Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Must reserve in advance for tenement museum and for ground zero.
And Max Brenner.
Instead of Dylan's Candy, go to Economy Candy near the tenement museum. Way cooler and real.

Yes, PP, yes - Economy Candy is the best!

+1 for economy- stop by katz's for a sandwhich.

Unsolicited suggestion: Have you thought about doing Top of the Rock instead of the ESB? The wait is shorter (we waited no time at all when we went to Top of the Rock; we spent 2.5 hours in line at the ESB) and you can see the ESB, which of course you cannot see from the ESB itself.

My daughter and I enjoyed staying at the hilton Times Square. It was in the heart of Times Square yet quiet and peaceful. We were able to walk to our show(Matilda). Also it was two doors down from wax museum which is vert touristy but my daughter loved it.

Highlights from my recent weekend in NYC with two kids, 11 and 15:

Take a Subway into Brooklyn, explore the Dumbo neighborhood, then walk the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.

Take a couple of tours with http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/new-york-tours/

MOMA is free for kids and much better than we expected (we don't even like modern art!)

As for shows, I very reluctantly bought Cinderella tickets with my 11 and 14 year olds and we all came out very pleasantly surprised. Not the usual storyline and very witty.

Anonymous wrote:Must reserve in advance for tenement museum and for ground zero.
And Max Brenner.
Instead of Dylan's Candy, go to Economy Candy near the tenement museum. Way cooler and real.

Yes, PP, yes - Economy Candy is the best!

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island -- we just to the subway to Battery Park and back it was easy as pie. It is airport level security so you need to be prepared for the security line.

Dylan's Candy Bar, FAO Schwartz, Sarabeth's for brunch -- they are all within a few blocks of one another

The Metropolitan Museum of Art -- something for everyone

Broadway Show and Times Square -- Of the 3 shows you mentioned, I have seen The Lion King and I think it is for kids younger than your daughter. My friends highly recommended Wicked for my 11 year old. There has been a Harry Potter show playing the last couple times we have been there, but we have never been able to work it in.

The original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park -- the lines are long, but it is kind of cool to see where the magic began.

The 9/11 Memorial was a very emotional experience for my husband and me. I wish we had not taken our daughter.

Some place fun for dessert -- Serendipity is talked about a lot in this thread, but Momofuku Milk Bar is another fun place to get dessert and they have an upstairs lounge where you can hang out and eat.

Does she like Top Chef or Iron Chef or celebrity chefs in general? Pick one and make reservations at their restaurant.

Chelsea Piers

I know you said shopping isn't her thing, but Uniqlo is a fun place to go shop and there is not a location in DC. It isn't a girly girl shopping experience at all.

A fun place for an afternoon snack or lunch is Alice's Tea Cup - there are several locations, but we like the one on the Upper West Side (I think it's 73rd & Columbus)

Wicked or Matilda are fantastic; my 10yo DD loved them both. Top of the Rock is fun & quick. My kids (10 and 7) begged to go on a double decker bus when they saw them so maybe your kids would like that (we didn't but I will next time)? Some of the Discovery shows are good if you are in Times Sq anyways (the Art of the Brick was great last summer, not sure if it is still there) plus Body: Pulse was cool but not for everyone. I don't think my kid would like the Highline; I liked walking it myself but didn't go with my kids. Have also heard great things about Tenement Museum. My kids ADORE Dylan's Candy Bar. If Museum of Natl History, know that cost is only suggested so pay in person at a ticket booth (something minimal) & don't pay at the computerized kiosks. Way cheaper. Ocean Hall is great.

I always liked the Museum of Natural History as a kid, and the Eygpt area at the Met. I also liked MoMA, but I'm not sure more kids are into modern art.

We always had tea in the Plaza, (make sure to read Eloise!), went to FAO Schwartz, saw a Broadway show, wandered in Central Park (like the zoo as well if they still have the Polar Bears as I'd never seen them elsewhere) and then got dressed up and ate at some schmancy restaurant in the early seating.

The carriage horses are treated miserably, and it won't make her happy. Staten Island Ferry (beats the Statue of Liberty by miles), Wicked, Trapeze School, SoHo/Village, Serendipity. Take the subway with her at least once or twice.

There's a tour boat that goes around the island and gives you good views of the skyline, Statue of Liberty, etc.

Magnolia Bakery for Cupcakes
Top of the Empire State Buolding
Carriage ride thru Central Park

Wicked.

You can take the Staten Island ferry to get a good view of the statue of liberty. it's free and you don't even have to get off the boat.