Linn

We have been planning a trip to NYC over Xmas. My husband and I have never bee to the US before. What will the atmosphere be like (post Sept 11)It seems almost sacrilegous to be celebrating when everyone else is mourning.

Anyway, we should be staying at a self-catering apartment in Midtown by 55th Street. Close to the 6 train at 51st and
Lexington.

What's the area like?

rqf

The area is very good - combination of residential (high rent) and commercial.
Lots of restaurants in the area. The theater district (on the west side, you will be staying on the east side) is less than one mile away - about a 15 minute walk. Christmas is a great time to visit NYC.

xxx

I don't think it's sacrilegous to celebrate while "while everyone else is mourning"... I can't imagine ever forgetting the events of September 11, but like all tragedies, I think people really want to move on, especially by that point, three months later. New York is wonderful at Christmas time. Enjoy your visit.

Ess

You're in a great area, Linn. I used to live nearby. There are a lot of office buildings, very busy and trafficky during the day - but also a lot of residential buildings, shopping and restaurants in the area.

Do stop by P. J. Clarke's for a drink, if you and your husband are the imbibing types. It's on Third Avenue and 55th Street (or it might be 54th, I forget). It's a really old bar/restaurant (food's only so-so, but the bar is great) from late 19th century NYC. Bar's in the front, restaurant in the back. It fills with "suits" after work, and is a fun, lively place. My mother's husband remembers it when the Third Avenue elevated train (or the "El") used to pass by it - and that's a LONG time ago! You can't miss it, it's just this little dumpy, brick building surrounded on all sides by tall skyscraper office buildings. I guess they didn't want to sell out when the real estate developers were buying up everything in sight. And thank goodness! New York is one of those places where you never know where you're going to stumble upon a little piece of history, where time has stood still, amidst all the hustle bustle.

I hope you enjoy your trip to NYC, Linn. Christmas is a wonderful time to experience New York!

lisa

Definitely come, Linn. We would love to see you here. Not only because we need your tourist dollars (which we do) but also because we need and want your support and your good cheer to help us move on with our lives.

Yes, some people are still in mourning. But I think the city as a whole is less somber than it was and more ready to embrace those joys that we have. You will get the "benefit" (if there is one) of our changed attitudes after September 11 in that I think that NY has become kinder and gentler. These are just my observations as someone who not only lives here, but survived the WTC attack.

That being said, the others are right that your location will be fine. You will be close to Fifth & Madison Aves shopping, Bloomingdale's, short subway or cab to Metropolitan, Frick and Guggenheim museums, and a short walk to theater district.

There are some good restaurants nearby. Two rather expensive ones are Smith & Wollensky (a famous steakhouse) and Fresco by Scotto (a wonderful Italian restaurant). There are also lots of very good sushi bars in the East 50's.

For breakfast, you might try Ess-a-Bagel at 52 (or so) and 3rd Ave.

Enjoy your trip and welcome!

Franknyc

Linn: The city is celebrating right now! The Yankees have won 3 World Series games this week, up in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium. As we put more time between September 11th and the present, the city also conducts more of the normal upbeat events that make this city what it is. We have already had the Columbus Day Parade, the World Series, and the Halloween Parade. Broadway shows are up and running. This Sunday the New York Marathon will take place, and we're just 3 weeks away from the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree will be lighted in about a month, and the Radio City Christmas Show will start shortly.

The city needs to go on with time honored traditions and get back to whatever normal will ultimately be, post 9/11. So don't feel guilty about celebrating, we will never forget and we must take action to assure it never happens again, but as all of our elected officials have urged, we need to get back to business and get back to living. An celebrating the events of ours lives and the seasons is all part of that recuperation process.

Enjoy your stay!

Moshe

Definitely come,

51st and Lex is a very convenient area, you can walk to the Theater District, Museum of Modern Art, United Nations, Central Park. May good restaurants nearby too; go over to 1st or 2nd avenue, the restaurants there are cheaper and less touristy that the ones near Madison or Lexington.
Go to the world famous Bronx Zoo, its open on Christmas Day.

We used to live there and went back two weeks ago to visit friends. There are lots of other visitors there, you wont feel alone.

Louisa

Come to New York! You will love our city at Christmastime, and you will be warmly welcomed. The lights, the store windows, the holiday offerings--it's a wonderful city any time of year, but especially Christmas. Please come.

Celeste

There is simply nothing more wonderful at Christmastime than New York City!