We went the middle of July and it did get pretty hot some days.. especially when we went to the ball game. But NYC is great and you will have so much fun!We have friends that go the week after thanksgiving and she said they have to book almost a year in advance to get anywhere w/ a good location. Good luck!

What Neo said.

That's exactly what I have done twice.

Fly up on Christmas Day - Fly home for NY Eve. Other than low temps, it's as if the city has been decorated for us without any of the holiday hassles.

Only go in early December if you have deep pockets. A family member does - and does. Takes the girls on a shopping trip in early Dec. and has a suite overlooking Central Park.

We both have great trips - but mine is at a fraction of the cost of hers.

Historically, hotel prices drop around the 16-18 of Dec. through the 29th Dec. Airfares are really cheap on Xmas or Boxing Day (which we don't observe). The first week in Jan. is a really good time if you don't mind it being a bit quiet. The Xmas decorations are up til the 6/7 Jan., locals are often still away on holiday and most tourists have gone. :S-

We went the first week of January and it was perfect. Tickets for shows were available and easy to get (with the exception of Wicked which we bought in advance) We got great seats the day of to all other shows we saw.
Christmas decorations were still up around the 9th (We arrived the the 3rd) The tree at Rockefeller was looking a little dry but still made for some great pictures with the wife.
Most of the great window displays were also still up. The locals said we really lucked out because it was very nice weather. Hotels were also very reasonable. I would go in early JAn. again without hesitation. Good luck!

A TRIP FOR "GALS" ONLY AS WE DID IT...

There were four of us gals who took our 1st annual "Girls Christmas Season Get-away" trip to nyc last year. We arrived from California on Dec. 8 and flew home Dec. 12. We all agreed that it was the best trip we had ever taken.
It was expensive,yes, yet all of us agreed it was the best money we had ever spent for pure joy on a get away.
Nowhere on earth is more exciting and magical than NYC dressed for the holidays. We shared the expense of a private tour (a luxury for sure) on our 1st day there ($175 each.. tip inc.) but once again, we all agreed that in our many years of travel, it was the single best investment and experience we had ever spent..we learned all about the 5 burroughs of Manhatten. We stayed in Greenwich Village at the Washington Square hotel and it was truely a bargain. The cab service is excellent, cheap, & its quick ride over to Times Square area (about $2 per person when shared) We loved the Christmas Spectacular with the famed Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall,
shopping on Canal St., double deck night bus tour of "Holiday lights" (we were bundled up and it was fabulous & fun as we sipped our Starbucks..we also took a horse and carriage ride through central park at night, went to see all the store windows on 5th Ave. decorated for Christmas at night (awesome) We went to the fashion institute & fashion museum in the daytime. We ate at The Carnegie Deli (huge portions no credit cards accepted, as with most of the resturants we visited, we also ate at a Italian place (delicious and ot too high priced) just off Canal street, there are thousands of places to eat. Nothing is cheap but its well worth saving your money an plan a gils only trip the way we did. Remember, we only had 3 days & 4 nights there, so we made the most of it, and came away with what we all thought was a dream trip for gals only.. this year, we are off to see what Tenn.& N.Carolina has for the holiday season.....Opryland resort Nashville, Biltmore Mansion in Ashville N.C. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge and everywhere in between..we are flying in and renting a car for a week of winter fun. Wish us well,and if you have any suggestions, please let me know..If you know your gal pals and love them, this is a wonderful experience that I advise all to try.

I'm glad I asked now !!!!!!

Thank you for your advice.......I'm sure I'll be back for more. Being a first-timer , I know very little and need to know a lot so watch this space.

I can't tell you how many people I know who have tried to plan a New York vacation between October and December and gave up because its just too expensive. My inlaws are staying on september 29 and 30 and they couldn't find a room under $360. Its insane.

Would all of you venture to say that NYC is possibly the most expensive city to visit in the world? I have been to both Paris and San Francisco and while I don't expect to stay in 4 or 5 star hotels, I was able to find what I consider moderate accomodations for $150 a night. I would love to see NYC before I die, but it is definitely expensive.

Go in the spring or early summer and use priceline. You'll get in for $150. Its just the fall through New Years season that is ridiculous.

I have found good prices this year between Christmas and New Years at many hotels. I researched about a month ago and ended up booking a one bedroom suite at the Affinia Manhattan hotel (500-650 sq ft, queen bed and a double bed in the bedrm and a sofa bed in the separate living rm, full kitchen, 2 TVs, very nice room and hotel) for $268 a night that week.

I also had the Grand Union booked for a quad room (bedding for 4, one double, 2 singles) at $220 but when I found the Affinia rate I cancelled that one.

I am not sure if those posters who are telling you that prices will not drop til January have done the research for this year, but I found similar good rates at other hotels also for this yr btwn Dec 26 and Jan 1.

And some of the rates I found were considerably less than the $268 we will be paying at Affinia Manhattan-- we just need the space and bedding for 4 people.

I think September is the best time. It's not too hot, not too cold, the kids are back in school and everyone is getting back into the work groove after the summer. I imagine most tourist spots to be less crowded than the summer months. I know right now there are exceptional deals for me to fly to London so I can only imagine the reverse holds true. Truly though, anytime you come to NYC will be wonderful. If you want to see the lights, come in December but be fair warned...it's crowded! Enjoy!

I like the end of January and before Valentine's Day (NYC gets expensive again at Valentine's Day). I think winter in NYC is wonderful. I'm not as much a fan of summer NYC, because the subway gets too sticky and smelly for me!

Oh and BTW, I thought late August was great this year! I thought it would be too hot but it turned out to be cool (as it was rainy part of the time) and even more than cool on two days of the 4 (eg needed a light jacket/sweater). I realize we lucked out, but it was great as prices were low ($189 special at the Muse, a Klimpton hotel) and discount show tickets online were plentiful for two of our 3 shows (including Wedding Singer- great seats for $66 a ticket).

Of course, the most wonderful months I have been to NYC are very expensive ones for hotels, October and April, when the weather is predictably wonderful, w/Central Park changing colors in late Oct. and tulips and everything in bloom in April. Forget April in Paris- April in NYC is tres magnifique!

Does anyone know when the Christmas decorations are put out? My family and I will be in NYC from 11/18 -11/23.:)

Travelled to NYC twice, once was early January and it snowed. I think seeing the big flakes fall in Times Square is one of my fave all time travel memories! I am from the south, but the cold weather wasn't anything unbearable. We layered and were fine. The second visit was late May and it was getting hot...perhaps earlier in May would be more pleasant. Hope to make a visit in the fall someday. We stayed at the Vanderbilt Ymca first trip (starving students) and I thought it was fine. Have read bad reviews of those accomodations lately, so I guess it depends on your standards and budget. Second trip stayed at a bed and breakfast overlooking Riverside park, which was really great and much less than a hotel. Enjoy...a trip to New York is always a good idea!

Travels_With_Food, September is extremely crowded and expensive in NYC.

Labor Day through New Years is peak season.

The kids may be back in school but the city is packed with business people and conferences and conventions.