Looking for Ways to Bring the Book to Life for Your Students?
Here are 5 Fantastic Book Field Trips in New York City
Something amazing happens when the places on the pages become real. By walking the same streets and visiting the same places as fictional characters, your students will develop a love for literature and an understanding of how fiction emulates life and the world around us.
Fortunately, New York City is an abundant resource for literary field trips for all ages. Today, let’s focus on field trips for elementary and middle-grade students that will engage students and strengthen novel units.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg or The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the best places to take a literary field trip. Whether your students are reading the classic novel by E.L. Konigsburg or the Percy Jackson series, your students will be able to venture through the museum just like the characters in the books. Plus, the MET makes these literary field trips easy to plan.
For instance, the popularity of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler led the museum to put together an entire issue of Museum Kids and a Met Kids video dedicated to exploring the museum like the main characters, Claudia and James. For classes reading The Lighting Thief, the MET has put together a Percy Jackson and the Olympians guide to help further your exploration of the book and Greek mythology.
Central Park’s Conservatory Water
Stuart Little by E.B. White
The classic children’s book, Stuart Little by E.B. White, is set in New York City. You will have endless options for places to visit that follow the eccentric mouse’s adventures through the city. For instance, one of the most exciting scenes of the novel involves the mouse taking a boating trip that turns into a major adventure – and it takes place in Central Park’s Conservatory Water where actual model sailboat races take place April through October.
Carl Schurz Park
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh is another beloved book set in New York City, and Carl Schurz Park in the Upper East Side has long been recognized for its role in Harriet the Spy. So beloved, in fact, that the park is recognized as a literary landmark. Children are invited to visit the park, play on the playground, and walk Harriet’s daily walk. Talk about the perfect literary field trip!
The Plaza
Eloise by Kay Thompson
If you are looking for a New York City setting that brings a story to life, look no further than the Plaza Hotel where the famed Eloise character lived and played. While it may not be possible to book the Eloise suite for your students, you can still stop by the Plaza Hotel and go on an Eloise-themed scavenger hunt through Central Park.
The Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island
Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris
For those doing a nonfiction unit and reading Her Right Foot, a field trip to the Statue of Liberty is essential. This children’s book tells not only the history of the Statue of Liberty, but it also delves heavily into the multiple symbols of this historic landmark. A visit to the iconic statue will allow students to see the symbols up close and discuss what the symbols mean and represent today.
What is your favorite NCY literary destination? Let us know below!
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