Christmas dinner in New York / New Year's Eve in Miami
Nov 7th, 2015, 02:47 AM
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Christmas dinner in New York / New Year's Eve in Miami
HI everyone,
I am just wondering what your must sees and dos for Christmas Day / Night in New York and New Year's Eve in Miami would be.
I am also wondering where you would suggest for dinners on both nights and best place to see fireworks in Miami.
We have been to both places before but not when these special events are taking place.
In regards to dinner we enjoy good steaks, Italian but not seafood or anything spicy. We realise that prices will be expensive during these times.
Thanks for any suggestions
Donna
I am just wondering what your must sees and dos for Christmas Day / Night in New York and New Year's Eve in Miami would be.
I am also wondering where you would suggest for dinners on both nights and best place to see fireworks in Miami.
We have been to both places before but not when these special events are taking place.
In regards to dinner we enjoy good steaks, Italian but not seafood or anything spicy. We realise that prices will be expensive during these times.
Thanks for any suggestions
Donna
Nov 7th, 2015, 03:41 AM
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On Christmas day many restaurants in NYC are closed so you should reserve well in advance. Also note that many places have set seatings (noon, 2pm, 4pm, etc) and limited menus. A good option is to check opentable.com to see which places are offering meals on Christmas day and what the menus and prices are. We don't eat out on Christmas so can;t give specific recos.
As for what to do the city is very quiet and all major shopping outlets are closed. You can always take in a movie (which along with chinese food is a sort of tradition for families not celebrating christmas), ride the Staten Island ferry and check out the tree, St Pat's and Top of the Rock.
There will be performances of the radio City Christmas Show - if that would interest you - but many broadway shows are dark and those playing have only evening performances - not matinees you would usually get on Wed.
As for what to do the city is very quiet and all major shopping outlets are closed. You can always take in a movie (which along with chinese food is a sort of tradition for families not celebrating christmas), ride the Staten Island ferry and check out the tree, St Pat's and Top of the Rock.
There will be performances of the radio City Christmas Show - if that would interest you - but many broadway shows are dark and those playing have only evening performances - not matinees you would usually get on Wed.
Nov 7th, 2015, 05:11 AM
#3
Re Miami: are you going to be staying in Miami or somewhere along Miami Beach?
I would suggest staying somewhere which affords a view of any fireworks and by that I do not mean people trying to look cool on Collins Avenue.
I would suggest staying somewhere which affords a view of any fireworks and by that I do not mean people trying to look cool on Collins Avenue.
Nov 7th, 2015, 06:40 AM
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Ethnic restaurants of all sorts are open on Christmas Day in NY and as noted above some places have pix fixe as well.
Here is one list:
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=6&m=8
Here is one list:
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=6&m=8
Nov 7th, 2015, 02:42 PM
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions in NY. I will check out the open table list. We enjoy pasta so Ai Fiori may be an option.
nytraveler I will write down your suggestions. We are staying at the Conrad New York which is close to a mall / restaurants / cinemas so the movies could be an option too.
I did contact the concierge where I was staying and he said that it is too early at the moment to make bookings as they are only focused on Thanksgiving.
In Australia to book a restaurant for Christmas you need to do it well in advance. So I thought I would see what the helpful people of Fodors would suggest.
Dukey 1 we are staying at the YVE hotel in Miami Biscayne Boulevard for 5 nights before our cruise.
Thanks
Donna
nytraveler I will write down your suggestions. We are staying at the Conrad New York which is close to a mall / restaurants / cinemas so the movies could be an option too.
I did contact the concierge where I was staying and he said that it is too early at the moment to make bookings as they are only focused on Thanksgiving.
In Australia to book a restaurant for Christmas you need to do it well in advance. So I thought I would see what the helpful people of Fodors would suggest.
Dukey 1 we are staying at the YVE hotel in Miami Biscayne Boulevard for 5 nights before our cruise.
Thanks
Donna
Nov 7th, 2015, 03:58 PM
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OK - so you're staying in far downtown - so not sure what Christmas decorations will be easily accessible - what I described is in midtown.
Essentially every place in Manhattan is close to stores, restaurants and movies. Don;t know what mall you mean - but don't expect what would be a mall in suburbia - here they are vertical and not where most shopping is - which is stores lining the streets.
Essentially every place in Manhattan is close to stores, restaurants and movies. Don;t know what mall you mean - but don't expect what would be a mall in suburbia - here they are vertical and not where most shopping is - which is stores lining the streets.
Nov 7th, 2015, 04:12 PM
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We are fine with catching public transport and cabs and enjoy getting out and about. Everything is so spread out in NY that we have enjoyed staying in different parts of the city when we have visited in the past.
Thanks
Thanks
Nov 11th, 2015, 05:11 AM
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Actually lots of restaurants now stay open for Xmas. The Conrad is down in the financial district which has become a popular area for families to live. Once upon a time it would have been desolate down there, especially on Xmas, but not any more.. I will warn it can get wild and windy there in winter as you're so close to the water so dress warmly.
The mall you refer to is Brookfield Place. Not sure if they have a movie theater but they will have an ice rink ( it may already be open). Le District inside Brookfield should be a good place for coffee and pastry in the mornings but for a nicer breakfast, the Greenwich Hotel is about a 10-15 min. walk from the Conrad and houses the restaurant Locanda Verde. I love their sheep’s milk ricotta with truffle honey & burnt orange toast ( good to share) followed by lemon ricotta pancakes. Would be a nice breakfast for xmas day.
Walking the xmas windows early xmas morning is a lovely way to start the day before the city gets busy. The subway runs 365/year so you should have no problems getting around. You may also want to download Uber to your smartphone as a backup option for getting around. In addition to movies and the Radio City Xmas Spectacular, a number of Broadway shows will have xmas night performances. Look here.
http://playbill.com/news/article/bro...chedule-359635
In addition to the xmas windows, a show or movie and a meal or two, a number of tourist venues are open on Xmas including Top of the Rock, the Empire State building and One World Observatory down near your hotel. Ice skating is also popular. The Wollman Rink in Central Park is beautiful.
In addition to Ai Fiori for your xmas meal, Quality Italian and Quality Steak in midtown should be open and not far from the park and Radio City or the Broadway theaters. Keens Steakhouse is iconic NYC and should be open too.
I think all you have to decide is whether you want to spend the day in midtown or maybe split the day and spend part downtown and part midtown. Unlike most major cities of the world, NYC definitely does not close down on Xmas and Boxing Day doesn't exist here.
The mall you refer to is Brookfield Place. Not sure if they have a movie theater but they will have an ice rink ( it may already be open). Le District inside Brookfield should be a good place for coffee and pastry in the mornings but for a nicer breakfast, the Greenwich Hotel is about a 10-15 min. walk from the Conrad and houses the restaurant Locanda Verde. I love their sheep’s milk ricotta with truffle honey & burnt orange toast ( good to share) followed by lemon ricotta pancakes. Would be a nice breakfast for xmas day.
Walking the xmas windows early xmas morning is a lovely way to start the day before the city gets busy. The subway runs 365/year so you should have no problems getting around. You may also want to download Uber to your smartphone as a backup option for getting around. In addition to movies and the Radio City Xmas Spectacular, a number of Broadway shows will have xmas night performances. Look here.
http://playbill.com/news/article/bro...chedule-359635
In addition to the xmas windows, a show or movie and a meal or two, a number of tourist venues are open on Xmas including Top of the Rock, the Empire State building and One World Observatory down near your hotel. Ice skating is also popular. The Wollman Rink in Central Park is beautiful.
In addition to Ai Fiori for your xmas meal, Quality Italian and Quality Steak in midtown should be open and not far from the park and Radio City or the Broadway theaters. Keens Steakhouse is iconic NYC and should be open too.
I think all you have to decide is whether you want to spend the day in midtown or maybe split the day and spend part downtown and part midtown. Unlike most major cities of the world, NYC definitely does not close down on Xmas and Boxing Day doesn't exist here.
Nov 12th, 2015, 12:17 AM
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Hi mclaurie,
thanks so much for all of your detailed information and recommendations. I am definitely noting it all down. We are so glad to hear that there is a lot happening on Christmas Day and still lots to see and do.
Yes, we will be packing for the cold weather and likelihood of snow. The le district and Locanda verde sound great and it seems the mall will be quite good .
I am a teacher in the middle of writing school reports so will check out all of the suggestions in the near future.
Thanks again for all of the detail. It is much appreciated.
thanks so much for all of your detailed information and recommendations. I am definitely noting it all down. We are so glad to hear that there is a lot happening on Christmas Day and still lots to see and do.
Yes, we will be packing for the cold weather and likelihood of snow. The le district and Locanda verde sound great and it seems the mall will be quite good .
I am a teacher in the middle of writing school reports so will check out all of the suggestions in the near future.
Thanks again for all of the detail. It is much appreciated.
Nov 12th, 2015, 03:55 AM
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New Years eve there are always fireworks in downtown, I think off Bayfront Park.
Saw this....
http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/event...ion-2015/22658
Its free and will probably be crazy packed!
Saw this....
http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/event...ion-2015/22658
Its free and will probably be crazy packed!
Nov 12th, 2015, 04:16 AM
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The fireworks on South Beach are not walkable from your hotel. You are staying on the mainland side. Totally walkable to the main fireworks that I posted link for.
You may want to see if the hotel is hosting a viewing party.
You may want to see if the hotel is hosting a viewing party.
