Teens in NYC
Mar 18th, 2003, 07:41 PM
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Teens in NYC
We are coming to NYC 3/21 through 3/29 with 4 kids, ages 19, 16,15,12. The three oldest are girls, I'm looking for ideas of what will amuse them. My son is not a teen yet (whew!) and so has tons of enthusiasm. Also, we'll try our luck at brdwy tix, any shows for their ages that are not too childish? Is Hairspray a good idea?
Mar 18th, 2003, 08:54 PM
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try the www.playbill.com site for info on shows up and the story lines. Rent may be ok for a 15yr old, but the story line is pretty adult.
You won't get Hairspray at TKTS, it's new and mostly sold out.
When you get here, go to the boot down at the South St. Seaport, to get tickets, there are much shorter lines, and the booth opens in the am. Also you can get matinee tickets there the day before. Beauty and the Beast has been up as well as Phantom, it depends on the week. IF you are here over spring break, it may be a bit tuffer to get tickets, but go earlier in the week.
You also will enjoy the South St. Seaport area, lots of shopping and restaurants and old ships to see there.
The kids will also enjoy the Restaurant America, a must for kids on 18th St between 5th and Broadway. Huge menu and large portions and decent prices. There is a magician several days a week doing slight of hand.
Have a great time while you are here, and let us know if you have any other questions.
You won't get Hairspray at TKTS, it's new and mostly sold out.
When you get here, go to the boot down at the South St. Seaport, to get tickets, there are much shorter lines, and the booth opens in the am. Also you can get matinee tickets there the day before. Beauty and the Beast has been up as well as Phantom, it depends on the week. IF you are here over spring break, it may be a bit tuffer to get tickets, but go earlier in the week.
You also will enjoy the South St. Seaport area, lots of shopping and restaurants and old ships to see there.
The kids will also enjoy the Restaurant America, a must for kids on 18th St between 5th and Broadway. Huge menu and large portions and decent prices. There is a magician several days a week doing slight of hand.
Have a great time while you are here, and let us know if you have any other questions.
Mar 19th, 2003, 06:10 AM
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Did not love Rent
Check the Off Broadway shows, there might be something that will appeal , we like going to the Joyce Theatre for dance - the kids might like it too, not your classical fou fou ballet that could turn off some young ones but interesting stuff from all over the world. One year we saw a group that did amazing break dancing along with other dances, sounds weird but it was a great hit and very entertaining.
Do take them to the Sony IMAX theatre.
Check the Off Broadway shows, there might be something that will appeal , we like going to the Joyce Theatre for dance - the kids might like it too, not your classical fou fou ballet that could turn off some young ones
but interesting stuff from all over the world. One year we saw a group that did amazing break dancing along with other dances, sounds weird but it was a great hit and very entertaining.Do take them to the Sony IMAX theatre.
Mar 19th, 2003, 06:16 AM
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Whether Rent is appropriate for teens or early teens is a judgement call on the part of the parents. It does have an adult them but the music is great and it's a good show. My daughter loved it at age 15 and I was not uncomfortable but if she was 10 or 11 I probably would wait until she was older.
Consider seeing Blue Man Group or De La Guarda - both are non-traditional shows and folks of all ages, especially teens, seem to enjoy them.
Definitely take the whole crew down to Canal Street to browse the street merchants and then do a walk through of Chinatown. Fun things to look for there and try include "bubble tea" at the Alps teahouse (I think it's gross but the kids will probably love it), unusual ice cream flavors (e.g. lychee nut) at the ice cream shop (sorry I can't recall the name) and some of the really cool little candies avilable in some of the shops (e.g. tiny sunflower seeds that have an M&M style candy coating on them). The girls will probably like shopping at H&M (it has stuff you don't find in H&M outside NYC) and Urban Outfitter. I like walking down Broadway from Union Square to get to Canal and Chinatown. Lots of cool funky stores like a place with wild and unusual light bulbs and fixtures (I believe it's Broadway Lighting), many very modestly priced. Plenty of clothing shops in this area and also the Strand Book Store's main location - all worth checking out.
Consider seeing Blue Man Group or De La Guarda - both are non-traditional shows and folks of all ages, especially teens, seem to enjoy them.
Definitely take the whole crew down to Canal Street to browse the street merchants and then do a walk through of Chinatown. Fun things to look for there and try include "bubble tea" at the Alps teahouse (I think it's gross but the kids will probably love it), unusual ice cream flavors (e.g. lychee nut) at the ice cream shop (sorry I can't recall the name) and some of the really cool little candies avilable in some of the shops (e.g. tiny sunflower seeds that have an M&M style candy coating on them). The girls will probably like shopping at H&M (it has stuff you don't find in H&M outside NYC) and Urban Outfitter. I like walking down Broadway from Union Square to get to Canal and Chinatown. Lots of cool funky stores like a place with wild and unusual light bulbs and fixtures (I believe it's Broadway Lighting), many very modestly priced. Plenty of clothing shops in this area and also the Strand Book Store's main location - all worth checking out.
Mar 19th, 2003, 06:42 AM
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I've long believed kids of all ages enjoy seeing things in person that they have seen in movies and in books.
Because there are so many NY based movies, it makes it a bit easier. The Empire State Building has been in lots of movies; Sleepless in Seattle comes to mind, and the 12 year old may remember James and the Giant Peach.
The traditional sites, like the Statue of Liberty (not a blad place tyo visit this month; a gift from the people of France), the Staten Island Ferry, South Street Seaport, all are good. I think the around manhatten boat tour is too long for teenagers, but a shorter harbour crusie would be good, even in a cold wind.
You might try to find one restaurant per kid that features some favorite food of the kid, or food from some country the kid is interested in. All the kids, of course, have to eat in the restaurant selected by one kid, so they all try something the other is curious about.
About museums; asuming the kids have any brightness about them at all, let them split up in museums, so those who are interested in dinosaurs don't have to be stuck in the ceramics from Greece section. The metropolitan Museum is so big it is pretty certain to have some things of interst to each kid, along with way to much boring stuff, if they are forced to stay together.
A lot of kids like to take pictures, and then put them into an album back home (or, on a computer) and show them to their friends.
I think the earlier suggestion about the aircraft carrier museum is a good one for the boy, if you don't think war-fever is going to cause him some problems. It's a great place to visit in peacetime but may be extra scary this month.
If the girls are fashion-conscious, they might like to look through some back issues of fashion mags and locate places that they can go see in person. Teh Ralph Lauren mansion is worth a visit, for those who like his kind of style.
I once took a 12 year old to NY, and part of the deal was she had to doresearch herself into things that interested her and that she could not find back home. We ended up ion a great magic shop, where she bought some tricks, and then we went to a restaurant called America, which had a visiting magician the day we were there.
BAK
Because there are so many NY based movies, it makes it a bit easier. The Empire State Building has been in lots of movies; Sleepless in Seattle comes to mind, and the 12 year old may remember James and the Giant Peach.
The traditional sites, like the Statue of Liberty (not a blad place tyo visit this month; a gift from the people of France), the Staten Island Ferry, South Street Seaport, all are good. I think the around manhatten boat tour is too long for teenagers, but a shorter harbour crusie would be good, even in a cold wind.
You might try to find one restaurant per kid that features some favorite food of the kid, or food from some country the kid is interested in. All the kids, of course, have to eat in the restaurant selected by one kid, so they all try something the other is curious about.
About museums; asuming the kids have any brightness about them at all, let them split up in museums, so those who are interested in dinosaurs don't have to be stuck in the ceramics from Greece section. The metropolitan Museum is so big it is pretty certain to have some things of interst to each kid, along with way to much boring stuff, if they are forced to stay together.
A lot of kids like to take pictures, and then put them into an album back home (or, on a computer) and show them to their friends.
I think the earlier suggestion about the aircraft carrier museum is a good one for the boy, if you don't think war-fever is going to cause him some problems. It's a great place to visit in peacetime but may be extra scary this month.
If the girls are fashion-conscious, they might like to look through some back issues of fashion mags and locate places that they can go see in person. Teh Ralph Lauren mansion is worth a visit, for those who like his kind of style.
I once took a 12 year old to NY, and part of the deal was she had to doresearch herself into things that interested her and that she could not find back home. We ended up ion a great magic shop, where she bought some tricks, and then we went to a restaurant called America, which had a visiting magician the day we were there.
BAK
Mar 19th, 2003, 06:46 AM
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If the girls like the movie "Serendipity," then you could go there for lunch one day. Their desserts are a REAL treat.
We also took our teen to Chinatown and Little Italy, along with Soho. She really enjoyed just walking around shopping. And, of course, Macy's is always a neat place to see.
We also took our teen to Chinatown and Little Italy, along with Soho. She really enjoyed just walking around shopping. And, of course, Macy's is always a neat place to see.
Mar 19th, 2003, 06:51 AM
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Hairspray is great but ticket availability isn't. Teens seem to love Rent, generally much more than their parents. Other shows they all may enjoy and you may be able to get discounts to are Phantom, 42nd St, Millie, Aida & Man of La Mancha. La Boheme is also very good, my 14 yr old loved it (and so did I). For advance sale discounts check out broadwayoffers.com, playbill.com, hitshowclub.com and theatermania.com. All these sites require registration but it's free and easy. I think at that age they would enjoy walking around the village area (NYU neighborhood). On a nice day Washington Sq. Park has all kind of street performers. The area in general is very lively and colorful. There are little shops and many different kinds of restaurants.
Mar 19th, 2003, 09:48 PM
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Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, I am madly scribbling them down, pouring over my NYC map. Now they're talking about Mammamia, Blue Men and naturally, my son is getting a huge kick out or the idea of Urinetown. I think we'll pass onrent, if we can only go to 1 I want to be into it too. We will for sure walk down Broadway to Canal and see what we see, try bubble tea and weird candy. Serendipity sounds like a great idea, the girls dug that flick. Interesting street scene suggestions appreciated and, oh yea, restaraunts? Is Jekell and Hyde a bore?
Mar 20th, 2003, 03:50 AM
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I'm not overly critical (nor is my GF) but we were really disappointed wiht Urinetwon. The songs were okay - a few were very catchy, concept was fun and there was a fair amount of clever tonguew in cheek humor but the miking was not good, thus many lyrics could not be understood. Biggest flaw was that (at least on the day we saw it) there were no standouts in the cast - not one performer who could be described as "Wow - what a voice". It just kinda fell flat.
I'd say Blue Man Group or De La Guarda with the group you describe. The Circle Line harbor tour is definitely worthwhile but the three hour "round the island" tour is way too long. If $$ is an issue you can take Staten Island Ferry oput and back for nice view of skyline but Circle Line gets you closer to Statue of Liberty , gets much better view of skyline and harbor and has good narration.
I'd say Blue Man Group or De La Guarda with the group you describe. The Circle Line harbor tour is definitely worthwhile but the three hour "round the island" tour is way too long. If $$ is an issue you can take Staten Island Ferry oput and back for nice view of skyline but Circle Line gets you closer to Statue of Liberty , gets much better view of skyline and harbor and has good narration.
Mar 20th, 2003, 04:46 AM
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Darc,
Jekyll & Hyde and Mars 2112 seem to be popular for kids. The food is not very good. There's another string here about restaurants with teens that mentions both of them and might be helpful. Your son would love ESPN Zone (restaurant) in Times Square if he's a sports fan. A fun idea might be the Gospel Sunday brunch at Lola's (22nd betw 5th & 6th). It's southern food & live Gospel music. I'm not a big Gospel fan but enjoy this & the food's good (southern fried chicken, ribs etc.)Don't miss a hot dog at either Gray's Papaya or Papaya King. They each have a few locations, you have to stand, but they're delicious. (I would avoid hot dogs from street vendors)
As to street scenes, if you're talking about entertainers, there's usually activity where people are standing on line (like the TKTS booth at Times Square) or sometimes on the street at theater intermissions. On a nice weekend day Central Park or Washington Square Park have activity.
Jekyll & Hyde and Mars 2112 seem to be popular for kids. The food is not very good. There's another string here about restaurants with teens that mentions both of them and might be helpful. Your son would love ESPN Zone (restaurant) in Times Square if he's a sports fan. A fun idea might be the Gospel Sunday brunch at Lola's (22nd betw 5th & 6th). It's southern food & live Gospel music. I'm not a big Gospel fan but enjoy this & the food's good (southern fried chicken, ribs etc.)Don't miss a hot dog at either Gray's Papaya or Papaya King. They each have a few locations, you have to stand, but they're delicious. (I would avoid hot dogs from street vendors)
As to street scenes, if you're talking about entertainers, there's usually activity where people are standing on line (like the TKTS booth at Times Square) or sometimes on the street at theater intermissions. On a nice weekend day Central Park or Washington Square Park have activity.
Mar 20th, 2003, 04:48 AM
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Jeckyll & Hyde is over-priced bad food with a halloween motif, although one of those things that kids do get a kick out of. If it's something your kids would like to do, have a quick lunch there, save dinner for better food. While in the Broadway/Canal st area, also check out Little Italy (Mulbery St). It's very festive this time and year and very lively. If you kids are not pickey eaters, check out little india on East 6th St between 1st & 2nd avs (very near St. Marks Place). If you'll be seeing Blue Man, you are not far from St.Marks/Little India/E. VIllage.
Mar 20th, 2003, 06:21 AM
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In the middle of all your busy-ness, a break in Central Park may be just the thing for your family. Close to Fifth Avenue shopping, the zoo is small but should engage even the most jaded teenager. I dragged my 20-year-old niece on the nearby carousel--she was humoring her aunt--and she was surprised by the speed of the ride. (Get an outside horse.) There are other interesting sites and familiar movie locations in the park. After a museum visit along Fifth Avenue or Central Park West, step into the park and take a walk.
