We are looking at planning a trip to nyc in late Nov /early Dec. When does the ice skating at the Rockefellow Centre start and also in Central Park. What else should we plan to do? We have been once before and have done the 'usual tourist sites. Would you recommend the Christmas show at Radio City?

Both skating rinks open around mid-October.

The time from Thanksgiving until a week or so before Xmas is a very exciting time to visit NY, but also very crowded and very expensive for hotels. It really isn't too early to start planning now, especially if you find a good cancellable deal.

Most people come to NY at that time of the year to shop, see the store windows, see the tree at Rockefeller Center (which usually is lit the week after Thanksgiving), eat at great restaurants, and maybe see a Broadway show.
What do you like to do? How many of you are there--adults and kids?

Bobrich - The Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall is great. I have been to NYC once during late November and once in early December (both on weekends). It was very very crowded. I was unable to get up to the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center both times because of the crowd. The tree is beautiful. It is an exciting time to be in New York City!

I have been to NYC numerous other times, and the crowd does not come close to comparing with Christmas time.

Many people like the Christmas show at the Music Hall. We prefer the Nutcracker ballet at Lincoln Center - and do it every year if we can.

When you visit Rockefeller Center to see the tree, decorations and St Pat's you will also want to ascent to the Top of the Rock. If you do it late afternoon you can see the city in both daylight and lit up at night.

As for what else to do - it depends on your interests. Both the Met (antique neapolitan tree and creche) and the Museum of Natural History (origami tree) have special events and great shops.

Plus there are tons of special seasonal activities (check New York magazine about a month before you go - the events section is searchable by date and type).

But - most important is finding a hotel as soon as possible. Now is not too early - since prices tend to rise throughout the year as the hotel fills up. Just make sure it is cancelable - so you can switch if you find a better deal.

There is also ice skating at Bryant Park, with a fun Christmas market. A Fodorite, laartista, had a beautiful booth there last Christmas season. I think all the Christmas markets are fun. I really liked Bryant Park because of the ice skating, big tree, eating opportunities... but check out the others, too.

with a fun Christmas market

I'm wearing earrings this very moment that I got at the Bryant Park market this year. I thought Bryant Park was magical Thanksgiving weekend -- the lights, the skating, the market, everything about it.

Early Dec. is the MOST expensive time of the year to visit (and the most crowded). I'd pick late Nov. as a better option. All the Xmas decorations are up by Thanskgiving or just before.

The show at Radio City is an experience everyone should have at least once. There are usually 2 for 1 offers for tickets that appear in Sept/Oct. good for some performances. Register for email specials from radiocity.com

Here's a holiday guide done by NY Magazine from last year. Many of the things are annual
http://nymag.com/guides/holidays/

What you should do is somewhat dependent on who you are (any kids?)

Bobrich - One more thing you may want to note. The Christmas tree does not normally go up at Rockefeller Center until the beginning of December.

The Xmas tree is ALWAYS up by Thanksgiving. It is not LIT until the first week in Dec.

The day of the tree lighting ceremony depends on the date of Thanksgiving. It is generally lit the first Monday or Tuesday AFTER Thanksgiving. Have not seen the date yet for this year - but you can google it - and the Rock Center website will give you info as soon as it is announced.

This is such a magic time of year in NYC. I was there over Thanksgiving and was really lucky with the weather. The leaves in Central Park were still on the trees, in the process of falling, but had changed colour and were just beautiful. Both rinks were operational and the Christmas tree in Rockerfeller Centre was up but not lit. It was being lit the day I left which was Wednesday 28th. I also went to the Radio Centre Christmas show and loved it. Lots of good shopping that time of year and generally a great atmosphere.

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