New York for Christmas
Discussion
Can't see another New York thread anytime recently so starting a new one...
Booked it last night 21st Dec > 26th Dec, 5 nights - flying United (because very good times, usually fly Virgin but only PM flights). Staying in Manhattan District, looks a good location.
Anyone been over Christmas? Not started research yet but looks like a lot of places shut Xmas Day and Chinatown for a 'takeout' is the go to for Christmas dinner. We did Florida and Boston this year and Vegas last year so up to speed with all things America!
Never been NY before though, we are a 31 year old couple, no kids, happy to walk anywhere, like food - what are must do/sees? Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Central Park, Times Square are all definite so far.
Booked it last night 21st Dec > 26th Dec, 5 nights - flying United (because very good times, usually fly Virgin but only PM flights). Staying in Manhattan District, looks a good location.
Anyone been over Christmas? Not started research yet but looks like a lot of places shut Xmas Day and Chinatown for a 'takeout' is the go to for Christmas dinner. We did Florida and Boston this year and Vegas last year so up to speed with all things America!
Never been NY before though, we are a 31 year old couple, no kids, happy to walk anywhere, like food - what are must do/sees? Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Central Park, Times Square are all definite so far.
I did NY over Xmas a few years ago with the family.
Most things shut on Xmas day, although smaller general stores and "ethnic" restaurants stayed open. Most people seem to go to the cinema.
It was cold, but not freezing, and wet when i was there, which was a bit miserable TBH.
Walking around is great if your fit enough. We walked Central park to Staton Island Ferry and there is loads to see on the way – the Highline, Ground Zero, Wall Street, Greenwich, Wall Street, Concorde Pier etc. but it is a about 6-7 miles
Rockafeller Tower is better than the Empire State Building, as you get the ESB in your photos
Queue weren't too bad either.
Most things shut on Xmas day, although smaller general stores and "ethnic" restaurants stayed open. Most people seem to go to the cinema.
It was cold, but not freezing, and wet when i was there, which was a bit miserable TBH.
Walking around is great if your fit enough. We walked Central park to Staton Island Ferry and there is loads to see on the way – the Highline, Ground Zero, Wall Street, Greenwich, Wall Street, Concorde Pier etc. but it is a about 6-7 miles
Rockafeller Tower is better than the Empire State Building, as you get the ESB in your photos
Queue weren't too bad either.Thanks for the suggestions so far. We have big coats for the very cold weather and boots for the possible snow/ice so prepared for that.
Definitely more than happy doing a 7 mile walk, will check out that route!
Do expect most places shut on the 25th in fairness, I think the idea of a Chinese or a KFC (which I think the Japenese do) is something we'll have to accept. Not the end of the world.
Definitely more than happy doing a 7 mile walk, will check out that route!
Do expect most places shut on the 25th in fairness, I think the idea of a Chinese or a KFC (which I think the Japenese do) is something we'll have to accept. Not the end of the world.
It's been a long time since I ventured to NYC (prev worked and lived there temporary based at Lower east side)!
Is the outdoor ice skating rink still around at Central park these days,if so, that's a nice winter / Xmas event to do.
Edit: just checked the net, and the Wollman rink is still open. Ice skating is fun, plus you get the opportunity to grab a photo of you skating in Central Park with the iconic towering landscape in the background!
Edit 2: iirc, the ice rink is open on Xmas day if you are stuck for things to do.
Is the outdoor ice skating rink still around at Central park these days,if so, that's a nice winter / Xmas event to do.
Edit: just checked the net, and the Wollman rink is still open. Ice skating is fun, plus you get the opportunity to grab a photo of you skating in Central Park with the iconic towering landscape in the background!
Edit 2: iirc, the ice rink is open on Xmas day if you are stuck for things to do.
Edited by chip* on Tuesday 29th July 10:25
Edited by chip* on Tuesday 29th July 10:36
Did 27th to the 31st a couple of years ago (Which actually nearly became the 1st due to one of the United pilots clearly thinking that a night on the tiles was a better way to spend New Year than flying a plane, so went AWOL)
Weather was changeable but dry, sun always shining, we arrived after a cold spell, river was frozen around the Interpid museum, by the last day it was mid teens and we didn't need a jacket as we wandered around Central Park.
We bough one of the Experience passes and ticked most boxes, plus used Google maps for a dash around via the subway to find the Ghostbusters place, Friends, Sex in the City etc, it is really easy and cheep.
Had a great time, there is a specific New York thread on here so I'll not repeat the great info on that, but in terms of time of year, and the dates we were there, everything was open.
Weather was changeable but dry, sun always shining, we arrived after a cold spell, river was frozen around the Interpid museum, by the last day it was mid teens and we didn't need a jacket as we wandered around Central Park.
We bough one of the Experience passes and ticked most boxes, plus used Google maps for a dash around via the subway to find the Ghostbusters place, Friends, Sex in the City etc, it is really easy and cheep.
Had a great time, there is a specific New York thread on here so I'll not repeat the great info on that, but in terms of time of year, and the dates we were there, everything was open.
Abc321 said:
Can't see another New York thread anytime recently so starting a new one...
Booked it last night 21st Dec > 26th Dec, 5 nights - flying United (because very good times, usually fly Virgin but only PM flights). Staying in Manhattan District, looks a good location.
Anyone been over Christmas? Not started research yet but looks like a lot of places shut Xmas Day and Chinatown for a 'takeout' is the go to for Christmas dinner. We did Florida and Boston this year and Vegas last year so up to speed with all things America!
Never been NY before though, we are a 31 year old couple, no kids, happy to walk anywhere, like food - what are must do/sees? Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Central Park, Times Square are all definite so far.
Go up one world observatory- much better experience than Empire State. Statue of Liberty is a nice boat ride if weather okBooked it last night 21st Dec > 26th Dec, 5 nights - flying United (because very good times, usually fly Virgin but only PM flights). Staying in Manhattan District, looks a good location.
Anyone been over Christmas? Not started research yet but looks like a lot of places shut Xmas Day and Chinatown for a 'takeout' is the go to for Christmas dinner. We did Florida and Boston this year and Vegas last year so up to speed with all things America!
Never been NY before though, we are a 31 year old couple, no kids, happy to walk anywhere, like food - what are must do/sees? Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Central Park, Times Square are all definite so far.
I've got Virgin flights booked 29th December - 5th January but that is literally all I have done so far so I'm watching this thread with interest.
I'll need to look into hotels etc soon I guess with it being over New Year. Going with wife and 2 kids (4&6).
Looking into hotels, utilising some Hilton points for a free night or two, it's about $1,000/night for something around Times Square. This where I should be staying with 2 young kids?
I'll need to look into hotels etc soon I guess with it being over New Year. Going with wife and 2 kids (4&6).
Looking into hotels, utilising some Hilton points for a free night or two, it's about $1,000/night for something around Times Square. This where I should be staying with 2 young kids?
Edited by AB on Tuesday 29th July 15:36
I go every year for Christmas (and sometimes NY) too, normally stay at the Conrad Financial District but used to stay up around 40-42nd street and for tourist easyology that s perfect.
It s a great place at that time of the year and just feels and smells quite special.
If you want to do any major broadway shows you re better getting tickets for those sorted asap rather than waiting.
Another poster recommended the Rockettes - personally I hated it but can understand a certain festive charm with it all and it s actually pretty reasonably priced too.
ETA - closures on Xmas day aren’t that rife - I’ve been to the Zion on Christmas Day and shopped in Macy’s / Apple Christmas Day before too.
Last year we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for Xmas lunch which was different and novel - def recommend booking a table well in advance though as the walkin queue was pretty epic!
It s a great place at that time of the year and just feels and smells quite special.
If you want to do any major broadway shows you re better getting tickets for those sorted asap rather than waiting.
Another poster recommended the Rockettes - personally I hated it but can understand a certain festive charm with it all and it s actually pretty reasonably priced too.
ETA - closures on Xmas day aren’t that rife - I’ve been to the Zion on Christmas Day and shopped in Macy’s / Apple Christmas Day before too.
Last year we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for Xmas lunch which was different and novel - def recommend booking a table well in advance though as the walkin queue was pretty epic!
Edited by Alorotom on Tuesday 29th July 16:23
I'm sorry for hijacking the thread but it's spurred me into action looking for somewhere to stay.
There's loads of Hiltons from between $700-$1,200/night but if anyone can chuck some ideas out there? I've been looking on Expedia. I only need 2x double beds, clean and comfortable and I think close to Times Square or Central Park.
Loews Regency? Decent VFM by the looks of it, right by the park. Decent sized room with 2x queen beds.
There's loads of Hiltons from between $700-$1,200/night but if anyone can chuck some ideas out there? I've been looking on Expedia. I only need 2x double beds, clean and comfortable and I think close to Times Square or Central Park.
Loews Regency? Decent VFM by the looks of it, right by the park. Decent sized room with 2x queen beds.
We this last year, arrived at about 21:00 on the 23rd December.
Had a walk to the tree at Rockefeller centre and then went to a bar for food and beer.
On Xmas eve it snowed quite a bit in the morning, we had tickets for the edge building at 10:00 but they let us change the time to 14:00 as the visibility was nil.
Spent the afternoon walking about and went to our favourite Irish bar for food in the evening (Taylor s Irish bar) great food and beer and reasonably priced for NYC
On Christmas Day it was so good we started off visiting Bryant park and Rockefeller tree. We went ice skating in Central Park, had lunch on 5th avenue and then went to the radio city Christmas show, I didn t know what to expect, someone on PH recommended it.
It was amazing and a great way to send a Christmas Day afternoon. We met up with friends in the evening and had food and drinks in Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square.. you have to book in advance everywhere as it s mega busy.
On Boxing Day we got the subway and went to the Statue of Liberty in the morning and had lunch in the cafe on the island.
Then walked all the way back to Times Square taking in the sights
The day after we did more of the free sights and then flew home the following afternoon.
We have been to NYC a few times in the summer so we had already done all of the best sight seeing in the past.
![](https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/389410/202507296307096?resize=720[/img]</a> <a href="https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/389410/202507296309959" Target="_blank" >[img]https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/389410/202507296309959?resize=720)
Had a walk to the tree at Rockefeller centre and then went to a bar for food and beer.
On Xmas eve it snowed quite a bit in the morning, we had tickets for the edge building at 10:00 but they let us change the time to 14:00 as the visibility was nil.
Spent the afternoon walking about and went to our favourite Irish bar for food in the evening (Taylor s Irish bar) great food and beer and reasonably priced for NYC
On Christmas Day it was so good we started off visiting Bryant park and Rockefeller tree. We went ice skating in Central Park, had lunch on 5th avenue and then went to the radio city Christmas show, I didn t know what to expect, someone on PH recommended it.
It was amazing and a great way to send a Christmas Day afternoon. We met up with friends in the evening and had food and drinks in Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square.. you have to book in advance everywhere as it s mega busy.
On Boxing Day we got the subway and went to the Statue of Liberty in the morning and had lunch in the cafe on the island.
Then walked all the way back to Times Square taking in the sights
The day after we did more of the free sights and then flew home the following afternoon.
We have been to NYC a few times in the summer so we had already done all of the best sight seeing in the past.
AB said:
I've got Virgin flights booked 29th December - 5th January but that is literally all I have done so far so I'm watching this thread with interest.
I'll need to look into hotels etc soon I guess with it being over New Year. Going with wife and 2 kids (4&6).
Looking into hotels, utilising some Hilton points for a free night or two, it's about $1,000/night for something around Times Square. This where I should be staying with 2 young kids?
I work for a company that’s VERY tight when it comes to T&E expenses.I'll need to look into hotels etc soon I guess with it being over New Year. Going with wife and 2 kids (4&6).
Looking into hotels, utilising some Hilton points for a free night or two, it's about $1,000/night for something around Times Square. This where I should be staying with 2 young kids?
Edited by AB on Tuesday 29th July 15:36
I had a business trip in Feb and stayed at the SpringHill Suites on W37th St between 5th and 6th Ave.
That’s only about 8 blocks from Times Square. It’s not a brilliant hotel, but the breakfast is free (of course it isn’t brilliant) but it’s also not a Times Square hotel - where you can spend 20 minutes waiting for a lift with space in it if you’re on a mid level floor. Been there. Done that.
This hotel, for example, for 26-31 Dec is about £400 for a double room. 2 beds or a studio is quite a lot more…..something like £2k!
Abc321 said:
Staying in Manhattan District, looks a good location.
Where? Manhattan is 23 square miles 
Huge difference between staying in Soho, Midtown or the UWS, and Washington Heights, Harlem, and the zombieland that is Lex/125th.
Abc321 said:
Anyone been over Christmas? Not started research yet but looks like a lot of places shut Xmas Day and Chinatown for a 'takeout' is the go to for Christmas dinner. We did Florida and Boston this year and Vegas last year so up to speed with all things America!
I live here, and we always eat in a decent restaurant on the 25th. The vast majority of restaurants are open as normal on the 25th as normal, some will have special menu options as an extra option, but otherwise business as usual, and bookable within their usual window.Chinese takeout (or a Chinese restaurant) on the 25th is really only a tradition for the large jewish population here.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff