NYC day trip, 11 & 14 year old boys
 

We haven't taken the boys to the city in almost a year, and are looking for something new and different for a day trip next week. We've done the Natural History museum and the Met many times, what museums, neighborhoods, stores or restaurants for lunch can anyone suggest?

Thank you!

Since you say you have been many times, what parts of the city have they visited?

We've been everywhere, especially my husband who commuted in for 2 years and now goes in once a week, but the boys have only been to midtown, Upper East & West side, the Intrepid & Madison Square Garden.

Consider walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, a rideon the Staten Island ferry and a visit to Ellis Island.

My husband and I really enjoyed the Intrepid museum. It's a sea, air and space museum on the old aircraft carrier, the USS Intrepid. As of a few months ago, they acquired a retired concorde that you can tour. If your boys are into planes/space at all, they will probably enjoy this!

The Brooklyn Bridge is the first thing that came to mind. Then walk around Chinatown and other parts of downtown, since it seems they are missing that whole experience. Or do the bridge and Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty, as Rob suggested.

Thanks, We loved the Intrepid too, but they've been twice.

Brooklyn sounds like a good idea, believe it or not none of us has been, despite living in Fairfield county for 20 years. Any good restaurants you could suggest?

I guess it depends on what you want to eat. I am not very familiar with Brooklyn, but a lot of people like Grimaldi's Pizza near the bridge.

Thanks. My last post just disappeared.

If we do Chinatown/Brooklyn bridge, etc., is their someplace centrally located you could recommend we park for the whole day? I would rather drive in.

Also how is Joe's Shanghai for lunch?

Tenament Museum in the lower east side and Forbes Gallery in the Village are great for kids.

Here is a place my teenage boys like:

http://www.sonywondertechlab.com/

They also always want to go to NikeTown.

You say you've done the American Museum of Natural History. But, have they seen both planetarium showw? Both are well worth their (and your) time. Plus there is a brand new hands-on science exhibit that opened within the past month.