crosscourt

We are two families headed to the Big Apple for a four day weekend, each family has two teenage daughters ages 14-16 for a total of four teenage girls! This may be their first trip to NYC, but it could be their last, you never know. I want it to be an everlasting experience for them. I want them to come home thinking it was the best time they have ever had! Aside from the obvious tourist attractions, what would make our trip memorable to teenage girls? Yes we will do the tourist stuff, of course shopping to what we know exists, but how about some real girly great ideas. Thank you in advance!

zztop

We did the same thing with our teenage daughter for her high school graduation. First off, don't know where you live, but we took the train. She loved it. We stayed in Times Square. A great place. Just going out at night and seeing all the vendors at night was a thrill. We took her to see Hairspray. A great show for girls. After the show, we went on a "bicycle" ride. (There is a guy peddling and the customers sit in a seat on the back. You'll see them. The guy flirted with my daughter. She loved it.) Shopping was up there on the list. When my husband said "Look over there... it's a Kate Spade store", I thought my daughter would loose it. It didn't even matter that she couldn't afford one of the bags, just to see all the real ones was a thrill. Shopping on the lower east side with all the vendors was fabulous. Also, we ate in Little Italy. We went in the Spring and ate at a sidewalk cafe. Leave a lot of time just for strolling around. Oh yes, a tour in one of the double decker buses is great. You can get on and off. It's a great way to see the city but still have time for the "girly" things.

karameli

Take them to TRL, at the MTV studios on Broadway. If you hang out by the Viacom building entrance before a taping one day, you can sometimes score a pass inside the studio for the next day.

escargot

when my daughter was that age she loved everything mentioned - also enjoyedand still does)
walking thru the SoHo/and into NoLita area for the cute shops and maybe a 'funky find' in one of the stores (check the back for sale racks) - there are also the now chains that have entered the area, but just walking thru some of the stores and their set up (prada) was fun for her - and the weekend craft show down there - where there were some things she could afford -
She used to get a big kick out of waiting in line at Magnolia's for cupcakes and having them back in the room late at night -
If you can get into Serendipity (and if they've seen the movie) they might like that esp if they like chocolate
def a walk thru Times Sq at night
I'll ask my daughter too when I talk to her tomorrow

escargot

I don't know how that weird face got into my post!!
I must have hit some key I don't know about....

Austin

My 15 year old d and I went this past summer. She loves shopping of all sorts, and really liked SoHo, especially the street vendors. Also 5th Ave - stores and vendors. Liked Times Square at night, and just walking around. She enjoyed the Empire State Building and the cruise around the harbor.

Sitting outside a cafe in SoHo was a plus, as well as Serendipity. (If you don't have a reservation, go at an off time or put your name on the list and walk the neighborhood.

3 Years ago we saw Hairspray. Last summer The Lion King. She liked the Lion King better. (So did I)

I think the highlight of the trip was actually eating at Plataforma, which was in the same building as our hotel, the Belvedere.

The girls will absolutely LOVE NYC!

crosscourt

Wow, you guys are fast, thank you! Anyone know anything about any type of fashion show (affordable) we can take the girls to? We will be visiting Easter weekend. Already have tickets to Jersey Boys.

GoTravel

Take them to H&M on Fifth Avenue. It is reasonably priced/cheap European trendywear. Think cutting edge Old Navy with the same prices.

It is a massive store and always crowded but it will not break the bank.

crosscourt

kara-
How much do you know about the MTV TRL thing? I love the idea, the girls would go nuts, but when I looked it up on line it looks as though you have to be 16 and I don't think adults are allowed. It would be very hard for me to allow four teenage girls out of my sight in NYC.

Anonymous

All the girls love H&M, so if they haven't shown up at a mall near you, look up the addresses of their 6 Manhattan stores and find at least one -- I recommend the two in SoHo, as they're in the middle of other fun stuff.

My daughter loves Pearl River, on Broadway in SoHo, for Chinese stuff of all sorts, from little brocade purses to real chinese shoes, to home furnishings and exotic foods.

For window shopping, the upper end of Fifth Ave is pretty special. And if they have any favorite movies that are set in NY, you can check out the locales.

karameli

Hi crosscourt, I forgot that some of the girls were under 16. It would be safe to send the 16-year-old(s) up because you'd be waiting right at the exit, but even if only to avoid jealousy with the younger girls, you may want to do the TRL window-gazing instead. The studio has a glass wall, and crowds gather under it every day to watch (and shriek, "woooo!"). You'd be able to stand there with them. If you check mtv.com a few days before the trip, you can see which days have fun guests. The guests always come over to the window and wave.

crosscourt

kara-
Yes, thank you, I just double checked their site. I think if we can be in the area at the right time it would be fun to hang out for a bit. Thanks for the info, it is a fabulous idea, got any more?

karameli

I agree with the posters who recommended Magnolia cupcakes and Pearl River. Haven't ever been to Serendipity's, but everyone loves it...ditto Dylan's Candy Bar. Depending on what the girls are into, a few more suggestions...

If they love Jersey Boys, get in line at TKTS (in Times Square) early one morning, wat for it to open at 9:00, and grab last-minute seats to another show. A lot of times, you can get balcony seats for $15 or $20 to a show that's been around awhile.

Go to Bliss spa -- manis are about $25, or chocolate pedicures are $60. Or go shopping at Sephora -- not sure where you're from/if you have one, but it's like cosmetics heaven. (Boring, of course, if you have one in your mall at home )

I'll let you know if I think of any more!

crosscourt

Dylan's Candy Shop, I'm in!! They will LOVE it! I checked it out, it looks great! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I want a t-shirt!

MFNYC

We live in NYC but my 17 year old daughter just went ice skating in central park (wollman rink) for the 1st time and loved it. I also took her to the Body exhibit at the south street seaport along with my 14 year old son, and they both really enjoyed that. There is also a fashion exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt that's supposed to be very nice (which I plan on taking my daughter to).

You should definitely take them to a Broadway show. Teens love Rent (it's much better than the movie), also Hairspray and Phantom are good choices. Check out broadwaybox.com for discounts.

A fun store is Pearl River (an asian dept. store) on Broadway and Spring St.

steviegene

Chinatown for shopping! (if they like shopping that is)
Chinatown has oodles of knock-off merchandise (bags, earrings, perfume, etc. etc.) but for very cheap!

radial

what about a trendy dinner at balthazar: french brasserie, cool unsophisticated french fares with celebrity spotting.

Carib_Ruby

Def. TRL!.... I was standing outside on the street when the Backstreet Boys were inside and you can see up inside the glass window. There will be lots of people there, its a great atmoshpere ...you dont have to be inside to have fun

and I bet your girls will get a kick of seeing the recognizable outside personalities (Naked Cowboy) that they have seen on TV

I was there screaming with everyone else like a school girl


Trust me! They will love it

Ruby

Carib_Ruby

Also the NBC studio tour.... another highlight!

starfish3

Recently took a group of 9 girls (ages 12-13).

We went to Madaam Tussaud's Wax Museum and to Mars 2112 for lunch. The girls had a great time! Afterward, we shopped in Times Square (Hershey store, TRL/MTV store etc.). Went to Planet Hollywood for dessert. Toys R Us is right down the street...take a ride on the indoor ferris wheel - you're never too old). All the sights to see are within walking distance (wear comfortable shoes...Times Square, Radio City, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock (great view of the city). The Broadway shows are great...Lion King, Hairspray, Wicked etc.

Also, FAO SCwarz has the best ice cream parlor and is usually easier to get into than Serendipity. Bring your credit cards!! You'll have a great time.