NYC with teenagers

[Bluetit101]

We're off to New York in 3 weeks. Myself, my DH, DS (nearly 16) and DD (nearly 13)

Me and DH have been before but our DC haven't.
We are looking to book the activity passes (5 activities) and we have a couple that we definitely want to do (9/11 museum, top of the rock, Empire State) but not sure what else to do that will be fun for the DC.

Looking for recommendations for things to do, aswell as any tips or advice. Me and DH went 15 years ago so there's probably a lot of different things to do now.

Thank you

Times Square is great at 5am in my experience

One tip which I always give since our last visit.

If you're ever in Midtown and need the toilet, head for the public ones in Bryant Park. They're spotlessly clean, with vases of fresh flowers on display and classical music playing. They're on 42nd by the Library.

@WhatHaveIFound I agree. 6am we went, lovely and quiet!

Hope my itinerary helps someone. It's only rough but it minimises the starting up and down town as much as poss. I find travelling without an itinerary ends with us walking around aimlessly. Especially as NYC is massive!

I second the Intrepid, we paid extra to get a tour of concorde, although that may not interest your dcs, but they can still see it on display beside the Intrepid, on the Intrepid is a space shuttle, and there is also a submarine docked beside the Intrepid which is included in your ticket price.

I would also price the activities separately as sometimes it does work out cheaper, book TOTR in advance too if you want a sunset time to get daylight and night views.

My DTeens loved walking the Highline and getting off at Chelsea Market for lunch and clothes shopping.
Also enjoyed Staten Island Ferry
Walking around Central Park. There are amazing buskers. Just people watching is good fun there.
How about one of the art museums. The Met is amazing and my DC loved the modern museums like Moma, but they like art anyway.

I really regret not doing Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty. Have to go back.

Ellis Island is interesting, but I think it's only truly great if you have relatives that passed through there. It was only open for a comparatively short time and while I think many of us outside the US assume that every immigrant passed through there at some point, they really didn't. So if it's part of YOUR family history, then I'm guessing it would be fascinating, for anyone else it's merely interesting. Liberty Island I think would be more fun for teens, merely because it's really iconic and you get the great NY skyline views for photos. Many tours include both. If you just want the views then get the Staten Island ferry - it's a fraction of the cost!