Xmas in new york
Oct 11th, 2015, 02:37 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Xmas in new york
Hi my family are hoping to visit New York to celebrate my husbands 50th in 2017. My two daughters will be 14 and 17 by the time we fly. We're hoping to spend his birthday 23rd Dec and 24th, 25th in New York and then fly to somewhere warm for New Year. We're thinking carribean but open to other suggestions. Could anybody give us some pointers on cheap travel, accommodation and sights to see. We've plenty of time to save but it feels a bit how long is a price of string at the moment.
Oct 11th, 2015, 04:42 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NY is magical at Christmas, but there are mobs of people, 1.1 million school kids on vacation and everyone want to see/do the same things.
By coming just the few days before Christmas you have missed the absolute most expensive part of the year for hotels - but you're still not going to be getting any big bargains. If you look around there are a bunch of free or almost things to see and do - but don't avoid everything expensive or you will miss many of the best things.
For instance, there are many budget places to eat with good food - although it will be too cold for the picnic in the park option. And if you look carefully you can find museums with a free evening or a pay what you wish policy. (Giving $1 each to get in is a big savings over $100 entrance for 4 people).
I think you really need to decide how much you are willing to bite the bullet for hotels (perhaps picking a more budget place) in order to stay in a great area. IMHO staying out in LIC to save on hotels is not a great option if you only have a few nights to enjoy the city - you really want to be in a nice area of Manhattan.
Also on Christmas many restaurants are closed and many that are open have set dinners - and you need to reserve fairly far in advance to make sure of getting the place you want.
As for flights - you will be fighting many thousands of college students coming home for the holidays when you arrive - and they frequently make flight reservations as soon as they get their school schedule in Sept. So research flight costs and be ready to pounce in Aug or early Sept to have a chance at the less expensive tickets.
Also check out cost options if you plan on doing either the Radio City Christmas Show or the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - since a few shows (sometimes the earliest of the day) have lower prices.
As for shopping at major dept stores don't even consider it - they are open all hours (often 6 am to midnight) on the days running up to the holidays and are often SRO with facilitators pulling slowpokes off the escalators to avoid pile ups. But your daughters may enjoy exploring some of the boutiques downtown.
But be sure to enjoy the incredible store windows with animatronic display (L&T, Saks and Bloomies - worth it despite the long lines) and don;t miss the incredible decorations at Rock Center and visiting St Pat's across the street.
With a little planning you can control costs - but you will need to be prepared to buy into things in advance.
By coming just the few days before Christmas you have missed the absolute most expensive part of the year for hotels - but you're still not going to be getting any big bargains. If you look around there are a bunch of free or almost things to see and do - but don't avoid everything expensive or you will miss many of the best things.
For instance, there are many budget places to eat with good food - although it will be too cold for the picnic in the park option. And if you look carefully you can find museums with a free evening or a pay what you wish policy. (Giving $1 each to get in is a big savings over $100 entrance for 4 people).
I think you really need to decide how much you are willing to bite the bullet for hotels (perhaps picking a more budget place) in order to stay in a great area. IMHO staying out in LIC to save on hotels is not a great option if you only have a few nights to enjoy the city - you really want to be in a nice area of Manhattan.
Also on Christmas many restaurants are closed and many that are open have set dinners - and you need to reserve fairly far in advance to make sure of getting the place you want.
As for flights - you will be fighting many thousands of college students coming home for the holidays when you arrive - and they frequently make flight reservations as soon as they get their school schedule in Sept. So research flight costs and be ready to pounce in Aug or early Sept to have a chance at the less expensive tickets.
Also check out cost options if you plan on doing either the Radio City Christmas Show or the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - since a few shows (sometimes the earliest of the day) have lower prices.
As for shopping at major dept stores don't even consider it - they are open all hours (often 6 am to midnight) on the days running up to the holidays and are often SRO with facilitators pulling slowpokes off the escalators to avoid pile ups. But your daughters may enjoy exploring some of the boutiques downtown.
But be sure to enjoy the incredible store windows with animatronic display (L&T, Saks and Bloomies - worth it despite the long lines) and don;t miss the incredible decorations at Rock Center and visiting St Pat's across the street.
With a little planning you can control costs - but you will need to be prepared to buy into things in advance.
Oct 11th, 2015, 06:08 AM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also, if you plan on going to the Caribbean right after Christmas you should know that you'll be going there in "High Season" so don't expect any "bargains", instead you'll be encountering the highest room rates of the year no matter which island, hotel or resort you choose. Many hotels/resorts have minimum stay requirements between Christmas and New Years so that could add to your budget. Likewise, air fares to the Caribbean, at that time of year, are rarely offered at "bargain prices".
Now, there are scores of islands in the caribbean to choose from. All will have resorts/hotels in a wide range of prices so you have to do some basic research to see how big a budget you should set. No one here can give you any specific guidance as to which island or where to stay without having some idea as to what you can afford. Once you set a target budget, you'll be able to narrow down your choices. For what it is worth, the following Caribbean destinations are among the most "budget friendly" so you might want to begin your research there: The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel.
Once you choose the island you wish to visit a simple google search of "Things to do on NAME OF ISLAND" will bring up loads of helpful information.
You are wise doing your research NOW as you'll probably want to make your Caribbean hotel and airline reservations 9 to 12 months out to avoid disappointment.
Now, there are scores of islands in the caribbean to choose from. All will have resorts/hotels in a wide range of prices so you have to do some basic research to see how big a budget you should set. No one here can give you any specific guidance as to which island or where to stay without having some idea as to what you can afford. Once you set a target budget, you'll be able to narrow down your choices. For what it is worth, the following Caribbean destinations are among the most "budget friendly" so you might want to begin your research there: The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel.
Once you choose the island you wish to visit a simple google search of "Things to do on NAME OF ISLAND" will bring up loads of helpful information.
You are wise doing your research NOW as you'll probably want to make your Caribbean hotel and airline reservations 9 to 12 months out to avoid disappointment.
Oct 11th, 2015, 06:09 PM
#5
You have this tagged Hawaii. Is that something you are considering including in this trip?
As others have already mentioned you aren't going to find "cheap travel" in the Caribbean islands over the holidays.
Would you consider Mexico?
As others have already mentioned you aren't going to find "cheap travel" in the Caribbean islands over the holidays.
Would you consider Mexico?
Oct 12th, 2015, 05:37 AM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is no cheap travel to the Caribbean in the Christmas season, and many resorts have minimum-stay requirements in addition to doubling or tripling their rates. You might want to do a cruise, which can be a relative bargain compared to an expensive stay in a cheap Caribbean resort. Mexico will likely be the cheaper and better option, but if it's the Bahamas, then you may do marginally better in the Bahamas than in the Caribbean, but you will not have reliably warm weather.
Oct 12th, 2015, 01:53 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A secret about visiting NYC we discovered by accident: if you're willing to go to there just a week or so AFTER New Years, then lodging prices will be about half what they normally are. Yes, the weather could be lousy, and you won't have the holiday festivities; but NYC has 100 places to visit for which the season doesn't matter a bit. Going when lodging is LESS outrageously expensive (it will NEVER be cheap), and the crowds are smaller, can make your visit a LOT more enjoyable.
Oct 13th, 2015, 07:56 AM
#10
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
we are native nyers but now live in nc. we took kids up last year on jan 2 for 4 nights and got an amazing hotel rate. not sure if you an be flexible. all decorations are still up and it was very crowded but not insanely crowded.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Raspeh
Caribbean Islands
6
Mar 12th, 2008 05:28 AM
