cruzrmomma

I would to take my daughters (18 and 23) to NYC for Week of Christmas-returning the 25th or 26th. Some reports say it's madness, and the crowds are difficult. I expect crowds, but still want to be able to see the windows, and the lights-but are there just too many people? Is it better to go early December? We would have to wait a few years to do that because of College. thanks We are from the West Coast, so it's a little unfamiliar.

NeoPatrick

My experience has been that weekends in earlier December are busier then than the few days before Christmas. Go for it.

starrs

Actually, it would be great if you could go on or after Christmas. The decorations will still be up, the shows will still be playing but prices will drop as will the crowds. We've flown up on Christmas Day and stay until Dec. 30. Check to see if that's still the case. Check different dates with a few hotels you are interested in and tickets for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Prices for the show can be 1/3 of the before-Christmas prices. We used to fly out on Christmas Day to a lot of locations and the airports aren't busy either. Celebrate a day or two early and then hit the road!

Shar

Love NYC in December. We usually go the first weekend. Have never been there right after Christmas but imagine it will be great. I have never found the crowds annoying. Plan ahead. Think of places for dinner and make reservations early. Start now looking for hotels. Prices may be high around the 30th as New Years eve crowd. Sounds very fun....

starrs

"Prices may be high around the 30th "

I agree. That's why we leave by then. Try out different options but we took advantage of almost "sale" rates for 25th to 30th (flying out on the 30th).

starrs

I just checked the Hilton on 6th -
AAA rates for 23rd - 28th = $220/night
AAA rate for 9th - 14th = $465/ night

Inakauaidavidababy

yikes

nytraveler

Many tourists and business travelers leave in the few days before Christmas and don;t return until after the 1st - so while local crowds are large between the two holidays is still festive but not SO crowded.

You can also avoid the wosrt of the crowds by going places either early or late (but the few days running up until Christmas many stores are open 8 am until 11 pm or midnight).

Hotel rates will also not be SO high then.

But - there is no getting around crowds completely - do NOT head for Macy's unless when it opens.

doug_stallings

It's far too early to get a sense of real rates right now. This year, you could get a good hotel the week before and after Christmas for as little as $99. And more hotel rooms are opening in NYC later this year, so I'm fairly optimistic about hotel prices right now. You should book something now that is completely cancelllable without penalty and then look for better deals in November. But realize that except for some hotels near Times Square, hotel rates aren't that bad even on New Years Eve, the week after Christmas is much cheaper than the weeks before.

Crowds are crazy, but if you make dinner reservations and theater tickets in advance and visit windows really early or late it's doable. Not for me, mind you, but for a tourist.

Inakauaidavidababy

Doug,

can you imagine working the front desk at any time square hotel on NY eve day?

doug_stallings

I can't even imagine.

NeoPatrick

The last time I stayed in New York during the holidays, we flew in on Christmas Day and flew out on New Year's Eve DAY. We got a fantastic rate at the Marriott Marquis. Of course the price was going up by like 500% on New Year's Eve. When we left that day, they were boarding up all glass areas on the Marquis' first floor with sheets of plywood to prevent the hoardes from breaking them. It was scary!

cruzrmomma

Ok! thanks I feel so much better! the air rates are very good if I book now-always wanted to see it at the Holidays!

justmywebname

Very mobbed, many pickpockets, the smell of chestnuts in the air (just like the carols) and magic everywhere! Do NOT skip seeing a Broadway show -- you can get half price tickets the day of the show at TKTS....

Enjoy!

nytraveler

Generally shows are very crowded that time of year. So if you want to do a show (yes I reco) go to Broadwaybox.com about 2 months in advance to see which hows are offering discounts (will be mostly older show - not new hits) so you can pick out seats in advance and have better choice of tickets.

If you want to see a top hit then get tickets online at least 3 months out - again to have a decent choice of seats/prices.

Also, if you want specific restaurants do get reservations in advance - how far depends on how popular - if a very popular one is a must then get reservations 30 days in advance.

We always have a dinner at Sea Grille at Rock Center so we can watch the skaters on the rink outside. If you want to do this (check prices - food is good but prices are not low) ask for a window seat and do reserve 30 days in advance.

starrs

Another idea for watching the skaters is the food court area. We usually stop at Starbucks to get a coffee or hot chocolate to warm up. There are some tables and chairs in front of the full windows at rink level. I would love to eat at the sea Grille but a similar view is around the corner. No guaranteed seating though but good for a quick stop.

Seamus

Doug, can only echo your hopes that increasing inventory will lower prices for hotel rooms!

Speaking of Starbucks and Rock Center crowds - this year we were in town for a couple days between Christmas and NY as we have done several times in recent years. Crowds were the thickest I have seen in years, maybe ever, and included many inexperienced with such an environment. There was a guy carrying a large Starbuck's and trying to drink it while negotiating the mayhem. When he was bumped and spilled he acted angry with the woman (with large stroller) who bumped him like she had done it in purpose. I so wanted to say to him "maybe she's careless, but you're clueless!"

We were lucky to have an apartment available so did not have to deal with hotels. Would not stay right near Times Square.

nytraveler

Another thing we like to do every year is see the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. (I know a lot of out of towners go to the Radio city Spectacular - but have seen them at least a dozen times - including one easter show in which they pushed a cardboard blue bird across the stage. To me it's sort of like a circus - missable after the first one.)

IMHO this is fine if you have never seen the Rockettes - but our DDs always preferred the Nutcracker - but then they loved ballet.