KathrynJH

We fly into NYC the evening of Thanksgiving. I've been advised by members here that the few days post Thanksgiving are the sales, and complete madness.

I'm putting together our itinerary, and keeping that in mind, particularly for those first 3 days - Friday, Saturday & Sunday, to try and avoid the busiest shopping areas. I'm not entirely sure where we should be avoiding, I assume Midtown etc.

Obviously I'm aware that the entire city is always busy and bustling, but would like some suggestions of areas we could go over that weekend that might be less chaotic.

These are the rough guidelines, in no particular order, that we are planning - just not sure which day to allocate for each, and would appreciate some help, especially for the first 3 days. (And also any area I haven't listed that we *must* do.) We will have our nearly 6 year old daughter with us.

A - Central Park (+ Museums, Zoo etc)
B - Circle Line cruise, Intrepid museum
C - Liberty Ferry, South St Seaport area
D - Rockefeller Centre (inc Rockettes show)
E - Brooklyn
F - Harlem, Upper West Side
G - Roosevelt Island Tram, then explore 5th Ave
H - East Village, Greenwich Village
I - Galleries, Museums
J - Shopping

Aduchamp1

The area and stores around Rock Center will be jammed.

Macy's on 34th Street will be a zoo. Broadway between 8th Street and Canal Street will be crazy.

There are special holiday gift fairs at Union Square, Bryant Park and in Grand Central that will be very crowded.

But the worst time for pedestrian congestion is Christmas week where the streets in midtown become impassable.

NYC gets 46 million visitors a year, and the weekday population swells an extra 500,000 people every day.

You just have to jump in.

travelbuff

Right after Thanksgiving I think is the busiest time of the year, with shopping being a big draw, we have tons of tourists, there's just no "getting around it", so brace yourself, bring warm clothing and know that anywhere you go, it will be CROWDED.

Harlem is on your list and quite honestly there isn't all that much to "see" up here. Harlem is probably the least busy of the sites on your list since this area is really mostly residential.

You might stop and see St. John the Divine on Amsterdam and 112th St and Columbia is just a few more blocks north, but beyond that not much. North of here you might enjoy the Cloisters which is 191st St stop on the A train and a short bus ride through Ft. Tryon park and really worth the trip uptown, The Cloisters is my fav museum in the city.

Also the Christmas Tree will probably be up at the Met Museum, and a must see while you are here.

The Christmas Markets are Union Square, Grand Central, Bryant Park and Columbus Circle. There is usually something going on like that near Lincoln Center as well, and Century 21 will probably be open by then. A NEW huge store at 66th and Broadway, multi-level (where Barnes and Nobel store was).

Hope this helps.

KathrynJH

Harlem was mainly just for lunch - husband is keen to eat Soul Food.

Is Brooklyn likely to be not as bad as Midtown?

Aduchamp1

Yes, Brooklyn will not be as crowded as mid-town. But sometimes there are reasons for the crowds. Fulton Street, however, will be mobbed. Their is wonderful residential architecture and excellent restaurants in Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and DUMBO.

Coming to Manhattan at Thanksgiving in an attempt to avoid crowds is like going to the beach to avoid sand.

The residential neighborhoods will be less crowded, of course, but the East Village at nights will have people pouring out of bars at the wee hours even in the colder weather.

South Street is nothing more than a bad mall on the water with horrible little restaurants.

KathrynJH

Give me crowds over sand any day.

We really just want to avoid the main black friday sales areas for the first few days and stick to more residential areas.

Where might be a good place to shop for supplies in the first day or so? (We have a kitchen in our hotel room) Not a chain supermarket either.

Shall cross South Street off the list!

Ackislander

"Where might be a good place to shop for supplies in the first day or so? (We have a kitchen in our hotel room) Not a chain supermarket either."

You don't say three things necessary to answer this question:

1. In what neighborhood will you be staying?
2. What meals do you need to provide for?
3. What sorts of non-supermarket food do you have in mind?

KathrynJH

1. Murray Hill (not that it matters particularly where as we don't mind venturing out to the neighbourhoods).
2. A couple of dinners
3. Maybe fresh pasta, cheeses, vegetables etc.

(Aduchamp has mentioned Raffetto's for pasta, so that's a good start)

Have heard mention of the Chelsea Markets.

nytraveler

There's one factor you haven;t mentioned. Granted end of Nov is still late fall - and any significant amount of snow is unlikely. But it is perfectly likely to be chilly and rainy (low 40s, wind and rain) so you need to be flexible in terms of what days you do indoor things or outdoor things.


You will definitely want to keep Central Park, ferry rides and days with a lot of walking for ones with better weather.

As for the stores the day that is really worst is Black Friday (there are often door breaker specials at 5 or 6 am - with hordes standing outside. I do not reco going to Macy's at any time over the holidays - just TOO crowded. If you really want to see it go early Sunday am - before 9 am - to avoid the worst crowds. When it is really crowded there are "facilitators" at the bottom of the escalators to drag the slow pokes off and out of the way - so people descending behind don;t fall on them. (The number of people who step off an escalator and then just stand there - instead of briskly moving away - is really astonishing. And anyone who can't walk quickly should not even attempt an escalator - but should take the elevators instead.)

starrs

I've been there over Thanksgiving weekend and haven't had any of the difficulties you imagine. The city is bustling with tourists, but it's a fun time to be in the city. I've stayed at the Muse hotel and stayed in a friend's apartment. Both times we caught a bit of the parade, but after it passes the city seemed the same to me. The lines may be a bit longer for some attractions but other than that I don't think you'll have any problems. I'm not much of a shopper so didn't go near Macy's on Black Friday - but then I don't go to the malls at home on that day either. Just like at home, the rest of the non-shoppers just get along with their normal routine. The Museum of Natural History was REALLY crowded that weekend. The grocery store was REALLY crowded with shoppers before Turkey Day. There are lots of folks on the sidewalks looking at the decorated store windows. But as far as navigating, dining, seeing shows, etc. we've had no problems. So, IMO, Midtown is fine during your first 3 days.

Aduchamp1

One of the minor inconveniences of living in Manhattan is that the supermarkets are overpriced and offer little selection. And for better quality you must go to the specialty stores.

There are inexpensive specialty stores but the are not clustered together.

For convenience in Murray Hill Todaro's is a good choice and medium priced. They sell prepared and fresh food and have been for about 100 years.

Doug the Fodor's editor lives in that area, and I am sure can give you many worthwhile places.

And if you like Indian food there are many restaurants and stores in and around Lexington Ave in the high 20's. Kalustyan's has a wide selction of spices and packaged items.

Have fun.