School History Trips to New York & Washington DC
Capture the spirit of ‘the land of the free and home of the brave’
Vibrant, thriving and rich in cultural markers, the cities of Washington DC and New York are steeped in social, military and political history – and a two-centre tour is the best way to experience them both.
New York… The Big Apple… The city that never sleeps…This destination boasts a selection of nicknames that echo its grandeur. Each neighbourhood’s different and distinct personality, paired with a melting pot of cultures, fuse together to form an urban patchwork of rich history and relentless energy!
Washington DC will give your group that presidential feeling! This exciting and modern capital will have you exploring a rich and extensive political, social and military history and experiencing the atmosphere of thought-provoking monuments and memorials. The architecture is truly something else, and with iconic spots scattered within walking distance, you can tick all sorts off your bucket list in one trip!
Our Recommended Itinerary
Here’s what your trip could look like
Day 1
Flight to New York and transfer
Tenement Museum
Times Square
Day 2
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Cruise
9/11 Memorial Museum
Top of the Rock
Day 3
Transfer to Washington DC
Ford’s Theatre
Lincoln Memorial & Reflecting Pool
Day 4
White House Visitor Centre and Capitol Hill
Smithsonian Museum(s) or The National Archives
Evening meal at Hard Rock Cafe
Day 5
Arlington National Cemetery
Airport transfer
Flight home
- Return flights from UK to USA
- Return airport transfers in resort
- Coach transfer between destinations
- Half day additional coaching (Arlington Cemetery)
- B&B accommodation
- Travel insurance
- Free staff place ratio 1:10
- 24/7 support
- Vamoos travel app & info pack
- Tailor-made itinerary
- Excursions:
- Tenement Museum
- Times Square
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Cruise
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Top of the Rock
- Lincoln Memorial
- White House Visitor Centre
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Hard Rock Café, Washington DC
- Capitol Hill
- The National Archives
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Ford’s Theatre
Optional Extras
- History Tour Guide
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Hoodies and Polo Shirts
Excursions in New York & Washington DC
Browse a selection of our favourite excursions
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Smithsonian National M...
US Holocaust Memorial ...
Library of Congress
Mount Vernon
Washington Monument
Arlington National Cem...
Smithsonian National M...
Lincoln Memorial
Ford’s Theatre
National Mall
Capitol Hill
The National Archives
White House Visitor Ce...
Top of the Rock
9/11 Tribute Museum
Empire State Building
United Nations Visitor...
Times Square
Central Park
Statue of Liberty & El...
Accommodation
Popular places to stay in New York & Washington DC
- Located in the heart of Washington DC's tourist district
- Quad, triple, twin and single bed rooms
- 3 minute walk from the Metro
- En-suite facilities
- Wi-Fi
- 3 restaurants and bar
- Souvenir shop
- Wi-Fi
- Sit down to a delicious meal in one of the 3 restaurants
- Enjoy a drink in the bar
- Pick up a souvenir in the on-site shop
- Hop on the Metro to explore more of Washington DC
- Great central location at 48th and Broadway
- Within walking distance of Manhattan’s nightlife, theatre and entertainment scene
- Close to main attractions including Times Square, Rockefeller Centre and Central Park
- Various room types available
- Wi-Fi
- On-site lobby breakfast and 2 adjacent restaurants
- 24-hour fitness centre
- Meeting room
- Wi-Fi
- Explore Manhattan’s nightlife, theatre and entertainment scene
- Visit Times Square, Rockefeller Centre, Central Park and other main attractions
- Work out in the fitness centre
- Enjoy a meal in one of the nearby restaurants
- Fantastic location just a few steps from Central Park
- Twin & single bed rooms
- Shared facilities
- Indoor swimming pool
- Wi-Fi
- Indoor swimming pool
- Gym and fitness classes
- Shared lounge and TV area
- Group activities
- Cafe
- Wi-Fi
- Go for a swim in the indoor pool
- Work up a sweat in the gym
- Relax in the shared lounge and TV area
- Get the group together for some in-house activities
- Walk to Central Park for an afternoon of outdoor fun
Curriculum Information
Perfect for KS4 and KS5 (or equivalent – may be suitable for KS3)
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Curricular Links
- British imperial history and governance
- The founding of the US
- The American War of Independence
- The Declaration of Independence
- The American Civil War
- The USA and the First World War
- The 1920s’ economic crash, depression and the new deal
- The Second World War
- The Cold War and American Soviet relations
- The Civil Rights era
- The US policies 1990-2010
Step into the story...
History is much more than the events of the past – it encompasses the future and everything else in between! It sparks curiosity and drives learning, encouraging students to question and learn from the world around them.
To bring these thrilling periods of history to life, we have a vast array of tools at our disposal. Discover the fascinating tales of heroism, defeat, learn about the monumental landmarks and the shrouded secrets that have remained hidden for years.
Our devoted history guides transport students back in time, immersing them in the intricacies of historical periods. Check out our FREE history resources too – use them to inspire and educate in the classroom, before and long after your trip!
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Special Feature
There’s so much more to explore…
Explore History Hub!
Full of inspiration, articles, and FREE teaching resources. All content is FREELY available online.
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History Tour Guides
Here's why we recommend a History Tour Guide to enhance your School History Trip to New York &…
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Because choice is what makes life interesting
New York
Covering migration to America or post-war challenges in the USA? Explore these themes in New York!
Washington DC
Teaching your students about the founding of the US, 1920s economic crash or American conflicts? Visit Washington DC.
What our customers say
FAQs about this tour
Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
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What happens if I wish to cancel due to an act of terrorism?
If there has been no official advice against travel, yet your group has opted to cancel, then your cancellation is totally subject to our booking conditions (for booking conditions, please see ‘What happens if flights are operating but we decide we do not want to travel?’). However, we will always work with you to try and minimise the financial effect and find the best solution for you.
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Can I talk to Rayburn Tours whilst out on tour?
Yes, a 24-hour emergency phone number will be provided in your final documents pack and one of our experienced members of staff will be happy to help with any problems you have whilst out on tour.
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Do you provide risk assessments for the visits you offer?
You can download our Generic Risk Management Handbook which will help you complete your risk assessment for your school or Local Authority. The aim of the handbook is to provide all tour leaders with supportive suggestions to help raise awareness to risk, suggest control measures to help mitigate the risk and manage risk pro-actively. For further assistance, please speak to a member of our team who will be happy to help.
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Is our Tour Manager fully DBS (formerly CRB) checked?
Our Tour Managers, Field Study Tutors and History Tour Guides, with UK citizenship, have an enhanced DBS check. Non UK citizenship Tour Managers cannot be checked under the DBS scheme. Rayburn Tours will seek confirmation that Tour Managers are suitable for working with children by liaising with relevant foreign agents and monitoring group feedback.
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Travel in safe hands
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us and we monitor the safety aspects of all of our tours to ensure you have a memorable experience for all the right reasons.
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