Art History
Educational Tours & School Trips

New York City is an essential stop for any art history tour. Visit the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art, home to millions of works spanning ancient to modern eras, where students can view masterpieces from across the globe. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) offers an unparalleled overview of modern and contemporary art, from Van Gogh to Warhol. Don’t miss the Whitney Museum of American Art for a focus on 20th- and 21st-century U.S. art. NYC’s vibrant gallery districts in Chelsea and the Lower East Side also showcase emerging talent, while street art and public sculpture enrich the city’s visual landscape. Add optional visits to specialized art collections like the Grey Art Museum or American Folk Art Museum for added depth. Learn more about ETA’s New York educational tours.

Chicago blends architectural innovation with world-class museum experiences, making it a dynamic destination for art history tours. The Art Institute of Chicago is a must-see, with its vast Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections (including A Sunday on La Grande Jatte) alongside ancient, modern, and contemporary works. Students can also explore architectural landmarks by Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe during guided city tours, connecting built environments with artistic expression. Public artwork installations throughout Millennium Park, including Cloud Gate, provide interactive, large-scale examples of contemporary creativity, making student trips to Chicago an unforgettable classroom without walls.

Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a cultural corridor that showcases some of the nation’s best art institutions and is a highlight of many Philadelphia educational tours. Here, students can explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art with its extensive collections covering 2,000 years of human creativity. Nearby, The Barnes Foundation offers a unique pedagogical approach to art with masterworks by Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and more. The newly opened Calder Gardens celebrates the kinetic art of Alexander Calder in both indoor and outdoor settings. Contemporary voices are represented at the Institute of Contemporary Art, which features rotating exhibits of avant-garde artists and educational programming.

London’s art scene is as diverse as it is rich, making the city an ideal destination for student trips to London, with many renowned institutions offering free or accessible entry to core collections. Students can explore European masterworks at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, ranging from Renaissance to Impressionist paintings. The Tate Modern, housed in a former power station on the Thames, presents one of the world’s most significant collections of modern and contemporary art. Additionally, the British Museum (though broader in scope) and specialized galleries like the Victoria & Albert Museum deepen understanding of art history, design, and material culture across civilizations. London’s vibrant street art in areas like Shoreditch offers contemporary context for students to explore art beyond museum walls.

Florence is synonymous with Renaissance art. The Uffizi Galleries host some of the world’s most important collections of Renaissance masterpieces, from Botticelli’s Birth of Venus to works by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Meanwhile, the Galleria dell’Accademia houses Michelangelo’s iconic David, a pinnacle of Western sculpture. The city itself feels like an open-air museum, with historic piazzas, frescoed churches, and sculpted fountains at every turn. Walking tours of architectural treasures such as the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio bring lessons in artistic techniques and historical context to life, making Florence educational tours an essential option for deep art history learning.

Paris has long been considered the cultural capital of Europe, making it a cornerstone destination for educational tours to Paris focused on art history. Students can explore world-famous collections at the Louvre, home to masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, spanning thousands of years of artistic achievement. The Musée d’Orsay offers an unparalleled look at Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by artists like Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh, tracing the birth of modern art. Meanwhile, the Centre Pompidou showcases cutting-edge modern and contemporary movements in a striking architectural setting. From the historic streets of Montmartre to galleries along the Seine, Paris provides students with a rich, immersive environment to study how art, culture, and innovation intersect across centuries.

Barcelona’s artistic heritage blends historic masterpieces with avant-garde architecture, making the city a compelling destination for educational tours in Barcelona. The Museu Picasso offers an expansive look at Pablo Picasso’s formative works and early influences. Nearby, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya houses Catalan art from Romanesque to modernisme, providing contextual richness to group studies. Contemporary art lovers will appreciate the Can Framis Museum, dedicated to contemporary Catalan painting. Beyond museums, Gerrit Gaudí’s famous masterpieces including Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló showcase the intersection of art, architecture, and cultural identity, making Barcelona a living classroom of creativity and design.

Planning the perfect art history school tour combines logistical preparation with clear educational goals. Start by aligning destinations and museum visits with your curriculum focus whether it’s Renaissance painting, modern art movements, or global design. Work with ETA’s experienced tour managers early to secure group tickets, guided tours, and classroom extensions with museum educators. Build in a mix of museum visits, walking tours, activities, hands-on workshops, and time for reflection to balance structured learning with personal discovery. Don’t forget travel logistics such as accommodations near cultural districts, transportation between sites, and pre-trip preparation materials to familiarize students with key artists and movements before departure. Well-planned tours can offer not just sightseeing, but transformative learning experiences that resonate long after the journey ends.