Hawaiimom- We are also from Hawaii and I have two daughters going to college in Boston and NYC. When I was in Boston last month one of them bought a new pair of UGGs, saying hers had worn out after 4 years. I know I've paid for quite a few pairs of nice boots over the years, so she must wear the UGGs pretty often. I have even borrowed them when I visit in the winter and I liked them!

Your UGGs will be fine, as long as they have soles with tread. Spray them with scotchguard or similar water repelling spray before you go.

Now if you get there and the weather is totally wet- either pouring rain or big slushy puddles- you can always alternate with sneakers and thick socks or go to DSW (at Union Square?), and buy another pair of warm shoes. Boots are cheaper in NYC than Hawaii or online.

I'm going to NYC with my daughter on December 28 for one night and I bought a pair of UGGs specifically for this trip. Not that I won't wear them the rest of the winter, but walking around in NYC with warm boots was uppermost in my mind. I got the UGG Brooks, which are leather, rather than suede, and have the hard soles. As an added bonus, they were considered to be last year's model, so I got them for $89, rather than $160!

I agree with lcuy - treat the boots your daughter has for stain resistance and hope for dry weather!

Land's End All-weather clogs are great!

Wow, I didn't know they made croc style boots! I guess thats what I get for living in the sticks. I couldn't even find the Mary Jane style this week.

I need those boots for my NYC trip too.

Sorry -

Clogs of nay type are useless. They flop around and just throw all that grey muck up on the back of you legs. If you have slush, snow or ice you need a waterproof boot that at least covers your ankle esp at the corners where large puddles tend to collect.

Uggs (with extra waterproof spray) will probably be fine for all the conditions she encounters. With a spare $30 in her wallet, she can buy some cheap plastic/rubber boots in NY if the weather is too sloppy for the Uggs.

To be honest, I think she's more likely to NOT encounter snow than to encounter it. Who knows, she might even wind up in 60-degree temps if it's like the past few Christmases.

Rather than springing for waterproof boots just in case, I'd stick with the Uggs (super-comfy for city walking!) and give her $50 for rain boots (Kmart, Urban Outfitters, etc) should the need arise. If it doesn't, you save $50. (Which you could let her spend on a nice dinner or something fun from a boutique.)

We spent the day at Ala Moana Shopping Center looking for footwear, but could not find anything suitable. We will probably go with the Uggs that she already has and have her buy something in NYC if needed. Thank you to all that responded in such a timely manner, as the advice is greatly appreciated.

We are from Georgia and are visiting NYC in December. Today, I purchased a pair of Rieker hiking/walking shoes that are comfortable, waterproof, not TOO clunky. My arthritic feet can go all day with the right shoes, but the wrong fit makes me miserable.

Amy suggestions on what clothing to pack? We will arrive NY Dec. 23 and depart Dec. 26. We are planning one Broadway show, one nice dinner, and mostly just sightseeing by foot or bus. We want to be comfortable and warm but not out of place. Also, we need to know what will be open on Dec. 25.

Check the weather forecast before you leave (NOT the averages) because NYC in December could be 65 degrees or 18 degrees. And pack LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS, along with a sweater, a warm coat, and a scarf/hat/gloves -- you can put 'em on or take 'em off as needed. Comfy shoes are fine. It's much harder to stand out in NY than to fit in :)

If it snows and then melts, there are huge puddles at many intersections. If you don't have overshoes, be prepared to buy them if this occurs.

We live in Los Angeles, and the museums, restaurants, and stores in Manhattan always seem overheated to me. To avoid sweating indoors, I wear "regular" clothes, covered by layers and layers of outer clothing--thin fleece, sweater and a water-resistant cold weather jacket that I ordered on-line from Land's End. Land's End is convenient, because you can return Land's End clothing and other stuff in any Sears.

I had no idea that you could return LE stuff at Sears. GOOD to know!

Why is it that people in the NE crank up the heat so quick )and so high)?
In October NYC stores have the HEAT on. It is 75 degrees outside and they have the freakin heat on!
In the winter, it seems that they keep it on 80, it's always soooo freakin hot in stores and even peoples homes.

To drive down the street to store, my family in Montreal spends 30 minutes putting on all the heavy clothes, coats, hats, boots, etc... this is to go to the grocery store.
They walk the 25 feet to their pre-warmed up car and 50 feet from the car to the door of the store, where they have to carry all that crap because the store is heated to 80 degree!

When its 20 degrees here in Dallas, you will see people without coats. They make a mad dash from the house to the COLD car. Jog from the car to the store where it is a comfortable 72 degrees inside.
We had some cold days in Dallas last year and I did not wear a coat even once... and never turned the heat above 68.

So much for Southerners being wimps when it comes to cold.

I think schools have regulations about the heat being on from a certain date to another. I wonder if stores do as well. Going into a hot store on a warm fall day drives me crazy!!

I agree about the overheated stores. I always thought that stores should be kept cooler in the winter since most of the people inside are going to be wearing jackets, anyway. It's even more important to me now that I've reached that "certain" age....!