Xmas in New York? Suggestions please

[infinity]

I have the opportunity to spend 3-4 nights from 20/12/12 in New York before returning to Florida.

Havent been to NY for 18 years and wanted to ask for help on the following;

• Should I avoid parts of downtown etc since Hurricane Sandy? ( not quite sure where I will stay yet, still need to sort hotels, but it will hopefully be somewhere central)
• What do Affer's suggest I should see in the days leading upto Xmas?
• Will probably come into La Guardia so any travel tips would be helpful (flying in on Spirit Airlines from FLL- budget carrier or possibly AA)
• general helpful tips

Many thanks AFFer's

 

[smit0847]

It'll be very cold.

 

[infinity]

It'll be very cold.

Will be coming from Havana so totally get that

 

[Travel Guru]

I think very cold may be a serious understatement, I was there 2 weeks ago just after Sandy and it was FREEZING!

If you're staying on Manhattan then you wont have any issues re: Sandy.

I would personally stay in Midtown, easy to get everywhere and close to all of the action.

If you're looking for a transfer from La Guardia, I recommend Dial7.com, fantastic company, have used a few times without problems.

As far as what to do, here are a few general suggestions:
- Check out the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center
- Have a meal at Luna's Restaurant in Little Italy...its been open since 1872 and is the BEST Italian I've ever had (aside from my late Italian Grandmother)
- Go to Top of the Rock Observation Deck, much easier than Empire State as you book a time and just as good a view
- Have High Tea (if thats your sort of thing) at The Plaza Hotel...great experience
- Jump on an open top bus and ride the entire loop checking out the sites of NY

I'm sure I'll think of more, but should get you started.

TG

 

[infinity]

Tks TG.

WIll take these on board

 

[Pollywaffle]

South St Seaport is still a no-go zone I believe. Liberty and Ellis Islands are closed for the rest of the year.

I agree that at this time of year a midtown location would be good. I have never used LGA airport but have used the Dial 7 care service and I also recommend them. I would, however, not be on a HOHO bus in that weather unless it was covered. Brrr.....

Things to do:
- (A must!) Walk to see all the Christmas lights and windows in stores. Start at Bloomindales and make your way to 5th Ave and then head south to see other dept stores and other stores and the huge Xmas tree at the Rockefeller Center. Truly magical. I prefer doing this at twilight/dark to get the effect of all the lights
- head into museums and galleries that are decked out for Christmas. I know the Met and public library on 42nd St get decked out.
- Smaller museums that I enjoy in NYC include the Frick Collection and Morgan Library
- There will be Xmas markets daily. The bigger ones are at Columbus Circle and Union Square. There are also some nice goods at Grand Central Terminal
- Drinks at swish hotel bars. My current fave is the King Cole Bar at the St Regis.
- For a great view of Central Park and food at a reasonable cost, try the Robert Restaurant at MAD Museum

There is so much more. This is just a drop in the bucket.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Try this place, I've missed it the last couple of times....

Eataly

Agree with travl guru.

Buy some advance passes, if you do go to the empire state, go at night and get the headphones.

Macys is on 34th, worth a visit, so is century 21 if you want to shop

 

[Hvr]

Haven't seen Central Park mentioned yet, the ice skating rink there is a bit larger than the Rockefeller Centre.

Here is the link for ferry trips to Liberty and Ellis Islands:

I enjoyed walking on the High Line earlier this year.

Have fun, Christmas in NYC sounds awesome.

 

[infinity]

Keep the good ideas coming

Am loving it!!

 

[robinyoung]

I would stay around time square... yes loads of people, but the atmosphere is great.

If you are a Seinfeld fan, head to Toms Restaurant. A cafe type area, but in a part of NY not many tourist go, so very interesting.

I would head to central park for skating, or to just take in the atmosphere.

If you head up the Empire State buidling, head up after 11 pm, less crowds.

 

[dajop]

- Go to Top of the Rock Observation Deck, much easier than Empire State as you book a time and just as good a view

I disagree that it's just as good a view - I'd say it's better from Top of the Rock , because Empire State building is an iconic part of the NY skyline, and you can see it from the Top of the Rock, but obviously can't (in entirety) from itself. Plus the Rock affords better view of Central Park.

+ 1 for High Line walk, and snow covered Central Park, bars and restaurant suggestions.

If it gets too cold there are plenty of indoor options too - MOMA, Guggenheim or the Met spring to mind if you have a vague interest in art (I don't really, but still found MOMA interesting, and a good way to shelter from the cold !), and then of course there's shopping....

 

[Sprucegoose]

I disagree that it's just as good a view - I'd say it's better from Top of the Rock , because Empire State building is an iconic part of the NY skyline, and you can see it from the Top of the Rock, but obviously can't (in entirety) from itself. Plus the Rock affords better view of Central Park.

+ 1 for High Line walk, and snow covered Central Park, bars and restaurant suggestions.

If it gets too cold there are plenty of indoor options too - MOMA, Guggenheim or the Met spring to mind if you have a vague interest in art (I don't really, but still found MOMA interesting, and a good way to shelter from the cold !), and then of course there's shopping....

Do both would be ideal.

Do a chopper ride as well.

 

[amaroo]

I have the opportunity to spend 3-4 nights from 20/12/12 in New York before returning to Florida.

• ( not quite sure where I will stay yet, still need to sort hotels, but it will hopefully be somewhere central)

If you're still looking for a hotel can recommend The Iroquios Midtown Manhattan Hotel | Iroquois New York | Manhattan Luxury Hotels

Great location, service & ambience.

 

[infinity]

Heli ride around Manhatten this morning and an ice skate after a buggy ride in Central Park for Xmas eve

Merry Xmas AFFers and thanks for the great tips

 

[infinity]

Better shot of ice rink

 

[Sprucegoose]

What a fantastic experience!!

Merry Christmas.

 

[infinity]

And now snowing for Xmas eve!

There is a Santa❄

 

[Pollywaffle]

Sounds great. Glad you are enjoying yourselves.

 

[Sprucegoose]

And now snowing for Xmas eve!

There is a Santa❄

Of course there is. There wasn't much on the sleigh as he left Australia though. For those fiscally irresponsible amongst us it could be quite bleak this year...

They are always upbeat in NYC though

 

[mella2007]

Merry Christmas New York Time! My sister in law is there at the moment and she's off to lunch at the Russian Tea Room and then off to the Rockefeller centre later on. Have a wonderful day!