NYC with teenaged boys
 

I am planning a trip to NYC with my two boys (15 &17) for the latter part of June 2010. We will be arriving on a Monday and will leave that Saturday, we will have 4 solid days to do some fun things. We are planning on staying at the Double Tree Metropolitan on Lexington. I would like to spend a day going to the Statue of Liberty, WTC - Ground Zero (for personal reasons) and Central Park. Then spend the next day doing the Chinatown & Little Italy thing. The last two days just in the Times Square area. Any thoughts on if this is unrealistic?

I did a similar trip with my then 9 and 12 year old boys a couple of years ago. I'd visited as a teen and for business before, but this was our first family trip. Is this their first trip to NYC? One thing my kids really enjoyed was taking the trip to the top of the Empire State Building. We rented the headsets--it gives you a verbal tour of the city so you can orient yourself a little better--they loved it, and it helped them navigate a little better on the trip. The Statue of Liberty trip was fun--make sure you get on one of the first boats out though, because if you plan on touring the statue itself, the line can be over an hour long to get in later in the morning. You'll need to go online and get advance tickets for both.

Ground zero is just a block or two north of Battery Park (for Statue of Liberty). We stopped, but at that point it was just a hole in the ground and a construction site--it was a brief stop. :( You'll have to ask someone else if there is more there now.

Central Park is fun, but it's on the complete opposite end of Manhattan from Battery Park--lots of people watching plus the zoo. The American Museum of Natural History is across the street on the west side of the park--your teens might really enjoy it--my boys did. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is on the east side. I didn't take my younger boys there (no time) but older kids may or may not really enjoy it--I did as a teen.

Not really clear about what you're going to do in the Time Square area for two days? We walked through and took some pictures. They saw the naked cowboy, so they were happy, lol. There's a ToysRUs there that my youngest son liked, but probably not something your teens would appreciate. I think Chinatown and Little Italy are great stops--I visited both as a teen and as an adult--loved the singing waiters in Little Italy. Haven't been there in years though. Another area my oldest son really liked was the NYU/Greenwich Village area. The streets are narrow, the people are colorful--it was great for wandering around and people watching. There are four restaurants--outdoor cafes--on the corner of Bleecker and Macdougal streets near NYU. The food was great but student priced, they could watch the world go by--they loved it.

Sounds like a fun trip! Both of my boys want to go back soon. Have you thought about seeing a show one evening as well? Just in case this is your first trip--the subway is super easy to navigate. We took public transportation everywhere.

Hmmm ... well, I can't imagine what on earth you could do for two full days in Times Square. There's nothing to see beyond the first hour or so. I think your teens would enjoy Central Park. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is also fun. And if you bother to come all the way to NYC, I'd recommend at least one of the world-class museums of your choice. And one or more Broadway shows.

There's literally nothing to see at Ground Zero, but people seem to be drawn there. So what can I say to that?

The only thing I strongly urge you to do is to make the reservations for the Statue of Liberty trip today ... like five minutes ago. June is going to be insanely busy, and you'll waste hours of your vacation waiting in line if you don't. Make the reservations for as early in the morning as you think you can drag the kids out of bed.

A few suggestions-

Combo tickets are available for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Go on-line to get them.

The Metropolitan Museum is a must - with teenagers, the African Wing, Egyptian Wing and the Modern Wing might be the most fun. Do they play musical instruments? There's an interesting display of Instruments Through the Ages too. (Just above the Medieval Armory display, another possibility).

Also, the Museum of Natural History is great.

Try to get tickets for something on Broadway.

AND- you're never too old for the Bronx Zoo.

Have fun!

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. Yes, this is a first time trip even for me, we are super excited to go and I just want them to have a great experience!

All the things you have listed doing are great, but as others mentioned - many are really just areas you would pass through. For New York I would think in terms of pockets of neighborhoods. NYC has everything under the sun, but for me it's less about a specific place and more about the entire experience and the people watching.

Friday night I think the MOMA is free - but like with everything - go to the website and see if you need a reservation or ticket. The best part of free (besides the no money aspect) is that it gives you the freedom to just walk in and hang out for 30 minutes without feeling like you should have stayed for half a day.

If you want to do Times Square then pick a show, go to a "touristy" restaurant (Carmine's?) that the kids would enjoy and wander a bit to take pictures before. It's probably a good time (the Times Square day) to also wander around Rockefeller Center. There is rooftop viewing at 30 rock and a cafe were the skating rink is in the winter. This is where they tape the today show and Friday mornings in the summer they tend to do outdoor concerts so this is worth checking into. If it is a "good" one get there early - EARLY! :)

Likewise, if you are doing the S of L. go, as mentioned, super early and then do ellis island second (don't miss the movie - go first if possible before touring the building) and then wander the seaport area for a bit when you get back. The bodies exhibition is still there I assume. Check the website.

You could do the Metropolitan Museum of Art to get one amazing museum in (fun rooftop view of the park for snacks) and then from there wander into Central Park - maybe rent bikes or a row boat or have a picnic or just walk through. The boathouse restaurant is nice (a bit overpriced, but fun to sit and take in the boaters). There is also a basic grill right next to it with the same view. Again - the website for the boathouse gives all the dining options and the rental options for boats and bikes I believe. The Central Park Website gives a map of the entire park and lists all of the monuments etc. As you leave central park south at 5th you will be at the apple store - fun to take a peak (my 17 yr old son lives there when we go in).

If you "do" the NYU area, that would be the time to have lunch in china town (go someplace where all the locals are eating), do some shopping in soho etc and then walk back up to midtown via the highline or just check out part of it.

Grab a pocket Fodors and a Zagats - they will be priceless when you are wandering "aimlessly" Read up a bit before and think about the things you enjoy. If you like it - NyC has it. Get a pretzel, take a million pictures and enjoy!!

If your sons are into music I think they will enjoy Times Square for the Virgin Megastore and also the opportunity to look up at the MTV window during tapings. There is an ESPN Sportszone in the area too.

Pack a frisbee for Central Park and grab a pizza or deli sandwiches for a picnic.

Love Love LOVE all of the suggestions!!! This is exactly what I have needed because I am winging this totally aimlessly!!! Thanks for the ideas and the info!!! (The Today show concert AND YES the Virgin Megastore and the ESPN Sportszone!!!) That is the stuff I def need... oldest is all about the music and bands the younger is a football fanatic!!!