We are going to New York from December 28th to January 1st and would like some advice from fellow foderites that have visited NYC. I went a few years ago but didn't get to do much because it was a business trip. We are looking to catch the broadway shows Rent and Chicago while we are there and would like to know if there are any discounts or deals and also where we can get the tickets at. We would also appreciate any advice on restaurants and also places to see. I really regretted not seeing a lot of the city last time and would like to enjoy NYC as much as possible. Thanks in advance.

Tickets to shows like rent and chicago in general are not that hard to come by but you are going into town when alot of out-of-towners come in. But with everything that has gone on my guess is you will be able to get seats. Its just a question of how you want to go about it. Their are two paths you can take. Go to times square the morning on the day you want to see the show and hit the red tkst booth on the median between 7th ave and b'way. Its easy to see so don't worry about finding it.And get there early in the morning because the lines are usually long and it is going to be cold and windy as hell so wear layers of clothes.Also bring cash!!! They don't take visa or checks. The tickets will probably be 30 to 50 percent off so have about 50 or 60 bucks for each ticket you want to buy. Or you could go online and buy the tickets now. Thats what I would do. Go to Broadway.com or better yet playbill.com I know playbill is running a special on those two shows you mentioned. Go to the site and become a member. It only takes a second. And with playbill.com they have maps of each theater so you know where your seats will be. This is important if you call playbill to book your seats because when you are talking to the operator (be very nice to them!) they will give you several options of the seats you can get. And with the maps of the two theaters that have your shows , you will be able to see where your seats are. And If they are not good, don't book and try you luck at the tkst booth. Also for deals at tourists spots check out citypass.com their for about 30 bucks you can get passes to alot of great places in the city. Also be sure to take the staten island ferry. Its a great view and its FREE! Have a great trip!

Discount tickets are available at the Tkts discount booth, 47th and Broadway.
Tickets are offered at half price and credit cards are not accepted. The booth opens at 3pm for tickets for the same day evening performance and at 10 am on matinee days. Discount tickets are also offered at the Playbill site: www.playbill. com

Even though neither Rent nor Chicago is selling out, remember that you are going over one of the business theater times of the year. Thus, there won't be as many seats available.
In response to the previous poster's comments, I believe that tickets are not available for those performances on the Playbill website. (In fact, there's very little available for this week thru Playbill, further demonstrating that it's a peak time for the theater.)
Having said all that negative, you still do have a chance of getting tickets for either or both show via discounted prices either of these two ways:
1. Waiting in line at the TKTS booth in Times Square as mentioned above. (The price is likely to be around $40-50 a ticket.)
2. Check out the convention & visitors bureau site in Times Square for discount stubs that you can exchange at the box office. Either or both shows might be available.
The only other alternative, again as the previous poster said, is to get the tickets in advance at full price.
(PS: Tickets for New Year's Eve performances are even more expensive!)

You might try calling TICKETMASTER..I am pretty sure it is a 800-number..then you can get availability and price.Where will you be staying?

I think my cohorts adequately covered your question about theatre tickets. For restaurant advice, tell us what neighborhood you'll be in (or want to eat in), what kind of food you like, price range, special occasion or no, etc.

Thanks to all the foderites that have given advise, it has been a big help. I am staying at Astor on the park by Central Park. I am looking for good restaurants in that area. We are also looking for good Italian and Seafood restaurants by Broadway and Time Square.

Astor on the Park is on Central Park West between 106th and 107th Streets. Not familar with any good restaurants that far uptown but I'm sure someone else is. How did you pick a hotel so far uptown? Must have been a great rate. It's not generally thought of as a tourist area, but is convenient to midtown via the Eighth Avenue Subway.

If the location of hotel is correct and plans still changeable, I would recommend you do so. I live in the general vicinity of that neighborhood, and it's probably not the best place for tourists. Though the immediate blocks there look nice I wouldn't recomment walking around there (i.e. take a cab to and from your hotel) espcially at night
Central Park West that far up (above say 96th street) are not as busy as other street and avenues. The next avenue over, Manhattan avenue, is a bit dicey, and there is a very large public housing project nearby. If you're looking for lower priced hotels on the upper west side, I know other people on the board have mentioned the Quality Hotel at 94th near Broadway, and the Comfort Inn on 71st near Central Park west. Those neighborhoods though close to your hotel are very different and are on/near much busier streets where you can walk and feel more comfortable even at night