emmamarie

Hello

We are a family of four with two childen aged 5 and 8. We would like to visit NYC and Washington DC (for the first time) and have holidays mid December. How practical is it to walk around to a few places in New York at that time of year? I have been told that it is very cold at this time of year and that we may not enjoy ourselves. We would like to see Central Park, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Rockefellar centre and any other tourist attractions (we are from Australia). We were thinking of getting a train to Washington and staying in washington over Christmas. We are interested in seeing the museums, capitol hill, white house, washington monument, arlington cemetary and perhaps even mount vernon. Would appreciate any help/advice for making this an enjoyable holiday and we look forward to visiting the US for the first time!

Thanks

Aduchamp1

There can be temperature extremes in middle of December, usually not. But Christmas week is probably the busiest tourist week of the year and people engage in all sorts of activities indoors and outdoors including ice skating. In fact that week the streets are so crowded that certain ones become impassable.

nytraveler

Both NYC and DC have real winters, and while it's possible to get some days that are warm (highs close to 50), the usual high is around 40 with a low in the 20s at night. Light snow is possible, but it's rare that we get more than an inch of 2 before January , although about 5 yers ago we had 12" Christmas eve.

However, it's certainly not cold enough that you should curtail any activities (it's just regular winter - not siberia). As long as you have sensible clothing there's no reason you can't enjoy both cities indoors and out. Yo will each need a warm winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves and waterproofed shoes or low boots as well as a sturdy folding umbrella.

And, if you're lucky enough to get substantial snow while in NYC the kids will love going to Central Park - the city provides free equipment for sledding, as well as the skating rink open every winter, and you can by hot chocolates and pretzels with mustard or roasted chestnuts - and is packed with local kids.

DC is a few degrees warmer, but generally the same rules apply.

And if you want to see the White House you have to arrange it through your embassy. It's open only to group tours in which all of the members are recommended by either their congressperson or their embassy.

emmamarie

Thanks very much for your replies - sounds like fun!

HappyTrvlr

You should tickets far in advance for the Radio City Christmas Show,
perfect for your children and a NY holiday highlight.

mclaurie

Hotels in NYC are really really expensive mid Dec. Prices usually drop around the 18th through the 26th and then go back up. I think the idea of spending Xmas in DC may not be practical in that most museums are closed for Xmas while there's still plenty to do in NYC on Xmas day--like ice skating and going to the Xmas Spectacular. Where do you live?

Ryan

It isn't cheap, but the Peninsula Hotel has Gingerbread House building parties on several Saturday's in December. My wife took our two children this past December and they had a great time. They do provide lunch and plenty of treats for the kids.

2catlover

NYC in December in a real treat for Children . They will love it. It is not cheap but it is a once in a lifetime experience.

Mount Vernon will be decorated for Christmas . It will be lovely to look at.

BigRuss

There's no better time of the year to visit NYC than Xmas (which means from the night the Rockefeller Center tree is lit to January 1). And yeah, it can be cold. That does not mean you won't enjoy yourselves, especially with your hobbits running around pointing to all the cool stuff they see. Get some good coats and gloves and you'll be fine.

That said, you're not the only one with that idea, so be prepared for crowds.

sf7307

It wasn't Christmas, but we visited NYC and DC one very cold Thanksgiving when our kids were 6 and 8. Bundle up and you'll have a great time!

emmamarie

Hi thanks very much for all of your replies - i think we are sold on going to NYC!! We live in South Australia and have never been on an overseas holiday before so this is a big adventure for all of us! We think we will go to NYC first then catch train to Dc then fly to Orlando. Not sure on the order yet - i guess it depends on flights. We definitely have to be in Orlando by the 28th Dec so we will have 14 days before this to do NYC, DC and some of Florida. Perhaps we could spend Xmas in Orlando, do some outlet shopping the next day then head to Cocoa Beach for a couple of days before the cruise to go to Kennedy Space centre. I realise things will be closed Xmas day - wondering if maybe good to take kids to Seaworld for xmas? After the cruise we will do Disney World before flying back to Australia.

Bokhara2

emmamarie, I think you will all absolutely love NYC. I've not been there for Christmas (yet!), but a friend's grandchildren went last year and had a ball. They're about your children's ages and live in Miami. As others have said, kids don't seem to notice the cold all that much - and these two were far too excited at the Christmas displays, Central Park etc. They also went to Washington and again, everyone had a great time. I think the highlight for the little ones was the might have been the Natural History Museum. There's a trip report written by a 12yo boy on Washington - will see if I can find it for you.

If you can survive some of those freezing July days in Adelaide, you'll be fine in a bit of snow in NYC. Good excuse to buy a fabulous coat & some cosy boots in the sales!

Have fun & congratulations on starting those littlies on travelling early.

SueNYC

NYC does NOT close on Christmas day. Chinatown is alive and well. Central Park is open. All the movie theaters are open. All of the Jewish Museums are open on Christmas day. There is plenty to do. Plenty of restaurants not in Chinatown are open as well.