jfawp

Coming to NYC Jan 1, staying at Club Quarters at Rockefeller Center. Can anyone give me any input to this hotel and the location. How far is it from Time Square, Broadway, etc. Also, will most of the Christmas decorations still be up? Also some must-sees. I've been, but husband hasn't, but I was with a tour group before, so this will be our really first experience of staying in NYC. Thanks for any advice.

nytraveler

Broadway is a major north/south street that runs the length of Manhattan. If you mean the theater district - yes Rock Center is only a few blocks east of part of the theater district and a couple of blocks further from Times Square.

I suggest you get a map so you can easily find yuor wayaround.

All of the decorations will still be up and you'll be near th4e center of them.

But be awre that many other tourist attractions are not in this area - many museums are much further uptown and to see Wall St, chinatown, the Village and catch a ferry (Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island) you need to go to the south tip of the island.

So - you'll also need a good subway map.

mclaurie

You can find reviews (and photos) of the hotel on tripadvisor.com here
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html
It couldn't be much more central. If you go to maps.google.com and type in at the top the name of the hotel to Times Square and then chose walk, you'll see a route, the distance and estimated time it will take.

Many things will be closed on Jan. 1 so you should look on opentable.com and make a reservation for at least 1 meal whether brunch or dinner. You might consider taking the onboardtours.com bus for an overview of all the "must sees." Here's a list of things that were open on Jan. 1 last year. MOMA was one and is very close to your hotel
http://www.newyorkology.com/archives...s_open_new.php

jfawp

Thanks, you two, I'm checking out some of the sites you gave me. Will try to find a subway map here before we go. Where would you suggest eating dinner on the first. Can we take the subway to most tourist places or is there a better way. Does NYC have a city pass that covers different transportations like San Francisco does, or can you get a subway pass for several days? Thanks. I'm so excited

mclaurie

Here's a subway map http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm
Subway is best for longer trips like midtown to Greenwich Village. You'll see more on the bus but buses are slow. You'll be surprised how many places will be within walking distance. hopstop.com is a good website to give you options for getting from point A to point B. Maps.google.com also now gives public transit directions (as well as walking map).

You can buy a one day ($7.50) or one week ($25) unlimited ride metrocard that's good for buses and subways but each person must have their own. Or buy a pay as you go metrocard for as much as you want and you can both use it. http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm

Where to go for dinner on the first depends on what you want to eat and how far you want to travel.

jfawp

Thanks for your help, I'm checking some of the sites you gave me. Also, if you could only see one Broadway Show what would it be? I'm thinking about South Pacific or Phantom. I've seen Beauty & the Beast and Radio City Christmas Show, hubby hasn't seen any. Thanks for any suggestions, Jean

J62

If I could only see one show, on or around 1/1/09 which is 2 weeks away, I'd pick the one I already had tickets to.

If I didn't already have tickets I'd consider myself a beggar, not a chooser.

Quite a few people visit NYC for New Years.

nytraveler

Hit shows typically sell out far in advance (like 4/5 months) esp over the holidays. Older shows like Phantom you may find some tickets if you look now. SP you will get only through a broker at sky high prices.

mclaurie

Radio City Xmas Spect. will be closed by Jan. 1. Phantom has been running forever and you should find discount tickets on broadwaybox.com or at the tkts booth info at tdf.org/tkts

South Pacific, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys are all "hot" tickets.

jfawp

Is $125.00 about average for tickets to SP? I saw some online somewhere for that and what is the best site to check out for SP tickets.

J62

telecharge.com is the official site for tickets - they show the list price of $125 for SP. They show no tickets avail from Jan 1-4, as expected.

A good place to check for resales is stubhub.com. I see plenty of tickets available - with a mark up of course. Stubhub guarantees that you'll get the tickets in time, and that they are valid tickets.

I use them 1-2x per season for sporting events.

jfawp

I just booked tickets for South Pacific through Jumbo Tickets. Has anyone ever used them to purchase tickets?

J62

No, I have not. I just looked up SP on their website. All these aftermarket brokers sell the exact same tickets, and their prices look to be quite a bit less than stubhub.

Looks like you saved $20-30/ticket.

Have a great trip.

jfawp

When I came to NYC several years ago with a group, we visited a place similar to the stock market, but it was a comodities market or something. It was really interesting, you could go in and watch behind a glass wall. Does anyone know what this is called?

jfawp

Hubby loves China Town in San Francisco, how does China Town in New York compare (size wise, etc.) and how much time should we spend here? Has anyone used the New York Greeters?

nytraveler

If you mean the Big Apple Greeters you need to reserve far in advance - since they get many more requests than thre are volunteers. Also, try to be specific about what area or activitiy you want the Greeter to show you.

jfawp

My husband is so excited about our trip. Following is a partial list of things we would like to see/do - I need help getting them in order so we can get the most out of our days in your wonderful city:
World Trade Center site
Police museum
Met museum
the famous Christmas windows
ESB or Top of Mart (for view)
maybe Ellis Island if have time
Statue of Liberty
Maybe walk Brooklyn Bridge (we walked Golden Gate Bridge last year - it was awesome)
a famous hot dog stand (which one)
What else do we need to plan on seeing?
We are seeing South Pacific on the 2nd, maybe another show?
Maybe China Town
Also still trying to find out name of place I went before that was near Wall Street where you could go in and watch trading going on through a glass window? Can anyone tell me the name of this place? Thanks for all your help