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My daughter (16), husband and I are spending Easter in NYC. Since we are only going to be there a few days I am trying to find some really great places to go for fun and food. We are limited with the night life since we have our daughter but maybe someone can suggest something we could do that would interest a teen. I have some suggestions already for restaurants but I am looking for something she would think was "cool" and some good stores to shop in for funky clothing that won't break the bank. What are the best attractions to see. Thanks for your help
NYC with a Teen
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We went w/ our teen daughters (17 & 15) in Dec and I followed the advice by other Fodor-ites - let them shop! Our girls especially like H&M and all the cool shops in SOHO. We also all went to see Blue Man Group and ALL enjoyed it. They weren't interested in the Disney-type offerings and we didn't think they would want to go to the more "adult" theatre so Blue Man worked out well for us all. You are a short walk from there to all the restaurants around NYU so there are some great/inexpensive ethnic offerings. We also did a Circle Line and went out to Statue of Liberty but it was a cold and rainy day so we just stayed on the boat and they liked seeing it from a distance.
While Stomp is fine - esp for younger kids - I would think a 16 year old sophisticated enough to enjoy some real theater at least as much. Kids all seem to love Rent - which you can easily get on discounts - and everyone loves Wicked - but it's probalby too late to get tickets. Why not check out playbill.com or broadwaybox.com to see what's on discount - it sems a pity to come to NYC and miss one of the major attractions.
For other attractions - a lot depends on your/her interests. Don;t miss the Easter Parade onFifthe AVenue - in front of ST Pat's. My favorite last year was a woman in an organdy dress and picture hat with a live iguana perched on the hat - in an outift identical to hers.
Teens love downtown. Start at Union Square Park and head south. Union Sq is a gathering spot for high school ages kids, especially in the nice weather. There are always skateboarders, and frequently break dancers and sometimes other street entertainers. Also freedom of speech is excerised here almost daily. At Unions Square are FOrever 21, DSW & FIlene's, and for a quick food court type bite to eat (also a huge grocery store), WHole FOods (which is set to open any day now). Then WAShington Square park is more like NYU's campus. Loaded with street entertainers, college students and tourists.
The village and soho areas are great for strolling and dining. Soho is great for shopping, both in the stores, and on the street (check out the outdoor market on SPring & W. Bway, or B'way & I think 3rd or 4th St). ALso St. Marks place (E. Village) is worth a stroll.
Have dinner in the E. VIllage where great meals can be had very inexpensively. My daughter has wanted to have a formal dining/multi course experience. We just took her to Le Tableau (French) on E. 5th. They have a prix fixe before 7pm (and all evening sun & mon) for $25 (appetizer, main & dessert). The same meal would easily be twice this anywhere else in Manhattan. A few doors down, is Lavagna with a similar deal (med./ital. food). Stomp and Blue Man are both in E. Village area theaters. ANother fun place to eat is Gonzo. It's like a tapas style Italian and they also make the very thin crust grilled pizza that is out of this world. You can order various dishes and share. The food is excellent, very fresh and reasonable (on W. 13th St).
Rent is a great choice for a show (one of my 16 yr old's favorites). We recently saw Movin Out and she also liked that. MoMA is also well worth a visit (but can get very crowded). Let your daughter check out the museum and theater options and let her pick out some.