NYC next year
 

hy, I know it is a bit early for my questions, but I want to plan ahead, and look for good deals.

I want to go to NYC next year (nov/dec) for about a week (coming from Austria, Europe). I want to go before christmas, but do want to see the christmas decorations and get into the spirit, and also maybe grap some great bargains for presents.

What would be the best time - after Thanksgiving? - how is the first week in december? Is that a good time to go. What will it be weatherwise - I know nobody has a glas bowl. Is it very cold and chilly - I mean we do have cold weather in Austria - like just know - we have got snow already in the mountains and some valleys.

thx for any help

The week after Thanksgiving and two week before Christams is a very brief lull. NYC will still be pulsing with tourists but not like Christmas week or Thanksgiving. By then all the windows should be dressed and the tree in Rock Center should be lit. This year it is November 28 and last year Nov 29.

thx - so if I go around the 1st of december I'll be okay?

How about the weather - I have to convince my boyfriend that the weather won't be too bad.

I've been to NYC at Thanksgiving - about 13 years ago.. and it was cold.

It is the beginning of the winter and we do get snow but usually not a lot. The brutal months are January and February.

People stand for the Thanksgiving Parade for hours in all weather. One year it can be extremely cold and one Christmas about four years ago we had a freak heat wave and people were in shirt sleeves.

The first week in December is an excellent time to go, Aduchamp is absolutely right. Everything is ready to go for christmas, although I know some years the tree at Rockefeller center isn't lit until Dec. 2 or 3, and the Christmas attractions are not crazy crowded yet. It's a particularily good time to do something like visit Santa in Macy's, especially during the day on a weekday, which is when we always try to schedule our Santa visits. And yes, adults, especially tourists, do visit Santa, even without kids in tow. It will be cold, most likely, but early in December you are unlikely to get more than a dusting of snow and it may even be a little warmer than you're used to, since the climate in NYC is more maritime than continental.

Regarding the weather, I've been in NY for Thanksgiving when it's been so cold we couldn't even stay outside for the parade, and when it's been so warm, only a sweatshirt was necessary. Be prepared!

It's unlikely that NYC that time of year will be any colder than Austria. We do get snow - but are about 100 miles south of the snow belt - and more than 2/3 inches before Christmas is rare. (But a couple of years ago we got about a foot on Christmas.) But- NYC does tend to be damp and windy as well as cold. so just be sure you have your winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves and good walking shoes or booties with ridged soles (in case of ice/sleet). And you might want to skip the boat rides unless you get a warm day.

I have to disagree that this is NOT a lull - but - the most crowded and expensive time to year to visit the city. (There is actually a lull, but it is generally the last few days before Christmas - since the business travelers have left, and many tourists want to be home by the 21 or 22. Hotels, restaurants and shows will be crowded and expensive (few discounts available) - although there are continuous sales at most of the larger stores - and many of the smaller ones one.

If yu do decide on this suggest you get hotel reservations as soon as you have your dates set - since the closer you get to the time the higher hotel prices rise.

If you plan on going for a week, I suggest you try to rent an apartment. Someone had posted a website where this can be done...Fodorites help? I have it somewhere as I plan to use it for my next visit. Hotel rates are very high. Of course, with the Euro being strong you won't feel as much as we do, but still, with a week it would be a good idea.

I'm questioning the "lull" idea also. I've been to NYC all times of the year, and the busiest times are always when I go between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This at least applies to the whole midtown and theatre areas. Prices of hotels then sure don't indicate any "lull" either.

Silvia, last year I went to nyc (also from Europe) the first week of December and even though I begun searching ages before, everything was really expensive!! hotels were all full and didn't find any good bargain...This year I'll be going from the 15th till the 20th and the Hotel prices are much lower(even the flight is cheaper!)...

Between Christmas and New Year's, the city will be very busy and reservations harder than usual to come by.

A couple of years ago, we went for the first weekend in December (I think it was) and there was a huge snowstorm and we were basically snowed into our hotel and the city and none of our friends made it into the city to meet us. No cars or taxis were running, so we hopped the subway and went to a restaurant we knew was right at a subway stop.

That was unusual though. Usually, there are a few snow flurries early in December with maybe an inch or two or snow at most.

By the way I was at the Met Museum today and their elegant tree will be up by or shortly after Thanksgiving.

everybody, thx for all your input - I really appreciate it..
I have checked already a bit regarding hotel prices and I must admit I was shocked - looks like a week in NYC will cost me nearly as much as 2 weeks in asia (like thailand).
As I would really like to see all the christmas decorations in NYC, I thought the first week in december will be the best - but I can't go any later than the 10th - due to work.
Well I'll think about it and will check if I can get a cheap deal.

The first week in Dec. is often the most expensive of the year for hotels! That's generally when the Xmas tree in Rockefeller Center is lit. If you can wait, the week before Xmas (18-25) is usually better price wise. Otherwise, come for Thanksgiving and just after.

Yes - New York will be much more expensive than Asia (unless you're talking Tokyo).. Despite the fall of the dollar the entire economy is simply much more expensive - and NYC is the most expensive city - at the most expensive time of year.

"I have checked already a bit regarding hotel prices and I must admit I was shocked - looks like a week in NYC will cost me nearly as much as 2 weeks in asia (like thailand). "

LOL, yes NYC is very expensive. I live across the river in NJ and can go to Paris for a week (with airfare) for less then it would cost me to stay in the city (without airfare).