I will be going to NYC over the summer with my girls ages 12,11,and 10 and would like to take them to some place fun and entertaining. Any suggestions?

I think they would like seeing a show, Hairspray would be great if you can get tickets. There are other good musicals as well if that's not available. They probably wouyld like the Natural History Museum and Planetarium. ALso the Metropolitan Museum of Art has all kinds of exhibits. It you limit your visit to exhibits that interests the girls, it worthwhile, it's impossible to try to see everything and they may get restless. They may like the Tenement museum on the lower east side. If they like art, Moma (temporarily in Queens but easy to get to), the Guggenhiem, and the whitney. Check the museums' website to see what the exhibits are. If they are into American history, Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden is a lovely little spot. I'm sure they would enjoy walking around and grabbing a bite in little Italy and Chinatown. It's very festive down there in the summer. On a very hot day the Circle Line cruise is very pleasant. Also the South Street seaport, Times Sq, Central Park to nam a few. ENjoy!

Dim Sum in Chinatown would be fun as well as touring around looking at the sights. Seeing the fully cooked ducks in the windows of the restaurants ought to elicit some interesting comments.

Times Square at twilight is always cool.

For a not so overwhelming introduction to an art museum (if that's appropriate) try the Frick. Its smaller than the other museums in NY and won't take up as much time. Some of the other museums may be too sophisticated for pre-teens.

At night you could take them to the IMAX theater near Lincoln Center. My 10 year old loved it - we don't have this available near us.

Enjoy your trip.

YOur kids will have a great time here, there is so much to do and see.

The Staten Island ferry would be a hit, and the views are fun and during the summer, the breeze will feel great.

You might take a day for the beach at Jones Beach or Fire Island, a fun trip on the train and bus to Jones Beach or a ferry ride over to Fire Island and a walk through the sunken forest.

The Liberty Science Center in NJ would be a fun day and it's easy to get there as well from the Financial District there is a water taxi.

The South St. Seaport is fun, and a walk from there around Wall St or up to Chinatown and Little Italy.

The Museum of Natural History is great for kids, lots to see and do there and they have an IMAX Theatre and the Rose Planetarium.

There are lots of books on the city for kids, you might pick up some of those and have the kids go through it and choose what's fun to them.

One more thing are the street fairs in the city each weekend, on Saturday and Sunday an avenue will be closed to traffic and it's fun to walk the fair a look at the booths and find fun things to eat. There is a schedule posted for street fairs and if you use your search engine for Street Fairs in NYC, you should find it, if not let me know and I will find the address for you.

Have a great time.

My 15-yr. old daughter have taken a mom-daughter trip there for the past few years and I have just 3 things to say: Mamma Mia, Hairspray, and shopping for fake designer purses on Canal Street. Also H & M for cheap, great girl shopping. We have created memories of a lifetime on those trips. Have a great time!

Sorry, I meant to say "My 15-yr old daughter and I"!! in previous post.

i second the vote for H&M for cute and cheap clothes and accessories.

Central Park is great, so many things to do. Carousel rides, boat rides, carriage rides, bike rides. The Central Park Zoo is a lot of fun.

A more ambitious trip would be to the Bronx Zoo. This would take a whole day.

Jekyll & Hyde restaurant on 6th Avenue is always fun. It is a theme restaurant based on a mad scientists's laboratory with characters that walk around and talk to the children.

When you arrive in New York, buy the magazine "Time Out". It has a good listing of events going on in the city.

Central Park is a must and a great way to spend a day. You could always pack a lunch (try Zabar's on 81st & Broadway) and take a walk over to the park for the afternoon. Serendipity is also a short walk from the park and a great treat for ice cream and frozen hot chocolate. Check out Dylan's Candy Bar (on the same block as Serendipity)which is colorful and fun. I also think walking around the Village is great for preteens. 8th Street (b/w Broadway and 6th) has lots of fun little shops/shoe stores and would appeal to them. Soho is not far from there and also has little boutiques, vintage clothes etc. There are also some fun places to eat, such as Kelly & Ping(Asian noodle shop)in Soho, Peanut Butter & Co., right off of Washington Square Park & Magnolia Bakery or Mary's Off Jane (both of which have great cupcakes and sweets). Have a great time!

I didn't even mention the obvious in my earlier post, bring the girls down to the village. On the weekends there's always a streetfair somewhere with all kinds of food, inexpensive jewelry, t-shirts, etc. Washington Sq. Park on a nice day is filled with street entertainers. The village area is like a small town in a big city. It's very residential and also a big college town (NYU). There are tons of young people all over and all kinds of interesting little stores and restuatants. For inexpensive 'teenwear' check out some of the stores on 8th st between between b'way and university. My daughter loves wet seal for clothes, and for inexpensive jewelry and hair clips there's girl props. Some places to eat around there are Dallas BBQ (University and 8th), Silver Spurs (diner type food, B'way and 9th), Osso Buco (italian family style, University and 12th), East (Japanese, University & 11th), Cozy's (diner type, Bway & 7th) and many, many more. Also work your way down from there to soho where there are many more stores (some higher end) and all kinds of things sold on the street.

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum would be a lot of fun for the kids. It is right near Times Square. A bit expensive, but definitely worth it.

A couple of places I would keep in mind:
Dylan's Candy Bar and Times Square in the afternoon while TRL is taping. If you are a morning group, hang out with Katie, Matt, & Al over at the Today Show. Some of the Museums could be taxing at that age...The Frick Collection has always been a favorite of mine. It is art in a domestic setting, at certain points you think what it would be like if it were your home and it seems magical. i would ask how they felt about that. FAO Shwartz is fun for any age.

I've always wondered why no one recommends flying on the trapeze over the Hudson River (but then again I don't have any kids). So if you think you can take it, Mom, sign the kids up for a lession. The website is: www.trapezeschool.com

Where and what is H & M?

H&M is an inexpensive, funky clothing store for teens and 20-somethings (OK, I'm 30-something and I like to browse there too!). The NYC locations are Broadway in Soho, and Herald Square. There may be others in NYC...I'm not sure. They are VERY popular and are so packed with kids that I have never attempted to buy anything there. The lines are just too darn long!

There's also an H & M on 5th avenue and around 49th or 50th. Latest styles at great prices. I've seen every age from 13-50+ shopping there but definietly geared to young.

I want to thank "methinks" for the trapeze school recommendation. We're planning a May trip, and I just signed our 11 year old son up for flying trapeze lessons. He is very psyched -- and all his friends are jealous. Great suggestion!

Thanks!

gokatgo,
My boyfriend takes classes at the trapeze school. And I watch him from the river on my free kayak rental!! Just south of the trapeze is the Downtown Boathouse where you can borrow a kayak for *free* for about half an hour, and paddle around on the Hudson!