Comments on: Parents coming to visit in NY. Where should I take them?

Question: Parents coming to visit in NY. Where should I take them?

falameufilho — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:23:07 -0800

Parents coming to visit in NY. Where should I take them?

My parents are coming to visit me in New York for a week in late March. They are in their 60's, have been all over the world and like to try new things. I want to take them to see some great stuff around the city, but there's one problem - they don't speak a word of English. They have been many times to NY in the past so all the obvious touristy stuff has been done already.

An example of what I'm looking for: last time they were here I took them to the ballet (Kirov) and to a couple of lowbrow shows (Fuerzabruta and Blue Man Group). They loved it all.

So, what can I do with them that they'll like and will be able to enjoy even with the language barrier? I know you know the answer, hive mind.

P.S.: I'd like to avoid Broadway musicals if possible. They would probably like it, but I fucking hate musicals. Thanks!

By: MS_gal

MS_gal — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:55:43 -0800

The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park? Coney Island? A crazy sometimes puppetry! show at St. Anne's Warehouse in DUMBO with some ice cream or delicious chocolate (man, I miss that place) while you view Manhattan? A walk along the upper, upper west side to see the Little Red Lighthouse, if you don't know the story, the river is still lovely.

By: cmgonzalez

cmgonzalez — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:15:54 -0800

Wait, your parents are visiting and you can't put up with a two-hour musical for their sake?

I was going to suggest Cirque du Soleil, but it doesn't begin until April. Maybe it might help us if you tell us a little more about what they've already seen.

By: roomthreeseventeen

roomthreeseventeen — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:38:26 -0800

I'll take your parents to a musical :)

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:08:08 -0800

I would recommend a musical if there where any good musicals playing /theatresnob

(okay Guys and Dolls is playing, that chestnut, and South Pacific is at Lincoln Center has some nice melodies. You can put up with some trilling for your parents)

Have they been to the Top Of Rockefeller Center? It's opened recently and beats the ESB, hands down, for fuckin' amazing' views. Plus, it should be warmer.

If you have the money The Metropolitan Opera is a must and usually performed in the original language, so it'll be mutually incomprehensible.

By: roomthreeseventeen

roomthreeseventeen — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:14:49 -0800

The Whelk, Hapiiness at Lincoln Center is great.

By: Maxwell_Smart

Maxwell_Smart — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:34:55 -0800

Have your parents yet been to the DIA: Beacon? That's a pretty good day trip.

By: The Whelk

The Whelk — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:58:32 -0800

the 92nd St Y has an extensive concert/dance series.

Off the top of my head, On a friday or Saturday, have an early dinner someplace pricey on the east side ( Lets say Serafina ) Then go to the Met (it's open til 9:30 on Fri-Sat) to view the new Galleries (the New Greco-Roman Wing and the Expanded Egyptian Wing.) and then take a cab to the 92st Y for an 8oclock-9 o'clock concert.

By: HabeasCorpus

HabeasCorpus — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:01:24 -0800

How about PS1, MoMA's contemporary art museum in Queens? Always lots of fun, and definitely off the beaten path.

By: Greg Nog

Greg Nog — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:49:13 -0800

I recently saw The Garden of Earthly Delights, after seeing it linked on metafilter. It was very good, and involved no spoken words, so if your parents like Bosch and dance, they might be interested. Or any dance, really.

By: Confess, Fletch

Confess, Fletch — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:20:24 -0800

Circle Line Tour around Manhattan, I took it about a year ago and it was excellent.