I live in the city and take cabs nearly every single day. It usually takes me about 10 minutes and about $6 including tip to get from my office on 21st & Park to 42nd & 7th in the theater district. Last night it took 25 minutes & cost $10. So this is just a reminder to visitors that due to heavy tourist traffic your taxi fares may be higher than you anticipated.

I have also encountered very long delays in finding a cab since that big old tree was lit up. Best places to find cabs? In front of hotels and hospitals, the grand central & Penn Station taxi stands that are monitored by people who disburse the cabs.
By the way, does anyone know if they have a name? Taxi hailers? Cab catchers?

Also, leave extra time to get to the theater & check your tickets for the start time. A few weeks ago we noticed at least 20 people arriving 40 minutes late for Henry IV since it started at 7pm, not 8pm.

Watch your wallet. Hate to say it, but those big crowds of people all pushed together are magnets for pickpockets. Expecially if you are distracted by the tree lights, etc., and are not particularly paying attention to people bumping into you.

If you are checking the weather before your trip and find out that we have recently had snow (more than 4 inches sticking), then bring high boots so you can wade through the intersections.

If anyone else has some tips for our seasonal visitors to NY, feel free to add on.

If you have your heart set on specific restaurants, make your reservations in advance. ALso buy theater tickets in advance, discounts are very limited Christmas week. At this point much of the snow is gone. Hopefully it won't come back for a while. Bring lots of layers and rain gear in any case.

I was going to do the same bugswife, so thanks for starting the thread. Taxi "hailers" are called dispatchers I think. Traffic is just terrible.

I noticed the windows at Bloomingdales were particularly nice this year. Normally they're more "grown up" & usually don't appaer on people's "must see" window list. This year, the ones along Lexington Ave (didn't see the ones on 3rd) look at bit like Lord & Taylor's-animated & kid friendly.

Took out of town friends to Auerole for lunch. I often suggest this place for a splurge/romantic meal & good discount lunch. There are 2 discount lunch options. There's a $20.03 3 course lunch (after 2 PM) Entrees are limited (chicken or salmon). There's also a 4 course tasting menu for $35 (no choices except dessert). For an added $20 on either menu they include wine with each course-not a bad value since the cheapest glasses are $9. While the food wasn't as outstanding as I remembered, it's still a nice treat. The desserts here are outstanding.

Since you are volunteering to help ignorant tourists , .....do you think I will be able to easily get a cab in front of Babbo and Bouley on Fri and Sat night? Do cab drivers mind if you just go 8 blocks or so? What about the theaters on Houston late at night after a movie?

I'm wearing gorgeous shoes out to dinner and obviously can't walk 2 blocks in them without being sorry. Have contemplated carrying a large-ish purse w/ a pair of flats inside. Someone should invent a pair of running shoes disguised as a clutch purse.

Hmmm. Friday & Saturday nights are tough and there aren't as many cabs downtown as there are in the tourist areas. So, I would have to say it depends on the time and the weather. At Babbo, you may have to walk to the corner to the avenue to get a cab as it is on a side street. Boulay will probably be easier as it is in a more commercial area. Shouldn't have a problem in front of the Sunshine theater if that is the one you are referring to. At the Angelica you might have more competition for transportation.