I'm entertaining a friend and her 7 year old daughter in NYC for a weekend. And I'm supposed to be the cool friend from the city. Any suggestions for impressing a preteen who would rather die than spend the day museum strolling!!!

Lunch at Serendipity. Maybe she's seen the film. Central Park, perhaps? Times Square at night is always neat. How about a Shirley Temple at the View Lounge? An age appropriate Broadway show? The top of ESB at night? Soho and Little Italy. Macy's.

Dylan's Candy store near Bloomies. Serendipity for an ice cream sundae. Alice's Tea Cup for lunch or tea. The Today Show (to be on TV).

I would suggest Madame Toussard's wax museum for a 7 year old. Just wondering, why are you referring to a 7 year old as a "preteen", don't we already have kids growing up too fast?

I just had the best experience, Jeckyll and Hyde, kids will talk about this place for years to come.
see link below.
http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/home.html

You will not regret it. Food prices are up there, 12.95 for a burger, but very good quality. Burgers, were giagantic, and delicious. Hope this helps.

Laura

Central Park zoo, Museum of Natural History, Intrepid museum. For food, Two Boots, Jekyll & Hyde, Dylan's candy store, Serendipity. If she's really adventurous, maybe Chinatown for dim sum?

Hit Chinatown and Century 21.
My daughter LOVED buying all the cool junk down in Chinatown... which included a chinese dress and shirt (way cheap!) and a really cute beaded bag for 18.00 She also bought a bunch of CD's.

7 years old?!? Am I crazy for thinkin' FAO Schwartz & the huge Toys R Us near Herald Square? Is 7 too old for toy stores? If so, God help us.

Also the Central Park Zoo, Canal Street (Chinatown), Belvedere Castle in Central Park, American Museum of Natural History, Empire State Building observation deck, Statue of Libery, Circleline boat cruise.

And leave plenty of time for naps (for you, not the 7 year old).