The American Melting Pot: New York City

Your New York City tour guide will pick you up at the airport and remain with your group throughout your trip. 

This evening you will have a group dinner at your hotel where your tour guide will go over your itinerary and any trip requirements and restrictions for your tour.

Rise early today to catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

Ellis Island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Younger students can participate in the “Be an Inspector” tour to discover how the immigrant process worked. Older students have the opportunity to participate in a mock trial that will decide the fate of a hopeful immigrant, granting him or her access to the country or deportation.

After lunch, climb the 377 steps to the crown of the Statue of Liberty and enjoy a unique panoramic view of New York City.

Dinner tonight is at a typical New York City deli. Dine on some of the finest deli fare on earth!

Start your day with a guided tour of the American Museum of Natural History. Your museum docent will guide you through your chosen exhibit, which includes hands-on learning. The Global Studies Exhibit offers lots of opportunity for exploration including the Hall of African Peoples, the Hall of Asian People, and the Hall of Plains Indians among others. 

This afternoon, your guide will give you the grand walking tour of Times Square, where you can stop for quintessential New York “slice” for lunch, or grab a bite of street food – falafel anyone? Spend the afternoon exploring this iconic NYC neighborhood, but have your cameras on hand, as this area is Instagram-ready.

Tonight, enjoy a Broadway show. There is always something current and amazing on Broadway, so you will have lots of choices.

Begin your day with an elevator ride up to the 102nd-floor observation deck at the Empire State Building. This Midtown iconic landmark is a must do for any NYC school trip. When there is a good wind, you can actually feel the building sway – just a little.

Bike through Central Park this afternoon, accompanied by a park ranger guide who will highlight locations along your route including the Central Park Mall, Belvedere Castle and Strawberry Fields. 

Your tour guide will deliver you to an authentic Chinese restaurant in Chinatown for dinner. This neighborhood is steeped in history, traditional culture and of course sumptuous food.

Your tour with an expert historical guide of Rockefeller Center, a national historic landmark, will include the Center’s buildings, gardens and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck for a Midtown view of the city. Spend the afternoon window shopping and people watching. If you are lucky enough to visit during December, join in on the ice skating fun!

Tonight you will be entertained on a harbor dinner cruise. Sail around the harbor taking in the amazing New York City coastline as you dine. On your way back to the dock, watch the “City that Never Sleeps” come to life as the lights twinkle on and illuminate the city skyline.

Meet your 911 Museum docent for a guided tour of the 911 Memorial and Museum. Students will take part in a “Commemorating 911” hands-on lesson. Discover the stories of the people of New York City and how their lives changed after the events of that day.

Your afternoon will include a guided tour of NYC-area neighborhoods including Soho, Harlem, Brooklyn and Greenwich Village. As your guide elaborates on the history of each neighborhood, find yourself feeling like part of the unique subculture each one historically embraced.

Celebrate your last night in the Big Apple with a group dinner.  You will have lots of stories to share.

As you pack your bags, you will undoubtedly be sad to leave this wonderful city. But you will be coming back again and again because there is so much more to discover.