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Emerald Student Travel, Raleigh, NC (2025)

01/21/2025

This week took us to Indianapolis Indiana and we saw two great attractions. Our first stop was the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL Football team, Lucas Oil Stadium. Guided tours of the stadium are available for groups and they showcase many features of the facility. On the tour, we were able to learn some history about the stadium and many of the events that take place there. We were able to get into the press box, the training room, a private suite, the locker room, and more. We even got to walk on the field and see what it looks like to the players when 65,000 people are cheering them on. This 90 minute tour was great and I would recommend it.

Our visit to Indy also included the NCAA Hall of Champions Museum. This museum is dedicated to highlighting the history of the NCAA and celebrates all of the sports that the over 400,00 student athletes play. The museum focused on the star athletes from each sport, had a hall of fame, and had many interactive exhibits that allows visitors to experience sports. They had a baseball pitch game, field goal kick game, soccer kick game and trivia games too. The highlight of the museum for me was the indoor basketball court. There were basketballs provided to shoot some hoops! The history of school mascots was also interesting. There were lots of great ways to teach kids and adults about college athletics and help them connect with sports.

12/11/2024

One of my favorite parts of history is learning more about the friendships between people and how they are connected.

On many of my trips to DC with student groups, I talk about how French General Lafayette was friends with some founding fathers and how he helped our country win our independence from England. During a recent visit to Philadelphia, I found a statue that represented the bond between France and America.

First it’s important to know the story! Benjamin Franklin went to France as a diplomat and was influential in negotiating the involvement of the French in the American War of Independence.

The Marquis de Lafayette gifted George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, a masonic apron, a fabric that bonds the two countries together.

This important moment was captured as a historical bronze statue called The Bond. The statue depicts George Washington presenting that apron to Benjamin Franklin. It represents a bond between two countries and three men. This statue is located outside the Masonic Library and Museum in Philadelphia.

I hope you enjoy your good bonds with your friends too!

12/04/2024

This week we highlight one of the newest additions to the Smithsonians and the National Mall in Washington DC. We visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture which opened in 2016. This five-story building is beautifully laid out and explores American’s history through the African American experience. As you approach the building, you will notice that the architecture is different from the rest of the buildings. The exterior lattice panels pay homage to the ironwork traditionally forged by African Americans in Charleston and New Orleans. Not only is this a honorable tribute, but the building’s façade allows lots of sunlight to shine into the building, making it energy efficient.

Our group started on the lower levels that focused on African American history. The museum boasts over 40,000 artifacts that tell their story. Students were moved by all the items they saw. The upper galleries were divided by theme and focused on how African Americans have contributed to our country’s culture.

Our group’s focus was on how African Americans contributed to the Vietnam War and the experiences African American soldiers had during this war. They learned more about the challenges they faced due to racism within the military and how they rose above this division. They were given a task to learn more about the men that earned the highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Each student selected one African American soldier that earned these medals for the service. It was a great way for the students to make connections with this period in history and what they were dealing with during their call of duty.

Overall, the students appreciated this museum and how their stories, histories and cultures shaped America today. If you’d like to take your group to this museum, we can arrange for your group to visit. Ask me today about how your students can visit one of the nation’s largest museums dedicated to showcasing the African American story and its impact on us today!

11/05/2024

Start your engines and race into learning!

This week we brought a group to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum in Charlotte NC. Students were able to learn about the history of NASCAR and interact with thousands of exhibits and artifacts. This attraction is very interactive and was designed to help students make connections and application of what they learned to real world examples.

During the visit, students had the opportunity to learn about NASCAR’s roots with a short film and witness the artifact displays that showed the newest inductees to the Hall of Fame. Chaperones led them through the touchscreen interactives by looking in the cars and other features, exhibits that showed iconic cars and how they developed over the years, the differences of all the track surfaces on each track, and how safety features from NASCAR have made their way into cars we drive daily.

Students got a chance to participate in a simulated racing experience where they need to steer and press gas pedals. They even got to simulate being a pit crew member and compete to change tires and filling the car with gas. The students loved it!

The highlight of the visit was the educational learning sessions. I loved the staff-led workshops and activities that students participate in beyond the exhibits. The Museum created sessions that connected core curriculum standards and objectives with real-world application through NASCAR. The teachers got to select the session topic and they were very engaging. Students learned about how gases and liquids combine to transfer energy and propel cars forward. They also learning how weather systems and changes to airmasses can greatly affect races by reviewing racing track surfaces, temperature and air masses.

Students did a great job of problem solving for each challenge and learned a lot in their customized learning experience. This was a great way to teach about math, engineering and science beyond the classroom.

Contact me today and book a field trip to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum!

10/25/2024

Searching for a small oasis away from the hustle of NYC? Look no further than Little Island!

Little Island is a public park located on Pier 55 just off the western coast of Manhattan. Formally a pier destroyed by a hurricane, this “floating” park is a great place to escape the noise and enjoy the views of the river.

The fairly new unique green space is designed with concrete tulips to make up the structure of the park. These concrete pots, made in upstate NY, had to be built in conjunction with the landscape because of the growth of the plants.

Speaking of plants, this park contains more than 350 species of flowers, trees and plants and even offers a small amphitheater for live performances.

As your group explores the park along the many walkways, you’ll notice many cool features. Among these are some of the pavers that resemble fish migration of the Hudson, and how the remnants of Pier 56 were left intentionally to help preserve the wildlife in the area. There are little objects along the way to interact with like spinning discs and chimes. The architects planted trees on the north side to act as a wind barrier and the south scenic overlook is highest point and 62 feet above water.

Your students will love this small popular place of nature among the base of skyscrapers. Ask me about it today for your NYC trip!

10/10/2024

Let’s go on a cruise!

This week was quite a unique experience as we enjoyed a relaxing one hour sightseeing cruise on the historic Cape Fear River! This narrated riverboat tour featured the scenery and history both upriver and downriver from downtown Wilmington.

The students learned how the Cape Fear River was a vital lifeline for the South for more than 300 years. It was a beautiful day as we relaxed and heard the captain tell local legends and stories. He pointed out historical developments and happenings in this area of North Carolina.

One of the most interesting stories was how pine trees put the port and the city of Wilmington on the map by exporting paper, turpentine and wood pellets. Riding down the river was fun, and the students walked away knowing the importance of North Carolina’s State Port of Wilmington.

Contact me today to learn more about this fun and educational attraction!

10/03/2024

Fort Caswell, named after North Carolina’s first governor and revolutionary war hero Richard Caswell, is located in on the eastern end of Oak Island. Fort Caswell is not only a retreat destination, but it also has educational programs that provide top-quality field trips for all grade levels.

Today I brought a group of middle schoolers to visit and boy did we have fun learning! Based on our group size, they divided the students into three smaller groups and they rotated through educational stations with an emphasis on science and social studies. Students learned the history of the area as well as participated in a hands-on science activity, dissecting, squids, and learning about the anatomy.

My group also chose to have dinner on campus as well as some night activities like a ghost crab hunt.

The educators did a great job of keeping the students captivated and they had lots of fun while they were learning about the estuaries and history of the Cape Fear region.

I would highly recommend this attraction for your students! Contact me today and let’s plan a field trip!

09/20/2024

Valor, fidelity and sacrifice!

This week I finally had a chance to visit the National D-Day Memorial. Located in Bedford, VA, it honors all that fought in one of the most important battles in US history on June 6, 1944.

The memorial does an incredible job of showcasing the stories and planning and details of all that went into this WWII battle.

Our visit had a guided tour that taught students about the Bedford Boys, the unprecedented amount of men and materials used to pull off the battle, and the sacrifices Allied troops made in Normandy.

Our visit also had a memorial educator give an artifact talk that went into detail about the day in the life of a soldier and what they wore. The students asked so many questions and were riveted!

The sculptures, gardens and symbolism give visitors a chance to learn and appreciate the significance of this event.

I highly recommend this attraction for students who are learning about World War Two.

09/11/2024

23 years ago, on September 11th, countless lives were forever changed.

To honor those who died, I visited the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington VA. This is one of my favorite memorials and it does an excellent job of honoring all 184 people who died as a group. This memorial also honors each victim individually with a memorial bench that includes an inscription of their name. Under each bench, there is a pool of water lighted at night so that people can visit to pay their respects day or night.

I also went to Arlington Cemetery to see the Pentagon Memorial Burial Marker. The memorial specifically honors the five individuals for whom no identifiable remains were found. A portion of the remains of 25 other victims are buried at the site.

May the victims rest in eternal peace, and may their families find solace and strength.

09/06/2024

This week we are highlighting an awesome coastal attraction down near Charleston in Isle of Palms SC.

Barrier Eco Tours is an educational experience that is awesome for students. The guided tour takes your group through the salt marsh and tidal creeks. On this boat cruise, you’ll learn about this amazing ecosystem and the plants and animals that call it home.

Guides will pull crab traps, cast nets and bring marine life onboard for closer examination. Students will be able to view, touch and learn about these animals from one of the only remaining undeveloped barrier islands left in South Carolina.

The guides were informative and even helped students to see some dolphins! They loved seeing the wildlife up close.

08/28/2024

Welcome back to school to all teachers!

If you haven't booked your field trip yet for this school year, we still have lots of good dates available!
March 26-28, April 2-4, April 24-26...come book your trip with us today!

www.emeraldstudenttravel.com

08/24/2024

This week we stayed local and learned about a gem right here in Raleigh NC. We visited Mordecai Historic Park, which showcases the Mordecai House, Andrew Johnson’s house, a chapel and more! It was originally the site of the largest plantation in Raleigh and maintains over 5000 artifacts.

Mordecai House is a historic landmark that was built as a wedding present in 1785. It is the oldest home in Raleigh on its original foundation. About 80% of the items in the house are original.

During our visit, we learned their name is pronounced Mor-duh-key. Most likely, their last name pronunciation was changed to safeguard them from antisemitism. Moses Mordecai was the first Jewish man in Raleigh NC and the first Jewish man to pass the state bar exam.

The historic park also features Andrew Johnson’s house. Johnson was one of three presidents that was from North Carolina.

Johnson was born in Raleigh, left the area as a child and eventually ended up in Tennessee. He became a local politician and moved up the ranks until he became VP to Abraham Lincoln. He took over as president after Lincoln’s assassination.

After Johnson left the presidency, he returned to Tennessee and was elected in the Senate, making him the only president to afterwards serve in the Senate.

This local attraction offers guided tours and thematic educational programs for students. It has served as a museum since 1972.

08/16/2024

Today we visited Artechouse, and it was one of the most unique experiences I have had. My phone has so many pictures and videos of this!

Artechouse is an innovative art space dedicated to showcasing experiential and technology art installations and live audiovisual performances.

This attraction definitely connected with its audience, and everyone was fully immersed in this art experience.

This one of a kind destination is a great way for students in the 21st-century to connect with art. Students will become inspired by the creative limitless possibilities.

Like they say certain art cannot be described it must be seen and experienced!

With locations in Washington DC and New York City, this would be a great attraction to add to any itinerary!

08/08/2024

Asheville NC is awesome!!

When most teachers think of Asheville they think of Biltmore Estate. I made it a mission to learn more about Asheville and I’m glad I did.

My first stop was at the Asheville Art Museum. This museum offers exceptional galleries, both permanent and ones that change over time. The part that I liked the most was the wide variety of educational programs and hands-on experiences that they offer to students. Their collection include works of significance to Western North Carolina’s cultural heritage.

After connecting with art, I decided to take a historical walking tour of downtown Asheville. Wow, my tour guide made history come alive by explaining how Asheville developed. He also taught us about building architecture, and prominent people that helped make the city what it is today like Thomas Wolfe. After our guided tour, I guided myself along the Asheville Urban Trail. This self guided walking tour was neat!

UNC Asheville was a beautiful campus and I stopped by the dining hall for a quick bite. Great food and lots of interesting places to check out like Lookout Observatory.

Only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, the Asheville Botanical Garden was a nice way to unwind. Beautiful gardens and short little path was a great way to walk off the fantastic donuts I had earlier.

The Grove Arcade is a unique indoor mall that offers gorgeous architecture and unique shopping and dining options. It’s a great way to immerse into the Asheville lifestyle and culture.

The Western NC Nature Center was awesome. This wildlife park features 60 species of animals. All the species you’ll see here are native to the Asheville area and the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Contact me today to book your trip to Asheville!

07/31/2024

The City of Brotherly Love!
Today we celebrate one of the first capitals of our country, Philadelphia!

History came alive as we took our group through the historic district and saw Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, National Constitution Center and more. Posing with the Rocky Statue was exciting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and our guided bus tour had so many fantastic stories.

The birthplace of America did not disappoint with food as well. Reading Terminal Market offered a wide array of delicious foods that are from all over the world. Cheesesteaks made the culinary scene journey complete!

Lots of culture, landmarks and art rounded out our visit to this vibrant city. Enjoy!

07/18/2024

Experience Miami Beyond South Beach: Unveiling the Everglades and Vibrant Art

Our tour started at Everglades National Park, the largest tropical wilderness in the US. We explored this unique ecosystem with an airboat excursion. I’d highly recommend the river of grass!

Amazing art murals on display were a highlight of the trip. Wynwood Walls are a free contemporary art park with many colorful walls to see. Many photo opportunities to capture the vibes.

Dinner in Little Havana was complete with a stop at a cigar factory. Juan graciously gave us a show and commentary about Calle Ocho and the traditions of the district.

Soak it all in down in Miami!

07/12/2024

Transform your perspective at Mount Mitchell!

Experience the majesty of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, with breathtaking 360-degree views from the observation deck.

Located just outside of Asheville, Mount Mitchell State Park was the first North Carolina state park and offers hands-on educational programs. The Balsam trail, located near the peak, is an easy and enjoyable hike for students of all ages.

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