New York with an 11yo ?

[tjmw2727]

I may have a chance to spend a few days in NYC with DD while DH attends a conference

I am going to book some type of theater tickets, take her to AG place and skating at rockefeller center. If it happens it will be the week prior to Christmas. Anyone have any other suggestions for us - restaurants, shows (other than broadway) and such?

We will be doing the "traditional" sightseeing with DH so I am looking for other activities - esp ones DH won't be interested in.

Thanks-

TJ

 

[kristilew]

My dd11 adores going to MOMA. They have some really interesting exhibits, the space itself is beautiful, and they offer a kids' scavenger hunt through the museum.

She also loves to spend time in the gem room at the Museum of Natural History. I don't know if your dh will want to do Ellis Island with you. If not, that is a really fun mother-daughter day, especially if you have her read some stories about it first.

When it's time to blow off some energy, you can't beat Central Park. She loves climbing all over the natural rock formations there, plus finding all the statues.

And of course, the shopping can't be beat. (Saks and a great Benneton Kids are right by AG Place)

I take dd up there at least once a year and we always have fun. I hope you have a great time!

 

[babylisa4]

We did AG and even had dinner there and had the doll sit at the table with us. We saw Mary Poppins and Wicked. I think Disney has some special Broadway deals going on right now. We did the ferris wheel at the Toys R Us. Saw the baby dolls that looked like they were in a newborn nursery at FAO Schwarz. Ate hot dogs and pizza from the street vendors.

I have a friend whose daughter lives there and I know at Christmas all of the store windows go all out with store window displays.

A hint someone told me since we didn't have a lot of time was just to take the Staten Island Ferry(which is free). It passes the Statue of Liberty. Then when it got to the other side we just got off and got right back on and came back. (We saw the LOOOOONG line of people waiting for the Statue of Liberty special boats) but this was quick and served our purpose. (However, we stopped to use the restroom between getting on the other side and we missed the next boat back- they leave right on time-every 30 minutes or so.)

We went to Dylan's candy shop(owned by Ralph Lauren's daughter). Ate "frozen hot chocolate" at Serendipity- something Oprah recommended.
Walked around times square at night. My niece had so much fun and felt so "cool". We road the subway and took cabs. (something she had never done) Went back to AG a second time. New York is just so different from where we live in the suburbs it was really interesting to my niece.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks - all those ideas sound wonderful

How difficult is it to get around, is there a subway map or other type of guide book?

TJ

 

[java]

I have an 11 year old daughter and we love to go into the city. When we spend a weekend these are our top picks

We eat BREAKFAST at Ellen's stardust diner
http://www.ellensstardustdiner.com/
Singing waitstaff and a decent reasonably priced breakfast! And the singing is broadway quality. really great and a highlight of our trips.

She loves diner at Virgil's(train Wreck fries!)

Walk around Bryant Park- they have a GREAT holiday fare going on full of fun only in ny kind of stuff. I am going in this weekend just to go.
http://www.bryantpark.org/
You can also skate there FOR FREE!
And I also prefer Wolmann rink in central Park to Rockefeller Center.

My daughter loves to shop. She loves going into Tiffanys and Sachs. Walking along 5th avenue is fun fun fun.

We go into the central park zoo and visit the polar bears. It is a quick little zoo- nice break from the crazy of the city.

And there is always the village!
Cupcakes at BILLY'S BAKERY 9th avenue and 22nd street
http://www.billysbakerynyc.com/location.html
I think the best cupcakes in the city(others argue Magnolia's are prettier- which they are but I think Billy's TASTE better)
Have fun! There is so much to do. Oh and don't forget World of Disney and ToysRus.There is a ferris wheel inside!

Be prepared if you head into Times Square to maybe see Naked Cowboy or Naked Cowgirl (or Stickers as my dd named her)

Subway map
http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

 

[kristilew]

btw: you can order tix for the statue/ellis island ferry online ahead of time, and specify what time you want to board. We waited less than three minutes, and that was just to clear security.

http://www.libertytickets.us/

 

[marlasmom]

don't miss the christmas show at Rockefeller - a movie and a stage show - although maybe now it's just the show.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I may have a chance to spend a few days in NYC with DD while DH attends a conference

I am going to book some type of theater tickets, take her to AG place and skating at rockefeller center. If it happens it will be the week prior to Christmas. Anyone have any other suggestions for us - restaurants, shows (other than broadway) and such?

We will be doing the "traditional" sightseeing with DH so I am looking for other activities - esp ones DH won't be interested in.

Thanks-

TJ

You have to go to The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center it is amazing & something we do every year.
What about Mary Poppins or Lion King on Broadway? Top of the Rock is beautiful...
Serendipity for a frozen hot chocolate or Max Brenner's for an "all chocolate" meal"!

 

[tjmw2727]

Awesome Ideas - and so many

We are either going to do the Radio City Christmas show or the Lion King - only enough in the budget for one. I am leaning toward the Christmas show as we could see LK another time but it depends on what dd would like best.

Keep them coming - thanks!
TJ

 

[tw1nsmom]

There may be impossibly long lines to skate at Rockefeller Center. If you don't want to wait for that you can also skate at Wohlman Rink in Central Park. It has a great view of the skyline south of the park. I've heard others say that there is free ice skating in Bryant Park behind the Library. I've never been to that rink.

My kids love NYC! Just be prepared for major crowds at the tourist sites during that time of year.

 

[pezheadmeg]

If you're going to ice skate, do Bryant Park over Rockefeller Center. It's cheaper and a lot less crowded.

If you want a really good lunch, go to Burger on 7th between 27th and 26th. They make awesome burgers and you can add just about anything to them. Also, it's right across from the Fashion Museum at FIT, which has free admission. Totally a girl thing to do.

 

[tjmw2727]

Ok - Ice Skating is still in but not at Rockafeller center, tx.

Love the links you guys are awesome, I knew there would be lots of real help here.

TJ

 

[Katy Belle]

Wow! What great suggestions! I'm bookmarking because we will be in New York City the week before Christmas as well! We will have our 3 sons with us, ages 8,11,13.

I friend told me that you need reservations for Serendipity, or be prepared to stand in a very long line. Is that right?

TJ, the New York City Forum on www.tripadvisor.com is a very active forum. I have found loads of information there.

Have a great trip!
Katy

 

[Ohiodislover]

I'll second Ellen's Stardust diner.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I'll second Ellen's Stardust diner.

As the kids say Ellen's is over & old...Max Brenners is the place to be!

 

[tjmw2727]

As the kids say Ellen's is over & old...Max Brenners is the place to be!

LOL, maybe we will do both

Thanks again everyone -

TJ

 

[aprilgail2]

As the kids say Ellen's is over & old...Max Brenners is the place to be!

We love Max Brenners!! Chocolate by the bald man is my daughters very favorite plave to eat!!!
Also I would do top of the rock over empire state building anyday. Central park is a great place to kill a day and also the Museum of Natural History is another of my daughters favorite places, we go at least 3 times a year now.

 

[java]

As the kids say Ellen's is over & old...Max Brenners is the place to be!

I respectfully disagree on Ellen's. It's a great spot- and ALL my kids the 14 year old included love it. And at the holidays they sing Holiday songs and are hilarious.

BUT I have never been to Brenners and will definately try that out next time we go in- like tomorrow!!
(we avoid serendipity's after the board of health closed them down- they cleaned up the place and yes roaches and rats are as ny as yellow cabs- but I can't get past the grossness of it after they played it over and over on the news)

 

[tjmw2727]

Ok so we have tx to the Lion King We will do bryant park including the skating as well as top of the Rock, ellens and maybe max brenners. Lots of shopping and window shopping as well as AG place, TRU and the World of Disney.

Just one more bump because I know there are New Yorkers out here and this board moves so fast.

TX

TJ

 

[can84]

If you're going to Bryant Park, you might want to stop in the Public Library--they used to have the original Tigger & Pooh stuffed animials. Also, Grand Central Station has a cute laser-light show set to Christmas music in the main hall every half hour, and there's a holiday market too. A PP mentioned the Nutcracker--I take my nieces and nephews to see it every year!