Educational Travel Blog | From Sea to Shining Sea

Top Ten New York City Experiences

Back in 2008 we asked one of our tour directors Geoff to highlight some of his favorite New York City activities. Here is the list of his top ten experiences on New York City student tours.

1) The Empire State Building:
A climb to the 86th floor observation deck is an incredible introduction to the Big Apple and is not to be missed! On a clear night you can see not only the famous yellow taxis and pedestrians spinning circles down below, but also the Statue of Liberty presiding over the harbor far in the distance.

2) Cheesecake:
Some experiences in New York City are not tied to any single destination. From Times Square to Chinatown, you’ll find cheesecake that is good enough to spoil any dinner.

3) Dylan’s Candy Bar:
Inside Dylan’s Candy Bar on the Upper East Side there are treat-lined walls are treasures that you thought had disappeared.

4) Broadway:
There are few things in New York more magical than walking through the pre-theater crowds in the midst of Times Square’s glowing neon lights en route to a Broadway Show. The best part is that a Broadway show, be it serious or silly, rarely disappoints.

5) Apollo Theater:
Standing on the stage of the Apollo Theater in Harlem, the very platform which has seen singing legends swept off the stage by the most demanding of audiences, is an amazing experience.

6) Wollman Rink:
While the masses flock to the much smaller rink in Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink portrays winter tranquility and is nestled in Central Park.  Wollman Rink offers plenty of room to truly stretch your legs and push your skating abilities to the limit.

7) The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island:
The Statue of Liberty may not stand as tall as once imagined it upon first glance. Seeing it through the eyes of a typical immigrant in the early 1900s –Lady Liberty immediately begins standing taller. She stood sentry over the harbor welcoming hope into the lives of millions.

8) World Trade Center Site:
All of our lives changed on September 11, 2001. A visit to the World Trade Center site is often an emotional experience, but it is also an opportunity to reflect and connect to the events of that unforgettable day.

9) The Brooklyn Bridge:
When it was first built, the Brooklyn Bridge connected two of the largest cities in the United States to one another, but there was one problem: it was so long that people were scared to cross it. Twenty-one circus elephants were paraded across to prove just how stable the bridge was, and the rest is history. More than 100 years later, walking across the bridge is still one of the great thrills New York has to offer.

10) Start Spreading the News:
Some things in New York just happen and many of the best tourist moments fall very much into this category. Whether it’s accidentally stumbling through a film set for the next great blockbuster movie, sliding down the pole at a fire station downtown, or even joining forces with strangers during a blizzard to make 30 snow angels simultaneously in the middle of Rockefeller Plaza, it’s safe to say that you never quite know what you’ll experience during a visit to New York!

The importance of educational travel

Judy Henry has traveled with EF on seven tours, and is planning both a domestic and an international tour for 2011.  Here she talks about the eye-opening experience educational travel has brought her students.

In my experience as an educator I personally, as do most, find glee in opening the world to my students via a variety of learning opportunities. With certainty, my most favorite is through educational travel to a variety of places: Washington, D.C., Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello and to New York City. Over the past fifteen years, it has been my privilege and delight to share a world of knowledge (past/present/ future) with my students, other staff, parents, relatives, and friends! Once over the years, a particular student asked me, “Why do you keep doing these trips, Mrs. H? Don’t you get bored seeing the same things every year?” I replied, “…absolutely NOT! Every year I learn new things, I meet new people and I have you with whom to share this trip!” He smiled and understood in that one conversation what it means to take an educational tour.

Often, as a result of this first tour, many of my travelers of all ages become lifelong friends who tell me, "You did this to me; now, I just have to go out, travel and see more places like you do."  Often they join me on other EF adventures around the world. I guess you could say it’s contagious.  Personally, I LOVE these comments; educational travel truly "OPENS THE WORLD" to learning!

As I continue to offer these trips to my students I find that I am always thrilled with the opportunities to explore Washington, D.C., and New York City with knowledgeable and excited persons who are there for our group every step of the way.  They strive to better each tour component whenever and wherever possible with thorough supplier reviews. In addition, adults and students who have traveled become those who practically “sell” future trips because of their elated tales of all that was done and seen on their travels. I have been offered occasions to extend my experience and excitement with those who are making initial steps to join this wonderful student travel experience.  In assisting others, I experience an even deeper feeling of accomplishment to help someone else discover the marvels of America.

To get in contact with an experienced group leader like Judy, contact your tour consultant or email etaprogram@ef.com.

 
Judy and her adult chaperones in Washington, D.C.