we're spending christmas at the w-a in manhattan. what should we do to maximise enjoyment. no shows. is gray line tour at night good?

Hi
Have you 'done' NYC at all - is this a first visit?

I can imagine nothing more tedious than a bus trip of NYC at night at Christmas.

For a great overview go to Top of the Rock.

Walk Fifth Avenue and see all of the incredibly decorated store windows (you can;t see this from the bus - since there are hundreds of people in the way).

Never mind all of the great restaurants, shows, musical events, cabarets, jazz clubs etc.

Get out on the street and see the city - not just a travelogue similar to what you could get on any PBS station.

I'm going to limit my suggestions to Christmasy things.

The Holiday Train Show at the botanical garden in the Bronx (you can take Metro North from Grand Central, about 10 minutes walk south of your hotel) is a really unique experience. The Bronx zoo also has a great Christmas lights exhibit, but it's harder to get to.

Walk over to Rockefeller Center and then up Fifth Avenue. As late as possible. That's magical, especially if you can avoid most of the crowds.

There are great Christmas trees in Union Square, Lincoln Center, Bryant Park, and the Museum of Natural History as well, so see those.

I think whether to do a bus tour depends on which dates you're here and your personal taste. If you're going to do any bus tour at night, I'd pick one in an enclosed bus, not an open top which can be cold and windy. Not sure if Grayline's night tour is in a closed or open bus but nypartyshuttle.com has closed buses.

There's an area of Brooklyn where there are heavy duty residential Xmas lights (over the top) called Dyker Heights and this year, there's a co. doing a bus tour.

http://brooklyn.about.com/od/brookly...tmaslights.htm
http://www.zerve.com/BKNYpizza/Lights

While you say no shows, there's music of all sorts. I couldn't imagine coming to NYC without seeing some sort of live performance whether a concert, dance, jazz etc.

I'd also like to suggest walking to Rockefeller Center early Christmas morning (while most families are at home opening presents). Skating rink is opening, and hardly any crowds. Also a good time to view the Department Store holiday display windows in the area.

I have been in the city for the last 5 nights and highly recommend seeing Lord & Taylor's windows for christmas displays AND Bloomies. They are pretty far apart from one another, but it is walkable if you have the time, or about a $5 cab ride.

A great restaurant that is very reasonable with great food that I have discovered is called "becco" in times square - Inexpensive italian.

What wonderful memories you've just brought back for me!

Spent Christmas at the Waldorf in either 2001 or 2002 and it was wonderful!

So many grand ladies in full length fur coats and hats!

You must check out the beautiful trees in the lobby!

Have a cocktail at the Bull and Bear!

Walk up to The Pierre and have tea in the Rotunda!

It may be too cold for the Grayline Tour but if isn't, go for it!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has the prettiest tree in the city!

See the window decorations early in the morning or you will not be able to get near them.

Bergdorf Goodman has my favorites.

Eat somewhere wonderfully clubby like the 21 Club.

I second the 21 club - I just brought a group there and we ate in the private room downstairs - very cool place.

If you haven't been to MOMA or Natural History, you should go. St. Patricks is just down the street. Attend one of their masses.

GoTravel provided a great list.

Christmas morning, even if it snows, it perfect for enjoying walking the city. It's quiet, with few others on the streets (but maybe other visitors)... the shop windows, the street decorations, Rockefeller Center, the museums. You don't really want to be on a bus tour.