My husband and I are thinking about going up to NYC on Thanksgiving and staying through Sunday as a last minute trip. Airfare and hotel rooms are pretty cheap.

However I have heard it's a complete nightmare during this weekend. I don't know if it will be worth the trip. What should we expect and would you go, why or why not?

Sarah, come on over and have some fun. It all depends on what you think of as a "nightmare" -- the day after turkey day is a shopper's crush everywhere you go, not just NY, so that's a given. If you want to go shopping that weekend, the stores will be ready for you. Just know going in that there will be tons of people doing the same. The city is all dressed up for the holidays now, it's a fun time to be here and as long as you don't have to drive in Manhattan, you should be just fine using the subway (or a cab if you have to). Have a good time.

It is crazy but go for it! Once in a lifetime trip!

I cannot stress enough how beautiful and wonderful NYC is during the holidays. As for Thanksgiving, yes the city is bustling just like any other area of America except NYC is denser than most. On Thanksgiving, things are a bit hectic around the parade route, but you can sidestep that by visiting Macy's website and avoiding the route (or participating if you enjoy parades!). Other than that, Thanksgiving weekend in NYC is like any other holiday weekend, tourism is in full force, shoppers are everywhere, and many people take the long weekend to either get out of the city or to visit the city.

My only reservation would be any concerns about your flight home on Sunday. JFK, Newark, and La Guardia are like any other airport on the Sunday after Thanksgiving - packed to the gills and many overbooked flights. Other posters have also referred to forecasts calling for possible snow; this will of course be a factor in how smooth your transportation is to/from NYC.

I say go, relax, and enjoy.

ttt

Only Patrick and his friends think that New York is a nightmare. So stay away from them and the Tavern on the Green and you should have a wonderful time.

There is nothing like NYC during the holidays! The decorations are going up everywhere, the people are bustling around shopping, stores are giving some good bargains. Even if the Parade is not your thing, the rest of the city is fun. We used to go to a movie on Thanksgiving. Then to dinner after. Come on, do it!

Other than spending New Years in NYC, Thanksgiving is my 2nd favorite time to visit. I would certainly go for it!

Weather forecast calls for 3-6 inches of snow on Wednesday. Something to consider if you're still thinking about this trip.

Go for it. We went last year and had a great time. Yea Times Square was packed at night and Macy's was a zoo the day after Thanksgiving, but what the heck it was fun.

We saw the Parade, the musical Chicago, the Rockettes and had Thanksgiving dinner right next to the skating rink at Sea Grill. Also wandered all over. I can't wait to get back.

The airports were not that bad. We flew in on Wednesday evening and back out on Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy it.
Duane

Well, to some "nightmare" would better be described as "thrilling", "exhilarating", and otherwise one magnificent experience. But, only you can decide...

As for the possibility of SNOW, that would make it all the more "magical".

Sarah, I say go for it! New York is wonderful this time of year. If you decide to go, write back and tell us about your trip. R.

Donna - Attempting to fly into a New York airport in a snowstorm is not what I consider "magical."

Ugh. Travel to and from NYC in a snowstorm would be hell. Being already there in one would be fun.