Fun for a Pre Teen in NYC
by Joanne
(San Diego, CA)
I went to New York City for Easter week in 2005 with my 12 year old son. It was a very cold week, but we had a blast. We stayed just off Times Square at The Belevedere, which was perfect for us. It was quiet but close to everything we needed. We rode the subway from JFK and back, and took the subway everywhere - even at night, with no difficulties at all.
Our highlight was to walk into Times Square at dusk or at night and just be overwhelmed by it. The lights were so cool and as you walked around, other tourists would come in and also be dumbfounded. We bought pretzels and shopped and just browsed around several different times. It was never boring, that's for sure.
Another great experience was going to Central Park and the Strawberry Fields Memorial for John Lennon. We sat on one of the benches for about an hour one Saturday watching all of the people stop to pay their respects in some very unique ways. I noticed other people doing the same thing, some with their lunch. The whole place was surrounded by blooming bulbs - tulips and crocuses and it was one of the most peaceful times I've ever had.
We like Art museums, so the MET and MOMA were great. The Natural History Museum was awesome, although we barely got through any of it (it is so big). We took the circle boat ride, which was worth the time and money even though it was very cold. Walking the city streets was our most "New York" experience. We would both go again in a heartbeat!
