16 School Field Trip Destinations That Don’t Exist Anymore
These school field trip favorites were once the highlight of the year, but they have since vanished.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Every school year brought the promise of a field trip, and some destinations felt like pure magic. However, not all of them stood the test of time. These 16 spots were once popular stops for schools across the country, but now live only in memories and yearbook photos.
1. Enchanted Forest – Maryland
MEdwords Mary Murchison-Edwords on Wikimedia Commons
This fairytale theme park in Ellicott City felt like a storybook come to life. Students used to roam through crooked houses, meet giants, and pose near Humpty Dumpty. It officially closed in the ’90s, and now, only fragments remain behind shopping centers.
2. The Exploratorium – Old Location in San Francisco
Ann Bartkowski / Dacreep at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons
Before its flashy new digs, the Exploratorium lived in the shadowy halls of the Palace of Fine Arts. School trips to the old site felt like stumbling into a science wizard’s basement. The location shut down in 2013 when the museum moved to Pier 15.
3. SeaWorld Ohio – Aurora, Ohio
Jeremy Thompson from Los Angeles, California on Wikimedia Commons
Before merging and fading away, SeaWorld Ohio was where students saw dolphins leap and killer whales splash the front row. It was exciting, a bit soggy, and always came with a souvenir shark keychain. It closed in 2001 and was absorbed into another amusement park.
4. Libertyland – Memphis, Tennessee
Thomas R Machnitzki on Wikimedia Commons
Libertyland gave kids in the South their first taste of rollercoasters, cotton candy, and Elvis Presley-themed rides. It was scrappy but charming. After years of dwindling visitors, it permanently shut down in 2005.
5. The World of Sid and Marty Krofft – Atlanta, Georgia
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
This trippy indoor theme park was built around TV puppet icons and opened in 1976. Students were often more confused than amazed, but they never forgot the wild rides and glass elevators. It lasted only six months before becoming an urban legend.
6. The Newseum – Washington, D.C.
Martin Hearn on Wikimedia Commons
A field trip favorite for media-savvy students, the Newseum made headlines come alive with hands-on exhibits. You could see a piece of the Berlin Wall and pretend to be a TV reporter. Rising costs forced it to close its D.C. location in 2019.
7. Marineland of the Pacific – California
Gary B. Edstrom gedstrom@pacbell.net on Wikimedia Commons
Before SeaWorld ruled, this oceanside marine park gave kids close-ups of sea lions, orcas, and a view of Catalina. It closed in 1987 after being bought out and quietly erased. Students who went still remember the ocean spray and fishy smell.
8. Old Spaghetti Factory (Original San Francisco Location)
Macerr on Wikimedia Commons
It was not just a restaurant — it was a field trip staple for students exploring the city. Kids ate pasta in a vintage trolley car and felt fancy doing it. The original location has since closed, taking its charm with it.
9. Fort Discovery – Augusta, Georgia
Flickr user Stacie Wells on Wikimedia Commons
Science museums were always a hit, and Fort Discovery had two floors of hands-on madness. There was a human gyroscope ride and a gravity drop that thrilled every middle schooler. Sadly, it shut down in 2010 after funding dried up.
10. Movieland Wax Museum – Buena Park, California
Dennis G. Jarvis on Wikimedia Commons
Students once marveled at wax figures of movie stars that looked almost real. It was cheesy, yes, but everyone had that one blurry photo next to Marilyn Monroe. It closed in 2005, and the figures were auctioned off.
11. The Science Place – Dallas, Texas
Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) on Wikimedia Commons
Long before flashy science centers became trendy, The Science Place had fossils, electricity rooms, and a planetarium that made jaws drop. It was a go-to for Texas schools. It merged into the Perot Museum, and the original location was eventually shuttered.
12. Old Planetariums Before Digital
Tricia Simpson on Wikimedia Commons
There was a magic to the old projectors clicking through constellations in total darkness. These field trips were quiet, awe-filled experiences before everything went digital. Many old domes have since been closed or upgraded beyond recognition.
13. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (Old Building)
HstryQT on Wikimedia Commons
Before its massive modern expansion, the original building had a cozy, old-school charm. It felt more like a maze of discovery than a polished exhibit space. Though the museum still thrives, that earlier version is gone.
14. The Original COSI – Columbus, Ohio
Sixflashphoto on Wikimedia Commons
Before moving into its massive new location, COSI lived inside a quirky brick building downtown. Kids loved the giant hamster wheel and the creaky wooden exhibits. That version closed in 1999, but the memories still spin.
15. Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Olde Country Attractions
Cjh1452000 on Wikimedia Commons
Long before the park became thrill-heavy, students loved the slower-paced Olde Country section filled with European charm. It had cobblestone streets, puppet shows, and even a skyride over the trees. Many of those original attractions have since been replaced or removed.
16. The Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf – San Francisco
Miosotis Jade on Wikimedia Commons
This museum was a quirky stop on many Bay Area school field trips, filled with waxy versions of celebrities and historic scenes. It was eerie, fascinating, and perfect for wide-eyed students on their first big city visit. It shut down in 2013 and was replaced by a new attraction.