I have to agree with Vincenzo on the "bitter cold," especially for a Southerner.

I went to college outside NYC and felt very Holden Caulfield or something by going to the city to do my Christmas shopping.

I always froze, not because of absolute temperatures but because of the combination of wind and damp. In a city built on a grid, every corner is windy from one direction or the other. If that wind was also carrying drizzle or sleet, it was grim.

In general, Southerners don't get slush. In Richmond it snows, it looks pretty, it melts. The shock of stepping off the curb into slush up to my ankles is a memory I don't treasure. Will you get that much snow in mid-December? Not likely, but you can. Boots.

Will you enjoy yourself despite everything we have written? Absolutely! In addition to all the restaurants you have heard of, there are hundreds of great ones that you haven't. In addition to all the performances you can't get into, there will be hundreds of choral and chamber concerts by highly professional musicians that you can walk right up to.

My favorite image of NYC at Christmas is Mike and Kaye shopping in The Godfather. Everything about the glamour and beauty of the city -- and the cold weather -- is captured in those scenes.

You picked a great hotel location. Enjoy!

To get to EWR during rush hour the only viable way is to take the subway down to Penn Station (1 Train from Columbus Circle) then NJ Transit to the airport. That will take you about an hour. Any other way at rush hour during the Christmas season would be double. It's the cheapest option and the only one that makes sense.

doug... I recall the bus to EWR was easy and comfortable.. but agree that Owdo's situation calls for the train option.
And since she'll be on CPS Columbus Circle will be very convenient. I really don't envy her this trip. In fact, I have a dentist's appt. in December... think I'll cancel it -:)

I will take the train, and as long as I get there within two hours, I think I will be okay. Thank you all!

I'm not a fan of the midtown crowds so I tend to see the store windows from the bus, or I walk past them very late at night. Bryant Park is a lovely location at that time of year.

I love the Met in December because their Christmas tree and antique nativity are all set up.

Here are some of my recommendations on getting theatre tickets
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2016/...-for-less.html

Do the store windows late at night. We've been there (fairly recently) around 10:30 or 11 p.m. and could get "up close and personal" - no lines. Lord & Taylor are my all-time favorite.

"I'm not a fan of the midtown crowds so I tend to see the store windows from the bus, or I walk past them very late at night."

Great idea. I know what you mean. I don't like crowds either so I enjoyed Paris by flying over it in a plane.

I love this conversation! Thank you all for your wonderful advice and opinions! Based on this, I'm glad I'm at Bryant Park Hotel. It's already one of my fave hotels in NYC. At Christmas, I think I'll really enjoy the proximity of the Winter Village.

When I travel solo, I tend to visit museums, watch performances, and eat. Put that on repeat, and you have most of my solo trips.

Shows in advance - I'm fine with not seeing the "must sees." Beautiful is still on my list, as well as Avenue Q (off-Broadway). I've also heard good things about Drunk Shakespeare, which sounds HILARIOUS. (Other recommendations? I love straight plays as well.) I'll see what I can do to get tix in advance. Thanks for helping me avoid frozen lines at the tkts booth.

I'll gladly take your recommendations to skip The Cloisters this time and spend the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Check. I haven't been there in a few years, anyway.)

As a party of one, I doubt I'll make *too* many dinner reservations. Maybe just one or two for my must-dos (like the night I go to Rockefeller Center), and then eat on the run the rest of the time.

Hitting the shop windows late at night is a fab recommendation. Thank you! Will move my schedule around a bit to accommodate.

Other ideas besides Nutcracker?

Also, bundling up in 3, 2, . . .

<I don't like crowds either so I enjoyed Paris by flying over it in a plane.>


No need to fly over Paris NeoPatrick, I assure you most of it isn't nearly as crowded as midtown at Christmas ;).

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bradshawgirl1
The Jerusalem exhibit at the Met is really very interesting and the Beckmann in New York is good too. The Museum of the City of NY has just opened a new exhibit on the history of NYC which I haven't seen but is meant to be good.

The Merchant House Museum is nice if you're looking for something historical and I second the recommendation for the Frick and the Neue.

The Highline is quite lovely at this time of year and hopefully not quite as busy as when it's warmer. I like Wild Sons which is down at the end of it and has a charming feel, it's great for Brunch or a casual lunch

On the theatre front we just saw Othello Remix which is fun and we liked, a lot of the theatre we've seen this season has been rather disappointing or it was fine but nothing I'd really rave about (The Humans, Plenty, Poison, Roads to Home ) so I don't have lots to recommend and so far nothing that's a must see. Finns Rainbow was recommended to us and Love, Love, Love is on my list along with Coriolanus and Motherf with a Hat which both have great reviews on Show-Score.

I suggest the Today Tix app for theatre tickets or the Tix booth at Lincoln Center rather than the one in Time Sq. Why not enter the electronic lottery for Hamilton, it's unlikely you'll win but someone has to!

Have fun!

How does the lottery work - is it "day of"? We might have a free night on our upcoming short trip, can't hurt to try.

Lotteries are always "day of". Some are operated online (Hamilton), some require you to stand in line. Some are convenient, others time consuming. Most seats are on the front row, which is not the best place to sit for any show. Some are standing room. So you have to look at the rules and see what's what before you commit to doing the lottery.

Thanks - I've never even considered it before. The seats appear to be front row, which is of no interest to me (I'd rather wait).

I get where you are coming from @sf7307. The purpose of the lottery is to allow people who aren't in the 1% to see the most popular shows by giving them the least desirable seats for a really cheap price. If you can afford full-price tickets and have that luxury, you're correct in thinking you can always do better. But not for $10 to $25.

Following up - I have been to the Frick (and loved it). That may be a place I can return on this trip!

I went ahead and got discounted tix for Avenue Q, timed entry tix for the 9/11 museum, and a ticket for the Radio City Music Hall show. Also went ahead and pre-purchased a ticket for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as it may allow me to skip the line. There's a metro stop right around the corner from my hotel, so that's good.

Any ideas on what I can do on my last day in town while lugging my suitcase around? (To explain - I'm coming into NYC early for the weekend, then going to White Plains for a night on business, then flying back out of NYC - late - on that last day. So on the last day, I'm either in White Plains most of the day sans luggage, or I'm back in NYC WITH one rolling bag.) Suggestions? I'd love to go to the botanic gardens, but they don't check bags, and I'd hate to drag one behind me for the whole visit.

P.S. I also made dinner reservations at Lambs Club and db Bistro, as they look good and convenient to some of the shows I'm going to. I was surprised they took solo reservations, but Open Table accepted them!

You don't carry your bag. You check it at the hotel and pick it up immediately before leaving. Thus opens up all your possibilities and lets you do whatever you want. All hotels in NYC will hold luggage for you.

The long lives at the Met are not to buy tickets. That always moves quickly. There are two long lines: bag checks and coat checks. Avoid them by not carrying a bag and wearing your coat.