Frank, a Year 10 pupil at Royal Liberty School in Romford, explains the positive effect that a busy trip to New York City had on him, where he and 39 other pupils visited world-famous landmarks and learned about the history of the United States.
Our adventure began early, just after 4am, as we made our way to London Heathrow for an eight-hour flight to JFK International Airport. We landed in the United States around midday EST, full of excitement.
At the airport doors, we were warmly greeted by our coach driver, who took us to our accommodation on Lexington Avenue. Once we settled into our rooms, we headed out to Times Square, where we had dinner at the Hard Rock Café. The food was absolutely incredible, with everything from a classic American burger to a mouth-watering salad. The walk to the restaurant was beyond anything I had ever seen before – towering billboards lit up the streets and surrounded us, making the whole experience feel surreal.
Our next day was packed with unforgettable moments. After breakfast, we set off for the American Museum of Natural History, where we learned about Native American tribes and saw incredible exhibits about their weapons, lifestyle and much more. We also got to visit the new Bee Hive Wing, which had stunning architecture and perfectly mimicked the structure of a real beehive.
After the museum, we took a leisurely stroll through Central Park, which we all recognised from the many movies filmed there. Later, we rode a cable car over to Roosevelt Island, where the breeze from the river gave us all a refreshing chill. For dinner, we headed back to Times Square to enjoy some irresistible American food.
On day three, we left the hotel early to visit the 9/11 Museum, where we learned about the devastating events which took place in 2001 and their aftermath. Seeing the enormous amount of damaged items that were used to help in the aftermath was powerful and emotional.
Next, we set off for the Statue of Liberty. We were lucky enough to go up to the concrete platform, where we had a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline. After soaking in the view, we climbed the 167 steps back down.
Our next stop was Ellis Island, where we explored the National Museum of Immigration and learned about the cramped living conditions that immigrants faced. Later, we crossed the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and walked along the street where famous photos of Manhattan Bridge are taken. As always, we ended up in Times Square for dinner, this time at a fabulous pizzeria.
We kicked off day four with a quick stop at Crumbl’ Cookie, which has been making waves on the internet lately. After enjoying the delicious cookies, we headed to the Top of the Rock. After lunch at Joe’s Pizza, featured in Spiderman (2004), we were treated to an awe-inspiring view of the city from above. The view was absolutely amazing. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Afterwards, we ventured back to Times Square, but this time not for food! We were there for a hilarious and exciting show on Broadway, The Play That Goes Wrong. The play had us on the edge of our seats, laughing so hard we nearly cried. Plus, we were surprised by a sprinkle of snow, which made the New York experience even more magical.
We started our final day by visiting the National Museum of Mathematics, where we learned how the subject plays a fascinating role in the world around us. Then, we headed to the High Line, where we enjoyed stunning street views of New York - almost like the city had been sliced in half by the glowing street lights and red brakes of cars.
After a 30-minute walk, we arrived at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, where we got to try out flight simulators on the aircraft carrier. We were amazed by the size of the decks and shocked to learn about the cramped living quarters where many men lived for 72 days without ever seeing the surface. Finally, we made our way back to the hotel, packed up our bags, and headed to the airport for our flight home.
We all feel so incredibly lucky to have had this experience. The memories we made will stay with us for many years to come, and we’ll always look back on this trip with excitement and gratitude.
Tell us about some of the amazing educational visits that your school has been a part of, and you could feature on our website or in a future edition of School Travel Organiser magazine. Email us at editorial@schooltravelorganiser.com.
