A day in NYC for a 17 year old -- reasonable? possible? please help!

Parents Forum
1

<p>My son will be participating in a program that ends at 8am on August 16th. He would be in NYC. I could book him a flight that leaves very late on the 16th in order to give him a day to check out whatever he wants to see in NYC.</p>

<p>The program he is participating in is just using NYC as a stopover, so he won't have done any touring at all. He has never been to NYC and would love to visit. </p>

<p>I wouldn't mind his doing this if it is reasonably safe (he is very mature, will listen to any warning given and would be conscious of his surroundings) and if he would be able to get himself to LaGuardia Airport via some type of public transportation.</p>

<p>Is this a possibility? Would he be able to see anything in a day? I wasn't sure how far away LaGuardia was from what he might want to see.</p>

<p>Any suggestions would be appreciated -- I told him I would consider the idea, but I am not sold on it. I am afraid that too much could happen, even in a day.</p>

<p>thanks!</p>

2

<p>I live in NYC. He can do it!</p>

3

<p>There is a bus that goes from La Guardia to midtown Manhattan, I think it's the Carey bus. I would budget about one hour for the trip. He will also need to be at the airport two hours before his flight, so his sight seeing should end three hours earlier,</p>

<p>He could take a guided tour on a bus; go to the Metropolitan Museum, go to Times Square, Broadway, and just do a lot of walking.</p>

4

<p>I have allowed my D to go with a friend for the first time at age 15 into NYC. They took trains, had to change once; it's very safe, and they had a blast. If your son is armed with city maps, and familiarizes himself with it, and also if you planned with him, where to go, what to see, and in what sequence, it's doable for a 17-year-old. Manhattan is very safe. I googled the following for buses from LaGuardia to Manhattan:
It looks like the M-60 bus will take you to a subway transfer. There are many NYC parents here who will give you better info.</p>

<p>M60 Public Bus
transfer to
4,5,6 A,C,D & 1,2,3 subways
Every 30 minutes
4:50am to 1am 20-30 minutes
longer at rush hours $2 City Bus Stops</p>

5

<p>great -- I thought it would be possible. We are a family that is very limited on money (he is on a full scholarship for the program) so the opportunity to spend a day in NYC is not easy to come by (we live in Colorado!).</p>

<p>I will check exact flight times and public transportation schedules and see how I can match it all up.</p>

<p>His passion is world religions -- any suggestions on what to see?</p>

<p>He is thinking cathedrals, synagogues, mosques. Also art museums. </p>

<p>he is also into world affairs -- would it be worth the time to go to the UN?</p>

<p>Anything else he would like that I am not thinking about?</p>

<p>I wonder whether it would be worth it for him to do one of those half-day tours on a bus to see alot and then spend the afternoon really seeing what he is interested in.</p>

<p>thanks</p>

6

<p>stef, I truly can relate to what you wrote and your quandry. I realize this is not as big a deal for some parents, particularly for those who live in or near cities where kids do this all the time. But for some of us, whose kids really haven't done this all alone, it IS a big deal. </p>

<p>My kids grew up in a rural area. They have been to many cities and even other countries but just always in supervised capacities, and not totally on their own back in high school. Even where we live, they were usually supervised because parents had to drive and so forth. </p>

<p>Anyway, I had never let my kid be in NYC on her own, just like you are talking about. There was a time I let my then sixteen year old stay with friends in the city (college aged) and then take a train back home to our state. Even that was a big deal to me at the time, but she wasn't totally alone and I made her friend accompany her to the train station (though the friend was 17) because the friend had spent lots of time in NYC on her own in the past and knew the city. </p>

<p>Then last summer, when she was still sixteen, a producer/director called to ask her to come to the city for an audition that involved working with her for a few hours. She had gone to NYC with me many times and I was going to take her. She begged to be allowed to fly there herself (had taken planes before on her own), then take a cab from the airport into the city to the studio and then to stay with a friend and eventually back to the airport and home again...but this time all on her own...in terms of getting around, getting there and back, etc. I was really reluctant...it was a first. But she claimed, and this is quite true, that just one month later, she was going to be in college.....in....guess where....NYC, at age 16 and would be on her own. So, I let her fly there, take the cab. The producer/director knew me and that this was the first time my D had ever done NYC on her own and though her own teens grew up in Manhattan, she understood and she actually saw my D to her cab after the session and sent her on her way to her friends. I had my D call me (she has a cell) from each step of the way.....when she landed at the airport, when she arrived at her destination in the city, arrived again at friend's apartment, when she got in for the night (was very late due to Harry Potter book on sale at midnight that night but she called and explained) and when she got to the airport again to come home, etc. </p>

<p>Then, of course, she was totally on her own in NYC a short time later as she began college at a young age. This was huge for me....she was on her own in NYC, taking subways, doing what she wanted, etc. I had to get used to it, lol. The first time was rough for me but it does get better. There is the element that the kid doesn't really know her way around and all that. But a seventeen year old eventually has to go the next level because soon the kid will be in college and doing lots on their own. Funny to hear ME say that but I have adjusted to their doing more and more and more on their own. </p>

<p>So, I'd have your son map out a plan ahead of time as to what he wants to do. You guys can research it online, discuss how he'll get from place to place. Give him a city map. You can have him call you at certain agreed upon times....when he arrives at X, etc. The airport is about a half hour away. My child takes a taxi. It is easier for someone not familiar with the public transportation. But there are other ways to get to the airport. I felt better with the door to door service, particularly for a first time. I realize your son hasn't been there before or done something like this but there will always be a first time and this is just one day and so I think this is a good beginning. </p>

<p>Now, I just shared my anxiety over such an idea at that age....but look at me now....the D I just mentioned....is living in Manhattan....arrived at age 16, is now 17 and did just fine this past year...really knows the city and has done tons on her own. She has traveled there many times via plane and train on her own. I let my other D at age 18 last summer drive 6,000 miles to Alaska! Yep, I did that...if you knew me, you'd know that was a big deal for me. She called each night and the trip was mapped out ahead of time. That D has traveled many places since then by car....including tonight to Boston, alone. She is leaving shortly to France on her own this summer!!! Again, things are mapped out ahead of time and agreements as to when she will call and this particularly D is VERY reliable. At some point, the kids have to grow up and they do manage and the bigger deal for me is that I have to manage and just let them do it. My seventeen year old is leaving shortly for a summer job out of state where she will have a car and be living on her own with others she does not know. At some point, as parents, we have to let go and take the plunge. They do fine and it is more our own peace of mind that is at stake. If you can get your kid to call from certain junctures, eventually you will get used to it. I still worry a lot but I have adjusted, lol. </p>

<p>Give this a try. It is one day...he is almost old enough to go to college and this can be a stepping stone to getting places on his own and being in a strange place on his own. Plan as much as possible ahead of time and have him contact you at agreed upon times. It'll work out! Small steps....pretty soon he'll be taking the big step to college and then he'll really be on his own. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>I really like the UN; I've been twice. There're art exhibits, a tour of all the rooms, and you can tour in multiple languages (if he's taken a foreign language that might be fun). St. Patrick's Cathedral is a must if he wants to see churches and the like, plus it's pretty close to the UN. The corner of Central Park with the zoo is also in that general area of Manhattan. I think you should also go to Times Square, and plus Times Square is a public transportation hub (you can get on a train to almost anywhere from there).</p>

<p>The M60 bus goes to LaGuardia every 15 minutes or so, but it only goes through uptown. You can catch it along Broadway at 116th or along 125th street; it's only $2, and the 1 train goes all the way up and down Manhattan, so it will get you to the M60, and it's not hard to use.</p>

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<p>Susan -- thanks for sharing your story.</p>

<p>On the one hand, I worry and want to make sure that nothing bad happens. On the other hand, I applaud his desire to be independent.</p>

<p>I know he can do it, I just worry about things going wrong when I am not there to fix it. I need to just keep the worry to myself, I guess (I am not going to be one of those parents who tries to fix college problems for their kids! LOL).</p>

<p>He would have just gotten back from spending 6 weeks in Cairo, so I am guessing that he will feel comfortable with all the people, traffic, etc.</p>

<p>My biggest concern was what would happen if he didn't make it to the airport -- where we live, public transportation is minimal and taxis are hard to come by, so it would be a real concern here.</p>

<p>He is excited that we are considering this and he is thinking that he wants to do a half day commercial tour of NYC (he looked at <a href="http://www.newyorkpartyshuttle.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.newyorkpartyshuttle.com&lt;/a> ) and spend half a day at the art museum or the UN.</p>

<p>It sounds reasonable and he would certainly enjoy the trip -- and the expense to us would be minimal -- just the tour and food.</p>

<p>stef</p>

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<p>Anybody who can spend six weeks in Cairo can spend one day safely in NYC!</p>

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<p>stef, where we live, there is no public transportation! So, my kids are not used to that. They have flown alone but are not used to getting from point A to B in a city (though they are now that they are on their own). If you want your son to take the bus, research all the info. ahead of time. IF it doesn't work out, discuss plan B...he can take a taxi to get there. For each activity, research it ahead of time, have him print out maps, etc. and discuss what if's. I think he will be safe. It is just a matter of everything working out as planned and then figuring out back ups for this or that which could arise. They do manage. I recall back at Thanksgiving, my D had to get to the train station in NYC and was wheeling a duffel bag and trying to hail a cab by herself. No cabs stopped. She walked and walked and it was a big problem that day before Thanksgiving. She even called in a panic that she was running out of time...was freezing, had been trying for an hour and was afraid she'd miss the train to travel to her grandparents. Some cab drivers were unwilling to take her to the train station. Next thing I know a cab driver stopped as she was on the cell to us unsure if she'd make it and I heard her beg him to take her...she asserted herself and made it just in time. Things like that happen that are unforeseen. Another time she missed her connection flying home and had to negotiate with the airlines...was a big mess and hassle. They can always call home. You can't fix it being far away but can advise them if necessary. Again, map out as much ahead of time with your son. In the past day, I've been working with my D who is making arrangements for when she lands in Paris, taking a train to her destination, finding a hotel for the night in the city, taking another train to eventual destination, etc. She has looked all of it up, printed it out, etc. before she goes. I know I will worry some but she has done a bunch now on her own and she isn't just arriving and figuring it all out on the spot but has a plan and information. I can't be there if there is a problem but she can manage, I'm sure. The thing that I require is a call at certain junctures to ease my mind when they travel like this. We thought of as much as we could in advance, how the money would work, how she is to get a cell, etc. </p>

<p>So, plan in advance. Discuss what if's. Like Marite says, your son will have been in Cairo, a foreign country and even if in a program, he likely will have experienced enough with some independence there to manage one day in NYC. </p>

<p>Unlike where you live, there is a TON of public transportation in NYC. Get all the info. ahead of time and how he is to get from airport to city and vice versa. Come up with a plan B if plan A doesn't work. Like I said, it is more expensive but he can always hail a cab to the airport. There are TONS of cabs on every street in NYC. </p>

<p>While doing the tour or the UN or places like Saint Patrick's Cathedral would be great for your son, I'd have him even spend one hour just experiencing something like Times Square....just the sight...the feeling of NYC....so different than many cities...besides the interesting things like museums or the UN. It doesn't take a long time but is worth just to see/hear/experience.</p>

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<p>The question will not be how to fill up a day but how to choose from all the amazing sights and opportunities. Definitely doable, safe and fun.</p>

<p>I would advise your son to pick a couple of museums that interest him the most and then to rest those weary feet by taking a tour.</p>

<p>The two museums that always rise to the top in my book are the Metropolitan and the Museum of Natural History. The Met has a “pay what you want policy.” He should not be intimidated by signs that give recommended entry contributions. Simply pay what he can afford, even 50 cents. (I’m not sure if the Natural History Museum has the same policy.)</p>

<p>These are both huge properties so he should choose a few exhibits that are most appealing and not try to cover the whole thing. At the Met I would see the Egyptian wing, the Rockefeller Wing, and one of the painting eras. Early Renaissance would be my choice, but then there are the Rembrandts. . .</p>

<p>At the Natural History, I’d go straight to the dinosaurs then choose one other area of interest, like gems or marine life.</p>

<p>Actually, my all time favorite museum in New York is the Frick (they also have an unpublicized pay what you will policy). A jewel of a building with an astonishing collection of old masters.</p>

<p>As for tours, I’d recommend the Circle Line which is a sightseeing boat that literally circles Manhattan with commentary. You get a fantastic overview and up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty. <a href="http://www.circleline42.com/index.ihtml?page=sightseeing%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.circleline42.com/index.ihtml?page=sightseeing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>In the early evening before catching his airport bus he could go up to the top of the Empire State Building for a spectacular view.
<a href="http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Transportation is good in New York, but for the first timer, I’d stay above ground, either on foot, bus or taxi. </p>

<p>Possible itinerary: Start at the Metropolitan when it opens at 0930
Walk across Central Park to the Museum of Natural History
Take a taxi down to the Circle Line on 42 Street
Walk through Times Square to the Empire State Building
Taxi or bus to the airport</p>

<p>One caveat: He shouldn't plan to schlepp baggage as many museums and buildings have restrictions on the size of bags that can be checked.</p>

12

<p>It's definitely possible. If he has trouble getting places, he can just ask for directions. Someone will be nice enough to guide him. </p>

<p>He should go to the MoMA, AMNH, the NYPL and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (if he can make it). I'm sure he will have absolutely no trouble. :)</p>

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<p>NYC is the easiest city to navigate that I've ever been in.. as long as he can count, he'll be fine :)</p>

<p>and if he has any questions, just have him ask someone.. he'll be fine. I asked someone on a subway where to get off and they helped me out no problem, even gave me directions which way to go once i got off it... that was my first time traveling alone in NYC.</p>

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<p>I live in NYC and work in Times Square. It is totally doable. I'd be happy to help in any way I can, so please feel free to PM me if I can offer any advice or assistance. The only thing I'd say is that to/from LaGuardia to midtown requires more than an hour. He could take a bus right from LaG to the Port Authority and walk two blocks across town to Times Square, then on to 42nd and Fifth for the library which is quite nice and then 9 blocks across Fifth to St. Patrick's and Rockefeller Center. New York is safe, easy to navigate and fun.</p>

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<p>if money is an issue, dont take one of the tour buses- they can cost up to $80 a person!
i'd have him make a rough itinerary of what he wants to see beforehand and where everything is so he can just focus on sightseeing- get some maps of the city online or AAA and plot the best route- you can also google for a map of the subway system- the subways are surprisingly easy to navigate. each trip costs $2, but you can buy an unlimited all day pass for $7.
i also recommend going to a bookstore and skimming through some travel books on nyc- there are guides targeted for teenagers, for people on a budget, for walking tours, for 'must see' spots, for 'hidden treasures,' etc etc.</p>

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<p>hsmomstef,</p>

<p>NY is the greatest city in the World; for someone with a little common sense it is very safe.</p>

<p>I’ve lived here for 25 years and am still seeing stuff for the first time. How’s this for a one day itinerary?</p>

<p>Buy a one-day pass MetroCard which allows unlimited Subway and Bus access for the day, I think it costs 7 dollars and is available at any subway station. Start at Columbia University, 116th and Broadway – he can take the 1 or 9 train north from Times Square. Walk through the campus west to Amsterdam.</p>

<p>St John the Divine, 113th and Amsterdam, fabulous building and displays of World religions. Walk to 110th and Amsterdam to catch the M4 bus on the southeast corner, a little east of Amsterdam. The M4 has local and limited versions, take either one, it crosses 110th east to 5th Avenue where it turns south down ‘Museum Mile’. This bus ride borders Central Park; he’ll see the Harlem Meer in the northeast corner of the park.</p>

<p>Heading south on 5th he’ll come to the Guggenheim at 89th, the Met at 82nd and the Frick at 70th. Unfortunately, the Guggenheim is currently sheathed in scaffolding. Frankly, he could spend the day in any one of these museums, in the Met’s case you need three days to do it justice. Maybe check each’s website and find stuff he’s particularly interested in.
The Frick is a gem and can be done more quickly, though you should check for special exhibits there. They strictly control admittance numbers and a popular special exhibit can lead to a long wait time.</p>

<p>If time permits, take the bus to 42nd street and walk east to the river and the UN. So, his transportation cost for the day has been $7.00. Here I would spring for a cab to LaGuardia, around $30.00 including the toll over the Triboro bridge</p>

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<p>I agree with huskem55,</p>

<p>Get a $7 fun pass and see the city on your own. </p>

<p>link to the subway map</p>

<p><a href="http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>link to the manhattan bus map</p>

<p><a href="http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/manbus.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>30 free things to do in NYC</p>

<p><a href="http://gonyc.about.com/cs/freestuff/a/aa040902a.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://gonyc.about.com/cs/freestuff/a/aa040902a.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>depending on what time he is in the city he could check out it he can get on to GMA for their taping, the today show, etc.</p>

<p>fodors top 25 free things to do in NYC</p>

<p><a href="http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/001288.cfm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/001288.cfm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>from frommers:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.frommers.com/destinations/newyorkcity/0021020765.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.frommers.com/destinations/newyorkcity/0021020765.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>link to visit NYC</p>

<p><a href="http://www.nycvisit.com/memberSearch/searchCategory.cfm?pagePkey=12%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nycvisit.com/memberSearch/searchCategory.cfm?pagePkey=12&lt;/a>
Ride the Staten Island Ferry. The Staten Island Ferry is used daily by thousands of commuters. Ride with them for a great view of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, New York Harbor, and the skyline of lower Manhattan. You really can't beat the price. It's free.</p>

<p>Visit Free Museums. Believe it or not, there are museums in New York that don't charge admission. National Museum of the American Indian and the Federal Hall National Memorial.</p>

<p>Take in a Game at the West 4th Street Basketball Courts, West 4th Street and Sixth Avenue. I don't know what's more entertaining here -- the showtime moves on the court or the inventive and constant trash talk that accompanies the games. </p>

<p>While you are in the neighborhood, drop in on Wahshington square park, NYU, walk down broadway to SOHO.</p>

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<p>I haven't read the entire thread, but I'm tossing in my two cents.</p>

<p>The m60 is a pain in the neck. You have to get all the way up to 125th on the subway to get on it. While it's cheap, it's a hassle if you're spending the day doing touristy stuff.</p>

<p>A good option is the Blue SuperShuttle. It's only about $15 and you schedule it to pick you up at a certain place. You could tell your son to be at the New York Hilton at a certain time and the shuttle will pick him up (probably along with others, as it's a popular option for tourists).</p>

<p><a href="http://www.supershuttle.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.supershuttle.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

19

<p>I would splurge a bit, and get a ticket on the double decker bus tour that does a giant loop of Manhattan, and son can get off wherever...many museum stop...its efficient, and you see so much, you go past the Empire state building, the statue of liberty, central park, you may not get inside everything, but you get that big city feel and it is worth the money...we got the bus on times square, I will try and find the link...</p>

<p>oh yeah, the bus goes through times square, wall street, 5th ave, all over the place</p>

<p>We did it the 1st day in NYC and it gave us a real feel for the place, and what is good about it is that you are always on the main track, easy to get to the bus back to laguardia, easy to move around, lots of help if needed etc</p>

20

<p>wow --you guys are great!!</p>

<p>He is busy printing maps and making lists -- and is so excited.</p>

<p>Now he is wondering what the possibilities are for staying for a night or two in a youth hostel -- does anyone know if they are safe?</p>

<p>I would love for him to really experience New York! I went for a week trip in high school and it was fabulous!</p>

<p>My only concern is that he wants to do so much! This is the same kid we took to Washington DC last year. Our family had an itinerary planned out so we could see lots of stuff. Within an hour, we realized that it would not work our for him and he spent 2 full days at the Freer Gallery, a day touring religious buildings and another full day at the national cathedral. he is not the "quick run through the museum" kind of kid. He likes depth.</p>

<p>Time wise -- he could spend up to five nights and still be back a few days before school starts. But I am not sure of the cost -- he has money saved and grandparents gave him money for the summer.</p>

<p>If anyone knows whether the youth hostels are a reasonable option -- please let me know!</p>

<p>THANKS!</p>