8 Awesome Ideas for an Epic 8th Grade Trip
Eighth grade is that strangely weird but wonderful transition from middle school tween to high school teen. Students are testing boundaries while still watching SpongeBob! Eighth grade is also the perfect time to encourage their desire to explore beyond classroom walls. If you’re considering travel this year, we’re sharing 8 awesome ideas for an epic 8th grade trip!
Epic 8th Grade Trip Ideas
There are lots of great destinations to consider, depending on your trip goals. Do you want to meet your social studies standard benchmark for the year? Experience STEM in action? Or do you just want to plan a fantastic finish for your students’ middle school years?
Whatever the reasons why, we’ve got 8 great suggestions for the where!
And as an added bonus, we’ll toss in a few weird and wonderful spots that 8th graders will adore!!
1. Gettysburg and Philadelphia
An 8th grade curriculum typically covers topics like the American Revolution, Constitution, the Civil War, enslavement, and more. Planning a trip to Philadelphia and Gettysburg checks all the boxes.
In Philadelphia you can tour Independence Hall, see the Liberty Bell, stop at the Museum of the American Revolution, visit the Franklin Institute, and learn about the Stars and Stripes at the Betsy Ross House. There are countless attractions and activities with revolutionary roots.
Just a few hours to the west is Gettysburg, the site of the 1863 battle that turned the tide in the Union’s favor during the Civil War. It is also known as the bloodiest battle in American history.
Visit the Gettysburg National Military Park, explore the battlefield, get close to the action at the diorama, and stop at the Shriver House for a civilian’s view of the conflict. Be sure to hop on a ghost tour – Gettysburg is reputed to be one of the most ‘spirited’ locations in America!
Steeped in History and Mystery: Gettysburg is a Great Student Destination
Weird and Wonderful
The Mütter Museum
If the slightly macabre is your students’ thing, visit the Mütter Museum. This museum boasts a collection of medical oddities and implements guaranteed to make you glad you live in the 21st century. Yikes!
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Cue the cheesy music and make your triumphant climb to the top of the steps made famous in Rocky. The Philadelphia Museum of Art a prime selfie spot!
Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium
Mr. Ed’s started as a roadside attraction in 1975. Now it’s grown to include a collection of roughly 10,000 elephants, along with all sorts of other goodies. Mr. Ed’s features an incredible selection of candy and (of course) fresh roasted peanuts.
2. U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville
Huntsville is the Rocket City for a reason. I mean, you can’t miss the 363-foot Saturn V rocket towering over I-565. It’s also a really big welcome to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center – Huntsville’s hallmark attraction.
Make your 8th grade trip out of this world with scientific wonder and space exploration for STEM-minded students.
Focus on real-world applications for science, technology, engineering and math. Design robots or simulate space flight – it’s an immersive and inspiring educational experience!
Weird and Wonderful
The Grave of Miss Baker
Miss Baker was something of a celebrity in 1959. She appeared on network television, posed at press conferences, hung out with the political elite in Washington D.C., and married a hairy guy named Big George in 1962. She was even featured on the cover of Life magazine wearing only a shirt.
Scandalous? Not really. Miss Baker and her partner Miss Able were the first space monkeys to be successfully recovered from a U.S. mission to space. Unfortunately, Miss Able died in surgery four days later, but Miss Baker lived to the ripe old age of 27. She passed away in 1984 from kidney failure.
You can visit the grave of Miss Baker just outside the entrance to the Space & Rocket Center – and leave a banana if you are so inclined!
3. Washington D.C.
Embrace the heart of our nation’s government, take a deep dive into history, and investigate the unexpected on an 8th grade trip to Washington D.C.
Visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, schedule a guided tour of the capitol building, or experience the monuments and memorials (especially impressive at night!)
Take in the Smithsonian collections, explore the National Archives, or stroll beneath the flags of Embassy Row. There are endless possibilities for your 8th grade trip to Washington D.C.
Weird and Wonderful
Catacombs of Washington D.C.
A dimly lit web of passages beneath the city weaves through row after row of wall graves – much like the catacombs of Ancient Rome.
However, this eerie subterranean complex was actually built early in the 20th century by Franciscan monks who wanted to replicate the Holy Land for those who didn’t have the financial means to travel there.
The Catacombs of Washington D.C. is definitely a cool and creepy stop!
International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum is an amazing stop for student groups. It is a high-tech, interactive museum highlighting the past, present and history of espionage. It’s super easy for groups of all sizes to navigate and teens are fascinated by the engaging exhibits.
4. Yellowstone National Park
If an eco-friendly, sustainable adventure is on your list, Yellowstone National Park is a great choice. Experience the show stopping display of power as Old Faithful erupts and explore countless other natural wonders here.
Students can watch animals in their natural homes, investigate the science behind geothermal activity, and learn why conservation is important. This hands-on experience helps them appreciate their surroundings and understand the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Weird and Wonderful
The Wreck of the E.C. Waters
The rotting wreck of the E.C. Waters on Stevenson Island has a tale to tell! E.C. was one of the first to capitalize on the natural resources of Yellowstone when he launched boat tours in 1891. However, by all accounts he was despicable and downright nasty to his customers- and unfortunately the only game in town.
He became so obnoxious that the Parks Department tried to put him out of business. E.C. doubled down by buying a bigger steamship in 1905 for the astonishing sum of $60,000. But the Parks Department refused to license it as a ferry, starting a legal battle that would wage for years.
From that point on, the boat sat idle, fell into disrepair, and was dismantled bit by bit (its steam boiler was even used to heat an island hotel for 40 years.) Its shell was used by skiers to keep warm, as an overhang for a fish fry, and a place for bar fights! Nearly 125 years later, it still sits like a ghost ship waiting for a voyage that will never happen.
5. Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park is a geological wonder, learning, and adventure. It’s ancient canyons and rock layers tell the story of how our planet was formed.
Take a guided hike along the rim or ride down into the canyon to learn about plants, animals, weather, erosion, and how nature connects us all.
Weird and Wonderful
The Squirrels of Kaibab Plateau
Meet the squirrels of the Kaibab Plateau! These furry freaks of nature have a distinctive charcoal-colored body and strikingly white tail.
Kaibab squirrels are the evolutionary result of the plateau’s isolated spot. They became separated from their genetic cousins by canyons and deserts and now can only survive in the 638 square miles of ponderosa pine forests here.
What 8th grader doesn’t love a non-conformist?!
6. New Orleans
Even if you’ve never been, you probably know a little bit about New Orleans. Outrageous Mardi Gras celebrations, melting beignets, or the jazzy sounds for which the city is renowned come to mind. But New Orleans tells an eclectic story that’s a little strange and has many twists and turns.
New Orleans Tells an Eclectic Story
New Orleans’ mix of French, Spanish, Native, and African American cultures gives students a unique lesson in traditions and cultural diversity.
From the Cajun/Creole influence of the French Quarter to exuberantly quirky traditions of brought to life at Mardi Gras World, 8th graders will learn about the rich heritage that make New Orleans a very special place.
Weird and Wonderful
St. Louis Cemetery and the Voodoo Queen
Students will surely want to stop at the St. Louis Cemetery, where Marie Laveau the “Voodoo Queen” rests in an iconic above-ground grave.
A Creole free woman of color with her own set of rules and strong beliefs, Marie was a trailblazer for all women. Her strong convictions and loyal confidentiality have kept her a mysterious legend for centuries.
7. New York City
A New York City trip is a rite of passage for many students. Each year brave middle school teachers everywhere plan Broadway shows, tours of the Empire State Building or stops in Times Square. These iconic NYC attractions are must dos!
However, teachers also know that kids like to shake things up. When you’re ready to make your standard trip a stand-out experience, check out Big Apple favorites like Dylan’s Candy Bar, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Hudson Yards, and Summit One.
Weird and Wonderful
New York City is FILLED with weird and wonderful things to do, so we just picked a couple of teen favorites to spotlight.
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
The first ice cream can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty around 200 BC. And while China’s claim to have invented it is up for debate (the Persians have a stake here, too), there’s no doubt that the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is churning up some frozen yumminess.
Taste 30+ rotating flavors of this New York City institution’s in-house ice cream piled high in an enormous waffle cone!
Ghostbusters Fire House
Get ready for some spirited selfies in front of this iconic Tribeca firehouse! While it’s the headquarters for the city’s fictional ghostbusting operations, it’s also home to the real-life Hook & Ladder Company 8.
The firefighters from this company were among the first to respond to the horrific events at World Trade Center on September 11.th
8. Orlando and Gradventure
Central Florida is a favorite spot for 8th grade trips. It boasts warm weather, magical mice thrills, spills, and the occasional wizard tossed into the mix. It’s the perfect mix of excitement and relaxation.
Gradventure – Not Weird, but Definitely Wonderful!
If you want to celebrate the end of the 8th grade year, check out Gradventure at Universal Orlando Resort.
Plan Your Gradventure 2025 Trip Now
Middle school student groups from across the country are invited to an unforgettable late-night party at Universal Studios™ Orlando. It features today’s hottest music throughout the parks, tons of dancing, and high-energy coasters. Eighth graders also get exclusive access to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, exciting rides and attractions, and mouthwatering munchies.
Students can hop safely between the parks via dedicated crossings as their exciting night unfolds.
More Awesome Ideas for your 8th Grade Trip
These are 8 awesome ideas for an epic 8th grade trip, but there are countless others! If you’re not sure where to begin, the expert team at Kaleidoscope Adventures is ready to help.
Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning outstanding student travel for more than 30 years. Online registration and payments, convenient crowdfunding options, and an expert team make your planning simple and efficient.
They’ll work with you to plan an exceptional travel experience for your 8th graders from start to finish!
Why Kaleidoscope Adventures?
As a leader in the student travel industry for 30+ years, Kaleidoscope Adventures exceeds expectations for student and performance group travel.
We’ll work with you to plan an exceptional travel experience and provide impeccable customer service from start to finish
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