gbhost

Our family of 4 with daughter 13 and son 15 have made last minute plans to drive to NY from a visit to grandparent's VA farm next week. We booked 4 nights at Gansevoort Park Ave (at 29th). I have been reading posts re: teens & NYC, but several are dated.

Looking for best things to do with teens - daughter likes shopping and excitement, son is 24/7 video gamer - says he's interested in Times Square and Central Park (probably for Poke-Stops).

We'd like to catch a play, hopefully with discounted tix. What are best for teens?

We're driving in, so I was curious how parking works if we don't want to pay exorbitant valet fees at our hotel.

I read here to avoid taxis and take subway - is there a best way to do this? Multi-day passes? Should we do some tours? HOHO bus?

I've been to the city before, but would like to see the WTC memorial and perhaps see some live music - either rock or jazz. After reading here I think we'll do the Staten Island Ferry trip, I imagine we can combine this with WTC. What else to do downtown?

Also, any suggestions for places to eat that would be fun for the kids and not necessarily $$$$$-rated. Mom and I like a cocktail or two...

gbhost

I'd also like to see an art museum, probably against the wishes of everyone else. If we were to see just one, which would be most engaging?

CrossfitGal

You're staying in a great part of the city - good work. You'll be close to all subways at Union Square. You can get a 7 day subway pass or pay for each day individually - depends on how much you think you'll use it. I'd just put $50 on a card and use it for the whole family. You can always add more money to it. I'd recommend going to WTC area early as the museum can get rather packed and then it's too full to even see the artifacts. Pick up a Time Out New York to see what live shows are going on. Grey Dog Cafe (there are a few but there's one near Union Square), Upland restaurant, Joe's Pizza on 14 and 3rd, Hillstone, ABC Kitchen. Good shopping on 5th ave (near your hotel - in the 20's and teens), as well as SoHo and NoHo areas which will be walk-able for you. Enjoy!

nycguy10002

As CrossfitGal mentions there is a 7 day unlimited pass (MetroCard) for subway/bus - I would avoid it since you are only going to be here 4 days. There are no Daily Unlimited MetroCards.

It would be best to go with a Regular MetroCard (also called Pay-per-ride). A Regular MetroCard can handle up to 4 people. so it will not be necessary to get each person a card. I think think that putting $50 on the card is too much to start with. Put $20 on the card - with the 11% bonus that is given for amounts over $5.50 you will end up with a card that has $22.20 on it. That is good for 8 fares (with 20 cents left over). You can refill the card as often as you need to. There is a one-time $1 fee for the purchase of a new MetroCard. Subsequent refills will not incur that fee.

Amounts to keep in mind:
- $10 + bonus will get you and $11.10 value on the card (4 fares with 10 cents left over).
- $20 + bonus will get you $22.20 in value on the card (8 fares with 20 cents left over).
- $29.75 + bonus will get you $33.02 value on the card (12 fares with 2 cents left over). {$30.00 + bonus will get you a value of $33.10 on the card. 12 fares with 30 cents left over).

You can buy (or refill) a MetroCard at any subway booth (Cash only) or from a MetroCard Vending Machine [MVM] (cash/credit/debit).



When you are in Lower Manhattan (WTC/Wall St/Staten Island Ferry) if you'd like to do some shopping and save good money, I recommend the Century 21 Department store at Cortland St between Church St and Broadway (across from the WTC site). They have top brands on clothing, housewares, luggage, jewelry, watches and more. They always discount anywhere from 25% to 65% (depending on the item) and sometimes even more. https://www.c21stores.com/

EstherIris

The kids might enjoy The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, based on the book by British writer Mark Haddon. It's about a teenager with a condition somewhere along the autism spectrum and a journey that he takes. Very endearing.

You can find discounts at playbill.com, broadwaybox.com. (Just stay away from broadway.com. They charge exorbitant fees.)

EstherIris

In terms of museums, one option is the Whitney Museum of American Art. It's in a new building near the High Line park. You could go to the museum while the rest of the family walks along the High Line.

roadwarrior2007

--If you want to checkout a show, visit the TKTS ticket booth in Times Square for discount tickets. You can also checkout Times Square while you are there. Just FYI: Locals avoid Times Square. See Lion King if money is not an issue.

--You will probably want to park your car for the entire time you're in Manhattan. Rapid transit and taxis are the way to go. Download Google Maps on your phone. There is a subway option. That will help a ton when it comes to finding out which train to take, etc. Don't listen to the person who told you to avoid taxis and the subway, that is THE way to get around. There is free residential parking in the Upper West/East side. But you will have to move your car according to the street sweeper schedule.

--In Central Park you can rent a bike at most of the entrances.

--For Jazz you can check out Dizzy's CocaCola Club in Columbus Circle.

--Staten Island Ferry is a good choice, it's free and you can see the city landscape and Statue of Liberty.

--For food ... I recommend Bourbon Street Grill on 46th St., Santa Fe on 72nd (upper west side), Shake Shack for a quick burger, Magnolia Bakery for the best cupcakes.

--For a nice view of the city you can go to the Top of the Rock or Empire State Building

--Visit Metropolitan Museum of Art, it is a pay what you want. Despite the sign asking for 25 bucks, just say that you would like to donate a few dollars.

Hope this helps.. any questions, feel free to ask...

--Bryan

IMDonehere

Here are two stores your kids will like:

Forbidden Planet

http://www.fpnyc.com/

Evolution

https://theevolutionstore.com/
_________

You are forbidden to eat at chain restaurants in NYC. Just say no.

There are many good to great burger places in NY. A few fun places all for different reasons are Corner Bistro (a zoo of weekends) Paul Da Burger Joint (no tourists) Brindle Room, upscale hip American.

If you like Indian food there are plenty near your hotel. If you want can make recommendation.

Here is a Greek place, I assure you you will be the only tourists.

http://www.ethostaverna.com/


Here is a listing of events in NY, Time Out is geared for younger people. Dizzy's is expensive and they must like jazz.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork

nytraveler

For a show for everyone, esp kids, I would do School of Rock IF you can get the tickets. Very popular.

For parking it;s all essentially valet parking but a public garage may well be less than your hotel. Try iconparking and bestparking. Best you ay get it $40 per night. If you want you can you car in the lost at the Weehawken ferry - but then it will cost you $80 for all 4 to take the ferry back and forth, plus the parking and taxi with luggage from the ferry in Manhattan to your hotel. Not sure it's worth the hassle.

HoHo bus is very expensive and you spend a lot of time stuck in traffic. Plus there are a number of places it is not allowed to go including Central Park and some of the more interesting residential areas with unique architecture (too many complaints from locals of tourists peering in their windows from the top of the bus).

If you can do only one museum do the Met - voted the best musuem in the world. But it's way more than an art museum - do check the web site to see which few departments you want to see (I love the costume Institute and the Egyptian Department/Temple of Dendur among others).

nytraveler

For a show for everyone, esp kids, I would do School of Rock IF you can get the tickets. Very popular.

For parking it;s all essentially valet parking but a public garage may well be less than your hotel. Try iconparking and bestparking. Best you ay get it $40 per night. If you want you can you car in the lost at the Weehawken ferry - but then it will cost you $80 for all 4 to take the ferry back and forth, plus the parking and taxi with luggage from the ferry in Manhattan to your hotel. Not sure it's worth the hassle.

HoHo bus is very expensive and you spend a lot of time stuck in traffic. Plus there are a number of places it is not allowed to go including Central Park and some of the more interesting residential areas with unique architecture (too many complaints from locals of tourists peering in their windows from the top of the bus).

If you can do only one museum do the Met - voted the best musuem in the world. But it's way more than an art museum - do check the web site to see which few departments you want to see (I love the costume Institute and the Egyptian Department/Temple of Dendur among others).

Phillyk8

You will be near the Highline which is a great park/ walk. Walking in Central Park and people watching is a favorite thing to do, also walk the Brooklyn bridge but start at the Brooklyn side so you have a view of the city (go to High Street station in Brooklyn for easiest access). From there, you can walk to the WTC site, or down to Battery Park City to get the ferry to Staten Island.

For museums, Moma, Met, Natural History museum are all great.

I agree with the suggestion of a regular metro card shared among you. Be prepared to walk alot. You can always treat yourselves to a taxi at the end of a long day.

IMDonehere

Ice cream places

There are many store made ice cream and gelati places downtown

Il Laboratorio de Gelato
Davey's on First AVe
Sundaes on East 10th
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.
Cones Bleecker Street
Mikey's Ave A (He was highlighted with Hillary as a campaign stop.)

And a for a meal that might not have had try Jing Fong or Golden Unicorn for dim sum lunch during the week. There will ladies who do not speak English pushing carts around, just point.

And forget about the overpriced candy at Dylan's go to Economy Candy

http://www.economycandy.com/

cmstraf

The Metropolitan Museum is truly amazing (perhaps while the rest of the family is just across the Park at the Museum of Natural History).

The ferry trip past Statue of Liberty (we got off but did not find that part very interesting) to Ellis Island is fascinating, fun and moving--also for teenagers.

911 memorial also. Go first thing in the morning. If you get there before it opens, you can see the memorial pools without crowds.

The tenement museum takes about 1 hour (guided tour by awesome volunteers) and kids might like too. There is also always the Museum of Sex (mostly kidding).

vincenzo32951

In lieu of a show (and far cheaper), think about taking the kids to the Stardust Diner, where the waitstaff sings Broadway show hits and other pop songs.

The food is decent; great milkshakes and desserts. You can get something for about $25/pp, unless you order a full meal instead of sandwiches (which most people don't do).

SueNYC

The New York City Fringe Festival is on when you are here. www.fringenyc.org

All seats will cost less than 22 dollars with convenience fees. Take a look at the show list and use the slice-o-metic to focus on the Fringe High shows that are playing during the time that you might want to see a show. Edgy theater in great neighborhoods.

A Guide Named Sue

gbhost

Thanks so much everyone for the tips and tricks.

Any other restaurant ideas? The kids probably like 'American' food the best, but have been known to be adventurous and appreciative of fine dining.

I saw there was a Nintendo store in the city - anywhere else that gamers might find interesting?

HappyTrvlr

We have entertained quite a few teen grandkids in NYC and they all like Joe's Shanghai, Chinatown for those Shanghai soup dumplings as well as other ethnic restaurants. Near your hotel, "American" restaurants our BBQ loving NY ceiend took us to are Hill Country BBQ on 26th St. and Mexicue, a mix of bbq and Mexican.
Look at Eataly restaurants too.

plambers

we also did dim sum in china town. went to toledo for some amazing spanish food. bagels w lox every morning. pizza at v & t's up by columbia one afternoon...

julia1

Bookmarking. Thank you.

CaliNurse

While you are in the downtown SI Ferry/Financial District /Brooklyn Bridge area, and especially if it is hot and humid, walk to South Street Seaport , walk the cobblestone streets, then cool off with East River breezes on the pier. A wonderful break!!