DS just called from a bus loaded w/teenagers on their way to NYC for one of just two free days all summer (he's in a drum corp and they compete and practice every day).

They practiced 12 hrs/day for a month and now they've scaled back to 8 hrs of practice plus a competition most days so I'd like him to really enjoy today.

He can be dropped at Battery Park or at Times Square and has 7 hours free. Which will offer the most for him to do? I haven't been to NYC for over 20 years so I know nothing.

Just read a snippet about Canal St. being fun for teens due to cheap shops. Are they open on Sunday and can they get there easily frome Times Square via subway or taxi?

Don't know if this has already happened, but I would recommend getting dropped of at Times Square and making that you focal point. Since MTV is now located there, it is always packed with Teenagers. Just a short walk will bring them to St. Patricks Cathedral and the best shopping in the world.

Also, Times Square is a major hub for all mass transit. Tell them to get a $7 all day metro-card and head on down to Greenwich Village (1/9 to Christopher) from there they can walk anywhere downtown and Soho, Little Italy, and Chinatown. {Personally, If possible, catch a meal in Little Italy, but as it is restaurant week, there should be fabulous prix-fixe menus everywhere). And if they don't want to head downtown, walk a few blocks north or hop the subway and do central park, which there may actually be a Shakespear in the Park showing - I believe it is Macbeth this year.

Hope he has a great time...NY is an awesome place to explore

Hello from New York.

Ingrid gave some good advice except that I don't know how much the kids can afford to shop on Fifth Avenue. (Then again, I don't know their income levels.)

Another fun thing to do is to head down to the Battery and take the Staten Island Ferry round trip which will afford great views of the Statue of Liberty.

AMWOSU, I hate to tell you this, but Canal Street shops (other than the fabulous art supply store, Pearl Paint) are filled with counterfeit merchandise.

Aileron, I have to disagree with you here. There is more shopping that just Pearl Paint or fake hangbags. One of my favorite NYC shopping spots in Pearl River Mart. That alone would make it worth the trip for me.

There is a also more of a range of shopping around Times Square than just expensive Fifth Avenue stores...that said, one of my favorite places to take out-of-town visitors is Tiffany's...

Eliza, in the context of the original message, the shopping area appeared to be the area near St. Patrick's Cathedral, near the local discount emporiums like Gucci.

As to Canal Street, I also didn't mention the electronics parts stores, but then again, I don't shop there. When I need clothes, I go to Madison Avenue or Eaat 57th Street.

"the shopping area appeared to be the area near St. Patrick's Cathedral, near the local discount emporiums like Gucci"

The 5th Ave H&M *is* the local discount emporium, across the street from Gucci (or at least A/X)... But I'd agree it's not as cheap as that junk on Canal-LOL!

Aileron - What electronics parts stores? I recall plenty of them 30+ years ago, but it's been a long time since I've seen any.
If they still exist, please tell me where.

Okay, so the tips were too late to help me give advice to DS BUT y'all have made me want to spend a few days in NYC!

Based on what I gleaned quickly from past posts I sent him to Times Square and gave him examples of what stores he might hit. He isn't a big shopper and has almost no money on him but I figured the MTV Store, Virgin,I also told him Central Park is just to the north in case he was interested.

He was hoping to hit Little Italy for lunch or dinner. I'm anxious to hear how it went but I probably won't get to talk tohim until next Saturday. Thanks to all.

Gggreen, you got me. But I'm not in the H&M target group.

BarryK, try Canal and Sixth for one.