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New York City World Religions Tour: A Customized High School Trip

By October 14, 2013 February 16th, 2018 No Comments
New York City World Religions Tour

St. Patrick’s Cathedral Photo: sunlituplands.org

This 3-day New York City World Religions tour combines classic New York City site-seeing with first-hand experiences at religious centers throughout New York. The itinerary was designed for a senior World Religions course taught at a Catholic high school in Pennsylvania. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism,  Confucianism, and Taoism were all focus topics of this course. The goal of this New York City World Religions tour was to provide tangible, memorable experiences to the fundamental doctrines, beliefs, and practices studied in the classroom.

New York City World Religions Tour: Day 1

Rise and shine! It is time to hold your signs and make an appearance at the”Today Show” window in Rockefeller Center.

Grab a delicious breakfast at nearby Dean & Deluca.

Next, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest gothic-style Catholic cathedral in the United States. This cathedral is made of white marble and is longer than a football field. There are twenty one altars and nineteen bells, each named after a different saint.

New York City World Religions Tour

Zanetti Mural at the United Nations. Photo: unmultimedia.org

After, tour the United Nations. Learn about how the United Nations addresses issues such as disarmament, peace and security, human rights, and the Millennium Development Goals. Visit the Security Council Chamber, the Trusteeship Council Chamber, and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber in the newly renovated Conference Building.

Then, stroll through Central Park, the first public park built in America. Did you know that this is the most visited urban park in the United States? Find “Strawberry Fields“, a memorial to John Lennon. What single word is found at the center of the memorial mosaic?

Enjoy lunch at a delicious restaurant of your choosing.

Next it’s time to go to the heart of Midtown Manhattan to shop on the famous Fifth Avenue. Visit FAO Schwarz, the oldest toy store in the United States.

Check into your hotel accommodations.

Attend Shabbat services at the West End Synagogue. Witness the prayer and music that begins the Jewish Sabbath (Day of Rest),which starts Friday evening and concludes on Saturday evening.

Afterwards, enjoy dinner at a location of your choice before taking in the lights and sounds of Times Square. Nicknamed “The Crossroads of the World”, Times Square is the site of the annual ball-lowering on New Year’s Eve.

Return to your hotel to rest for Day 2.

New York City World Religions Tour: Day 2
New York City World Religions Tour

Mahayana Buddhist Temple photo: mahayana.us

After a filling breakfast at your hotel, attend a public ceremony at the Mahayana Buddhist Temple.

Walk halfway around the world in just a few blocks with a visit to Little Italy and Chinatown. Take in the culture, the sites, and the delicious food smells of each of these communities. Grab a canoli or two (or three!) as you decide on a location for lunch.

Then, make a visit to the September 11th Memorial. This memorial is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, PA, and at the Pentagon..

Afterwards, it is back to Rockefeller Center for the NBC Studio Tour . Get a backstage peak of Saturday Night Live, the Today Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and more.

Rock out while you enjoy a hearty dinner at Hard Rock Cafe.

Explore Times Square

New York City World Religions Tour: Day 3
New York City World Religions Tour

Newsies the Musical Photo: theater.nytimes.com

Start the day by fueling up with breakfast at the hotel.

Participate at a Catholic mass in Harlem. Note the differences between this mass and your home parish.

Enjoy lunch at a restaurant of your choice.

Take your seats at the Nederlander Theatre for a performance of “Newsies”

After the show, it is time to depart for home. Enjoy dinner en route.

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