During half term, our College students took an unforgettable trip to New York City and Washington, D.C.

Over six packed days, they explored everything from the bright lights of Times Square to the historic landmarks of the U.S. capital. Whether it was seeing the view from the Empire State Building, visiting the Statue of Liberty, or exploring powerful memorials in D.C., each stop offered something memorable. Check out the highlights that made this trip one to remember, written by Spike D (Year 12).

Day 1

Getting off the plane, we were a fatigued bunch. After a very early start, there was no denying that we were looking forward to getting some sleep on our first day. However, that didn’t stop us from making the most of our first time in New York! Not only did we get to experience Times Square (a first for most of us!), but we also ascended the Empire State Building. The New York skyline at night is a view that I doubt any of us will forget; it was truly an incredible experience (as was our first night’s sleep afterwards!).

Day 2

After another early start, we set off for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We were very fortunate to experience such excellent weather in New York, and the statue stood with a clear blue sky behind her. We learned about the first immigrants to arrive in America at the Ellis Island Museum, before continuing on to Wall Street. The 9/11 Museum was an undeniably emotional experience, as was our trip to see Stonewall (and the Sex and the City house, at Miss Jeans’ request!). We finished the evening with a lovely meal at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Day 3

We began our last day in New York with a trip to the John Lennon memorial in Central Park (Strawberry Fields) before taking a stroll through Soho and into Washington Square Park. We stocked up on food at Chelsea Market before traversing the High Line, an impressive blend of nature and urban architecture. The Edge was intimidatingly tall at first glance; however, the view from the top was worth it! We ended our time in New York living the Gossip Girl life in Grand Central Terminal, before our last meal in Times Square.

Day 4

After a very difficult goodbye to the hostel, we began our journey to Washington, D.C., through Pennsylvania. It was fascinating to visit Independence Hall, where the American Constitution was formed, and Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell. We visited Reading Terminal Market for lunch, enjoying a Philly cheesesteak and a taste of American culture. After a walk through the iconic Love Park and a peek through Philadelphia’s own portal, we finished our day running up the Rocky Steps. Upon arriving in Washington, there was an electric atmosphere following Kamala Harris’s rally, although we were so ready for bed that it was hardly noticed!

Day 5

Our first full day in Washington was jam-packed with political sites. We began our day at the Capitol, spending time in the Rotunda and the Crypt, before heading to the Library of Congress. Our final stop in central Washington was the Supreme Court, before taking the subway to Arlington National Cemetery. We saw the graves of some very influential political figures such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John F. Kennedy, before watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We finished our day with a trip to watch The Rest is Politics USA live at Capitol Turnaround, which was very interesting in light of the election!

Day 6

For our final day, we began with a trip to the White House Visitor Center to learn about the executive branch of the US government. We then set off for the Smithsonian, where we saw the Greensboro chairs, along with various exhibitions on American history, covering everything from protests to space travel. We then walked to the Lincoln Memorial, stopping near the White House to get a glimpse of one of America’s most iconic buildings. We finished our day in Washington with some last-minute shopping at the Pentagon City Fashion Center before beginning the long journey home.