There’s a pretty good chance that at some point in the next couple weeks, you’ll think of Times Square. It’s the location for perhaps the most famous New Year’s Eve party in the whole country. And when you think of it this year you probably fall into one of three camps. 1)That would be kind of fun…at least once. Or 2) No way on earth you’re getting me within fifty feet of that chaos. Or 3) It’s kind of nice to have on in the background while we do our own thing.

If the first, there’s something you should know. You can’t just waltz up to the famous intersection and be a part of yet more ball-dropping history! Only invited guests and those with reservations in one of the Times Square restaurants or attractions – only these people get to be part of the action. So what are some of the Times Square attractions? Do you even know what Times Square is? Besides the towering digital billboards?

Technically speaking, Times Square is an intersection, specifically the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Did you say Broadway? Yes, I did. And Times Square is the location for about forty Broadway theaters, playing the most popular stories and performances in the industry. You may end up near Times Square on purpose for a glimpse at the famous megatrons or simply to see the amazing convergence of so much life and energy. But if not, a Broadway plan is one of the many things that could draw you there. Here are some of the other attractions that may bring you to the famous Manhattan location.

The Hershey Store – Or perhaps, The M&M Store. These candy heavens are both located on the famous Square, and might be just the ticket for your New York City group travel. If say, your group is filled with children, dessert lovers, or the young at heart. Who am I kidding? Who doesn’t want to visit these candy confections of awesome?

Planet Hollywood is another fun one. This theme restaurant celebrates all things, well – Hollywood. New York City is a great place to celebrate film and television anyway. You might as well make it official with this always-popular American restaurant.

Hard Rock Cafe might be more your taste even than movies. Like at Planet Hollywood, you’ll eat while celebrating your favorite entertainment legends and works of art, only in this case – it’s the music world instead of film. I have a picture with [a statue of] Elvis because of this jolly theme restaurant.

Ripley’s Believe it Or Not. Ever seen the television show that makes grown men cringe with its wild and absurd realities that truly are unbelievable? Imagine them collected in a museum. Or don’t imagine, and just go there instead, to see for yourself the lock of Elvis’ hair, the albino wildlife, and the actual iron maiden. Ripley has been known as the real life Indiana Jones, and this museum is just the beginning of some of the many amazing things he discovered.

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum has its own gallery of amazing sights. And though these aren’t real, you’ll sometimes look twice to be sure. This wax museum is famous for its amazing likenesses of popular celebrities and legends.

You see? Times Square is way more than the ball on New Year’s Eve. There are tons of stores, theaters, restaurants, and hot spots there that are likely to draw just about any group any time of year.

Photo by plattypus_of_new_york on flickr.

Let’s talk about the White House. After all, Oprah recently did her Christmas special with the new administration. So it might be on your mind. Besides that, it’s the most identifying residence in Washington D.C., which remains the most popular city for student group travel.

If you’ve ever considered a trip to the nation’s capital, it has surely crossed your mind: Can groups still tour inside? The answer is yes with a big, fat but.

There are many times throughout the year when the White House is not available for tours. It’s recommended that you request a tour with as much advance notice as possible. This is something you do through your member of congress. (Our travel company, though not all, will take care of this detail for you.) There will be several security hoops to jump through, information to provide about your group numbers, etc.

Is it worth it? Many believe it is simply for the experience – just being able to say you’ve been there – that can be pretty cool. You should know, though, that these tours are hardly personal. You won’t be visiting with the President himself or any member of his family. You won’t be anywhere near the actual residence areas or the famous Oval Office. Many of the luxurious rooms you’ll visit are roped off, and you simply view them from beyond, like a diorama at a museum. Still, seriously, they’re pretty beautiful. And the history of how different pieces entered the decor can be fascinating information.

Here’s another thing to consider: Up until the moment you step inside, your hard-earned tour could, of course, be cancelled. Scheduling conflicts can arise on a last-minute basis, and you won’t get to say you’ve been there after all. Fortunately, there’s an alternative.

The White House Visitor Center was not technically designed as an alternative to the White House itself but as a complement to it. Basically, you get to see more there. The visitor’s center features architecture from the White House, furniture, trivia about former First Families, photographs, even famous visits from dignitaries and other White House special events. Despite not actually being in the White House, this is a more inside look at the famous residence.

The other benefit to the Visitor Center is that it’s open all the time and available to all D.C. visitors without scheduling in advance. It’s definitely the way to go if you’ve planned your D.C. tour short notice or if you’re traveling at the same time that, say, the president of France is in town.

The White House Visitor Center is located on the southeast corner of 15th and E streets in Washington D.C., just two blocks east of the White House.

Photo by ricardo.martins on Flickr.

The American Natural History Museum in New York City is an amazing discovery of our planet and its inspiring evolution through time, including the most comprehensive exhibit of the evolving human species.

This is one of the best NYC attractions for educational tours or other kinds of student travel. The experience is simply fascinating with dioramas of wildlife and the ocean. You’ll see where life began in the oceanic halls with their celebration of the first known life forms and exhibits featuring all kinds of creatures from the Mysterious Blue today.

The wildlife displays showcase other fantastic specimens with whom we share the planet. And other halls feature the planet itself, its geographic treasures, and amazing finds you haven’t even imagined.

The most popular halls of the museum, of course, are probably the Fossil Halls. That’s where you’ll find the dinos, or in technical terms, “The most comprehensive collection of vertebrate fossils” anywhere in the world. They’re grouped according to species so you can see the evolution process for yourself. These halls take up two floors of the museum and thrill visitors every single day.

Though located within steel and concrete, this museum could actually be a great beginning to eco-friendly student travel. Understanding the variety and depth of our planet, its changing processes and the life it sustains – what better way to discover the goals of being eco-conscious?

This museum’s location adds to its popularity, as its situated at Central Park West. It’s a beautiful Manhattan area for a brilliant Manhattan attraction and one every student group should consider.

Photo by Raul DS on Flickr.

The purpose of an educational tour is to take learning on the road. Or rather, it is to take students on the road to greet the amazing learning you can find there.

New York City is a great choice for student travel because of its wide variety of experiences. And, hands down, one of the most popular NYC attractions for visitors is the amazing wealth of live and Broadway performances.

The arts in schools across the nation are sometimes the first area to lose funding in difficult times. But, often, supporters of the arts are some of the most passionate in the district. It’s been proven that music and the arts can increase the brain’s ability to soak in all kinds of information – from math and science to literature and beyond. All of this is why a Broadway performance is in itself a valid attraction to add to any Manhattan educational tour. The inspiration of seeing one of these amazing performances live, is by itself a powerful reason to put it on the itinerary.

But there’s more. If you truly want to connect the inspiration to the learning potential, Broadway offers its own classrooms for just that purpose. This is one of the amazing attractions perfect for NYC theater tours.

Broadway Classroom is an amazing opportunity to complement the powerful inspiration of a Broadway performance with a corresponding workshop for your group. There are several different workshop themes to choose from. Your group can focus on the performance itself, the acting, singing, dancing, and choreography. You can see what it’s like to audition, to rehearse, and to put it all together. If you prefer to consider the business side of things, there are workshops for that as well. Here are some things you can count on no matter which workshop you choose.

Length – All workshops are approximately ninety minutes, with some exceptions.

Flexibility – Your group attends a workshop without any others. The workshop, then, works with your schedule to find a time that works for you.

Star Power – The workshops are taught by actual Broadway performers, or sometimes they’re the surprise guest at the end. For all the workshops, though, you’ll know you’re learning from someone who’s part of the biz.

Location – The workshops are held in actual theater rehearsal studios.

Affordable – The price of the workshops is extremely reasonable and two chaperones are included for free per 25 students.

Quality – Broadway Classroom is taught by qualified teaching artists and actual Broadway performers, and they are based on the National Standards for Art Education.

Context – Except for some instances, your workshop is paired with the actual performance itself. This means if you take the Movement and Song workshop for Billy Elliot, you’ll get to see the professionals perform the very numbers you have worked so hard to learn. This is perhaps the best part of the Broadway Classroom experience.

I think most of us can agree, the arts are a beautiful addition to the world and something none of us want to do without completely. Therefore, we need to spend at least some of our time and other resources to give the next generation the chance to be inspired. And Broadway Classroom is just one of the many ways to do it.

Photo by CST 13 on Flickr.

I’m reading the best book right now. It’s fiction and epistolary, and it weaves through its story surprising details about the World War II German occupation of an island in the English Channel. It reminds me of one of my favorite novels, set during World War I and written by someone who actually lived it. I’ve been known to say books like this are really the only way I know anything about world history. It’s true for most of us that facts, dates, and events from history resonate more thoroughly if presented with a little sugar – like fictional stories in my case or gorgeous travel to the European locations that housed them, if you’re lucky enough to be a part of student travel overseas.

We’ve got a ten-day tour in France for instance that’s sure to seep if not facts than atmosphere from world history deep into your psyche. There’s absolutely no comparison to experiencing these locations for yourself.

The student tour in France begins in beautiful Paris. Your guided tours begin from the moment you leave the airport. Besides a glance at some of the other Paris highlights, you’ll spend the first day at the Eiffel Tower and then have dinner at an authentic Paris restaurant.

Further exploration the next few days in Paris take you to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the highest hill in Paris located in Montmartre and highlighted by the white Sacre-Coeur basilica.

An excursion to Versailles will thrill your group as well. You’ll no longer have to only imagine the extravagance of seventeenth century French royalty. The palace and state apartments here will amaze you.

You’ll also spend time in Basin d’Arcachon, a French, outdoor haven with beaches and pine forests, villages and surf. A nearby water park offers an entire day of fun as well. Its name is Arcachon.

Finally, you’ll visit Normandy and its historical beaches. Your entire tour of France includes amazing basilicas – some of the largest and most amazing of their time, quaint villages, French countryside, and the magnificent sites of Paris. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a thrilling way to take in a little history.

Click this link for more ideas for International Student Tours.

Bayeux, Normandy in France, pictured here by caspermoller on Flickr.

More than seventy percent of all Americans consider themselves believers of the Christian faith. This makes faith-based tours a common reason to travel. Youth groups, private schools, and home-school co-ops are often looking for exciting places to travel that celebrate their history and beliefs. There are several destinations around the country that help faith-based groups experience the history of the Old and New Testament. They can really bring to life things the group members have thus far only read or heard in simple lessons. Group leaders will love seeing the stories come alive for their students. It can really help connect a person to their faith.

One of the largest of these is the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida. It combines the sunny warmth of the palm tree state with intense, hands-on exhibits from the bible and its amazing stories. Here are some of the things you’ll see there:

The Scriptorium is a complete bible experience, that is, an extensive look at the text itself. A walking tour through this beautiful museum showcases actual ancient texts of the scripture itself and parallel documents. Visitors will learn about the history of the documents and discover the culture and time periods in which they were first penned and translated. The museum parallels the written history to the history of civilization, further affirming its validity. You’ll also discover the amazing impact the bible has had on the world, its longevity and far-reaching effect.

The Wilderness Tabernacle – Students of the bible know that the Israelites were given detailed instructions for the building of their portable tabernacle and the ceremonies to be performed there after their escape from Egypt and before they settled in their Promised Land. At the Holy Land Experience, visitors can enter the tabernacle and see reenactments of all these amazing details, from the portability to the extravagant appearance and rituals.

The Jerusalem Street Market introduces guests to the noise and energy of Jerusalem two thousand years ago around the time Jesus would have walked its streets.

There you’ll find The Great Temple, the beautiful reproduction of Solomon’s temple and the Jewish centerpiece Jesus visited several times.

Calvary’s Garden Tomb replicates the Via Dolorosa, the street through Jerusalem on which Jesus carried his cross before his own crucifixion. Three crosses stand above the Garden Tomb, and the reenactment known as the Passion of Christ takes place here.

Besides these exhibits, the Holy Land Experience also brings you a scale model of the city of Jerusalem, a movie theater playing classic Christian films, and an auditorium with live performances throughout the year. The Crystal Living Waters is a popular feature after dark with an amazing light, water, and music display that thrills guests every night near closing.

There are all kinds of exciting destinations for group travel centered on your faith. And just imagine how the experience could benefit your group and complement the very convictions that brought you together in the first place.

Photo by DeaPeaJay on Flickr.

Remember learning in school about that first Thanksgiving? The big feast between seventeenth century pilgrims and the native Americans who joined them? Is it just me – or is the actual event really hard to picture?

Our country has changed so dramatically since then. What did they actually eat? How did they prepare it? And what was the interaction really like between the two very different people groups?

There’s an amazing attraction in Plymouth where you can actually experience both a seventeenth century English village and a Native American one. It’s one of the amazing colonial tours available around the country, and this one is perfect for this time of year.

The Native American village introduces you to the Wampanoag people. The men and women you’ll see in traditional dress are not actors here. The Wampanoag people have been in New England for more than twelve thousand years. In their authentic seventeenth century homesite, you’ll be surrounded by soft furs, woven mats, and flickering firelight. You’ll find a Wampanoag stew simmering on the outside fire and your group can help scrape out a boat with original Wampanoag tools and techniques. Most importantly, you’ll see the arrival of the pilgrims through the eyes of an indigenous people.

The English Village is a fascinating look at the first permanent English settlement in 1627, just seven years after the settlers landed on the Mayflower. This village tour is self-guided. You and the other members of the group might stumble onto a Pilgrim supper in one of their timber-framed homes or into the midst of an interesting discussion on the street. You’re encouraged to join in, ask questions, and probably even answer some of your own since your language and vocabulary will vary quite a bit from theirs.

Besides the villages, you’ll find a reproduction of the famous ship itself, the one that brought the English people to the country. It’s called the Mayflower II, and you’ll find costumed actors here as well, anxious to share their amazing stories.

This time of year Plimoth Plantation offers an authentic “Thanksgiving” feast so you can picture what that day might really have been like. Some of the foods you’ll be served may not even sound familiar. For example: Ciderkin, a sallett, and stewed pompion. Don’t worry, though, there’s cheesecake for dessert and plenty of items (like the above) that you’ll love whether they are familiar or not. At the very least, the experience is a fascinating one, as is a visit to this amazing settlement at any time of the year.

Photo by Smart Destinations on Flickr.

I have a crush on New York City. And I have a crush on the movies. Film, motion pictures, the talkies.

Fortunately there’s a company that indulges both my crushes in a big way with their movie tours. It’s On Location Tours, and they’ve created guided tours around the city based on locations from favorite film and television. Here’s a glimpse at the goods. There’s no way you can’t find at least one thing of interest here.

T.V. and Movie Sites

Recognize the building in this photograph? It’s from a little 90s classic titled simply and poignantly, Friends. This building was used for the exterior of Monica’s apartment. Us Friends lovers would know it anywhere, and on the T.V. and Movie Sites tour we can take a closer look and get an awesome (incredibly staged) photo op in front of it. Other sites on this tour include the front stoop from the Cosby Show plus sites from Will & Grace, Law & Order, and The Devil Wears Prada. (But you know that’s not all, right?)

Central Park

The more than 800 acres that make up this New York City landmark are a beautiful place to explore on any day for any reason. But throw in some actual film locations from your favorite pop culture, and it becomes one of the most exciting things to do on a first time visit to the city. There’s something for everyone on this tour as many great films – both legendary and recent – have been filmed near the fountains, bridges, boathouse, and walkways of famous Central Park.

Gossip Girl, the Sopranos, and More

Three of the On Location tours are based on classic television. Ever want to discover the cupcakes from Sex and the City? There’s a whole tour built around that fashionable show. It’s the perfect choice for a girls trip to town, but absolutely any fan will love it. The Sopranos lent itself to some great NYC locations as well, and one tour focuses on those. The newest tour centers around the edgy new teen show, Gossip Girl. If you’re a fan of any of these popular shows, you’re going to love the tours that celebrate them.

Now, these are the five the company has created thus far. I do have a suggestion for them, though. Having stalked On Location Tours for some time, because well – I love what they do, I feel I can address them personally and suggest two words: Nora Ephron. I definitely think they should create a tour based on this self-proclaimed fan of the city. Ephron is a screenwriter and essayist who loves New York City as much as anyone can, and she paints it so well into her writings. She’s highlighted tons of great locations in the city, and there should definitely be a tour in her honor.

Not that I’m not completely thrilled with the choices they already offer! I’ll take a walk to Monica’s apartment any day of the week. And frankly, I’m just really happy this very cool company exists.

Photo by Smart Destinations on Flickr.

When you visit a new city, instead of zipping directly to the few most popular attractions you’re familiar with, many groups like to take a cruise along the harbor (if there is one) or a walking tour to get a larger overview of the new city. Plus, this allows you to discover things about the city you don’t necessarily read about in the guide books. In Boston, the Back Bay neighborhood provides the best place to walk and discover the city – as well as the Freedom Trail, which guides you to Boston’s most historic sites. In Chicago, it’s the Magnificent Mile along Michigan Avenue. In New York City: Fifth Avenue.

It’s one of the most famous streets in the City and one of the best-known NYC streets around the world. And there’s a reason. First, you’ll find excellent shopping there. And second, many of New York’s most familiar landmarks belong there.

A Fifth Avenue Walking tour is a great choice for student travel to Manhattan, and here are some of the many attractions you’ll find there.

First, the shopping: Fifth Avenue brings you to the iconic Tiffany’s with the famous little blue boxes and the brilliant jewelry. Before you reach the famous store-of-diamonds, though, you’ll find many other popular designers and brand names. These include Bebe, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Sephora, Ralph Lauren, and of course Saks Fifth Avenue.

New York Public Library – One of a couple sites for the public library, this is a Manhattan landmark, a beautiful building, and a great place to rest your legs for the next stretch of the journey.

Rockefeller Center – This area between 5th and 7th requires a walking tour of its own. Besides the many park areas and buildings of interest above ground, there’s a shopping concourse below that connects them all. Hopefully Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Center is on your list as well – it’s an incomparable sky-high view.

Metropolitan Museum of Art – Another iconic and magnificent Manhattan landmark, the giant steps of this museum are bound to be familiar to you. And it’s a beautiful section of Fifth Avenue with the Met on one side and Central Park on the other.

Trump Tower – Rivaling the other skyscrapers in the city for height and extravagance, Trump Tower is another amazing Fifth Avenue site.

Central Park – Fifth Avenue stretches from one park to another, beginning at Washington Square Park and taking you straight to the beautiful, iconic Central Park with its more than 800 acres of walkways, picnic ground, statues, fountains, and more.

A Fifth Avenue Walking tour is a must for New York City group travel. Students and groups of any kind will love the experience, the scenery, and the many things to discover.

Photo by Kent Wang on Flickr.

You can’t quite see the marquee in this photograph, but we’ll get to that later. First, notice the happy faces, the shiny clothes. And the brightly lit awning, which in this case means only one thing: Broadway Across America.

This is perhaps the best live performance phenomenon since actual Broadway. You know why? Because it brings actual Broadway plots, songs, dance numbers, actors, set designs, and full-on awesomeness to places like Des Moines, Iowa, or in the case of this picture, Omaha, Nebraska.

We can’t all get to New York City when we want to. We just can’t. But chances are, there’s a theater near you – as in, a few hours’ drive and one meal in a drive-through away from your front door. And please run, do not walk, to the nearest ticket booth (they’re online actually, so you probably won’t need to run) and get yourself a seat for one of these performances.

I’ve seen a few, but my most recent experience was thus far the most amazing. It was Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and thus my title, as for some of you it may be a bit early for the holly and the ivy and Bing Crosby tunes and such. For me? Not so much. Halloween is the beginning of it for me. And this experience was like drinking Christmas spirit from a glass.

No Broadway-Across-America experience has ever left me quite this uplifted. The role of the housekeeper was played by Lorna Luft, who – I kid you not – is Judy Garland’s daughter. She has a big number somewhere in the middle, And. I. Cried.

No Broadway-Across-America has ever felt quite so actual Broadway for me. So when Lorna Luft belted out her songs and her line in this totally her own yet slight shadow of Judy Garland’s voice and mannerisms, I was seriously moved to tears. Sometimes you just know you’re living a once-in-a-lifetime sort of moment.

But the thing I loved most about the White Christmas production wasn’t the tears. It was all the happy. If you’ve seen White Christmas, you’ll remember it takes you back to a time when there were stage shows – not as a rare occurrence on special occasions, but at restaurants, clubs, and other places you might frequent on a Tuesday. This play made me feel I was there, at a traditional stage show put on by people who’d been preparing for it since they were 6 and first strapped on a pair of tap shoes.

The hard work behind the dance numbers in this production was evident if not during their awesomeness then certainly after them when the main character had to deliver a line and was delightfully out of breath.

Confession: There was on subplot I felt got watered down way too much from film to the stage. Other than that, this performance was perfection. and I’m so grateful to Broadway Across America for bringing it to my life.

Find one near you. Immediately. Theater tours are some of the most exciting any group can take.