Ed

My girlfriend and I are going to New York City for New Years Eve, we are staying at the Warwick Hotel for 3 nights. Any suggestions on "Christmas Season" things to do? Anyone stay at this hotel? Any comments on restaurants? (PS this is the 1st trip here for both of us). Thanks!

jo

I don't know anything about the hotel.

This for the Xmas season.
Walk on 5th avenue and see all of the great store windows.

Ice skating in Rockefeller Center.

The tree in Rockefeller Center

Get tickets to the Christmas show at Radio City. (Get them now)

As far as restaurants it depends on what you would like. Give us some ideas and we will help you.
Nice restaurants, theme restaurants, particular cuisine?

wandering one

Hi--
I'd skip Times Square on New Year's Eve unless you like huge crowds with pickpockets milling about...while in the city, go see a B'way show. You can save money by going to TKTS at Duffy Square (a block S of Times Sq.) the day of the show and see what's listed on the board. The tickets are 2-for-1! You won't be able to get tickets for the newest popular sold-out shows(ie The Producers) there but you will be able to choose something that's been out for a while. Do go early and stand on line to maximize your choices--and bring the theater review from the NY Times so you know what shows interest you. Have fun!

Kelly

I agree with wandering one. Time Square swells with drunk teens on New Years Eve. I don't know a single New Yorker that would attend and many make it a point not to be in town on that night. It is so gross ed.

rqf

I haven’t been to Times Square on New Years eve for more than 50 years and there isn’t a chance that I would subject myself to the crowds at this point in my life. Having said that I think it is something you might want to experience at least once in your lifetime. This is your first visit to NY - go for it. It will be a conversation piece for years to come. Times Square is less than 15 minute walk from the hotel.

Howard

If you're planning to go to the theater that holiday week, you'd be advised to get tickets in advance. It's one of the busiest weeks of the year for the theater, so you may not find that much available for half price.

jhm

I'd also go ice skating in Wollman Rink in Central Park; go on a horse and carriage ride...

ladyjane

I've never been to Times Square for New Year's Eve, but if you're young and cheerful I agree with the person who says go for it.

Whatever you do on New Year's Eve, make sure you can walk or take a subway from there back to your hotel, because there are basically NO TAXIS on New Year's Eve from about 11:15 to 12:30.

My #1 recommendation, depending on your interests--go see the Christmas display in the Metropolitan Museum, a wonderful tree in the Medieval Hall, surrounded by amazing Nativity scene figures (a huge number of them) which are I think from Italy. And then go enjoy some of the rest of the museum. I imagine you know it's one of the best in the world. If you're not crazy about painting, go look at armor, furniture, giant totem poles etc. from New Guinea, and the Temple of Dendur, a whole Egyptian temple houses in a beautiful space with a view of Central Park.

For a show, I suggest Kiss Me Kate, which will not be hard to get into, and which to me is festive.

Ann

I would try to get to Times Square, it's something that you shouldn't miss, but as others have mentioned, beware of the crowds. The cops start closing off streets very early in the day and the crowds start forming early also. My best suggestion is to get to the west side (find the sheraton hotels around 48 or 49th streets and Seventh Ave, hang around the area, then about 11:30 pm walk down towards 42nd street. My boyfriend and I did that many years ago and we were able to see the Apple drop and we were behind the crowd. But be prepared for when the crowd starts breaking up, you will literally be in the middle of 100,000+ people. Turn around and run!

Good luck.

Frank

Check out the department store windows at Lord & Taylor, Macy*s, and Saks. Also take a quick spin through the first floor of each. It's all free and part of the New York Christmas tradition.

Travern on the Green is beautifully decorated for the holidays, if you don't want to spring for dinner, have a drink and soak up the atmosphere.

Happy Holidays!