Bateaux New York was a beautiful night cruise around Manhattan a couple of weeks ago.

Maybe tickets to a Broadway show?

I would not want to lock them into anything, so here is what I would do.

You can make your own gift card in any denomination you want, with your own picture and message. It works like any other Visa gift card (several sites do this). Find a public domain photo of NYC you like, or even make a collage, or one with them superimposed, whatever, and make that the image on the card. Add in a pocketguide perhaps--though most people use their phone, they can still be handy. https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Pocket-Travel-Guide/dp/174360127

Another thought, Air BnB has some interesting experiences you can book.

Aire Ancient baths. Haven't been to the one in NYC but went in Spain. (But it's 100.00 just to go to the underground pools area).

https://beaire.com/en/aire-ancient-baths-newyork

I'd also look on Travelzoo, especially for the Manhattan cruises.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/free-activities-nyc

Tickets to a TV show taping?

Favourite city! My only qualm with a gift certificate is choosing something with a specific date and time.

They should eat at Buvette.

https://ilovebuvette.com/

Top of the Rock is worth the hype and a great NYC attraction for a first time visit. I checked the website and unfortunately didn't see where you can buy gift cards.

https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

DH and I have visited the Met a few times but last visit we upgraded to a paid guided tour and it was great. Again, I can't see where you can buy gift cards.

https://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/Metropolitan-Museum-of-Art-Tour-with-Skip-the-line-Access/d687-7167METEXPRESS

So, I am no help about gift cards but hopefully they will enjoy considering these attractions. Fingers crossed that Mountain will chime in, I am sure she will have many tips.

This is a handy web site to use when visiting NY. It list all the current shows, events, free activities, hotels etc.

https://www.nycinsiderguide.com/nyc-hotel-deals

They are young, so do they want to see the hip young stuff. For example a street tour of Bushwick, Brooklyn's street art scene, a Williamsburg, Brooklyn micro brewery sip and munch tour etc. or the more typical tourist destinations.

The one thing I always do when I have out of towners visit is a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It is free and you get a beautiful view of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and the harbor. For a look into the immigrant experience, a walk down Roosevelt Avenue in Queens is wonderful. Try some authentic latin, Indian or Philippine food from the many food trucks or stop at the restaurant Mi Casa and have a large hardy Columbian meal.

I have toured the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side, but as a native New Yorker I find it is like visiting apartments I grew up in, but for some out of towners they can't understand how people lived like that. By the way many still do.

To answer your question about gift cards check Groupons for NYC, but wait to buy until the date is closer, as they do expire. If it were my choice I would give them a generic gift card and let them choose. NYC is so full and busy they may stumble on some wonderful thing they just want to try that no one suggested.

1929, I "found" Buvette with my DH a year or so ago, just took DD1 when were in NYC together. I adore the place, but the menu, and the tables, and the chairs, and the place are sooooooo teeny tiny. Smallest tables I have ever seen (loved the tiny portions). Tall people have to sit kind of sideways. Corpulent people could not even dine there.

mtnrdredux, smaller than La Boite en Bois?

I love that place and go almost every time I’m in the city. We’ve been to the one is Paris as well, but like NYC better.

Oh, and DH is almost 6’4” and he makes it work.

Thank you so much, everyone! I have lots of research to do and will also pass along all of your recommendations to them. I know they are looking at AirBnBs in Brooklyn and plan to see Wicked. Other than that, they are wide open.

"Hip young stuff" is right up their alley!

Gracefullyaged, you have gotten many helpful suggestions here. A gift card and a guidebook will serve them well and give them many options, without you having to deal with tickets, reservations, etc. We saw Wicked last year in Boston, a fun show!

Spanish, yes, but he has to "make it work" I am sure; where do you put your legs? And don't order too much; the table is the size of a chessboard. I noticed the plates were very small, DD pointed out the flatware is specially sized as well! I wonder how often people steal those adorable menus?

;) wouldn’t you like to know... kidding! We order a couple dishes at a time like tapas. I want to steal a menu, but I bought the cookbook instead. Their beef tartare is to die for....

Regarding air B&b, I have lived in Brooklyn most of my life. And it is a huge and diverse boro. If you want, post the areas oR places they are considering and I can tell u if it is really convenient to everything or not. NY neighborhoods can change in one block. If you prefer, DM and I'll assist. I love that we have tons of visitors in NY it helps spread the word that we are not all cold And angry, but friendly and busy.

Alternatively, look (have them look) at travelzoo for hotel deals. Or hotwire, priceline express or even bid, lastminutetravel.com (if you sign up the secret hotels are not secret).

Thanks again, everyone! I will pass along all of your recommendations.

Does anyone have experience with the CityPASS? I came across it on d_gw's Top of the Rock website. You get admission to six of eight available attractions (most of which are on their list) and have nine days from your first use to use them all (they will be staying 7 days). I was thinking I could get them each a CityPASS and a Broadway.com gift card so as to not lock them into a schedule (as recommended by several!).

@hcbm, Thank you so much for your kind offer. Here is what she had to say when I asked about possible airbnb locations: " We're thinking about splitting our time half and half between Brooklyn and Manhattan now, but the airbnb availability changes so frequently, so until I have the set dates and am ready to pull the plug I won't have links. We're only wanting to stay in the Williamsburg area though! This one is cool: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/26199926?location=Brooklyn%2C%20NY%2C%20United%20States&check_in=2019-03-25&check_out=2019-03-28&s=OK3_BVxU "

Hope the link works!!

I have been working in that area for many years and know it well. That loft is located in South Williamburg and the area is hip but not as hip as Bedford Ave in North Williamsburg. North Williamsburg is only a 5 or 10 block walk. NYC is a walking city and 5 to 10 blocks is nothing.

The Marcy stop is on the M line, an elevated subway that goes over the Williamsburg bridge and one stop to Delancy Street in Manhattan's lower east side. The cost of the apartment for NYC is great. A warning about air b&b's and what area they claim to be in. This particular apartment seems to be in Williamsburg. However, often they say East Williamsburg and that is not really true. And some of those areas are not really finished gentrifying. If they stay in this particular apartment they will see a large mix of hipsters, hispanics and Hasidics. It's a wonderful vibrant area with many restaurants, shops, bars, music venues etc...

One last thing, about the area, are they sure they are visiting in March and not April. A shut down of a major subway line is happening in April and travel in and out of Williamsburg will be a nightmare.

I am not sure what is include in Citypass, but if they are going to see enough of the venues it might be worth it. I would check Groupon, because I have seen Citypass offered for a discount occasionally.

One hint to know about NY, is some museums have an entrance fee suggested, but often it is pay what you wish. For example the Museum of Natural History is pay what you wish though they don't tell you that. Also many of the museums and cultural sites have reciprocal relationships with other states' venues. For example the Brooklyn Botanical Garden gives free admission to members of Botanical Gardens in other states. Also plan ahead and check for free admission days and plan your itinerary around that.

Their feet will HURT after a few days. I recommend putting gel innersoles into their stockings and giving them gift certificates for pedicures. Their feet will thank you!

Bloomie Nails is a local chain and they should be able to find a location that will suit them. PRO TIP: they do not have to get their toenails painted--they can get a leg massage instead. aaaaahhhhh