Fist time visitor to New York City this upcoming Christmas season and need some advice on where to stay, where to shop, eat, etc. We have tickets for the Christmas show at the Radio City Music Hall, but that is all so far. Are driving in, so we would like to be able to park and walk to things!!

Cori, we'll need a lot more information:
How much do you want to spend for a hotel?
What do you want/like to do?
How long will you be staying?
What kind of shopping?
What types of restaurants do you prefer? Price?
Etc., etc.

You might want to reconsider the driving thing. Parking is very expensive. If you can take the train from somewhere, that might be easier and cheaper. Leave your car at the train station and walk or take subways & buses when in NYC. We've left our car at the Albany Amtrak station many times and never had a problem. free, lighted parking vs. $30 plus/day. As for location, Midtown is my favorite, I like to stay within 3-4 blocks of Grand Central Station then I can get to pretty much anywhere. Depending on your dates, try Quikbook.com for hotels.

Where are you coming in from? Are you staying in a hotel? If so, does the hotel have parking? We need a little more info to be able to tell you everything that you absolutely must do while in NYC

we are driving from Pittsburgh, and hope to find a hotel with parking. We would like to stay in the rockefeller center area, heard a lot of stuff is within walking distance. don't want to eat real fancy, just good food at a reasonable price. Has anyone stayed at the Quality Inn midtown?

Cori,
I have stayed at Quality Inn Midtown.
Rooms are small but a good deal for the price. Close to subway and lots of restaurants in the immediate area.