Thanks all for the info. I am going to stay there from 12-29 until New Years day.

So what is near by? I booked this hotel thinking the price was right and I can get around easier in the city.

It's an older hotel said to be very nice but perhaps a bit worn and dated in places. None the less, it has a fairly good reputation as being a decent value and I think the location is great. It's on Gramercy Park, which is at the north end of Irving Place. The park is small and historic and is a private park with locked access that is open only to folks living on the park but I believe hotels guests have access - great place to sit and take in the outdoors if the weather is decent. Walking down Irving Place you'll find some good restaurants of various types and a few bars that cater to a younger crowd (20's to early 30's). The rock venue Irving Plaza is there and frequently has excellent shows although it is standing only and smoky (but great sound and line of sight to the stage). Around the coner from irving Plaza going west is Union Square. there's a fantastic greenmarket on weekends during mcuh of the year and a holiday assemblage of artisans and craftspeople selling their wares during the holiday season. The funky and fun off-Broadway show De la Guarda is in an old church on one corner, there's a huge Circuit City store and Virgin records, a Barnes and Noble etc. I also really like the shoe store on the corner across from Virgin Record - don't recall the name (it might be Shoemania) but it's on the southwest corner of 14th and Broadway just across formt he Square - cool shoes for men like the Ecco, Dansko and other European brands that are ultra comfortable (it appears that they have lots of women's shoes also).

The UA 14 movie theatre is just a block down at 13th and Broadway and there are two very good indie/foreig/art hosue theatres in the neighborhood - Cinema Village and Quad Cinema. Cinema Vilage often has documentaries that you won't see elsewhere. My favorite place for mussels and steak frites (favored because it's relatively quiet and sedate and not a "scene" place but has decent prices) is Steak Frites on 16th Street just west of the Square. Oh... you could also get 'smores with your own miniature hibachi at the table to toast the marshmallows if you go to Cosi's after a movie.

What I've mentioned is only scratching the surface but I think you've made a good choice. I'd love to stay in that neighborhood on a vacation but I live too close to the city to justify the cost of a hotel!

Thanks so much for the feed back. I am excited now. Is the UA 14 a must do?

You've got great suggestions here...especially the greenmarket and holiday markets.

But the United Artists movie theater is simply a movie theater playing big-budget films. If you want to catch a movie, it's relatively new and clean---but it's just a chain movie theater.

No.... the UA 14 (it may now be a Sony or Loew's) is just another multiplex but it does have stadium seating and good sound. If you're a movie buff I'd try the AMC 25 on 42nd Street by 8th for a stat-of-the-art multiplex experience. really nice theatre with 25 screens and a really cool lobby that was salvaged and restored from the old Empire Theatre proscenium that once sat at the corner of 8th and 42nd. They actually took off the front of the old bulding and rolled it over to attach it to the new structure. That block of 42nd Street is worth a visit if only for the sheer volume and variety of people and touristy clap-trap.

For theatre (movie theatre) buffs, a visit to the Ziegfield is suggested. I have yet to get there (shame on me!) nut am advised that it's grand thatre in the old tradition and has the biggest screen in NY 0other than IMAX). I highly recommend a visit to the Landmark Sunshine on Houston Street near 2nd if you like foreign and indie films. It's new, very cool inside and has great theatres and seating. get a knish at Yonah Schimmel's next door before the show but be prepared to walk it off afterwards! (tasty but very heavy). there are also lots of cool, funky little, restaurants, cafes, bars and shops on 1st and 2nd Ave just on the other side of Houston. I really love the homemade dumplings at the Himalayan/Tibetan place just across and over formt he theater on Houston. very tasty and a bit on the subtle side for flavor but they have a killer home-made hot sauce to add on. Nice light meal and very cheap.

Can't imagine opting for a movie at a big cinemaplex when you've got Broadway and off Broadway shows right there! Save the movies for your own hometown. Splurge and see something LIVE.

Sara, you'll be staying in a great neighborhood - close to the East and West Village, Chelsea, Flatiron District. Little India is walkable on Lexington Avenue from 25th Street to about 30th Street.

Get yourself a copy of Time Out
New York to see what's happening that very busy week.

Here are some nearby offbeat suggestions and websites that you may not find
in guidebooks:

The Theodore Roosevelt House on East 20th Street near your hotel:
http://www.theinsider.com/nyc/museums/1theod.htm

Verbena at 56 Irving Place - go for lunch, dinner or brunch.

For breakfast or brunch, there's a cute Vermont-type place on Irving Place called Friend of a Farmer. Also stop in at historical Pete's Tavern for a burger and a beer.

The National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park
is a beautiful mansion and looks like a perfect oldtime 'men's club' - they
offer tours to the public and have art showings, cocktail events. They also
have theater in the afternoon - check this site:
http://foodforthoughtproductions.com/

"Burn This" is currently playing near Union Square on East 17th Street. Check Theatermania.com for theater discounts for other Bway and Off Bway shows.

How do I get to Canal Stree from the Gramercy Hotel? I want to go shopping down there.
Alos, when I fly out what is the best way to get from here to Newark airport?

to get to canal st from gramercy hotel, walk over to either lexington and 23rd St or Union Sq Park (14th St & Broadway) for the #6 train to Canal St.

to get to Newark airport I would arrange for a car service. There are several, I'm sure the hotel can help you arrange that. I think it's about $40. Some that come to mind are Tel Aviv car service, 777-7777, another is All-State 333-3333, and Carmel 666-6666. You can call for quotes.

Is getting a car service easier? Is it also just as much if using a taxi or is it more?

There are certains time of day (particularly when they change shifts or during rush hour) when getting a taxi could be difficult. Also if the weather is bad (rain, very cold) it could be next to impossible. The cost isn't all that much different.

Try the AirTrain from Penn Station (34th St & 8th Ave) to Newark. I believe it costs about $11 and, in my opinion, would be quicker than car service.