe, New York offers extraordinary opportunities that spark confidence, ambition and lifelong memories. At Travelbound, every performance becomes a defining moment, and every student walks away feeling like a star.
Alice’s Top Tip: “Catch the Metro over to Brooklyn and swing by Janes Carousel for a photo opportunity. Grab a coffee at TIME OUT Market overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge, before walking across it to catch the Lower Manhattan skyline.”
Exploring the Stories That Shaped a Nation: History Comes Alive in New York
If you want to provide your students with a gateway to the past, then New York has outstanding exhibitions and historical landmarks which words on a page cannot replace. Every street, harbour and neighbourhood has a story connected to global migration, economic development, civil rights and cultural movements. New York is an exceptional destination for so many subjects, which is why a cross-curricular trip is an excellent option. Although there are so many historical landmarks, they typically coincide with at least one other subject. This means that New York provides great value for many, with so many curriculum areas considered. Nothing matches the impact of standing where history happened. A visit turns abstract concepts into lived experience, building empathy and genuine recall that translates directly into stronger classroom engagement.
Our top historical excursions:
9/11 Memorial & Museum
What are the curriculum links?
- KS3 History Challenges for Britain, Europe and the Wider World
- GCSE History Conflict in the Modern World
- GCSE History Migration Empires & The People (AQA)
- GCSE US History
- A-Level History and Politics: International Relations
- A-Level Politics: US Government and Politics
A hugely defining event of the 21st Century, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is essential to understanding the impact on global politic, security and conflict.
The memorial pools, also known as Reflecting Absence, are located exactly where the original Twin Tower stood, and provide a reflective space for students to take in the importance of this landmark. Inside the 9/11 museum, students can learn about first-hand accounts of the events, as well as seeing artifacts of damaged fire engines, and personal items from those impacted. The exhibit opens the doors for discussion surrounding community response in times of distress, and how one momentous event can effect the entire world. This exhibit will help your students connect modern politics and global conflicts, with real human stories.
Experiencing the 9/11 memorial in person equips students to handle sensitive topics thoughtfully and with nuance, something that’s far harder to achieve through textbooks alone.
Harlem
What are the curriculum links?
- KS3 History Civil Rights & Social Justice
- GCSE English Literature: Power & Protest Themes
- GCSE Music Jazz & Blues Origins
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement which shaped Black identity in the US. Our New York tours provide enriching opportunities for students to understand how American culture developed with the help of African American artists who diversified history. Travelbound can organise a trip to the Apollo Theatre, which celebrates 90 years of the Soul of American Culture. Students can understand how the change in migration lead to a powerful sense of Black pride and achievement. Learning about writers such as Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston, can highlight to students how authentic representations of different cultures can be created through different literature styles.
Financial District
What are the curriculum links?
- KS3 Geography: Urban Environments
- GCSE Economics: Markets, Trading and Investment
- GCSE Business Studies: Enterprise, Growth & Globalisation
- A-Level Business: Financial Markets & Sources of Finance
- A-Level Economics: Globalisation & International Trade
- A-Level Economics: Government Intervention
New York’s Financial District, including Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and the World Trade Centre area, offers rich learning opportunities which overlap several curriculum subjects. Experiencing guided tours first hand, allows students to comprehend the complex themes of capitalism, and America’s economic rise.
The Financial District is a must-visit location, particularly for any determined business entrepreneurs. The Wall Street Walking Tour with the Trading Game, is a much-loved experience by schools. The interactive Trading Game is just like experiencing the ever-changing wall street crash, where students will learn to be adaptive, and think outside the box. The tour is an opportunity for students to comprehend the impact of aggressive economic growth on diverse populations, and the wider world. Visiting locations such as the Fearless Girl Statue and Federal Hall, students will be able to visualise the impact of supply and demand, without the need for lines on a graph.
Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty
What are the curriculum links?
- KS3 History Migration & Empire
- GCSE History Migration Studies
- GCSE History American West
- GCSE Citizenship Modern Identity
With over 12 million people passing through the Ellis Island gateway between 1892 and 1954, this interactive exhibit brings the intense voyage to life. In addition to highlighting the different ways in which voyagers ended up in different states of the US, the exhibit also sheds light on immigration before and after the Ellis era. This inspiring museum showcases detailed individual journeys, which students can then relate to back in the classroom.
At the Wall of Honour located in New York Harbour on the Island, students can see almost one million inscribed names, which represent those who have left their homes in pursuit of a better life. This outstanding representation opens discussions around intense topics, which can then be used within their essay writing. To create even stronger links with this historical landmark, there is the immigration history centre located in the museum, where students can search up their surnames, to see whether their ancestors were part of this journey.
This excursion makes the abstract topic of migration deeply resonating. Hearing first hand stories sparks empathy and understanding in a way no words on a page can.
Honourable Mention: A Beacon for Energy Efficiency at the Empire State
An immersive museum often forgotten about, the Empire State Building showcases the journey of sustainability through the $550 million Empire State Rebuilding restoration program. It’s an eye-opening exhibit which opens the doors to discussion surrounding renewable energy. Innovations as small as an adaptive light dimming system are showcased, to show the importance of renewable development. Students can see the original lift mechanism and compare to the technological advancements of today. This walk-through museum is perfect for science and geography students, as well as history students, as they learn how this iconic landmark has changed through time.
The museum emphasises the history of the Empire State: from the initial idea, to the first stages of production. It’s also interesting to consider how the business drove demand, taking advantage of media moments like the building being featured in the King Kong film, which catapulted its’ popularity: from an empty building, to one of the most well-known landmarks in the world.
The Benefits of Long-Haul learning
Any long-haul trip feels like a true expedition, students return with confidence, independence and a global awareness which can’t be achieved in short haul destinations. This feeling is intensified with destinations like New York, the inspiration and eye-opening moments, means that students will carry memories with them back into the classroom, and far into adulthood. Quite simply, there is nowhere else that offers this blend of culture, history and modern innovation, which is why schools looking to give their students a competitive, future-ready edge consistently choose New York as a long-haul destination.
Everyday changes, which are not often considered, will really shape your students. Sometimes it’s not the curriculum links, but the cultural differences between the UK and the US, which is what students will take away. Navigating different airports and time zone changes, is what will push students’ resilience. Having independence in the form of free time, or sharing a room for the first time, will be a major takeaway. These micro-experiences build life skills, maturity and adaptability, qualities that classroom learning alone simply cannot replicate.
Safe, Student-Friendly and Built for Groups
It’s important to highlight that, although long-haul trips seem quite intimidating, New York is designed for tourists. With clear transport networks, paired with Travelbound’s excellent itineraries, you’ll have confidence that your trip to New York will be smooth sailing. We know that teacher peace of mind is essential, which is why we prioritise safety and support at every stage of your journey, allowing you to focus on what matters: inspiring your students.
Take your students somewhere extraordinary
New York really is a once in a lifetime opportunity, which more than just a school trip, it’s an educational journey which will shape your students’ future. With opportunities to suit all schools, curriculum aims, and ages, New York really should be on your destination list.
We understand that there can often be uncertainty around long haul trips, but we’re here to put your mind at ease. Please be assured that all our tours are boded by ABTA and ATOL. We are also a member of the Federation of Tour Operators, which protects you from unforeseen events. Travelbound track global updates closely, and always follow the advice of the FCDO, to ensure the safety of all our school groups.
Still unsure? Speak to our expert Travelbound team, as to why New York is right for you. Or learn about some of our other long-haul destinations, like China or Canada.
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