New York History Tour
Our New York history tour spans the American Century beginning with the immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. We see how the city has evolved over the last century and fast forward to recent times and the 9/11 terrorist attacks which left an indelible scar on the city.

School History Trip to New York
Modern American was born out of the mass migration of European and other peoples who arrived in New York and other eastern seaboard ports at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries. Almost 26 million people came to America in this period, making it the largest documented migration in human history. Whilst the nation’s formative wars were mainly fought in Virginia and in the South, the Empire State rose to become the financial and cultural epicentre of the New Republic. Whilst influence today may have moved to the cities of the West, the Big Apple – the city that never sleeps – has lost none of its allure.
Suggested Itinerary
The itinerary featured here is intended to give you inspiration and an idea of what you could do on your tour. Your trip will be created individually by one of our travel advisors to match your requirements and budget.
Day 1
Flight to New York
Flight to New York: You will be met by your private transport and transfer into the heart of Manhattan and your hotel accommodation. Once you have settled into your hotel you travel by subway to Mid-Town to see the bright lights of the theatre district of 42nd Street and Times Square as well as Rockefeller Plaza and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Dinner will be at Ellen’s Stardust Diner.

Day 2
Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Lower East Side
Statue of Liberty: This morning you take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, one of the most universal symbols of political freedom and democracy. The statue was a gift from France to mark the liberties that had been won during the Civil War. You will have access to the grounds at Liberty Island and access to inside the base of the Statue of Liberty where you can explore the Museum.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum: You continue to Ellis Island where you will visit the Immigration Museum which records the important role this island had in the processing of most of the immigrants to the USA during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Between 1892 and 1954, more than twelve million immigrants arrived at Ellis Island looking for a new life for them and their families.
Lower East Side & Tenement Museum: Back in Manhattan you will have time to explore the streets of the Lower East Side, one of New York’s most historic districts with its iconic Tenement Buildings. Once the home to New York’s Jewish immigrant community, the area is now home to China Town and there is an eclectic and vibrant blend of cultures. You can also visit the Tenement Museum which recreates the basic living conditions for immigrants at an apartment on Orchard Street.
Dinner is at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square.

Day 3
Ground Zero, 9/11 Memorial Museum & the Wall Street Financial District
Ground Zero: This morning you visit Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial Plaza where you see the various sites associated with the September 11 attacks. The Reflecting Absence Memorial features two enormous waterfalls above reflecting pools set in the footprints of the original World Trade Centre Twin Towers.
9/11 Memorial Museum: You continue with a visit to this sombre museum which is uniquely situated 20 metres below ground in the foundations of the Towers and which contains various artefacts as well as eyewitness testimony.
Financial District: Wall Street and the Financial District: In the afternoon you see the sights of the Financial District including Wall Street, the Stock Exchange and the famous Charging Bull.
Brooklyn Bridge Walk: Your guide will escort you by subway across the river to Brooklyn for a view of the city’s most iconic bridge. The skyline view of New York from Brooklyn Bridge Park is unforgettable, and after taking photos you can walk the pedestrian walkway across the bridge and back into Lower Manhattan. This is a boardwalk which runs above the traffic and so there are no cars to worry about. Spend your time on this and savour the views.
Dinner is at Bubba Gump on 7th Avenue and in the evening, you can head to Broadway to see a hit musical.

Day 4
Empire State Building, Free Time for Shopping & Flight Home
Empire State Building: This morning you ride the elevator to the 86th floor observation deck at the top of the Empire State Building. The Observation Deck wraps around the building’s spire, providing 360-degree views of New York and beyond. From up here you’ll get fantastic views across the city.
Free Time: There will be free time for shopping and sightseeing on your own. You can explore the designer shops on Fifth Avenue or Macy’s Department Store at Herald Square.
Flight Home: In the early evening you transfer by coach to the airport for your return overnight flight back home.

Day 5
Arrive Home
Arrive Home: Your flight arrives back home today
Excursions

Empire State Building
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Top of the Rock
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Statue of Liberty
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Ellis Island Immigration Museum
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Lower East Side Walking Tour
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The Tenement Museum
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9/11 Memorial Museum
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Brooklyn Bridge Walk
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United Nations Building
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Guggenheim Museum
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Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Museum of Modern Art
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Gallery
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Your Financial Security
Our tours are financially protected by our ATOL Licence and your payments are held in our trust account with the Travel Trust Association
Inspection Trips
If you are planning a tour with us, we can arrange an inspection trip so you are able to familiarise yourself with the destination and conduct any risk assessments your school may require.
Support on Tour
Many tours travel with a full-time guide who will look after your group in the destination, and you will always be able to contact our UK office which is manned 24/7.

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Our specialist subject brochures feature a wide range of our varied educational and thematic tours intended to give you helpful ideas and inspiration when planning your school’s next tour.
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All our tours are individually designed to your precise requirements. Contact us for a tailor-made quote.