Teens,greyline tours NYC
Apr 10th, 2002, 12:31 PM
#1
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Teens,greyline tours NYC
I read a thread about teens/vacations.Ours are going,(14,16 male female) and probably wont like going to museums. We are midwestern folks wanting to enjoy our time in NYC. What places will appeal to them, so that they will enjoy themselves. We'll be in NYC 3-4 days,June. Also, grey(gray?)line tours the best way to tour the city?
Apr 10th, 2002, 01:20 PM
#2
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I am very much against bus tours of NYC, unless one of your group happens to be handicapped. A big part of NY is the atmosphere--the sounds, the smells, the noise! Get out there and be part of it. Take a walking tour if you feel a tour is necessary, but stay off those buses--the info is only so-so anyway(I rode one a few years before I moved to NYC). Try bigonion for great tours led by great locals.
You might be surprised about the museums. Try the armor gallery at the Met--guys love it. Also, the Intrepid might be fun for him. There are lots of specialty museums and if anyone in the family has a special hobby, you can probably find a museum for it here. You could also take a look at some of the universities. Do some shopping on Canal st--all my high-school friends loved the fake sunglasses, watches and purses that I bought when I first visited. Post with more specifics interests and I'll have lots more ideas for you.
You might be surprised about the museums. Try the armor gallery at the Met--guys love it. Also, the Intrepid might be fun for him. There are lots of specialty museums and if anyone in the family has a special hobby, you can probably find a museum for it here. You could also take a look at some of the universities. Do some shopping on Canal st--all my high-school friends loved the fake sunglasses, watches and purses that I bought when I first visited. Post with more specifics interests and I'll have lots more ideas for you.
Apr 10th, 2002, 02:08 PM
#3
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Hi Becky; you might want to re-visit the idea of going to a museum. The Metropolitan is wonderful - and despite what some teens think of museums, it has more to offer than old dusty paintings! The Met is wonderful with complete room settings, an Egyptian Temple, Tiffany windows, a costume institute, as Jess said their are full suits of armor (for both man & horse) and SO much more. Try to get your kids over there, even for just a few hours - join one of the free "highlight" tours. One of the great things about travel is to try something new . . .
You certainly should get them to SoHo & the Village, would they be interested in seeing a show? The Big Onion Walking Tours mentioned above are good - their website is http://www.bigonion.com Let us know your thoughts and we'll keep suggesting things!
You certainly should get them to SoHo & the Village, would they be interested in seeing a show? The Big Onion Walking Tours mentioned above are good - their website is http://www.bigonion.com Let us know your thoughts and we'll keep suggesting things!
Apr 10th, 2002, 02:25 PM
#4
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As long as you're all in fairly decent shape, the best way to tour NYC is on foot. There are so many fun, quirky and interesting things to see.
Good streets to walk down:
5th Avenue from the Empire State building (33rd St) to the Plaza Hotel (59th St) at Central Park. You'll see big, big buildings and some of the big famous stores like Tiffany's. Also, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Rockerfeller Center are on the route. Remember though, many of the big stores here are closed on Sunday.
The west part of Bleecker St. in the Village (cafes, fun shops, and it's just a pretty street).
West Broadway in Soho (cool galleries & artists selling there wares on the street). Broadway - just east of here - seems to be a favorite with tourists because of its chain stores, but I'd avoid it unless you can put up with a "mall atmosphere".
Central Park - any of it! There are paths all over the place. Great for people watching. You won't feel like you're in the city anymore, here.
42nd St. and north on Broadway (for the lights at night).
Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge - just so you can say you did it. The walkway is actually ABOVE the traffic. You get some nice views from here. The Manhattan end of the bridge is close to ground zero...if you wanted to go there too. The Brooklyn end is nice...Brooklyn Heights is a cute neighborhood of brownstones, and it's home to the "Brooklyn Heights Promenade", a walkway with awesome views of downtown.
Good streets to walk down:
5th Avenue from the Empire State building (33rd St) to the Plaza Hotel (59th St) at Central Park. You'll see big, big buildings and some of the big famous stores like Tiffany's. Also, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Rockerfeller Center are on the route. Remember though, many of the big stores here are closed on Sunday.
The west part of Bleecker St. in the Village (cafes, fun shops, and it's just a pretty street).
West Broadway in Soho (cool galleries & artists selling there wares on the street). Broadway - just east of here - seems to be a favorite with tourists because of its chain stores, but I'd avoid it unless you can put up with a "mall atmosphere".
Central Park - any of it! There are paths all over the place. Great for people watching. You won't feel like you're in the city anymore, here.
42nd St. and north on Broadway (for the lights at night).
Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge - just so you can say you did it. The walkway is actually ABOVE the traffic. You get some nice views from here. The Manhattan end of the bridge is close to ground zero...if you wanted to go there too. The Brooklyn end is nice...Brooklyn Heights is a cute neighborhood of brownstones, and it's home to the "Brooklyn Heights Promenade", a walkway with awesome views of downtown.
Apr 10th, 2002, 02:39 PM
#5
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Oh - I forgot to add Canal Street. You can get fake designer bags, watches, etc from all the little booths on the street. Also, fairly inexpensive jewelery (NOT fake) can be found towards the eastern end of Canal. This is in Chinatown...it's a very different experience! It does get seriously jammed with tourists and locals, though, so it may be better on a weekday.
Apr 10th, 2002, 03:21 PM
#6
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I would definately take a Gray Line Tour of New York to give you an overview of the city. Like most trael books, I am a firm advocate of doing a city tour when you first arrive to give you the overall feel of the city. Than after you get an overview, I would go visit the neighborhoods by walking and checking out the sights. I think your children will enjoy the city. There is truly nothing like NYC.
Apr 10th, 2002, 06:52 PM
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The bus tour is actually a good idea. We do this anytime we are visting a large city that is new to us. Like kkj said, it really gives you a good "over view" of the area, and THEN you can go and explore on foot. You will have a fantastic time, NYC is great.
Apr 10th, 2002, 06:56 PM
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Thanks for the great ideas about the museums. My 14yr old son would enjoy the armor.What he'd really love is being able to wear it! Ha! He is not into sports,enjoys music,avoiding being seen with his parents is his favorite hobby right now. My 16yr old daughter suggested this trip,she doesnt want to do museums.She would like to see Soho and it's uniqueness I'm sure. She wants to see a play, i think we'll check out 42nd street. She also is a music fan,loves quirky(sp?)things,shopping.We will do the usual sites-statue of liberty,empire state building. Is Time square safer than the old rumor of high crime? I've read that it's been cleaned up. Thanks soooooooooo much for all the great ideas. I'm getting excited and realize 3 days wont be enough!
Apr 10th, 2002, 09:04 PM
#9
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Times Square is probably safer than the mall in your hometown. Seriously.
New York's crime rate is lower than it's been since the 1950s. Times Square is like Disney World these days. You will find scores of people out and about past midnight.
If you don't believe me about the crime rate, check out this site (http://www.morganquitno.com/cit02dang.htm).
As you'll see, NYC's crime rate (#133 on the list) is lower than that of Raleigh NC, Aurora CO & Kalamazoo MI, to name a few. If you wouldn't be unduly concerned with crime while visiting those places, then you shouldn't be scared of NYC. Take the usual precautions you would in your hometown. I wouldn't walk alone down a darkened NYC street at 4 in the morning...but then I wouldn't do that in my small hometown either.
Enjoy your trip! June is a great time in NY. (You've heard the old song I'm sure..."I love New York in June, how 'bout you? I love a Gershwin tune, how 'bout you? etc, etc...)
New York's crime rate is lower than it's been since the 1950s. Times Square is like Disney World these days. You will find scores of people out and about past midnight.
If you don't believe me about the crime rate, check out this site (http://www.morganquitno.com/cit02dang.htm).
As you'll see, NYC's crime rate (#133 on the list) is lower than that of Raleigh NC, Aurora CO & Kalamazoo MI, to name a few. If you wouldn't be unduly concerned with crime while visiting those places, then you shouldn't be scared of NYC. Take the usual precautions you would in your hometown. I wouldn't walk alone down a darkened NYC street at 4 in the morning...but then I wouldn't do that in my small hometown either.
Enjoy your trip! June is a great time in NY. (You've heard the old song I'm sure..."I love New York in June, how 'bout you? I love a Gershwin tune, how 'bout you? etc, etc...)
Apr 10th, 2002, 10:53 PM
#10
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Hi, Becky!
No, three days won't be enough in this most wonderful of US cities, but then again I think if you were there for 30 days you would still feel it wasn't enough! Not being a native New Yorker,(just a fan) I won't presume to tell you how to spend your time there, merely to offer a suggestion for great "local help". There is an organisation called Big Apple Greeters (www.bigapplegreeter.org)
who will not only suggest a day you will all enjoy, but actually take you and escort you around... including complementary transport for 24 hours. There is no charge for this service, it's just native New Yorkers wanting everyone to get the most out of their city. Tell them who you are and what everyone's interests are, and leave the rest to them.. they will pair you up with a greeter or two who will take care of everything! Coming from Australia with two small children, we needed someone to help us take our first tentative steps.... and our greeter gave us the best day of our holiday.Good luck!
No, three days won't be enough in this most wonderful of US cities, but then again I think if you were there for 30 days you would still feel it wasn't enough! Not being a native New Yorker,(just a fan) I won't presume to tell you how to spend your time there, merely to offer a suggestion for great "local help". There is an organisation called Big Apple Greeters (www.bigapplegreeter.org)
who will not only suggest a day you will all enjoy, but actually take you and escort you around... including complementary transport for 24 hours. There is no charge for this service, it's just native New Yorkers wanting everyone to get the most out of their city. Tell them who you are and what everyone's interests are, and leave the rest to them.. they will pair you up with a greeter or two who will take care of everything! Coming from Australia with two small children, we needed someone to help us take our first tentative steps.... and our greeter gave us the best day of our holiday.Good luck!
Apr 11th, 2002, 04:12 AM
#11
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The children might enjoy the space show at Natural History Museum. Your son would appreciate the Intrepid Sea/ Air / Space Museum - an aircraft carrier.
The best way to see the city is by walking and using public transportation - bus/subway. On one day you can do the downtown area: Statue of LIberty, Ellis Island, South Street Seaport, Staten Island ferry, Chinatown and if you want to pay your respects a visit to Ground Zero. On another day you can do Little Italy, Soho, East Village,Greenwich Village and Chelsea. On the third day you can visit Times Square, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and the upper west side for a typical NYC neighborhood.
The best way to see the city is by walking and using public transportation - bus/subway. On one day you can do the downtown area: Statue of LIberty, Ellis Island, South Street Seaport, Staten Island ferry, Chinatown and if you want to pay your respects a visit to Ground Zero. On another day you can do Little Italy, Soho, East Village,Greenwich Village and Chelsea. On the third day you can visit Times Square, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and the upper west side for a typical NYC neighborhood.
Apr 11th, 2002, 06:19 AM
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Becky,
As a fellow midwesterner with teens, I say TAKE the Grayline tour! If you buy a 48 hour hop-on, hop-off pass your first day in New York you can get an overview of the city first and then go back to places that look interesting. My kids loved the tour (insisting on sitting on the upper deck of the busses, of course
We also used the subway and taxis but the tour was a great introduction to NYC. We stayed at a hotel in Times Square--my 13 year old son Adored Times Square--imagine your kids would too. Try and get tickets for Blue Man Group--a wild experience that your teens will love. We felt very safe the entire time we were in New York. How ironic, since we visited one week before 9/11. It's a wonderful city--I would go back in a red hot minute.
As a fellow midwesterner with teens, I say TAKE the Grayline tour! If you buy a 48 hour hop-on, hop-off pass your first day in New York you can get an overview of the city first and then go back to places that look interesting. My kids loved the tour (insisting on sitting on the upper deck of the busses, of course
We also used the subway and taxis but the tour was a great introduction to NYC. We stayed at a hotel in Times Square--my 13 year old son Adored Times Square--imagine your kids would too. Try and get tickets for Blue Man Group--a wild experience that your teens will love. We felt very safe the entire time we were in New York. How ironic, since we visited one week before 9/11. It's a wonderful city--I would go back in a red hot minute.
Apr 11th, 2002, 01:28 PM
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I am Becky's daughter.. haha.. she emailed me this and I would just like to say "Thank you" to all the fine folks that gave my mom some ideas. Without your help I am sure we would end up in a museum explaining the history of a button and other non-interesting things. By the way, have any of you seen 42nd Street, the musical? It sounds interesting to me. Also, if your a musical buff, would you prefer 42nd Street or Kiss Me, Kate! A friend at school is absolutely in love with Kiss Me Kate, and I was wondering which is better, in your opinion! Thanks again!
Apr 12th, 2002, 05:18 AM
#15
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Unfortunately, Kiss Me Kate is no longer playing on Broadway. For a list of current Broadway productions you can go to: http://timessquare.nyctourist.com and click on Broadway. Have a great time!
Apr 12th, 2002, 05:34 AM
#16
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I agree with posters that endorse short tours of cities - we often do this as an overview and then return to what we like. My kids (11 and 16) for some reason like them as well - it is air conditioned, they don't have to sit with us. As a native NY/NJ person, NYC can be a little overwhelming, even if you do your research first, and I find a few hours on the bus helps put it in geographic and preference order. Kids that age usually want to see things that they associate with a city - Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Times Square, etc. and so I would aim for doing the standard "touristy" things - it gives them something to talk with their friends about and also feel a connection to when they see photos or movies after they are home. They also might feel connected to going to WTC site - that seems to have really impacted the teenagers I know.
Apr 12th, 2002, 05:41 AM
#17
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Here's what my 13 and 15 year old girl and boy enjoyed. There are museums and then there are museums. They really enjoyed the Forbes Museum- very small but so interesting with Forbes' lifelong collection of his personal toys, intricately set up huge toy soldier collection, and those increible Faberge eggs. Also, the Museum of Modern Art (it didn't hurt that they had an increditble prototype car exhibit), is unlike anything else they'll get a chance to see at home - see what interests them - and you can leave whenever you like. They also enjoyed the Intrepid. And I enthusiastically seond the suggestion to see Blue Man Tubes - lots of fun!! Before the show we had dinner at First, a reasonably priced and cool looking where they made their own s'mores for dessert on a mini hibachi brought to the table!
Apr 12th, 2002, 05:48 AM
#18
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It is incredible what an incredibly difficult time I am having typing the word incredible this morning. Also - I missed out the word restaurant - obviously First is the name of the restaurant on First Avenue.You can find it on citysearch.com - new york
Apr 12th, 2002, 08:23 AM
#19
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Becky,
Definitely do the Gray Line Bus Tour. They sell tickets at the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 8th Avenue and 42nd Street. As has been previously mentioned, it is a great way to get an overall view of the city. Try and get a seat on the top of the double decker buses to be able to better appreciate the sites. You can hop off and on at many different stops along the tour to explore on your own. The buses come every 15 minutes. If you are interested in the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, buy the tickets for that at the same time you purchase the bus tickets. It will save you time from standing in line for tickets in Battery Park.
Enjoy The City.
Definitely do the Gray Line Bus Tour. They sell tickets at the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 8th Avenue and 42nd Street. As has been previously mentioned, it is a great way to get an overall view of the city. Try and get a seat on the top of the double decker buses to be able to better appreciate the sites. You can hop off and on at many different stops along the tour to explore on your own. The buses come every 15 minutes. If you are interested in the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, buy the tickets for that at the same time you purchase the bus tickets. It will save you time from standing in line for tickets in Battery Park.
Enjoy The City.
