New York City is full of so many fun things to do, and for any teenagers looking for some worth-while activities, we’ve got them covered! Whether your teens are sports enthusiasts, history buffs, or thrill-seekers, there’s plenty of opportunities for adventure and discovery. Perfect for teenagers ages 13 – 19, we’ve got a summary of the best attractions to give a try. Check them out below:
1. Luna Park & Coney Island
Let your teenager live their wildest adventures at Luna Park and Coney Island, where there’s plenty of amusements parks, beachfront attractions, and a vibrant boardwalk to be explored! Start at Luna Park, and let them ride all of the thrilling rides like the world-famous wooden Cyclone and iconic Thunderbolt coaster.
Then, stroll through Coney Island in style, taste testing hot dogs at Nathan’s Famous, taking in marine life at New York Aquarium, and even catching a minor league Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game! Don’t forget about the Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk too, complete with food vendors, shops, games, and more.
2. Harry Potter on Broadway
What teenager doesn’t love Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and the rest of the gang? Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one of our favorite plays on Broadway right now, and it’s perfect for the teen age group. You can truly feel the magic of the performance, and it’ll bring your teen into the magical world of wizardry like never before! Learn more about the show and how to purchase your tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child here!
3. American Museum of Natural History
For the science-loving teen, take them to the American Museum of National History, where there’s hours of exhibits and activities that make for an exciting visit. Teens can explore enthralling attractions dedicated to science and culture…including the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs where the captivating Tyrannosaurus rex and Apatosaurus models reside, as well as the Rose Center for Earth and Space (which includes the immersive Hayden Planetarium), the Hall of Ocean Life (which includes the life-sized Giant Blue Whale model), and so much more.
Plus, AMNH often hosts teen programming, which includes hands-on science courses, research opportunities, and even paid teen internships! It’s an incredible way for your kids to have an educational day out.
4. Madame Tussauds New York
Madame Tussauds’ New York edition of the wax museum franchise is a selfie-filled utopia for teenagers, who can snap photos with icons like Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, and so many more. The tourist attraction includes all kinds of wax figures and immersive experiences that teens will truly love.
Their newly launched Music area features all of music biggest names (Beyoncé, Elvis, Anitta, Dua Lipa, J Balvin, Megan Thee Stallion, Harry Styles, Drake), and their experiences like a Marvel Universe in 4D movie and the Behind the Scenes Tour of how the figures are made will keep them entertained for hours. Learn more about Madame Tussauds New York and plan your visit here!
5. Yankee Stadium
For the teen who loves sports, grab a couple tickets to a Yankees game, and let them run amok in one of the world’s most famous ballparks! We highly recommend snagging tickets to a Stadium Tour before the game, which grants behind-the-scenes access to the home of the 27-time World Series Champions. Teens can explore the iconic Monument Park, hold historic baseball artifacts in their hands, and learn about the team’s history from a specialized tour guide.
Stadium tours run for 60 minutes and the Yankees play their regular season through September! Learn more about the tours and see the Yankees’ home schedule here!
6. SPYSCAPE
Does your teenager have what it takes to become the ultimate spy? SPYSCAPE is a thrilling world of immersive espionage where young ones can try their luck at laser maze challenges, code breaking tests, surveillance scouting, and so many more experiences. The thrilling 60,000 square foot museum brings teens right into the world of spies, hackers, and intelligence agents…helping develop their skills and personality traits into solving missions.
Learn more about SPYSCAPE and plan your visit here!
7. Ellen’s Stardust Diner & Broadway Show
Step into the world of music and dance with a doubleheader of Ellen’s Stardust Diner into a Broadway show! Teens will surely love a pre-theater meal at Ellen’s…which is the home of the original world-famous singing waitstaff. The 1950s retro themed restaurant has tons of history…seeing tons of Broadway, Off-Broadway, movies, and TV stars launch their careers a singer in the restaurant.
Their menu features all-day breakfast as well as lunch and dinner specials that are ideal for a pre-Broadway play. Since it’s only a stone’s throw away from the Theater District, parlay this meal into a teen-friendly Broadway show (we recommend The Lion King, Aladdin, or Wicked). See the full list of what’s on Broadway right now here.
8. New York Transit Museum
Your teen can explore the history of NYC’s transportation at the New York Transit Museum, literally located in a subway station in Brooklyn! This engaging and education museum is one of the most underrated in our opinion, and it’s a place where little ones can hop aboard vintage subway cars, get behind the driver’s seat of vintage bus, and check out historical exhibits and maps about the construction and engineering about the ever-important history of New York on the go.
9. Circle Line Cruise
Take a guided boat tour around NYC waters and get a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. Circle Line Cruises has plenty of teen-friendly boating options that include incredible water routes around the city, and even age-appropriate food and drink options aboard.
For some real fun, try out their speedboat ride called The Beast, which is a thrilling adventure through the Hudson River full of twists, turns, and lots of splashes! Learn more about The Beast here and all of Circle Line Cruises’ options here.
10. The Intrepid Museum
Housed aboard the historic air craft carrier USS Intrepid, this museum is dedicated to military aircraft, spacecraft, and maritime exhibits…making it one of the best for the most curious teens. They can spend hours here examining aircrafts, hands-on space explorations, and guided missile submarines. Chalk full of history, aviation, and space exploration themes, it’s perfect for young visitors eager to learn more about that sector of science! Learn more about The Intrepid Museum and plan your visit here.