In 1965 our high school senior trip included a trip to the New York World’s Fair. We saw all of the standard sights.
Of course there is no Worlds Fair now but the thing I enjoyed most was taking a boat trip around Manhattan Island. It was relaxing and fun.
Walk around Greenwich Village.
Rent a movie called “The Out of Towners” before you go ; )
You must see the 9/11 memorial. It is truly a place to see and remember all those folks who lost their lives. It really moved me.
A major museum for sure.. I regret never spending any time in one of many available. Good Luck!
Our local New York Life agent arranged for out class to visit their sky scraper. It was nice with a beautiful view. I don’t know if it is open to the public but probably a visit could be arranged.
Lots of good suggestions on here. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. I’m an NYPD Detective and I live in Manhattan, a short walk from Museum Mile. I know some good spots (not girlie clubs).
Things not worth doing:
- Empire State Building. See above.
- Statue of Liberty. Not worth the lines/crowds. Take the (free) Staten Island Ferry, you'll get a great view of the Statue without the hassle.
- Rockefeller Center. Worth it in the winter, for the tree/ice skating. Nothing special in the spring/summer/fall. Maybe check out the area if you're already going to an NBC taping.
Anyways, just my thoughts as a native. Feel free to message me privately if you have restaurant/other questions.
If anyone offers you, “loose joints” they are not sidewalk chiropractors.
And if you’re staying in Queens, go see a METS game! They are better than the Yankees this season, and the stadium is better. Some of the best food in all of baseball.
Since some one posted that the Empire State building now charges $50 per head and has long wait times, consider the helicopter tour here:
The cheapest tour is $164/person for 15 miutes. Doesn’t sound like a long time but I had to charter one for an aerial survey and did all of Manhattan from Liberty Island to the norther tip with circling over 14 sites for photos i less than an hour.
It is just plain awesome and a singular memory that will last forever as a special treat. The flyover of the Intrepid was nice.
You can book and pay from the website. They do offer longer flights.
A spectacular first day event.
Buy him a sports car instead!!!!
Dunno if it is still possible, but a trip to the gallery at NYSE is pretty cool.
If possible take in a Yankee game or two and splurge on some high end souvenirs...like a jacket.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Original_Soup_Man
Street address 259-A West 55th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), in Midtown Manhattan
The Original Soup Man is a chain of soup restaurants run by Ali “Al” Yeganeh, modeled after Yeganeh’s original restaurant Soup Kitchen International, which was a well-known soup restaurant at 259-A West 55th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.[1]
The 55th Street location was closed in 2004, with the windows soaped over. Yeganeh, however, kept the lease on the shop while he looked to expand into a broader market. This led to the formation of the Original Soup Man chain and eventually led to the reopening of Soup Kitchen International, which now bears the name “Original Soup Man” like all of Yeganeh’s other restaurants.
Peter Luger’s Steak House.
Take picture at Ellis Island with Manhattan and the Freedom Tower behind him.
I have one with the Twin Towers in the background.
Go to Central Park and walk from The Plaza to the Boat House.
Go to the Museum. Amazing place and be sure he sees the Egyptian period.
See any show on broadway, even off broadway. Get the tickets at TKTS, on 42nd.
Go to Canal Street and buy some fake thing.
Ride the subway.
Have dinner at Arial (expensive ) but worth it. Reservations required.
Go to Wall Street and get picture in from the Stock Exchange, then go across the street and see the first bank of the United States.
Go to the library. Amazing architecture and old books.
Visit the Grand Lodge Masonic Hall on 23rd and Avenue of the Americas.
Have pizza at Ray’s. I hate pizza but, love theirs.
Eat a pierogi from a street vendor. Yumm!
Eat a Pretzel with mustard.
Go down by the Brooklyn Bridge and hang out in the Italian District. Great restaurants.
The Jewish and Chinese are nearby and they have great wares.
Picked up a leather backpack 20 years ago, that was handmade. Still beautiful.
All free or very inexpensive.
I could go on about all the great things you can do that cost very little or nothing.
Oh! Go to Macy’s and take the only wooden escalator in existence. It’s gorgeous.
The go to Saks 5th avenue and loom at the window display. Go in and on the top floor is the restaurant. Order the Millionaire Coffee. Price is commensurate with the name.
Get a window seat and look out across the street to the rooftop garden. You’ll get it if you see it.
Then go up to Saint Patrick’s Church. Doesn’t matter if you’re not Catholics. It’s beautiful and this time of year brides are everywhere.
Do not pass up walking by Rockefeller Center by the skating rink, which is probably converted to seating for outdoor dining this time of year.
If you must go to Empire State building, buy reserved tickets. I hate waiting in line.
I get things like from a lady I know at The Plaza but, I can’t share her name. I stay there occasionally, so she knows me.
If you do go to The Plaza then go straight back to The Oak Room Bar. Gorgeous and have one drink. Pricey, even if you order a coke.
Get a picture with NYC cop and beam proudly. America’s finest.
Get a picture at a firehouse downtown, toward Freedom Tower. They love the attention and do make a donation, of only a dollar.
Buy a hat, maybe a shirt that displays NYC Police and FDNY Fire.
I could go on but, those are some of the inexpensive things you can do and all in one day, if you’re militant about getting them done.
Finally, I encourage you to visit the memorial at ground zero. When you are done, walk south to the water and take in the view while sipping an American Coke and some hot American Fries.
You’ll understand why afterward.
Lots more to do but, gotta back the grind.