usvi-on-line
Help me decide on NYC for Christmas............
-
cypressgirl
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
- Location: houston
Help me decide on NYC for Christmas............
Our two girls have been begging for a trip to New York for years. We have never been. Hubby has been for business, but not pleasure. Since one daughter will be graduating from high school, and the other, from college, we thought it would be a nice graduation/Christmas present for both of them.
The dates I'm looking at are 12/20 to 12/26. The hotel that I'm looking at is The Palace in Manhattan. It is right across the street from St. Patrick's Cath. I know this is going to be REALLY expensive, so I want to get as much bang for our buck. Can any of you recommend restaurants that are a good value, any Broadway shows that we shouldn't miss, advice on getting in to see Letterman, or any other advice that I might not even think of. (Don't say win the lottery or rob a bank. I've got that part figured out.) I heard there is a place called TKTS (or something like that) where you can buy tickets for shows at the last minute for a cheaper price. I have no idea how to go about even getting tickets. Also, any advice on things we shouldn't miss, or things we should miss, would be great.
Yes, I know most of you are thinking....why not go back to STJ? I agree, but this is something we've been promising them for years, and now seems like a good time.
Thanks for the help.
The dates I'm looking at are 12/20 to 12/26. The hotel that I'm looking at is The Palace in Manhattan. It is right across the street from St. Patrick's Cath. I know this is going to be REALLY expensive, so I want to get as much bang for our buck. Can any of you recommend restaurants that are a good value, any Broadway shows that we shouldn't miss, advice on getting in to see Letterman, or any other advice that I might not even think of. (Don't say win the lottery or rob a bank. I've got that part figured out.) I heard there is a place called TKTS (or something like that) where you can buy tickets for shows at the last minute for a cheaper price. I have no idea how to go about even getting tickets. Also, any advice on things we shouldn't miss, or things we should miss, would be great.
Yes, I know most of you are thinking....why not go back to STJ? I agree, but this is something we've been promising them for years, and now seems like a good time.
Thanks for the help.
Hi Deb,
To get Letterman tickets, submit your name on their website. If you get picked, someone will call you and you have to correctly answer a trivia question to get the tickets.
TKTS is a half price booth located in Times Square. They don't have all of the shows, but there is usually something interesting, and we've gotten good seats there--front row a couple of times. You have to be prepared to wait in a long line. Maybe not the best use of your time--that's up to you. They don't have any of the Disney shows, so if you are interested in the Lion King (amazing puppetry) you need to buy direct from the box office/ticketmaster.
For me, the can't miss things in NYC are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum (make sure to take the guided tour at the Rose Space Center...it is really amazing), and the MOMA. There's a really cool Belgian beer bar in Greenwich Village that we like too, but I'm not sure if your daughters are old enough?
Restaurants: someone that lives there can probably give you much better recommendations. We always try and get to Balthazar and Union Square Cafe. Haven't had luck getting in to Babbo. I tend to go for comfort food when we are in NYC because the city feels so huge and I get a little overwhelmed. I am sure you will get lots more suggestions.
To get Letterman tickets, submit your name on their website. If you get picked, someone will call you and you have to correctly answer a trivia question to get the tickets.
TKTS is a half price booth located in Times Square. They don't have all of the shows, but there is usually something interesting, and we've gotten good seats there--front row a couple of times. You have to be prepared to wait in a long line. Maybe not the best use of your time--that's up to you. They don't have any of the Disney shows, so if you are interested in the Lion King (amazing puppetry) you need to buy direct from the box office/ticketmaster.
For me, the can't miss things in NYC are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum (make sure to take the guided tour at the Rose Space Center...it is really amazing), and the MOMA. There's a really cool Belgian beer bar in Greenwich Village that we like too, but I'm not sure if your daughters are old enough?
Restaurants: someone that lives there can probably give you much better recommendations. We always try and get to Balthazar and Union Square Cafe. Haven't had luck getting in to Babbo. I tend to go for comfort food when we are in NYC because the city feels so huge and I get a little overwhelmed. I am sure you will get lots more suggestions.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
It's Christmas time, so maybe the Radio City Christmas Show or The Nutcracker or ice skating at Rockefeller City.
I second Liamsaunt's museum recommendations.
TKTS is a great way to get less expensive Broadway tickets, as long as you don't have your heart set on seeing a particular show. The Times Square booth sells tickets the day of the performance (starting at 10am for matinees and ~3pm for evening). People start lining up a couple of hours before the windows open. In addition to spending time in line, keep in mind that it might be very, very, cold. If you want tickets ahead of time, check out broadway.com.
As first timers you need to go to the top of the Empire State building; and no trip to NYC is complete without a stroll through Bloomingdales and/or Macy's.
Sounds like a great Christmas present to me.
I second Liamsaunt's museum recommendations.
TKTS is a great way to get less expensive Broadway tickets, as long as you don't have your heart set on seeing a particular show. The Times Square booth sells tickets the day of the performance (starting at 10am for matinees and ~3pm for evening). People start lining up a couple of hours before the windows open. In addition to spending time in line, keep in mind that it might be very, very, cold. If you want tickets ahead of time, check out broadway.com.
As first timers you need to go to the top of the Empire State building; and no trip to NYC is complete without a stroll through Bloomingdales and/or Macy's.
Sounds like a great Christmas present to me.
janet
Having grown up in NJ, going to the city was always a part of the holiday season.
As I got older, I realized it's too damn crowded...especially lately. The NYC of crazy homeless women puking on my shoes no Thanksgiving night has been replaced by double-decker busses. I cry a quiet tear for those days. Strange as it may sound, that was my city (I'm not helping here, am I?)
That said, here's a secret recommendation. Go out on the town, anywhere, on Christmas evening. Like 7:00 or so. The city will be dead. We once drove in after Christmas dinner just to get dessert in Little Italy. It was empty...like we had Manhattan to ourselves.
Try..hard as it may be, to avoid some of the ultra-touristy things. NYC has changed so much since 2002 when I really stopped going regularly that it's hard for me to say what's where anymore. But, try to find some neighborhoods and stay away from the really crowded parts.
You have to see the tree, the stores, etc...but make time to go find the quieter parts.
As I got older, I realized it's too damn crowded...especially lately. The NYC of crazy homeless women puking on my shoes no Thanksgiving night has been replaced by double-decker busses. I cry a quiet tear for those days. Strange as it may sound, that was my city (I'm not helping here, am I?)
That said, here's a secret recommendation. Go out on the town, anywhere, on Christmas evening. Like 7:00 or so. The city will be dead. We once drove in after Christmas dinner just to get dessert in Little Italy. It was empty...like we had Manhattan to ourselves.
Try..hard as it may be, to avoid some of the ultra-touristy things. NYC has changed so much since 2002 when I really stopped going regularly that it's hard for me to say what's where anymore. But, try to find some neighborhoods and stay away from the really crowded parts.
You have to see the tree, the stores, etc...but make time to go find the quieter parts.
-
California Girl
I haven't been to New York since I was 15, but one thing I remember was getting a cup of coffee and a donut and standing outside Tiffany's eating it - Breakfast at Tiffany's!
Also as a first-timer I'd have to see the Statue of Liberty - they just opened up the crown so you can go in it now! Is it too cold to go to Ellis Island in the winter? I have relatives who came through there from Denmark in the early 1900's, so seeing Ellis would be very interesting for me. If you have relatives who immigrated, it might be interesting for you too.
This sounds like fun! Of course you have to go to Macy's!!
Also as a first-timer I'd have to see the Statue of Liberty - they just opened up the crown so you can go in it now! Is it too cold to go to Ellis Island in the winter? I have relatives who came through there from Denmark in the early 1900's, so seeing Ellis would be very interesting for me. If you have relatives who immigrated, it might be interesting for you too.
This sounds like fun! Of course you have to go to Macy's!!
As I have not been to New York City for several years I will offer no possibly dated personal thoughts. I do think your idea is excellent though, especially if the girls want to visit there.
VickiH wrote one of her delicious tales about her New Year's Eve 2008 trip:
http://vicki-h.travellerspoint.com/archive/012009/
as usual with wonderful pictures and insight.
VickiH wrote one of her delicious tales about her New Year's Eve 2008 trip:
http://vicki-h.travellerspoint.com/archive/012009/
as usual with wonderful pictures and insight.
... no longer a stranger to paradise
-
cypressgirl
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
- Location: houston
Thanks for all the good advice so far. I'm beginning to have sticker shock after reading a couple of hundred reviews on Tripadvisor. Is it true that you have to tip the bellman 5.-10. every time he hails you a cab? Same for moving your bags a few yards? How about taxis....do they get that big a tip too?
Also, I may have to change plans on the hotel. The one I really was heart set on, seems to make up for what they charge for rooms (400. for a basic double) with excessive and rediculous charges on everything else. Breakfast for 4.....regular breakfast with eggs, toast, bacon.........would be about 275. There is no coffee maker in the room, so you have to go downstairs and pay 10. for a cup of coffee. Bar drinks run about 18. and house wine about 25./glass. You can't use the mini bar frig to store doggie bags or pizza or your own bottle of wine......everything is on a sensor, and if you pick up an item and put it back later, you get charged for it. Don't even think about using the room phone.
I really want to go, but I want to make sure I'm not being stupid about this. I expect to pay 500. for 4 tickets to a good Broadway show, but some of this small stuff seems really out of line. Maybe I'm reading reviews from people who are not being quite truthful. I just don't know what to think.
Maybe I should get out of Manhattan and go to the po' folk side of town.
Also, I may have to change plans on the hotel. The one I really was heart set on, seems to make up for what they charge for rooms (400. for a basic double) with excessive and rediculous charges on everything else. Breakfast for 4.....regular breakfast with eggs, toast, bacon.........would be about 275. There is no coffee maker in the room, so you have to go downstairs and pay 10. for a cup of coffee. Bar drinks run about 18. and house wine about 25./glass. You can't use the mini bar frig to store doggie bags or pizza or your own bottle of wine......everything is on a sensor, and if you pick up an item and put it back later, you get charged for it. Don't even think about using the room phone.
I really want to go, but I want to make sure I'm not being stupid about this. I expect to pay 500. for 4 tickets to a good Broadway show, but some of this small stuff seems really out of line. Maybe I'm reading reviews from people who are not being quite truthful. I just don't know what to think.
Maybe I should get out of Manhattan and go to the po' folk side of town.
-
California Girl
-
cypressgirl
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
- Location: houston
We usually stay at the Belvedere on W 48th. Small hotel with decent size rooms.Each room as 2 double beds, mini fridge & microwave. Prices are usually decent. 2 Blocks to the subway. Go to the TKTS at the South Seaport instead of times square. At the corner of Front and John Streets, near the rear of the Resnick/ Prudential Building at 199 Water Street.
Hours:
For same-day evening and next day matinee performances:
Monday - Saturday: 11am - 6pm
Sunday: 11am - 4pm
* Matinee tickets are only sold on the day before the show. Never a line & worth the ride to get the tickets.
Have dinner at Beccos on E 58th St. Great prixfix meal. All you can eat pasta - 3 choices each day & salad or antipasta. Two years ago it was $25. Must have reservations..it is very popular. Great wine buys there also ..if you know your wine.
Hours:
For same-day evening and next day matinee performances:
Monday - Saturday: 11am - 6pm
Sunday: 11am - 4pm
* Matinee tickets are only sold on the day before the show. Never a line & worth the ride to get the tickets.
Have dinner at Beccos on E 58th St. Great prixfix meal. All you can eat pasta - 3 choices each day & salad or antipasta. Two years ago it was $25. Must have reservations..it is very popular. Great wine buys there also ..if you know your wine.
-
martini girl
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:29 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
I second Becco. We love it there. It's a great value and you get a ton of wonderful food. Check out the website www.becco-nyc.com Good wine at a decent price as well.
Also, if you get to the Metropolitan Art Museum, make sure you do happy hour on the mezzanine level. They have a classical quartet playing while you have cocktails and munchies surrounded by beautiful art. It's really cool.
NYC is really jammed during the holidays but it's something to experience. Enjoy.
Also, if you get to the Metropolitan Art Museum, make sure you do happy hour on the mezzanine level. They have a classical quartet playing while you have cocktails and munchies surrounded by beautiful art. It's really cool.
NYC is really jammed during the holidays but it's something to experience. Enjoy.
-
cypressgirl
- Posts: 2178
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:42 pm
- Location: houston
Teen girls love New York!
We stayed at the Hotel Metro in a Family suite with 2 bedrooms (but only 1 bathroom) for about $425 per night in 2006. The room was huge and very nice. I don't recall a restaurant on premises, but a free continental breakfast was included. It's near Macy's (5th and 35th?) and a major subway station. We liked the location. Hotel Metro is popular with the Europeans and was ranked high on TripAdvisor when we stayed there. I would definately stay there again with the family. We also stayed at The Kimberly on a New Years trip. It was more dated than the Hotel Metro. It's a renovated apartment building with a bedroom, living area and full kitchen on east side of town around 55th street.
Friends of ours have also stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental, Marriott Marquis (on top of the TKTS booths), and I think the Doubltree with good comments. The Belvedere gets (or used to get) good reviews at Tripadvisor for having good rates.
The restaurants on 9th avenue are a good value. My girls favorite was one of the Thai restaurants, Yum Yum Bangkok 3. We ate there several times, and we all loved it.
Wicked was the best play that we saw by a mile. We also used TKTS for other shows.
We stayed at the Hotel Metro in a Family suite with 2 bedrooms (but only 1 bathroom) for about $425 per night in 2006. The room was huge and very nice. I don't recall a restaurant on premises, but a free continental breakfast was included. It's near Macy's (5th and 35th?) and a major subway station. We liked the location. Hotel Metro is popular with the Europeans and was ranked high on TripAdvisor when we stayed there. I would definately stay there again with the family. We also stayed at The Kimberly on a New Years trip. It was more dated than the Hotel Metro. It's a renovated apartment building with a bedroom, living area and full kitchen on east side of town around 55th street.
Friends of ours have also stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental, Marriott Marquis (on top of the TKTS booths), and I think the Doubltree with good comments. The Belvedere gets (or used to get) good reviews at Tripadvisor for having good rates.
The restaurants on 9th avenue are a good value. My girls favorite was one of the Thai restaurants, Yum Yum Bangkok 3. We ate there several times, and we all loved it.
Wicked was the best play that we saw by a mile. We also used TKTS for other shows.
-
sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
I think you will some resturants open on Xmas day, but I would check in advance. You are right China Town will open. A traditional Christmas day in NY for those who don't celebrate the holiday is a movie and Chinese food! Inidan food would aso be an option.cypressgirl wrote:I'm wondering if Christmas Day will be quieter than most in NYC, and if many restaurants will be closed? I guess we'll need reservations way before we go. I figure Chinatown will be open, but that's not really what I had in mind.
I would suggest that once you make your hotel reservations call the concerige for reccomendations.