Specific New York Questions
 

I hope these don't grate any nerves.

1) Is the MoMa so packed that I need to buy tickets on line in advance? I want to go at 10:30 Sunday morning Dec 12th.

2) If I get in a cab in Midtown at 5:30 on Monday Dec 13th, do you think there's any way that wouldn't give me time to get to LaGuardia and through security for a 8:00 pm US AIR departure (it's the last plane out, I want PLENTY of time)

3)Is Tiffanys opened on Sundays during Christmas?

4)If you and 2 of your best girlfriends were going to stay at the Michaelangelo, would you try to hide this fact from the front desk? I have an email from reservations saying that there would be no extra charge for the 3rd person, but there was some confusion before they agreed to that. I would prefer not to have any embarrassing scenes at the front desk when I arrive. Can you see a downside to just having my friends linger in the outer lobby while I check in?

5) Any thoughts on restaurants very near 51st & 7th that would serve at 4:00pm on MOnday that are actually good? We are going to Sumile and Babbo for our other meals.

Thank you, and we promise to move out of the middle of the sidewalk before gawking at the tall buildings ;-)

2) I only allow 2 hours from Midtown to LGA and that is always plenty of time any time of year.

4) The front desk person probably has no clue of what is going on with your room. Just make sure you have a copy of your email and you have enough bedding for three. I would worry about them having to lurk outside while you check-in. Just be exceedingly polite to the front desk person.

5) A couple of blocks north, Trattoria Dell 'arte or Molyvos. I think around 55th or 56th and Seventh Avenue. Redeye Grill is also right there.

Sorry Litespeed, I forgot you wanted to eat around 4PM. Redeye Grill may be open but I doubt TDA and Molyvos would be open.

On the southwest corner of 57th and Seventh you will find Pick-A-Bagel. Right next door is The Brooklyn Diner. It is very good and should be open by 4PM. They are owned by the Fireman Group who also has Shelly's New York, TDA, and Redeye Grill.

3) Yes

1)why wouldn't you buy tickets online? What do you have to loose if you plan to go anyway?

2)Yes there is a way it wouldn't give you enough time. Likely? No.

3)Yes from 11-6

4)I'd be more embarrassed if they didn't know what we were doing.

5)China Grill or Cite Grill

I understand that the line at MOMA was not that long yesterday morning. Still, you're certainly safer with making the reservation.
Leaving the city at 5:30 p.m. means you're hitting the peak commuter traffic. I'd give yourself an extra half hour. (Of course, that would probably preclude having enough time for a 4 p.m. dinner that day!)
As for the hotel, if you have an email confirming the arrangement of no extra charge for the third person, the you should have no problems.

1 - Well since that's when the musuem opens I would assume there would be a long line. Why not buy tickets in advance?
2. - No, that's not enough time. 5:30 is the height of rush hour and it could easily take more than an hour - especially if the weather is bad - to get to the airport. Which puts you already a half hour past your reco'd check in time. If the security lines are long you will be literally running for your plane.
3. Yes
4. Why take the risk of being embarassed by "cheating"? The only reasonable policy is to check in with the reservation as promised. Lurking in the lobby will only look odd.
5. I'm not sure about good restaurants that start serving before 5 - especially on a weekday. Why not check menupages.com to see if any are open that early? Trattoria del Arte is a possibility - perhaps Sea Grill - which gets a lot of tourists.

Hey Litespeed_Chick. Great question about the last USAir (or USAirways) flight out of LGA. I will be staying in NYC 12/24 to 12/27 and have the exact concern about getting from midtown to LGA. My flight leaves at 7:55 to PIT which is the last flight. Looks like a 5:00 PM start time is better.

Hey Litespeed Chick, this is when I am going to Moma. I did buy my tickets in advance, enough people on this site have let me know how crowded this time of year is so I want to save as much time as possible.

We to are going to Babbo also we hope it is delicious.

Have fun!

) I'd go ahead and get tix in advance. Since it reopened, it has been crowded (I understand).

2) While that is ordinarily plenty of time, I think you should be prepared to have difficulty getting a cab at 5:30 pm. That is shift change/rush hour and it can take a looooong time to get a cab. You might consider a car service.

3)Yep.

4)I wouldn't try to hide it. It sounds like you have an e-mail regarding this set up.

5) China Grill is a great idea (food is served family style, bar is good), Angelo & Maxie's, Trattoria d'elle Arte, Molyvos. Don't know if they're open at 4 pm, but most are open for lunch. You may just be the only people in there!

I agree with the others who say leaving at 5:30 could be trouble, especially if you're really planning to try to hail a cab. Will be hard to find a cab at that hour. You should order car service.

Didn't put 2 & 2 together that you're planning to eat at 4 before going to the airport. If that's the case...don't do it. Either have a nice big lunch instead or eat at the airport. I understand there's now a good rest. at LGA called Figs. They will also pack a pizza to go.

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/pages/details/2013.htm

Thanks all. We'll get in the cab at 5:00, and refrain from lobby lurking.

Why not buy MoMa tickets in advance? Well, one of my friends may or may not have her brand new student ID by next weekend. I'd hate to waste that $8 if she gets it! Plus, I hate to be tied down to a specific time. This summer I had non-refundable advance tickets to see the Hunley in Charleston, and apparently that caused Tropical Storm Gaston. (happily, non-refundable became refundable when there was an evac order)

Travel to airport: you are very very very unlikely to find a cab at that time. It is rush hour. It is quite possible you just would not find one, period. A doorman can blow his whistle till he's blue in the face, no cabs is no cabs.

I'd call a car service & ask them what time they should pick you up to get you to airport by 6:45. 777-7777 or 666-6666. (212)

I agree a car service is a much better idea, and it will be a fixed price for teh ride to the airport. If you get stuck in traffic, and at that time of day you WILL, a cab is alot more expensive.