Going to be in NYC tomorrow through Friday with my daughter on relatively short notice. Will be staying near Fashion District… I’ve taken a look at the various things suggested by TripAdvisor. Any recommendations from someone who lives there about what to do and see beyond those obvious suggestions (or anything you’d absolutely reinforce as a “must do”)? I know there are lots of museums, although I don’t want to burn her out on that… If I had to pick one, which and why?
PS - Plan to grab dinner at Chambers on Thursday evening fwiw.
We enjoy the Whitney Museum. The art is great and the indoor/outdoor aspect is cool as well. Before or after the Whitney, I’d take a long stroll on the High Line which goes right by the museum.
I’d consider grabbing a drink or bite to eat at Manhatta. It’s on the 60th floor of the Chase building and the views are insane. Also, while in the area, I’d walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Amazing views.
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Maybe an obvious suggestion, it’s a popular tourist location, but I always love visiting The Edge in Hudson Yards. You could also climb on the side of the building but you couldn’t pay me to do that lol.
Definitely walk The High Line as well!
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Always a good question… music, politics, clothes/fashion, food, cocktails, shopping, comedy (we were going to see Stephen Colbert, but then he cancelled the date we had tix for on 8/15 
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Wondering if Ellis Island / Statue of Liberty much be too much time. 9/11 and such would be cool. She’d probably like walking around Central Park. Times Square seems like it could be overly touristy… but open to interesting shops and such.
For music I’d say it’s what you might expect for someone her age (e.g. Billie Eilish, various hip hop artists, etc)… I don’t think I could get away with taking her to a Jazz club 
How is Chelsea Market? I’ve seen suggestions of that with the High Line.
You can access the High Line every few blocks, including right by Chelsea Market. CM is a good place for lunch. Los Tacos #1 is really good for cheap mexican food.
Depending on how much time you have Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty feels like a lot of time, but I live nearby so I take some of this stuff for granted. Strolling through Central Park sounds fun. Times Square is truly awful and only for tourists.
The 9/11 museum is somber and very, very well done. I would say it’s worth the time. Can check out the Oculus (it’s a mall, but the building itself is wild and controversial). While you’re down there you can visit the Stock Exchange if that’s your thing.
My girls are 22 and 20. They like vintage store shopping in the East Village. I couldn’t begin to tell you the names of the stores, but I’m 100% certain that your daughter can easily find them online.
The Dimes Square area is an amazing spot for a 21 year old. Tons of restaurants and bars, amazing people watching. Some interesting shopping. I’m a huge fan of Cervo’s (Portuguese/Spanish seafood). My wife and I were there on Saturday and had a blast enjoying a meal outside and watching the world stroll by. Just looking around the restaurant, I’d say we were the second oldest people there. Parcelle Wine Bar is around the corner as is Michaeli Bakery. Scarr’s Pizza is there too. Although I’m a bit down on Scarr’s since they moved across the street.
FWIW…I probably won’t change your mind, but if I was coming in from out of town, Chambers is not the restaurant I’d go to. It’s not located near anything really (9/11 museum and stock exchange are walkable). It’s on a shitty block. Sure, the food is good and the wine list is fun, but overall, its not the vibe that a 21 year old girl is looking for (assuming she’s anything like my two girls). I can almost promise that your daughter will be the youngest person there.
This is just a quick picture that I snapped while eating at Cervo’s. It’s on Canal street and the view is looking west. Tons of young people spilling out into the street. The guy in the blue shirt was the only guy I thought was older than me. Lol.
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caveat that i’ve lived here for 24 years and i have no idea how “planny” you like to be with travel.
but you’ve absolutely nailed your timing with the weather and the city’s energy right now is fantastic. and it’s even somewhat on the quieter side as locals are traveling away, kids going back to school, etc.
my perfect plan for you and your daughter is no plan. just walk and get lost in various neighborhoods. walk south from your hotel and then east or west and you’ll find a plethora of stimuli, shopping, thrifting, galleries, snacks, pizza, gelato, wine, cocktails, tacos, and more tacos. the more lost you get, the more fun you’ll have.
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I am very serendipity oriented … biggest concern would be just not having a clue and doing something that wouldn’t be a good use of time since we only have 2 1/2 days (arrive around 1pm tomorrow at Newark, fly out Friday around 9pm), and then simply not finding things that she’d enjoy. Mike’s list is a great set of ideas, and she loves to walk fwiw (she did a college internship in DC and we walked 30K steps one of the days we were there). Anything you might want to add on top of that would be great
A few names of interesting stores or restaurants in cool areas and then I can string together something from that no problem
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I agree with @ybarselah the weather is perfect and the city was jumping this past Saturday. We spent most of the day shopping, wandering, and eating.
I agree Jim…while not having a plan and being spontaneous can be fun, it can also lead to missing stuff.
it’s an island - if you hit water, you’ve gone too far! 
2.5 days is either pretty short or plenty of time to wander, but everyone has their own travel style. if you’re anxious about missing things, you might want to throw a list of the top 10 things you want to cross off and we can provide some feedback.
edit: citibike is a great way to get around. download the app, pretty easy.
What are some of her interests as well as food and drink preferences? Also how many days?
Circle Line boat . Goes around the whole island of Manhattan and gives a perspective unlike anywhere else . And you see all the sights (buildings, bridges, Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium, parts of New Jersey). The weather this week is ideal for a boat trip, too.
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could also just bop around via e river ferry…
Jim,
Another way to get your wine fix and do it at a place that a 21 year old would enjoy is to get on line early for a walk-in dinner at The Four Horseman.
This might require a clue about how that would work (?) 
You mean get in line early (vs online)?
Roughly midday tomorrow through 9pm Friday evening flying out. Indian / asian food, sushi, mexican food (on the elevated side a bit). With cocktails, tiki drinks, aperol spritzes, etc… balanced to sweetish and fruit forward vs earthy or spicy which she wouldn’t care for as much.
Yes…I think (you should double check) that they start seating at 5:30pm…Maybe go at 5pm.
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