Twenty years ago, we first visited New York and experienced the incredible energy, culture and excitement that makes Manhattan one of the world’s most iconic cities. Returning in 2026, as part of our ongoing work at Select School Tours, we wanted to see how the city had evolved and what new educational opportunities it now offers for UK school groups.
Our aim was to review Manhattan specifically from the perspective of educational travel. With many of our groups aged between 13–17, and itineraries built around curriculum learning, we were particularly focused on the value New York offers across subjects including Art & Design, Business Studies, Culture, Modern Foreign Languages, Food Technology, History & Politics and Religious Studies.
What we discovered was a city that has transformed dramatically over the past two decades while still retaining everything that makes it such an exceptional destination for school trips.
Ground Zero: A Powerful Educational Experience
Our first morning was spent at the 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero site in Lower Manhattan.
This remains one of the most important and impactful visits for school groups travelling to New York. The memorial is beautifully designed and incredibly moving, encouraging students to reflect on an event that shaped modern global politics and international relations.
For History & Politics students, the site provides a valuable opportunity to explore:
The global impact of 9/11
Terrorism and international security
American politics and foreign policy
Media influence and public response
Religious Studies groups can also discuss themes of resilience, community and humanity during times of crisis.
Importantly, this is not somewhere to rush. To fully appreciate the memorial and surrounding area, schools should allow at least half a day.
The Staten Island Ferry: New York from the Water
In the afternoon, we took the Staten Island Ferry, one of New York’s classic experiences and still one of the best ways for school groups to see the city skyline.
The round-trip journey offers fantastic views of:
The Statue of Liberty
Lower Manhattan
Brooklyn Bridge
The Hudson River
For students, seeing Manhattan from the water creates a real sense of scale and excitement.
The ferry also provides excellent curriculum links for History, Culture and Art & Design students, particularly around immigration, photography, architecture and urban development.
Times Square and the Student Experience
Global branding
Advertising
Consumer behaviour
Tourism economics
The area is effectively a real-world business classroom filled with internationally recognised brands.
That evening, we enjoyed dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, another experience students often love as part of a school tour. Shared dining experiences in iconic locations help create the memorable moments that make educational visits so valuable.
Hudson Yards: Modern Manhattan
Twenty years ago, this area felt industrial and overlooked. Today, it is one of Manhattan’s most modern and impressive developments.
For school groups, Hudson Yards offers excellent learning opportunities linked to:
Urban regeneration
Modern architecture
Public space design
Tourism and investment
The Vessel, with its striking honeycomb structure, is particularly inspiring for Art & Design students and demonstrates how modern cities continue to reinvent themselves.
Summit One Vanderbilt: A New Type of Attraction
One of the standout experiences of our visit was Summit One Vanderbilt.
Unlike traditional observation decks, Summit combines panoramic views with immersive art, mirrors, lighting effects and interactive installations. It feels modern, creative and highly engaging for younger visitors.
Students studying Art & Design can explore:
Experiential design
Light and reflection
Spatial environments
Interactive installations
At the same time, the views across Manhattan provide a fantastic perspective on the scale and geography of New York City.
Top of the Rock and Central Park
Top of the Rock remains one of the best observation experiences in Manhattan, now enhanced further with attractions such as The Beam and Sky Lift.
The Beam recreates the famous image of construction workers high above New York during the building of Rockefeller Center, combining history with modern tourism experiences.
From the viewing platforms, students gain an incredible understanding of Manhattan’s layout, including Central Park, Midtown and the Hudson River.
Central Park itself continues to provide a welcome contrast to the busy streets surrounding it. For Geography, Culture and Art students, the park offers valuable opportunities to explore urban green spaces, public design and community life within one of the world’s busiest cities.
Why New York Works So Well for School Groups
What makes New York such a successful educational destination is the sheer variety of learning opportunities it offers.
Very few cities can combine:
World-famous landmarks
Modern cultural experiences
Historical significance
Business and economic learning
Art and design inspiration
Personal development opportunities
Every day in Manhattan provides students with real-world experiences that bring classroom subjects to life.
Beyond the curriculum, educational visits to New York also help students develop confidence, independence and cultural awareness. For many, this may be their first long-haul trip or first experience of a truly global city.
A City That Continues to Evolve
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Manhattan is its ability to keep evolving.
Developments such as Hudson Yards, Summit One Vanderbilt and the modernisation of visitor attractions demonstrate how New York continues to reinvent itself for new generations of travellers.
For UK school groups, this means the city remains fresh, exciting and highly relevant.
Twenty years after our previous visit, New York still delivers everything that makes it one of the world’s greatest educational destinations — and arguably more than ever before.
At Select School Tours, we continue to see first-hand how educational travel can inspire students, broaden horizons and create lifelong memories.
For schools considering an overseas educational visit, Manhattan remains one of the very best classroom experiences available anywhere in the world.
