Meredith Alumnae Trip to the Big Apple!

This year's alumnae trip to New York City is scheduled for Friday, November 10 – Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Grand Central Terminal Tour  - $35/person


A bustling hub of New York life, Grand Central Terminal is home to countless stories and forgotten historical gems. But while upwards of 750,000 travelers pass through its halls and concourses every day, only by experiencing this architectural marvel with an expert guide can you start to uncover its fascinating past, hidden treasures, and almost magical scale!

Begin in Grand Central Terminal’s main concourse, where you’ll hear the story of Cornelius Vanderbilt, masterminded the origins of Grand Central. Three iterations later, a mixture of tragedy and electrical innovation led to the final build we know today. Reminisce upon many a Hollywood blockbuster whose villains and leads have dashed under the station’s glamorous Beaux Arts-style soaring arches.

Within Pershing Square, the tour will include a visit to the famous Tiffany Clock—the largest of its kind in the world—and a statue in Vanderbilt’s honor. The tour will also include a visit to the Oyster Bar, the most famous of Grand Central’s many lively restaurants. Step into a glamorous speakeasy-style space where a prominent railroad tycoon once held court, discover one of the largest lost and found departments anywhere in the world, and even check out a wine store that was once a movie theater! You will stroll through Grand Central Market—surrounded by 160 seafood varieties and 400 types of cheese!

At the conclusion of the tour, you will have seen Grand Central with a fresh perspective, brimming with fun facts and historical insight.

Back to the Future: The Musical - $180/person
Winter Garden Theatre
1634 Broadway

Great Scott - take an electrifying ride back in time! When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past and send himself... back to the future.

Back to the Future: The Musical opened on London’s West End in 2021. In 2022, the production was nominated for 7 Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Original Score. The production won Best New Musical.

Immediately following the performance, the Meredith College group will enjoy an opportunity to meet and greet a member of the cast.

Breakfast at Charlie Palmer- $54/person
Located within The Knickerbocker Hotel

Before starting your day, join fellow travelers and College staff for a full hot American Breakfast. The Meredith group will have reserved seating within Charlie Palmer. Menu includes selections of: eggs, bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, selection of cereals, assorted pastries, bagels, toast, fresh fruit, smoothies, yogurt parfait, fresh juices, coffee, and tea.

Theatre District Historic Walking Tour with The Backstage Blonde- $125/person
New Amsterdam Theatre - 214 West 42nd Street

There is nothing quite like standing in the heart of the theatre district, feeling the pulse of the city and glow of the marquee signs surrounding you. Tours by The Backstage Blonde offer three different ways to explore the streets of Midtown like a real member of the Broadway community while Teale Dvornik, The Backstage Blonde, entertains you with stories from her life on Broadway and tales from the theatre district’s past.

Teale Dvornik holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Costume Design. Since 2014, she has been a costumer on the following shows: Wicked, MJ The Musical, Come From Away, Aladdin, The Prom, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, On The Town, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Her passion for theatre history and the architecture of Broadway’s 41 theatres inspired her to become a licensed NYC tour guide.

Tour lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and departs from the New Amsterdam Theatre, located at 214 West 42nd Street.

Traveler and Local Alumnae Reception 
St. Cloud Rooftop
The Knickerbocker Hotel

With its three plush corner Sky Pods overlooking Times Square, stylish indoor and outdoor seating options, the exclusive Waterford Crystal Lounge, and lush living walls of greenery, St. Cloud is the ultimate rooftop bar in NYC. Named for the late-19th century hotel that originally occupied the site, St. Cloud is the pinnacle of The Knickerbockers Hotel and a top Times Square experience. St Cloud offers a progressive cocktail menu, craft bottled beers, and an upscale, seasonally focused small plates menu. Sophisticated entertainment is an understated-yet-eclectic mix of cirque-like, biergarten and speak-easy fun, while curated music selections set the tone for extraordinary experiences high above the city.

The Meredith College group will enjoy a private space and event featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar. In addition to the group event, St. Cloud is open daily during our visit and features lives music from 6 – 9 p.m.

Hamilton: The Musical - 
Richard Rodgers Theatre
226 W 46th Street

Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre – a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography.

At the 70th Tony Awards, Hamilton received a record-breaking 16 nominations and won 11 awards, including Best Musical. Hamilton received a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, and in 2016, Lin-Manuel Miranda received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Since the premiere in 2015, the upcoming 2023-2024 Broadway season marks the first time Hamilton have been made available for group sales.

Duration: 2 hours and 55 minutes, including one intermission.