Hi everyone-

Just booked our first trip to NYC for Dec 13-18...just wondered if there were any "must dos" in the city at that time of yr. How is the Radio City Music Hall-Rocketts show? Any other holiday realated shows or sites we should not miss? Thanks in advance.

FAO Schwartz
5th Ave shopping
Watch people skate at Rockefeller Center
Actually skate yourself in Central Park, Chelsea Pier or South St Seaport
See the window displays at Saks, Macy's, Bloomingdales
Go up Empire State Building
Take a hansom cab ride through central park
By knockoff XMAS presents for your friends in Chinatown

A must see is the Nativity at Metropolitan Museum. It is awesome. If possible try to locate a small book called "New York Holiday Guide, The Best Places to eat, drink, shop and celebrate". It is by Charles Suisman and Carol Molesworth. I got mine copy as a give-away at a convention. If its not in your local book store, try emails to [email protected], the publisher. This tiny book is packed with holiday idea chapters like, The Best-Dressed Trees, Music Around Town, The Tuba Christmas Concert, Model Train Magic, Cool Toy Stores, Festive Dining Out, Christmas Treats from Around the World, Where to go Dancing, etc. etc. Its full of fun things. And yes....the Rocketts show is worth seeing. Splurge for the "golden circle" seats.

Personally, the Radio City Christmas show left my teenage daughter and me pretty unimpressed although it's probably one of the things everyone should do in NYC at least once. I much preferred going to see as many shows (both Broadway and Off-Broadway) as I could!

I also recommend shopping in the Canal Street area and eating at New York Noodletown at least once (if you like Chinese food)

Definitely the store windows. One of my favorites is Lord & Taylor's (5th Ave and 39th Street).

The Radio City show is great. They call it a spectacular, and it definitely is that.

FAO Schwarz toy store is a lot of fun, but also very crowded.

Definitely a trip to Macy's to see Santa. (You don't have to wait in line to sit on his lap, they have a peephole for those who want to look).

The Christmas trees at Rockefeller Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (If you are going to the Metropolitan just to see the tree, remember the entry fee is just a suggested donation, don't pay the whole thing).

Many churches have special music. There are performances of The Messiah and other carols. Check the magazine Time Out for specific listings.

The Guggenheim Museum (5th Ave at 89th Street) currently has an exhibit of Norman Rockwell art.

Also, the Nutcracker at the NYC Ballet, Christmas Carol at Madison Square garden, store windows, of course. Many stores seem to be going out of their way this year with big nostalgic dispalys

Definitely go skating in Central Park. The Christmas Spectacular is fun in an over the top, circus-y way, but it is worth doing once. I would also suggest picking a nice spot for brunch while you're here, maybe at Balthazar or Nougatine in the Trump Bldg. at Columbus Circle, or at Brasserie in the Seagram Bldg. Walking along 5th Ave. at that time of year is great, yes, but elbow to elbow with people, so it gets tiring quickly. All info from above is good -- and no matter what you do, you'll have fun.

Hi,
We will be in NYC on the 18 thru the 27 of Dec. I just booked the Rocketts for the 24th. I got a discount of the 4:00 show, I guess it's an off peak hour. SO when you book your tickets ask for the off peak show times. It seemed like a pretty good deal I got. We are sitting in Orchestra for 55.00 per person. From what the young man said, it selling fast so do it ASAP. Have a wonderful time.