My son is 10, will be 11 in August. Was thinking about taking him to Disneyworld this year. When I asked him about it, he didn't seem very interested. Then he told me he wants to go to NYC to see either the Yankees or a Jets/Giants game (Jets are my favorite team and the Giants are his). They happen to play each other this year.

So, my question is, if I took him to NYC to the game this year and spent a few days doing some other touristy stuff, would he fully appreciate the city or should I wait until he's older?

Fully appreciate? No way, but have a lifelong memory? Yes for sure. He'd remember enough that it would make it worth it I would think.

You will be amazed at what he remembers down the road. I travel a lot with my 11 year old son . . . he will randomly mention something when his memory is triggered by a comment or photo! What a great memory and fun trip. Be careful because he might just come interested in traveling more too.

yeah he'll remember more than you think... and seeing his favorite team play his dad's favorite team will be a cool memory no matter. But the sheer scope of NYC will leave an impression for sure. There are plenty things to do... the museums are world class. The Natural History Museum is really cool for kids. The observation deck at 30 Rock is cool too ... just that supersonic elevator ride alone would be cool to a 10 year old I'd think.

This type of trip>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Disney.

Do it.

definitely do NYC. At almost 12, he is probably too old for Disney anyhow.

He'd probably enjoy the Blue Man Group.

He will definitely appreciate it. My son is 9 and he lives going to the big cities. The history, the museums, the Statue of Liberty, Empire State build or the rock, Central Park, sporting events. These are things everyone sees in movies, on tv, in cartoons, learns at school, reads in books.

It will probably be a better trip for him than you.

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This type of trip>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Disney.

Do it.

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Took my 11 year old daughter over Christmas. She loved it. Sure we did a lot of the touristy things but she also loved just walking around central park and people watching in the subways. For boys the Intrepid Museum is a must.

Take him. When my son was 7 years old he and my husband starting going on trips to baseball parks. He is now 10 and they have been to 9 out of 30 of the major league ball parks. They always catch a couple games and see the sites around that city. He will enjoy it so much and have lifetime memories.

NYC is a lot of walking and can be quite hot then. That said he would love it. Ck out the Tenement museum.

Go track down a poster named Scimitar on the GB. He lives in NYC and can give you recs on things to do that could be child friendly.

Happy to help here or via PM.

Yes, there are lots of things here that a preteen would enjoy...from ball games (easy access via train) to the Natural History Museum....and the world's best pizza

Name some sites!

USS Intrepid for sure...the Staten Island Ferry is a fun trip to see the lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue and Ellis Island for free....could also pay for the statue cruise if you want to actually visit it and Ellis island. Central Park has a great zoo and a nice place to walk around and get hot dogs.

Plenty of restaurants of all kinds, so tell me what you like.

Chelsea Piers has a driving range, batting cages, skating, and other activities.

Beyond that, you have the world's largest toys r us, the Hershey store, and M&M world in Times Square, along with the lights and bustle you think of for NYC.

There's also the liberty science center in jersey which is easily accessible from lower Manhattan on the PATH trains.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art had a great weapons section along with art from most time periods.

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art had a great weapons section

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This is why you ask the people who live there. I would never in a 100 years have guessed that.

Burt,

I tip my hat to your son...I've been a Giants fan since I was ten...way back in the day of rotary phones and tv antennas.

This is somewhat analogous to the fact little kids seem to be more intrigued with the big cardboard box that contained the expensive contents inside....I remember when I was 13 my parents took us to Montreal. One of the highlights was riding the Subway (no squealing because the wheels were hardened rubber). For what it's worth, taking the subway when I'm in NYC is one of those things I really enjoy and is just so New York.

Scimitar...I've never been to the Central Park Zoo...but my parents took me to the Bronx Zoo when I was a kid (I grew up in Connecticut). Is there much of a difference?

OK, I'm jealous...in a neat sort of way...I love NYC.

Bronx Zoo is bigger, and I'd recommend it if there is time...a bit of a hike to get there, but doable.

As others have said, I think there are plenty of things he would enjoy in addition to the games. A lot has already been mentioned here and just walking and seeing the sites might spark his interests. Just a side note, if you are over by the Chelsea Piers or that area, there is a place called the Frying Pan that would be fun to eat at.

Thanks for all of the info, guys. I went to NYC my senior year at A&M for spring break, so we got to do a lot of the touristy stuff then, and I loved it. We stayed with a Corps buddy who graduated the year before and was working up there. He lived right by Battery Park. It was right after 9/11, so Ellis Island was still shut down and the area around the towers was still a mess.

I remember we bought a pass that covered subway transportation for the whole week as well as coupons for most of the big tourist attractions (Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Guggenheim, Met, Intrepid, etc.). Anyone know if they still do that? Also, would it be best to find a hotel in the Times Square area or are there better, more reasonable places?

Subway and museum passes are still there.

I personally loathe Times Square, but it's hard to beat for subway access as most of the major lines are there or within walking distance. Another option is over by Grand Central. Slightly less busy but still access to the 1-2-3 and 4-5-6 lines and the shuttle to Times Square.

It all depends on what you need in terms of a room - distance to sights, modern vs. classic rooms, etc.

Grand Central area would definitely work too. Now my parents are talking about possibly going. They've never been to NYC, but always wanted to go. When we go to the game, they will probably just go do their own thing. There is enough around Grand Central for them to stay busy, I would think.

I also hate staying in Time Square, it is exhausting and you don't get the feel for the city as you do in other areas. I would also recommend the Grand Central area. I have stayed around there, the Murray Hill neighborhood both times this year. The most recent I stayed at the Affinia Shelburne in Murray Hill. It was only a few blocks from Grand Central and we had a great stay there. Nothing too fancy, but a good hotel with good service and more room than most NYC hotels.

When I took my family to Yankee Stadium, it turned out to be the night Jeter dove into the stands and came back all bloodied. Amazing game.

I used to work in NYC. Some time ago but here goes:

Empire State Bldg for sure
Museum of Nat History
Stores for every interest (my kids loved the NBA Store)
Ice skating in Rock Center depending on time of year
Central Park
Staten Island Ferry and Statue of Liberty if you plan ahead
Ground Zero maybe??
Recommend at least showing him Wall Street and Chinatown even if you don't walk around. Very cool for a kid to see and appreciate.
See a show, maybe a the Lion King??

Question for Scimitar....
Best Pizza?
Lombardi's in Little Italy? John's Pzza in Times Sqr? Or somewhere better?
Also, on my next trip to NYC is there an Aggie HH at a good watering hole & if so where & when does it happen & is it worth the effort
Gracias

also another question - going in April - what is typical weather?

and wife wants a nice modern hotel - with views up top at bar/restaurant - any Hyatts or Marriotts come to mind?

we are both in 30s no kids and like the scene

Lombardi"s is good. We've always favored Arturo's on Houston.

New York is the king of modern hotels.

You need to decide what part of the city first. Maybe TriBeCa. tribeca Grand or 60 Thompson? In midtown I stayed at the Hudson or Royalton (owned by the same people). It's been awhile but I think they would qualify. Just remember hip and modern also implies really small room.

There are a couple W Hotels. But that is a chain, though these were some of the original properties.

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Question for Scimitar....
Best Pizza?
Lombardi's in Little Italy? John's Pzza in Times Sqr? Or somewhere better?
Also, on my next trip to NYC is there an Aggie HH at a good watering hole & if so where & when does it happen & is it worth the effort
Gracias

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I like johns, but I also encourage people to pick a random hole in the wall pizza joint, unless you want to do the fancy.

We have HHs, every month, but the location changes each month, as does the day. There's a Facebook page for the NYAMC and This is the website.


For hotels, the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square seems to be popular, but it depends on what part of town you want to stay in. I second TriBeCa and SoHo.

I'm probably taking my 9 year old daughter this summer too and wondering what all we should do in 3 days. She wants to see the Statue of Liberty and go on top of the Empire State Building and I'll probably take her to see a show.

any opinions on grand hyatt near grand central station?

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any opinions on grand hyatt near grand central station?

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Never stayed there, but we put our overseas employees there. Haven't heard anything bad about it and I like the location for accessibility.

I didn't stay there, we were at the Hilton a couple blocks down (away from Times Square), but a friend of ours was at the Grand Hyatt, and we dropped in to see him. It was pretty nice, and he said he really liked it there.

Take your kid to Lion King. I went last year and loved it. Really cool.

I highly recomment the "Big Bus tour". Its a hop on hop off tour that you get 3 days of for like 60 bucks. Great way to see the city, IMO.