Those are key questions, and Courier is here to help you answer them.
Here, you will see information on 15 destinations around the world—from Chicago and Niagara Falls to San Diego and San Juan—that offer special experiences for students. Your travelers can check out places such as Québec City and Jamestown/Williamsburg, Virginia, where early European explorers settled, or discover the ties that Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, and Lillehammer, Norway, have to the Olympic Games.
Chicago
Chicago is a city that knows a thing or two about welcoming school groups. With a varied and extensive list of world-class attractions, the destination on the western shores of Lake Michigan is a major draw for education-based touring. Read more here.
Cincinnati
“In Cincinnati, we invite students to experience our city in a way that’s engaging and entertaining,” says Jenell Walton, vice president of communications and strategic development for the Cincinnati USA CVB. “And it’s more than the free activities and museums, the professional sport teams, and the world-class arts and culture scene.” Read more here.
Colorado Springs
There is a lot of excitement in Colorado Springs these days as the June debut of the new U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum draws closer. The new facility marks another chapter in the city’s partnership with the U.S. Olympic movement, as many sports have headquarters in the city, and thousands of athletes train throughout the area. Read more here.
Jamestown/Williamsburg
One of the most history-rich places in the United States is the Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown area in southeastern Virginia. This famous corridor traces its roots back to 1607, when Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in America. Read more here.
Lillehammer
Located in the mountains of southern Norway beside Lake Mjøsa, Lillehammer oozes with charm. The city of 27,000 is a hub for outdoor adventure and is home to a varied list of attractions, including Maihaugen and the Norwegian Olympic Museum, and a major university. Read more here.
New Orleans
The rich music, food, art, and historical traditions in New Orleans help the city offer a blend of cultural experiences for students from around the world. When they head to the multi-ethnic Louisiana destination, many attractions await. Read more here.
Niagara Falls
Located in the waters between Canada and the United States, Niagara Falls is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. Its millions of gallons of water that flow downward each minute are the main draw for the students who head to its namesake city in Ontario for exploration. Read more here.
Providence
“Being a college town itself, Providence is a great destination for students to experience,” says Christina Robbio, director of communications for the Providence Warwick CVB. “The abundance of history, culture, food, and art make Providence a fun and educational place to visit.” Read more here.
Québec City
Located on the St. Lawrence River, Québec City is a destination that teems with history for school groups to discover. Read more here.
Rome
“Rome is one of the few cities in the world where you see, touch, and feel the past; just walking in or through its famous archaeological sites is amazing,” says Daniele Panzarin, CEO of Target Travel, a company specializing in student performance tours. Read more here.
Salt Lake City
Flying into Salt Lake City, it is impossible not to notice the beauty of the surrounding mountains. School groups can get two very different perspectives on how the landscape has impacted the area when they visit the Natural History Museum of Utah and Utah Olympic Park. Read more here.
San Diego
Located on the sunny shores of the Pacific Ocean, San Diego was the first California city visited by Europeans. The coastal destination has a lot going on these days, with new museum renovations and openings. Read more here.
San Juan
During a visit to Puerto Rico last year, Courier‘s Pat Henderson got to explore the island with Vámonos Tours. The student tour operator focuses on San Juan and other areas of the island on its STEM-based itineraries. Read more here.
Savannah
With its moss-draped trees, quaint public squares, and colorful heritage, Savannah is a destination that has a lot to offer. The city on Georgia’s southeastern coast is home to two historical attractions that harken back to the mid-19th century: the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters Museum and the Massie School. Read more here.
Washington, D.C.
Despite the fact that Washington, D.C., has a number of iconic attractions, its museum scene is always changing and expanding. Read more here.
Top photo: Student program at the Massie Heritage Center in Savannah, Georgia
Photo by Visit Savannah
