Art & Design Trip to New York

About this trip

An art and design school trip to New York offers a rich variety of learning opportunities. From the wonderful architecture to the great number of galleries, whether a photography, fine art, or design bias, this tour will be a trip of a lifetime, sure to inspire young artists. Please note ‘prices from’ is for a basic package only, 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
(Depending on flight time)
42nd Street walk – Art Deco and architectural features walking tour viewing some of the following: Grand Central, Chrysler, Chanin, McGraw Hill; Ford
Foundation, New York Public Library; Post Modern 42d Street Hotel check in

Day 2 Find out more

Walk to MOMA Museum of Modern Art – programme and time at museum
ICP (International Center of Photography) program or similar
Museum of Art and Design at Columbus Circle – workshop and tour
Group dinner
Broadway show

Day 3 Find out more

Day with coach or coach/subway
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) – photography/fine artsuggenheim Museum – tour
Cathedral St. John the Divine (other possibilities may be Harlem African Market, Riverside Church)
Uptown pizza
Coach tour/Brooklyn

Day 4 Find out more

Lincoln Center, Central Park
Whitney Museum of American Art
High Line walk
SoHo or Chelsea gallery visit Lower Manhattan sights – possibilities include 911 Memorial, Wall Street, Battery Park, Winter Garden, St Paul’s Chapel, Trinity Church
Little Italy dinner
Chinatown, SoHo or Greenwich Village shops/sights
Empire State Building

Day 5 Find out more

Additional sights and features may be added on this day subject to flight departure time – see day 1 possibilities
Fly back to UK

Day 6 Find out more

Arrive back in the UK

Day 7 Find out more

Day 8 Find out more

Excursion Ideas

High Line walk Find out more

High Line walk

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated 30 feet above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. The High Line was transformed from a derelict structure to one of New York’s most beloved public spaces. High Line Art presents a wide array of artwork including site-specific commissions, exhibitions, performances, video programs, and a series of billboard interventions. High Line Art invites artists to come up with creative ways to engage with the uniqueness of the architecture, design, and history of the High Line.

Select Says: The High Line runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues. River and city views provide a different vantage point from which to discuss the surrounding architecture.

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.

Chinatown, SoHo or Greenwich Village shops/sights Find out more

Chinatown, SoHo or Greenwich Village shops/sights

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: Choose from one of these dynamic areas of Lower Manhattan and take time out to shop whilst viewing the sights and architecture of the neighbourhood.

Select Says: Greenwich Village has been known as an artists’ haven, and the Bohemian capital. Washington Square Park, located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, is a recommended choice for a visit with two prominent features being Washington’s Arch and a large fountain.

Lower Manhattan Sights Find out more

Lower Manhattan Sights

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: This is an opportunity to visit your choice of sights within Lower Manhattan. Possibilities include the 911 Memorial, Wall Street, Battery Park, Winter Garden, St Paul’s Chapel and Trinity Church.

Select Says: Battery Park has several pieces of public art, for example ‘Dance Chimes’ which is a set of pentatonic metal tiles designed by Alfons van Leggelo where you can hop on the squares to create your own original song. Learn more here.

SoHo or Chelsea gallery visit Find out more

SoHo or Chelsea gallery visit

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: An opportunity to take a trip to the cosmopolitan neighbourhoods of Lower Manhattan and visit a specific SoHo or Chelsea gallery – please discuss your needs upon booking with your travel advisor.

Select Says: Some possibilities can be viewed here .

Whitney Museum of American Art Find out more

Whitney Museum of American Art

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: The Whitney is an art museum with a focus on 20th and 21st century American art. Through the careful examination of artists’ ideas, materials, and processes, students consider the multi-faceted role that artists play in American culture and society. School Programs use a thematic-based approach to teaching in the galleries – possible themes include: Artist as Observer, Artist as Storyteller, Artist as Experimenter, and Artist as Critic.

Select Says: In addition to its traditional collection, the Whitney has a website, called Artport , featuring ‘Net Art’ that changes monthly.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Central Park Find out more

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Central Park

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: The Lincoln Center was built as part of Lincoln Square Renewal Project during Robert Moses’s program of urban renewal in the 1950s and 1960s. Respected architects were contracted to design the major buildings on the site, and over the next thirty years the previously blighted area became a new cultural focal point for the performing arts.

Select Says: It may also be possible to book a performance during your tour, depending on the schedule. See the Lincoln Center website for performance information.

Coach tour Brooklyn Find out more

Coach tour Brooklyn

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: A coach tour around the sights of Brooklyn is a great way to spend an evening, giving your students the opportunity to see a wide variety of the architecture that the city offers, a highlight being the Brooklyn Bridge.

Select Says: Linking the borough of Brooklyn with Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge stands as a marvel of engineering. Learn more here.

Guggenheim Museum Find out more

Guggenheim Museum

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, often referred to as ‘The Guggenheim’, is an art museum and permanent home of a renowned collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern and contemporary art and also features special exhibitions throughout the year. A guided tour is recommended.

Select Says: It is possible to browse and view the collection online for use pre-tour and post-tour on the Guggenheim website .

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) – photography/fine arts Find out more

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MMA) – photography/fine arts

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States and one of the ten largest in the world. There is an incredible variety to see here including American modern art, Byzantine, paintings and sculptures from European masters, works from ancient Egypt and much more. Specific guided tours are possible

Select Says: The museum has an excellent website to visit pre tour and for post tour follow up, including a teen section with a teen blog. The museum also has a downloadable app including recommendations of what to see.

Museum of Art and Design (MAD) at Columbus Circle Find out more

Museum of Art and Design (MAD) at Columbus Circle

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: MAD offers a 90-minute programme for students, including a museum tour and hands-on workshop designed to engage students through direct observation, participation, and exploration through 3D art-making. A visit in the Artist Studios enables students a chance to talk with artists about their processes, materials and concepts. Visits to MAD’s galleries to tour and discuss the current exhibitions help students strengthen their ability to reflect on their studio experience, gain practical insights into specific artworks, and learn to make critical evaluations.

Select Says: Different workshop options are available for groups and there are great pre-tour and post-tour resources with MAD’s permanent collection accessible online , along with an archive of videos showing artists at work in their studios.

ICP International Center of Photography Find out more

ICP International Center of Photography

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: The ICP photography collection contains more than 135,000 prints and related materials that range from the earliest forms of photography to contemporary work. Guided programmes are possible.

Select Says: Samples of collections for pre-tour post-tour available via the ICP website .

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) Find out more

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: Located in Midtown Manhattan on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, this museum houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art including painting, drawing, photography, film, architecture, design works and much more. Some of the artists featured are Van Gough, Picasso, Matisse and Warhol. It is possible for students to take part in a one part programme at the education and research centre with some additional free time at the museum.

Select Says: Some collection highlights to look out for include: Vincent van Gogh – The Starry Night, Henri Rousseau – The Dream, and Henri Matisse – The Dance.

42nd Street Walk Find out more

42nd Street Walk

Subject Range: Art & Design

What you’ll experience: A 42nd street walk is an opportunity to view some of the iconic sights and architecture of New York, from the wonderful Beaux-Arts architecture of the Grand Central Terminal to the superb Art Deco Chrysler building. Other sights include Chanin building, McGraw Hill, Ford Foundation, New York Public Library, and Post Modern 42d Street.

Select Says: Please note that flight times often dictate the possibilities. It may be an option to feature some of these visits on your departure day as well as, or instead of, your arrival day.

Accommodation Options

Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Find out more

Fairfield Inn & Suites New York

Our Rating:

Location: Times Square

What you’ll experience: This prime location puts you right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and walking distance to the Javits Center, Rockefeller Center, Penn Station, the Port Authority, and Grand Central. Legendary parks like Central Park and Bryant Park are a short distance away and the lavish Hudson Yards is right around the corner. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Our guest rooms all have ample workspace, highspeed WiFi and Smart TVs.

Gallivant New York Times Square Find out more

Gallivant New York Times Square

Our Rating:

Location: Times Square

What you’ll experience: The hotel is 200 metres from Restaurant Row, 650 metres from Rockefeller Center and 1.4 km from Central Park. The 49 Street underground station is a short 3 minutes’ walk from the property. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: At The Gallivant Times Square you will find a 24-hour front desk and a bar. Other facilities offered at the property include a vending machine.

HI New York City Find out more

HI New York City

Our Rating:

Location: New York

What you’ll experience: This uptown New York hostel is 1 block from Broadway Street and a 10-minute walk to Central Park. HI NYC Hostel is a 2-minute walk from the 103rd Street Subway Station, a 12-minute walk from Riverside Park, and an 18-minute train ride to Times Square. Rooms: Shared bathroom facilities. Facilities: This accommodation offers a games room with pool tables, free Wi-Fi, a movie lounge, and a large patio. Guests have free access to the large community kitchen and can get beverages and snacks from the café.

MOXY Hotel NYC Find out more

MOXY Hotel NYC

Our Rating:

Location: Midtown – Times Square

What you’ll experience: Situated in the heart of Midtown, under the shimmering lights of Times Square, offering guests close access to Manhattan must-sees like Madison Square Garden, Rockefeller Center, and Broadway. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Find fast and free Wi-Fi, oversized rain showers, smart streaming TVs and design-forward decor in boutique style accommodations.

West Side YMCA Find out more

West Side YMCA

Our Rating:

Location: Manahttan – Upper West Side

What you’ll experience: Located 50 metres away from Central Park, this hostel is located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, just 5 minutes’ walk from Columbus Circle. Lincoln Center is just 300 metres from the hostel, while Carnegie Hall is 700 metres away. The American Museum of Natural History is 15 minutes’ walk away. Rooms: A desk, a TV and air conditioning are provided in each room at West Side YMCA. Linens and towels are included as well. All rooms have access to a shared bathroom down the hall. Facilities: WiFi access is provided free of charge to guests.