13 Things to Do with Teenager in New York City You’ll Love

New York city is one of the famous and bustling cities. From interactive museums, dizzying fun and touring famous shows and TV location shows, you can enjoy quality time as a teenager.

While there are plenty of fun things for teenagers in NYC, it might be little harder to find things to do with teenager in New York city. That’s why we have compiled this guide to help you find out the best things that you can do with teenager. Let’s get started!

13 Things to Do with Teenager in New York City

Thankfully, New York City is one of the best places around the world that is famous for its excursions, tranquility, activities, attractions and award-winning shows.

Here is a list of 13 things that you can do here to enjoy thrilling fun and mark a memorable time:

1. Visit Empire State Building

Empire State Building

If you want enjoy city’s scenic views from above, must visit to Empire State Building as it’s one of the famous landmarks in NYC. This building will allow your teen to see New York City like never before. It is considered as functional office building where you will find exhibitions and observation decks with unbelievable views.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Early in the morning or after 8 p.m.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • Bryant Park
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Central Park

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • miss KOREA BBQ
  • STATE Grill and Bar
  • Royal 35 Steakhouse

2. Explore History at 9/11 Memorial & Museum

9 11 Memorial Museum
© businessinsider.com

While your teens are too young to remember the terrific events of September 11, 2001 attacks on World Trade Center. By visiting 9/11 Memorial & Museum, teenagers can learn more about its ancient history. Also, you can learn about the history of people who lost lives in 1993 bombs and 2001 attacks.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Early in the morning or evening to avoid crowds.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • Oculus
  • FDNY Memorial Wall
  • Trinity Churchyard

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • One World Observatory Restaurant
  • Bill’s Bar & Burger
  • O’Hara’s Restaurant & Pub

3. Go to Coney Island

Coney Island amusement park
© americanlifestylemag.com

An afternoon spent at Coney Island is a must for any teenager who want visit NYC. To enjoy classic rides and thrilling experience, must go to Luna Park on Coney Island to immerse yourself with ultimate fun. Also, teens can remember the old school vibe by playing with slides, boardwalk hot dogs and exploring fun attractions.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Summer time, Memorial Day weekend & Labor Day weekend.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • The Cyclone
  • New York Aquarium
  • St. Petersburg Global Trade House

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Crab House Seafood & Outdoor BBQ
  • Salt & Sizzle
  • Nathan’s Famous

4. NYC Arcades

Arcades in New York city
© barcade.com

New York city is famous for arcades that comes with little friendly competitions. In these NYC arcades, you can enjoy different games like Frogger classic and Pac-Man. Also, there are other newer options for you from blockbuster movies. Other than this, you can play various games like pinball, laser tag and air hockey.

Best Time to Visit:

  • It depends on which arcade you want to visit.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center
  • Wonderville
  • Sunflower Arcade Lounge

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Tick Tock Diner NY
  • The Gutter L.E.S.
  • Barcade

5. Wander Central Park

Wander Central Park

This park is the heart of New York city so without exploring this famous attraction, your NYC tour is incomplete. From ponds, zoo, trails, picnic locations, baseball diamonds, statues and forests, this park has everything that you want for your ultimate fun. To explore this park in stress-free way, you can rent a bike for yourself.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Spring & Fall

Nearby Famous Attractions:

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Jacob’s Pickles
  • Tavern On the Green
  • Central Park Café

6. Fifth Avenue

Fifth Avenue New York
© flickr.com

For shopping enthusiasts, this place is dreaming place. Even if you don’t want to do shopping, still Fifth Avenue is interesting place to explore. The world’s most famous brands have flagship stores here like Apple, Adidas & Nike etc. If you are a tach-savvy and fashion-conscious teenager, do not skip this place while exploring NYC.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Spring, summer & fall.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • Alice in Wonderland Statue
  • The Sheffield’s House
  • Bemelman’s Bar at The Carlyle

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Dos Caminos
  • The Consulate UWS
  • Olio E Più

7. Times Square

Times Square in New York

The NYC tour will be incomplete without taking pictures at Times Square with your teens. If you don’t disturb with massive crowds and loud voices, this place is for you. It’s usually busy and overcrowded in evening, weekends and new year night. If you won’t want to face crowds, you can visit this place early in the morning.

Best Time to Visit:

  • In evening if massive crowds are not any issue for you.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • 47th Digital
  • Palace Theatre
  • George M. Cohan Statue

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Gatsby’s Landing
  • La Masseria NY
  • Lillie’s Victorian Establishment

8. Enjoy Broadway Show

Broadway Show in New York
© jkstheatrescene.com

To see the world’s greatest and famous stage actors live on the stage, must watch Broadway show in NYC. There are dozens of shows playing everyday so you can enjoy anyone of it. Some of the famous shows are Play That Goes Wrong, Blue Man Group, and Radio City Rockettes Christmas that should be on your top list.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Friday & Saturday night

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • Museum of Broadway
  • Carnegie Hall
  • Bronx Zoo

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • La Grande Boucherie
  • Ocean Prime
  • Friedman’s

9. The City Skyline

The City Skyline new york
© https://newyorkyimby.com/

Massiveness and grandeur of the NYC skyline just can’t be appreciated without seeing it in person. Whether you want enjoy views of Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge, each offer immersive and distinctive sightseeing. Also, the view restaurant comes with fine dining experience that rotates so you can see skyline from above in different vintage points.

Best Time to Visit:

  • You can visit anytime.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • NYC Edge Observation Deck
  • Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise
  • SPYSCAPE Museum and Experience

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Royal 35 Steakhouse
  • Michelin Bib Gourmand
  • Little Alley
  • Club A Steakhouse

10. Experience the Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty is one of the famous NYC attractions that should not be missed. It’s not easy to organize but well worth it.

From amazing boat journey to the climbs to the top, this place won’t let you bored especially when exploring for the first time. Other than this, immersive views which will live long in the memory. Incredible!

Best Time to Visit:

  • Tuesday to Thursday during spring or fall.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • One World Observatory
  • Ellis Island National Immigration Museum
  • Staten Island Ferry

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Statue of Liberty Crown Café
  • Liberty House Restaurant
  • RoofTop at Exchange Place

11. Explore Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions
© urbanhotel.si

Museum of Illusions is located in the NYC West village that will surely amaze and confuse with interactive exhibits. Also, it will challenge your sense of sight and balance so we recommend that you should visit this museum. In this museum, you can capture stunning pictures of optical illusions, mirrored infinity room and amazing showpieces.

Best Time to Visit:

  • You can visit all year around

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • Glockenspiel Sound Board
  • Hudson River Park
  • Liberty Mosaic

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • La Nacional
  • ZiZi
  • Pastis

12. Go to SpyScape

SpyScape in New York
© aiany.org

Become a spy for a day at SpyScape. As a teenager, if you have ever wondered what it would be like to be a spy, must visit this place. From dodging lasers, and breaking codes to catching liars, this adventure pulls you into the worlds of secrets. Also, at Spyscape, you can learn about real-world spies and explore famous secrets.

Best Time to Visit:

  • During the mid of the day to avoid crowds.

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • Studio 54
  • Broadway Theatre
  • Hearst Tower

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Angelina Bakery Times Square
  • La Grande Boucherie
  • Pure Thai Cookhouse

13. Walk NYC’s High Line

NYCs High Line
© msn.com

New York City highline is 1.45-mile-long elevated park developed on a former NY central railroad on NYC’s west side. From cool views, lush greenery, and funky art installations to food stands and cool views, this place has something for every teen. There are various access points to get into this line.

Best Time to Visit:

  • Anytime

Nearby Famous Attractions:

  • Chelsea Market
  • Hudson River Park
  • SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

Nearby Famous Restaurants:

  • Cookshop
  • The Standard Grill
  • STK Rooftop

Final Thoughts!

New York City offers a vibrant opportunity for teens, enriched with experiences that cater to numerous interests with a lot of fun things to do.

From heart-pounding thrills to trendy explorations, this blog post has explored 13 amazing things to do with teenager in New York city.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What Are Some Places to take young teenagers in NYC?

    You can take your young teenagers to these amazing places in NYC. Here are few of them:
    ✔️ Central Park
    ✔️ Empire State Building
    ✔️ Brooklyn Bridge
    ✔️ NYC’s Many Art Museums
    ✔️ Hudson Yards
    ✔️ Madame Tussauds

  2. What to Do with Teenager Visiting Manhattan?

    Manhattan offers treasure trove of experiences for young teenagers. You can experience:
    ✔️ Classic Sightseeing
    ✔️ Visit Metropolitan Museum of Art
    ✔️ Catch a game at Yankee Stadium
    ✔️ Take a ride at Luna Park


Ferona Jose

Ferona Jose is a passionate travel writer and blogger at Travelistia. She has traveled throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. Her writing focuses on cheap travel destinations, travel experiences, cultural insights, and travel hacks.

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