New York City’s Upper West Side is arguably the cultural and artistic hub of the entire city. This massive neighborhood borders Hell’s Kitchen and Central Park and proudly boasts the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the American Museum of Natural History, and plenty of prestigious colleges and universities. With fall fast-approaching, it’s the perfect time to plan your trip to the Upper West Side for college tours (and maybe a detour to a museum or two, as well)!
Whether your student is interested in arts and theater or science and engineering, the Upper West Side has no shortage of colleges to choose from. We know that this can be a stressful time for students and their families, but C&J helps to make it easier. Ride with us into New York City for an affordable, fast, and hassle-free trip, so you can relax before (and after) your busy day touring colleges. Our buses feature free Wi-Fi, snacks and refreshments, and plenty of legroom to stretch out it. When you’re ready to start planning your trip, be sure to check our bus schedules and buy tickets ahead of time!
STEM, a curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, and math, is increasingly popular with students around the world. Head to the New York Institute of Technology, where students can major in everything from architecture to biotechnology. It’s also located just a quick five-minute walk from Columbus Circle, where you can enjoy window shopping and a quick lunch at Maison Kayser next to Central Park. Their amazing chicken and artichoke sandwich is just what you need to keep you energized for the next college tour!
If your student is more interested in pursuing a career in the business world, head one block away from the NYIT to Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. This school has a fantastic undergraduate program that helps students prepare for a career in marketing, finance, accounting, and more. While you’re in the area, grab a hibiscus-lemonade iced tea from Argo Tea to keep you cool while you walk around.
The Juilliard School, which is world-renowned for its talented professors and equally gifted students, is definitely a dream school for many young students who want to pursue music professionally. Why not take a tour? While you’re there, you’ll also come across the Metropolitan Opera House. Stop for a picture, or better yet, buy tickets to see a once-in-a-lifetime performance!
For those not interested in professional or technical subjects, a college in the Upper West Side is the perfect place to explore the liberal arts. Barnard College, which is just steps away from Columbia University, offers a rich variety of educational offerings. Students can pursue degrees in English, art history, human rights, and much, much more. It’s a much smaller setting than NYU, which is another prestigious liberal arts school located in nearby Greenwich Village. While you tour Barnard, be sure to check out all the peaceful parks and green spaces surrounding the college!
If you keep walking just a couple more blocks, you’ll arrive at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, which is sandwiched between a few other colleges and grade schools on a quiet street. Here, students learn everything from musical theater to acting and the performing arts. They learn from some of the best industry professionals, making it a completely hands-on learning experience.
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice (which is part of CUNY) in the Upper West Side offers a wide variety of courses of study, so students can find the career path that fits their interests. Undergraduate students here can study anthropology, criminal justice, legal studies, toxicology, and so much more.
After all the excitement of your tours, wind down the day Ousia for some amazing Mediterranean-style dishes. You’ll love their selection of fresh made dips and hummus, flatbreads, and traditional savory pies. Before you head back to Port Authority to board your C&J bus back home, be sure to stop in at Magnolia Bakery and pick up a decadent apple crumb pie or their famous banana pudding! You won’t regret it.
College tours are an exciting reason to travel into New York City, and it’s even better when you can tour multiple prestigious schools all in one neighborhood! Travel to New York City’s Upper West Side, with C&J to tour one (or all) of these colleges to get a head start on college planning. C&J’s buses are all equipped with free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and plenty of refreshments and snacks to make the trip go by quickly and without a hitch. When you’re ready to plan your trip to New York City, visit our website to buy your tickets!