Five Hacks to Visiting NYC with Tweens and Teens

Got teens?  Whether this is your first trip to NYC  with teens or you already feel like a pro, there is something in this city for everyone. We have so many favorites, we could go on forever, but here are 5 hacks to visiting NYC with teens to get you started.

Transportation

Start the week off by buying an unlimited Metro Card for you and your entourage to commute on the subway at will.  Metro Cards can be purchased underground at any kiosk.  Unlike other cities, it is very difficult to buy a Metro Card above ground.  Unlimited cards allow 7 days of unlimited travel to any location in the 5 boroughs no matter how many times you transfer.  It is worth the expense if you will be in NYC for 4 days or more and will use the subway at least 2 times per day.   

An unlimited card works to mentally open your families mind to new experiences without limitation.  Does your teen want to go to the village and you want to go to a museum uptown?  Go to both!  Whether you are an NYC resident or a learning visitor, handing over the navigation to your teen is a good way to get engage them.  Give them the subway map and let them figure it out.  This is how we taught our tweens to get around NYC.  Bonus points can be rewarded for figuring out how to find their way around when there is unexpected construction. Points can be tallied and pre-determined point thresholds can be used as rewards.  

While our tweens were learning their way around the city, we would choose a few destinations that require at least one transfer and have them take us there.  We would try to end up in a place that will be fun for everyone to spend some time.  One of our favorites is Union Square.  There are so many fun things to do for teens there. We love Chocolate by the Bald Man  as a reward!  What could be better than a slice of chocolate pizza?  

Scavenger Hunts

If you have ever read my blog before, you already know I am a huge fan of family scavenger hunts for activities with teens.  A bored teen can’t deny the engaging competition of a good scavenger hunt.  I’ve lived in NYC more than 2 decades and we still learn new things about NY each time we do one.  A Saturday afternoon exploring a new neighborhood as a family is a treat everyone can get behind. Even better on a weekday to avoid other tourists.  

There are so many options available.  For example, try Watson Adventures or Pogo Events for family hunts. In many cases, you choose your neighborhood.   Also, all tours are walkable – no more than a mile or two.  You can also try geocaching if you want something less structured.  If you already live in NYC, its a great opportunity to explore and learn something about a neighborhood you don’t frequent much. Your teen may actually even stay off of TikTok for the duration of the experience.  Money well spent.

A Search for the Best Cupcakes

There are so many great cupcake choices in NYC, how can you and your teens possibly pick just one?  You don’t have to! Spend an afternoon with our downtown cupcake tour below or create your own.  We love all cupcakes but there are many downtown so we’ve created a list of those shops that make geographic sense to visit all in one afternoon.  

The tour begins in Tribeca where you can taste test 3 great cupcake shops within a few blocks of one another.  First, take the red or blue line to Chambers St. and start at  Duane Park Patisserie at 179 Duane St.(we also love the Ring Ding Bar here!).  Then walk to Baked TriBeCa at 279 Church St, followed by Billy’s bakery at 75 Franklin St.  and All three are great choices and just a few blocks from one another.  

Right outside of Baked, you can hop on the A/C train at Canal st and take it to west 4th street in Greenwich Village.  Exit at the south end of the train (4th street side), and make your way to Molly’s cupcakes at Bleecker & 6th.  Back out on 7th ave,  walk north toward Bleecker St Playground for the famous Magnolia Bakery(401 Bleecker at W. 11th st).  No need for a meal after this tour.  Maybe head back home for a nap!

A day in Chelsea/ Hudson Yards 

We love Chelsea market for a fun NYC experience for parents and teens.  You will find some unique boutique shops including Posman Books and Chelsea Market Baskets.  You and your teen are bound to find a few treasures at  the Artists and Fleas market  located at the western end.   There are also some great food options including The Lobster Place and Buon Italia, and the Doughnuttery. 

Afterwards, wander the cobblestone streets of Chelsea dodging model photo shoots. Here your teen can really appreciate that they are in NYC.  Bonus:  While you are there you can convince your teen to pop into the innovatively designed Whitney to get your art on.  If art isn’t their thing, they can snap some cool instagram pics of NYC streets on the outdoor patios located on every floor. 

Next up – an afternoon stroll along NYC’s elevated park, the Highline. You can enter at 14th Street, just outside the Whitney.  Tip: make sure it’s a weekday – weekends are horrendously crowded!  Watching the NYC traffic at the 10th Ave overlook (near 16th st), is a great photo op.  Stay on the Highline and head towards NYC’s hottest new neighborhood – Hudson Yards.

This 28 acre real estate development was built over the railroad storage yards and opened in late 2018.  It consists of an upscale mall, a hotel, offices, apartments, an arts center, an observation deck, and the Vessel.  My favorite activities with teens at Hudson Yards includes a meal at the amazing new Mercado Little Spain in Hudson Yards where everyone can choose their own fare.  For the daring teen, try a trip to observation deck aptly named The Edge.  Also, everyone will enjoy a climb to the top of the Vessel. 

End your evening with your teen cultivating a little family competition at the nearby Spin.  A Ping Pong Social Club on 23rd st, Spin is perfect for a little family ping pong competition.  This will cap off a day of fun teen activities all within a 20 block radius.  

A Museum tour

Did you know that most museums in NYC are Pay What You Wish?  Yup!  In such an expensive city, museums are a chance to soak up some culture at a greatly reduced price.  Many special exhibits require an additional price, but if you are doing the Museum 101 tour, take advantage of those free tix.

My younger teens always enjoyed a visit to the Guggenheim because the circular structure of the building is so fun to explore.  The Museum of Natural History is an obvious choice and is sure to please the whole family.  My older teens go there frequently for afternoons with their friends.  We’ve spent many an afternoon at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.  They always have some fun and interactive exhibits.  The list of NYC museums is endless and doesn’t always have to be art focused.  Do a little research and you are sure to find a way to add a little culture to their lives!