New York with a 16 year old

[earlydoors42]

My daughter really wants me to take her to New York after her GCSEs. I think I am going to do it. She watches a lot of YouTubers. Something she said she wants to do is go in a "gas station" to get a massive slushy. Am I right that if we are in central Manhattan, they don't have that type of gas station? Can we get a big slushy from normal fast food places there?

Any other recommendations for where to stay and what to do, for maybe 3 days in NY, would be appreciated too! I know she wants to go in Sephora....

Not sure about slushy but she will love Ellen’s Stardust Diner just off Times Square. My 15 year old loved it last summer. Diner food and singalong.

Top of the Rock was brilliant (and much easier to do than Empire State Building).

I stayed in the RUI near Times Square, not too expensive (although it was very off peak). Good breakfast included. DD liked the cafe in Ralph Lauren, called Ralph’s, instagramable.

We stayed Westin hotel Times Square. Fab hotel. Central it’s just opposite port authority bus station.
Get the bus tickets for a few days sightseeing.
Go to top of the rock at Rockefeller centre forget Empire State Building for best views.
I will post more later as off out now.
You will both love it. Dollar rate is a bit rubbish now though so probs no massive shopping bargains.

Took my teen last year. If you want any hope of taking her inside the statue of liberty, book as soon as possible from the official site [[https://www.statuecruises.com]] as even the pedestal entries go really quickly, let alone the crown and July/August if you're going post GCSE is very busy. I took her on the UN tour, which she found really interesting. Need to book online again and allow time for security checks, but managed to do it when I was already there. She'll love Times Square by night - I recommend Junior's just near by for an amazing slice of New York cheesecake. The new structure that opened last year in Hudson Yards "The Vessel" is cool, again you need tickets to go up it. She'll enjoy walking the High Line and a bagel at Chelsea Markets.

I’ve visited NY a few times and saw no big gas stations in Manhattan. It’s an incredible city and loads to do but you need to narrow down her interests. It’s a great city for walking and v safe for cycling using the public bikes. Cycle across to Brooklyn either via Brooklyn or Williamsburg Bridge (although former gets packed with tourists). Guggenheim Museum is the most stunning museum. Walk through C Park to get there.

You can get the massive slushies in the 7-eleven shops.

She might also like to visit the Glossier store, very on trend.

You can get the massive slushies in the 7-eleven shops.

Yes, and they are everywhere.

Re Sephora, I don’t remember perfume being a good buy, so check your prices against getting in the UK before buying.

Clothes are often a good buy; Macy’s, Century 21 and DSW (for shoes) can usually be relied on for bargains.

If you’re into food (eating and cooking), Zabar’s is a treat, and for theatre, TKTS always has big reductions on the day.

I love Slurpees, which you can get in any 7-Eleven. We've been to NYC several times and I'm constantly either drinking iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts or a 32oz Slurpee

@Chemenger what is Glossier? I was amazed at the queue over Christmas to get in.

TodayTix is great for discounted shows.

Glossier is a makeup brand which has an unfathomable (to me) following amongst teenagers. The NY store is absolutely beautiful, though, a real experience to go there, if that's your thing. DD loves their products and adored the shop.

Another vote for Top of The Rock. Not sure if you still can, but we went in the morning, when it was quiet quiet, got cracking photos (with Empire State in background) then used same ticket to go back at night. We went at dusk, watched the sunset and saw the city lights. It was fab!

Thank you all so much! Fantastic. I am excited to go! Making a note of everything!!

I took my dcs last year and dd the year before

Definitely do Ellen's stardust diner, my 15 year old pretended to be cool about it but absolutely loved it
They loved Macy's
9/11 and one world observatory was a big hit

There are lots of free walking tours that we enjoyed

I highly recommend "Eric's New York" you can get the app, or follow on FB or Insta
He replies to any questions you may have within a few hours and I've found his help invaluable

Also use the subway to get everywhere, it's cheap and fun and New Yorkers are surprisingly helpful if you get lost
I had no problems using it alone with the two kids

Take a trip to Woodbury common if you're into shopping. I've been to NY 3 times and have went to Woodbury every time.

Ellen's Stardust Diner definitely!
Our teens wanted to go in a Target as well as Sephora, because some of the Youtubers mention it (apparently). They also wanted to go in the M&M World shop.
You can get the free ferry past the Statue of Liberty and get a fabulous view of it.
Empire State Building is fab and the queues were fine early in the morning.
I would't bother with the Friends building as you really don't see much.
We enjoyed going in the New York library to see Winnie the Pooh.
Grand Central Station is worth seeing, and obviously Central Park - we enjoyed the zoo there.
We also saw the Harlem Globetrotters at Madison Square Garden - that was great fun!

You'll have a great time OP

My son also wants to visit USA this summer post GCSE’s so taking notes

Book a big apple greeter (voluntary fee)
Great experience

bigapplegreeter.org/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand&gclid=CjwKCAiA6vXwBRBKEiwAYE7iS5y9dA0yT0kCZgas8flNfefBa7kNiuzkmT-xqQstJdNek9Tm1JJh6xoCjywQAvD_BwE

I'd second Top of the Rock; also ferry trip to Staten Island is good, and Ellis Island is an amazing museum even if you don't like museums. One thing I wanted to do but ran out of time for was one of the tours of Grand Central Station. And have a look to see what deals you can get on Broadway shows too - there's a booth in Times Square , www.nytix.com/tkts or I think there's an app these days too.

And make sure you take advantage of being a non-US visitor - www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/new-york/ has some great ideas.

As others have said though, it depends on her interests. New York is an amazing city and no matter how long you're there you'll only see a fraction of it. I'm not keen on America as a whole (I've visited several different states, north and south) but I did like New York.

Bus tours, High Line, Statue of Liberty (book early) Top of the Rock. Look on Trip Advisor for discount tickets.

I think she'd love the High Line - arty, Instagramable and free!

Very timely - I am just planning a trip with my 18 year old!