I have read many of the threads about traveling to NYC with teens (many girls), but I can't get a handle on traveling with a 16 year old teenage boy who mostly grunts and eats Italian food (little Italy is already planned). He is not the Natural History type and would be bored at Ellis Island. I insist he go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and we are seeing Hairspray, but what else can I do with him? We will have 3 days in April. Any suggestions??

What is he in to, if anything? Cars, planes, war history, electronics, computers, music, movies, tv - the list goes on and on! With some idea of what he does like (along with what he doesn't) we can offer more suggestions.

Also, another way to approach it - On previous vacations or even near home, what activities have you done together that he enjoyed?

Sure. I was once a 16 year old boy in NYC. A few suggestions:

I'm quite certain his primary interests are girls, tunes, sports, and video games. Hot chicks are everywhere in NYC, so that isn't a problem.

For music, perhaps walk along Bleecker Street where you'll find little record stores with all kinds of imports I'm sure he'll like. If you're hometown doesn't have any mega-stores, consider visiting the Virgin store on Union Square and Tower Records near NYU.

For sports AND video games, consider lunch or dinner at ESPNZone on Times Square. The arcade above the dining area is second-to-none. There's another great arcade on 42nd Street west of Times Square (on the north side of the street). Also visit the Niketown on 57th Street. At the Metropolitan Museum, there's a collection of rare baseball cards in a small gallery behind the Temple of Dendur (which you must see). Perhaps catch a Knicks or Rangers game if they're in town??

If he's a bohemian neo-punkster type of 16 year old, he'd love to wander east on St. Mark's Place from Astor Place to Avenue A. Lots of interesting things to see & do (shops, restaurants, etc.).

For cheap watches & sunglasses, which every teenager needs, Canal Street is the place to go (Chinatown). It's an experience unto itself.

Finally, it's not too early to be looking at colleges -- Columbia, NYU, Hunter, etc etc.

Enjoy!

If he likes music (rock, metal, punk, industrial, alternative), spend some time in the East Village. Take the 6 train to Astor Place and head east down St. Marks Place. Used CD stores, tattoo shops, rock t-shirts, body piercings, bondage, restaurants, they have it all. Not for the very faint of heart but if you let him watch MTV, he's seen it all already. If he's really into rock music they have some sort of rock n' roll tour of NYC where they take you by Jimi Hendrix's studio and the building used on Led Zepplin's Physical Graffitti album cover (actuall 96-98 St Marks's, you can see it yourself), the Chelsea Hotel, etc. It should come up in a Google search.

Also, the Museum of Television and Radio might be interesting. You can see old footage of popular TV shows.

The Rose Center at the Museum of Natural History just started some new technology 3-D laser shows synchronized to rock music, Moby designed the show, which is suppossed to blow all other laser light shows out of the water. I think it's on Fri/Sat night.

If the Yanks or Mets or Knicks or Rangers are in town, go see a game. You can easily get the subway out to Shea or Yankee stadium. If they're not in town, go for a tour of Yankee Stadium. I think they are every day when the Yanks are on the road.

If you haven't seen it, Blue Man Group is hard NOT to like for someone that age.

If he rollerblades, go to Central Park, I'm sure can rent blades somehwere nearby if not in the park itself. The also have a pond with radio controlled sailboat, they rent them right there, cheap. He might think it's geeky but I thought it was fun.

Again, if he likes music, check the schedule at Roseland and Irving Plaza, usually mid-week concerts.

There might still be outdoor ice skating at Wollman rink in Central Park.

If you gives us some more info on what he DOES like besides grunting, we might be able to give some more suggestions. I was that age once...

If planes are an interest, there is the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, which now has a concorde on display. Perhaps one of the theme restaurants in Times Square... ESPNZone, WWF, etc.

There are also always interesting special exhibits going on in various museums. Once here, pick up a copy of TimeOut New York and check for events that may be interesting to your son.

But as jenifer stated, if you provide more info, you will get more and better suggestions.

You have gotten some really great suggestions. If you can fit in another play. I suggest Rent (many discounts are available, check broadwaybox.com, playbill.com). I have yet to meet a teenager who didn't like it (Hairspray is an excellent choice too!).

The south end of Union Sq Park (at 14th St), has become a magnet for high school aged kids to hang out, especially on weekend evenings. Lots of skateboarders and just lots of kids socializing. There's also a good sized Virgin Records store across from the park. The union sq area in general has become quite trendy with lots of restaurants, shops and night life. A new music/guitar store opened on 14th st that's supposed to be fabulous (and huge). Also, walking through Washington Square park on a sunny afternoon is always entertaining. ALso lots of young people (mostly NYU students) and all kinds of street entertainment (musicians, jugglers, etc.).

I know you are going to Hairspray... but check out the Blue Man Group show or Stomp.... those shows should be right up his alley.

Donna,
Wow, you've gotten some great suggestions. I'm going to copy this thread off and tuck it away for our next trip to New York. Bless their hearts--teen boys ARE a law unto themselves. Just an FYI, my teen boy loved Blue Man Group.

How about a chance to swing on a trapeze? www.trapezeschool.com

He might be interested in the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/

I second the recommendations for Blue Man Group and/or Stomp ... very cool shows that a teenager would love (esp BMG).

if you can get seats near the front .. there is a special treat in Blue Maan Group.

Check out when the auto show is.... if the teen is into cars... The auto show, I think is around April

For sports... basketball game at te Garden... Yankess/Mets

If he is into clothes... plenty of coold shops... for a radical... experience walk/browse around 8th st. between 2nd and 3rd ave,,,

bargain shop... lower east side.. or go trendy in Soho

Donna, I know exactly what you mean! After fantastic adventures, his friends will call and ask him what he has been doing. "Not much" he'll reply. ARGGH

All of these suggestions sound great. Another idea since you say he likes Italian food -- Big Onion walking tours, www.bigonion.com, does a great one of the Lower East Side/Little Italy/Chinatown that is a noshing tour! Basically, you get little bites of different ethnic foods along the way. It's informative, interesting, and tasty to boot. I think the cost is like $15 pp.

Quick note (and FYI msalzbank): There is no 8th Street between 2nd & 3rd Aves -- it's St. Mark's Place.

Enjoy!

SONY Plaza is a good place - there is a tour and you can see all their products. Museum of Broadcasting as well. Just walking around NYC is the best thing to do - no one can avoid being engaged. And there are lots of show options - can get last minute tickets in Times Square.

If he is into skateboarding/blading, you could try chelsea piers (west Side Highway and 23rd St. - www.chelseapiers. which has a new skate park with rentals available - also several restaurants, bowling, golf, batting cages, open gymnastics and rock climbing wall. Combine that with a walk around Chelsea/West Village - record and shoes stores, Two Boots pizza - you might even get a two sylllable word out of him . . .

But all the other suggestions are spot on - and Blue Man group is right up the teenager alley - my 13 and 17 year old nephews loved it.

whoops - that's http://www.chelseapiers.com of course!

Sony used to have an interactive exhibit, where you could make your own CDs, videos, direct a T show, etc. don't know if they still do. Anyone?

Too bad you can't drop him off at CBGB's

I have fond memories of a young man and his friends going to shows there.
All of these suggestions are so great! I think the East Village is a great idea too.

That is the problem - he is only into video games, diving and golf. Not city tourist things. We took him to FL last summer and when he wasn't diving or playing golf, he was eating leftovers in the Condo and WATCHING golf. Too strange for a 16 year old. I am trying to get him out of the hotel and hold his interest without sullen looks