If it’s options you want for your class trip, look no further than the Northeast. In the same region, you have Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Colonial Virginia available for exploration. Scattered throughout the east coast, these destinations are some of our nation’s finest universities, greatest museums, and most historic spots from our country’s early history. While many of these places would make a great location for a class trip, why not combine two or three together? GL Travel can help you by planning an all-inclusive trip tailored to what you’re after. So let’s find out what each of these places has to offer:
Washington, DC
Washington DC is far and away the most popular city visited by student groups, and it’s not hard to understand why. Our nation’s capital is a complex blend of history, politics, and culture all rolled into one.
Bringing your students to DC will let them experience history in a way they never could through books and videos. They can learn about the assassination of President Lincoln while standing on the very steps of Ford’s Theater. They can walk the Presidential Inaugural Parade route, retracing the path taken by Lincoln, Kennedy, and Roosevelt. They can walk through Arlington National Cemetery, and gain insight into the sacrifices made by the generations before them.
The District of Columbia is also home to the National Mall. At one end you have the Memorials. What DC experience is complete without walking up the steps to pay your respects to President Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial? Or visiting the Vietnam Wall, a memorial built to help America come to terms with the Vietnam War and the men and women who served there? That’s not to mention the Jefferson Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, or the granddaddy of them all, the Washington Monument.
As you journey toward the opposite end of the Mall and the Capitol Building, you’ll be passing by museum after museum. The Smithsonian's museums on the National Mall are some of the best museums anywhere in the world. The National Museum of African American History teaches us about the African American experience on this continent. The National Museum of Natural History has some of the greatest dinosaur skeletons anywhere and is also home to the Hope Diamond. The National Museum of American History is packed full of things you just can’t see anywhere else, from Lincoln’s tophat to the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz to the actual Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Ft McHenry as the British attacked. The Air & Space Museum has the original Wright Brothers Flyer, as well as the Bell X-1, the first plane to break the sound barrier. And of course, there are all of the art museums! The National Gallery of Art is the only place in the United States with a Leonardo Da Vinci painting on permanent display.
At the other end of the National Mall lies the Capitol Building, the heart of the American government. Take your students on a guided tour of the building, walking the same halls as generations of politicians. Find the statues sent by your state to be put on display inside the Capitol, representing the best each state has to offer. Once you’re finished in the Capitol, perhaps you’d like to take your class to the National Archives so they can read the original Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights for themselves.
No matter what age group you’re bringing, what the class focus is, or what kind of experience you’re hoping for, Washington DC has what you’re looking for.
- Have a tour of some of Washington D.C.’s coolest areas, like Adams Morgan, and Georgetown.
Philadelphia
DC may be the heart of the American government today, but Philadelphia is where our nation began. It’s a city with a rich and fascinating history that played a central role in the founding and development of the United States. A visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania allows students to learn about and experience this history firsthand by visiting historic sites.
It’s here in Philadelphia that the First and Second Continental Congresses met at Independence Hall. By the time of the Second Congress, the hostilities had begun and it was clear to many that the colonies would be best served by becoming an independent nation. The task of drafting the Declaration of Independence was given to a small group of 5 men. Only 2 blocks from Independence Hall, in a small rented room at the Graff House, Jefferson toiled away at what would become one of the most important documents in history.
Later, after the war was over, it was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that our Constitution was born. Originally called a convention to alter the Articles of Confederation, it was eventually decided to create an all-new Constitution to govern our new nation. George Washington spent 4 months as President of the Convention, carefully shepherding the delegates to encourage debate and discussion until our new Constitution was born. Not an easy thing to do when you realized the single thing the 55 delegates could agree on at the beginning was that Washington should be in charge.
Today, your students can visit Independence Hall, and see the actual rooms where these momentous events took place. Next door, at the recently refurbished Liberty Bell Center they can see the famous bell for themselves, and learn how it came to be a beacon of liberty and freedom. Also nearby is the National Constitution Center, a museum dedicated to the understanding of our Constitution.
It’s not all history in Philadelphia. Students can visit the world-class Philadelphia Museum of Art or the Franklin Institute to learn about art, science, and technology. And of course, you can stop by everyone’s favorite attraction in Philly, the Reading Terminal Market - strictly to learn about local foods and culture, of course. Check out the award-winning sandwiches at DiNics!
- Philadelphia is home to a year-round sports scene, so make sure to check out an Eagles, 76ers, Flyers, Phillies, or Philadelphia Union game!
- Take a short excursion and enjoy the hiking trails of Valley Forge or grab an ice cream at Mr. G’s and hit the battlefield in Gettysburg.
Colonial VA
Colonial Virginia has a rich history that is closely tied to the early development of the United States. A class trip through this region allows students to learn about and experience this history firsthand by visiting these historic sites.
In Charlottesville, you can take your students on a guided tour of the University of Virginia. Explore the school created by Thomas Jefferson himself to teach young Americans what they needed to know to be successful citizens. More than 20,000 students from all over the world compete for the chance to attend UVA. In addition to learning about the various programs and scholarship opportunities, you’ll have a chance to visit the beautiful grounds of the campus.
Once finished at UVA, you can go just a few miles down the road and visit Jefferson’s home, Monticello. Jefferson lived at Monticello for the better part of 50 years, and he was always expanding and redesigning his estate. Strongly influenced by the European styles he experienced as a diplomat, he attempted to synthesize European and Colonial aesthetics, and the results are striking. Jefferson was also a collector of all things, including plants. There are over 500 varieties of fruits and vegetables growing on the estate as Jefferson tried to determine how plants from all over the world would fare in the American ecosystem.
In nearby Colonial Williamsburg, students can get a unique perspective on the period before the Revolution. First of all, Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum, which means that it’s not just a place to look at artifacts and read about history - it’s a place where students can actually experience history firsthand. They can see how people lived and worked in the colonial period, try their hand at traditional crafts like blacksmithing and woodworking, and even participate in colonial-style cooking. It helps that Colonial Williamsburg is staffed by experienced interpreters who are knowledgeable about the history of the colonial period and are passionate about sharing that knowledge with visitors. They can answer students’ questions, provide insight into the lives of people in that time period, and help students develop critical thinking skills by challenging them to consider different perspectives and viewpoints from the past. This hands-on approach to learning can be really engaging and helps students better understand and remember the experience.
- If you have time, check out a Ghost Tour in Williamsburg and enjoy the scary side of this small town at night!
Boston
One of the main reasons to take a class road trip to Boston, Massachusetts is the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. As one of the centers of resistance to British rule, Boston played a key role in the American Revolution. In 1770, it was the site of the Boston Massacre, which helped galvanize opposition to British rule in the colonies. Three years later it was the site of the infamous Boston Tea Party. After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the British occupied the city. Washington in turn laid siege to the city and, after a year, drove them out. From that point on Boston served as the headquarters of the Continental Army for much of the remainder of the war.
Boston, Massachusetts is also home to the famous Freedom Trail. Following the red-bricked path across the old city, you’ll pass by more than a dozen locations of historical importance such as Paul Revere’s home, the Old North Church where lanterns were used to warn of the approaching British army, the Old State House which was where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the public, the USS Constitution and even the Bunker Hill Monument.
Your students can visit the Tea Party Museum and learn about Boston’s role in the Revolutionary War. They can take a harbor cruise and explore nature on one of the many islands in Boston Harbor. They can step onboard “Old Ironsides,” the oldest active warship in the world, and talk to the men and women in the US Navy who serve with pride aboard the USS Constitution today.
A brief trip out of the downtown proper can bring you to Cambridge, home of Harvard University, the “oldest center of higher learning in the country.” Getting a guided tour of Harvard Yard can help show them what life is like at America’s most famous college, and perhaps inspire them to attend.
Wander a little further afield and you can visit the battlefields of Lexington and
Concord, and see where the “shot heard around the world” changed the course of world history as we know it.
- Boston is an excellent jumping-off point for the incredible places that put nature’s glory on full display.
- Visit the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island and experience the magic of Newport, Burlington, Mount Washington, and the White Mountains.
- Travel outside Boston on a day trip to see a Fall Foliage tour in New England
- Travel to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket and enjoy outdoor activities on the Atlantic Ocean including kayaking and sandy beaches
New York City
A visit to the vibrant and diverse city of New York can provide students with a unique and enriching learning experience that they won’t find anywhere else. There are countless educational and cultural opportunities in the city that can complement and enhance their curriculum. And with some of the most iconic sights in the country, NYC is a must-see in the northeast.
A quick ferry trip will bring your class to Ellis Island, where over 12 million immigrants came in the hopes of finding the American dream. While exploring the main hall, they might even be able to find a record of one of their ancestors in the registry!
The same ferry that takes you to Ellis Island will also drop you at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. It’s hard not to be inspired while visiting the world’s most famous symbol of freedom and democracy.
Central Park is the perfect place to give your students a break from the hectic pace of the city. You can enjoy a stroll through nature, take amazing pictures at the Bethesda Fountain, or maybe even visit the zoo. The park is also the location of the New York Metropolitan Museum, better known as The Met. Your students can get lost in the art as they see paintings by Van Gogh, Botticelli, or even “The Scream” by Edvard Munch.
Plunge back into the city proper to pay your respects to Times Square, Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center. Visit some of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods such as Little Italy, Chinatown, Harlem, Chelsea, or even the Finance District.
Of course, what visit to New York City would be complete without a Broadway experience? Whether you’re taking your students to see a Broadway classic or the latest and greatest new shows, why not enhance the experience with GL’s Broadway workshop? Have your students learn from a true Broadway professional as they try their hand at acting or singing. They’ll come to understand the incredible amount of effort it takes to create a successful Broadway show.
Overall, a visit to New York City can be a transformative experience for students. It can provide them with a new perspective on the world and help them to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It can also be a lot of fun, with plenty of opportunities for students to enjoy the city’s art, history, and culture. There’s something for everyone in New York City.
- Overall, a visit to New York City can be a transformative experience for high schoolers.
- Is the hustle and bustle of the city that sleeps not your speed? Check out the (Other) vacation destinations, Adirondack Mountains, Cape May, Woodstock, the Hudson Valley, or Lake George
- Ice skate rentals are available to create magical moments at the rink in Rockefeller Center.
At GL Travel, we’re dedicated to creating memorable trips for students and teachers. So if you’re ready to get out of the classroom and into the real world, let us know! We’re excited to help you plan your trip to the historic northeast!
