A question about New York
 

I've been given differing views by a few Americans that it's not suitable for me to visit with my 12 yr old daughter. "Not child friendly" "Aloof" "Unsafe" are some of the adjectives they gave. I'd appreciate anyone else's opinion as we were considering a w/e there, just the two of us.

Museum Row
Central Park in daylight
Twin Towers former home
Big Green Lady (Statue of Liberty)
34th St
Empire State
Trump Tower
UCB Theatre

It can be very educational if you plan it right. And be VERY careful at night. :)

And the cheesy double decker tour buses are WELLLLLL worth the money.

I've been there, but not with any children. I've had only wonderful experiences there. Very friendly people, very outgoing and willing to help. My friends and I were in Central Station once and a stranger came up and gave us an amazing history of the station and the events that kept it from being demolished. He got a map of NYC and gave us pointers about where to go: not as well known tourist spots/interesting things on Manhattan that aren't on tourist lists. His advice allowed us to have an extra wonderful time that day.

NYC is incredible because if you want it, you can get it. Any type of food, any clothes, any event. You can go to Times Square and stand in line for cheaper tickets to Broadway shows. Walk around Central Park and just be amazed. Go to any one of their museums and spend a day.

There is never an end of things to do there!! Highly recommend it.

I've never been to NY so can't comment directly.

However a pal of mine has taken his son there (assuming you mean the Big Apple, not the state in general) several times over the years (child age 5, 8, and 12...and the son went by himself and stayed with family in laws nearby, at age of 14). They always said they had a great time.

Like anywhere, use common sense.

My first time there, my friends who live there had to work during the day so I went to Manhatten by myself. I was standing on a street corner, gazing up at the tall building across the street and the street was busy, full of people and taxis and venders and lots and lots of noise! A man walking behind me said "excuse me, your phone is ringing" and continued walking. I totally didn't hear my phone ring b/c of all the activity around me and I was distracted by the really tall building... That's one of my favorite stories about NYC. It was a nice, non-creepy gesture by a stranger to another stranger (obviously from out of town).

We used to have a NYC specialist on hand but she isn't around anymore. :(

Anyhow, I will give you my take to add to the great opinions already given.

IT'S WONDERFUL!
I'm going to sound cheesy, which isn't abnormal, but I LOVE IT THERE! I grew up just an hour and a half away and my parents took me there ALL the time! The broadway shows. . she'd love Beauty and the Beast. I believe Wed. are cheapest but if money isn't a problem then weekend matinees or even evenings are great too.

I don't know if your daughter is still into all this stuff but visit this site: American Girl. If they had that when I was 12 and younger I would have LOVED it. They have tea time and all different stuff. They treat girls like princess' there. My friend took her 13 year old niece there and she had a fabulous time.

There's eye candy everywhere. To add to PFP's list you can take her to FAO Shwartz (sp?) too.

I wouldn't be worried at all about taking her there. Just stick together, hold hands and stay close, not because it's dangerous but because in the hustle and bustle in some areas such as Time Square there is many people. But that's just common sense in any busy city.

I wouldn't frown upon it at all as you can tell. :)

I see you are from England.

Of course, there might be small pockets of lingering resentment about that whole Colonial period/Revolutionary war mess...so consider claiming Canadian citizenship if asked... just to be safe. ;)

I love NYC!!!!! And of course there are people there who will take advantage of you, if you look like you could be taken advantage of, so just look aware while you're there and you'll be fine.

coffee give the lady a chance to settle in

lady?!?! how do we know?

tell us about yer self Fidgy.

watch

did you know that there's actually children living in new york?? :eek:

Like Rimmer.

Go figure. :eek:

Hehehe, this is much more encouraging!
I've never found Americans to be anything other than friendly, despite my English accent...though I haven't been to the U.S. Sounds like we'd need weeks there, never mind a w/e; so much choice. Thanks for for all the info.