Explore Next Door

The Orientation and New Student Programs office hosts Explore Next Door (END), a series of trips and experiences for undergraduate students to take advantage of New York City and the surrounding area. The fall semester trips are open to all new students (first-years and transfers) and our spring semester trips are open to all undergraduate students. The purpose of this program is to introduce students to the cultural wealth of New York City and provide them with an opportunity to connect with their fellow students, faculty, and administrators outside of the classroom.

These opportunities can be in-person or virtual in nature.

Eligibility / Cancellation Policies

• The fall END trips are open only to new registered first-year and new transfer undergraduate students. During the spring semester, trips are open to all registered undergraduate students. Students are required to pay a $10 cash deposit to hold their spot. Your deposit is refunded after you attend the event.
• One trip per semester per student during the fall semester.
• Students must be present on the date and time of sign-up and present a valid Hofstra ID. Students may not sign up other students for trips.
• Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis; we cannot sign up anyone before the designated date and time of sign ups.
• Students must cancel by 9 a.m. three business days before their scheduled event by contacting the Orientation and New Student Programs office in Room 242 Student Center at 516-463-4874.
• Any student who fails to cancel within the cancellation period will have to forfeit their deposit.
• If you are interested in attending an Explore Next Door trip and have a disability requiring any kind of special travel needs, please contact the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs at 516-463-6914 or email orientation@hofstra.edu at least two weeks before the scheduled trip.

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Meeting Locations and Times

You will get detailed information regarding the location and time for each trip when you sign up.

Prior Explore Next Door Trips

Upcoming Explore Next Door Trips – Welcome Week 2023

Note that these trips are tentative until contracts are finalized.

Saturday, September 2nd
Note that only new undergraduate students starting in Fall 2023 are eligible to sign up for these trips.  All new undergraduate students will receive information in the Hofstra email about how to sign up. Sign ups begin at 1:30 pm on Thursday, August 31, 2023 

Big Onion Multi Ethnic Food Tour - 12:00 PM. 
Depart Campus @  9:45 am
Enjoy a walking tour around the lower east side of Manhattan, where you get to try free foods from many local shops and restaurants. This includes handmade mozzarella, Chinese ice cream, plantains, and much more! 
Click Here for more information! 

Radio City Tour - 1:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 10:45 am 
Learn about the history and behind the scenes of Radio City on this tour. Potentially meet a Rockette! 
Click Here for more information!

Central Park Walking Tour - 1:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 10:45 am
Walk around the beautiful Central Park and explore what it has to offer. See where famous movies were shot including Spiderman 3 & Home Alone 2!
Click Here for more information!

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum - 12:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 9:45 am
Take pictures with wax replica statues of your favorite celebrities!
Click Here for more information!

Big Onion Greenwich Village Tour - 2:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 11:45 am
Explore the amazing Greenwich Village and learn about its history in this tour!
Click Here for more information!

Artechouse - 2:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 11:45 am
In this innovative art & tech experience take pictures/explore with cool space & light designs!
Click Here for information.

Bronx Zoo - 11:00 AM
Depart Campus @ 8:45 am
See a variety of animals and explore exhibits with you including a budgie landing and the world of reptiles.
Click Here for more information. 

Rise NY - 1:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 10:45 am 
Explore a museum showing the history of New York including replicas of TV show sets, Broadway,  Wall Street, and music artists. This trip includes a ride simulation where you go through the entire New York City, similar to Disney World's "Soarin' around the world". 
Click Here for more information.

Harry Potter Experience - 2:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 11:45 am 
Explore replicas of sets from the Harry Potter movie and step into it's universe!
Click Here for more information.

Spyscape - 2:00 PM
Depart Campus @11:45 am
A spy museum and spy game center that allows students to break codes, detect liars, and run surveillance.
Click Here for more information.

Jones Beach - 10:00 AM
Depart Campus @ 7:45 am
Enjoy a trip at Hofstra's closest beach where students can meet other first years!
Click Here for more information.

Sunday, September 3rd
American Museum of Natural History - 2:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 11:45 am
Explore a museum full of exhibits relating to wildlife and the environment. This includes dinosaur fossils, sharks, and live butterflies.
Click Here for more information.

Whitney Museum - 11:00 AM
Depart Campus @ 8:45 am
One of the most well-known art museums in the world, the Whitney preserves and shows American art from over 3,500 artists. 
Click Here for more information.

The Highline - 12:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 9:45 am
Get a beautiful view of New York City on this pathway in the meatpacking district. Featuring gardens and many photo opportunities.
Click Here for more information.

MoMA - 2:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 11:45 am
This modern art museum shows abstract and unique art that is from current artists. It also includes the original "Starry Night" Vincent Van Gogh piece.
Click Here for more information.

Big Onion Financial District Tour - 2:00 PM
Depart Campus @11:45 am 
Learn about the history of Wall Street, the Bull statue, and more on this walking tour!
Click Here for more information.

The Color Factory - 12:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 9:45 am 
A perfect trip for photo ops. Explore a color exhibit including a blue ball pit, and an interactive art museum.
Click Here for more information.

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens - 12:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 9:45 am 
Explore Brooklyns garden full of butterflies, flowers, and perfect photo taking backdrops.
Click Here for more information.

Summit One - 1:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 10:45 am
Want to see a perfect view of New York City? This building similar to "Top of the Rock '' has an observatory of the whole city and immersive photo opportunities.
Click Here for more information. 

The one with the Friends Experience - 1:00 PM
Depart Campus @ 10:45 am
If you are big fan of the tv show "Friends" this trip is your lobster! Enjoy an exact replica of the Friends set and take many photos. Could it BE any better than this? 
Click Here for more information.

Brooklyn Boulders Rock Climbing - 12:00 PM (trip subject to change)
Depart Campus @ 9:45 am
Go rock climbing on many courses including different levels from beginner to difficult, while making friends along the way!
Click Here for more information.

Mets vs. Mariners game - 1:40 PM
Depart Campus @ 11:30 am
Watch Major League Baseball team Mets versus the Mariners in real life rather than on the TV screen! This game will score a home run in your Welcome Week experience!
Click Here for more information.