NYC School Field Trip Itinerary

Getting to (and through) NYC by Charter Bus

Though some schools we work with are within driving distance from the big city, most groups fly into John F. Kennedy or LaGuardia Airport. Because New York has such limited parking, most hotels near the heart of the city don’t provide complimentary airport shuttles. Even when shuttles are provided, they’re crowded and small, making traveling with hyper students a challenge.

To simplify your hotel and airport transportation (and to avoid students and chaperones getting lost), rent a private charter bus for your group. Depending on the specifics of your trip, the cost of a full-sized charter bus may run between $1,200 and 1,700 per day in NYC, which averages out to only $20-30 per passenger. The peace of mind that comes from knowing that your students, faculty, and chaperones are safe in the Big Apple is priceless.

Though every school has its own unique itinerary based on their curriculum and personal preferences, we’ve put together a sample itinerary below with the destinations that frequent our customers’ itineraries. Feel free to use this as a starting point for your own trip to NYC!

 

Day 1

Morning

Ride from your hotel to the biggest green space in the city--Central Park. Give your students enough time to ride the Carousel, take a picture with the Alice in Wonderland statue, and wander around the 36-acre park. Hold off on visiting the Central Park Zoo, though--we’ll come back for the lions and tigers and bears on Day 3!

After a few hours of leisure time, meet at the American Museum of Natural Science to see fossils, cultural artifacts, meteorites, plants, animals, and more up close. It’s one of the largest museums in the world, so be prepared to do plenty of walking during your tour.

 

Central Park S (Columbus Circle)

Address: 59th St 8th ave

Phone: (212) 360-3444

 

American Museum of Natural Science

Address: Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024

Phone: (212) 769-5100

 

Afternoon

Since your feet will likely be sore after park and museum tours, ask your bus driver to meet you at Theodore Roosevelt Park and drop you off at your next stop: St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The neo-gothic-style church was built in the 1800s and is a beautiful piece of religious architecture among the concrete jungle. Allow students to reverently explore the cathedral on their own, or stick around for a guided tour.

If time allows, swing around to the famed Rockefeller Center for a climb up to the Top of the Rock. Next, head to Times Square for shopping, people watching, and dinner at an iconic restaurant like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Address: 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022

Phone: (212) 753-2261

 

Rockefeller Center

Address: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

Phone: (212) 588-8601

 

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Address: 1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

Phone: (212) 391-7100

 

Evening

You can’t leave New York City without catching a Broadway show! Check the current showings and provide your students with several age-appropriate options to choose from. Designate a meeting place nearby where your driver can pick up your group after the last performance ends.

Broadway Theatre

Address: 1681 Broadway, New York, NY 10019

Phone: (212) 239-6200
 

Day 2

Morning

Start your day early and head to Battery Park. From there, you’ll take a ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty in all its glory. Before you head back to the mainland, stop by Ellis Island to visit the Immigration Museum so your students can learn about the experiences of more than 12 million immigrants who entered the U.S. through New York City.

 

Battery Park

Address: 75 Battery Pl, New York City, NY 10280-1500

Phone: (212) 417-2000

 

Statue of Liberty

Address: Liberty Island, New York City, NY

Phone: (212) 363-3200

 

Immigration Museum

Address: Battery Park, New York City, NY 10017

Phone: (212) 883-1986

 

Afternoon

From Battery Park, walk a short distance to the 9/11 Memorial for an unforgettable tour of both tragedy and hope. Allow students to wander around the museum and park for a time of remembrance.

If your students are learning about the U.S. economy, the Museum of American Finance and the Federal Reserve are great destinations to include in your itinerary and are walking distance from the 9/11 Memorial.

 

The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Address: 180 Greenwich St, World Trade Center, New York City, NY 10007-0089

Phone: (212) 312-8800

 

Museum of American Finance

Address: 48 Wall St, New York, NY 10005

Phone: (212) 908-4110

 

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

Address: 33 Liberty St, New York, NY 10045

Phone: (212) 720-6130

 

Evening

Chinatown has plenty of fun and delicious restaurants like Great NY Noodletown for students to choose from for dinner.  It’s a scenic 20-30 minute walk from Wall Street, and you’ll pass by the Brooklyn Bridge along the way. Even if you opt to take your charter bus to Chinatown, your driver will be more than happy to let your group stop at Pier 17 for photos of the bridge!

 

Great NY Noodletown

Address: 28 Bowery, New York, NY 10013

Phone: (212) 349-0923

 

Pier 17

Address: 89 South St, New York, NY 10038

Phone: (212) 732-8257

 

Day 3

Morning

Ride to the High Line first thing in the morning for a brisk walk along 1.45 miles of urban greenery and views of the NYC skyline. Ask your charter bus driver to pick your group up at the end of the walk so you can head straight to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. By this point, you’ll be thankful for those cushioned bus seats and air conditioning!

 

The High Line

Address: 91 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014

Phone: (212) 206-9922

 

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Address: 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

Phone: (212) 512-9600

 

Afternoon

Once you’ve gotten a selfie with all of your favorite wax celebrities, grab lunch at a nearby restaurant like Planet Hollywood. Walk or ride to the Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street where your students will see incredible contemporary sculptures, paintings, photography, architecture, illustrations, and more.

 

Planet Hollywood

Address: 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

Phone: (212) 333-7827

 

Museum of Modern Art

Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019

Phone: (212) 708-9400

 

Evening

For your class’s final destination, head right back to where it all started: Central Park. Visit the Central Park Zoo for a fun and educational experience to tie everything together.

 

Central Park Zoo

Address: E 64th St & 5th Ave, New York, NY 10021

Phone: (718) 220-5100

 

It’s our sincerest hope that your school’s class trip to NYC is unforgettable, safe, and fun. Use this itinerary as a starting point, but feel free to customize it with your own top destinations.

When you call our reservation staff at 718-233-4319, they’ll gather your information including your itinerary, how many passengers you’ll have, the dates of your trip, and more. This will help them craft an accurate and affordable estimate for your group’s trip.

Looking for more NYC itinerary ideas? Check out our guides to birthday celebrations, family reunions, and museums in NYC. We can’t wait to help you plan your next trip!