We have 6 nights in New York in July. Any suggestions of
what we mustn't miss. We have 2 teenagers and a 8yr old.
Tks. Also we're booked in at the Beacon Hotel - any
comments on this hotel?? Tks
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Do not miss going up to the top of the skyscrapers. You
should do both Empire state and World trade, different
angles... It does not take long, and you are finished in 20-
30 minutes - but it is fantastic!
I've seen kids enjoy the Museum of Natural History. The
Central Park Zoo is a small gem. Catch a show on Broadway -
there's a discount ticket booth 1-2 blocks north of Times
Square called TKTS that sells tickets for the same day, but
check the list: not all shows are on it. The lines at TKTS
are often long, but can also be a fun place to talk theatre
with others! (If there's something special you really want
to see, you should order your tickets from the theatre now
to be safe.) Climb up the Statue of Liberty. Go to Ellis
Island. Take a frisbee and work off some energy in Central
Park. (Be smart, and don't pick out a deserted spot all for
yourselves!) If your children are into sports, there's the
AllStar Cafe in Times Square. (Way too overstimulating for a
30+ yr. old without kids, but the kids seem to love it!
Check the prices before you go in to be forewarned!) There's
the USS Intrepid Museum. See if they're still running free
outdoor movies in Bryant Park behind the Library. (Believe
they used to run on Monday nights, but ask.) Catch a movie
at Radio City Music Hall. Stop in St. Patrick's Cathederal.
Get a "Frozen Hot Chocolate" at Serendipity (restaurant on
the Upper East Side). The Metropolitan Museum of Art covers
so much, there's bound to be something there of appeal! If
your teenagers are girls, well, there's certainly a lot of
places to shop (Bloomies, Saks, Macy's, etc. etc.)!! Take in
a ballgame at Yankee Stadium or Shea. You can also take
Metro North Railroad for a daytrip north of the City; they
even offer packages with admissions and train fare. If you
will be travelling by subway within the City, investigate
the price advantages of buying a Metrocard. ...If you have
any special areas of interest, there's bound to be someplace
in NYC where you can indulge! Have a wonderful trip!!
I grew up just outside of the city, and cannot imagine
teenagers spending time in New York without seeing Greenwich
Village and Soho, Chinatown and Little Italy. I spent most
of my sightseeing days as a teen in those neighborhoods.
I agree with all of the above -- just don't miss "downtown."
In addition to great shopping (unique book & record stores,
one-of-a-kind boutiques, jewelry-makers, you name it), it's
the best place in all of Manhattan to sit in a cafe --
Bleecker and MacDougal Streets in the Village are probably
the most famous, but Little Italy has charming ones, too. Be
sure to have pizza at John's on Spring Street (that's in the
Village).
Soho has many famous art galleries and a branch of the
Whitney Museum of American Art, if your kids can take that
much art (after the big deal ones uptown).
[Speaking of uptown museums, my 11-yr-old was fascinated by
the Guggenheim Museum last year because of the unusual Frank
Lloyd Wright architecture.]
In Chinatown, try the Sweet and Tart Cafe. Canal Street in
Chinatown is the place for bargain souveniers. The Pearl
River Department store on Canal is fun, too; several floors
of mostly important Chinese goods -- of all kinds.
A new attraction is Chelsea Piers -- we haven't been there
yet but will be checking it out this summer. (My kids are 17
and 11) It's on the riverfront and has min. golf, skating,
and I-don't-know-what-else. (Chelsea is a nieghborhood just
a bit north of the village but not into midtown.)
Look for local (esp. weekly) newspapers while you're there,
and free papers (often serving just neighborhoods). The
Friday NY TIMES has a whole section devoted to things to do
on the weekend. Most papers include special listings for
children's events, to keep your 8 yr old interested.
Broadway shows, mentioned above, are a great attraction, but
little neighborhood productions and musical events can be
unbelievable, too. Sorry I don't know anything about the
Beacon Hotel. Have fun!