Where to take your 8th graders, how long each trip takes and what students see
The 8th grade trip is the one students talk about for years. It marks the end of middle school, and for many it is the first time the class travels together overnight. The right destination ties into what students have studied, keeps the group busy from breakfast to lights out, and fits the time and budget you have.
Here are eight destinations that work well for 8th graders, with how long each trip usually takes and what students see. Every itinerary can be changed for your grade level, your dates and your budget.
1. 3 days, by plane or bus
The classic 8th grade trip, and the most popular one we plan. Students see the US Capitol, the monuments on the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon and the Smithsonian museums, with a twilight tour of the memorials. No destination lines up better with 8th grade US history and civics.
2. 5 days, by plane or bus
Three days in the capital, then on to New York for the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial and Times Square. A good fit when you want two cities and a fuller week.
3. 3 days, by plane or bus
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Empire State Building, Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History and Times Square. Ideal for classes that have already been to DC, or that want museums and a big-city experience.
4. 4 days, by plane or bus
The Freedom Trail, Bunker Hill, the U.S.S. Constitution and the Old North Church, with Lexington and Concord, where the Revolution began. A strong choice for classes studying the founding of the country.
5. 6 days, by plane or bus
The capital plus Gettysburg, Lancaster County, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The deepest American history trip on this list, for classes with a full week.
6. 3 days, by plane or bus
A science trip with a reward built in: a day at Epcot, a Disney Imagination Campus program and Kennedy Space Center, where students see Space Shuttle Atlantis and a Saturn V rocket.
7. 5 days, by plane or bus
For an outdoors trip: cabins in Gatlinburg, the Laurel Falls hike, Newfound Gap on the Tennessee and North Carolina line, a day at Dollywood and the SkyBridge.
8. 3 days, by plane or bus
Architecture, science and art in one city: Millennium Park and Cloud Gate, the Magnificent Mile, the Shedd Aquarium, the Museum of Science and Industry and Navy Pier.
For a walkthrough of how a trip is booked, paid for and run, see our Teacher’s Guide.
Washington DC. It is the most common 8th grade trip in the country and the one we plan most, because it matches what students study in US history and civics.
Most are 3 to 5 days. Three days covers one city, and five days lets you add a second city such as New York.
6 to 9 months before you travel. That gives families time to register and pay in installments.
We recommend 1 adult chaperone for every 10 students. Free places for teachers and chaperones are included.
Yes. Tell us where your class wants to go and we will build a custom itinerary and send a price per student.
Tell us about your class and we will send an itinerary and a price per student.
