7th Grade...that perfect year where students aren't quite children and aren't quite teenagers yet either...meaning they are interested in a wide variety of educational points and activities. You really can't go wrong with any educationally-based field trip at this stage, but we do have certain suggestions that will spark the most interest out of your 7th-grade group!
Here are our top 5 suggestions for 7th-grade field trip destinations across America!
Be sure to check out these resources from our team during your pre-planning field trip process!
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
What better way to let your 7th graders explore American history than with a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the iconic symbol of freedom and welcoming station to a new nation? Let your students see for themselves the massive American landmark and teach them all about the history of our nation, our ancestors, and our government all at once. Trust us, your students are certainly not going to object to a visit to this Big Apple icon!
SUBJECTS EXPLORED: History, American Government, Architecture, Social Studies
Statue of Liberty Pixabay Public Domain
Fantastic Caverns
Actually located north of Branson a bit in Springfield, Missouri, Fantastic Caverns provides the perfect opportunity for your students to learn about, explore, and admire cavern geology. Fantastic Caverns is the only cave in North America to offer a completely ride-through tour, taking your students on a 55 minute Jeep drawn tram ride along the path of an ancient underground river. Learn all about stalagmites, stalactites, and other various geological formations underground, as well as cave inhabitants such as fish, bats, and insects.
SUBJECTS EXPLORED: Science, Natural Science, Geology, Biology
Courtesy of Fantastic Caverns
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
This is a truly fun and educational stop to be made in Sacramento, the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park a spot where the Gold Rush comes back to life. Here you will see a replica of an original sawmill plus 20 more historic buildings within an 'authentic California ghost town'. Pan for gold along the American River, hike in the woodlands along the site and learn all about the history of the Gold Rush and California's part in it overall. We suggest visiting on a Living History Day, these days guided by lively docents in period clothing participating in demos ranging from gold panning to pioneering and woodsman skills.
SUBJECTS EXPLORED: Science, Natural Science, Geology, Geography
Gold Panning Pixabay Public Domain
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
This mountainside aquarium will allow your 7th graders to let loose and explore our aquatic world at their own pace, aquariums the perfect place for larger groups to learn and play at the same time. Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies holds state of the art learning exhibits with over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in 10 themed galleries. That's a lot of learning to be done! There are overnight sleepover options at the aquarium, and plenty to do nearby in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge as well!
SUBJECTS EXPLORED: Science, Biology, Ecology, Conservation
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Danielle Bopp
Historic Jamestowne
This is a true educational adventure, a living history experience that will make your students actually want to learn more about American history, not be bored by textbooks! Historic Jamestowne was the site of the first successful permanent English settlement in America, first colonized in 1607. Today this place is an archaeological dig and museum, allowing visitors to come and explore the various artifacts found here. All in all, the attraction will show your students the history of New England, of colonial settlements, and the relations between colonists and Native Americans.
SUBJECTS EXPLORED: American History, Government, Social Studies
Grand Union Flag in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
We also have great suggestions for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade field trips!
Best Destinations for 6th Grade Field Trips
