When bringing your teenagers to the city, it can be confusing trying to figure out what they would like to do. Things like museums and parks might not seem especially interesting to your teen, but New York City’s famous tourist attractions are much more than meets the eye. With the ideas in this article, both you and your teen will have fun in New York City. Come up with a plan, grab a map of Manhattan, and get exploring!

  • Visit Museums

Although the first word that comes to mind when thinking of museums might be “boring”, the museums in New York City might not be the museums that you are used to seeing, such as the Museum of Food, The Museum of the Moving Image, Museum of Illusions, and SPYSCAPE. These museums are highly rated, and most of all, fun. For more left-brained teens, there are many arts, mathematics, history, and science museums to choose from, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art (also known as MoMA), and The American Museum of Natural History. Another educational must-see for children and teens alike is the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, an unforgettable visit. 

  • Bronx Zoo

Perhaps the most famous zoo in New York, spanning over 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo is a great place to take the whole family. As a large zoo with many exhibits, experiences, events, and food options, it’s hard to get bored there. Along with the many animals that there are to see, there are many interactive exhibits, which are fun for children, teens, and adults alike. However, there are multiple zoos and aquariums scattered around New York City such as the Central Park Wildlife Center, the New York Aquarium, Queens Wildlife Center, and the Staten Island Zoo, so you will be able to see a variety of different species as well as visit the places that are most convenient for you. 

  • Central Park

Central Park is a great place to take both teens and children since it is such a flexible park. Measuring 843 acres and about 2 and a half miles wide, there are many different things to do there, such as tuning in to music performances, playing sports such as tennis and volleyball, walking around the gardens, taking a jog around the reservoir, and much more. The best part is that it’s an escape from the concrete jungle of New York City – You still get to enjoy the amazing scenery of all of the buildings, but your teen will appreciate being able to get some fresh air. 

  • Empire State Building

At an amazing 102 stories high and 1,250 feet tall (1,454 feet if you’re counting the tip), the Empire State Building is a popular attraction when visiting New York City, and when visiting, it’s sure to be one of the first buildings to catch your eye. Fun fact – when the Empire State Building opened during the Great Depression in 1931, it was the tallest skyscraper in the world at the time! Your teen will love sightseeing from the top of the tower, as there are observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors.