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: Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the hotel meeting room to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your schedule when you check in.

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. You may eat later but please attend Orientation first. Or, get “take out” and bring your plate to the meeting room.

Evening: Orientation: 6:15 p.m. 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. We will be walking a lot and using the New York City subway system that involves going up and down flights of stairs, long corridors, and often crowded conditions, so stick together. It’s what New Yorkers do every day! 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. If you are interested in attending a TV show during free time, check online for information. Most of the late-night shows impose an age restriction of 16+. 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. Following orientation, we will walk over to the Empire State Building for a bird’s eye view of the city with commentary from our Group Leader about the neighborhood. 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 hotel meeting room, have a New York bagel. We’ll also have choices such as hard-boiled eggs, cold cereals, fruit, muffins, jelly, butter, milk (regular and low-fat), juice, coffee, tea, water.

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 (film or television depending on availability) for an insider’s view of how things really work. We’ll then take the subway to Rockefeller Center. Although the famous skating rink is a cafe during the summer, Prometheus will still be there to greet us.

Lunch: At a Rockefeller Center eatery, we'll have vouchers to order what you like.

Afternoon: After lunch, an NBC page will be our host as we go behind the scenes at 30 Rock. We’ll explore at least two studios and learn about aspects of the TV production process such as scriptwriting, producing, and how the finished product reaches its audience. As a special highlight, we’ll have a chance to produce our own “show” and download it to keep.

Dinner: New Yorkers love Chinese food. Tonight, we'll have a family-style Chinese feast at a restaurant near the hotel. If you've never tried eating with chop sticks, this is your chance!

Evening: After dinner, we'll take a stroll through Times Square. Learn about the history of the area, see many of the Broadway theaters and learn how to utilize the TKTS Booth which features day-of discount tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway shows. We'll end our walk at Bryant Park where Monday night is movie night. If it strikes your fancy, you might choose to remain and watch the film otherwise, the evening is free.

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: With our Group Leader, we’ll take the subway to the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens for an interactive, hands-on experience. This is America’s only museum dedicated to the art, history, technique, and technology of the moving image in all its forms. The core exhibition — “Behind the Screen” — features more than 1,400 artifacts, from 19th-century optical toys to video games, interactive experiences, audiovisual material, and artworks that immerse visitors in the creative process of making moving images.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Grand Central Terminal. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Returning to the hotel, we'll be joined in the meeting room by a local expert who will highlight some of the neighborhoods featured in television and movies.

Dinner: At a festive 1950s style diner, we'll have a plated meal as the waiters and waitresses sing for us. Over the years, many of the staff at this restaurant have gone on to successful careers in the theater.

Evening: We’ll attend a private interactive performance of 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.

Breakfast: In the meeting room.

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 with a sandwich, cookie, fruit, water.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for 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.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

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: We’ll walk from the hotel with our Group Leader to an historic Broadway theater where a member of the staff tell us about its history and current operations. Returning to the hotel, we'll get an introduction to the musical theater with our theater expert.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy explore the local fare.

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

Dinner: In a neighborhood restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with sodas included; other beverages available for purchase. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: Tonight we'll attend a Broadway musical. Our program was planned far in advance when performance details were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.

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

Breakfast: In the meeting room.

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 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!