Need help with 8th grade class trip itinerary for day in NYC
 

My son's 8th grade class is planning to come to NYC for a day in May via bus from Phila. area. Should be a total of 40 with kids plus chaperones. We are considering the Museum of Natural History/ planetarium show, and a Wed. theatre matinee. Both Lion King and Aida seem to be sold out for Matinees and some other shows seem to have only top ticket prices available for matinee. Would appreciate show recommendations appropriate for this age and not too costly, and/ or other suggestions for what to do and see in a day. Should be in Manhattan from about 9:30Am to 10:00PM ?? Thanks Fodorites for your suggestions!

The Museum of Natural History and the Rose Center for Earth and Space are SPECTACULAR, the kids will love them both (one ticket covers admission to both). How about lunch from hot dog vendors in Central Park, if weather permits? Great place for kids to blow off steam. As for shows, I haven't seen either, but how about Oklahoma or Mamma Mia? I would think 8th graders would enjoy either one.<BR>This may be too much for one day, but if time permits, you might consider taking the (free!) ferry from lower Manhattan to Staten Island and back; you needn't get off, just stay on for the round trip (about 1 hour)and enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty.

Check out Beauty and the Beast, it's been running a long time and you may get a deal. Blue Man Group, is off Broadway down at Astor Place, but the theater is small and may not accomodate such a large group. I'd be careful of Oklahoma, it has a running time of almost 3 hours.<BR><BR>For lunch or dinner, checkout out Mars 2112, a theme restaurant on Broadway in the 50's. A real experience for kids and adults too. There website is mars2112.com

If you have 40 people coming, you should be calling the group discount number. Every Broadway show has special people that book the shows just for groups. For Lion King & Aida, the number is 800-223-7565. YOu may also want to check out "Into the Woods" 877-536-3437. Also check out the New Victory Theater http://www.newvictory.org/ which is specifically for children.<BR><BR>You may want to take them to Central Park. The zoo is really great. And they can ride the old fashioned Carousel ($1.00 per ride). http://www.centralparknyc.org

Thoroughly Modern Millie would also be a good choice for an 8th grade class -- clean with no vulgar language. 42nd Street is another good choice -- a quintessential Broadway musical.

I have taken my students into manhattan pleanty of times and there is alot to do. There are the back stage passes at madison square garden where the students get a great tour. Radio city has the same thing. There is also the sony imax theater where there are shows for students. The Empire state building has a imax theater and ripleys beleive it or not also. There are also tours of grand central station. Some of the theme resturants give some good deals also. The statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are also great and the kids love it. The boat ride is nice and the kids get to walk around the island and eat outside.The Intreped is an aircraft carrier that is open also.<BR>I done some of these trips two or more times and never had any complaints that they were bored.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I like the idea of Ellis Island, but wonder if it would take most of the day? Any thoughts on timing the visit there.

You might reconsider the matinee since few shows would appeal to 8th graders and then you have the time factor. Assume you do Natural History first. Museum opens at 10 am and if you have show tickets you would have to be out of the museum around noon, allowing only two or so hours for the museum. Matinees start at 2pm and since lunch and getting to the theater have to be factored into the equation things will be fairly tight. Assuming you want to do the museum and you mention a visit to Ellis Island following is a way to do this. Make the first stop Liberty State Park in NJ - you can pass it on the way into the city. Take the ferry to the Statue of LIberty and Ellis Island from that park. If you get there by 9:30 you could visit until noontime and be in NYC by 1pm. Have lunch and you could get to the Museum by 2pm.<BR>Finish with the museum at closing time - 5:45. Next stop could be the Empire State Building followed by dinner and <BR> follow that by exploring Times Square until it is time to head home.<BR>You can also consider the following. Start the day at LIberty Park and the Statue. Take the ferry back to the city, not to NJ. Use the subway to get to the Museum and have the bus driver meet you at the Museum. YOu could pick up an hour or so of sightseeing time by doing this and it would add another dimension to the day = riding the subway. For group sales to the Museum call(212) 769-5200.

Jeanette, you have some good suggestions, but may I ask what it is you teach? I hope it's not grammar!

Not very original, but how about the Empire State Building? The kids will really dig the elevator ride up and the view is great.

I have to agree with rqf, I'd forget about the theater. Going to a matinee really cuts into your flexibility time-wise, which can be important at that age. Keep them moving, and only go to one thing (e.g., IMAX, planetarium) that requires being on schedule and sitting still! The Empire State Bldg. sounds like a good mix of activities. Also depending on where you're coming from, the expense of the theater might be a problem for some kids.

*Empire State Bldg<BR>*New York Library<BR>*Grand Central Station<BR>*Rockefeller Center / ice skating<BR>*Central Park<BR>*Ellis Island<BR>*Statue of Liberty<BR>*WTC viewing platform<BR>