New York City in December
 

I am taking my 16 yo DD to NYC for Christmas, to see the Book of Mormon and maybe look at a college or two. We were thinking of staying in Times Square, but I'm wondering if there might be some other areas that are less expensive. I really don't know much about the different areas. I am trying to book on Hotwire or Priceline, and I'm using BetterBidding, but I thought I'd come here first for some advice and some hotel recommendations so I can book a back-up.

I would like an area that is convenient to get to other areas, something that is safe but it doesn't have to be too fancy. I have read that you shouldn't go less than 3 star in NYC. Is that true? Free wi-fi would be a plus! :)

Any ideas?

Thanks!

NYC is the safest large city in the US. Of course no one can assure another's safety but just about any area where there are hotels in Manhattan will be safe.

That is the busiest tourist week in NYC, especially in midtown, when it always better to stay and eat in the residential areas and visit the tourist sites from there. Between the cabs, buses, subways, and walking Manhatttan is easy to navigate.

Colleges will be closed that week, so exposure to whatever schools you wish to look at will be limited.

You better get your tickets for Mormon now and you will be shocked by the prices, your daughter might have forego college.

Thanks, Adu.

I know this is the worst time to go, but DD's performance schedule (High school Fall Production means we can't go any earlier, and I had ticket vouchers I had to use before the end of the year, so...

Regarding Book of Mormon, we got our tickets already, thanks to DD's dad. Not too bad, $150 per.

Colleges - we just want to go look around. She will most likely go to school in California but I would love for her to see different college campuses to get excited.

Initially I wanted to stay in Times Square, for my future Tony award winning daughter but I think it is just too pricey. Thanks to a tip from a friend, I checked out Brooklyn, and it looks fun. I have a reservation at the NU, It does seem more our style (think Paris' Quartier Latin vs. the Right Bank).

The NU is across the stret from an unused prison. So when you get there do not be surprised by the razor wire.

It is a block from Atlantic which has been a mid-eastern commerical area for fifty years. Two of the more interestign places are Sahadi for spices and Damascus for pita and pastries.

Colleges in NYC are different than in that for most, the city is the campus. If she is interested in acting, then have a her take a look at Tisch School of NYU. It is extremely difficult to get into but look at the alumni.

As long as there are no plans to start using it before Christmas, I'm ok. The description of the area sounded nice, historical and ethnic.

I'll take a look at Tisch. Is it a gazillion dollars?

Stay any place in NYC but Times Square. Not because of prices but rather because it is filled with chain stores and restaurants now, crowded, not very nice..yes, it's been cleaned up, but find another area to stay. Just north of there, 6th avenue in the 50s , or Murray Hill, east side in the 30s for a start. New York has so many charming neighborhoods to explore..NYU is in the Village and she'll want to see it and that area. Maybe Columbia University,or Julliard.

Yes, NYU just went over the gazillion mark but, oh, the acting exercises she will take.

Julliard is even more difficult to get into that NYU film school. If it were me I wouldn't want to be staying in Brookkyn - but would chec out the upper west side - or even the financial district to see if you can find any deal. MUCH better to be in Manhattan - walk out the door and there it is!

Walking from the subway to the hotel can get really old at night if it's 20 and snowing - or zero and not.

Bookit.com has several options between $200-$300 depending on your dates. I'd also recommend not staying outside Manhattan.

The NU hotel has a nice location, but the area is neither picturesque or particularly historic. It's in downtown Brooklyn and certainly reasonably close to historic areas like Brooklyn Heights, but the immediate area? Not so nice looking (though perfectly safe and as convenient as you can be and still be in Brooklyn).

There are cheaper hotels in Long Island City, Queens, just one stop from Manhattan, but the area is even less enticing than Brooklyn. Really, there's quite a bit around the NU Hotel, so I'd probably choose that. But my cousin stayed recently at the Country Inn and Suites in Long Island City for $95 per night. It's not going to be that during Christmas, but this is typically one of the cheapest conveniently located hotels in NYC.

Thanks, Doug! NYC is so overwhelming with all the choices. And then trying to use Hotwire and Priceline on top of it. My head is spinning...

I know hotels in NYC are very expensive in December, but you get what you pay for. I think if you can possibly swing staying somewhere in midtown (not directly in Times Square, though, there's no reason for that), you will love being able to walk to Rockefeller Plaza and the decorated department store windows and Broadway, etc., and you will be there in the evenings to enjoy the ambiance, instead of commuting. I also think it's worth staying near food options, esp. for breakfast and dinner; sounds like the NU isn't so hot for that. Anyway, best of luck room hunting, I really hope you can turn up something in the city!

Ok, I scratched Brooklyn and have now booked a room at the Moderne, using Hotwire. It was more than I hoped but, given the time of year, I think my expectations were a little high. It is still about $100 less than the Expedia rate. It's about a mile from Times Square and close to subways and it looks really cool, not exactly my type but I think DD will love it!!

Well, the Moderne is next door to our offices, so I can vouch for the location, which you'll find quite convenient to dining in Hell's Kitchen and the theater ... plus it's a few minutes walk from the Time-Warner Center at Columbus Circle. Times Square is about 10 minutes by foot (for me), about a half-mile (definitely not a mile in NYC blocks). The block is kind of blah, but the convenience is worth it. I've never stayed in the hotel, so I can't vouch for it. But the diner on the corner of 55th/Broadway is ok for breakfast, if a little expensive.