I am thinking about bringing a 15 and 11 yr. old to nyc for 3 full days. what should we definitely see? Where is a great place to stay? for no more than 250 to 300 a night.

We stayed at the Helmsley Park Lane on Central Park South with a Park view. It was beautiful and my kids loved looking out the window. You're also close to many attractions. Be sure to see a Broadway show.

We went with our two sons ages 12 and 14 this past summer to NYC and really enjoyed the penguins in Central Park Zoo, the Sony Lab, Empire State Bldg. at night, Chinatown (dim sum at Dim Sum Go Go), the ferry to Staten Island. We had a very emotional visit to World Trade Centre site too.

The upper level of ESPN Sports Zone in Times Square area has a fun arcade.

Wear your walking shoes. When you see a free bathroom, use it. Bathrooms are hard to come by in NYC. I took my 2 kids at that age and really had fun: Empire State Blding, Staten Island Ferry, tour of the UN building, FAO Schwartz, Guggenheim Museum.Blue Man Group has a great show that we all loved. Ride the subway. I found New Yorkers friendly & helpful-contrary to my expectations and their bad press.

I would definitely add a visit to the Natural History Museum particularly to see the Rose Space Center.