Taking a trip with your fellow church members is a great way to grow closer and enjoy new experiences together. When you’re planning a group outing, though, you have to figure out the most important piece: the destination. Where is your group going to go?
In this guide, we’re going to look at 12 of the best church trip ideas you can plan to take in the northeast.
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1. Museum of the Bible — Washington D.C.
Our nation’s capital is full of attractions to visit. If you take a church group there, be sure to visit the Museum of the Bible. This massive museum is the perfect place to see artifacts, manuscripts, art and Bibles that tell the story of how the Bible has changed the world. There are even rare artifacts on loan from the Vatican and the Israel Antiquities Authority. For groups larger than 10, you can make a reservation and receive special pricing.
2. The Capital’s Most Famous Churches — Washington D.C.
Another church field trip idea in Washington D.C. is to tour some of the nation’s most famous churches. The National Cathedral, for example, sits at the highest point in the city and is one of the most beautiful churches you’ll find in the U.S. Another church to visit is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Over a million people come to visit the largest Roman Catholic church in North America each year.
3. KingsFest — Doswell, VA
KingsFest is an annual Christian musical festival hosted by King’s Dominion amusement park in Virginia. Each summer, some of the most popular Christian music artists and bands take the stage over a few consecutive days. Youth and adults alike can enjoy this high-energy music festival in an especially fun environment. You can get group rates for tickets if you have 15 or more going.
4. Uprise Festival — Shippensburg, PA
Take a trip to Shippensburg, PA, for Uprise, a two-day music festival featuring great Christian music artists and bands playing on multiple stages. This festival goes beyond just concerts to create a whole experience. You’ll hear from speakers, as well, and you’ll get to enjoy all sorts of festival activities, not to mention the yummy festival food. This September festival is the perfect way to add a dose of fun and Christian enrichment to the start of a new school year.
5. Biblical Tabernacle Reproduction — Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is best known for being in the heart of Amish Country, but it also happens to be home to a realistic reproduction of a Jewish tabernacle, as described in the Bible. Today, it is part of the Mennonite Information Center. For over 70 years, Biblical scholars have been able to visit this exhibit to experience what a biblical tabernacle looked like first hand. Plan to come for a guided 45-minute tour. You can receive group ticket rates for groups of 12 or more.
6. Sight & Sound Theater — Lancaster, PA
Another Lancaster, PA destination your church group can’t miss is Sight & Sound Theater. This theater and its sister theater in Branson, Missouri, put on large-scale stage shows for church groups and individuals that make Bible stories come to life in a new and exciting way. The plays run for months at a time, so you can even plan multiple dates to go. You can watch trailers online for shows in the theater’s current season, which makes it easy to get your church excited about going to see these plays.
7. Creation Festival Northeast — Shirleysburg, PA
Creation Festival is the largest music festival in the U.S. It takes place in two locations every year, with one festival in the northwest and one in the northeast. Creation Festival Northeast takes place in Shirleysburg, PA, at Agape Farm each year and draws tens upon tens of thousands of attendees. This festival brings speakers and music groups and artists together to provide a worshipful and enlightening experience. There is even a special kids and family stage, so this event is perfect for any age group.
8. Alive Music Festival — Mineral City, OH
Another one of the biggest Christian music festivals in the northeast region is Alive Music Festival, which takes place every July. This four-day festival in Mineral City, Ohio, has been around for decades, so it’s definitely one to put on your list if you’ve never been. You can hear some amazing music from regional artists and well-known national and international groups alike. You can also attend seminars and workshops to reinforce your faith. Since the festival takes place in Atwood Lake Park, you can also plan some fun outdoor activities.
9. Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues — Cleveland, OH
The House of Blues has several locations across the country, and one is situated in Cleveland, Ohio. The House of Blues hosts a Gospel Brunch that brings great food and great music together to make for a memorable Sunday afternoon. You may be in the north, but you’ll feel like you’re in the South when you dig into the delicious southern-inspired cuisine and listen to the soulful, upbeat music. You can purchase tickets online, but groups of 20 or more should contact the House of Blues sales department directly.
10. PointFest — Sandusky, OH
Another northeast-Ohio event to put on your church calendar is PointFest, a music festival at Cedar Point, a famous amusement park named for the Lake Eerie Peninsula on which it sits. This amusement park isn’t just home to some of the most impressive rollercoasters you’ll ever have the chance to ride — It’s also the perfect place to enjoy some great Christian music. This is one of the best youth group trips you can take since it combines high-energy music with high-energy fun. What more can you ask for?
11. The Historic Churches of the Big Apple — New York, NY
The Big Apple has no shortage of attractions, so your church could plan a day trip or a much longer outing to see the sites and have fun in this iconic city. In addition to the typical sites on any visitor’s guide to NYC, you can also focus on faith-based sites, especially New York City’s historic churches. One such example is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest Gothic-style church in the country. Millions of visitors stop by each year to admire the 19th-century cathedral’s beauty.
12. Chautauqua Institution Palestine Park — Chautauqua, NY
Last on our list is the Palestine Park at the Chautauqua Institution, a nonprofit education and retreat center in southwest New York. The Palestine Park on the grounds was built in the late nineteenth century. It is a scaled-down recreation of the Holy Land, marking important locations we read about in the Bible. Even though Lake Chautauqua is not really the Mediterranean Sea and you’re not looking at the real sites of biblical events, this model can still help you visualize the settings of some of your favorite Bible stories.
Church Group Bus Rentals From Executive Coach
Whether you’re planning a day outing or a multi-day trip, a charter bus is the perfect way to get to your destination with your church group. Executive Coach is a premier bus charter for churches in the region. We offer transportation that is safe, comfortable and cost-effective. Our coaches are smoke- and alcohol-free, and they are cleaned before each trip. Our coaches even come with free wifi and entertainment systems, so you can enjoy the road trip to and back from your destination. Contact us today to learn more.
