Exploring New York City with Tween and Teen Girls: A Fun-Filled Itinerary! | Do Say Give

Exploring New York City with Tween and Teen Girls: A Fun-Filled Itinerary!

Mothering Teens and Tweens

Planning a trip to New York City with your tween or teen daughter or granddaughter? Look no further! For years I’ve been clipping articles, saving recommendations from local Facebook groups and filing away friends’ itineraries so I could plan a really special trip with my tween and teen daughters. And today I’m sharing it with you! From shopping sprees in Soho to Broadway shows, high tea at iconic locations, and exploring famous movie sites, NYC offers endless fun and memorable experiences mother-daughter trip. Teen girls love a good theme (and a good photo spot!) so keep reading for some fun ways to see NYC with teen girls as well as our exact itinerary. 

Fun Things to Do in NYC with Tween and Teen Girls

Soho Shopping Spree: Start your adventure in Soho, where you can explore trendy stores like FP Movement, Glossier, Aviator Nation, and Aritzia, all within walking distance. This area is a tween and teen shopping paradise and Museum of Ice Cream might be the cherry on top for tweens!

Boat Trip Bonanza: Take a classic Circle Line cruise around Manhattan (1.5-hour tour) to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge or splurge on a sailboat charter. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the city’s history and architecture while enjoying the perfect photo backdrop: the NYC skyline!

 

Treats and Sweets Safari: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a tour of Instagram-famous bakeries and dessert spots. A few to note: Serendipity 3 (above), Maison Ladurée, Lady M, Glace Truck, Levain Bakery, Magnolia Bakery, and other must-visit sweet spots around the city.

Beauty Fun: Get creative at Olfactory in the West Village, where you can make your own perfume or visit Glossier’s flagship store to try out their products in person.

Broadway Magic: Make your trip unforgettable with a Broadway show. Opt for dining at one of the singing waiter restaurants nearby, like Ellen’s Stardust Diner or Friedman’s. Choose from popular shows like “Hamilton,” “Wicked,” “The Michael Jackson Experience,” or “Juliet” – all sure to be a hit with your girls.

Pizza Tasting Tour: What’s a trip to NYC without sampling some of its famous pizza? Try different iconic pizza spots around town for a delicious and fun culinary adventure.Try Rubirosa, John’s Pizza and Joe’s Pizza!

Sky-High Adventures: Experience breathtaking views and interactive exhibits at New York’s most iconic observation decks. Check out Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, or Summit One Vanderbilt. Each offers a unique way to see the city from above. This article outlines them all.

Movie Magic: Walk in the footsteps of your favorite movie stars by visiting famous NYC film locations. Visit the New York Public Library, featured in “Ghostbusters,” or explore The Met, seen in numerous films including “The Thomas Crown Affair.” Head to the Empire State Building, iconic in “Sleepless in Seattle,” and don’t miss Serendipity 3, from the romantic movie “Serendipity.” Central Park also offers numerous spots seen in movies like “Enchanted” and “Home Alone 2.”

Taylor Swift’s NYC: Visit some of the iconic spots mentioned in Taylor Swift’s songs including the High Line. It’s a fun way to explore the city that fans of Taylor Swift might love.

High Tea Elegance: Dress up for a fancy high tea experience. Iconic venues like The Plaza, Bergdorf Goodman, and the new Tiffany’s Blue Box Café offer memorable tea experiences perfect for a special outing. See a full list of places for tea below!

Museum Marvels: NYC is home to incredible museums like MOMA and the Guggenheim. The Met is a classic, where your girls can see masterpieces by artists like Seurat and Van Gogh. Dancers might love to see Degas’ ballerinas! The current Met Gala exhibition features stunning fashion displays perfect for young fashionistas.

Historical Highlights: Explore New York’s rich history with stops to Ellis Island (or see it from the Circle Line tour), Fraunces Hall, where George Washington bid farewell to his troops, and Trinity Church, where Alexander and Eliza Hamilton are buried. Don’t miss the 9/11 museum and memorial as well.

Mother/Teen Daughter Four Day Itinerary in NYC

Below is our exact itinerary! We made the most of almost four full days there but you can definitely get a lot done in three days as well! 

Day 1

  • 6:05 am: Flight to NYC
  • 11:30 am: Arrive at NYC LaGuardia
  • 1:00 pm: Arrive to hotel (Lotte Palace – highly recommend) and check in or check luggage.
  • 1:30 pm: Walk around St. Patrick’s Cathedral Rockefeller Center, shop, and grab a quick bite at the food court.
  • 3:30 pm: Afternoon dessert at Serendipity 3.
  • 5:00 pm: Head back to the hotel, take showers, and relax.
  • 7:30 pm: Dinner at Quality Italian restaurant.

Day 2

  • 8:00 am: Breakfast room service.
  • 9:00 am: Visit the World Trade Center Museum.
  • 10:30 am: Tour Trinity Church and see Alexander Hamilton’s gravesite.
  • 11:15 Pizza at Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village
  • 12:30 pm: Take the Circle Line Cruise around Manhattan.
  • 3:00 pm: Return to the hotel and dress for the evening.
  • 6:00 pm: Dinner at Friedman’s (note: it’s loud but girls enjoyed the singing! See other restaurant recs below)
  • 8:00 pm: Attend “Wicked” at the Gershwin Theater.
  • 11:00 pm: Driver back to the hotel.

Day 3

  • 9:00 am: Breakfast at a place like Sarahbeth’s.
  • 10>00 The Met Museum
  • 12:00 pm: Quick lunch on the go.
  • 1:00 pm: Afternoon shopping in SoHo at FP Movement, Glossier, and Aritzia.
  • 3:45 pm: Tea at The Plaza.
  • 5:00 pm: Photos in Central Park.
  • 6:00 pm: Pizza, pajamas, and a movie night in the hotel.

Day 4

  • 8:00 am: Room service breakfast.
  • 9:00 am: Visit Grand Central Station and take train to Connecticut for morning.
  • 1:00: Visit the New York Public Library’s Treasures Exhibit.
  • 2:30: Top of the Empire State Building.
  • 4:30 pm: Depart for the airport.
Our itinerary was jam packed but we were able to fit it all in! I highly recommend the Lotte Palace Hotel. We enjoyed being near Rockefeller Center and felt very safe walking around that area. And it was a good central location to go up and downtown. Below are more recommendations I’ve collected through the years to help you plan your trip to NYC! 
 
Part of trip planning was outfit planning and it was so much fun, especially the day we all wore Hill House dresses to afternoon tea at the Plaza! Shop what we wore in the LTK app!

Places to Have High Tea in NYC

  • The Plaza Hotel: Famous for its elegant afternoon tea experience in the Palm Court.
  • Ladurée: Enjoy French-style afternoon tea with delightful pastries and teas.
  • Bergdorf Goodman: Known for its sophisticated afternoon tea in the BG Restaurant.
  • Blue Box Café: Located in Tiffany & Co.’s flagship store in New York City, offers an elegant high tea experience.
  • The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park: Offers a luxurious afternoon tea experience.
  • The Whitby Hotel: Enjoy afternoon tea in a charming and stylish setting.
  • The Lowell Hotel: Renowned for its cozy and intimate afternoon tea at the Pembroke Room.
  • The Baccarat Hotel: Experience a luxurious afternoon tea in a glamorous setting.
  • The Crosby Street Hotel: Offers a delightful afternoon tea in its vibrant and contemporary drawing room.
  • Alice’s Tea Cup: A whimsical and family-friendly spot for afternoon tea with multiple locations.
  • The Peninsula New York: Offers an elegant and traditional afternoon tea experience.
  • The Russian Tea Room: A historic and iconic spot for a unique afternoon tea experience.

Recommended Restaurants from friends (no particular order)

  • The Polo Bar
  • Locanda Verde
  • Balthazar 
  • Rubirosa 
  • Little Sofia’s
  • Elio’s 
  • Frank 
  • Carmine’s 
  • Pepolino
  • Jean-Georges
  • Blue Ribbon
  • Lure Fishbar
  • Waverly Inn
  • Bar Pitti
  • Becco 
  • Beauty & Essex 
  • Raoul’s
  • Katz’s Deli
  • Lil’ Frankie’s 
  • Lazzara’s Pizza Café
  • John’s Pizzeria
  • Angelo’s Pizza 
  • Union Square Cafe 
  • Carnegie Deli
  • Elio’s
  • Little Owl
  • Serendipity 3
  • Il Molina
  • Scalinatella
  • The River Café 
  • The Lambs Club
  • La Grenouille 
  • La Goulue
  • Toscana 49
  • Raoul’s
  • Minetta Tavern
  • Bowery Meat Company
  • Tavern on the Green

Exploring New York together was so much fun for my daughters and was a bonding experience I hope they remember for a long time.

Do you have any NYC favorites or questions about our trip? Share below! Want more details about what we wore? Head to the LTK app

Thanks so much to The Letter Nest and friends for helping with recommendations! 

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