Top 10 Things to do with the Family in NYC

6. Harbour tour

Circle Line offers several choices for tours of the harbor, including a 3-hour outing; but with a teen, a shorter tour is probably best.

In summer, Circle Line operates "The Beast" speed boat: a short, high-speed ride; no guide commentary, but The Beast is sure to be a hit with teens.

The Beast leaves from Pier 83, West 42nd Street. Another fun choice for teens is " The Shark ", also a thrill speedboat ride through the harbor.

Tip: Buy a CityPass that includes five other attractions-- a great way to save money on admission tickets.

7. Natural History Museum

This venerable institution has unparalleled collections and is also just plain fun for any age. Highlights are: special exhibits (really well done) ; the Hayden Planetarium in the Rose Center for Earth and Space; and -- dinosaurs! Real, giant, dinosaur skeletons, many of them, and some you can even touch!

Plan on a long visit, and take a break at the kid-friendly restaurant on the lower floor.

Explore more at the Natural History Museum site. Note: This museum is on the upper east side of Central Park-- another definite must-see for any visitor in New York.

8. NBC Studio Tour

If your teen is a fan of Saturday Night Live, or Conan O'Brian, put this on your list.

Head to Rockefeller Plaza, where NBC has been headquartered for decades; and make your way to the NBC Experience Store, where you can buy a ticket for the Studio Tour, or a tour of Rockefeller Center.

The Studio Tour starts with a pretty interesting retrospective about NBC and broadcasting history. Then your group will proceed to several of the working studios for NBC shows: for example, Studio 1A is the home of the Today show, Studio 6A is the home of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Studio 8H is where Saturday Night Live takes place.

9. Toy Stores!

Forget old-style "going shopping": these stores go way beyond being a retail space, into the zone of fun experiences.

Games, crafts, live theatre, restaurants, ferris wheels... you name it. Six New York Toy stores that go all out: American Girl Place, F.A.O.Schwarz, Build-a-Bear, Toys R US, Nintendo World, and The Scholastic Store.

They may be aimed at younger children, but it would be hard not to enjoy yourself at these places.

10. The Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is a world-famous zoo located within the Bronx Park, in the Bronx borough of New York City.

The largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, the Bronx Zoo comprises 265 acres of parklands and naturalistic habitats -- home to over 4,000 animals, many of which are endangered or threatened species.

This is bound to be a fascinating trip for anyone of any age, and offers the opportunity to View wildlife up close, instead of on a TV screen.