14 Fun Field Trip Ideas for High School Students

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Certain lessons extend beyond the classroom walls, making it essential to venture out with your high schoolers. Whether you’re covering theater basics, astronomy principles, or the cultural significance of Hispanic heritage, there are numerous engaging field trip ideas, both real-world and virtual, for high school students. These experiences can enrich classroom learning. 

1. Take in a show at a local theater

Perfect for theater students, ELA classes, or any high schoolers intrigued by stage productions, a visit to a community theater can leave a lasting impression. 

Local options might include:

• Community ensemble plays
• Dance recitals or performances
• Symphony concerts
• Productions by community colleges
• Shows at other local high schools

Enhance the outing by arranging a backstage tour or a Q&A session with the performers post-show. Upon returning to school, students can write reviews of the performance. 

Combine history and literature with virtual theater field trips

For history and ELA classes unable to take a physical trip, virtual theater field trips offer an excellent alternative. Seek out resources that fit your classroom needs and provide the same level of engagement as an in-person visit.

Virtual Field Trip: Shakespeare’s London A PreReading Simulation for 7-12
By Mud and Ink Teaching
Grades: 7th-12th
Subjects: English Language Arts, Informational Text, Literature

Experience Shakespeare’s London without traveling to England. Engage high schoolers in a virtual field trip with a pre-reading simulation activity. This resource includes tools for a dynamic virtual experience, such as booking “flights,” videos of The Globe theater, virtual tours of Stratford Upon Avon, and printable passports and activities.

2. Review ecology at the zoo or aquarium

If your area has a zoo or aquarium, it’s a ready-made field trip opportunity that goes beyond young children. This engaging idea allows high school students to apply biology and ecology knowledge from science or geography classes in a practical setting. 

Prepare question packets or research tasks for students to complete before, during, and after their visit, and allow responsible students to explore in groups at their own pace.

Take a virtual field trip to different places across the world

How do climate and geography influence a region’s ecosystem and wildlife? Encourage students to investigate these topics with virtual field trip resources that provide comprehensive global exploration opportunities.

Australia & Oceania Geography Unit Bundle | No-Prep Virtual Field Trip | TEKS
By Discovering Our World
Grades 6th-9th
Subjects: Australian History, Geography
Standards: CCSS RH.6-8.1, 6-8.2

Aligned with CCSS, this unit covers the physical geography, climate, population, cultural traits, and Indigenous groups of Australia, Oceania, and New Zealand. Designed for a three-week implementation, it complements a virtual field trip activity and is an excellent addition to a geography curriculum on this unique region.

3. Explore global influences at multicultural marketplaces

Whether visiting a Mexican mercado, a Korean sijang, or a Greek agora, street markets offer valuable field trip experiences for high school students to learn about distinct cultures. They can taste food, enjoy local music, and converse with community members in languages they’re studying. For extra credit, students can prepare dishes at home based on their market experiences and share them in class.

Enhance LOTE lessons with virtual field trips

Students learning languages other than English can expand their curriculum with virtual field trips, gaining cultural insights and broader perspectives without leaving the classroom.

Spain Virtual Field Trip to España in English digital and printable
By Manzana para la maestra
Grades: 6th-9th
Subjects: Social Studies, Spanish, World Languages

Embark on a viaje virtual to Spain without leaving Spanish class! This resource includes Google Slides highlighting cultural landmarks across Spain, such as Madrid’s Royal Palace and Barcelona’s La Rambla and Sagrada Familia, along with instructions and a grading rubric.

PARIS Virtual Field Trip-7/10 days End of Year French Voyage Fin d’Année Project
By Dynamic Language Class
Grades: 9th-12th

Subjects: French, World Languages

For French students dreaming of Paris, a virtual project can make that vision a reality. This week-long project involves exploring French culture through videos and images accessed via an interactive map, and students complete graphic organizers to reflect on destinations, cuisine, weather, and accommodation in France.

4. Step into the past at historical museums and landmarks

Every town has historical landmarks waiting to be discovered. Create memorable history group activities by taking students to a historical district or museum. 

From battlefields to historic buildings and museums focused on local history, high schoolers can walk in the footsteps of figures they’ve learned about. Encourage them to take photos and later create a slideshow or brochure to promote the experience to others. 

Connect your cultural heritage instruction to virtual field trips

For history or language class research projects, virtual field trips can provide vital context and insight. Utilize resources focused on cultural heritage to inspire students to think about famous figures and historical moments and connect them to local history.

Día de la Mujer Famous Women in History Hispanic Women Virtual Field Trip
By Srta Spanish
Grades: 9th-12th
Subject: Spanish

Available in both Spanish and English, this virtual field trip educates high schoolers about mujeres famosas (famous women) in Spanish-speaking countries. Through interactive maps, videos, graphic organizers, and comprehension questions, students learn about historical and contemporary figures in Hispanic heritage.

5. Focus on career readiness with company tours

Encourage high schoolers to think about their future careers early on. Company tours, whether at large corporations, small businesses, or anything in between, can provide valuable insights into their career paths during a career readiness unit. Combine this field trip idea with a comprehensive career project involving job shadowing or further research on potential opportunities in their desired fields.

6. Stimulate understanding at science museums or planetariums

For high schoolers who thrive with hands-on learning, a visit to a science museum is unmatched. It’s an ideal addition to studies on electricity, physics, ecology, or any science branch covered in your curriculum and a museum exhibit. 

If there’s a planetarium nearby, consider taking astronomy students for a visit or organizing a “Study the Stars” evening in a clear area. Setting up a portable learning dome, like Starlab, can also create a field trip-like experience. 

7. Explore government responsibilities at civic buildings

As students near voting age, it’s an opportune time to immerse them in the civic process. Take your government or social studies class to local courthouses or city hall, or if feasible, visit the state capital. 

Arrange tours with government officials or sit in on public sessions. Encourage students to write about the importance of in-person communication in modern government and politics.

8. Bring high schoolers on local college tours

It’s never too early to plan for the future! Freshmen and sophomores can kickstart their college planning with this field trip idea. 

Consider diverse destinations, such as:

• Local universities
• State colleges
• Community colleges
• Trade schools
• Occupational training programs
• Satellite campuses

Make the trip impactful by having students prepare questions for tour guides in advance. They can use their insights in a college and career unit or an application essay they’re crafting in class.

9. Take a walk through natural parks and preserves

Unless they’re avid campers or hikers, many high schoolers may not be familiar with nearby natural wonders. Take them to local nature spots to observe native wildlife and identify ecosystem elements studied in school. 

If you’re close to a state park, natural forest, or protected preserve, organize a day trip for students to capture photos and record observations. For smaller classes or responsible students, consider planning an overnight camping trip with parent chaperones or at a local summer camp for an especially enjoyable field trip.

10. Research anatomy and physiology at the local hospital

Aspiring doctors and nurses might find this field trip idea particularly engaging, especially if it aligns with an anatomy and physiology unit in science class. Students can explore different departments, interact with medical professionals, and learn about volunteer opportunities during a hospital or clinic visit. As a follow-up task, have them write a compare and contrast essay about their hospital experience versus their expectations based on TV shows or movies.

11. Spend a day at a TV station or newsroom

If high schoolers’ only camera experience is through their phones, a field trip to the local TV station might be in order! Although this idea suits media arts students, it can benefit any high schoolers needing media literacy and eager to connect with television professionals, whether on or off camera. 

See if the TV station will allow your class to create their own newscast or feature their field trip on a local news segment. A similar request can be made to your local newspaper. 

12. Take a ride at a nearby horse stable

High schoolers don’t need to be skilled equestrians to enjoy horseback riding for a day. In fact, beginners might find their first ride even more rewarding! Locate a nearby stable where a small group can spend the day riding, caring for, and learning about horses.

This field trip is particularly beneficial for social-emotional learning, as research indicates that adolescents can develop resilience through equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP). Consider stables offering EAP services and make these options available to parents with teens who find a strong bond with horses and riding.

13. Be a tourist for the day

How much do your students know about their city? Arrange a tour around town or a nearby large city, inviting students to act as if they’re new to the area. What sights are unfamiliar to them, and where would they like to return?

For older high schoolers, incorporate executive functioning and real-life skills into the trip. Have them use public transit, design a tour map, and plan the day themselves. They might discover more about their hometown than they ever imagined!

14. Take a lesson at a dance studio

If high schoolers in your class feel self-conscious about dancing or have never danced, an afternoon at a local dance studio could be a valuable experience. Find a studio that offers lessons in ballroom, swing, or hip-hop dance for teenagers to bring to their next school event.

Dance team members or those with extensive experience can partner with those needing more guidance. After the field trip, have students learn more about their dance style and present a historical report on the evolution of dance across different eras.

Tips for Running a Successful High School Field Trip

After selecting a field trip idea, it’s time to turn preparation into action—literally, if a school bus is involved. Keep these tips in mind as you plan, execute, and reflect on a field trip that students will cherish.

• Plan early. Field trip venues often fill up quickly, so aim to schedule trips well in advance, possibly before the school year starts. You’ll likely need time to get district approval. 
• Look for funding sources. If the district is hesitant to cover expenses, explore alternative funding from school boosters or parent groups.
• Ask for volunteers. Parents of teenagers often have fewer opportunities to help at school, so they may be eager to chaperone a field trip!
• Make your expectations clear. Distribute behavior contracts before trips so students and parents understand the consequences of misbehavior outside school.
• Use the buddy system. It’s not just for young children—teens should stick together in all settings.
• Use their tech. Collect phone numbers for all high schoolers and use a school app to stay in contact frequently.

Take learning outside the classroom with TPT

When students witness concepts you’ve taught in real-world settings, they forge connections between classroom learning and personal experiences. For high schoolers, this is the ultimate objective, and incorporating virtual field trip resources into your curriculum can set them up for success!

You can also explore engaging field trip ideas for high school students without needing a school bus. Discover virtual field trips across various subjects, available for class activities, paired projects, or independent learning.