My 10 Must-Do Activities with Teens in New York City
Admittedly, I once thought I’d grow up to be Carrie Bradshaw (didn’t we all?). The allure of life in New York City - the lights, the activity, the endless things to do - was irresistible. While life took me to the Midwest, NYC has become one of my favorite places to visit, and now my daughter, Emmy, has fallen for it too. Whether you're traveling with younger kids or older teens, NYC really does have something for everyone!
We just returned from our third trip to the city together, and after a few visits, I’ve picked up a few tips for making the most of your time with teens in NYC. From boat cruises with a tour guide, visiting alllll the iconic attractions, and discovering the best New York pizza, I’m sharing 10 must-do activities sure to make your trip to the Big Apple with teens unforgettable...
Quick selfie from the 86th floor Observatory at the Empire State Building.
10 Things to Do with Teens in New York City:
1. Buy the CityPASS
This is such a genius idea - CityPASS offers admission to key NYC attractions, all for a low per-person price. It provides admission to top attractions, like the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History, all for an affordable price. There are a few different tiered CityPASS options you can select from - we chose the standard CityPASS, which grants admission to the two mentioned above, then you can also choose three additional attractions from a list that includes the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Top of the Rock Observatory. This is by far one of the best bangs for your buck, and allows visitors 9 days to complete all their activities.
2. See a Broadway Show
I mean duh, when in Rome, right? A Broadway show is a must for any NYC trip, especially with older teens like mine who love performing arts. This past trip we indulged in seeing The Great Gatsby (starring one of Emmy's favorite actors from The Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie!), The Outsiders, and Hadestown. Most theaters are directly off Times Square so I highly recommend staying close by as too - it makes for a much shorter commute "home" after the show.
Pro Tip: Download the TodayTix app. I found tickets here to be a bit more affordable than other sites, and the app kept me updated on last-minute openings while I was on the go.
3. Visit a Museum
New York is home to some truly incredible museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side. This past trip we ended up with a couple hours to spare in Midtown Manhattan and decided to pop in to the MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art. A lovely customer service rep advised we spend our limited time on floors 4 and 5 - imagine my shock when we exited the elevator next to Van Gogh's Starry Night masterpiece (who knew?). The MoMA is also home to Andy Warhol's iconic Campbell's Soup cans painting(s) and Monet's Water Lillies.
Pro Tip: Children 16 and under can enter for free, so our visit only cost us the $30 adult ticket.
4. Explore Central Park
You'll hear virtually every tour guide on the planet say more than 200 movies have been filmed in this iconic outdoor oasis, and one look at it explains why: Central Park is a great place to spend the day exploring. From their fabulous Zoo, to the tranquil Bow Bridge (which I promise you'll recognize), to the famed Strawberry Fields monument to John Lennon, there’s no shortage to explore in the heart of the city.
Pro Tip: Book a scooter tour for a guided Park experience. My teen loved this!
5. Marvel at Times Square
You can’t visit NYC without experiencing the energy of Times Square. The bright lights, massive digital screens, and bustling crowds make this a fun place to take in the sights and sounds of the city - our favorite thing to do is grab a hot dog from any of the local street food vendors, plop down at one of the many public table and chair combos available, and people plus billboard watch.
WANT ANOTHER SPOT THAT'S A GREAT TIME FOR PARENTS AND TEENS?
More Things to Do with Teens in New York City…
6. Take a Sightseeing Cruise
This was a new experience for us during this trip: Thanks to our CityPASS, I snagged tickets aboard the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, which departs from Pier 83 for a 90-minute excursion around the island. We loved the different perspective of the city than being on the streets - our captain took us near the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and much more. Best part though: the tour guide with lots of tidbits about NYC history. For all the time we spent walking, this was a welcome break.
7. Walk the High Line
Speaking of walking, we definitely got our steps in - our highest count so far was 21,200! Exploring new neighborhoods was a blast, but nothing compared to the unexpected beauty we found on the High Line. This unique public park is built on a former elevated freight railway. Its 1.45-mile stretch seamlessly blends nature, art, and urban design, provides a really tranquil retreat while staying immersed in the city’s vibrant energy.
8. Visit a Book Store
(I stand by it.) Maybe it’s just my teen and me, but we both love to read and always make time to explore bookstores when we travel. On this trip, we visited five different bookshops, but a few really stood out. First, The Drama Book Shop in the Garment District, co-owned by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is a must-see. It’s a perfect blend of celebrity stories, scripts, sheet music, and acting guides - plus, it has a sweet coffee counter too! Then there’s Strand Book Store, just south of Union Square Park, which boasts 18 miles of books and a rare book collection that’s totally one-of-a-kind.
LOOKING FOR MORE FUN ACTIVITIES?
More Things to Do with Teens in New York City…
9. Try New Foods, and Lots of Them
I love bookmarking Instagram Reels all throughout the year of places to try when we're in town, so we hit up a few including Friend of a Farmer in Union Square for brunch (those chicken and waffles tho!), Very Fresh Noodles in Chelsea Market (like whaaaat was that deliciousness?), and even Culture Espresso's "best chocolate chip cookie in NYC" which it most definitely was. Ofc every night ended with a slice of Little Italy pizza bc IYKYK.
10. Make Time for History
Maybe my teen won't approve this listing as "fun things to do on a family vacation" but I think it's critical - as the US's largest city, NYC offers valuable lessons about American history and immigration. Ellis Island connects visitors with the millions who shaped our country, while the 9/11 Memorial & Museum provides a space for reflection on the tragic events of September 11, 2001. When my teen asked if I remembered that day, it sparked a meaningful conversation on our way back to the subway.
Pro Tip: Both of these activities are also included in the CityPASS!
My teen and I loved our NYC visit so much this last time that we're thinking of making a second trek to the Big Apple this year for the holidays - maybe a Radio City Rockettes show, a chance to see the famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and maybe the store windows at Sak's Fifth Avenue? It sounds like a plan.
