This Saturday I am treating my much younger 14 year old sister to a birthday day trip into the city. (We live in NJ). We are driving, and hoping to avoid the traffic because we are going the opposite way of everyone coming down to the shore for Memorial Day weekend! We have tickets to see Les Mis (she loved the movie version) at 2, and reservations at Max Brenner for dinner after the show. I have a groupon I bought for parking a while back, so we will park in Union Square area then subway it up to Times Square for the show, and then subway back down for dinner so we end the day near the car.

So my question is what can we do before the show? We will probably get to the city near 10am, so I'm looking to kill a few hours before the show. We can either hang out down near Union Square, up in Times Square, or a subway stop in between. I was thinking a cheap lunch (American, Italian, deli, something simple- she's a picky eater), maybe a park to hang out in and read if the weather is nice (she loves to read), a bakery/cupcakery, or some shopping. Any ideas would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Maybe this website can help you:
http://www.timeout.com/newyork

There is a greenmarket at Union Square
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Market Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

which might be nice to walk around if you like that sort of thing.

http://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/m...n-union-square

The kids love Pommes Frites, a Belgian french fry place on 2nd Ave and about 6th Street. That is all they sell. If she likes graphic novels, try Forbidden Planet on Broadway. Walk up St. Marks for the atmosphere. There are many designer/owner fashion stores see below. Kids also like the Big Gay Ice Cream Store, although I like Cones and Sundaes on East 10 just off Third Ave.

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/shopp...n-east-village

You might come uptown to Brant Park. There is a ton of stuff going on there every weekend and there are a number of very casual eateries (wichcraft, southwest porch) where you can buy something to eat in or overlooking the park - as well as a number of unique boutiques and shops nearby (Disney store, M&Ms store, Sephora - what 14 year old wouldn't die for) - all right near the theater.

Seconding the Bryant Park recommendation.

If the weather is nice, you might walk over to the High Line> It's truly one of the great New York City experiences these days...and it's not that far from Union Square.

I agree with the recommendation of the Highline. There are free tours at 10.

You could walk back to the theater district by way of the Hells Kitchen Flea Market.

There are lots of places to eat along 9th Ave in the 40s.

Highline and Bryant Park are great options but if your sister likes to read please take her into the Public Library for a visit . It's right behind Bryant Park and you could also visit Grand Central if you are in the neighborhood.

thestarryeye.typepad.com/explorenyc