How old is your daughter?

I am uncertain of the path to set design besides an education in art and theatre.

Although, I do not know theatre people, I have many friends in the arts, and unless there was some sort of introduction, I am not sure they would be comfortable to talking to someone and her mother for extended period of time.

NYU has one of the best theatre schools in country. Maybe you can call the University and see if there are any student advisors or tours. It is part of the Tisch school. You also call SVA (School of Visual Arts) and Parsons or Pratt, even though Pratt is in Brooklyn.

As far as blending in, this is always a problem for any tourist in any situation, not just in NYC. A girl and her mother will be spotted as from somehwere else and your body language will indicate a degree of being uncomfortable.

Do not try to blend in, just be candid and honest and it will go along way.

For a short trip like this, any place in Manhatten that is close to a subway stop will do. There are three hotels in the east 30s that are particularly convenient. The two St. Giles hotels and the Shelburne. All are near Grand Central for easy access to theaters and restaurants. But almost any other hotel on Lexington Ave in the east 40 s would do, and there are many. If you want to stay closer to theaters then a Times Square hotel would be ok, but I find that area too crowded for myself. The Affinia Dunont on east 35th is also in a very good location and close to lots of good neighborhood restaurants.

I'm making a couple of assumptions that differ from Golemtoo's
You want to hang out in a cool area, not "blend in" in the sense of trying to "pass" as locals. I also don't think you're asking about meeting specific people, just observing.
I'm guessing that your daughter is h.s age.

NYU, whether taking a tour (all schools have tours for prospective students, but you need to check times and dates) or just being in the neighborhood is a very good choice. Of course, if you are traveling during Spring break time (you don't say when) then it will be less typically busy. And the surrounding Greenwich Village area is historically interesting and largely residential compared to Times Square

Otherwise, it's not as if theater people congregate in one area. NYC can be very integrated, occupation-wsse, so "theater types" might be living and hanging out near bankers , store clerks, nurses etc.

There are often theater related exhibits at the Performing arts Library at Lincoln Center and the lobbies of some of the other buildings there. Various museums may also have temporary exhibits. A house museum like the Tenement Museum might also give some insight as to how to stage the look of a specific time period.

You will find theater of musical people all over the city. We live in a co-op on the upper west side and in our small building (only 48 apartments) we have a cellist that plays with a philharmonic and a keyboardist who does sessions work at recording studios here, goes on the road with a couple of major bands as an extra - and appears as part of a duo a couple of nights per month at a supper club.

So - I would make a point of checking out the tours and options at Lincoln Center, NYU etc - but as for a hotel - go where you can get a good rate and are close to a subway. (We are close enough that we often walk home after an evening at the theater.)

Backstage tour at the Met is a super idea but I would also add the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens since it's about the nuts and bolts of movie making including "set design" movie style -- I'm voting for the NYU area or Upper west Side for your hotel but anywhere near a subway will do. (And yes DO go to the library of the performing arts and visit Julliard while you are in Lincoln Center.

http://www.movingimage.us

thestarryeye.typepad.com/explorenyc

Thanks for the great advice. My daughter is 15 and is a freshman in h.s. My idea is for a theater themed trip. The plan is to go sometime during the current season at the Met (thats when they do the tours) so between now and May / June. She really wants to see Wicked, so I thought show tickets plus tickets for the Behind the Emerald Curtain tour. I doubt we would do an "official" University tour but I think she would love to hang out in a neighborhood(s) with a lot of students and hip young people rather than young and middle age professionals. This is mainly for atmosphere and not to pick the brains of the these people. As a Dad my primary concern is safety. Nyer, you were right on the money. We don't want to pass ourselves off as locals. I just meant that I thought it would be interesting for us to dine, shop and hang out where the locals do rather than try to hit all the tourist spots. I thought about possibly Lower East Side, East Village, Chelsea, Greenwich Village Hell's kitchen etc. This is based on very cursory research and without having ever visited NYC so I have no idea if I'm on the right track or not.

I left out NYU area and Upper West SIde

The East Village and the area near NYU are what you are looking for.

Safety is not issue. Although no one can guarantee the safety of another but NYC is the safest large city in the US.

There are mnany shops between 9th and 11th streets betwen 2nd Ave and Ave A that are designer owner. The East Village and Chinatown have the best food value in the City and East Village has vast choices.

I've got news for you, outside Times Square, tourists and locals shop and eat alike. And by going to the theater, you will be doing touristy things.

I second the East Village, St. Marks, Tompkins Square Park, etc.

Manhattan is very safe.

Love Greenwich Village - great place to stroll around - dine, check out Washington Square, have a Pizza Pie - etc - and the subway service takes only about 20? minutes to the Theater District. see: http://www.greenwichvillage.com/channel/Transportation/1779

And while the Big Apple is safe most of the time most of the places, I would not venture out too much late at night if you are not quite familiar with the neighborhood.

Where I love to stay - The Larchmont - on 11th - http://www.larchmonthotel.com/ is a bargain - small, simple but clean rooms - with bathroom/showers down the hall but a sink in your room (note - more for the single traveler - not when my wife is along) and just down the block - is an all-night French restaurant/coffee shop on the corner of 6th Ave - and other services in the area.

The Washington Square Hotel is very nice - and well located - http://www.washingtonsquarehotel.com/ and again, you can walk all over Greenwich Village - into the mid-evening - without feeling uncomfortable.

One more thing if I may. When you do walk around - do look like you are heading somewhere - and not gawking up and around too much like a tourist - as that will make you appear to be an easier mark for pickpockets, etc - which you can find around Times Square and other busy places.

Even as a pretty good sized guy - I always look around a bit behind me - when waling the streets - especially at night.

Just being aware sends a signal to anyone who may be casing ye.

I must demur about the streets not being safe at night. I agree that I wouldn't wander down dark alleys or around the docks alone at 3 am. But at any reasonable hour the streets are safe.

If you are in an area where the streets are deserted you may want to find one with more street traffic - but in most areas the streets have a reasonable amount of traffic until at least midnight. A good reason to stay in a residential area if possible.

The East Village and the Lower East Side has nore people on the streets on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights then live in small villages.

Of course, do not go down dark alleys and always be aware, but people who have not been to NYC are unfamiliar that is truly a 24 hour town and there are neighborhoods where the noise is worse at midnight than at rush hour.

This may be of interest to those venturing out later at night, and I don't mean just exploring dark alleys. Muggers don't normally lie in wait in dark alleys as they don't usually get much business there.

http://www.popcenter.org/problems/street_robbery/print/

In general - I think every police dept would say you are safer at 2 PM on the streets than at 2 AM.

Here is an article from tomorrow's NY Times about crime.

Murders at record low
Robberies of anything Apple record high

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/nyregion/414-homicides-is-a-record-low-for-new-york.html?hp

Have no idea what this opopcenter place is - but the info on it has nothing to do with NYC, which is the safest large city in the country. And I'm not sure 2 pm is safer than 2 am - since you have a much greater risk of being hit by a car than being mugged.

Of course, one should follow normal precautions wherever you visit - but there are many places, including many small towns and rural areas that are more dangerous in a lot of ways than NYC - where at least we don;t allow everyone to run around with guns.

It is doing a major disservice to tourists to try to scare them about the city based on personal misperceptions. I have lived here my entire life (in fact I am descended from 3 generations of native New Yorkers) and none of us have been victims of any sort of violent crime. And, unlike small towns, the city does not roll up the streets at 10 pm - many restaurants, theaters, and even shops are open until midnight and even later in areas with substantial nightlife.

While it is certainly possible to be mugged in NYC - the same is true anywhere. But it is a RARE occurrence - and not something that the average tourist needs to worry about - as they might in much higher crime areas (New Orleans, DC, and a host of others).

Too bad this thread has deteriorated into "non-safe" NYC. I am a solo traveler who spends a lot of time in Manhattan. Believe me I feel safe! Of course, I don't do stupid things, but I think safety should not be of your concern.

If Tomsd knew what he was talking about, he would be dangerous.

As noted above, no one can guarantee the safety of another but we live in a neighborhood that was notorious for crime and drug use 25 years ago and now we have $100 a person restaurants and multi-million dollar condos.

After 9/11 there was a greater police presence and greater camera surveillance in Manhattan which as indirect consequence helped lower crime. Addtionally the NYPD has CompStat, where police officials are held accountable for increase in crime in their areas of repsonsibility and strategies and tactics are discussed to thwart the increase in crime.

Here is what the poster noted when talking about taking his daughter to NYC: "As a Dad my primary concern is safety."

Geesh - why are you so defensive when talking about walking around the streets late at night - which can be suspect anywhere.

It was not about a non-safe NYC - but rather - just watch yourself - and also which neighborhood you are in - and what time of evening - especially if you are not familiar with it. Obviously - the Bowery is different than the upper West side.

Bottom line - the stats in the study I provided apply anywhere: More people get mugged later at night -- than during the day. (Not killed mind you - I wasn't talking about homicides - which was brought up by somebody else.)

And just to quote a NYC paper - the Village Voice - from October 3, 2012:

http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-10-03/news/new-york-crime-rate-rising/

For the First Time in 20 Years, New York's Crime Rate Is on the Rise



"..... A trio of adjacent Manhattan precincts—the 23rd, 24th, and 25th, on both sides of the north end of Central Park—each have had increases of more than 16 percent. There are also significant increases in unexpected neighborhoods. The wealthy Upper East Side's 19th Precinct has shown a 15 percent climb in crime, largely due to grand larcenies.

Grand larcenies and robberies are largely fueling the increase—10 percent, or 2,534 cases, of grand larceny and 5 percent, or 598 more cases, of robberies. The increase in grand larcenies has been attributed to a rise in thefts of personal electronic devices, like smartphones and tablets. "The theft of Apple phones and other handheld devices drove the spike in robberies and larceny this year," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly posted to the NYPD's Facebook page. "Individuals alert to their surroundings are less likely to become victims, and Operation ID will help those whose property is lost or stolen to get it back." Meanwhile, only two precincts in the city—the 32nd and 34th in Washington Heights—are showing double-digit declines."

To blend in, you need to be covered head to toe with Yankees clothes. sox, shirts, jacket, most important a nice Yankees hat!
Get a Yankees World Series Champions jacket on 42st. Oh, and to complete your "blend in with da yokels" metamorphosis, why not a baseball bat, and dont forget to roll in the mud to look like you've just run around the bases.

Or, if the above is not up your fashion style, get a shirt that says "I am with stupid-->", and your daughter's which says "<--I am with stupider".

The increase in thefts is due to the huge number of people who seem to be incapable of wandering around the streets using their iPhones and iPads - and ignoring everything that is going on around them. I don't want to say they are asking to be robbed - but if you ignore your surroundings and flash highly valuable and easily portable objects - that will happen. And this is not just NYC - it's everywhere.

This falls under the heading of not being careful.

And I fear that some people knowledge of the city and various neighborhoods seem to be stuck in the 1980s - rather than the current atmosphere.

And ecnouraging unrealistic fears doesn;t seem to me to be a very productive exercise.

My grandmother - a Manhattanite born and bred - felt that anyplace without sidewalks and streetlights was very dangerous - from attacks either by itinerant gun-toting mountain folk or large wild animals. The fears Tomsd is discussing make about as much sense.

I didn't mean to start a debate about whether NYC is safe or not. I'm not afraid of NYC nor do I assume that its is an unsafe city. The reality is that cities usually have dicey areas. If you visiting NC I might advise you to avoid "East Winston" in Winston-Salem or to be careful around Hargett and Blount Streets in Downtown Raleigh at night. I would imagine Manhattan is no different. While I'm confident that its a safe city overall I have no doubts that there are sections best avoided by first time visitors.

Any area that tourists visit will be safe. And infact,generally filled with people at all times of the day and night. Remember that NYC is a 24 hour city.

Sorry this has gotten off tangent - and it isn't about New Yorkers - or those commuting in from across the rivers - knowing where to go and what to do, just like it's not about the 1980's. It's about visitors to NYC!

I have been traveling regularly to the Big Apple since the middle 70's - and stayed in a number of different neighborhoods - and the lower crime rate today/street safety is much better than it was back then (was it Mayor Giuilani who took back the streets - starting with cleaning up Times Square and also removing the graffiti that covered the subways http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayoralty_of_Rudy_Giuliani ) - --- but you still have to be aware of your surroundings,
more so at night.

'Nuff said.

Mgar

You are an innocent in this discussion. A father simply stating a concern.

I like the Lower East Side/Greenwich, and I think some of the hotels near NYU would be nice. My favorite, the Union Square W, isn't exactly cheap (and it's not exactly Lower East Side/Greenwich either). There are some other options, although one good thing about Union Square, noisy as it is, is the Uptown subway connections so you can get to your show.

My daughter went to NYU, and I was originally scared out of wits about her safety. I learned otherwise. She told me she always felt safe there because FAMILIES would be walking the dog at 3 a.m. It makes sense--in a city that never sleeps, a lot of people have to work night shifts. Plus she never had to deal with stupid frat party, drunk date rape scene. It's amazing the hidden crime on a so-called, small town "safe" campus.

If you stay in the area, I actually would suggest strongly that your daughter do an official tour of the Tisch program (theatre arts) at NYU. It would allow her to grasp what she needs to do for the rest of high school to be admitted, and it would give her a basic sense of how such a program operates. Then she would have a basis to compare when she visits such schools as CMU, Northwestern, etc in the future.

You would need a tour because there is no real NYU "campus" per se, and you can't just saunter into buildings (security). The school is, as its president, John Sexton said, truly a university "of and for the city", so no leafy campus. Washington Square park may be the hub, but it's not the campus.

But you could also stay UPTOWN and visit Julliard!

There are definitely ares of NYC that you don't wander around in - and are less safe than others. But these areas are NOT in Manhattan and not areas that tourists will visit. (Not like New Orleans where truly dangerous neighborhoods are only a few blocks from the French Quarter.)

In NYC you would have to search out less safe neighborhoods that are outside Manhattan, require a lengthy subway ride to visit and not on the typical tourist trail.

1) you can't do it all in 2- 3 days.
2) if the main events are seeing Wicked, Wicked tour and Lincoln Center tour, staying in the west 50's or west 60's near those makes the most sense, especially if you plan to go to the theater at night. BTW, Wicked still regulalrly sells out so I'd buy tickets before booking flights/hotel. If you want hotel recommendations, post back. If you'll be seeing a matinee and would rather stay in a younger area, the wshotel.com in the heart of the NYU area is a good option.
3) As for blending in with locals, not sure how you do that in such a short visit with a 15 yr old. You can't schmooze at a bar.

Ironically many of the theater people I know live...in the theater district! manhattan Plaza in the Hells Kitchen area was built for theater people. There are a lot of actors living in the apt. buildings on the same block as the Blakely hotel but staying at the Blakely doesn,t mean you'd meet them. There are tours of Radio City where you get to meet one of the Rockettes and that's a tour daughter might enjoy. Another way to meet local students is to take a campus tour which you could have time for.

One HUGE tip.

When you cross the street, DO NOT rely on the walk/don't walk signs or you stand a good chance of being run over.

Watch the traffic, not the signs. The cabbie or truck driver cannot read your sign.

"As for blending in with locals, not sure how you do that in such a short visit with a 15 yr old. You can't schmooze at a bar."

I realy think everyone is overthinking this. Collectively we say "don't stay in Times Square" "go to REAL neighborhoods" and now that someone asks about that, he's getting comments about how he can't fit in or hang out!

I also think that a father daughter combinations traveling together is somewhat less vulnerable than the mother daughter combo that we may have assumed initially.

Yes, virtually all neighborhoods that you're likely to stay in or walk through are aafe assuming regular resasonable precautions. I doubt that this dutiful father would be running around with his daughter at 2 or 3 am, so maybe we can skip all those advisories.

As many have said, busy streets generally equal safer. Times Square is of course busy but if there's someplace you'd be somewhat more vulnerable to pickpocketing, that would probably be it because even thieves know that many/most people there at certain times(not weekday work hours) are tourists and many be a less cautious as they take in the sights. Not the time or place to be distracted by texting while you cross the street!
Residential neighborhoods like the ones mentioned here are also busy, but not wall to wall people. Most people in the restaurants there are locals, and the areas are equally or even more safe.

Pick the neighborhod you want to walk around and "come home to" Getting to the theater will typically take 15-20 minutes at most by subway, so you don't need to stay in the immediate area unless that is your preference.

Nyer brought up a point I didn't want to mention but perhaps should be acknowledged: You won't be hanging out in the 'hood.

Unless you prepare her for NYU right now with fake ID.*

*Yes, this is a joke, not a real suggestion.

Well.. out of all the folderol.... I think , given the daughter's interest in stage design... the tour of the Met will probably be the most meaningful. It's truly fascinating. I know a woman (since her teenage years) who's an acclaimed set designer... Broadway, Met , etc. She showed her talent very early on and was "taken up" by many important theatre people. (Being born and raised in NYC helped). So hopefully this trip could give the OP's daughter a realistic view of the career she wants to pursue.
I live so far on the east side it's practically in Westchester... but have had lots of neighbors in the
"biz." It's not a neighborhood that's very interesting to visitors... but illustrates ...as others have said above... that the "talent" lives all over town.

Wow ... this is the internet at its best and worst. I think I'll try to find a nice hotel in Greenwich Village. Thank you all for the input.

I feel safer in NYC than any other city. The Village will be perfect for you.

Mgar

If you have time maybe you could also take your daughter to an off-Broadway show. You never know what she might find interesting.

And in attempt to spend your money, there are many bookstores which may also ignite your daughter's imagination. Besides the theater bookstores, there are numerous bookstores that have extensive art books.

http://www.dramabookshop.com/

Rizzoli's

Strand

Julliard Bookstore

MoMA bookstore

As far as art supplies are concerned. And there are always students at these places:

Utrecht
The one on 4th Ave is closed and there is a new one on I think 13th Street

Pearl
Crazy place that art supplies on four or five floors but they do not always have everything. If she is an artist she should visit.

A.I. Friedman-organized and well lit

I do not know where you live but if she serious about art, she needs to see professional materials.

Mgar64, to save you some time, there is only one Real hotel in Greenwich Village proper, the Washington Square Hotel, which has already been mentioned. Unless you want to share a bath, then the Larchmont isn't a realistic alternative.

Expanding the circle a bit, there's the W hotel on Union Square. Or much further west there are several hotels in the Meatpacking District, Which is not the brownstone Village you are thinking of. But many of these are close to the Highline, with the Standard straddling it. But this area is kind of gritty and fairly far west away from the subway.

There are several hotels in Chelsea and quite a few as you move further south and north. Hotels in Murray Hill are, as I've already suggested, your best chance to stay comfortably in a more real, residential neighborhood. But the Upper West Side also offers similar possibilities, though fewer hotels.

Or check out the Chelsea Savoy, which is in the middle of a safe residential neighborhood and a very convenient location to boot as it is next to a subway stop. Not my favorite hotel, but it's ok.

Pleased to see you received some more balanced responses - and as I had suggested - the Washington Square Hotel would be a great place to stay. It's right by the park - where some impromptu vocal groups gather - and a subway stop.

Walking up University - you will see all kind of student hangouts/restaurants - and at 12th (on the west side - in about half a block) - is my favorite for bargain snacks - University Pita - http://www.yelp.com/biz/university-pita-new-york - such as two incredibly tasty - good sized Falafel balls - with choice of savory sauces - for only $2. And the owner is quite a character.

Next to it is the well regarded Ban Mai place - Num Pang - which has tasty Southeastern Asia BBQ Pork or Chicken sandwiches - with some other good selections and sauces. http://www.yelp.com/biz/num-pang-new-york

And there are other places nearby, as well as the trendy/upscale chocolate shop - Max Brennar - with great Hot Cocoa at the bar - just below Union Square on Broadway. http://www.nytimes.com/restaurants/1154674331724/max-brenner-chocolate-by-the-bald-man/details.html

It was on the corner of 14th and University - from a "legendary" NYC street cart - where I grabbed a tasty Gyros sandwich to go - was catching the subway (4, 5 or 6 lines) to the Met Museum of Art on the upper east side. (info on subway: http://www.nyc.com/visitor_guide/subway.75826/editorial_review.aspx )

It was also very good - with a tangy cucumber/cream sauce. http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/06/greek-american-lamb-gyros-homemade-from-scratch-the-food-lab.html

Enjoyed it while sitting on the steps of the Met - before going in to again take in that magnificent collection of art.