befriendly

I am taking my 16yr old son to NYC. Just he and me(mom) for 3nts, 4 days in April as a special gift for all the undue hardships he has endured in his young life. I was thinking of staying at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square because of location. He has never been to NYC, I have a couple of times. Was thinking of going to Blue Man Group. I am looking for ideas of other things to do with a teenage boy along with some possible restaurant ideas. I would really appreciate any info. This is a surprise for him. He always talks about NYC and so that is why I picked the location. I also love the city.

don512

Mars 2112 is located right near the Marriot. From what I can remember, the food wasn't anything special (kind of like a Hard Rock) but the atmosphere was really different, especilly if he likes the outerspace kind of thing.

Patrick

Sounds like your son has a great mom! The Marquis will be impressive, waiting for the elevators or not!
Does he like BarBQ? Virgil's just about a block away is great and fun.
Does he like electronics? Go to Sony and their open "exploration" area. Of course, the Empire State building, and a ride on the Staten Island Ferry or the boat to pass the Statue of Liberty. And visit South Street Seaport while down there. Blue Man Group is a great idea.
Has he been to a planetarium? That would be good also?
And a visit to the Intrepid might amaze him.

macie

I took my 14 year old last summer. I just asked him what he liked best and he said the Virgin Record Store (which is right across from the Marquis). I was surprised as we did the UN tour, a "tv sites" bus tour, and went to several plays. Oh well, I guess you never know what makes a lasting impression! If you are interested in any unusual tours look at www.imar.com. I recently took their Chinatown food and shoping tour and loved it.

Scarlett

He might also like to see STOMP. We regularly take visitors young and old and they all like it quite a lot.
Do have dessert at Serendipity. Both of you will enjoy a Frozen Hot Chocolate.
Go to the Met Museum, whatever his interests, there will be something for him. Our 11 yr old loves the armor right now-he wants to be a Samarai
Chinatown is a great sightseeing, shopping day with food. If he is artistic in any way, he can buy some art supplies that are usually pretty special and inexpensive.
What kind of food does he (you) like? There are so many restaurants, there are some good Mexican and Thai, if he likes that.
If you go to the Natural History Museum, right there on Columbus Ave is a Thai restaurant called Penang which is casual and fun, the food is good.
This is going to be great for both of you, how wonderful!

flopmeister

he might also enjoy the transit museum. it is very cool. a walk over the brooklyn bridge and into downtown brooklyn for some pizza will be a GREAT MEMORY. start out at Hop Shing in Chinatown for dim sum, go to J&R Music world across from City Hall, then check out south street seaport (quickly) and head over the bridge to bklyn. (that's where the transit museum is). Always, always a thrill is to go to your very first Yankees game. check to see if they're in town and get tix and ride the subway -- the concierge in the hotel will tell you how to go. it's safe and a blast to go by train.

susie2

Times Square, where he can watch MTV's TRL (Total Request Live). You son will know what it is.

inthechips

Musicians just went on strike today...

orgy7

-how about the WWE store if he like wrestling..
-there is a big arcade on 42st and 8th. (I believe).
-FAO shwartz (Spell) if it's stil on 5th ave..
-that aircraft carier is really cool..
-canal street for the vibe. and bootleg cd's and crap..
-the empire state boulding is always fun..

emd

The new Madame Tussaud's (SP?) Wax Musuem was extremely entertaining for my teens. They have a celebrity room, a world leader/influential persons room (educational too, sparked conversations about what was each one known for, a rock and roll area, sports figures. It was more fun than we expected to have. COncierges have discount coupons. Take a camera, you can shoot all the pics you like next to the figures.
If he is into Baseball and you are wlaking to Central Park, Mickey Mantles has good memorabilia and so so food, but he'll like the burgers.
You can do a search re hotels as there have been recent postings on th at. We like the Shearaton Manhattan as it has a big warm indoor pool and the club level has a great breakfast area if you can get it included in your package or ask for it. But like Mariott you wait for the elevators.
Mars 1212 was awful when we went, awful service, inedible food. My son liked Ellis Island and he's only 12 (but he hs immigrant grandparents who came through there so some interest.)

KarenW

My sons were also great fans of Virgin Records when they were that age, and no trip to New York was complete without an hour or two there. Their other favorite, believe it or not, was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They especially enjoyed the Egytian wing, the medieval armor gallery, and the Greek and Roman (nude) statuary. The David Letterman studio, and the Hello Deli were a thrill, as was anything else connected to TV shows they knew about.

chocomomtoo

We were just there 2 weekends ago and had a blast. We spurged a little and stayed at the Hilton NY on 6th Ave (a block or 2 from Radio City). Found this deal on travelzoo.com. We stayed on the executive floor for $169 including breakfast for 2 in their Marketplace Rest.
The executive level also includes unlimited access to the executive lounge that is open from 6AM until 11PM. With continental breakfast and a cocktail hour with hot/cold horderves and cookies and whole fruit throughout the day.

Needless to say we esp our son (age 11) had a blast.

One Italian rest we can upon was great-It's call the south side cafe (www.southsidecafe.com). The food was fabulous. I had the seafood pasta and it was huge and so fresh that I had the leftovers 2 day later and it still tasted like just made.

Loki

You mights be able to catch the Knicks, Rangers or Yankees. I'd vote Yanks first if the weather is OK and then Knick or Rangers, whichever is home at the time (they share the Garden). I'd get tickets ahead of time...

Cicerone

All the places mentioned above are good, except I think he is too old for Mars 2112, IMO, only kids under 10 enjoy that. Assuming your son is a sports fan, tickets to any basketball or hockey game at the Garden would be a no-brainer. STOMP is great and I would definitely recommend it. Blue Man Group is also good -- try to avoid the front rows where they give you raincoats to avoid being splashed during the acts…. I also thought The Producers was one of the best things I have seen in 30-years of seeing plays in Broadway. Funny, great song and dance, even without any major starts. A cruise around the Manhattan on the Circle Line would be fun. The ESPN Zone (Times Square), is fun for sports fanatics, to have a meal or just play a sport video game, etc. (I believe children are admitted, but check their website at espn.go.com/espninc/zone/ny or call 212-921-3776.) Finally, and can't believe no one has mentioned it, go to Ground Zero. This will remind him that other people have suffered hardships as well.

As this is a Fodor's site, I should mention that Fodors has a guidebook called Fodor's Around New York City with Kids, 2nd Edition. It costs $11. You can buy it directly on this site. Also check their recommendations under Destinations on this site.

Alicia

Times Square will be a great location for your son. Thats lots to see, great people watching. ABC Studios, MTV Studios, find a window seat, eat pizza, and watch the world.

I would also recommend taking him to the top of the Empire State Building at night. The views are great and I think more impressive at night.

Its also nice to walk through Central Park, lots of roller bladers, bike riders, runners, people hanging out having a good time. We took a cab to the Natural History Museum, enter the park near the John Lenon memorial, walked through the park, made our way to FAO Schwartz on 5th Ave. Good way to combine a few things.

For a day time activity I would recommend the full Circle Line Cruise, its a great way to see a lot without killing your self. Pass underneath all the great bridges, see the Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium, etc. Its about three hours and a great way to spend the morning or afternoon. I think they have combo tickets if also wanted to try the big speed boats.

Have a great trip!

befriendly

Thanks so much everyone for all of your great ideas and comments. I am so looking forward to this trip. Your valuable help will make it an adventure of a lifetime.

SR

Befriendly,
Did you take your trip with your son? How was it? Did you/he like the Marquis? I'm going with my son next month. I'd love to hear about your trip !