An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Chicago is an exciting metropolis and cultural centre on Lake Michigan. Birthplace of the modern skyscraper, the city is renowned for its stunning architecture, art collections and world-class museums.
Home of the Blues and the deep-dish pizza, Chicago boasts fine shopping and a vibrant performing arts scene ensuring that there is plenty to experience in the Windy City.
Combine your cross-curricular school trip to Chicago with New York City for a second-to-none cultural experience that will wow your students.
Trip Highlights
Architecture cruise on the Chicago River
World Class Museums
A cruise round the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
City views from the Empire State Building
Recommended excursions
Art Institute of Chicago
Marvel at the largest collection of Impressionist art outside Paris housed in a magnificent building across from Millenium Park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Highlights of this vast collection include significant works by El Greco, Georges Seurat, Van Gogh, Matisse, Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keefe and Grant Wood. Stained glass windows were designed by Chagall.
Millenium Park
A showcase of modern art, architecture and landscape design in the Loop District on the shore of Lake Michigan. Anish Kapoor’s steel Cloud Gate (also known as The Bean), Frank Gehry’s Pritzker Pavilion, the Lurie Garden and the interactive Crown Fountain are the highlights of this vibrant 25 acres of green city leisure space.
Field Museum
This immense museum covers dinosaurs, ancient artefacts, different cultures and ground-breaking science. Discover Sue, the largest and most complete T-Rex ever found and Maximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur ever discovered. Explore 13,000 years of history in the Ancient Americas Hall. The inside ancient Egypt exhibition features mummies and hieroglyphs. The collection was started for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and has grown to nearly 40 million artefacts.
Chicago Architecture Center
Overlooking the Chicago river with amazing views onto Michigan Avenue Bridge, the center showcases interesting exhibits. See the large 3D model showing the growth of the city to the modern day. Consider the influence of the skyscraper on tall buildings around the world and explore how design will shape the cities of tomorrow. Guided architecture tours and lectures can be arranged through the center.
Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) River Cruise
This is the most popular tour aboard Chicago’s First Lady. The city’s growth into one of the world’s busiest crossroads is interpreted through more than 50 architectural highlights, with certified volunteer tour guides bringing the story to life. This is a must for budding photographers with twilight trips providing a captivating new take on the cityscape. Please note this excursion is seasonal.
Adler Museum and Planetarium
Discover more about our solar system and space exploration. Learn how galaxies, stars and planets were created as the Universe grew. See inside the Gemini 12 spacecraft and take a personal journey into space with NASA’S Captain James A. Lovell. Touch meteorites, moon rock and a piece of Mars. Understand how the telescope has transformed our understanding of the universe and learn about the instruments our ancestors used. Visit the museum only or add shows.
Shedd Aquarium
Explore the world’s oceans, lakes, rivers and reefs at the world’s largest aquarium. Encounter shark, sea turtle, ray and colourful fish at the Caribbean Reef. At the Abbott Oceanarium, surrounded by an indoor forest, watch dolphin’s and beluga’s play and see otters and sea-lions. Encounter a giant Pacific Octopus and discover more about jellies.
360 CHICAGO and TILT
Located along the Magnificent Mile, Chicago’s shopping metropolis, in the former John Hancock Observatory, enjoy views over the city and lake Michigan from the Observation Deck, 1000 feet up. Take a turn on TILT (optional extra) for a jaw dropping downward view of the city.
Navy Pier
Enter through the Peoples Energy Welcome Pavilion via Polk Bros Park. Enjoy lakeside entertainment, rides and shopping at one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. Amazing restaurants and views of Lake Michigan and the city and the relaxed atmosphere all add to the appeal. Pier Park is home to the Centennial Big Wheel.
Museum of Science and Industry
Interactive and award-winning exhibits at MSI bring science to life in the largest science museum in the Western hemisphere. Observe and experiment with natural phenomena in Science Storms, learn about mathematical patterns in the natural world in Numbers in Nature: A Mirror. Understand more about genetics and the interplay with the environment at the Baby Chick Hatchery. Numerous permanent exhibits enhance STEM Learning.
Willis Tower
Not only the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the Willis Tower is a hub of business and tourism in Chicago. From this cultural landmark students can see views of 40-50 miles from the Skydeck and experience The Ledge – a glass balcony suspended 1353 feet in the air.
Tip: To fully experience sunset and nightscapes from the Skydeck, arrive 30 – 40 minutes before dusk.
Top of the Rock
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.
Statue Cruises
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 1892-1954. This hop-on, hop-off service allows you to explore at your leisure.
Empire State Building
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.
National 9/11 Memorial
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.
9/11 Memorial Museum
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.
Broadway Show
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.
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
The maze of glass walkways and 110ft atrium lobby ensure this is a breathtaking experience from the get-go. The most influential modern art collection in the world has highlights like Monet’s Water Lilies and van Gogh’s Starry Night, with a recent face-lift by Yoshio Taniguchi creating space for huge contemporary installations and three movie theatres.
Guggenheim Museum
The Guggenheim NYC is devoted to the art of the 20th century and beyond. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright the building itself has become an architectural icon. The very particular collection includes much of the avant-garde and impressionist movements, with tours, classes and film screenings helping to enrich student’s experience of this vital arts centre.
The Edge, Hudson Yards
Complement your visit to the Edge with REACH FOR THE SKY, a virtual STEM education Programme. Students take a behind-the-scenes look at amazing innovations of architecture and engineering and learn about the STEM, history, and social impact of this gravity-defying structure through digital resources and a Virtual Field Trip.
Hershey’s Chocolate World Sweet Educational Tour
Learn about Hershey’s iconic brands during this special educational visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World in Times Square.
Topics covered include: Why Hershey’s chose to have a retail location based in Times Square, stories about the iconic brands and how they have been marketed, how the iconic brands play a part in the layout of the store and how the legacy of Milton Hershey is honoured. Tastings included!
Guided Bagel Tours
Visit three of NYC’s best bagel shops savouring an assortment of bagels, spreads and sandwiches. Get behind-the-scenes access at one of NYC’s largest bagel shops for a peek into the bagel-making process and the secrets behind the dough. Discover the bagel’s unlikely journey from Polish peasant food to NYC superstar. Guests leave full of delicious bagels and a deeper appreciation for this food and city!
Bagel Making Class
Step into the shoes of a bagel artisan and learn the art of crafting authentic and mouth-watering New York-style bagels. Led by an award-winning baker, you’ll practice the tips and tricks to create perfect bagels, from rolling to boiling, seeding with toppings, and baking. You’ll also enjoy the delicious bagels you’ve made fresh out of the oven with a variety of spreads and toppings! Best of all, you’ll leave with a bag of your hand-crafted creations.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
This unique visitor attraction offers three levels of multi-sensory immersive experiences on the top of the fourth tallest building in Manhattan. Visitors will experience a blend of art installations and technology against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. Amazing photo opportunities during the day or at night!
Typical accommodation
Hostelling International Chicago
What groups like:
- Centrally located & near the airport
- Walking distance from Millennium Park, Harold Washington Library & Art Institute of Chicago
- The Skydeck & Willis Tower are nearby
Facilities:
- Games room with arcade games & pool table
- Free Wi-Fi access in the lobby
- Breakfast included & daily housekeeping
Hampton Inn, Downtown Chicago
Why groups like it:
- Centrally located, only a block away from the Magnificent Mile
- Theatre district and navy pier are within a mile
Facilities:
- Hot breakfast included
- Free Wi-Fi
Itinerary suggestion
1 Flight to Chicago. Flight time 9 hours approx
2 Airport transfer to your accommodation included
3 Arrive at accommodation. Evening meal, own arrangements
1 Breakfast included
2 Art Institute of Chicago
3 Millenium Park. Architecture Cruise (seasonal)
4 Evening meal own arrangements. We suggest a deep dish pizza
1 Breakfast included
2 Waterside Museum Campus – The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium or Adler Museum and Planetarium
3 The Magnificent Mile. 360 CHICAGO and TILT at the Hancock Center
4 Navy Pier. Evening meal own arrangements.
1 Breakfast included
2 Transfer to Chicago airport included. Flight to New York included.
3 Choice of museums in New York City
4 Evening meal own arrangements. Visit the Empire State Building
1 Breakfast included
2 Statue Cruises ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
3 9/11 Memorial Museum
4 Evening meal own arrangements. We suggest a Broadway Show
1 Breakfast included
2 Guided walking tour of Midtown – Rockefeller Centre, Times Square, Grand Central Station, UN Building
3 Airport transfer included
4 Overnight flight to the UK, flight time approx. 7 hours approx
1 Arrive in the UK
Learning outcomes
Subject focus
Students can:
- Experience learning outside the classroom in another country – the culture, history, politics, geography, and the arts
- Gain a deeper understanding of American history and the link to European history
- See a wide range of art and architecture
- Develop an understanding of the USA’s economic and political role in the modern world
- Build confidence and learn to value the skills and techniques needed for personal and team success
- Discover, explore and have fun with fellow students and teachers
Student outcomes
Students will have had an opportunity to:
- Visit a foreign country and experience another culture
- Consider a range of issues around citizenship and history
- Understand more about art and architecture
- Gain a better understanding of the USA’s role in the modern world
- Gain independence and self-confidence
- Strengthen existing friendships and make new friends
- Gain personal organisation skills, co-operation skills and work with others in a variety of environments
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Very good contact, emails always answered, competitive prices, friendly staff, I feel Travelbound do everything to help to ensure a good trip
Droitwich Spa High School
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