Christmas in NYC-need suggestions!
 

Hello! I am surprising my daughter with a trip to NYC on 12/18-12/21 to celebrate her 19th birthday. We've been several times before and love, love, love it, but this is our first Christmas trip and I want to make sure we don't miss anything.

We have tickets to Young Frankenstein, Spring Awakenings, The Color Purple, and the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, so much of our schedule is already set. However, what other Christmas-specific activities would all you experts recommend?

Also, I've made cancellable reservations at the Millennium Broadway and The Time hotels. Special deals were available through Travelzoo (rates drop around that time) but I'll try right before we go for a great Priceline deal. Of those two hotels, though, does anyone have a preference or opinion? Both get decent reviews on Tripadvisor.

I'd appreciate any tips or advice anyone might have. Thanks in advance!!!

I don't know what rate you got for the Time, but $199 for the Mill. Broadway is pretty terrific. It's now being won on Priceline as a 4* hotel in mtw for more than that (granted at pricier times). I don't think you'll do better on Priceline. You could pay less, but it will probably be for one of the Hiltons (NY or Times Square). I'd go for the Millenium since the travelzoo special says it's a high floor room so you'd have a view.

As to other activities, see the Xmas windows (Lord & Taylor, Bergdorf, Barney's and Saks are usually the best), watch the skaters in Rock Ctr. and Central Park, maybe check out the Xmas markets....and then there's shopping!

Think about making some dinner reservations since it's a busy time and you're doing a lot of shows which will put you in limited time frames. Opentable.com can be helpful for finding what's available. Reviews on menupages.com

If you haven;t done it befoer do Top of the Rock.

Walk up Fifth AVe from Lore & Taylor (38th) to 57th - seeing all th store windows, Rock Center, St. Pats etc.

If you have time also check out some of the other special trees - the Neapolitan creches at thee Met an the origami tree at the Museum of Natural History.

Also - if you get a nice day do have a look at the skating in Central Park.

I've stayed at both The Millenium and The Time. The Millenium was ok. I just felt everything was a shade of beige. A little drab for my tastes. The Time has a color theme in each room. I liked the room but it was much smaller than the room at the Millenium. The Time was also quieter. For a view, chances are you would get a better view on a higher floor in the Millenium, but it all depends upon where your room is. All in all, I preferred The Time.

My friend stayed with her daughter (then 14) at the Time and really liked it (hotel and neighborhood), but did comment that the room was quite small.

See:

http://tinyurl.com/2lsd2n

For the Holiday Fairs at Bryant
Park (plus free skating, skates
rent for $10) and Union Square
both outdoors and indoors at
Grand Central. A shopping gal's
delight!

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I hadn't heard of the special museum exhibits or the holiday fairs - they sound perfect! And we still haven't done the Top of the Rock, so that should be fun. Do any of you have any favorite restaurants that really feel festive during the holidays? We love any kind of food and are always up for something new!

Spring Awakening is amazing!! Excellent choice, if you know what you're getting into. It definitely has adult content and deals with subjects that many people might not be comfortable with.

Try the Stardust Diner in Times Square, too, if you haven't already.

I spent Christmas in NYC two years ago and loved it.
I'm glad to hear you have tickets for Radio City Music Hall. It was great.

As for other activities, I really enjoyed wandering up 5th Ave looking at all the windows. It was really festive.

If you are going to try Priceline, I wouldn't wait. I've had very good luck bidding in advance. You have nothing to lose if you keep trying every couple of days.
Good luck,
and have a great time.

Thank you, Enna, for the positive review on Spring Awakening. It sounded rather edgy and hip for an middle-aged mom, but perfect for my daughter. We both loved Rent, though, so perhaps I'm hipper than I thought:)

I looked up the Stardust Diner and it looks great! How have we missed that? We'll definitely put that on the agenda.

Can't wait to see the store window displays. Just ordered a couple of books: "Through the Shopping Glass: A Century of New York Christmas Windows" and "Christmas in New York." Should really help get me in the mood!

Thanks, too, for the thumbs up on Radio City Music Hall. Didn't know if it was too juvenile, but hey, anything with the word "Spectacular" in it . . . I'm in!

Thanks for all the help. This is such fun!

Don't miss the tree at the Met. It is spectacular. How about a carriage ride through the park? Touristy but fun anyway. One of my favorite memories is going to Radio City to see the show and then having dinner at the Sea Grill and watching the skaters at Rockefeller Center.

Jealous of your trip.

It's not specifically Christmas-oriented, although I'd count on lovely holiday decorations, but one thing I'd do is have afternoon tea at somewhere that does tea up right (Plaza?).

P.S. You are never too old for the Radio City show. We used to go all the time as kids in the 50's and 60's (no advance tickets and loooong waits on line in freezing cold weather) and then I didn't go for like 25 years. Was worried when going back as an adult but shouldn't have. I was right back into the magic of it. Got to love those Rockettes and the toy soldier routine.

I agree, Sharon. I loved it when I went 2 years ago.

I kindof wish I was going back this year, but I want to do something different every year.

The windows are fabulous. The crowds were all in a good mood..

I also went to a couple of Christmas markets. SOrry, can't tell you exactly where they were, but they were fun. One is not too far from where all the windows are. (Maybe at 6th and 44th???? I'm really guessing here)

As touristy as this sounds, I would get reservations for a lunch at Tavern on the Green. We ate there last year around the same time - and the decorations are FABULOUS!!! Also, if you want good Italian - in Little Italy - Pellegrino's (like the water)... Have a great time, maybe I need to book me a little trip up there, too....

Oh, dear - - I fear this is becoming an obsession! I can't wait to check my computer for new suggestions!! Thank you for all the wonderful ideas. I've Googled all the suggestions, printed them out, and put them in my "Christmas in New York" notebook! Will work on an itinerary later.

Debi, nothing is too "touristy" for me! I'm sure I'm quite amusing to the locals with my camera, guidebooks, and gaping mouth, but I can't help it - I just love this city! Would love to do Tavern on the Green. Went for drinks with my sister and mom a couple of years ago, but have never had dinner there. What fun!

And the Sea Grill, and Pellegrino's, and the Met, and a carriage ride . . . oh, I can't wait!!!

Thanks again for all the help!

I live in NYC; midtown specifically. Since so much of your schedule is already set, I recommend just walking and looking at the holiday decorations. Maybe a stop of two for coffee or lunch. Don't put too much else on your schedule and enjoy the city. I think your hotels are fine. After all, how much time will you spend there? Take a walk up 6th Ave to Central Park. Across Central Park South to 5th Ave. and then down 5th. This is the main touristy area but with the best decorations. The Met Museum is wonderful in itself but decorated beautifully at Christmas. A walk through Central Park is nice, too. Make sure you have WARM footwear, hat and gloves so you can enjoy yourselves. Stop and get a warm pretzel.

As of yesterday, a lot of Broadway shows are closed due to a strike. You may want to check to see if this will effect your daughter.

YIKES! The Broadway strike really has me worried! Does anyone have any idea how long the strike is expected to last? Surely they'll work it out fairly quickly!

bhn1020 - you can't imagine how I envy you! Ah, to live in midtown Manhattan! I can't wait to stroll along, taking in the scenery, eating a warm pretzel . . . sheer bliss!

By the way, I've read about Christmas at the Cloisters. Sounds lovely, but does it take all day to get there and back? Can't seem to find any info on how long it takes. Would you consider it worth the trip, or would you spend that time elsewhere?

Again, thank you all so much!

You can go up to the Cloisters and back in a half-day. It can be subway in both directions, or you can do what we did, take the bus back downtown as a very inexpensive tour of upper Manhattan -- it takes a while, but you see stuff you wouldn't otherwise see.

The most elegant Christams tree in NYC is at the Met Museum.

I would not eat at Tavern On the Green. You might want to stop for a drink, if you want to see the decorations. But the food is medicore at best.

The same with Little Italy. There are literally scores of restaurants were the food is better.

So excited! Have patiently waited to bid on Priceline, and today I got the Intercontinental for $135/night (best rate listed online is $409!) So. . . would love to add a wonderful pre-theater meal for one night with those savings! Anyone have any favorites? Would love to hear from you!

Congratulations on your hotel!! That's great.

Okay, I don't know where I've been for xx years but I know nothing about how to go about bidding on Priceline. If we're going in early February, 1)how and when would I start the process and 2)can you give a brief "how to bid" description?

Thanks! Any help would be appreciated.

I too offer congratulations on your Priceline win. The Intercontinental is a very nice hotel. I suggest you IMMEDIATELY join (for free online) their frequent guest program which may get you a nicer room or some freebies. As to a nice meal, I generally don't try to do a fancy meal pre-theater as you will feel rushed and the theater is always going to be the "star" of the evening. I would do a nice meal on a night you don't have theater or maybe one night after the show. Or...what about a fancy late afternoon tea followed by theater and then a late snack or dessert? The St. Regis hotel does a very nice afternoon tea. The lobby lounge of the Mandarin Oriental also does a good tea and has very nice views. ViceVersa is a nice Italian restaurant in the theater district that has a good prix fixe menu. It's becoming trendy. If you can get a reservation, that might be nice and they should be able to get you in and out in time for your show.

esd, go to biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com to read up on Priceline bidding.
1) there is no finite answer to when to start the bidding process. You can start today if you know what you're doing. Make sure you understand what a free re-bid is and know that in NYC, Priceline only guarantees a room with 1 bed for 2 people. If that won't do for you, don't use Priceline (but hotwire might work). Shorter stays (ie less than 5 days) usually work better for PL too.
2) you select a star level of hotel (in NYC, 4* is best)
you select an area of town where you want to stay
you select a price you want to pay
you bid
you either get your bid accepted and they tell you where OR'
it's rejected and you have the opportunity for a free re-bid'
OR they make you a counter offer (which you generally should ignore)

If you're rejected even after re-bidding twice, you can try again then following day. Just keep in mind early Feb. is an inexpensive time to begin with. Check quikbook.com and travelzoo.com first to get an idea of what's available. Remember Priceline is non cancelable. I would do as wishiweretraveling did and book something cancelable and then try bidding.

Thanks! I'm going to one of those sites right now to 'read up', though you explained it very well.

Esd, before my first experience with Priceline, I really studied all the rules on biddingfortravel.
I still get butterflies every time I bid. It's exciting waiting to see if your bid has been accepted.
A couple of things...
I usually have good luck with bidding way in advance. I have already got a fabulous deal for Feb in Florida. You have nothing to lose by bidding early. I just keep trying every few days.

Also, when you start to bid, Priceline will always say that your bid is too low, and tell you what the average hotel rate is. They give you a chance to up your bid..DON'T. Just carry on with your bid.

Good luck..

Wish, congratulations on your great success. Have a great trip.

Mclaurie - thanks so much for the Priceline explanation. I love Bidding for Travel, and I agree that it's a wonderful source. I just joined the Intercontinental guest program, and even was approved for their Visa card (15,000 points just for getting the card.) Perhaps that will get me a nicer room and/or perks! Thanks, too, for the dining/tea suggestions. I looked ViceVersa up on menupages, and it got wonderful reviews - will definitely make reservations. Afternoon tea is something we've never done, but will do this time - it sounds very snug and Christmasy! Kodi - thanks for the good wishes! And Esd - best wishes on your February trip - sounds cold but great. You should really be able to get some great deals!

You may know this already but the stage hands' strike was settled last week so Broadway is back in business!

Yes, Leslie, I was watching that one closely - whew!! I know the trip would have been great fun anyway, but I REALLY love the shows! Thanks!