Don't know if this group is all girls or mixed. Three girls may be able to share a pizza- but in my experience with teen boys they will easily eat a pie each - and be hungry 2 hours later.

As for inexpensive indian or chinese lunches - they can be had for $6 or $7 - but by the time you add on soda, tax and tip you're easily up to $10 each.

I just don;t think eating is possible for that little - unless it's all girls with bird-like appetites.

Agree to go with the hostel in NYC - much better to spend time in the city - and be near a lot of inexpensive places to eat at night - than stuck in Jersey.

Not sure if you read my post above or not, but call the hotels direct and ask for a group student rate! Do not try to book conventionally, you probably won't find a bargain and you won't be assured that your students are not scattered all over a huge hotel. Also, some (not all) hotels don't think it's great when 15-20 students arrive en mas without prior knowledge. Start with the Edison in Midtown, they used to take groups maybe they still do.

Do a search on Google about student tickets for Broadway shows - yes they do exist and you can get the kids tickets (no, not prime seating for Spamalot) at a reasonable (usually $15 - $20) price so they can experience the theater. Do not stay in NJ, and try to stay in/around midtown for convenience. The kids will have other opportunities to experience staying in the residential parts of NYC, this time let them be tourists.

Also, contact (phone) the Met and MoMA about tickets and tours. Yes the Met is "Pay What You Wish" but please do not put 15 kids in line each paying a dollar. Call ahead and speak to someone about a group student admission discount and a group highlight tour. The tours are free and if they know you are coming in advance they will help you plan your visit for the your group. Do the same for the MoMA.

Make sure each kids brings their student ID with them.

Get them Metro Cards to save on bus and subway fare

When you plan a trip like this you really have to think in terms of "student group" - it is very different than just planning a family budget trip.

Good luck and keep the questions coming!

Thanks a bunch ;^)

A couple of these kids will are no longer students (friends of my 20yo son who opted out of college). Also, I'm not a teacher. I am the volunteer coordinator for a mental health center though and I've conned most of these kids into volunteering for me. Do you think we might still qualify as a student group? I imagine that could help quite a bit with discounts.

If you had to pick between taking them to the theater or MOMA, which would you pick? On other trips I've taken some to each (well, not MOMA but the Art Institute). Both activities were enjoyed by all who attended.

Thanks again,
-d

That's a tough choice, although it would probably depend on the interests of the kids. Maybe do a little hunting and phoning and see what kind of a "deal" you could stike for tours/tickets? Cost might end up being your deciding factor.

I think your group could benefit from the discounts (arts, theater etc) offered via High Five Tix. Please look here: http://www.highfivetix.org/Aspx/AboutHigh5/Default.aspx and here: http://www.highfivetix.org/Aspx/Abou...Guardians.aspx

If the links don't work, Google for High Five Tix