New York with my 16 year old granddaughter

Old Jul 19th, 2017, 04:58 PM
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New York with my 16 year old granddaughter

I've finally been able to get my stay at home granddaughter to come to New York with me for 5 days. She is interested in quirky things like french fries that are covered in a sugar frosting? We can do people watching, possibly a show, some museums, architecture, fashion and food of course, Any suggestions? Our trip is booked for August 15th to 21st. I've been to New York a few other times and it's one of my favourite cities. Thank you
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Old Jul 19th, 2017, 07:08 PM
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Take her to Chinatown and you can go Jing Fong for a dim sum lunch (during the week, weekends are a zoo). They have women who speak little English pushing around carts and just point for what you want. Then go to Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. Whatever you do, do not buy knock off bags, it supports crime and terrorism.

Then you walk north on Broadway, for scores of stores that will appeal to a sixteen year old. Make a detour on Spring Street and go to a store called Evolution.

Another day you can go the remnants of Jewish immigration New York on the Lower East Side. She if you can get tickets for the Tenement Museum tour. Visit the following stores-Economy Candy, Yonah Schimmel knishes, Russ & Daughters, Katz's, Kossar's Bialys, and The Pickle Guys. Other interesting food stops include Donut Plant and Essex Street Market.

A walk on the Highline with a stop at the Chelsea Market. There are also scores of art galleries in the area.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 06:07 AM
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Thank you. This sounds right up her alley as right now the main attractions seem to be odd and interesting food items. However I have other plans which I will fit in between such as the Metropolitan Museum. I'd also like to take her to a off Broadway or Broadway show and wondered if you had any suggestions of something that would pique her interest?
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 07:16 AM
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You are welcome.

To enter the Met Museum, do not climb the stairs, there is an entrance on the street level to the left, that much fewer people use.

I do not like musicals, so others can guide you.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 08:20 AM
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If she likes food, consider a food/walking tour. I've only done a Foods of New York tour: https://www.foodsofny.com/ I've actually done their original Greenwich Village tour, but both times were excellent--maybe one of theirs would be appealing to your granddaughter?

As for Broadway shows, your trip isn't far off so start looking now--she might like School of Rock, and I regularly get discount offers for that one.

I can't recommend the Tenement Museum highly enough--it's wonderful!
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 08:26 AM
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For a musical, I would suggest Come From Away. Thought it was terrific.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 09:40 AM
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I was also thinking about Come From Away. Might be appropriate since we're from Canada.

The food/walking tour would be fun. I like it!

We will definitely do the Tenement Museum. I plan to keep her going as much as possible. She needs to get out of the safe little subdivision she lives in and see this wonderful city.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 10:33 AM
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You must try our pizza. We have everything from high quality individual pies to $1 a slice.

For two people try Motorino for lunch. Expensive but absolutely fabulous.

Also try NY bagels but in places where they are made, not just sold including Ess-A-Bagel, Murray's, Tal's, David's and Absolute.
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Old Jul 20th, 2017, 01:01 PM
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I know you didn't ask this But this sounds like a trip for you that you're dragging your granddaughter along? Does she even want to do this? It sounds like you feel she is too sheltered and needs to get out of a "rut" but maybe she feels differently?
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Old Jul 21st, 2017, 02:06 AM
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One of my favorite activities to do, especially on a sultry August day, is taking the Staten Island Ferry - a 20+ minute ride that is free! Then returning to Manhattan on the next boat; while there are places to explore on Staten Island, it's really the experience of the ferry that I think she might enjoy on a hot day.

I second all of IMDonehere's recommendations. I think the Highline would be a highlight (!) and the Chelsea Market is a great place to stop. It's converted from the Nabisco Company factory and there are some very cool artifacts that are incorporated in the market.
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Old Jul 21st, 2017, 04:39 AM
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You've gotten great advice. Just want to point out the Tenement Museum is not all air conditioned and can be brutal in August. Info here
http://www.tenement.org/group_faq.html
You need to book in advance.

Come From Away is not an easy ticket to get. Playbill.com has a good list of shows and also lists discounts.

Freetoursbyfoot.com is well regarded. You just tip the guide what you want. F.I.T. (fashion institue) has a small museum that's free.
https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/exhibitions/
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Old Jul 21st, 2017, 11:02 AM
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The Highline will be packed. Just to let you know. You'll be slowly walking in a tight straight line. However if you do go, the Chelsea Market is close by.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 05:19 AM
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We went to the Tenement Museum during the summer and ,as others have pointed out, it will be very uncomfortable and hot
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Old Jul 22nd, 2017, 12:42 PM
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I know it can be very hot in August and plan to do most of our excursions during the morning. The Staten Island ferry is a great idea even if just for the ferry ride.

Thank you for your concern newtome - I have made it sound like I'm dragging her along but it's mainly tongue in cheek. She's very excited to go and it will be the highlight of her year.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2017, 10:14 AM
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While way downtown at the ferry, you should take her to Wall St and to Trinity church where Alexander Hamilton is buried.
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Old Jul 24th, 2017, 05:49 AM
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Take your granddaughter to Cookie Do NYC, a store that sells edible, raw cookie dough by the pint. Very popular with tweens and anyone on Instagram.

She'll probably like the Doughnut Plant or Dominique Ansel Bakery (where you get the real, original cronuts).
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Old Jul 31st, 2017, 06:10 AM
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Thank you for all your comments.
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Old Aug 1st, 2017, 08:21 AM
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One thing that I thought was very enjoyable was the self guided tour of Grand Central Station. You carry around these cellphone-like devices and you get a lot of info. The best part was right near the end when it takes you to this section where the acoustics are so amazing that you can whisper into a corner and the sound carries up and over the ceiling to the opposite corner. You can make the tour as short as 1/2 an hour to a full hour.

We also enjoyed going to the top of the Empire State building at around 11 pm. We basically had the place all to ourselves. We had been getting some beers at around 10:30 when I had remembered the suggestion of going here late at night, and they were right. NOBODY WAS THERE! I had purchased my tickets online so I grabbed them, got into a cab and it was great. In fact we went to the very top and were given a private tour and the guy liked us, so on the way down to the observation deck, he asked the elevator guy to stop mid way down to the observation deck. We stepped out into the bank of lights! Just us and some birds who fly around there at night. Love NYC!!
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Old Aug 2nd, 2017, 06:57 AM
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Sounds like you and your granddaughter are going to have a great trip.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2017, 10:31 AM
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Two of the suggestions have been the Staten Island Ferry and the Highline. I took my daughter to both when she was in her late teens. She thought both were boring. NYC has so much to offer, she felt she was wasting time.

Of course, it's totally up to the individual as to what they like.
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