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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

NYC with teen boy!

34 replies

carolmorederman · 19/07/2023 05:19

So excited to be going for two whole weeks. It’s just me and son. he’s 15 and has been hiding in computer games, likes physics and maths. And I desperately need to show him life beyond computers. Has anyone any recommendations?! Thank you!

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Fivemoreminutes1 · 19/07/2023 07:06

National Museum of Mathematics - my dc could spend ages here and it’s one of the few museums we went back to when we went to NYC for the second time.

9/11 Museum (free entry on Tuesday evenings)

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum - I didn’t think I would find this as fascinating as I did. Free entry on the last Friday each month 5-9pm April - September.

Statue of Liberty - save a bit of money and take the free ferry to Staten Island and back.

The first time we went to NY, we watched a baseball game. I managed to get some reasonably priced tickets on the Yankees own website.

Coney Island is a bit out on a limb but I’d recommend it if you want to escape the city centre and it makes a change from museums and shopping!

Original poster
carolmorederman · 19/07/2023 07:09

That’s brilliant, thanks five it sounds like you had a brilliant time.
thanks for the National museum of mathematics! I’ve not heard of that at all. DS will love it 😁

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Fivemoreminutes1 · 19/07/2023 07:51

Just remembered a few other things…
Miniature World is awesome. We went when it was called Gulliver’s Gate. Then it was closed when we went back the second time but apparently it’s now reopened under a different name. It was very enjoyable the first time we went so I hope it’s still as good.

There’s a brilliant attraction called Spyscape. Lots of puzzles, games and challenges that would entertain a teenager.

There’s a massive Nintendo shop in the Rockerfeller

Bike hire in Central Park bikerentalcentralpark.com

Walk across Brooklyn Bridge. There’s an amazing pizza place called Juliana’s just the other side.

Maddy70 · 19/07/2023 07:53

We took out to a rap concert in brooklyn, brilliant, catch a soccer game the space museum is worth a visit

Original poster
carolmorederman · 19/07/2023 09:42

Oh wow, now I AM getting excited!
Also can anyone give tips for the plane? Do we need to bring our own headphones to watch their films (do they have films?) or are we better off with a laptop? And should I take food?! and those neck things?
I am obviously not at all cool!thank you!

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Original poster
carolmorederman · 19/07/2023 09:52

Spy museum and miniature world look great, and Brooklyn bridge, it all looks great - sorry to be so needy, had a bit of a time of it lately and lost confidence.
thank you !

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CeeceeBloomingdale · 19/07/2023 10:04

Task him with finding things he'd like to do and creating an itinerary. We are going to NYC in October, I've been several before so it's up to the teens what we do this time.

Earbuds are provided on the plane, most airlines will have entertainment, certainly all the main players.

Original poster
carolmorederman · 20/07/2023 07:10

Thank you! Very exciting. I think an old fashioned guide book is needed - he isn’t interested in looking online. I think he might be a bit anxious as it’s years since we’ve been anywhere . I’m so glad we are going to have an adventure, I am hoping it gives him ( and me! ) a bit of an inspirational boost.
cant WAIT for decent pizza!

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happywotsit · 20/07/2023 07:27

Pedicab tour of central park. I second intrepid. Climb to the crown of the statue of liberty - need to book quickly for that. Any of the viewing platforms. Our favourite was top of the rock.

The free driving experience in the microsoft building on 5th avenue. Its a mclaren senna car.

Flight wise, we flew delta earlier in the year. Food was just dreadful and we were thankful we had a big breakfast at the airport. Inflight entertainment was ok. Films a bit dated but we found a few things to watch.

Customs can take a while to get through, particularly if you arrive into JFK.

Dibblydoodahdah · 20/07/2023 07:31

My boys favourite things were watching a basketball game (Brooklyn Nets) and a Superhero bus tour showing us the filming locations of various Superhero movies.

finewelshcheese · 20/07/2023 07:39

Two weeks is a long time to spend in New York. I'd probably be looking at spending a few days elsewhere near the coast to break it up.

matadornetwork.com/read/beaches-near-new-york-city/

reluctantbrit · 20/07/2023 07:58

I think 2 weeks are a lot in NY.

You could also take a train to Washington or Boston. Or stop somewhere like Newport at the coast to get out of a humid and hot NY.

I loved the zoo in Brooklyn, it's a metro ride and really lovely.

Totally different to computer but free if you time it right is the Morgan Library and look at all the beautiful manuscripts.

Top of the Rock

Flights - you can bring your own headphones, you may want them anyway. Films depend a lot, we had fairly new releases but I also remember a flight where the offering contained 1970s James Bond. We will download stuff on an ipad beforehand.

Food can be a hit and miss. I would see that you have some snacks in your bags and eat at the airport. Get a bottle of water or two for your own in case the crew is stingy with drinks.

Karrpt · 20/07/2023 08:01

Washington is around 3 hours on the train, definitely have a couple of nights there.

christmastreefarm · 20/07/2023 08:02

There are a lot of visiting NY Fb groups. I go in October and have been lurking on them since I booked.

I make a note of things that come up and then research a bit. You do find a theme of people recommending the same place but sometimes I think that's just because people latch into it. But it can give you ideas.

We have done the blast speedboats in London and they have the equivalent there. That would be good for a teen.

We are also breaking up our stay by going to Philly for a day - Washington is also doable (but very long day)

Fivemoreminutes1 · 20/07/2023 08:18

No need to take food on the plane. You’ll get at least one full meal (2 courses, plus a bread roll or similar) as well as a snack or two. What time is your flight? I always take a neck pillow if I want to sleep. And ear plugs and a sleep mask.
Dress in layers as sometimes it’s very cold on board and sometimes it gets a bit stuffy. Definitely don’t wear anything tight fitting, and make sure you’re either wearing a pair of socks, or you take a pair in your carry on luggage.
I also take some chewing gum for after the meal and some hard boiled sweets to suck if my ears become painful on landing and/or take off.
You’ll get served tea, coffee, wine and soft drinks. Don’t feel bad asking for decaf if you plan to sleep…. They do have it on board!

user1494050295 · 20/07/2023 08:30

I would get Amtrak or mega bus to Philly. Lots to do. Washington is awesome with all of the museums. Excellent walking city line Philly. For Philly take him to south street and for a bit of culture rittenhouse sq. watch trading places Ricky and sixth sense.

Original poster
carolmorederman · 20/07/2023 09:37

Thank you! And thanks for the plane advice. Picking up dollars today, and packing - flying tomorrow! We will go to Washington as well, I think - thanks for the suggestions.
I’ll book liberty etc - didn’t occur to me that it might be full!

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haggisaggis · 20/07/2023 09:48

My dc like 'chill' days (which translate as staying in the hotel on screens) occasionally. With 2 weeks in a full on city like NYC I would plan a couple of these! We are going at the end of August for a week so I have been looking at things too. There is free kayaking on the Hudson that looks good Downtown Boathouse

Original poster
carolmorederman · 20/07/2023 18:55

Oh thank you for that, that looks great fun! Our friend has suggested glamping for a night on governor island. That might be nice for you? Greta oysters and tacos!
we live in the country tho and DS just went Urgh,green space.
I think we will spend the money on sushi yum

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FoodFann · 20/07/2023 19:06

Theatre
Natural History
Madison Square Gardens
Basketball game
Concert
Conventions
The ferry

ClosedAuraOpenMind · 20/07/2023 19:10

Went with DD12 last year and we loved Rise, which is a small museum just off times square, which tells you about the history of the NY new year's eve celebrations and some other stuff, but ends in a 20 minute simulated ride as if you're flying over New York, it was really good
also if your in Brooklyn there's the Brooklyn Pharmacy, which is a 1930s pharmacy which has been retired as an old fashioned soda fountain/ice cream place

TwoBlueFish · 20/07/2023 19:13

Train to Washington and go to the smithsonian maybe

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 20/07/2023 19:20

Ellis island
baseball game
broadway show

Fancypantsuit · 20/07/2023 20:00

We went last summer w 15 yo DD and highlights were :

walking round Brooklyn & Dumbo, much nicer vibe than most of Manhattan. sunset by the water and cross back over Brooklyn Bridge by night so see all lights.

walking the High Line

NYC ferry - same price as subway and soooo much nicer than the free Staten Island one. We got it from E34 to Dumbo on a clear sunny day, was heaven.

cycle round Central Park, cycling out for bagels and to visit Guggenheim

StillWantingADog · 20/07/2023 20:02

Def go to Washington is lovely.