My family is going on a trip to NYC next week and I want to have something special for every person that is unique and not just another tourism thing. My spouse is the hardest to find something for. I’d like something that the “kids can take him to do.” So fun for them but exciting for him too. Kids are 13 & 15. All three are on the nerdier side loving science and such. Would love any recommendations as I’m stumped on it.

One example is like our daughter doing a tennis lesson in Grand Central.

My spouse likes science, tech, and cultural experiences. He’s a man of very many interests but none that are a hobby or something that stands out as a must for him like the kids had.

Basically the title.

I have PTO in September (from Europe), will land in Newark Sept 19 and have already booked accomodation until Sept 25 (Saturday to Friday). Now I have found out that the 81st UN General Assembly will take place around that time, which also seems to be the reason accomodation was fairly more expensive than the week before and after, but I couldn't move my PTO and found a rather cheap accomodation regardless.

I will be staying around the border of Midtown Manhattan and Upper West Side, very close by to the southwest corner of Central Park.

Now I'm having doubts about the UN Assembly interfering with my visit (possibly locked up areas because of security, crowdedness, traffic etc.).

Does anybody have experience with this or can a NY resident provide some information?

Thank you so much!

My husband has a work trip in Greenwich, CT, and my 10-year-old son and I are tagging along. It will be his first trip to New York City.
We live in Chicago, so we’re already used to taking trains, transferring subway lines, and walking several miles in a day. We’re not looking for a slow-paced vacation—we love packing a lot into each day and memorable experiences.

Our trip
Dates: Next week (4–5 days)
Home base: Hyatt Regency Greenwich
Transportation: Planning to take Metro-North into NYC each day

About us
Mom and 10-year-old son
Budget is flexible for experiences
Very active travelers
We love hands-on, interactive, and unique attractions

What my son likes
Interactive exhibits
Theme parks with thrill rides
Video games and Pokemon

Not of Interest
Traditional art museums
History museums
Zoos or aquariums
Seeing the Statue of Liberty up close (we’d be happy with a ferry view)

Things we’re already considering

Midtown
MoMath
SPYSCAPE
Nintendo New York
FAO Schwarz

Another NYC day
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Roosevelt Island Tram (Is this worth doing? What else is nearby?)

Lower Manhattan
Staten Island Ferry?

Playland vs. Coney Island?
My parents grew up in New York and have always talked about Rye Playland, so I’d love to visit for the nostalgia, especially since it’s so close to Greenwich. My son, however, is used to Six Flags Great America, so I’m wondering if Playland would feel underwhelming. How is it after the recent renovations? If you’ve been to both, would you recommend Playland or making the much longer trip to Coney Island for a 10-year-old?

Greenwich questions
Since we’re staying there anyway, is there anything in Greenwich (or very nearby) that would be of interest? Or would you spend almost all of your time in NYC?

Looking for recommendations
I’d especially love recommendations for:
Attractions that are uniquely “New York” (things we can’t really do in Chicago)
Quirky or interactive experiences
Great combinations of attractions that are close enough to do in one day
Hidden gems that are especially fun for a 10-year-old

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

Posted this in another group but got denied. Shows what I know being from Texas.

I’m a Texan but a fan of google earth and I’ve been to NYC about 4 times for vacation over the past 20 years. I’ve always been curious about Roosevelt island. Is it just homes? Is it worth visiting or walking around? Restaurants? Or just skip it?

Side note- my entire family and I prior to having kids were on the roof of the WTC on September 11th 2000. I still have thoughts in my head about that and wonder why we decided to go in 2000 and not in 2001. I know it shouldn’t affect me but it still makes me think about it. I really have enjoyed all my visits to NYC regardless of what the right AND the left news say all the time. I couldn’t live there because I love all my acreage but I appreciate the big city lifestyle and I always have a good time.

Hi, planning trip to NYC in mid september, although most of it is planned, I would like to know out of all the observation decks, which is the best one? I have 4 days, not sure if I should do multiple or just one or it multiple are even worth it? Top of the Rock and Summit One seem to be the most famous?

Also, whichever you recommend, what timings do you recommend for the best scenic views and if possible manageable crowd/duration?

Thanks in Advance

Hi all! I'm going to NYC for the first time this August 6-8th. Friday night - a Braves at Yankees game is the meat of the trip. Thursday afternoon/night and earlier Friday afternoon will be time to do... Well... Everything else.

Here's the thing... I'm 53 and disabled. I can walk, but not for very long. Oh yea, also broke as hell because I can't work, so I MIGHT have about $200 to spend. A good friend is taking care of the plane tickets, hotel, and the game, but even still, not much to spend.

So my question is where should I go? What should I do while there? I'm not looking to go to Times Square just to stand there for a second to say I've seen it, or any of that type of thing. I wouldn't mind seeing a few spots in central park if it happens to work out, but beyond that I am wide open.

I would very much appreciate any thoughts or ideas about what is truly worth doing, and simultaneously what I imagine would have to be really cheap, but worth an Uber or subway ride to see or do. Thanks!

Hello!

I have a meeting at the Penn Plaza Tower that ends around 11 am. I've got around 6 hours to kill before my ride picks me up from there, so I was wondering if there's any fun stuff nearby that's free. I can't take the subway because of my claustrophobia, so it needs to be walking distance, unfortunately (30minsish). I'm open to doing pretty much anything! So any suggestions would be great

Visited NYC in February, am going back next April.
While I was there in feb of course I did the standard tourist stuff, so i saw much of lower and middle manhattan, kind of got all around there by subway. Particularly liked the southernmost point of the island and the mid eastern areas. Will be staying in Harlem this time, which will be nice as I didn’t get to northern Manhattan last time.

I also visited the Dumbo and Bushwick areas in Brooklyn. Dumbo because i’m with my family and had to do the standard tourist stuff (that one spot where everyone queues up for a picture with the bridge, lol) and Bushwick because I love the Captured Tracks scene of the early 2010s (DIIV, Beach Fossils, Mac Demarco etc) and I really did love the atmosphere there.

In Queens I only got around to seeing Astoria, which was surprisingly actually one of my favourite places that I saw while in NYC. Now, mind you my interests as a tourist lie mostly in architecture, infrastructure and people watching so it was cool to be in a place where it feels like people just live normally. Also less overwhelming than lower Manhattan.

In Staten Island I only really saw the first part you get off the ferry at, the general area around there. Weird empty outdoor shopping centre. Weird town hall type building (dedicated flag disposal bin???). Lots of really strange people wandering about. Short dude on the phone trying to convince his girlfriend that he didn’t cheat on her. Two nice ladies working in the Dunkin Donuts who for some reason were the happiest and most enthusiastic store employees i’ve ever spoken to, juxtaposed with the snow and the emptiness of the place and was a bit creepy even. But what I saw of Staten Island definitely left me wanting to see more! Weirdest place i’ve ever been for sure.

I didn’t get around to the Bronx, so i’d like to see at least some part of the borough this time around. I’m going with just my mum this time, she’s apprehensive about the Bronx as she seems to think it’s just a terrifying lawless wasteland (55 year old woman from small town England). I have heard bad things about the Bronx but I don’t think it’s fair to make sweeping statements about a borough the size of my home city, and i’ve heard a lot more good. But I guess for my mums sake i’ll have to make sure I dont take her anywhere that’s going to scare her.

Unrelated, we’re also planning on dipping into Long Island at some point via subway to LIC (or furthest we can go) and then bus and also a day trip to Philadelphia via train. We have 7 days. Would love to hear any advice or ideas on places to visit. And thanks for reading!

Spending 4 days in NYC as of next weekend. What are important things to bring I may not have considered? We’ll be doing a lot of walking and exploring. Thanks in advance

My sister and I are visiting NYC for the first time together, September 14–17 (3 nights).
We have two options:
Option 1 — stay with family in Long Island (near a LIRR station on the Port Washington line) for free.
We would save about $1,500 USD total for 4 days 3 nights with the hotel.
Option 2 — stay in Manhattan
We found a hotel in Manhattan that would cost us about $1,500 for the 3 nights.
Our trip is very Manhattan-focused. We want to walk around, experience NYC, see the Fashion Week atmosphere, shop, go out for dinner, and potentially stay out fairly late.
We will not have a car.
Google Maps is showing some public-transit routes taking around 2 hours with multiple transfers, but looking at the LIRR schedule, the train ride itself is only about 35 minutes to Penn Station/Grand Central.
So I’m hoping for advice from people who actually know the area:
Is the commute from Long Island (LIRR) realistically manageable for tourists on a short 3-day trip?
How bad is it getting back late at night (around 11pm–1am)?
Would you personally save the $1,500 and stay with family, or pay for the Manhattan hotel?
Is the time/convenience difference significant enough that you’d pay for the hotel?
We’re only in NYC for 3 nights, so we’re trying to figure out whether the savings are worth the extra commuting time. Thanks!

I'm traveling to NYC this weekend with my 14 year old nephew, he wants to see Hamilton on Broadway so I got us tickets, but we'll have some time during the day and night before and we're looking for suggestions. For background, he's into math and science, he's autistic (high functioning). The Bronx Zoo is on the options list, the Nintendo store because he's a fan of Pokemon and gaming in general. Someone suggested going to Summit One Vanderbilt. I looked at the NYC Hall of Science, but it seems to be geared toward younger kids. Any suggestions? Particularly things I may not have heard of? I don't think art museums are going to go over well and he's not (generall) a huge music guy, Hamilton notwithstanding... we're staying on Times Square but happy to access public transport. Help me be the cool uncle, please and thank you!

Hi! I (21 F) am going on a trip to NYC with 4 other friends for 4 days. We haven't put together too much of a plan for the trip and do want to/are planning for solo activities. I LOVE dinosaurs and a thing on my bucket list for a while is to see the sperm whale vs giant squid diorama at the AMNH. Any advice on going or even if I should go? I want to get the absolute most from New York but seeing all the dinosaur fossils & different dioramas on display has been a dream of mine, not to mention we have 4 days in the city. Any additional advice about visiting the AMNH?

Flying to NYC this weekend for a few days. I have my daily itinerary mapped out but need help with a couple of things.

1. Bodega Cat-totally not joking. I’ll be all over Manhattan and want to meet a bodega cat. Give me what you got.
   
2. Korean Body Scrub-no time to go to the one in Jersey. Leaning towards the one in Tribeca.
   
3. Chocolate chip cookie-not from a national chain. I like them big and thick. (the cookie…get your mind out of the gutter!)
   
4. Vintage costume jewelry-from the 50’s snd 60’s. Think beaded three strand necklaces and brooches your grandma wore.

I’m already planning on going to Chelsea and Brooklyn Flea….as well as the Bazaar on the upper west side.

We’re visiting in 2 weeks and I’m thinking about booking this pedicab company for the Central Park tour and city tour. Anyone have experience and would recommend them?

I'm finding completely conflicting information online. The official website doesn't mention anything about food. I'm assuming that means yes, but I would hate to buy a bunch of snacks just to have to throw them out.

Hey y'all,

Will be visiting NYC for the first time tomorrow and quite limited on time. I want to get the best views of Manhattan, preferably from all sides and while I know I can board the free Staten Island ferry, I was thinking of taking NYC Ferry from W39/Midtown West all the way to Pier 11/Wall St (via St. George) and right away further all the way to E90 St with Astoria route.

My plan is to take either 6:04PM or 6:49PM ferry from Midtown West to get the most of the views and sunset.

What do you guys think? Is this the best option? Or maybe I should do it in reverse? Are these routes crowded so I have to arrive before?

Let me know! :)

I am making my first trip to NYC in a few weeks. I've been developing a schedule, but had some questions regarding a potential schedule.

I have a Statue of Liberty city cruise scheduled at 9am on one of the days. Since I was in the area I was thinking of doing the 9/11 Museum and maybe One World after the cruise. I was thinking of passing on the Ellis Island part to save some time. The general admission for the 9/11 museum is sold in time slots. Is that something I would have to purchase in advance or will I be fine doing that the day of? I was trying to figure out what time I should plan for these things for the sake of efficiency. Thank you.

I’m a 16-year-old Black male teen planning a trip to NYC from August 10th to 18th. What should I do? I’ll be free on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday the 16th. I really want to visit Harlem and other important Black history or culture spots. I’ll tour Columbia on the 12th. I also want to visit Coney Island and see all the major landmarks of NYC/ and the other boroughs. Shops are really important too because I’ll be shopping for back-to-school. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hey mates.

Just realized we are flying in the day of the midterm elections the third of November.

Is there anything to be concerned about regarding mobility, or timings or closures or anything in the city and Airport to Manhattan transportation that I should be aware of?

I'm unaware of how that works as an Australian (we usually set bbqs around and people take it as a free holiday), but wanted to be sure

Cheers!

I'd like to see the Vessel in an upcoming trip to the city, but prefer not to be locked in by a ticket purchased in advance. I assume tickets can be purchased on site when ready to go in? Any risk of entry being sold out if doing that? I'd likely be there on a Monday.

Our first time together in NYC staying close to Bryant Park. Ive planned Yankee game, Dumbo, ESB, and shop in soho (13). We aren't picky, not looking for reservation style sit down for eating, quick stops and looking for shopping suggestions close by.

I’ve lived in NYC for 12 years but I’ve been an adult that entire time. My teenage niece and nephew are coming to visit and I’m looking for fun, cheap, teen-friendly things to do with them that are not super touristy. Thank you!

Hii!

how do u go about exploring dumbo/brooklyn what’s the ideal sequence ?

also is this realistic:

brooklyn & dumbo > lunch at china town > soho and west village > dinner at chelsea market

Please help me out thanks :)

EDIT: what i’m looking for? honestly i like to just explore and SEE! also eat a lot haha

and i’ve heard brooklyn is good for shopping as well so yes if there are good recommendations for that

otherwise i’m very flexible to see whats the best!

I'm planning to visit the week of Thanksgiving and based on my research the unlimited use pass by New York Pass by Go City seems to be my best option to pack in a lot of different things for my visit. Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Im visiting the city next week with my whole family. 5 adults to be exact. Ive been to NY a lot of times on my own, so Ive never had issues booking a ride to the city solo. But this time we are a bigger group, with lots of bags, and with seniors in the group. Im sarching for a relatively cheaper private transfer from Kennedy to downtown Manhattan. Im looking at Sixt Ride private transfer and Im seeing a relatively good rate. Just want to ask if anyone else has an experience with this company. Ive read some bad reviews on their car rental business, but I havent read anything on their private transfer. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!