Coming for a few days the weekend before Thanksgiving. Will any of the Christmas decorations be up? How crowded will it be?
Staying at the Swisshotel (Drake). SOUNDS like a nice place...but what is your opinion?
Are we within walking distance to the "Bull" at Wall Street?
Thanks!!!!

No, you are not within walking distance of the bull. Take the Lexington Aveneue subway at 51 St. to the Bowling Green station.

I noticed this weekend that many of the decorations are already up - the giant snowflake on Fifth Ave and Barney's windows (Cher themed this year) are already in place.

Sorry don't know about the Drake.

Most of the holiday decorations are up now, the only one you'll miss is the tree at Rockefeller Center, they're lighting that just after Thanksgiving. Wherever you go it's going to be VERY crowded, this is the busiest time of year in NY. Do go to one of the big dept stores like Lord & Taylor and check out the holiday hoopla, it's a really fun time to shop in the city. (Lord & Taylor = 5th Ave & 39th St.)

You can also take the R train to Whitehall Street and walk a block or two to see the bull, it's on lower Broadwat. Have a fun time.

we are also spending the weekend before T-giving in NYC...have tickets to Phantom of the Opera, and also bringing 2 teenagers who have never been to the city...should be fun!!

lv2cruise -- the Swisshotel is a lovely hotel. You won't be disappointed. It is on Park Ave, but near to the Park, 5th Ave shopping, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Madison Ave shopping, etc. It is an easy uptown subway or taxi ride to the Metropolitan Museum, Guggenheim, Whitney, Frick, etc.

The other posters are correct that some decorations are already up and the Rockefeller Christmas tree is already in place, but not lit.

You are a looooooooong way from the bull. I'd suggest you invest in a map or at least a subway map when you get here. Take the N,R train to Whitehall or the 4,5,6 train to Bowling Green to see the bull and the other stuff in the Financial District.

Enjoy!

I too was surprised to see Macy's and Lord & Taylor's holiday decorations are up already! Many people don't know this , so there aren't crazy lines to view the windows

The weekend before Thanksgiving is not an especially busy weekend in NY. Certainly not along the levels of Thansgiving- Christmas or most of the summer. However,as with most times of the year, many restaurants require reservations weeks in advance, some shows are sold out, esp. Saturday nights. The city certainly isn't empty--it's just not busier than our "usual" busy!

With the shortage of taxis and tyhe increase of crowds/tourists, your best bet would be to take public transportation. Get yourself some MetroCards, so you can hop on and off the buses and subways. Ask your concierge for transit maps. Just remember, that the buses do NOT take dollar bills, only change ($1.50 per) or MetroCards. The most scenic way to go. If you get lost, just ask, we NY'ers are a friendly helpful bunch. Enjoy! The hotel is lovely and a great location. You can easily walk to Fifth Ave. and over to Lexington Ave...Bloomingdale's.