3 Days In The Big Apple
Day 1
Morning Departure From Your School
Upon Arrival Bronx Zoo
From baby goats to gorillas, the Bronx Zoo has it all. You may choose to head to the African Plains to see the lions, try to catch a glimpse of the snow leopard in the Himalayan Highlands, or spend your time hanging out by the pool with the sea lions.
4:00PM Times Square
Known as the “Crossroads of the World”, Times Square got its name in 1904 when the New York Times moved its headquarters here. Today, it’s one of the most instagrammed locations in the world with over 350,000 people passing through the square each day. We’ll have time here this afternoon to explore. It won’t take long before you understand why Times Square is one of the most visited places in the world.
6:00 PM Pizza Dinner
There’s nothing like a New York slice. We’ll enjoy a pizza dinner this evening at one of the many eateries located throughout the city.
7:30 PM Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Tonight you’ll get to meet the wax version of all of your favorite stars! You’ll pose “in a moment in time” with iconic musicians, A-list stars, and sports legends. Maybe you’ll follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy, practice your aim with Katniss Everdeen, or even phone home with ET!
**Alternative at additional cost: Broadway show or dinner/dance cruise
Evening Check-in at Hotel
Day 2
Morning Breakfast at Hotel
Enjoy an included breakfast at your leisure.
10:00 AM Jet Boating
Your wake up this morning will be a thrilling jet powered boat ride around the harbor. Be prepared to get splashed as you whiz past the New York City skyline. You’ll speed, spin, and twist your way towards the Statue of Liberty with time to snap a photo before the driver shows you a few more tricks the boat can do.
11:15 AM Central Park
Central Park, featured in over 350 movies, is famous around the world. It’s larger than the entire country of Monaco with its own castle, zoo, carousel, gardens, and so much more! We’ll start our walk at Strawberry Fields, a park within the park created to honor the memory of John Lennon, a member of the Beatles. We’ll stop for a group photo with the city skyline in the background before taking a ride on the carousel, constructed in the park in 1871. It was powered by a horse and mule that had been trained to start and stop with the tap of a foot on the ground. Technology has improved a bit since then and the current carousel is a landmark of Central Park.
12:15 PM Explore 5th Ave
You’ve seen 5th Ave in the movies and now you’ll have the chance to stroll down it yourself. It is one of the most expensive and elegant streets in the world yet there are also stores you may want to do a little shopping at! Make sure you check out the New York Public Library, 30 Rock, the NBC Studios, Nintendo headquarters, and St Patrick’s Cathedral along your way. Your walk will end at Grand Central Station, one of the busiest stations in the world serving over 200,000 people per day. Head downstairs to the food court for lunch on your own from one of the many vendors offering a wide variety of choices.
2:45 PM NYC Subway to Wall Street
Meet at the clock inside the station’s Grand Concourse to ride the New York City subway to lower Manhattan like the locals. We will get off the train at Wall Street, the center of the world’s financial district. We’ll pose with George Washington on the steps of the federal building on our way to the Oculus, New York’s newest transportation hub and shopping mall adjacent to the 911 Memorial.
3:30 PM Explore the 911 Memorial Park
Those of us who lived during this time remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard about the fall of the Twin Towers. We’ll visit the site where the towers once stood to recount the events of 911, and appreciate what this spot means to the United States and the world.
4:30 PM World Trade Center Observation Deck
The elevator whisks us 102 stories in 47 seconds to the World Trade Center Observation deck, also known as the Freedom Tower. Once at the top, admire the panoramic views of the city and see what famous landmarks you can spot from above!
6:30 PM Little Italy and Chinatown
Chinatown is home to the largest population of Chinese people outside of China. Little Italy and Chinatown are full of shops, restaurants, and street vendors that you would find strolling down the streets of Rome or Beijing. We’ll provide maps and suggestions for you to explore this unique part of the city in small groups.
7:30 PM Dinner
We’ll dine at a restaurant in Little Italy for an authentic Italian meal and music. The local restaurant will fill you with fresh salads, pastas, Italian entrees, and desserts. Afterwards, enjoy listening to a few well-known songs. The group is welcome to join in to sing and dance!
Evening Return to the hotel
After a busy day, we’ll head back to the hotel for the evening.
Day 3
Morning Breakfast at Hotel
10:00AM Visit Hudson Yards and walk the High Line
We’ll start at the Hudson Yards, New York’s newest residential, retail, and entertainment complex. Afterwards, we’ll stroll NYC's only elevated park and one of New York’s most popular attractions. This former rail track, now resurrected as a 1.45-mile-long green space, is a playground lined with stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and impressive sculptures. All while offering some of the best views in NYC.
11:30 AM Chelsea Market
Formerly where the Oreo was invented, the Chelsea Market got its start as the Nabisco Factory producing some of your favorite treats. It is now a fun urban food court, shopping mall, and industrial office space. Here you can get food from around the world and enjoy shopping from many unique stores.
1:00 PM Depart for home
We’ll begin our journey home with many memories from the “Big Apple” celebrating your years together at school. We will stop along the way for rest breaks and dinner on your own.