NYC with Mom and Daughter

nathing

I just booked flights yesterday for myself and my soon to be 18 year old daughter. Neither of us have ever been. Today I start researching where to go and what to do. Daughter has no idea - birthday/graduation surprise.......

i have a 14 year old and an 8 yr. and i want to take them to New York and i want to see a play .

I have a 12 year old son, and we both like NYC and well its start for both of us,,Now the planning does anyone have any advise what a boy would like beside shopping,,?

NYC is so much fun with kids, my kids love going to Serendepities for frozen hot chocolate and then we walk down the block to Dylans candy Bar, its a really fun candy and Ice cream shop. Bloomingdales is nearby so its always a fun stop for me to browse. Central Park is loaded with activities, we like to go to the zoo, ride the carousel, theres also an Victoria Gardens which has rides , boating, theres a catch and release pond, so many street performers in the park we've seen some of the best shows there. People watching is also great. Be on the look out for celebrites, we always seem to find them in the park. Chelsea Piers is fun too, as well the the Body exhibit at the South Street Seaport,we usually walk over to Chinatown from the Seaport and grab lunch. From the seaport you can get tickets to ride the Beast its a superast speedboat that rides up the Hudson, really fast. If thats not your speed the Staten Island Ferry takes you for a ride for free, and you get really good pictures of Lady Liberty and the NYC skyline. There is so much to do, my kids like the museum of natural history, which operates on suggested donations, they have a set fee but ots only a suggestion. The metroploitan is really cool too for older kids. The rose Planetarium is fun too. A great show for a 12 year old is STOMP, my kids love that show. Its offbroadway theres a cool store called Love Saves the Day across the street as well as a great french fry shop called Pomme frites across the street. I could go on and on.... NY is just so much fun for kids, the sights, the culture, its just amazing.

I took my 9 year old daughter (at the time) to NYC a couple of years ago. She loved it! We purchased the Greyline tour which allows you to get off and on the bus whenever you want. There a tons of stops all over the city so without being limited to a tour group, you can almost use this as a mode of transportation. We visited the Empire State Bldg, Liberty Island & Ellis Island, Top of the Rock and because it was in November, we went ice skating at the rink. We saw Phantom of the Opera after purchasing the tickets at the tkts booth in Times Square.

We are going again in September and the weather will be great. I plan to take her to the Museum of Natural History and then hang out in Central Park. You can rent rowboats and bicycles to commute around the park. Now that she's older, we are also doing the NYC movie/tv bus tour. Of course, we'll do the usual shopping (Build a Bear, FAO Schwartz, Toys R Us) and we will see either Mary Poppins or Hairspray. We'll probably check out Madam Tossauds Wax Museum and definitely Serendipity for some Frrrozen Hot Chocolate.

There are some really cool tours available through "Zerve". When I went with my girlfriends, we did the Sex and the City tour. It was so awesome!

I want to plan about a week long trip to NYC for my daughters 16th birthday. I have never been there but have always wanted to go. She is a great traveler and is up for anything. Any help, advice, hotels, yadda, yadda, yadda woukd be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone.

I didn't see plays in NYC but I have taken Jude to many musicals and for any upbeat kids and parents I would recommend RENT. The music is great and the story is great. Sexuality is dealt with but in a way that stimulates conversation about identity and safety.