History & Politics trip to New York & Washington

About this trip

With a great range of excursions from the iconic Empire State to the White House, your school trip to New York and Washington is a wonderful opportunity to bring elements of the KS3 and revised GCSE history curriculum to life. ‘Prices from’ is for a basic package only based on low season departure, inclusive of flights, transfers and room only accommodation – contact us to tailor-make your tour.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Find out more

Fly from the UK to New York
Arrive in New York
Transfer to accommodation

Day 2 Find out more

Ellis Island and Museum/Statue of Liberty
9/11 Memorial Museum
Group dinner Little Italy or Chinatown
Empire State Building

Day 3 Find out more

Tenement Museum or Harlem History Tour or Uptown bus tour
Central Park
American Museum of Natural History
New York Historical Society – Museum and Library (tours possible)
Uptown pizza dinner
Broadway show

Day 4 Find out more

Depart accommodation
Jewish Heritage Museum
Board flight back to the UK

Day 5 Find out more

Arrive back in the UK

Day 6 Find out more

Day 7 Find out more

Day 8 Find out more

Excursion Ideas

Wall Street Find out more

Wall Street

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: A guided walking tour in the Financial District, the financial capital of the world. A relative theme is the Wall Street stock market crash in October 1929 when the world economy was plunged into the Great Depression.

Select Says: You will pass by the Federal Hall National Memorial – George Washington was inaugurated on the balcony of the original Federal Hall.

Jewish Heritage Museum Find out more

Jewish Heritage Museum

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: Created as a living memorial to those who perished during the Holocaust, the Museum honours those who died by celebrating their lives. The core Exhibition and award-winning special exhibitions present the 20th and 21st century experience from the perspective of those who lived it. New generations are taught how to recognize and fight contemporary instances of injustice and oppression.

Select Says: Aspects of the collection which contribute to areas of the curriculum include: Holocaust ghettos and camps, Nazi and collaborationist materials, non-Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and Jewish participation in the Civil Rights Movement.

Empire State Building Find out more

Empire State Building

Subject Range: Business Studies, Cultural, Art & Design, History

What you’ll experience: The Empire State Building is an iconic skyscraper and a symbol of New York City’s architectural prowess. Standing at 1,454 feet tall, it was completed in 1931 and held the title of the world’s tallest building for nearly 40 years. Its Art Deco design and prominent location in Midtown Manhattan make it a recognizable landmark. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city from its observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, experiencing a panoramic perspective of New York’s skyline and beyond. The Empire State Building remains a testament to innovation and a must-see attraction for those exploring the city.

Harlem History Tour/Uptown Bus Tour Find out more

Harlem History Tour/Uptown Bus Tour

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: A guided tour of Harlem is a fantastic opportunity for students to walk in the footsteps of history with possibilities including passing the club where Billie Holiday once sang and seeing where Malcolm X delivered his speech in 1963.

Select Says: A wonderful tour for bringing aspects of the curriculum to life for your students, and aid their understanding of the contributions that 1960’s Harlem made to the American Civil Rights Movement.

American Museum of Natural History Find out more

American Museum of Natural History

Subject Range: Science, Cultural, History

What you’ll experience: One of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world. Located in park-like grounds across the street from Central Park, the museum complex has 27 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibition halls. The museum collections contain over 32 million specimens of plants, humans, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts, of which only a small fraction can be displayed at any given time.

Select Says: Check the American Museum of Natural History website for current exhibitions.

New York Historical Society – Museum and Library Find out more

New York Historical Society – Museum and Library

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: A group visit to the New-York Historical Society gives students the opportunity to experience a taster from over 1.6 million works of art and 40,000 objects that tell compelling stories about New York and the nation’s history. Look out for new additions to the museum – in December 2016, the fourth floor will be transformed into a new destination for historical education.

Select Says: The museum offers a variety of educational options suitable for different themes covered by the various exam board specifications. Please see their website and contact us for further details and to view current and upcoming exhibitions relating to learning requirements.

Philadelphia Find out more

Philadelphia

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: An optional opportunity to travel via Philadelphia and Gettysburg on your coach journey between cities. In Philadelphia you can visit the symbolic Liberty Bell at Independence Hall, the birthplace of America where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed. At Gettysburg students can visit the famous battlefield of the American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. There is also a museum and visitor Centre at the Gettysburg National Military Park sight.

Select Says: Find out more about the Liberty Bell here . Resources relating to Gettysburg are from the Gettysburg Foundation website .

The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Find out more

The Lincoln Memorial, Washington

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: The Lincoln Memorial is a monument built to honour the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, across from the Washington Monument. The building is in the form of a Greek Doric temple and contains a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln. There are inscriptions of two of Lincoln’s famous speeches – The Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address.

Select Says: This was also the site where Martin Luther King made his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington Find out more

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: Honouring the men and women who served in the controversial Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial chronologically lists the names of more than 58,000 Americans who gave their lives in service during the Vietnam Conflict. The memorial also includes ‘The Three Servicemen’ statue and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Select Says: On the National Park Service website , Park Ranger Jeff Jones briefly describes the significance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – useful for pre and post tour classwork.

Central Park Find out more

Central Park

Subject Range: Art & Design, Cultural, History, Business Studies, Cultural

What you’ll experience: Covering an amazing 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan, there’s no one way to get to Central Park. The park covers the land from 59th Street to 110th Street between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West (Eighth Avenue). There is much to see including statues, fountains and the famous Wollman ice rink in the winter months.

Select Says: A visit to the central park website gives detailed information so that you can narrow down what to see and do.

The White House Visitor Centre Find out more

The White House Visitor Centre

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the United States, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. It has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. You may also choose to visit the ‘White House Visitors Center’ which features many aspects of the White House, including its architecture, furnishings, first families, social events, and relations with the press and world leaders.

Select Says: Interactive tours are available on the White House website for pre tour work and post tour follow up.

Supreme Court, Washington Find out more

Supreme Court, Washington

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: This building is majestic and richly ornamented – it serves as both home to the Court and the symbol of its importance as a co-equal, independent branch of government. 30-minute tour programs are designed to introduce visitors of all ages to the judicial functions of the Supreme Court, the history of the building, and the architecture of the courtroom. The Supreme Court Building was designed by Cass Gilbert and built from 1931 to 1935. The Court first sat in the building on Monday, October 7, 1935.

Select Says: Architectural information describing many of the building’s sculptural elements may be obtained from the Visitor Desk on the ground floor.

Capitol Hill, Washington Find out more

Capitol Hill, Washington

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: The Senate and the House of Representatives have met within the Capitol building for more than two centuries and it is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. The Capitol Visitor Center is the newest addition to this historic complex. The entire facility is located underground on the east side of the Capitol so as not to detract from the appearance of the Capitol and the grounds.

Select Says: Look out for the numerous huge canvases with scenes of American history on the walls. The dome is painted with the huge fresco ‘The Apotheses of Washington’.

Union Station Find out more

Union Station

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: Union Station is a major train station, transportation hub, and leisure destination. Visited by 32 million people a year, Union Station is one of the busiest train stations in the country. The station opened in 1907 and at its height during World War II some 200,000 people passed through it every day. In 1988 a new headhouse wing was constructed to the north and the original station renovated for use as a shopping mall.

Select Says: For pre-tour there is a detailed history of Union Station available on their website .

American History Museum, Washington

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: The National Museum of American History preserves and displays an enduring record of American past in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. The Museum collects artifacts of all kinds from gowns to locomotives. Tours are self-guided.

Select Says: Among the items on display is the original Star-Spangled Banner.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington Find out more

The National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington

Subject Range: History

What you’ll experience: Students can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience and how it helped to shape the nation. Check their website for current exhibitions.

Select Says: Workshops are possible and there are some free resources available via their website.

Accommodation Options

Broadway Hotel & Hostel Find out more

Broadway Hotel & Hostel

Our Rating:

Location: Manhattan

What you’ll experience: Well located accommodation on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, only minutes from world-famous attractions. A great choice for groups offering newly renovated, comfortable dormitory-style rooms, friendly service, and contemporary design. Rooms: Shared bathroom. Facilities: Restaurant, free Wi-Fi, 24 hour reception, lounge area.

Comfort Inn Chelsea Find out more

Comfort Inn Chelsea

Our Rating:

Location: Manhattan

What you’ll experience: Central location near Madison Square Park and the iconic Flatiron Building in Times Square. The Comfort Inn offers comfortable rooms with friendly staff in a very convenient location to explore the city. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi available.

Comfort Inn Downtown DC Find out more

Comfort Inn Downtown DC

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Our Rating:

Location: Washington

What you’ll experience: In a prime location in the heart of Washington, half a block from Pennsylvania Avenue and the Whitehouse. This contemporary hotel in downtown Washington DC offers classic American charm. Rooms: En-suite bathrooms. Facilities: Restaurant, free Wi-Fi, 24 hour reception, lounge area.

Holiday Inn Find out more

Holiday Inn

Our Rating:

Location: Manhattan

What you’ll experience: Comfortable, well-located accommodation in Midtown 57th street, within walking distance of Central Park, Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Large lobby, bar and restaurant.

Accommodation 15 Find out more

Curriculum Links

KS4 (GCSE)
AQA: America, 1920–1973: Boom, Bust and Recovery / Conflict and Tension: The Cold War
Edexcel: The USA, 1919–1941 / Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941–1991
OCR: USA 1919–1941 / Civil Rights in the 20th Century

KS5 (A-Level)
AQA: US domestic history and foreign policy / Civil Rights
Edexcel: Civil Rights 1945–1992 / US Government and Politics
OCR: USA 1919–1941 / 1945–1992 / US Politics