December in NYC Itinerary
 

Thanks to all of your fabulous advice thus far, I have put together a rough itinerary. We have so little time in New York City and I am trying to fit so many experiences in, but I'm not sure if this will work from a practical standpoint. I'd love your input.

Wed night: flight arrives at 5:40pm. We are staying at the Iroquois. After a shower, will we have ample time for dinner at Grammercy Tavern and then a carriage ride through the park to TOG for a drink? And possibly stop at Bemelmans Bar after that?

Thursday: morning shopping, eat lunch at a deli (Carnegie or Katz?)more shopping, tea at the Plaza, back to Iroquois to relax, dinner at Babbo, stop by Rockefeller Plaza (will we be able to skate or will it be too crowded on Dec. 18?)

Friday: eat a bagel, shopping, Four Seasons for lunch, shopping, back to hotel, see a broadway show or the ballet, late dinner (where?)

We depart on Saturday so I'm trying to squeeze as much as we can into these two short days. We may try to do a museum or other tourist activity instead of shopping on one morning or afternoon. But I really just need to know if this preliminary itinerary is realistic. Thank you so much!

It will be very cold and very crowded in NYC during your visit. Highly recommend very warm outerwear, including hat, gloves, scarf, warm/waterproof/very comfortable footwear, so as to be comfortable while out and about. Note that it is often difficult, if not impossible, to find a taxi at dinnertime/showtime, so you must be prepared to walk or take the subway to your destination (and allow plenty of time for that).

On Wed night, you'll not likely get to your dining destination before 8PM (reservations absolutely essential at Grammercy Tavern). You'd be doing less rushing about if you planned on dinner closer to Central Park and saved either Tavern on the Green or Bemelman's for another evening.

There will likely be a very long line for skating at Rockefeller Center. Though, watching is just as much fun that actually skating, I think.

A wonderful after theater dining destination is Chez Josephine, a reasonable walk to/from your hotel as well.

For show tickets, sign up at Playbill, Theatermania, BroadwayBox, etc., and see if any of the discounted tickets appeal.

If you haven't seen it, highly recommend the Radio City Christmas Spectacular - it truly is spectacular.

Just remember that all the shopping venues will be wall to wall people so that will slow down your shopping experience. Also, think about what clothing your wearing. You'll have all the dressing for winter weather, but then you will get into the stores where it will be sweltering. So you may want to wear something that can be pulled off and thrown into a shoulder bag.

Hi Babette,

I think your plan is almost doable, LOL, but I agree with the comments already made. Flights can be delayed, especially at Xmas time. I would plan a dinner on the first night closer to your hotel-and also one that you won't be heartbroken to miss if you don't get there in time. Can't remember where the Iroquois is to make a suggestion. If it's in the west 40's or 50's, what about Trattoria Dell'Arte on 7th & 58th. It's good food, fun and right near Central Park South where you can pick up a carriage for a ride through the park afterwards. If you have time, do the carriage ride & TOV or Bemelmans. Both will be pushing it IMO.

I would not try to skate before dinner. You'll be dressed (yes?!) Try doing that first thing on Thurs morning (I think it opens around 10am) when it's less crowded. Or go after your lunch to work off calories! BTW a deli lunch, tea & a big dinner sounds...well too much, n'est'ce pas? I'd suggest tea on the day you go to theater or ballet & then a late dinner. Chez Josephine is a good idea for your late dinner if you go to the theater. If you go to the ballet at Lincoln Center, I suggest Picholine.

The one thing to remember, as djbooks said, at that time of year, taxis are like gold AND the traffic is terrible so traveling will be slow going. But you'll have a ball!

Just being in NYC at Christmas is special-- looking in the windows of the stores. One of my favorite things is the angel tree in the metropolitan museum. You can go in and look at the tree and don't have to do anything else. Try to enjoy yourself and not push too hard to do too much. Babbo was great when I ate there. Hope your short stay is super!

I would highly recommend A Christmas Carol at the Theatre at Madison Square as a must see. This is the last year the producers of the show are saying, so if you have not seen it, GO, oh and sit in the last row of the orchestra, and I won't tell you why. Will have to get the specific row # for you.

I'm not sure the dates of Nutcracker, but that would also be another recommendation. We see both each year and it makes the holiday just a bit more special.

The city will be beautiufl, (hopefully without shush) while you are here, so enjoy and have a GREAT time.

One other thing, if you are looking for a nice tea, try the Palace, very nicely done there.

Thanks for all the great information and just plain common sense (was I really thinking of ice-skating in my dinner clothes?)!!

I should probably figure out where everything is BEFORE attempting an itinerary. That way we won't be doing too much traveling around.

Perhaps for the first night, dinner alone is enough. At Babbo or Grammercy Tavern. (Our hotel, The Iroquois, is at 49 West 44th Street.)

It seems like shopping is a natural before lunch at The Four Seasons, followed by a trip to the Met (with perhaps tea at the Plaza or a drink at the Carlyle after). That might be a good night for a show and a light dinner following.

And we still haven't decided between the Nutcracker or Hairspray -- though now I'm wondering about the Radio City Christmas show. (Note: two of us speak english as a second language so the less plot to follow, the better)

Where do you go for the carriage ride through the park? What time is best for this?

And thanks to all of you for such nice friendly suggestions. I really appreciate all your help!

I don't know why but '21' keeps coming to mind for your dinner the first evening. It is eight short blocks north of your hotel on West 52nd. It is dark paneled, cozy, has the old NY feeling, power broker sort of feel. After dinner, it is a hop, skip, and a jump to the rink at Rock Center.

Babette, the carriages line up near the Plaza Hotel on 59th & 5th ave and all the way along Central Park South (59th St) from 5th going west to Columbus Circle (at Broadway). I really don't know the best time of day. I guess dusk would be nice. Still light enough to see things but dark enough to appreciate the twinkly lights. Be aware there's also a skating rink IN the park that's larger (& I gather cheaper) than the one at Rock. center.

If your plane arrives on time, you should be at the hotel by 7pm barring anything unforeseen. Since you've selected such good/specific restaurants for the first night, you can make a reservation (I would do it for 9pm to be safe. You can always arrive earlier & have a drink at the bar). Theater starts at 8pm & lots of cabs will be dropping people off at around then in your neighborhood.. Try getting a cab to go downtown to Gramercy tavern or Babbo at thta time. You'll have a great time.

Mclaurie, you have given me so many great tips since I began planning this trip. I can tell we have the same taste. I hope I can return the favor when you next visit Provence!

And now, a couple more questions for you...

1. where is "one if by land"? couldn't find it listed by fodors

2. shopping priorities for the MIL ... are all the big, cool stores on 5th avenue relatively close together? I'm thinking Barney's, Saks, BG, Tiffany's, FAO Schwarz (etc.)? Since we have so little time, we need to go to the right place. I think we'll try Elizabeth and Mott Streets below Houston on the other day for variety.

3. Is Babbo the best choice for Italian?
Or are there comparable choices closer to where we are staying?

Merci beaucoup!

Thanks for the nice compliment. Glad to be of help. Yes, it does sound like we have similar taste. Some answers

1. One if by Land is at 17 Barrow St between 7th Ave south & west 4th st-considered the village (Greenwich Village)

2. The stores you mention are all relatively close. Starting at Saks, 5th ave betw 49-50 (across from Rockefeller Center). Then Tiffany's at 5th & 57th st same side of street as Saks. Bergdorf Goodman at 5th ave betw 57-58 (other side of 5th from Tiffany's. FAO Schwartz 5th ave & 58th (Tiffany side). Finally Barney's is on Madison ave. (one block over from Fifth)I think it's 60-61 or 61-62.

Along the Fifth ave stretch between Saks & FAO Schwartz you'll also find H & M at around 50th which has trendy inexpensive clothes, Takishimaya (Japanese)at 54-55-small dept store with very unusual things. Just inside the door is a wonderful flower dept. They sell beautiful vases. They also carry fragrances not available elsewhere but since you're from France that may not be of interest. Bendels at 55-56, another small dept store. A Disney store. Fellisimo is just off 5th ave on 56th (10 west 56th). Similar to Takishimaya. Unusual one of a kind jewelry & gifty things.

BTW, what does MIL stand for?

3. I haven't been to Babbo to compare it with other places. I can only tell you what my Zagat Guide (my restaurant bible) says. It rates the food 27 out of a possible 30 (VERY good-in fact the highest food score for Italian). There are 3 other Italian restaurants that also get a 27 & none are any closer to your hotel. There's a new place in midtown called L'Impero on the east side (so across town) on 42-43st (address is 45 Tudor City Place) that sounds great & has won awards for decor but don't know how it compares. The highest rated Italian near your hotel is Esca (43rd & 9th ave) with a 24 food rating. DB Bistro is french at 55 west 44 owned by Daniel Bouloud-very trendy & rated 24 for food. They have a foie gras stuffed burger. It's a popular lunch place too.

MIL = mother-in-law (ha!)

Love the shopping tips and she will too!

I think we'll stick with Babbo for one dinner, Grammercy Tavern for the night we arrive, and now need something near Broadway for a light after show dinner. I'm thinking maybe La Grenouille (as much as I hate to eat French (since we're coming FROM France!), I love their beautiful room) or The Palm (for a great steak) or Le Cirque or Petrossian. L'Imperio sounds interesting -- what type of food? But, how could we possibly skate afterward? May have to scrub the skating plan...or maybe do it on the first night after dinner. How formal is Grammercy Tavern?

Thanks again!

Wow Babette:

Can you adopt me! What a great line-up of resturants!

My two favorites are Babbo and Gramercy. Both are NYC casual (Black 'is always correct, but suits will not be out of place) Gramercy has an even more casual Bar area dining!
I have eaten at Babbo in lovely group table "upstairs", and have also had a fine meal at the bar area!
How bout skating at Wolmen Rink in Central Park. Much larger and I think more romamtic with the killer views of NYC and Central Park!
JOHN

Babette, none of the places you mention for after theater sound "light" to me except Petrosian. (a steak at the Palm at 10:30?) Anyway, thoughts for after theater-GoTravel's idea of 21 is a good one for this-very NY, varied menu. Petrosian for blinis & caviar sounds fun & is near CPS for a carriage ride after. Another good place for caviar is Firebird in the theater district (44th betw 8th & 9th). Check their website firebirdrestaurant.com (BTW, most of these places probably have a website). DBBistro Moderne, which I mentioned above is very near your hotel & is very good, also with a varied menu.

Finally, what about a bit of cabaret after the show. The Algonquin Hotel (right near your hotel) may have someone interesting playing. You could have a late supper (food passable) & listen to some music. Or the ultimate Christmas in NY experience, go to the Cafe Carlyle & listen to Bobby Short's late set & have some food.

PS L'Impero is Italian. I had mentioned it only as an option for the first night as a way to avoid going downtown. Stick with Gramercy Tavern. And John is absolutely correct on dress code at Grammercy T. Smart casual will do but I guarantee you'll be too tired (and full) to go skating after. :-!