Best Destinations for 3rd Grade Adventure

Your 3rd-grade class has worked hard all year, and they deserve an educational adventure of a lifetime! Young students at this age are full of so much excitement, energy, and eagerness to learn, making it truly the perfect age for educational (or maybe just fun) field trips.

There are always the regular field trip choices for younger students, from your local zoo or garden to an across-the-state aquarium or state park. There is certainly nothing wrong with educational field trips like these, but here a few more broad, beautiful, and boldly informational options we think both you and your 3rd graders will love!


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California Coast Dollarphotoclub

  • Southern California
    • Southern California is absolutely one of the best field trip destinations for groups of all ages, especially younger students who're really interested in being active, learning a lot, and making memories that will last a lifetime! Enjoy the gorgeous coastline offering all these opportunities and more, from popular cities such as San Diego to Los Angeles and beyond.

Disneyland + California Adventures - Anaheim
Knott’s Berry Farm - Orange County
Universal Studios/Warner Bros Studio - Burbank
Legoland - Carlsbad
San Diego Botanic Garden or San Diego Zoo
Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach
Death Valley National Park or Carlsbad State Beach

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Chicago Pixabay Public Domain

  • Chicago
    • Your students will love the Windy City and its endless opportunities for fun and learn just as much as you will! The glistening Lake Michigan coastal city is among the largest and most diverse in the country. Your 3rd graders will have the adventure of a lifetime among some of the best attractions, skyline views, and museums in the United States.

Navy Pier
Shedd Aquarium or Adler Planetarium
Art Institute of Chicago
Willis Tower/ 360 Chicago
Field Museum of Natural History
Museum of Science and Industry
Lincoln Park Z0o
Grant or Millennium Park

For more details and trip, options see our new sister site, chicagofieldtrips.net 
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Scenic Views Pixabay Public Domain

  • North Carolina
    • North Carolina may not seem like the first or best option for 3rd-grade field trips, but we think it needs to be of higher popularity. The entire southeastern state holds some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery and unique learning and entertainment opportunities!

Outer Banks - Islands
Great Smoky Mountains National Park or Blue Ridge Parkway
North Carolina Museum of Natural Science - Raleigh
Discovery Place - Charlotte
Gem Mining at Reed’s Gold Mine - Concord
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Maritime Museum
North Carolina Zoo or Aquarium

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Seascape Pixabay Public Domain

  • New Jersey
    • This small northeastern state offers your student group over 130 miles of coastline on which to play and learn, not to mention easy and quick access to any New York attractions you may want to visit, without all the hustle and bustle of actually staying there! We think New Jersey offers your students more diverse scenery, unique educational opportunities, and fewer crowds than New York State, though it’s easy to see both!

Adventure Aquarium - Camden
Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson
Turtle Back Zoo - West Orange
Liberty Science Center - Jersey City
Ocean Institute - Sandy Hook
Kids Village or Kid-Netic - Wood Bridge or Montauk
Pirate Adventures or Zoom-ZipLine - Vernon
9/11 Museum or Statue of Liberty - New York City