And … Action! New York’s Theater, Film & TV With Your Grandchild

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Walking 1/2 mile, approximately 20 minutes; city streets and sidewalks.

Afternoon: 4:00-4:30 p.m. Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, take your bags to your room. At 4:00 p.m., come to the designated hotel meeting room (location will be posted) to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information. If you arrive late, please ask for your envelope when you check in. 4:30 pm Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Intergenerational program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Children are never to be left unsupervised. This active program involves extensive walking and use of public transportation including the New York subway system with many stairs up and down. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: In the Tick Tock Diner just off the lobby of our historic hotel, we’ll have our first meal together and order from a select menu. This 24-hour diner features American cooking and “comfort food.” Dinner in the diner is included even if you arrive late.

Evening: Following dinner, we will walk over to the Empire State Building for a bird’s eye view of the city. You are welcome to stay as long as you like and return on your own.

Activity note: Use of New York City subway system. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day; city streets and sidewalks, stairs.

Breakfast: In The Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: We'll start our day in the meeting room with an illustrated talk by a local expert who will give us an overview of the arts in this great city. Next, we’ll be joined by an industry professional (in film or television depending on availability) for an insider’s view of how things really work.

Lunch: Bag lunches in Midtown.

Afternoon: After lunch, we'll explore Rockefeller Center, home to NBC television programs including The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, and a host of others past and present. As we walk around the plaza with our Group Leader, we'll learn about the history of this iconic NYC site.

Dinner: At a neighborhood restaurant.

Evening: After dinner, we'll visit one of NYC’s independent cinemas where we’ll have a private screening of the musical film, ‘In The Heights’, which was filmed entirely on location in New York City. Written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, ‘In the Heights’ tells the story of Usnavi, a bodega owner in Washington Heights. We’ll follow him, his family, friends and neighbors over the course of one eventful summer. Tomorrow, we'll take a deeper dive into the world of this film as we travel up to The Heights to visit the locations used in the film and see how the film mirrors and changes the real-life neighborhood to aid in its telling of the story.

Activity note: Use of New York City subway. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day; city streets and sidewalks, some stairs.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: In our meeting room at the hotel, we'll meet a location manager from the film industry. Tasked with finding real-world places for use as a film set (as opposed to a built set on a sound stage), our guest will discuss what it takes to find just the right spot. We'll then jump on the legendary A-train subway and head up to Washington Heights, where we'll put the knowledge we've just learned to use as we explore locations from the musical film ‘In the Heights’.

Lunch: At a neighborhood restaurant.

Afternoon: We'll see more filming locations before returning to the hotel for a wrap up conversation about film making and 'In the Heights.'

Dinner: We'll explore the Times Square area before heading inside for a meal served by a singing wait staff who aspire to be future stars of stage and screen — we’ll order from a select menu and have plated meals.

Evening: We’ll attend a private interactive performance at a local improv company. Get ready to help create the show!

Activity note: Use of New York City subway. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day; city streets and sidewalks, some stairs. Extent and duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: We will divide into smaller groups and set out on a walking field trip to explore New York’s biggest and best green space and film set, Central Park. Equipped with maps and clues, we’ll search for some of the most famous sights that have appeared in movies and TV.

Lunch: In Central Park, we’ll have box lunches.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. If an additional Broadway show is on your agenda, we suggest utilizing the TKTS Discount Ticket Booth located in Times Square for day-of purchases at a 30-50 percent discount off regular box office prices. Alternatively, to purchase tickets ahead of time, we recommend the TodayTix app. It allows for advance sales at a very low service fee, features discounts and allows one to choose a section, though not a specific seat location. Note: Ticketmaster and Telecharge charge exorbitant fees.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Use of New York City subway. Walking up to 5 miles throughout the day; city streets and sidewalks, some stairs.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: In our hotel meeting room, our educator will give us an introduction to the Broadway musical. Then, we'll head over to The Museum of Broadway where we'll learn about the history of Broadway from its earliest days to the present as well as learn a bit about the many behind-the-scenes jobs that make a show run every day.

Lunch: On your own to explore the local fare.

Afternoon: Regrouping at the hotel, we’ll meet and talk with an actor from the show we will be attending this evening.

Dinner: At a neighborhood restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: Tonight we'll attend a performance of a Broadway musical. Our program is planned way in advance and shows open & close with some frequency. The performance will be announced in spring 2024.

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: In the Tick Tock Diner.

Morning: In the meeting room, we’ll have a lively wrap-up session and discuss the performances included in the program and any you may have attended on your own. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!