New York performing arts adventure

The excitement begins

After arriving at JFK or Newark Airport and completing the arrival formalities, you will meet your waiting coach and travel into the heart of Manhattan.

As the famous New York skyline comes into view, the excitement of your adventure will truly begin! After checking into your hotel, you will have time to relax and recharge following your flight. Later, depending on your arrival time, you will head out for lunch or dinner and enjoy your first taste of this incredible city. Take in the bright lights, energetic streets and unmistakable atmosphere before returning to your hotel for a well-earned night’s rest, ready for the exciting days ahead.

After breakfast, you will set out for an unforgettable day exploring New York’s history and world-famous landmarks. Your first visit will be the moving 9/11 Memorial and Museum, where you will see the memorial pools, discover powerful personal stories and learn how courage, unity and resilience helped shape the city following the tragedy. You will also see the Survivor Tree, an inspiring symbol of hope and recovery.

Next, board a ferry across New York Harbor to visit the magnificent Statue of Liberty, one of the world’s most recognisable monuments. You will then continue to Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants once arrived in search of a new life. Through fascinating photographs, records and interactive exhibits, you will discover their journeys and experiences.

Later, join a knowledgeable guide for an exciting walking tour through Wall Street and Lower Manhattan, spotting famous buildings and learning surprising stories about the city. After a fascinating day, enjoy dinner and some free time before returning to your hotel.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will travel to Brooklyn for an inspiring two-hour creative arts workshop at the fantastic Creatively Wild Art Studio on Water Street. This exciting, hands-on experience will encourage you to experiment with different artistic techniques, express your individuality and create your own unique piece of artwork.

Depending on the selected workshop, you could produce a wooden sculpture inspired by Louise Nevelson, create colourful Matisse-style cut-outs or transform your own portrait into an imaginative Picasso-inspired cubist masterpiece. Other fascinating options include live model drawing, observational drawing, cityscape painting or “Van Gogh-ifying” a favourite landscape using expressive brushstrokes and vivid colours. With guidance from an experienced instructor, you will explore the distinctive styles of celebrated artists while developing your confidence, creativity and practical skills. You will leave the studio with your own artwork and a greater appreciation of the artistic process.

Your creative journey will then continue with a one-hour guided tour of the remarkable Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Famous for its extraordinary spiral design, the museum houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. Your guide will introduce you to selected works, encouraging you to observe their colours, techniques, meanings and historical influences.

After a wonderfully creative and inspiring day, you will have some free time to explore before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant and returning to your hotel.

Stepping into the world of Broadway and more

Today marks an inspiring 90-minute theatrical workshops and behind-the-scenes experiences. Led by professional Broadway performers and theatre practitioners, these masterclasses will provide a fascinating insight into the dedication, discipline and creativity required to perform on a Broadway stage.

One possible experience is a Broadway rehearsal workshop, held in an authentic rehearsal studio. A Broadway performer will teach you a musical number from a current production, guiding you through the vocals, choreography or both, depending on the time available. You will rehearse in a similar way to a professional cast, learning how performers interpret material, respond to direction and work together as an ensemble. Lyric or music sheets may be provided, and the workshop will conclude with an engaging question-and-answer session, giving you the opportunity to learn more about life as a professional performer.

Free time for sightseeing and shopping will also be included during the day. After dinner, you will experience the excitement of live jazz at one of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts venues. Depending on availability, this may be Dizzy’s Club, where outstanding musicians perform against spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, or a similar venue. Following an entertaining evening of music, you will return to your hotel.

Famous faces and artistic discoveries

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will travel to 42nd Street for a fun-filled visit to Madame Tussauds New York. Spread across several floors, this popular attraction offers an exciting collection of interactive experiences without the usual ropes and barriers. You can step directly into the spotlight, strike entertaining poses and capture memorable photographs alongside incredibly lifelike figures of internationally renowned musicians, Hollywood stars, sporting legends, cultural icons and world leaders. With immersive themed areas and plenty of opportunities for group photographs, this promises to be an enjoyable and energetic start to the day.

Your journey through the arts will then continue at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, affectionately known as the Met. As one of the world’s largest and most celebrated museums, the Met presents more than 5,000 years of creativity from cultures across the globe. Its magnificent galleries contain paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, historical objects and extraordinary treasures that reveal fascinating connections between people, places and periods of history.

During your visit, you will participate in the Studio Art Workshop, combining a 60-minute guided tour exploring art across different cultures with a 45-minute practical art-making session. Inspired by the objects and artworks encountered in the galleries, you will experiment with creative ideas and produce something of your own. This engaging experience will help you develop your observation, interpretation and artistic skills while discovering how art can communicate stories, traditions and identities across generations.

Designing ideas and discovering our world

Today begins with an inspiring visit to Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, the only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to historical and contemporary design. Its remarkable collection contains more than 215,000 objects spanning approximately 30 centuries, demonstrating how creativity and innovative thinking can influence everyday life and help address important global challenges.

During a fascinating exhibition tour, you will explore how designers collaborate with researchers and data scientists to transform complicated facts and statistics into clear, powerful imagery. Through exhibitions such as Designing Peace and Deconstructing Power: W.E.B. Du Bois at the 1900 World’s Fair, you will investigate how data visualisation has been used to highlight inequality, communicate important messages and encourage positive social change. A hands-on workshop will then challenge you to interpret and visually present data connected to significant human rights issues, combining creativity, critical thinking and communication skills.

Your next visit will be the extraordinary American Museum of Natural History, located opposite Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. One of the world’s largest museums, it contains an incredible collection of more than 33 million specimens and cultural objects. Explore impressive galleries filled with dinosaurs, fossils, animals, minerals, meteorites and artefacts from different civilisations, while discovering the fascinating story of our planet and the diversity of life upon it.

After an educational and thought-provoking day, you will have some free time and enjoy dinner before returning to your hotel.

Brooklyn art and Broadway magic

Your day will begin with a guided visit to the impressive Brooklyn Museum, one of New York City’s largest and most important cultural institutions. Covering approximately 500,000 square feet, the museum houses an extraordinary collection of around 1.5 million objects representing different artistic traditions, cultures and historical periods from around the world.

During a 75-minute guided gallery experience, an expert museum educator will introduce you to a selection of fascinating artworks and objects. Through discussion, observation and interactive activities, you will investigate a variety of themes and discover how artists use colour, materials, symbolism and creative techniques to express their ideas. The session will encourage you to look closely, share your interpretations and develop a deeper understanding of the stories behind the artworks.

Later, you will visit the bright lights and non-stop excitement of Times Square. Surrounded by enormous digital displays, famous Broadway theatres, cinemas, shops and street performers, you will experience the energy that has helped New York earn its reputation as “the city that never sleeps.”

This evening, enjoy dinner among the sparkling lights of the Theatre District before taking your seats for the highlight of the day—a spectacular Broadway musical. With dazzling scenery, memorable songs, energetic choreography and outstanding performances, this thrilling production will provide an unforgettable night of entertainment. After the final curtain, you will return to your hotel for your overnight stay.

Galleries, design and creative expression

Today, you will join a knowledgeable guide for an inspiring tour through the galleries of Chelsea and SoHo, two of New York City’s most exciting creative districts. The city’s contemporary art scene is constantly evolving, with exhibitions changing every few weeks and galleries regularly discovering new spaces and neighbourhoods. As you explore, you will encounter a variety of artistic styles, experimental ideas and thought-provoking works by established and emerging artists. Your guide will help you interpret selected pieces and better understand how New York continues to influence the international art world.

You will also walk along the High Line, an elevated public park created on a former freight railway above Manhattan’s West Side. Saved from demolition and opened as a park in 2009, this imaginative urban space combines greenery, architecture, public art and striking city views. It provides an excellent example of how thoughtful design can transform an abandoned industrial structure into a vibrant community space.

Your next visit will be the magnificent Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center. Opened in 1932, this legendary entertainment venue is celebrated for its spectacular Art Deco architecture, lavish interiors and remarkable performance history. You will discover the story of this New York landmark, which has welcomed famous performers, concerts, film premieres and the world-renowned Radio City Rockettes.

The day will continue at the Whitney Museum of American Art, located beside the southern entrance to the High Line. The museum showcases influential American artists, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jacob Lawrence and Alexander Calder, alongside regularly changing contemporary exhibitions. You will participate in a 70-minute guided gallery visit followed by a one-hour practical workshop in the Hearst Artspace. By exploring different materials and experimenting with artistic processes, you will be encouraged to think like an artist and create work inspired by the ideas and techniques you have encountered.

Broadway secrets, skyline views and fashion

Your day will begin with the fascinating Behind the Emerald Curtain experience, offering an exclusive look into the creativity, teamwork and technical expertise behind the Broadway production of Wicked. Led by members of the Broadway cast, this engaging experience reveals how approximately 125 performers, musicians, technicians and production professionals work together to bring each performance to life.

You will explore the Behind the Emerald Curtain Museum, where you can examine an elaborate model of the production’s spectacular set and see original costumes, props and wigs at close range. Intricate details that may not be visible from the audience demonstrate the remarkable craftsmanship involved in creating a major Broadway musical. Your guides will share first-hand stories about the development of the production and explain how a new musical progresses from its earliest creative ideas to the Broadway stage. The experience concludes with a question-and-answer session, giving you the opportunity to ask cast members about Wicked, professional theatre and careers within the entertainment industry.

You will then travel to the legendary Empire State Building and ascend to its main observatory on the 86th floor. The open-air viewing deck surrounds the building’s famous spire, providing breathtaking 360-degree views across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and beyond. You will have plenty of opportunities to identify famous landmarks and capture memorable photographs of the New York skyline.

Your final visit will be to the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, one of New York’s most stylish cultural attractions. Renowned for its innovative exhibitions, the museum holds a collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the eighteenth century to the present day. You will discover how fashion reflects creativity, identity, culture and changing social trends.

After a wonderfully varied day, you will enjoy dinner followed by some free time before returning to your hotel.

Central Park on screen and another Broadway night

AAfter enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will set out on a unique Central Park television and movie locations walking tour. During this entertaining two-hour experience, your knowledgeable guide will lead you through one of the world’s most famous and frequently filmed public spaces. You will discover more than 30 memorable locations featured in popular films and television programmes while learning fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about the productions filmed there.

Stroll through Bethesda Terrace, which has appeared in The Avengers and Elf, and visit the picturesque Boathouse featured in the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. You will also see the famous ice-skating rink from Serendipity, the Bandshell featured in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the area where Kevin fed the pigeons in Home Alone 2. Along the way, you can recreate memorable scenes, pose for fun photographs and recognise locations from productions such as Glee, Enchanted, Isn’t It Romantic and Date Night.

As you explore, you will also learn about Central Park’s history, beautiful landscapes and importance as a filming destination. This relaxed and enjoyable tour provides a fun combination of cinema, television, sightseeing and New York culture.

Afterwards, you will have some free time to explore, shop or relax before returning to the Theatre District. This evening, you will take your seats for another inspirational Broadway production, enjoying outstanding performances, memorable music and spectacular stagecraft before returning to your hotel.

Shopping and final farewells

Today is your last day and after enjoying breakfast you will enjoy shopping at the Mills. The Mills in New York refers to The Mills at Jersey Gardens, which is a large shopping mall located in Elizabeth, New JAfter enjoying your final breakfast and checking out of your hotel, you will travel across the Hudson River to The Mills at Jersey Gardens in New Jersey. Located just outside New York City, this popular shopping destination is one of the region’s largest outlet malls and offers an impressive selection of stores, international brands, restaurants and leisure facilities.

You will have plenty of time to explore the mall, shop for last-minute gifts and souvenirs, and search for some fantastic bargains at discounted prices. It is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a final shopping experience and pick up a few reminders of your unforgettable New York adventure.

Afterwards, you will return to your hotel to collect your luggage before boarding your waiting coach. You will then transfer to JFK or Newark Airport in plenty of time to check in for your return flight to Dubai. As your exciting journey comes to an end, you will leave with new skills, wonderful memories and plenty of stories to share.