When my older daughters advanced from junior high to high school last summer, I took them on an extended weekend to New York City. This year, it was my youngest daughter's turn.
First stop: Times Square
Times Square is sensory overload. The lights, the noise, the crowds of people. It's not something we experience every day here in Utah. There are tons of shops to stop in to, like the Line Friends store (for Kpop fans), Gap and Old Navy, H&M, and little souvenir shops. You'll also see plenty of places to eat, like Krispy Kreme, Hard Rock Cafe, and food trucks galore.
9/11 Museum
This is a must for anyone visiting New York City, especially for those who weren't born yet and don't remember the events of that day in 2001. It is a very smooth process if you purchase tickets ahead of time. Take your time here. There is so much to see in all the exhibits and something different sticks out to me every time I go. Don't forget to stop at the memorial pools outside. The memorial is a sacred space. Be prepared for your teen to ask a lot of questions.
Shopping in SoHo
Teen girls love to shop! There are so many stores on Broadway in SoHo. Plot out your favorites and make a plan to walk from one to the next as you make your way back uptown. There are several places to grab a snack, but my go-to is Pret-A-Manger for their grab and go sandwiches. Don't forget to stop at Levain Bakery (340 Lafayette Street) for a sweet treat.
Bike riding in Central Park
You can rent bikes from one of the bike rental and tour companies near the park. Or there are Citi bikes that you can pay by the minute to rent. Make sure you bring water or stop at one of the food vendors in the park for a drink, especially if it's a hot day!
Empire State Building
You can buy tickets ahead of time or at the last minute, though there are timed entries and if it is busy, you may have to wait for your time slot. The iconic building is woven into our popular culture. They do a great job of creatively sharing the history of the building. Make sure you take a peek of the Statue of Liberty from the south windows of the building.
Can't miss: Broadway shows!
We saw two shows while we were there. You can't visit New York without seeing a Broadway show! Not only are the actors amazingly talented, no audience gets more into the show than a New York audience.
This time we saw Wicked and Hamilton. Both were incredible! Wicked is great because of the underlying theme of kindness and friendship. The two leads (Elphaba and Glinda) have amazing voices. Hamilton has a totally different energy than Wicked, but I love it. The creativity of this show really brings the viewer in. You will be humming Broadway tunes all the way home.
I loved being able to spend one on one time with my daughter. This is an important time for her as high school brings on a whole new world of opportunities and decisions. Traveling with teens is such a great way to help them look outside of themselves and open up their world view.