Experience The Ride

I am skeptical sometimes about taking my kids to shows here in NYC (my son often won't sit still, and my daughter can be very picky). But I jumped at the chance to take them on The Ride, a cool NYC-themed show that takes place on a bus. Basically, it's a travelling show that starts the moment you board the humongous, techno'd-up, pimped out 49-seat vehicle at the Marriot Marquis near Times Square. The Ride travels the streets of midtown New York (including Times Square, East Midtown, Central Park, and Columbus Circle) as you learn NYC trivia from your "scientist" hosts on board and (this is the best part) watch surprise interactions/performances by dancers and singers on the street. It is a real spectacle and full of surprises (I won't spoil the surprises except to say that the breakdancing FedEx delivery guy near Grand Central was my kids' favorite). The ride covers 4 1/2 miles and lasts just over an hour. The hosts provide funny commentary, as does "The Ride," the phantom bellowing voice of the vehicle that kept the kids in giggles. And it is very amusing to see passerbys' reactions to the street performances, and to "The Ride" itself, which blares music as it travels. It sounds obnoxious, but it's actually lots of fun. The kids were waving to people on the street, and vice versa. The grand finale--pulling into Times Square with everyone singing "New York, New York"--is almost a tearjerker. Highly recommend it!

The Ride has extra showtimes for summer. Ticket prices start at $59 per person. Not cheap, but cheaper than many Broadway shows and probably an experience that younger kids--whether native New Yorkers or out-of-town guests--will enjoy more.

We received complimentary tickets to The Ride for purposes of this review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.