New York - give me your Highlight// must do/ don’t bother…

[Fishfriendly]

We are off to NYC this summer, with 2 older teens. There’s obviously heaps to do and see so I’m narrowing it down.
Can those who have been give me your highlights or quirky things to do. Also anything that you wouldn’t recommend.
We are not foodies so not needing restaurant recommendations, love sightseeing, history, outdoors etc.
Thanks!

JTC it was amnh, not the Met.

"When we go, we pay. I think it's important to support local cultural institutions."

Agree, but it seems expensive compared to our great museums in London where general admission is almost always free for all 🙂

In any case, with younger DCs Intrepid is probably going to be a better choice.

Agree, but it seems expensive compared to our great museums in London where general admission is almost always free for all

The same is true for other things too, like university costs. It's because these costs are more heavily subsidized by taxes in the UK, where tax rates are higher. So we all pay, one way or another.

I am actually all in favour of charging tourists for access to our museums. In some cases such as the British Museum, around 65% of visitors are tourists from overseas.

I loved the New York Public Library (both entry and an interesting tour were free) - beautiful rooms and the original Winnie the Pooh, how could any teenager resist? 😀R

The museum charging issue is an interesting one. I’m fine to pay an entrance fee, and it gives me chance to engage <mainly uninterested> desk staff in conversation about how UK museums are free to enter. I do wonder, though, if it perpetuates the idea that museums are only for the well-off - $25 a pop is not an inconsiderable sum.

Intrepid is doing free entry on selected Fridays. I’d link but the changes to the mumsnet website won’t let me.

I think it’s evenings only but would save a little money if you are there on one of the dates.

I’m fine to pay an entrance fee, and it gives me chance to engage
desk staff in conversation about how UK museums are free to enter.

If I'm honest, conversations like that just reinforce the worst stereotypes of British tourists.

And if I’m honest, your opinion that everyone (and I’m not talking about foreign tourists, who presumably should be able to afford an entrance fee) can afford to divvy up $25 to visit a museum just makes you sound incredibly privileged, and doesn’t do much to further the cause of inclusion.

And don’t get me started on tourist stereotypes.

My teen said the Trump tower was the best but, and she hates Trump 🤣🤣

And if I’m honest, your opinion that everyone (and I’m not talking about foreign tourists, who presumably should be able to afford an entrance fee) can afford to divvy up $25 to visit a museum just makes you sound incredibly privileged, and doesn’t do much to further the cause of inclusion.

Everyone who lives within a 100 mile radius or more of NYC can still pay what they like, so it is only tourists who must pay the $25 adult entrance fee. What were you hoping to accomplish by having that conversation with the ticket clerks, who are either hourly wage employees or volunteers? Did you think they had the power to change the ticketing policy?

Fat Dave's food tour is brilliant. Expensive but brilliant!