NYC or Boston for New Years?
 

Hi all,

I normally post on the Africa board but have just literally had agreement from DH for a short jaunt to the US for New Years (somewhere between 5 and 7 days)!

We have been to NYC twice and I absolutely LOVE this city. We love the shows, shopping, sightseeing etc. We also have friends there with whom we usually get to spend a couple of days but I'm not sure whether we would be doing that this time as the wife is expecting and we don't really want to impose. We have done some of the touristy things - Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty etc, but missed Central Park on both of our last visits and this is something I would like to get around to doing. However, I have always said that I would like to go to Boston (although I'm not too sure what's to do there as compared to NYC) but because I just LOVE NYC I can't make up my mind whether to do it this trip or not.

One thing to keep in mind - we are not the kind of people who would be venturing to Times Square for New Years Eve so that is not a consideration.

One LAST thing, what about hotels in both cities? Cost? We previously stayed in the Comfort Inn just beside the TKTS booth - 44th or 45th St I think and we really loved the location. The hotel was very good too although It was a budget one. If budget allows we MAY splurge a little on the hotel this time but it all depends on rates over New Years as I know that will be very expensive.

Apologies for rambling on and thanks for any advice.

Imelda

ttt - Anybody?

I was looking at this and it is a tough one.

Normally I would say NYC no contest but since your wife is pregnant, maybe Boston would be a better low key approach?

I don't think your wife would want to be on her feet as much in NYC (plus with the flying and swelling).

Also, NYC hotels have become hugely expensive and one of the most expensive cities in the world. The average daily rate in 2005 was $241 and I'm sure it has gone up bunches since then.

I think Boston would be my choice.

First Night in Boston!

First Night is a city-wide New Years Eve celebration, with restuarant packages, fireworks, ice sculptures, concerts and all kinds of fun stuff. You buy a button for your coat that gets you into everything. It is fun and family-oriented.

Orinarily I would reco New York - but if you have never been to Boston - and prices in NYC will be VERY high - although I'm not sure Boston will be a bargain.

Another thing to take into considereation is the weather. Am not sure if you have been here in the winter - but it can be VERY cold, damp and windy in both places and snow is certainly possible (we had 10" at Christmas a couple of years ago) although not definite. More likely in Boston than in NYC.

How far along will your wife be? And will she be comfortable coping with major cold (can be zero farenheit at night) and possibly snowy or icy sidewalks? (Certainly there are cabs and subways - but if you're not used to it the weather can be trying - esp if she's quite far along.)

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the replies.
First of all I need to clear something up. I'm afraid, my phrasing leaves a LOT to be desired as Firstly, I'm the wife and it's not me who's pregnant, it's the wife of our NYC friends whom we normally visit whose expecting so that's why we probably won't intrude on them in NYC this time - does that make any sense?

Anyways, back to the choice - the hotel costs are VERY high over New Years in NYC, especially for the 30th and 31st BUT we would bite the bullett and pay the price if it was our best option. Here I must mention, We HAVE spent one New Years Eve in NYC already (a few years ago). Our friends arranged a meal in a nice restaurant and we went to see a fireworks display somewhere near a harbour - South something I think???! We did enjoy it although nytraveler, it was <b>VERY cold! But We're from Ireland so we're used to bad weather ;)

First Night in Boston sounds really nice and it is definately drawing me in. The hotel prices don't seem as bad there either. I've been looking at various hotels for the 28th to 31st inclusive and they are not too bad. I've been looking at Jurys, The Marriott, the Clarion and the Doubletree. The Doubletree is only $480 for the four nights, does anyone know what it's like? I've looked on Tripadvisor and I think it's no. 17.

Anyways, to throw a spanner in the works, we're thinking of doing BOTH Boston AND NYC! What does everyone think of spending December 28th to 31st in Boston, taking an 11.30am flight to NYC and spending the 1st, 2nd and 3rd there, flying home the night of Jan 4th?

How would we spend 3 and a half days in Boston?

Anyways, hope I'm not asking too much but really ANY advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
Imelda</b>

Sorry, forgot to turn the bold off .... must learn to preview!

Imelda, I love your plan of splitting up the stay between Boston and NYC.

I say go for it!

Which Doubletree are you looking at? The Jurys is a good choice, it's new, well-located and has a great bar.

Copley Marriott would also be a good choice, again great location and it's a nice hotel.

Wyatt,
It was the Doubletree Soilders Field Road but I have just been browsing on Tripadvisor and there are reports that it is far away from the action. Do you have any other hotel recommendations? We could opt for Jurys but here in Ireland we have stayed at lots of Jurys hotels and while they are fine, we can stay in Jurys here at home and would like to stay somewhere we couldn't experience normally HOWEVER , if it is way ahead of the rest then that tune could be changed :)

Imelda

Soldiers Field Road is not a good location - the hotel is fine, but it is not convenient to anything except a train yard and not even very convenient to public transportation. Not a good location anytime of year, but for New Years Eve while pregnant, it might be really annoying. This is the reason it is always lmuch less expensive than other hotels.

I would spend the extra money and stay actually in downtown area of Boston. There are several hotels attached to either Copley Place or Prudential Center that might be good choices since you have access to indoor shops and restaurants if the weather is awful.

Have never been to NYC for New Years Eve, but First Night in Boston is a lot of fun.

How odd is this? 2 postings in the same week re: Doubletree on Soldier's Field Road!! Don't stay there!!

Best locale is something in the Back Bay or in the Waterfront area. Lots of entertainment/cultural stuff all over the city in the evening and then fireworks at midnight at the Waterfront.

Just to agree with the other posters, don't stay at the Doubletree on Soldier's Field Rd.

If you're looking for a hip, boutique hotel, try Nine Zero. As I said, Copley Marriott is good, as is the Westin Copley. I also like Hotel Commonwealth.

I like the idea of splitting time between cities - but would not fly - too many chances for dealys etc due to bad weather at that time of year. Take the train - it's just as fast as flying once you take into account trekking back and forth to airports, security lines, etc.

And the train isn;t stopped or delayed unless you have a real blizzard - planes are much more likely to be delayed by bad weather - further west - even if not here - and it throws the whole system into disarray.

Thanks again for all the advice and point taken, The Doubletree Soldier's Road is definately off my list. I made the mistake of staying in a hotel in the middle of nowhere outside of Turin, Italy a few years back and it certainly did not make for a good vacation so I won't be doing hat again!

With regards to taking the train instead of flyig between NYC and Boston, the airline carrier from Ireland actually does a layover in NYC on the way to Boston so in effect we are getting a flight between the two cities for about $50 each. We can fly Ireland to Boston with a one and a half hour layover in NYC on the way, then we fly from Boston back to NYC on Jan 1st and fly home direct from NYC on Jan 4th. I think this is probably thecheapest and quickest option and if there is a problem with any of the internal flights it won't be alarge inconvenience as we won't have too many committments.

Imelda