We have always encouraged our kids to ask for “experiences” as well as “things” for their milestone birthdays. In part, it’s my way of ensuring they still travel with their mother and that they continue to learn through travel.
For a recent birthday, my daughter asked to take a trip to see a city she had always wanted to visit.
I admit, this had me nervous. Keeping in mind that this baby had travelled a fair amount, I didn’t know what would be on her bucket list!
But after some quick consideration, she didn’t hesitate – she asked to visit New York City.
The idea of visiting New York with teens was daunting
I have visited New York many times. I understand the city isn’t for everyone – but I love New York! However – I had never taken my children there! As widely as we have travelled, NYC was honestly not a city I thought I could do with them. I didn’t know what to expect.
First, New York is a city that can be expensive on a good day – and my children are not cheap dates! The cost of hotels, admissions and getting around can add up. Plus the amount of things to do seemed wild. We didn’t know where to begin or what to consider. We knew we would have only a few days that we would have to make the most out of.
But once she asked for this trip, there were no backsies. So I dug in and started my research.
Happily, I can say that New York City was one of the easiest trips we’ve planned. And it turned out to be one of the best places we have visited with teens.
There is a lot to love about New York when you’re travelling with Teens
New York is a great place to explore on a family vacation with teens. With a bit of research and planning we found fun places that made the trip memorable for our teens while playing to their interests. The city also offered great things to do that kept mom and dad entertained.
With everything from history to pop culture and bright lights and shopping here are my 10 reasons NYC makes a great family trip with Teens – and some suggestions to make the most of your trip.
10. If your teen is a foodie – New York City is just unbeatable.
Admittedly my little family is full of stone-cold foodies. The trips we often recall most fondly and vividly are to those places where the food has been the best. For this reason, our family talks about Barbados like we are paid by its tourism bureau.
After our trip, New York City earned a place in our hearts as a foodie’s city.
The beauty of the city is that it can satisfy every budget and every taste. We had cheap street meat one day and then celebrated my daughter’s birthday at a beautiful steakhouse the next. One day we dined at a Michelin-starred Thai restaurant and on another had the greatest, greasiest pizza we could imagine.
I can’t possibly list all of the great restaurants and food spots we visited. Our family has a tradition of basically eating our way across cities we visit.
But that said, one of our standout favourite spots is Soothr. At the time it had newly received its Michelin star and we were lucky to snag a reservation.
And of course, I have to mention Serendipity – it is the perfect place to indulge those with a sweet tooth. A visit to the historic and iconic dessert shop will make every foodie’s New York bucket list. Don’t worry after a few days in New York you’ll easily walk off its oversized indulgences.
We also took in food markets and stalls. A beautiful find that we didn’t expect was the food hall in Brookfield Place, it is a stunning mall we visited after we visited the Statue of Liberty. That said, in New York, there are food markets everywhere. And, of course, plenty of Black-owned restaurants in New York City.
9. New York brings history to life for your teens – in all the right ways
New York City has a unique ability to bring history to life for teenagers. From iconic landmarks and memorials to the bustling streets, so much of the city is steeped in centuries of rich cultural heritage. From my perspective, there are a couple of spots you cannot miss taking your teens to if you visit New York.
The Statue of Liberty
I didn’t think that my teens would be as obsessed with the Statue of Liberty as they were. But something is intriguing about that ride to Liberty Island. The ride on the Staten Island Ferry creates the sense of getting up close and personal with something iconic. After seeing it in movies, or television shows they’ve watched your entire life, to see it in real life was just exciting.
As a great side benefit, the displays in the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and the Statue of Liberty Museum made it interesting for my kids to accidentally soak up history lessons. They really seemed to take in the history of the city’s growth through immigration. We also met so many other families from all walks of life coming to visit.
Pro Tip: If you want to climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, buy your tickets in advance! Especially if you are travelling during peak tourist season – which, in New York seems to be all year round. As well, there is no elevator so if you decide to climb the crown, keep in mind you and your teen will need to climb 393 steps to the top. And it gets narrow the closer you get to the crown – Like super narrow. If you, like us, have any tall folks in your troop or folks who are not good with small spaces, keep this in mind!
One World Trade Center and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum
My kids have studied the events of 9/11 but I was still surprised that my daughter asked to go to the memorial. It was moving and truly brought an understanding of the magnitude of the event, its loss and its impact on the city and world. We explored the memorial and my kids meticulously took in the names of those lost and the stories of the everyday people, the heroes and the aftermath.
8. NYC is full of larger-than-life landmarks and experiences teens will love
New York City is bursting with energy and diversity. Of course, it is renowned for its larger-than-life experiences – and my teens love larger-than-life.
Time’s Square
Where do I begin with this icon? Times Square offers an out-of-this-world mix of street performers, colourful characters and iconic billboards, and was a top destination on my daughter’s must-visit list. We found ourselves drawn to its vibrant energy multiple times during our stay. Times Square is a quintessential New York City experience that left a lasting impression.
Central Park
I wasn’t exactly surprised at how much we loved Central Park, but I certainly didn’t think we would have wanted to spend as much time there as we did! We took lazy strolls, climbed rocks, bought ice cream and just wandered. Its sprawling greenery and tranquil pathways provided a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I didn’t expect for my teens to love and appreciate this peace of serenity as much as they did.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal isn’t just a train station. Like much of New York, the ‘go big or go home’ architecture will leave you awestruck. With added touches like a ceiling painted like the night sky, the place leaves no doubt why it is a mainstay in so many movies Inside, there’s so much going on – people rushing to catch trains, tourists looking around in wonder, and lots of shops and places to eat. It’s a place where you really feel the energy of the city. Whether you’re travelling or just hanging out, Grand Central Terminal is an awesome part of the New York experience.
New York Public Library
For this book junky, stepping into the New York Public Library‘s flagship location felt like entering a world of endless possibilities. Housed in the historic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building I was surprised by how much I instantly loved this giant of literary history. The grandeur of the building, its towering shelves of books and ornate architecture, was nothing short of breathtaking.
As someone who adores books and the quiet sanctuary of libraries, I just about imploded on the steps. My teens – bless their hearts – patiently indulged me as I wandered through the halls, my eyes bright like a kid on Christmas morning. The only thing that came a close second was the time I spent wandering and shopping in New York’s Strand Book Store! The city is for book lovers.
American Museum of Natural History
My teens were way more interested in this museum than I imagined they would be. This place brought out the kids in my young adults who were awe-inspired with its sheer size and vast collection of exhibits.
From towering dinosaur skeletons to immersive planetarium shows, every corner of the museum held something fascinating to discover.
7. New York offers something to meet the interest of almost any teen
No matter what your teen is into New York City can feel like it is made for them! Whether your teen loves art, food, fashion, video games, movies, sports, or nature, there’s always something exciting to do.
Whatever they are interested in, New York City has a home for them. We had several surprising favourites in the City.
Live shows
A couple of side notes – New York is undeniably an epicentre of good things for those interested in the arts and entertainment side of life. Your family can take in a Broadway show – a bit expensive, but a life changer for those interested in the theatre. Other options include off-Broadway plays which are filled with highly talented folks. The famed Radio City Music Hall is a great spot for kids who love movies and music.
Of course, if you are visiting through the filming season attending a taping of one of the many, many shows that are filmed in New York is a great option. With so many choices – from nighttime hits like The Daily Show or Saturday Night Live to daytime favourites like Tamron Hall Show or The Drew Barry Show, if you’re teen is into it, there is something to take in. Pro tip: Many show tapings have age restrictions for their audience members, so be sure to make sure your teen (and their younger sibling!) is able to attend before getting your tickets.
Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden
Sports fans have got to love New York. Baseball fans can’t miss Yankee Stadium. Ideally, you’ll want to take in a game and make a day out of it, but even if you’re there in the off-season, they offer tours that bring the place to life in a different way. Madison Square Gardens is one of the world’s most famous arena’s. It is a great spot to visit – with constant games and concerts there is always something to take in at this iconic location.
Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
Thanks to my daughter’s obsession with all things Brooklyn99, we had to be sure we drove past the Brooklyn bridge, but we weren’t quite able to walk across it. It’s on her list of demands for our next visit and we will definitely take it in.
Bryant Park
This little patch of nature turned out to be a hidden gem. It felt like the poor middle child of New York, not nearly as famed it seems as Central Park but equally as captivating. From leisurely picnics on the grass to lively events and performances, there was always something delightful happening.
6. New York City shopping is made for teens
Your broke best friend will love being able to say they “shopped” in New York City – even if it’s just window shopping!
There are so many shopping areas to take in. Even if you don’t spend a dime, who doesn’t want to say they spent the day strolling SoHo or window shopping on Fifth Avenue? Of course, there are always places to shop or browse in Times Square. If they long for a quieter pace, take your teens to Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side. If they are bargain hunters – bring some cash and sharpen their haggling skills on the famous Canal Street in Lower Manhattan. Any way you take in the city, your family can shop till you drop or at least pretend you did.
New York City is home to many flagship store locations of your teen’s favourite brands. And probably a few they have heard about on their favourite shows. A visit to Saks Fifth Avenue or Macy’s might be just the thing your teen needs to really “feel” like they experienced the city. Even one of our favourite Canadian-led fashion brands Brother Vellies has a store in New York.
In many cases even without buying a thing, the visit to the store is an experience. For our family, Nike House of Innovation was one of those stores we visited just for the experience. It was just this odd combination of design, sportswear and technology that hit all the right notes with my teens.
If there is a fashion lover in your house who wants to dig into the history of all this shopping, the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology might make the list of places you can’t let them leave NYC without visiting.
Of course, when it comes to shopping I have to mention Rockefeller Center. This site is amazing all year round. In the summer, it is a vibrant area filled with shops and sites. During the winter, ice skating and the historic Christmas tree are iconic winter backdrops. But any time of year Rockefeller Center is the perfect destination for the young at heart – offering a stunning LEGO Store and also a Nintendo Store in the plaza. You can also squeeze in a visit to the Top of the Rock an observation deck which offers beautiful skyline views.
5. New York offers real-life connections to pop culture for your teen
New York has been the backdrop to pop culture forever. During your visit, your teen can get up close and personal with spots they will recognize from culture-defining shows to blockbuster movies. New York is just the epicentre of pop culture. So many things my kids took for granted and had no connection with they now understood.
For weeks after our trip, it would occur to them that they had been somewhere they saw in a movie. Or they would be watching a show and realize they could place themselves having walked through where it was filmed.
4. There is no better place for teens who are fans of Superhero, Marvel, DC or Video Games
On the note of real-life connections to pop culture – as I said, I’ve been to New York City many times. I have family there, I’ve been there for work trips and girls trips. I have rung in the New Year in Time’s Square. And yet, every time I go I find something new to see!
On this trip, as a family of comic fans – we thought about visiting Madame Tussauds on a rainy day – but when the weather turned sunny, we instead booked ourselves on a walking tour of the city. This tour was a game changer. The tour guide was excellent, we took in sites from movies that we had long watched and taken for granted. We were stopped on our tour by random New Yorkers who would proudly jump in to fill in details that our tour guides missed. It was all just very New York.
My daughter, obsessed with all things Marvel, loved walking over the bridge that was the site of the climactic fight scene in the Avengers movie. We blurred the comic book lines and visited famous sites that were home to DC Comic villains. There really was something for everyone.
Hot tip: For the love of all things good and holy, if you take any walking tours – please wear comfortable shoes! And make sure you don’t mind getting that New York sludge on them! These tours operate rain or shine so comfortable, adaptable clothes is the only way to go. Also, have a look for where you will get dropped of so you can make the most of your day. Our tour ended close to the Empire State Building, so we were able to walk over and take that in and didn’t mind still being in our street clothes.
3. Your teen will never be bored in New York City and so you won’t feel bad about not doing everything!
In our time visiting the city, there was no way to take in everything New York City had to offer. We did what we could and have no regrets about how we spent our time. We didn’t waste a minute and our teens were never bored. They even have a few gems we were sad to miss and have made a plan to be sure we will take in the next time we go.
Hudson Yards and the Edge Observation Deck.
Ok, so being afraid of heights, it is a lie to say my husband and I “missed” or had any regrets about skipping the Edge Observation deck. However – many teens would love the adventure of visiting this outdoor observation deck. You can book tickets ahead and if you can stomach it, will experience one of the best views of the city as this is the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere.
The Oculus
Located at the World Trade Centre, this stunning architecture was designed as a lasting reminder of the September 11th attacks. The Oculus is a show-stopping visual experience that also offers stores and restaurants.
Central Park Zoo
I was outvoted when it came to visiting the Zoo! We had so much to fit in, that this didn’t make the list – but it’s definitely making the cut on my next visit. I think I can sway the family if I assure them it’s in close proximity to Serendipity.
2. The trip to New York was so easy to plan, our time there was just pure fun
For all the things I love about New York City – and there are a lot – I had thought planning the trip to NYC would be daunting. While there is a lot to do and see, as big and sophisticated as it is, the city is also made for tourists and families. That said, there are a few things I felt made our trip to New York even more enjoyable.
Pro tip: Plan an itinerary for the trip
I know I am type A, and my husband laughed at my Excel Spreadsheet itinerary for New York, but without it, we would have been lost.
To make the most out of your trip it is a good idea to do some planning ahead. That will help you take in more – avoid times when traffic is heavy or the subway is packed. If you take a walking tour, you’ll be happier and more efficient, if you’ve noted where it will end so you can figure out what you can easily do close by. Also, New York is very walkable – in sections. If you plan to be on the Upper East Side for the day, you’ll want to make the most of that area of the city. Make sure you plan out things to do in that area rather than trying to get from the top to the bottom of Manhattan in one day.
Pro tip: Book your Accommodations early
For many getting to New York is not the expensive part of the trip – staying in New York is. New York City has basically put an end to Airbnb’s and hotels are not cheap. Plus, during busy times of the year, hotel rooms fill fast. When deciding where to stay, I found it best to map out our trip first. That helped me to determine where we should stay.
Although we barely saw our hotel room, with teens we needed to have privacy when we were there. I also wanted to be in a spot that was fairly central or close to a Subway. If you are driving, make sure to check your hotel has parking. You’ll also want to factor in the cost of parking for the duration of your stay.
Pro tip: Book advance tickets to the attractions you must see
At some times of the year New York tourism is busy as all get out. If you want to go on high-traffic or free tours you’re best to book ahead to avoid disappointment. To climb Statue of LIberty crown you will absolutely want to book your tickets ahead of time.
Pro tip: Decide how you will get around the city
The beauty of New York is that it is a very walkable city. We did use a few Ubers – and even those were reasonable, but for the most part, we walked the city. About 20,000 steps a day at least! If walking isn’t possible for you be sure to consider how you will get around. I never drive to NYC, I don’t want to deal with traffic jams. Those are no fun when we’re at home, I certainly didn’t want to encounter it on vacation. The city has an extensive transit system. With subway stations close to every major attraction it is one of the best ways to experience the city. As well, taxis and car services abound. All you have to do is choose what works for you and your budget and then make sure you know how to access it.
So, what’s the number one reason to take a family trip to NYC with teens?
1. It’s Freaking New York City!
Not to state the obvious, but if you’re still second-guessing whether your teens will love New York, I have to remind you that this is New York!
There is a reason New York is just the place for all things and all experiences. It is home to all things fashion, food, fun, pop culture, movies and more. The city that never sleeps will not disappoint. After our family’s first time in the city, we knew it wouldn’t be our last visit.
New York is a great city to explore as a family. From art museums and iconic shows to shopping and historic landmarks, the city showed our family a great time. New York City brought out the curiosity in my big kids. My teens are already imagining what they will do when we visit again.
The Big Apple offers an unforgettable adventure for families
So, there you have it – ten solid reasons why New York City makes a great destination for a family trip with teens. From the jaw-dropping sights of Times Square to the mouth-watering food scene and the endless array of cultural experiences, the Big Apple has it all.
Whether you’re exploring its iconic landmarks, delving into its rich history, or simply soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of its bustling streets, New York City offers an unforgettable adventure for families of all ages.
So, pack your bags, gather your teens, and get ready for an epic journey filled with memories that will last a lifetime in the city that never sleeps!
