Lynn Brooks was inspired by the intimate interaction she received in her travels all over the world, and decided to bring this first-of-its-kind service to the New York City with Big Apple Greeters in 1992. Volunteers act as tour guides to the city that they love, educating visitors of all ages on 114 neighborhoods throughout the city. This service is provided free of charge and tipping is not allowed, but donations are welcome. This is a great opportunity for your teen to learn about the people of New York, in addition to the sites.
In mid-town Manhattan stands a four-story laboratory that begs to be explored by kids of all ages. The Sony Wonder Technology Lab, or SWTL, provides a free, hands-on experience with interactive technology. Some events and workshops are geared for specific age groups and involve a small charge, but admission and movie screenings at SWTL are free. Reservations are strongly encouraged, as there are a limited number of walk-up tickets available.
On a patch of 863 acres in Manhattan, you can forget you are in one of the biggest, busiest cities in the world. Plenty of free activities abound for your teen in Central Park, including walking, biking and roller-blading. Another popular activity offered at the park is ice skating at Wollman Rink, which provides a 33,000-square-foot venue for skating from November to March. Skate rentals and lessons are available.
Broadway offers another way to enjoy the best of New York, and deeply discounted tickets are available for students courtesy of an organization called High 5. In 2010, High 5 offered tickets to arts events in New York City for just $5 for kids ages 13 to 18. This includes everything from theater to film and dance. Teens can also buy $5 tickets for an accompanying parent, teacher or mentor. Tickets for museums are two for $5 every day.
