NYC - Teenager/Preteen sights

Without knowing the boys' interests it's hard to tell.

You would definitely do:

Top of the Rock
Museum of Natural History
The Intrepid
Central Park (skating if you get days not too cold)
Staten Island ferry
For a show they would probably like Stomp
The Met (might enjoy Arms & armor and the Egyptian section/Temple of Dendur)
Would probably like to see either a Knicks or Rangers game

If you tell us more about their interests people can make specific recos.

My son is 13 and really enjoyed Madame Tussaud's wax museum when visiting NYC this summer. He always just loves the city itself, and what is on the day's "to do" list usually depends upon what we're in the mood for - as nytraveler said, more ideas could be based on what your boys enjoy (sports, history, art, music, etc...)

Stomp or Blue Man Group might be fun shows.

I'd also add the Intrepid to your list.

i agree with lisette. both stomp and blue man group are great shows.
another one that i discovered a few months ago is fuerzabruta. it is sensational.
altho' i have not seen it, i have heard raves about the gazillion bubbles show.
i'm sure all of these will appeal to your boys.
be prepared to be slimed at blue man group.

Sorry I forgot to post interests! Both boys love city tours/top of building views, as they love to get a sense of where things are, in addition to seeing so much of the city. Both also enjoy history.

One of them enjoys going to markets in the morning. Are there any farmers markets or something similar that occur anywhere in NYC?

I forgot to mention one loves buildings with modern/interesting architecture.

As the parent of a 14 year-old NYC boy, let me suggest some of his favorite things.

When he was obsessed with buildings, the Skyscraper Museum was a great visit - http://www.skyscraper.org/home.htm small, but of interest . . . you could spend a day downtown, taking the Staten Island ferry, going to the Skyscraper Museum, maybe even having a late afternoon drink at the bar in the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park City, Rise, which has the most spectacular view of NY Harbor. They are OK with kids, as long as they are pretty well behaved.

My kid is now very interested in history and politics, and these are some of his favorite haunts:
The Tenement Museum - a great walking tour/exhibition of the Lower east Side, exploring the history of immigration. This, combined with a trip to Ellis Island, really makes US history personal and alive for kids.

The NY Historical Society usually has some sort of fascinating special exhibit - Cholera in NYC, or the role of NYC in the Slave trade, or Presidential Memorabilia https://www.nyhistory.org/web/

Madame Tussauds is cheesy fun - but it's pricey - look for discount coupons.

The Intrepid opens again next week, if your boys are into military history they may enjoy that.

If your boys like Science Fiction and fantasy, there is a great store call Forbidden Planet on Broadway and 13th Street. it is also right near the Union Square GreenMarket, but in January, the Greenmarket is not such a pleasant outing . . . perhaps you will like a walk through the Chelsea Market a Food Hall on 9th Avenue and 15th St. There is a fascinating element in Chelsea Market, in that
elevated Railroad tracks go through the buildings in the neighborhood. It's called, the High Line, and is currently being turned into a public park. If you walk around the neighborhood, you might also walk over to the West Side Highway and 18th Street, where Frank Gehry's only building in NY, which is a beautiful, glass structure that looks like billowing sails, has been open for the past 18 months. http://www.iacbuilding.com/interactive/content.html

Have fun!

That skyscraper museum looks great!
We'll also probably do the Staten Island ferry, and that bar at the Ritz is EXACTLY the type of thing the boys love to go to, where they can see so much action.

Late afternoon, say 4:00 or 4;30 in January before sunset, will be a great time to go.

If they like architecture, a beautiful building to tour is the New York Public Library.

The bar at the Ritz has great views - but in January will have to be fairly early in the day. Also - be aware of the cost of drinks - even sot drinks for the kids will be big $.

I was thinking if we went to the Ritz it would be before dinner in Tribeca, SoHo, or somewhere near there...not too far away.

And I'll check out the library!

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge!

Thanks mpand nytraveler, for those great suggestions. My daughter and I are taking her 12 yr. old boy, and his cousin, an 11 yr old girl to NYC in April, and I shall bookmark your suggestions!

I thought the Brooklyn Bridge is probably a must. Its just such a neat piece of architecture, as well as a historical artifact in some senses