New York City is a giant metropolis, the biggest in the United States in fact, so there are innumerable places to take your student group on a field trip. We understand that it can be hard to sift through the choices so we've done it for you. Read on below to rediscover the magic of New York and explore the city with new eyes with these field trip ideas!
New York Federal Reserve - New York City has almost always been the financial capital of the United States, and it all comes back to the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve is where monetary policy is enacted under the direction of the government Federal Reserve Board of Governors. This particular building on 33 Liberty Street, is the largest of the twelve regional banks, covering the entire state of New York as well as twelve counties in New Jersey, one in Connecticut, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This important and influential bank is open for group tours, leading you through the museum and even the gold vault which contains over half a million solid gold bars.
Federal Hall National Memorial - The original building on this site was constructed in 1700 and saw historic events of epic proportions including George Washington's first inauguration and the first capitol building of the United States. The Bill of Rights was introduced to Congress here, as well as the establishment of the Judiciary Act of 1789 which lead to the federal court system. The building, however, was demolished in 1812 after the capital was moved to Philadelphia and a new city hall was built in its place. For years it was used as the U.S. Customs House and later a sub-Treasury, though today it is simply a national memorial, preserving the sometimes rocky yet glorious events of new America.
Museum of the City of New York - A wonderful history and art museum on Fifth Avenue, the City Museum encompasses the personality, energy, and soul of the Big Apple. Founded in 1923 with the mission to preserve the contemporaneous history of New York, the City Museum has since welcomed millions of visitors over the years. Through visiting, your group will likely encounter exhibitions like the cartoons of famous New Yorker comic Roz Chast, the Yiddish Theater of the 19th and 20th centuries, portraits of early New Yorkers, and the social, civil activists of the city. The museum was built for education and offers a myriad of grade-appropriate programs aligned with Common Core curriculum standards.
Queens County Farm Museum - No matter the grade level, learning about agricultural and life science, sustainable living, and environmental farming is important. The Queens County Farm Museum is an excellent institution for field trips with its roots in history, established in 1697. This 47-acre farm is home to grass-fed livestock, an orchard, herb garden, greenhouse complex, and much more to explore. The farm is open seven days a week and welcomes field trips to discover their sustainable agriculture practices, meet the farm animals up close, and maybe even tour the historic Adriance Farmhouse on the weekends.
New York Botanical Garden - Even larger than the historic Brooklyn Botanic Garden, this Bronx-based garden wonderland covers 250-acres of sheer gorgeous scenery. Botanical gardens are also highly educational attractions, full of life science and biology, not to mention ecology and environmental science. There are over a million plants living in the enchanted themed gardens from the Rose Garden to the Children's Adventure Garden, the Conservatory, Family Garden, and Home Gardening Center where you can learn tips from the experts. There are a number of education programs for visiting students and teachers, workshops, nature walks and tours, and nature investigations for all grade levels.
New York Hall of Science - Located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, the New York Hall of Science is a phenomenal wonderland of interactive, hands-on learning exhibits and experiments. Students of all ages will delight in learning once more as they encounter over 450 exhibits that explain the technology, math, science, and engineering in a fun and inviting way. The museum was established during the 1964 World's Fair located in the same park as it drew avid attention from all around, building a foundation in education. Some of the exhibits you might encounter include the Amateur Radio Station, Science Playground, Hidden Kingdoms: The World of Microbes, and Realm of the Atom among others. There are several programs, workshops, and museum-created itineraries to help your group see everything of note during your visit.
Hayden Planetarium - In all likelihood, you've heard of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. This indomitable astronomy center focuses on the "final frontier," space, through state of the art technology, educational exhibits, as well as demonstrations and shows. The planetarium makes astrophysical science relatable and easy to understand as scientists like Neil deGrasse Tyson, who is the director of the planetarium, explain why this science is relevant to us today. The planetarium promotes education through lectures, special events, and Astronomy Live programs every month. You can also stop by and see the incredible planetarium show which allows you to explore the universe without ever leaving your comfortable theater seat.
