Hello,

My fiancee and I are coming to visit NYC, flying in around 9:00AM on Saturday December 13th and leaving Monday December 15th around 4:00PM. Can anyone please provide suggestions of what to see and do.

I have listed below some of the thiings I already have in mind, but I would really appreciate opinions and thoughts from others as to what to add to the list or take away from the list and avoid all together.

Places to go/things to do list so far:
Times Square
Rockefeller Center
Top of the Rock
Night/Holiday Lights Bus Tour
Radio City Spectacular
Shopping -Can you suggest specifics?Central Park
Grand Central
Store Windows Viewing
Wicked on Broadway

Thanks for your help!

You've pretty much found the first-time tourist "to do" list for the holidays.

What other types of activities interest you, or what are your concerns about your list?

Gekko,

Both of us have been to the city a handful of times over the years, but never during the holidays.

How is the Xmas show at Radio City? Is it worth the $?

Locations for good shopping other than the obvious are of interest, something we may have missed on our past visits.

Is the Grayline Holiday Lights Tour worth the money, if we combine it with the uptown and downtown tour as well?

I have heard the weekends in Little Italy during the holidays are worth a visit. Is this really the case?

I am really just looking for the ultimate cheesy holiday/christmas experience for the two of us. We are looking for a good time at a reasonable price and are open to any suggestions.

Thanks

If you have never seen the Radio City show, I would say yes, it is worth the money.

I have seen it a few times, and am going again this year with mom (her first trip to NYC).

The snowflake light "show" on the side of the Saks bldg is pretty neat - short, but cool none the less. The lights are on constantly, and the "show" occurs about 20-ish minutes, I think. It's right across the street from Rockefeller promenade.

Never done the holiday lights tour. I am interested to hear others' comments on that as well.

If you're looking for Broadway-type show(s), White Christmas is showing at the Marquis theatre this holiday season.

Have fun

Shane

You will be in town for my very favorite holiday concert, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Red Hot Holiday Stomp! Not sure if you're jazz/big band fans, but it's a real treat.
www.JALC.org

You can get a discount on Radio City through Season of Savings:
www.SeasonofSavings.com

And of course, speaking of "the ultimate cheesy holiday experience," White Christmas will be on Broadway at that time as well.

Even though 5th Avenue is clogged at this time of year, it's definitely the place to see store windows (and of course, the Rockefeller Center tree). Also be sure to stop in St. Patrick's Cathedral, which is particularly beautiful for Christmas.

Your list is pretty packed, and as you have a short visit I would say you're in good shape!

I was in NYC over Thanksgiving last year and we went to the Radio City Christmas spectacular and just loved it. I think it's something you need to do at least once and I love my little star light you get. Ultimate cheese but really entertaining.

One word of warning with Top of the Rock make sure the cloud cover is not below the viewing area! We went to the Rainbow room for a drink and hoping for a fabulous view and all we had was a sea of white clouds. All we could do was laugh. The ladies room is worth a visit whether you need to use it or not. Wonderful art deco.

On my first visit I did the grey line tours and enjoyed them as they helped to get my bearings and also helped me decide where I wanted to spend more time.

I just loved the buz of the city last year and all the store lights and windows after dark. Tiffanys is really pretty too as well as all the other major stores.

I think you'll have a wonderful time no matter what you decide to do.

If you plan on seeing Wicked, I hope you've already gotten your tickets. Agree Radio City is a MUST at least once in a lifetime. If you really want fun cheesy, there's an area of Brooklyn called Dyker Heights known for over the top lights. This co. does a bus tour there http://www.asliceofbrooklyn.com/christmas.html

Go skating in Central Park if you have time.

As for shopping, there are Xmas markets at Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park, Union Square and a few other places. Here's info from last year. http://nymag.com/guides/holidays/holidayshopping/

What other kind of shopping do you want? Gifts? Clothes? Nymag.com/shopping has a pretty good search engine.

Radio City if you want to see live camels and Santa gyrate his hips and Santa's little helpers wearing short short coats.

Nutcracker Suite and/or Handel's Messiah performance at LC if you're more old school.

Skating at Wollman rink or RC.

If it snows, first thing in the morning, go to Central Park and see everyone doing their thing on sleds, skis, etc...

Great suggestion about the holiday markets- I love Bryant Park especially! There is also an ice skating rink there if you wanted to combine activities.