What Are Some Cheap NYC Attractions for 12 old boy?

Question

My cousin is comming to visit me in New York City on his spring break. He's never really seen much of the city and I want him to have some fun, but I'm pretty broke. He's from the rural South US, but he doesn't have many interests other than football. He's not really into video games, museams, or the zoo (and they're not cheap anyway), so I'm at a loss. Plus he's to old to do the little kid type of stuff.

Any Ideas? Thankx

Answer 1

There are a lot of free things to do in New York - The Staten Island Ferry is free - it's a beautiful ride on a nice day - you get a great view of the Manhattan skyline and the Staten Island Ferry. While you're there, walk through Bowling Green. Your cousin might be interested in its history - the history of bowling, as well.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/medny/halsall8.html

You can see some of the old guns and cannons facing the water. Tell him about the statue of King George that was melted down to make bullets.
http://www.connecticutsar.org/articles/king_georges_head.htm
He is going to study the American Revolution-seeing these things makes studying history so much more interesting.

See the Custom House.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/medny/halsall8.html

At One Bowling Green, there is the Museum of the American Indian - admission is free.

A ride to Roosevelt Island on the Tram is $2.00 - great view and fun ride (you get it on First Avenue and 60th Street - pay with your MetroCard)

Walk through Grand Central Station; sometimes they have free exhibits.

The Sony Wonder Lab on Madison and 56th - four floors of interactive exhibits - I love this place (and, it's free).


Only a few blocks away is FAO Schwarz on 58th and Fifth - there are workshops, entertainment (the giant piano keyboard that was used in the movie "Big" is on the second floor and there are dancers doing routines on the keyboard. Downstairs there's an ice cream parlor.
http://www.fao.com/custsvc/custsvc.jsp?s...

You can walk to Central Park. If you walk west on 59th, you'll get to the TimeWarner Building. You can look at all the upscale shops on the first floor, the outrageously expensive restaurants on the fourth floor and look at the pre-Columbian sculptures. On the third floor is a large Samsung store where you can use the cell phones, the computers, the digital cameras, etc. And, there are comfortable seats in the back where you can watch a movie on a high definition screen. All floors have floor to ceiling windows - some of them overlook Central Park. Downstairs is a large Whole Foods - you can get a snack or beverage - there's seating.

Look at the magazine TimeOut New York (you can read this at Barnes&Noble or the library). Look for free events - there are a lot of free afternoon concerts; some of the libraries have free concerts and show free movies. (The word "free" is printed in red, so they're easy to find).

Go to Chinatown - you both can have a very reasonably priced lunch and your cousin can do some very cheap souvenir shopping - buy dollar items to bring home to his friends and family.

Go to Chelsea Piers; it doesn't cost anything to watch, and maybe there are inexpensive activities you both would enjoy.

Walk though Washington Square Park. Go to the East Village and find an inexpensive restaurant of a kind of food you're never had - there are so many choices.

Take a train to Coney Island - choose a line like the Q where most of the ride is outside. Get hotdogs at Nathans - go for a ride on the Cyclone; see the freakshow; walk on the boardwalk. If your cousin is here during baseball season, maybe he'd like to see a baseball game at Keystone Park - the Coney Island team is called The Cyclones; admission is not much - there are student discounts as well.

Go to a streetfair - this weekend there are two in Greenwich Village.

You can show your cousin New York without spending much money. Have a great time.

Answer 2

Gormenghast... beat me to it. I used to take my 12 year old daughter to all that stuff she listed, so maybe I could add a little flavor to Gormen's excellent suggestions.

In Central Park go to Bethesda Fountain. On weekends in the Spring and Fall many street performers show up... Good Stuff.
Also go to the boathouse in the park there is a regular somewhat pricey restaurant there, but part of the deal with NYC that the owner made was to have good quality fast food and sandwiches available. Best hamburger and fries in the park (Nice view too).

In Chinatown get hot pork buns from a Chinese Bakery, there is one right off Canal and Mott that has a few seats and great pork buns. Then head west to Baxter street, left on Baxter a couple of blocks to a little park (I think it is Confusious Park). Why there? If he same the movie "Gangs of New York" that is where the battles took place.

Definetly do FAO Schwartz (he WILL Love It) and SoNY Wonderland).

Nuff said - for now

Answer 3

Staten Island Ferry.
Go rollerblading in Central Park or on the lower west side across from Greenwich village and tribeca near the Hudson river.
If you can get him to a museum, check with your local library. They often have passes that get you in for free or for a reduced price.
Go to the Union Square Market, St Marks Street, the stock exchange. the WTC and Times Square at night.

Answer 4

the empire state building will cost 40 max for an adult and a child

Answer 5

Take him to Jekyll & Hyde Rest. My sons love it. U can eat and have a nice time.