New York leading up to Christmas
Jun 2nd, 2016, 08:20 AM
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New York leading up to Christmas
Hi all, we are planning to visit NY for 5 nights just before Christmas and want recommendations for districts/hotels to stay. We want to hit the ground running to see as much as possible so want to be in the action etc... What are the not to be missed sights? Thanks
Jun 2nd, 2016, 08:54 AM
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I usually recommend Midtown because it's walkable to a lot of first-timer sights, and is especially convenient to Broadway if you have tickets to a show or play. We stayed at the Muse last week and it was great, stayed at the Royalton a few years ago and liked it, too.
That said, a lot of people don't like Times Square (although neither of those hotels is on it), and really, any place near a subway stop will do as there is no one location that's near "everything".
Do you have any particular requirements, such as a kitchenette? Any activities already planned?
I hope you're aware of how very expensive NYC hotels get during the week before Xmas...
That said, a lot of people don't like Times Square (although neither of those hotels is on it), and really, any place near a subway stop will do as there is no one location that's near "everything".
Do you have any particular requirements, such as a kitchenette? Any activities already planned?
I hope you're aware of how very expensive NYC hotels get during the week before Xmas...
Jun 2nd, 2016, 12:35 PM
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Seriously? There is a ton of information on the internet about this - go googling first to see what interests you. After all, no one here knows what YOU would regard as a "not to be missed sight".
And if you want hotel recs, state a budget. Most central and good NYC hotels will be >$300 per plus tax. That's 200 quid.
Seriously? There is a ton of information on the internet about this - go googling first to see what interests you. After all, no one here knows what YOU would regard as a "not to be missed sight".
And if you want hotel recs, state a budget. Most central and good NYC hotels will be >$300 per plus tax. That's 200 quid.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 01:27 PM
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My two cents is this. You want to come during the most expensive time of the entire year to visit NYC. A hotel that might be $110 a night in January will cost over $400 a night the week before Christmas. If you arrived on Christmas Day (sometimes even the weekend before Christmas) and stayed for 5 days before New Year's, you'd likely pay half.
Stay in Manhattan, but if you can't afford it, then look in Long Island City, Queens (which is not in what we consider Long Island), a neighborhood just across the river from the heart of Manhattan and 1 to 3 subway stops from the most important subway stations in Midtown. But even there you will pay sometimes $280 for a room that can go for as little as $80 in January or February.
I'm not going to recommend the "top sights". There are guidebooks that do that. I'm happy to give you guidance and advice once you give me a better idea of what you like. I am not, for example, going to recommend art museums to you if all you care about is Times Square.
Stay in Manhattan, but if you can't afford it, then look in Long Island City, Queens (which is not in what we consider Long Island), a neighborhood just across the river from the heart of Manhattan and 1 to 3 subway stops from the most important subway stations in Midtown. But even there you will pay sometimes $280 for a room that can go for as little as $80 in January or February.
I'm not going to recommend the "top sights". There are guidebooks that do that. I'm happy to give you guidance and advice once you give me a better idea of what you like. I am not, for example, going to recommend art museums to you if all you care about is Times Square.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 04:40 PM
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Sorry - some info e do need to help you:
Who and how many is "we"?
What is your nightly hotel budget - specific amount not moderate or won't break the bank?
What are your interests?
I can tell you my must sees but why should I send you to the Nutcracker if you would rather see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City
Who and how many is "we"?
What is your nightly hotel budget - specific amount not moderate or won't break the bank?
What are your interests?
I can tell you my must sees but why should I send you to the Nutcracker if you would rather see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City
Jun 2nd, 2016, 04:51 PM
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The streets become impassable around Rock Ctr and Times Square at Christmas Time. They even change the bus routes because of the crowds.
Try to stay and eat in residential areas and visit TS and Rock Ctr. There are scores of new hotels all over Manhattan now.
My must see is the Christmas Tree at the Met Museum. And buy whatever timed tickets you need as well in advance as possible.
Try to stay and eat in residential areas and visit TS and Rock Ctr. There are scores of new hotels all over Manhattan now.
My must see is the Christmas Tree at the Met Museum. And buy whatever timed tickets you need as well in advance as possible.
Jun 2nd, 2016, 05:10 PM
#8
Hey, how did your southern trip go?
If your dates are flexible, I've found that the week after Christmas can be less expensive than the weeks before. Worth checking if that's an option. Sometimes we flew in on Christmas Day and out on the 30th (before NYEve in NYC). Although one year we drove out to celebrate NYEve at our UWS friends' mountain house. That was fun!
Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular tickets were a fraction of the pre-Christmas prices. Hotels were less expensive. Everything is still decorated for Christmas (of course) and it's a less crowded week as well. We've stayed at the Hilton on 6th and the Muse - both in Midtown and enjoyed being in Midtown.
If your dates are flexible, I've found that the week after Christmas can be less expensive than the weeks before. Worth checking if that's an option. Sometimes we flew in on Christmas Day and out on the 30th (before NYEve in NYC). Although one year we drove out to celebrate NYEve at our UWS friends' mountain house. That was fun!
Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular tickets were a fraction of the pre-Christmas prices. Hotels were less expensive. Everything is still decorated for Christmas (of course) and it's a less crowded week as well. We've stayed at the Hilton on 6th and the Muse - both in Midtown and enjoyed being in Midtown.
Jun 3rd, 2016, 12:59 AM
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Thanks guys....OK, travelling with husband and two teenagers..have the guide books thanks BigRuss but was looking for things not to be missed at Christmas (my fault for not being specific). We would prefer to stay in a more central spot, some people say TS the place to be others say no way...so was looking for a little help from people who have been around at Christmas time, $300-400 per night is OK. An apartment recommendation would be great but looked at Hilton/Muse-Starrs so thanks for that (Southern trip was amazing and guess what.....the heat wasn't a problem!) Boys are sports mad so recommendations around that good. Will take a look at the Christmas spec. show.. thanks for that.
Jun 3rd, 2016, 01:47 AM
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For sports
As soon as the Rangers and Knicks schedule come out, get tickets for a game at Madison Square Garden (MSG). Take a look at the Giants or Jets, although you would lose a full day as the stadium is in New Jersey and you might have to pack extra warm clothes.
Paragon is large independent sporting goods store. Good quality equipment and gear.
The NBA store on Fifth Ave.
The best amateur sports facility is Chelsea Piers.
http://www.chelseapiers.com/
ALso for the boys, take a look at these and see if they are interested:
Forbidden Planet
http://www.fpnyc.com/
Evolution
https://theevolutionstore.com/
As soon as the Rangers and Knicks schedule come out, get tickets for a game at Madison Square Garden (MSG). Take a look at the Giants or Jets, although you would lose a full day as the stadium is in New Jersey and you might have to pack extra warm clothes.
Paragon is large independent sporting goods store. Good quality equipment and gear.
The NBA store on Fifth Ave.
The best amateur sports facility is Chelsea Piers.
http://www.chelseapiers.com/
ALso for the boys, take a look at these and see if they are interested:
Forbidden Planet
http://www.fpnyc.com/
Evolution
https://theevolutionstore.com/
Jun 3rd, 2016, 04:39 AM
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Do not even look for an apartment unless you mean a suite in one of the apart hotels (Radio City Apartments, Beacon, the Affinia group hotels). But they will almost surely be over your budget.
In NYC apartment sublets of less than 30 days are illegal - many are scams (bait and switch - getting a studio in a 5 story walk up with mattresses on the floor versus a luxury 2 bedroom ) and you may arrive to find that the owner has pulled it off the market to avoid high fines and possibly being evicted.
In NYC apartment sublets of less than 30 days are illegal - many are scams (bait and switch - getting a studio in a 5 story walk up with mattresses on the floor versus a luxury 2 bedroom ) and you may arrive to find that the owner has pulled it off the market to avoid high fines and possibly being evicted.
Jun 3rd, 2016, 05:48 AM
#12
"(Southern trip was amazing and guess what.....the heat wasn't a problem!)"
I am so glad! Because, as you know, it was going to "be on my head" if something tragic happened to you due to the heat.
Somehow we survive. Amazing.
Take a look at the Staybridge Suites hotel in Midtown. A Fodorite from Mauritius stayed there for a month and really liked the hotel and location. The suite has a full kitchen, which is great for storing leftovers, etc. in the fridge and heating them up in the microwave. One of my favorite things about NYC is all the food available via delivery - and that would be great with teens.
http://www.ihg.com/staybridge/hotels...ee/hoteldetail
I am so glad! Because, as you know, it was going to "be on my head" if something tragic happened to you due to the heat.
Somehow we survive. Amazing.
Take a look at the Staybridge Suites hotel in Midtown. A Fodorite from Mauritius stayed there for a month and really liked the hotel and location. The suite has a full kitchen, which is great for storing leftovers, etc. in the fridge and heating them up in the microwave. One of my favorite things about NYC is all the food available via delivery - and that would be great with teens.
http://www.ihg.com/staybridge/hotels...ee/hoteldetail
Jun 3rd, 2016, 08:59 AM
#13
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Xmas - do not miss the windows at the big department stores (Lord & Taylor, Saks, Macy's, my personal favorite being L&T), the Xmas trees (see link), ice skating at Wollman Rink (I prefer it over Rock Center), Xmas markets at Bryant Park and Grand Central.
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/thing...s-trees-in-nyc
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/thing...s-trees-in-nyc
Jun 3rd, 2016, 11:05 AM
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But most rentals are illegal. If you can get one and it all works out, good. If the renter screws you, you have no recourse. All risk is yours.
Sports schedules aren't out yet for basketball and hockey. The best winter team in the city (or vicinity) right now is probably the Islanders, the Rangers finished higher in the standings (table) last season, but honked out of the playoffs earlier, are old, likely to regress, and went 0-4 against the Isles; the Devils are rot and you'd have to trek to NJ. Both the Knicks and Nets suck, so if you want to see good basketball check out who they would be hosting. And MSG may well have some college basketball showcase games at that time of year.
Neither NY area football team is in town the week of Xmas - the team that occasionally wins Super Bowls is in Philly on 12-22; the team that hasn't mattered since January 12, 1969 is going to the Boston area to take a beating on Xmas Eve.
But most rentals are illegal. If you can get one and it all works out, good. If the renter screws you, you have no recourse. All risk is yours.
Sports schedules aren't out yet for basketball and hockey. The best winter team in the city (or vicinity) right now is probably the Islanders, the Rangers finished higher in the standings (table) last season, but honked out of the playoffs earlier, are old, likely to regress, and went 0-4 against the Isles; the Devils are rot and you'd have to trek to NJ. Both the Knicks and Nets suck, so if you want to see good basketball check out who they would be hosting. And MSG may well have some college basketball showcase games at that time of year.
Neither NY area football team is in town the week of Xmas - the team that occasionally wins Super Bowls is in Philly on 12-22; the team that hasn't mattered since January 12, 1969 is going to the Boston area to take a beating on Xmas Eve.
