Top Attractions in New York for Students

A visit to New York provides excitement, entertainment and culture all in one package. You would need to stay weeks to make the most of all the things that NYC has to offer! We have put together our top must see places in New York for your college or school trip:

The Statue of Liberty is New York's most symbolic structure. The Auguste Bartholdi statue was given as a gift from the people of France and stands at 111 feet 6 inches from the toe to the crown. You can see the statue from land or on a boat trip but to truly appreciate it you need to see it up close by visiting Liberty Island.

Take a boat to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. This was the gateway for more than 12 million immigrants to the United States. There are displays on the process and stories about the people who passed through.

Central Park is one of the great pleasures New Yorkers and tourists can enjoy to get away from the hustle and bustle. Stretching 51 blocks between 59th and 110th streets, this 2.5 mile long park has served its city well since 1859. From famous statues and castles to lakes and a zoo, there is so much to see within this pastoral landmark including an ice-skating rink in the winter.

The Rockefeller Centre is a vast entertainment and shopping complex in the heart of midtown Manhattan and home to NBC-TV. On the 70th floor of Art Deco 30 Rockefeller Plaza skyscraper is the Top of the Rock Observation Deck where the view is unique and astonishing; unobstructed for 360 degrees and stretching for miles in every direction.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses more than three million works of art from all over the world across history. It is almost impossible to see everything in one day: the two million square feet is too much for even the most organised visitor. Instead of wandering through all the galleries, visiting one of the themed exhibitions is a good plan. There is also a roof top garden overlooking Central Park, which is open in the summer.

New York’s famous Empire State Building soars more than a quarter of a mile above the heart of Manhattan. Located on the 86th floor, the observatory offers panoramic views from within a glass enclosed pavilion, on a clear day you can see up to 80 miles.

The destruction of the World Trade Center twin 110 storey towers and the tragic loss of life is something people of the time will never forget. The 9/11 Memorial is two reflecting pools where once they stood. The 9/11 Museum presents the story, as well as recognising the thousands who survived, and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath.

The High Line was once a derelict former freight rail line which has been turned into one of the most innovative and inviting public spaces in New York City. Black steel columns that once supported abandoned train tracks now hold up an elevated park offering a unique vantage point to the city. You can sit surrounded by carefully tended plants and take in the Hudson River views, or you can walk the line as it slices through the cityscape un-interrupted by street crossings or traffic lights to wait for.

Grand Central Station is well worth a look around due to its stunning architecture. Its Beaux-Arts design incorporates numerous works of art. The stunning concourse is often used as a meeting point and has been featured in many films as well as its distinctive clock.

At the top of the One World Trade Center building is the One World Observatory. Ascend the 102 floors to the observation deck in under 60 seconds in one of five sky pod elevators and be rewarded with amazing views of the city.  An interactive exhibition reveals the transformation of New York City from unsettled lands to today’s remarkable forest of skyscrapers.   

The Radio City Music Hall is famous entertainment venue. A tour round the building will explain the history of the building and show the beautiful Art Deco interiors. You will learn the secrets of the Great Stage, one of the largest indoor performance stages in the world; the stage’s hydraulic system, and their impressive new technological features.

Inspired? Our selection of college and school trips to New York are suitable for many subjects including Art & Design, Business & Economics, Performing Arts & Drama, Film & Media Studies, History & Politics as well as a general Cultural & Enrichment tour.

Give us a call and start your journey to New York with European Study Tours today.