Overview
Venture to the Big Apple, the cultural and business capital of America, on this educational tour of New York City. Students will follow in the footsteps of millions of immigrants through Ellis Island, visit the landmark Statue of Liberty that greets newcomers to New York Harbor, and marvel at one of the most celebrated collections of art at the Met. Wander through exhilarating neighborhoods like Chinatown or Soho to be immersed in the classic tastes and sounds of "The City that Never Sleeps."
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to New York City
Lunch
Bryant Park visit
Unwind in this celebrated, 9.6-acre urban oasis framed by the Public Library and iconic city skyscrapers. Watch locals play chess, relax on the lawn, and stroll tree-lined promenades while learning about the history of this beloved green space.
The New York Public Library visit
Journey to a quieter pocket of the city with a visit to the library.
Dinner
Top of the Rock visit
Enjoy a 360-degree view of New York City from this three-level observation deck at the top of Rockefeller Plaza.
Day 2
Breakfast
Central Park visit
Discover New York City's most famous park, spanning 843 acres of trails, lakes, gardens, and iconic landmarks. Stroll through the Mall, catch street performances, take in the views from Bethesda Terrace, and soak up the park’s vibrant blend of nature and culture.
Lunch
Metropolitan Museum of Art visit
Explore grand halls in this Beaux-Arts museum, home to 5,000 years of art from the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur to modern masterpieces. Admire Van Gogh, Monet, and Vermeer, discover monumental sculptures, and view treasures from civilizations around the world.
5th Avenue walking tour
Experience Manhattan at its most glamorous with high-end boutiques, chic department stores, and student favorites like the Apple Store and Tiffany & Co®.
Dinner
Broadway show performance
Experience a world-famous Broadway show and feel the energy of New York City’s theater scene. Immerse yourself in dazzling performances of music, dance, and storytelling, and create memories that'll last long after the final curtain.
Times Square group photo
Pose for a professional group photo amid Times Square’s towering billboards and dazzling neon lights. Feel the nonstop energy of this world-famous landmark as it comes to life around you.
Day 3
Breakfast
Radio City Music Hall visit
Discover the cultural legacy of the world’s largest indoor theater, home to the famous Rockettes and Christmas Spectacular. Explore the majestic 1932 "Great Stage" and admire its legendary Art Deco design, military-grade hydraulics, and immersive audio system that bring performances to life.
Midtown Manhattan walking tour
Take a walking tour through the humming streets of New York’s Midtown which is the home of famous sights such as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden and some of the city’s most revered museums and institutions.
Lunch
Greenwich Village visit
Experience this celebrated cultural hub shaped by artistic, literary, and activist movements. Explore Washington Square Park, the Stonewall National Monument, and legendary music venues while immersing yourself in the neighborhood’s rich history and bohemian energy.
Chelsea Market and The High Line visit
Explore this lively indoor market with diverse food stalls, artisanal shops, and boutiques in a historic factory building. Head to the unique park above built on former rail tracks to admire sweeping city views, curated urban gardens, and public art installations.
Dinner
Times Square visit
Take in the vibrant sights and sounds of one of the brightest spots on Earth, known for its dazzling billboards, Broadway shows, and annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. Journey through bustling crowds and street performers in this famed theater district, called "The Crossroads of the World."
Day 4
Breakfast
Lower Manhattan visit
Uncover Lower Manhattan’s rich history as a Dutch and colonial settlement, Revolutionary War battlefield, first U.S. capital, and beyond. Explore Wall Street, Trinity Church, Art Deco skyscrapers, and iconic monuments as you learn about the birthplace of New York City.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island visit
Ferry across the bay to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, two world-famous symbols of New York City’s history. Admire the statue’s design and walk the same halls as 12 million immigrants as you learn about their experience through exhibits, passenger manifests, and the Wall of Honor.
Wall Street and Financial District visit
Explore the heart of America’s financial hub, where George Washington took the first presidential oath at Federal Hall. Admire iconic landmarks like the New York Stock Exchange and Charging Bull as you uncover the area’s Dutch colonial roots, Revolutionary history, and role in early commerce.
Lunch
9/11 Memorial visit
Quietly reflect beside the twin pools marking the footprints of the fallen World Trade Center towers. Experience the emotional gravity of the memorial’s design, where cascading water and bronze panels honor nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 9/11 and 1993 attacks.
Dinner
Chinatown visit
Explore the bustling streets of this iconic neighborhood, alive with traditional markets, authentic restaurants, and cultural landmarks. Taste local delicacies, browse unique shops, and admire street art as you absorb the vibrant sights, sounds, and energy of this dynamic community.
Little Italy visit
Experience the old-world charm of Little Italy, home to America’s first pizzeria, timeless Italian eateries, and the celebrated San Gennaro festival. Explore colorful shops, landmarks, and the iconic Audrey Hepburn mural while taking in the neighborhood’s rich history and culture.
Day 5
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Brooklyn Bridge visit
Walk across this iconic 19th-century bridge with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty. Admire its neo-Gothic towers and discover how this engineering marvel became the first bridge ever built with steel cables.
Grand Central Station visit
Step inside this renowned landmark known as the world’s largest train station with over 750,000 commuters each day. Admire grand architecture, twinkling stars in a vast celestial ceiling mural, and its monumental Tiffany clock as you uncover this terminal’s fascinating history.
Lunch
NYC Uptown motorcoach tour
Take in the top sights and history of Uptown and Harlem, birthplace of jazz and a world-renowned cultural hub since the 1920s. See legendary theaters and Harlem Renaissance landmarks while learning how the neighborhood influenced civil rights, literature, and music in NYC and beyond.
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Health & Safety
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.