our son moved to NYC this summer too. it’s been interesting so far.
we are off to visit him in 2 months. looks like a few broadway shows are opening then which our 16 yr old might like (talking lion king). any thoughts or know anything about the opening of shows? or are there other things to do for a 16 yr old in the evenings on a weekend? (newbies obviously!)
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When I took my 3 kids to NYC for their first time a few years ago, I bought tickets to the Empire State Building tour. I’d been to NYC before but I’d never done that before and I (all of us) thought it would be kind of boring, but a friend who had done it recently highly recommended it.
It turned out to be very fun for everyone. I don’t know how late into the evening the tour runs, but it might fit your schedule.
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I am a bit of a broadway snob but there are a lot of options better than Lion King for a 16 year old (you will be surrounded by little kids). My first suggestion is Six, it is amazing. If you want something a little more sophisticated try Hadestown. I believe they are all opening in Septemberish and none (including Hamilton) are having brisk sales so you may have luck. I do not know what the plan is with TDF (same day discounted ticket sales in Times square) but I would guess they will be open when the shows open. Other things to do are Central park and the little zoo there, Hudson Yards which is a large open mall like thing, walking around in the NYU area, and Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall also have performances. PM me if you have more questions! Good luck and enjoy NYC. People are being out and mostly careful. You need proof of vaccination to get into all of these things and into restaurants so download the NYCCOVIDSAFE app.
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Would be helpful to know a little about the personality and interests of the 16-year-old!
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If weather permits, I’d say do as much outdoors as you can due to Covid. The ferry ride out to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island was fun. The Circle Tour (or half tour) boat excursions are supposed to be good.
For museums, our kids liked the Museum of Natural history and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (which has some cool rooms from different eras, including Egyptian) - Egyptian Art | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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The World Trade Museum, High line Park, Staten Island Ferry, walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
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Vessel, high line, Chelsea market for food, my girls like black tap for milkshakes (2 locations) and sugar factory. Definitely SOL/Ellis island, 9/1 memorial (we did the museum but we live here and it was very moving), the observatory is nice. At 16 I don’t think you need to find a child friendly Broadway show.
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My girls have seen and loved Wicked, Hamilton, and Dear Evan Hansen. I agree with walking on the Highline. Don’t forget all of the shopping and museums. So much for a 16 year old to do in NYC! You will need proof of vaccinations, so be sure to have electronic copies if you don’t want to carry the originals. Have a great time!
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Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governor’s Island.
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Oh, and the ferries! New York NYC Ferry Routes & Schedules
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If you have a “foodie” teen Chelsea Market is great. Also, if you are ok to spend a bit more I suggest a food tour. S and I did several when he was a teen. You get to explore a neighborhood and learn a bit of history/trivia/culture while sampling great food. Go hungry and prepared to walk a few miles.
I recommend Foods of New York.
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I recommend Noshwalks.
http://www.noshwalks.com/
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Yankees game, Central Park Zoo, 9/11 memorial, botanical garden, Arthur Avenue for a meal… dependent on the kid.
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@ all of the above - thanks! i dont even think my older kid has done a lot of those things. I’ll start looking at them. (and i’m the one who actually wants to see lion king :)! )
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I know you were looking for evening activities, but I have taken visiting guests in this age range to the Tenement Museum. They also loved Chinatown and meal at good dimsum restaurant. They were from a part of the country where both of those represented real novelty!
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I know plenty of adults who have LOVED the Lion King musical. I don’t think it’s a bad choice.
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my son’s gf is chinese-american and he loves going to authentic chinese places. he bought several cookbooks, woks, spices, oils and vinegars etc during covid shutdown and spent countless hours learning to cook chinese recipes. He’d cook, and I’d clean. So i like that idea a lot.
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Have taken our kiddos to NYC many times over the years. Some favorites: Central Park Zoo (never tire of it even though they are teens now), Intrepid Museum, Museum of National History, MOMA, the Met, Times Square, Staten Island Ferry. We also like to walk around people watching. Real NY pizza, bagels & hot dogs. For a show my boys liked School of Rock a lot - not sure it is still playing though.
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I’ve eaten here many times. Hopefully the weather will permit outdoor dining, much more pleasant than the setup they have inside:
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Here’s a few things my 16 year of son loves to do in NYC
- Hang out in Central Park with his Headphones on a people watch
- EAT - Food Halls, Dim Sum in Chinatown, Korean BBQ in Korea town, Momofuku noodle bar, random food trucks that he’s found on Tik-tok (we are planning a trip up for Korean Corn dogs next weekend)
2a) PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA - Gotham Comics
- Walk around some of the college campuses
- Cruise around the village, hand out in cool record stores
- For shows I would move to something a little more grown up. (Yes he might secretly like the lion king but Dear Evan Hanson or Hamilton would be a better choice.
- Museums: Depends on his interests, there are so many specialty museums you might find something that really interests him (Museum of Ice Cream anyone!)
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