New York is exciting for any age but there's an extra thrill in visiting with a child old enough to know they're in one of the world's great cities. Recently I visited with my 13-year-old; below are highlights. And good news: many of these activities are low-cost or even free.
 1) Big Apple Greeters
Make this the very first item in your trip-planning! Friendly New Yorkers volunteer to show tourists around their favorite town. A terrific introduction to NYC (and free).
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 2) Movie & TV Tours
Teens love movies and TV shows, and New York is the setting for dozens of famous flicks: explore the city through some of its best-known film and tv show settings.
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 3) Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Here's the perfect way to slip in some history about NY's immigrant past. One-hour guided tours explore the actual apartments where people lived a hundred-odd years ago: see a "sweatshop" where a family raised kids and made their living in the garment industry.
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4) Grand Central Station
 This Beaux-Arts landmark is in the heart of Manhattan at 42nd and Park. Drop by to admire the giant hall; take a free tour if you have the time. Definitely head downstairs to the impressive food concourse: join throngs of New Yorkers for lunch, or perhaps simply refuel with a high-calorie dessert. |
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5) See a Broadway Play
 Speaking of 42nd Street: that was the classic Broadway play we saw at a matinee. Lion King, Hairspray, Rent were other choices. We tried buying last-minute seats at Times Square: yes, they're half-price, but the price they're half of is $120. Also, choice plays sell out fast. So we headed to the theater and simply bought seats for 30 bucks. We were "in the gods" but the view was fine. |
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6) Harbor Tour past Statue of Liberty
 Circle Line offers several outings; with a teen, best option is probably the shorter one-hour tour. (Buy a CityPass that includes five other attractions-- see more info at "Empire State Building", below.) In summer, Circle Line operates The Beast speed boat: a high-speed ride that's sure to be the preferred choice of teens. |
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7) Staten Island Ferry
 If you're short on time or cash, here's a free, easy way to get out on the water and see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty: not quite as close as with a tour-boat, but a good photo op nonetheless, and a slice of real New York life. (Rent the movie Working Girl for a preview). The ride is 25 minutes; departure is near Battery Park. |
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9) Natural History Museum
 This venerable institution has unparalleled collections and is also just plain fun for any age. Highlights are: special exhibits (-we saw one on Einstein); the Hayden Planetarium in the Rose Center for Earth and Space; and -- dinosaurs! Real, giant, dinosaur skeletons, many of them, and some you can even touch! Plan on a long visit, and take a break at the kid-friendly restaurant on the lower floor.
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8) World Trade Center: Ground Zero
Why take a teen to the scene of this tragedy? Because it's history; because it's a tribute to the courage of rescue crews; because it will be the site of a symbolic building once again, and when your kids visit later in life, they'll remember what once was.
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9)  Empire State Building
It's famous, and the views from the top can be great: but expect to spend a long time in line-ups going up and down. Tip: for sightseeing, CityPass is a bargain that includes tickets for the American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, Museum of Modern Art , Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, Circle Line Harbor Cruise, as well as the Empire State Building Observatory.
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10) Metropolitan Museum of Art
 Museum of art-- for a teen? It's true that our 12-year-old New-Yorker friend warned us this place was way too boring. But out-of-towners should grab the chance to visit this world-class institution (--donate what amount you wish--) which really does have much that appeals to kids: for instance, the galleries with armor from days of yore. For young kids, the information desk offers many brochures for art hunts and museum searches.
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| All pictures copyright Teresa Plowright. |
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