My husband and I want to go to NYC in December for one week. We are especially interested in the atmophere of the Christmas time, but we also want to see much of the city. Does anybody can give us some suggestions what is the best to do at this time, and how is the weather at the beginning of December.
Can also anybody recommend some hotels to us. We need a hotel which is not too expensive, but clean an in a quiet and safe area.
Many thanks for your help!!!
Kind regards
Christine

STAYED AT THE PLAZA ON 57TH FOR THE MILLENIUM CELEBRATION. IT WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD WONDERFUL. TAKE THE SUBWAY AND RIDE THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY. CHECK OUT ROCKEFELLER PLAZA. FAO SWARTZ IS NEAT, TOO.

Did someone move the Plaza? It was between 58th and Central Park West the last time I checked.

The Plaza just isn't all that! It's overpriced and resting on its laurels. Ditto for the Waldorf=Astoria.

There are so many hotels in NYC, I would suggest getting in touch with some of the hotel chains NOW to book your room as the hotels in the city get filled up during the holiday season. NY is a wonderful sort of fairly land ok a cold fairly land, but the lights and the trees and the decorations are beautiful and everyone gets just a little friendlier during the holiday season.

I would suggest checking with the Marriott in Times Square so see if they have any special deals going on.

Also you might check with a travel agent in your area for package deals or specials for the holidays.

This site will also give you some ideas on hotels and prices, then there are some of the discount hotel sites, like priceline.com.

My personal favorite hotel in the city is the Palace on Madison AVe, just behind St. Patricks, which would be perfect for the holidays, and close to everything.

I would suggest getting a Zaggat's for info on restaurants in the city, since we have over 10,000 in Manhattan alone, usually more than one restaurant per block, so you will have lots to choose from.

IF you stay in the Theatre District, you are also close to Restaurant Row, which has one of everything.

A special delight during the holidays is the "Tree" at the Metropolitan Museum, decorated in 1500's figurenes, angels, and a beautiful manger scene. Plan on seeing the Met while you are here.

Also there are so many good restaurants on Madison Ave close to the Museum for a nice lunch or dinner or you can eat at the cafe right in the museum.

Also the Musuem of Natural History has a special tree.

I would book your hotel NOW so you make sure you have your reservations before they are all gone.

Have a wondeful time.

Here's a tip: don't come here until after New Year's. If you get here immediately after New Year's, the Rockefeller Center tree and everything else will still be up, but the crowds will be gone. Sure, you'll miss Christmas here, but you'll also miss the crowds.

And dress for the cold. It will be in the 20's and 30's or less at that time of year.

First of all, don't come until at least the second week of December if you want the full holiday effect, as the tree at Rockefeller Center and some decor do not go up right after Thanksgiving. As for holiday-atmosphere, plan to stroll Fifth Ave. and take in the department store windows, Rockefeller Center, etc.; visit the lobbies of the posh hotels to see thewir decor; visit the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center in lower Manhattan; and consider a nighttime visit to the Bronx Zoo, where they do fabulous light sculptures. Otherwise, all the city's main attractions such as museums, theaters, etc., will be accessible. It's usually in the 40s in December, down to the 30s at night, and snow is quite unusual. If you want a hotel in a quiet area, do not look for one in the theater district/Times Square area, as there is a lot of noise and it is quite busy in December. You might look into some of the Upper West Side hotels people have discussed favorably on this forum. It's a quiet, safe, and convenient area.

Don't listen to don't! Part of the excitement of New York at Christmas time are the crowds! Seeing the tree in Rockefeller Center and other holiday sights just aren't the same after Christmas.
The original poster asked for suggestions that are "not to expensive," But every hotel mentioned this far runs on the expensive side! As a New Yorker, I can't be much help, but certainly, there are enough of you out there who can help!

First of all the weather in December is quite cold. Remember that Manhattan is bordered on all sides by water and the wind coming off that water can be frigid. But if you are walking around or jammed into a subway you can get quite hot. Dress in layers that can be easily removed. Second, during the Christmas season remember that NYC is jammed!!! If you plan to see any Broadway shows or The Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall, book as soon as you know your dates, the best seats go early. Remember that all the stores will be packed (bodies everywhere).

Find a list (in a guidebook or online) of all the major department stores. All the windows are exquistely decorated. My favorite is Lord & Taylor's...always the best.

Rockefeller Center's beautiful tree (the lighting ceremony is always crowded) is worth a look. Spring for the rental of a pair of ice skates and skate under the tree, it's a once in a lifetime thrill.

There are many Christmas concerts throughout December. The churches are filled with beautiful music. Grab the magazine Time Out when you first get here, they are an excellent "events" magazine. Or visit them at www.timeout.com.

Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Show is a must see. Yes it's cliche, yes it's expensive, but watching the Rockettes in the beautiful Art Deco surroundings is pure delight.

And of course there is Macy's Santa. One line for those who want to sit on his lap, another for people who just want a "peek". Read "Santaland Diaries" by David Sedaris before you go to get an insider's viewpoint.

Hotels that might fit your budget (not too expensive)
Edison - W.47th near Broadway. Exellent location right in the heart of midtown and the theater district. Have read lots of favorable reviews about this hotel - only negative mentioned is rooms are small.
Beacon - on upper west side, 75th and Broadway. A mainly residential area but lots of retail shopping and restaurants in the immediate area. 10 minutes by subway to Times Square. 10 minute walk to Lincoln Center. Have read a number of favorable reviews.
Habitat - East 57th and Lexington AVenue.
Have rooms with shared or private bath.
Have seen a number of reviews of this hotel and only one was negative.
All of the above have web sites. Not certain but try the following:
www.edisonhotel.com
www.beaconhotel.com
www.habitatny.com
There are a number of budget hotels in the midtown area. I don't know much about them but two come to mind. Hampshire Suites and Hotel on W. 47th and Portland Square, also on W.47th across the street from the Hampshire.
If you indicate what you feel is not "too expensive" you are certain to get more recommendations. There are a host of budget hotels in the low 30's on the west side.
I mention "west side", "east side" - 5th Avenue is dividing line between west and east.

Christine,

You can read what other people on this site thought about the Beacon and other hotels in the rants and raves section. See Hotels at the top of this page. Click on that and then click on New York. Choose narrow these results (at the top of that page) and pick the price ranges you're looking for. That saves you the time of reading through places you can't afford anyway. I usually just choose the Fodor's Choice ones (the Beacon, which is a good suggestion, is included in these). After you get your results you can click on rants & raves to see peoples opinions on each hotels.

Everyone above is right. If you don't like crowds, come after Crhistmas, but if you want to get caught up in the mass enthusiams be sure to come before New Years.

Barb