Aussie (never seen snow) wanting to go to do the East coast Xmas 2003. Where would be the best spot to spend Xmas (city). I'm getting in early to plan this trip, but at this early stage, I have no idea if this is an expensive time to travel or how cold it will be or what are the best places to visit in the middle of your winter. It's nice and hot in Australia at Xmas time.

Best is probably Midtown, if you want to enjoy the store windows, Rockefeller Center, Theatre District, Times Square. Some years it's more expensive than others, but it's almost always really COLD out, and windy besides. While there are Christmas themes all over, Midtown is the best. The Radio City Christmas Show truly is "spectacular", especially if you have good seats. Many hotels offer truly low rates by booking way ahead. Otherwise, you could use Priceline, Hotwire, or Hoteldiscount.com. In my experience, best bet is to shop like the dickens and book something with a liberal cancellation policy. Then keep on shopping.

Brendan,
Despite what you have seen in movies and tv shows there is very little chance that there will be snow at Christmas in New York City (only 1 out 8 Christmas' are "White Christmas' in NYC)so if you're intention is to see snow at Christmas NY probably isn't the best destination. Otherwise Christmas in NYC is beautiful and lots of fun.

You may want to drive to Southern Vermont -- ie Stratton or Bromley --
and spend a night or two at a ski resort even if you do not ski.
YOu can go up on the gondola; another option is to go to Quebec and then fly down to NYC.

If you're here for New Years eve, consider Boston's First Night celebration. Lots of musicial events all night.

Temperature could range from chilly to very cold. NYC does dress up pretty for the Xmas season -- many in the region take a trip into the city just to look at it.

http://www.radiocity.com/prodJsp/radiocity/RCE-eventscalendar.jsp

Check out the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall. A MUST SEE!

Weather at Christmas can vary from very cold 20° to mild 50°. Dress in layers.

Nothing beats X-mas in New York. As others have said, the chances of a white x-mas are pretty slim, although it seems invariably that New Years Eve is the coldest night of the year. If I had to guess, I'd say temps in upper 30's or lower 40's on X-mas, with lows in the 20s. Could be a little colder, however.

If you want to see snow, go up to New England, especially Vermont or N.H. Maybe take in some skiing.