5 Best School Field Trips in the U.S.
What’s the best part about going back to school? For kids of all ages, field trips are an exciting break from the daily grind, and they motivate students to take learning outside the classroom. Whether your kids are at public school, private school, or are home schooled, educational trips can be planned to coordinate with school curriculum. All over the country, there are many destinations ideal for field trips, whether you have a whole weekend to spend or just an afternoon. Get inspired for adventure by the best school trips in the United States.
Save on Admission to Top Field Trip Attractions
If you're interested in taking the kids on a field trip, then consider picking up a few all-inclusive multi-attraction passes. They're available in many top field trip destinations, including San Diego, Chicago, Boston, New York, and Orlando, among several others others. Save big on combined admission to your favorite field trip attractions vs. paying at the gate -- Learn more.
San Diego Zoo & Safari Park
Students (and adults!) of all ages can’t get enough of the animals at these top San Diego attractions—the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Featuring species from every kingdom, these parks bring you up close to animals in habits that are built to replicate their natural environments. At the main Zoo, giant pandas, polar bears, koalas, and gorillas are among the crowd favorites. Then, hop on board the Africa Tram Safari at the Safari Park for an immersive adventure featuring curious giraffes, grazing buffalos, giant rhinos, and lazy (but ever so regal) lions. If you're interested in comparing the two parks to decide which might be best for your school field trip, check out our post discussing the San Diego Zoo vs. Safari Park. Getting In: San Diego Zoo tickets and San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets are included with the Go San Diego Card.
Museum Campus in Chicago
The most convenient thing about our favorite educational Chicago attractions is that many of them the same place! At Museum Campus, enter a universe of science and discovery at the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum. Ancient fossils, futuristic 3-D theater shows, and a fascinating underwater world await you. Another school trip favorite is the Museum of Science and Industry, the largest science museum in the country. It's filled with top exhibits and compelling demonstrations. Getting In: Shedd Aquarium tickets, Adler Planetarium tickets, Field Museum tickets, and Museum of Science and Industry tickets are all included with the Go Chicago Card.
Boston's Freedom Trail
Many Boston attractions lend themselves perfectly to school field trips because of the amount of history built into the city. For one, you can walk the infamous Freedom Trail, led by trained actors, and step back in time to Revolution-era America. Other Revolutionary-era attractions include the Paul Revere House, the Old State House, and the Old South Meeting House. Or, you could also take the kids on a USS Constitution Cruise to see the Bunker Hill Monument. Getting In: Paul Revere House tickets, Freedom Trail tickets, Old State House tickets, Old South Meeting House tickets, and USS Constitution Cruise tickets are all included with the Go Boston Card.
“A Night at the Museum” in New York
With any luck, you won’t get locked in the museum at night, but there’s still something thrilling about visiting the scene of the blockbuster hit A Night at the Museum, the American Museum of National History. Like many New York attractions, the American Museum of Natural History attracts millions of visitors because of it’s world-class exhibits. An in-depth and visual look into human, animal, and plant origins take learning about natural sciences to a new level. Getting In: American Museum of Natural History tickets is included with the New York City Explorer Pass.
Kennedy Space Center, Orlando
Do we have any aspiring astronauts out there? The Kennedy Space Center is one of the most exciting Orlando attractions, and it’s every bit as educational as it is thrilling. Students will take a simulated journey through outer space, explore treasures from the Apollo Moon Missions, walk through the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and observe enormous shuttle pads from the 60-foot-tall Launch Complex. The Kennedy Space Center's guided bus tour is the best way to see all of the included exhibitions and attractions, and is a great way to keep the kids on track. It's included with general admission! Getting In: Kennedy Space Center tickets are included with the Go Orlando Card.
Remember to Save on Admission to Top Field Trip Attractions
If you're interested in taking your kids or class on any of these popular field trips, then you'll want to make sure you pick up a number of all-inclusive attraction passes to help save on admission. Save big on admission to top attractions, with passes available for each of these popular markets. We also offer discounts on large group purchases, so school groups can save even more off general admission!