This venerable institution has unparalleled collections and is also just plain fun for any age. Highlights are: special exhibits (-whatever's on as a temporary exhibit is likely to be really well done); 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.
Explore more at the Natural History Museum site. Note: This museum is on the upper east side of Central Park-- another definite must-see for any visitor in New York.
Central Park
Everyone's seen parts of Central Park in movies, but you'll be amazed at the size of this oasis of green in the midst of the throbbing city. How did it get there, and how did it stay protected? Read some interesting history.
Central Park has many different areas in its 893 acres. One spot your teen might like to see if easily reached if you walk south from the Natural History Museum along the park: "Strawberry Fields", a memorial to John Lennon, is at 72nd St., near the Dakota apartments where John Lennon lived with Yoko Ono before he was shot.
- continue to Top Things in NYC #8, NBC Studio Tour
Photo © Teresa Plowright
