Christmas in New York

NYC is both exciting and a zoo that week. The streets literally become impassable near Rock Center and Times Square.

Be sure to have a hotel and do not overplan.

I think Christmastime is the best time to visit the city. There are decorations everywhere, lots of stuff to do, etc. Of course, it is also expensive then.

As for transportation from Newark, there are several choices. I usually take one of the bus services that have desks near the bag claim area. There are private services and also a Port Authority bus. It is cost effective and doesn't take too long. Of course, once you arrive in Manhattan, you will need to get from the bus stop to your hotel, so factor that in to the cost and hassle. You can also take a taxi, but it will be more expensive.

I agree with Aduchamp that I would plan some time for just wandering around. Fifth Avenue is always done up in decorations and makes for some beautiful window shopping. Same for Rockefeller Center. The windows at Saks, Lord & Taylor, Tiffany, Bergdorf and Barney's are always really special at Christmas. If you want to ice skate, I'd recommend doing it in Central Park at Wollman Rink, rather than in Rockefeller Center where it will be very crowded. But for a beautiful ground-floor view of the rink and skaters, get a reservation for a meal at the Sea Grill in Rockefeller Center.

Yes, the streets are impassable during that time of year. I love NY, but we leave every year from Christmas-New Year and come back only when the crowds subside.

The crowds are pretty bad, but If you don't mind a lot of people around, it can still be a great time to see the city.

Whoa!!!! Sure, it's crowded during the holiday season, but let's not scare people away. The crowds are part of what makes New York City especially exciting that time of the year.
And, believe me, sure, the streets are crowded, but most are passable!

You should reserve your hotel now to try to get even half-way reaasonable rates.

It's the most crowded and probably expensive time of year.

Best transit depends on how much luggage you have and how much you mind schlepping it. A car service (Carmel or Dial 7) will be about $60. For about half that you can take the Air Train to Newark, hop on NJ Transit train to NYC Penn Station and then take a subway to your hotel. Be aware there may be several sets of stairs and long passageways to deal with.

Do not do the ESB - whcih has huge lines. Instead go to Top of the Rock - for which you can get advance timed ticekts.

For discount show tickets (although there may not be many tht week) go to brodwaybox.com about 3 months in advance. If they're not showig discounts you'll need to use ticketmaster for full price.

Avoid Times Square except to see a show. Do go to the Met (check out the web site in advance to see what departments interest you).

And definitely walk up Fifth Ave from Lord & Tayloe (39th) to 57th to see all the incredibly decorted store window, Rock Center and skating rink and St Pat's.

I second most of what's aleady said here...LOL! And, wear layers.

Our 1st trip to NYC was over the holidays and it was fab! (2 adults as well).

We did the train in from EWR once and it was so easy we did it again on our last trip. For us it was the fastest way into the city as we arrived during evening rush hour. If you're not fiesty or mobile, just take a cab as another poster mentioned - there's lots of stairs, corridors and crowds at the stations.

The crowds were really only surprising at the terminals (train/bus/rail) and after Christmas sales.

Be sure to visit the Met and marvel at its Christmas tree. That whole area round Top of the Rock is lovely with its festive decorations. We preferred the ESB to the TotR.

If you happen to be around Grand Central Station, pop in and check out the laser show on the ceiling (and grab some cheesecake from Juniors while there - yum!)

For us the window displays were amazing and fun to wander around to!

Watch something at Lincoln Center.

We got excellent use out of the 7 day Metrocard pass (for busses, subways, etc.). When it wasn't convenient, we just used a cab but most times it's so easy to just hop on a bus or subway. I've not bought a 1-day pass before as we usually stay 4 days, but price it out - it might be a better option for you.

I'm a country bumpkin and the subway and crowds didn't faze us. Have a wonderful trip!

Enjoy-la!

Ah yes, the Metropolitan Museum's christmas tree with its Neapolitan nativity is one of the highlights of the season. Don't miss it!!

I'm kind of surprised by the comments about how crowded it will be that week. I've been there over Christmas several times and both Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 were VERY quiet (in fact the 25th was almost desolate in midtown -- except for right around Rockefeller Center). Since those two are the only two full days being talked about, I'm not sure about those "zoo" comments. I would expect a lot of traffic though on the 23rd and even more on the 26th when you are leaving.

Patrick, your comment is right on!

Christmas Day was the only time I ever found free on-street parking in Manhattan.

The week between Christmas and New Years is the busiest of the year.

Keith

That may be true, Keith, but since the poster is leaving town the day after Christmas, they'll miss all that. As a matter of fact, I've been surprised in the past to get very low prices for hotels during the full week (until New Year's Eve when they of course skyrocket). I assume that's because there are no conventions and virtually no business travelers. But that only applies to the "slowness" of hotels -- not how busy the city itself is!

That week is madness in midtown. The extraordinary shopping creates immense crowds. Three of the gridlock alert days last year were Dec 19, 20, 21.

People flock to see to the store windows and the ice skating. And if the weather is somewhat mild it will be even worse.

Yes Christmas morning may be quiet but the evening, it will be nuts.

I don't disagree with anything you just said -- except that Christmas night will be nuts. Define that -- and where are you talking about, certainly not midtown? But did you bother to read the original post and question? The person isn't even going to New York until the 23rd. Why would they care about the crowds on the 19th, 20th, and 21st. Maybe you should also be pointing out how bad the traffic is midtown on Thanksgiving Day -- that has just as much to do with this post!

Sure, New York City is crowded during the holiday season, but honestly, it's not as if everything is at a standstill because of teeming crowds.
I think some of the comments are examples of hyperbole gone wild!

I worked on 55 Street for a couple of years and for whatever reason vistors, business I have been at Rock Center and Times Square during Christmas and the streets were literally impassbale and that includes the shopping days leading up to Christmas.

Do I remember the exact day of the week and time. No. But when I worked there I wouldn't even hit the streets at lunch time.

And now unless there is an extenuating circumstance I avoid the area. That said try eating in other areas if all possible, in a residential area. Those areas will be much quieter. That would include the East and West Villages where there are great selections to begin with.

By the way, the three at the Met Museum is the epitome of elegance.

There are three markets that sell unusual gifts From Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, Union Square, Grand Central Station, and Bryant Psrk. Anyone who is town during that time might want to stop in. Most places have reasonably priced items.

The week before Christmas is my all-time favourite week in NY. Yes, the streets are crowded but the areas in front of many of the store windows are roped-off so that those who want to see the windows can stop while the walkers can get by. The streets are not 'literally' impassable. That would mean that people are at a dead stop and of course they're not. It's crowded, sure, but you'll manage and it's so engergizing and exciting at Christmastime!

One thing you should absolutely not miss is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Radio City Musical Hall itself is absolutely beautiful and the show is so much fun. You can't help but be in the holiday spirit when you see it.

Broadway shows are great but if you can only manage one theatre event then make it the Christmas Spectacular!

Gosh, I'm so jealous!

Well, call me wacky but I can't understand why anyone would go to NY at Christmastime so they could spend time in quieter residential areas.

That said, Nellie, if you want a quiet, homey type of Christmas (always nice, I agree) this might be the wrong time to visit NY. If you want excitement, crowds, glitter, lights, well, then NY is the place for you.

I do not expect people to be close readers. The suggestion was to eat in residential areas if possible. It is easier than fighting the crowds in mid town.

I was simply trying to prepare the original posters for what could otherwise be a surprise, possibly an unexpecred surprise.

And yes, the traffic is so bad on Fifth Afvenue, the stops on the bus routes are changed at Christmas time to alliviate some vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

But what do I know, I have only lived here all my live.

One thing to keep in mind is that most places (museums stores etc) shut down quite early on Dec 24, and will be closed on the 25th. There should be shows on the 25th later in the day.
So for many of the things you want to do, you'd have to schedule them for the 23rd or the 26th. Do you have full days in NY those days?

I agree with most of the posters above that the days leading up to the holiday range from busy to very busy, and then Xmas day is pretty quiet. The 26th is busy with shoppers, but many people are away from work, so the crowds of tourists are somewhat offset by fewer office workers.

Never mind goddesstogo, some of us understood your comment about going to New York for Christmas and then seeking out quiet neighborhoods to eat -- SILLY! Most have us could stay home and eat in nice quiet neighborhoods and save all that money. Isn't the point of going to NYC to experience what we don't have at home?
I suppose New Yorkers go to Florida or Hawaii for Christmas and avoid going to the beaches because that's where the tourists go? Same sort of idea.

I know, NP. And the 'well, I live in NY' aspect makes no sense. Some of us, even though we don't live in NY, have lived close enough or visited often enough that we're pretty knowledgeable about the city. My idea of a 'quiet residential neighbourhood' is my friend's apartment in the UWS.

I have been to NYC many times around Christmas time, and this may sound a bit "cheap", but I always bring breakfast and lunch snacks so that I can eat rather "normal" during the day, and then splurge on a great dinner. If I don't bring my own munchies, I find that I can easily spend $50.00 or more during the day on mediocre meals at restaurants. Save your money for dinner and enjoy!

One of my "to do before I die" lists was NYC at Christmastime. So we did it last year, only did it the first week of December, so can't speak to your exact time line.

It was Magical!!. Top of the Rock at sunset, seeing the city go from light to dark, Rockefellar Center with the tree, skaters, happy families everywhere. Wow.

We rejoiced in the crowds, but were glad we had made plans well in advance for our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) and dining (restaurant on the rink in Rock Center, La Madeline) and our shows (Rockettes, Jersey Boys) WELL in advance.

Go and have a blast!

We have been going to NYC during the week before Christmas for years. Our family is there, and we always have a really wonderful time. Last year we stayed at a friend's apartment on the UWS and therewere nights that it was quiet; we walked in to a decent restaurant on both the 22nd and 23rd.

Bryant Park was a bit crowded but not at all impassable. We enjoyed the tree there and watching the ice skaters. I think the skating there is less crowded than at the other rinks, but there was a line in the evening.

Been to Macy's windows and although the scene was very lively, it wasn't unpleasant.

We have enjoyed shopping in Soho, Union Square, the UES, and other places. We've also been to lots of galleries and museums at this time of year. As I said, we always enjoy it.

Have a great time.