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The best tourist spots for students in New York City
New York City is a vastly diverse metropolis with an incredible amount of history and culture. The city is filled with student-friendly destinations that both entertain and educate, making New York the perfect student trip location.
Visiting New York City as a student can be one of the most valuable trips you’ll ever take in your life. It’s a great sixth form residential trip option, as it allows students to expand their knowledge of current cultural phenomenons such as the latest films and TV releases, modern art and the U.S. political and economic landscape.
On a student trip to New York, your class will also get the chance to meet people from all walks of life, including students at other schools and universities, scholars, musicians and artists. This helps them strengthen their soft skills, preparing them for the ever-changing job market and preparing them for life after college, sixth form or university.
We’ve compiled a list of our top New York college trip ideas to get you started.
Times Square – a must-see for any business, economics or tourism student
No student trip to New York is complete without a visit to Times Square. This world-famous tourist hotspot is home to Broadway shows, giant electronic billboards and some of the best shopping in the city.
This incredible location is an essential stop-off for any business, economics or tourism student because of its huge economical impact. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Times Square to experience its unique atmosphere every day, making it one of the most visited places in the United States.
Not only does Times Square offer student groups a fantastic opportunity to learn about capitalism at its finest, but it also has plenty of exciting activities for students to enjoy outside of class hours.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – one of the largest and most-celebrated art museums in the world
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) is an essential destination for any student learning about art and design, architecture or religion.
This student-friendly destination features some of the most famous paintings in the world, including works by Monet, Picasso and Rembrandt. There are over two million works of art to show to your class, giving them the creative inspiration they need to succeed in their exams when they return.
The tour guides at the Met are passionate, knowledgeable and will be able to answer all your student group’s questions about each piece of artwork on display. There are also experiential exhibitions for your class to get stuck into, so your students can learn about unique concepts such as:
Ancient African art
Walt Disney animation
European paintings
Dutch paintings
Traditional Japanese design
Broadway – the birthplace of some of the world’s best theatre and musical talent
Broadway is where many of the world’s best-loved shows are premiered, including The Lion King, Wicked and Aladdin. Students studying drama or music will be in their element here
Broadway shows are also a great way for students to learn about U.S. culture, as they’re often based on American stories and themes. What’s more, you can easily order group Broadway tickets in advance so that your whole student group can enjoy the show together.
Broadway is a great place to take your class for an evening out, as there’s something to suit everyone’s taste. From family-friendly shows like The Lion King to edgy new productions such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, you’re sure to find a Broadway show that your student group will love.
Once you’ve seen the show, you can wander around Times Square and grab a bite to eat in one of the many affordable restaurants nearby.
The United Nations building – the centre of politics and international relations
The United Nations building is the political centre of the world and student groups can visit to learn about how the UN works. They will have an opportunity to visit the General Assembly Hall where they’ll see world leaders make their speeches. The guided tour lasts one hour and offers an incredible educational experience for student groups learning about international affairs.
Students can also watch videos in the visitor centre and pick up a souvenir from the United Nations gift shop to round off their trip!
The Museum of Jewish heritage – A living memorial to the Holocaust
The Museum of Jewish Heritage is an important tourist spot for students who are studying religion. The museum tells the story of the Jews through personal stories and interactive exhibits.
Students can also visit the on-site education centre which offers workshops, tours and student programmes. There’s something for everyone at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Benefits of visiting the museum include:
Learning about a significant part of history that is often overlooked
Seeing first-hand how the Holocaust affected people from all walks of life
Connecting with other students and educators who are passionate about this topic
Harlem – where racially-fueled riots and renaissance originated
The vibrant neighbourhood of Harlem has a wealth of history and turmoil just waiting to be uncovered by students. The neighbourhood is known for being the birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance – a time when African-American culture thrived.
It’s also the site of the Harlem Riots, which were some of the most violent in US history. This gives you the opportunity to educate your history students on poignant topics such as the Great Depression.
Students can visit iconic locations such as Apollo Theatre, Studio Museum in Harlem and Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture. There’s also plenty of great restaurants and shopping to be enjoyed in Harlem.
How can Diversity Study Trips help?
Whether you’re planning a student trip to New York for sixth form or college students, you’ll find everything you need with Diversity Study Trips. We can help you find the perfect accommodation, organise unique educational experiences and give your students plenty of time to explore this amazing city. Contact us today to start planning your next educational adventure!
