Let’s hear it for New Yooork! There is always something fun and exciting to check out in the Big Apple regardless of what time of year you visit. If you’re planning a future trip, and have New York student tours in mind, we have compiled a list of must-see exhibits. The concrete jungle may be known for Times Square and Broadway, but there is so much more than the flashing lights and pizza spots (although make SURE you grab a slice of New York pizza before you leave – you’ll thank us after).
Daydreams and ice cream will keep you wanting waaay more than just one scoop at the Ice Cream Museum. This exhibit is a staple in New York City, and the sprinkle pool is a brand new addition! Jump into a pool FILLED with sprinkles and play catch with balls shaped just like the cherries you love on top of your favorite sundae. People joke about how much they would want a tub filled with ice cream, but have you ever really thought about a pool filled with sprinkles?! New York City is filled with incredible art exhibits that don’t follow the traditional “museum” structure that your students may be thinking of. Exhibits like the Ice Cream Museum are incredible opportunities to inspire creativity and out-of-the-box thinking!
One visit is not enough to explore all the corners of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With a building that spans 13 acres in Central Park and over 5,000 years of art from all over the globe, this museum is one of the largest in the entire world. From 19th century neo-classic displays to mummified artifacts from ancient times, there is going to be an exhibit that will catch everyone’s attention, no matter what they’re interested in. Hint, hint – we’ve got a museum hack for you when it comes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art: The lines are shortest if you go early in the morning on weekdays. You can also pre-purchase tickets online to skip the line, but be mindful that you will be required to purchase tickets for the full suggested donation price ($12 for students).
The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) has been around since 1891 and is home to some of the most beautiful and breathtaking landscapes, floral exhibits, and gardens around. Students will be firmly planted in this beautiful garden once you start exploring the 250-acre national landmark. You will be shocked at how many people ask for just five more minutes and one more garden! If you want to plan a pre-lesson before your trip, there are some virtual tours available on the website. These are dependent on the season and what’s blooming, so make sure you check frequently and find the perfect fit to get your students excited for their big trip. The NYBG is also extremely well-known for its on-site scientific research focused on protecting and preserving plant life – talk about beauty and brains!!!
Make NYC student tours vibrant and alive with a trip to the Nature of Color in the New York Museum of Natural History. This immersive and interactive exhibit explores light, feelings, and meanings that are all associated with color. It uses four main colors – yellow, blue, green, and red – to explore all of the different concepts in a creative way that students will be OBSESSED with. Who doesn’t want to sit in a room filled with all different colors?? Take psychology and art and mix them together to create a fun, unique experience for students while exploring the city that never sleeps.
Jump right into learning about the deep sea at Times Square’s most splashing attraction – the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey. Transporting visitors to the Pacific Ocean with the most high-quality, state-of-the-art technology, students will feel completely immersed in a virtual ocean environment. Watch squids, sharks, sardines, and even a giant humpback whale battle it out in their ocean environment. Beyond the virtual experience, there’s also a Giant Kelp maze and photorealistic sea lions that respond to movement! Students will learn about all types of ocean life and why conservation is so vital for our finned and flippered friends.
Educational student tours provide incredibly unique experiences for students that bring their textbook pages to life while being fully immersed in virtual technology, surrounded by ancient artifacts and even swimming in a pool full of sprinkles in an art exhibit! New York City is the world-famous melting pot for a reason – there’s a little bit of everything here that will pique ANY student’s interest, be it art, science, history, and everything in between.