Cross-Curricular School Trip To New York & Washington DC

With views to rival those of the Empire State Building, Rockefeller’s multi-floor observation deck is 70 floors high. A thrilling Plexiglass screen installation shows the construction workers hanging on the high beams, with a chance for you to ‘walk’ across one too, far above the city streets. Exhibits include the history and a model of the building.

Take the Statue Cruise from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty, one of the world’s most iconic structures and a symbol of freedom and democracy. Continue to Ellis Island and be inspired by the history and stories of the immigrants entering America between 1992-1954. This hop-on hop-off service allows you to explore at your leisure.

When arriving in New York, a great way to appreciate the scale of the city and avoid crowds is to take a boat cruise. Students can see the famous skyline and get to know the layout of Manhattan with excellent photo opportunities. The Full Island Cruise takes in over 100 landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and Yankee Stadium.

Built at the peak of the skyscraper craze in 1931, the 1250ft Empire State Building is an Art Deco symbol of NYC. A ride in the express lift to the observatory floors gives students an unrivalled view of the city with outdoor decks and restored original interiors. A handheld device acts as an audio and visual companion with engaging videos, image galleries, quizzes and maps.

Documenting September 11, 2001, the museum examines the implications of the events and commemorates the nearly 3,000 men, women and children who died on 9/11 and in the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing. Using multimedia displays, narratives, archives and artefacts, the museum presents powerful accounts of the monumental struggles faced by a nation and the legacy of that day.

The memorial quadrant is a poignant reminder of the 9/11 devastation and an inspiring testimony by citizens to honour those who died. Twin reflecting pools and manmade waterfalls mark the spot where the Twin Towers stood, with the names of everyone lost inscribed into bronze panels around the outside.

The One World Observatory is located within the One World Trade Center providing unmatched views stretching across Manhattan to New Jersey. Groups will be able to learn about the history of the Trade Center in New York, its history and construction.

This vast museum has over two million artworks spanning 5,000 years. It’s one of the most important collections in the world and a fantastic source of inspiration for students of all disciplines. A labyrinth of corridors holds paintings, textiles, ceramics and costume, chronologically reflects global regions in sky-lit spaces and architectural relics

What began as a craft of death masks during the French Revolution has become an international phenomenon of celebrity proportions. At the New York museum, students are invited to take a workshop to learn more about the waxwork process and American personalities. An audio-visual presentation and guided tour follows, exploring the moments in history captured.

Mural graffiti is a fundamental element of community art in New York, expressing peace and conflict, cultural shift and reflecting zeitgeist. The tour visits a number of major murals in the Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Harlem districts, with knowledgeable guides to discuss the evolution of graffiti and elaborate on the storyboards and memorial walls.

Students can take on a true Broadway experience. Enjoy a workshop led by Broadway stars located next to the audition studios of Matilda. Enter the world of theatre and discover the theory behind movement on stage.

The Broadway Theatre District has all the buzz and glitz that you’d expect from America’s answer to the West End. Rounding off the day with dinner and a Broadway show is a typical New York past time and it’s an exciting way for student’s to feel part of the city’s twilight activity.

The world’s largest department store now offers a fun, retail-focused lecture followed by a store tour. An informative discussion follows the story of Macy’s from humble beginnings in 1858 to the 1m square foot of selling space today. Students will also learn about fashion merchandising visual advertising techniques, with plenty of time left over to shop.

Make a stop at Philadelphia, en-route from New York and Washington DC. The city of Brotherly Love was the epicentre of American Democracy and is the first city in the US to be awarded World Heritage status. See the Liberty Bell; an extraordinary symbol of freedom through the inspirational inscription it carries, and take a guided tour around Independence Hall where the US Constitution was shaped.

Meeting place of The Senate and the House of Representatives, The Capitol is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. Guided tours here begin with a short film and include stops at the Rotunda and National Statuary Hall. The Exhibition Hall displays documents, artifacts, and interactive exhibits.

Visit some of the monuments that honour those who helped shape the US nation. The Washington Monument is a towering 555-feet high marble obelisk, The Lincoln Memorial is a symbol of freedom, the Martin Luther King Jnr Monument promotes love and tolerance, while monuments to the Vietnam War, the Korean War, World War II commemorate those that died.

The National Archives holds original copies of the three main formative documents of the United States and its government: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, plus a copy of the 1297 Magna Carta confirmed by Edward I.

Tip:All filming, photographing, and videotaping is prohibited, so don’t get out your camera phones.

Students can visit the courtroom, with its velvet drapes and marble pillars, where the nine court justices hear some of the 6,500 cases submitted to the Supreme Court each year. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with nearly 128 million items, including historically significant manuscripts on around 530 miles of bookshelves.

The Smithsonian Institution – the world’s largest museum and research complex – includes 19 museums and galleries and a zoo. It’s dubbed ‘the nation’s attic’ for its eclectic holdings of 137m items. Take a museum tour or book activities from elephant baths at the zoo to tarantula feedings at Natural History or scavenger hunts at American Art.

This military cemetery was established during the Civil War, and since then deceased veterans of America’s conflicts have been buried here, and their white headstones stretch out over 624 acres or rolling hills. A tour here can bring the military history of the United States to life. Don’t miss the elaborate Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

A great introduction to the city, the indoor and outdoor viewing platforms afford 360 degree views across DC and Virginia including the National Mall, The Pentagon and Arlington Cemetery. Interactive touch screens give information about American History and a Holographic display allows historical figures to tell their stories. Educational material is available.