This list of the best things to do in New York City with teens was written by Alejandro Beltran, a NYC local and co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
Visiting New York City with teens is always a good idea. The city has a way of inspiring young minds to dream big and explore. I hosted my two teenage siblings last summer, and seeing them get wide-eyed at the marvels of the Big Apple was rewarding to say the least.
In this guide I’ll tell you all about the best things to do in New York City with teenagers, while peppering in a few tips and tricks to keep everyone entertained. Why don’t we dive right in?
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Fun Things to Do in New York City with Teens
Table of Contents: Activities in New York City for Teenagers
Table of Contents: Unique Things to Do in NYC with Teens
- Fun Things to Do in New York City with Teens
- Visit an Observation Deck
- Enjoy a Broadway Show
- Explore Little Island
- Go Vintage Shopping
- Sign up for a Television Taping
- Explore a Museum
- Attend a sporting event
- Snap Some Pics at Instagrammable Cafes
- Visit Your Teen’s Favorite Pop Culture Landmarks
- Explore the Nintendo Store
- Experience Times Square at Night
- Sip on Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
- Get Matching (Permanent) Souvenir Bracelets at Catbird
- Things to Do with Teens in New York City (Post Summary)
- Best Activities in New York City for Teenagers (Map)
- More Helpful Links
Visit an Observation Deck
It’s impossible not to be giddy while soaring 1,000+ feet up in the air, so one of the top things to do in New York City with teenagers is to take them to an observation deck. There are five observation decks to choose from, all of which will provide an unforgettable memory of NYC for you and your teens.
The one I recommend most is the Top of the Rock, but you can’t go wrong with any of the five. If you’d rather not spend money on an observation deck there’s also a plethora of free viewpoints in NYC.
Enjoy a Broadway Show
Broadway theater provide top-notch entertainment with high-quality performances, diverse productions, and iconic venues. The shows offer a unique and educational experience, exposing teens to the world of theater. Whether it’s a musical, drama, or comedy, there’s something for every interest.
And you should *especially* prioritize a Broadway while in New York City if your teen is thinking about joining theater in high-school. Theater can be a lifestyle, and to thespians Broadway is their Super Bowl. The best Broadway shows to watch in NYC with teens include Harry Potter, & Juliet and Hamilton.
Bonus: Museum of Broadway
If attending a Broadway musical isn’t in the cards I suggest the Museum of Broadway as an alternative.
Tickets are (significantly) less expensive than Broadway shows and theater-loving teens will love taking a peek behind the curtain. Plus you can breeze through it in as little as an hour, freeing up time to see more landmarks and attractions while exploring New York City with your teenagers.
Explore Little Island
Now there are a lot of great parks in New York City, and more than one deserve a shout-out. Having said that, Little Island is the one I recommend visiting most while exploring New York City with teens. It’s a redesigned pier that sits over the Hudson River on bulbous, cement pillars.
Visiting this small New York City park is free and quick, and rest assured teens will love it. Take the short hike up to the viewpoint where you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of Manhattan. When you’re done climb back down and enjoy a bite at one of the seasonal food trucks.
Go Vintage Shopping
New York City’s diverse neighborhoods offer a treasure trove of vintage finds, trendy pieces, and eclectic fashion that can make thrift shopping with your teen a blast.
Teens can embrace their individuality, discover hidden gems, and create personalized looks while navigating the diverse array of thrift stores in NYC. It’s a budget-friendly adventure that combines fashion, self-expression, and the thrill of finding one-of-a-kind items in the fashion capital of the world.
I could never mention them all, but some of the best vintage stores to visit while exploring New York City with teens include Awoke Vintage, Buffalo Exchange, L Train Vintage, and Mr. Throwback.
Sign up for a Television Taping
The Big Apple is the mecca of late-night television, and a lot of the shows need live audiences. My favorite show to get tickets for is The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. His guests are the biggest pop-stars and celebrities, all but guaranteeing to leave your teenager star-struck.
As part of the audience all you have to do is clap when your told, which is easy enough. Between commercial breaks Fallon walks around the audience, and the live band keeps energy sky-high. Tickets are usually free, you just need to apply in advance, join a wait-list, and pray you have some luck. I know it might seem like a long shot, but I’ve gotten into about half of the tapings I’ve applied for.
Good to know: Your teens need to be 16 or older to attend a live taping in New York City.
Explore a Museum
Teens are impressionable and curious, so while visiting New York City you should make the time to squeeze in at least one museum. The caveat here is that there isn’t a “one size fits all.” Some websites will try to convince you that there is an all-encompassing museum in NYC that all teens will love, but I disagree. You know your kid best, so pick a museum that caters to their interests.
Here’s what are the museums I recommend visiting while exploring New York City with teens:
- The American Museum of Natural History for science, animals and dinosaurs
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art for momentous art from all over the globe
- The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum for fanatics of engineering, machinery and the military
- The Museum of Ice Cream for an immersive experience full of photo-ops
Attend a sporting event
New York City has professional teams in all five of the major sports leagues. This means that almost regardless of what time of year you visit you can squeeze in a game of some sort. If you’re visiting New York City with teens who love sports it’s an easy way to spend an evening. Most games are accessible via public transport and depending on the sport, tickets won’t break the bank.
The New York City professional sports teams include:
- The New York Yankees (Baseball)
- New York Mets (Baseball)
- The New York Rangers (Hockey)
- New York Jets (Football)
- The New York Giants (Football)
- New York Knicks (Basketball)
- Brooklyn Nets (Basketball)
- New York City FC (Soccer)
- The New York Red Bulls (Soccer)
Snap Some Pics at Instagrammable Cafes
If there’s one thing teenagers love it’s updating their stories on Instagram. Luckily cute coffee shops in New York City are a dime a dozen and still adulty enough to make your teens feel sophisticated.
Cafes like Maman, Felix Roasting Co. and Ralph’s Coffee are easy stops where you can enjoy some much-needed caffeine while your teens enjoy colorful teas or cute cappuccinos (if they’re allowed to drink coffee, of course).
Visit Your Teen’s Favorite Pop Culture Landmarks
New York City is the stomping ground of the rich and famous, and while visiting with your teens it’s fun to take a gander at places they recognize from the big-screen. From iconic movie locations like Times Square to the former homes of famous singers, the city is the heartbeat of the entertainment world.
If you have Swifties you can visit Taylor Swift’s former townhouse in the Greenwich Village. Or, if your teens love Dua Lipa pick up her favorite latte from Ludlow Coffee Supply. If you’re traveling with superhero fans then stop by the Flatiron Building, AKA the Daily Bugle building in the Marvel movies. All this to say, the best things to do in NYC with teens is to take them to places they find interesting.
Explore the Nintendo Store
In the age of screens and video games the Nintendo Store is hallowed ground for teens. You’ll find it at the Rockefeller Center, and visiting is one of the best activities for teens in New York City.
Whether they like Super Mario, Pokemon or Fortnite the store has everything needed to make your gamer giddy. You can walk out hoodies, mugs, toys and even special edition Mario Oreo cookies. And before you ask: yes, they can play video games here. 😉
Here’s a fun fact you can share with your teens: There are only three Nintendo stores in the world. Two are in Japan and the other is in NYC! Talk about exclusive.
Experience Times Square at Night
If I’m being honest Times Square can be a lot to handle. The dense crowds, whiffs of marijuana, and sensory overload can be overwhelming. But for some reason teenagers love it.
Maybe it’s because they’re in the prime “dreamer” age and the bright lights are inspiring. Maybe it’s simply because they love posting the iconic location on their social media pages.
But regardless of the reason, visiting Times Square is one of the best things to do in New York City with teens. My suggestion is to visit after sunset, when the lights are brightest.
Sip on Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3
There’s no shortage of great treats to be had in New York City with teens, and thankfully calories don’t count on vacation, or so I’m told. One of these treats is the frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3. It’s just as sugary as it sounds.
Topped with a mountain of whipped cream the drink will make your teen act like a kid again. Between sips take the time to admire the decor at Serendipity 3, which is colorful and vibrant. The dessert shop will be a highlight of you & your teens trip to New York City, and you’ll take plenty of photos to prove it.
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Embark on a brief, but unforgettable trek with your teens by walking the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. This historic landmark not only offers breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, but also provides a lesson in its own rich history and architectural significance.
The stroll is a healthy and cost-free outdoor activity, ideal for families seeking a blend of exercise and exploration. Capture Instagrammable moments against the city backdrop, and explore the trendy DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn after. It’s a little more than a mile and only takes a hour hour to trek.
Get Matching (Permanent) Souvenir Bracelets at Catbird
One of the best ways to memorialize your trip to New York City with your teens is by picking up matching souvenirs. Although I <3 New York shirts are fun, they might be a little to cheesy for a “cool” teenager. My suggestion is to get matching souvenir bracelets from Catbird.
You get them welded on, so they’re permanent and still cool enough for a teen to show off. Costs vary depending on the bracelet you choose, but you can expect to pay between $150 and $250 each. The price can be steep, but considering these are “forever” bracelets it might be worth it.
Things to Do with Teens in New York City (Post Summary)
- Visit an Observation Deck
- Enjoy a Broadway Show
- Bonus: Museum of Broadway
- Explore Little Island
- Go Vintage Shopping
- Sign up for a Television Taping
- Peruse a Museum
- Experience a Sporting Event
- Snap Some Pics at Instagrammable Cafes
- Visit Your Teen’s Favorite Pop Culture Landmarks
- Explore the Nintendo Store
- Experience Times Square at Night
- Sip on Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
- Get Matching (Permanent) Souvenir Bracelets at Catbird
Frequently Asked Questions: Fun Activities for Teens in NYC
Yes, New York City is teen-friendly, offering a diverse range of activities, attractions, and cultural experiences that cater to the interests of teenagers. The city’s vibrant atmosphere, iconic landmarks, and varied entertainment options make it an exciting destination for teens.
Explore Times Square, catch a Broadway show, or take a stroll along the illuminated Brooklyn Bridge—NYC offers a myriad of exciting nighttime activities for teens.
Teens often find attractions like Times Square, the High Line, Central Park, and the immersive experiences at places like the Museum of Modern Art or the interactive exhibitions at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum most interesting in New York City.
Yes, visiting New York City with teens is generally safe, with the city taking measures to ensure public safety, but it’s advisable to follow common-sense precautions and be aware of surroundings.
Best Activities in New York City for Teenagers (Map)
More Helpful Links
Visiting with the whole family: 15+ EPIC Things to Do in New York City With Kids
Where to stop for dessert: 15 Dessert Spots in New York City to Visit with Kids (Worth the Mess)
Places teens might recognize: 30 ICONIC Movie Locations in New York City (Ranked)
How to impress your teens: 10 New York City Slang Words to Make You Sound Like a Local
Where to take Instagram photos: The 30 Most Instagrammable Places in NYC (Local’s Guide)
And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed this roundup of things to do in New York City with teenagers. Until next time, cheers.
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