re: New York around the holidays

[renae3]

Hi everyone,
This year for the first time I am taking my family to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. I am not real familiar with the city, what else is there to do with the kids? I think the tree is there, but what about stores like FAO Schwartz or Toys are Us? What would you suggest we do? Our show is 11:00. Thanks so much!!

 

[FergieTCat]

If it's only one day, I'd suggest Radio City, Rockefeller Center (about 2 blocks away) and then a stroll up Fifth Avenue to FAO Schwartz. You can see the windows at Saks Fifth Avenue (50th Street) on your way uptown.

Or, you can go downtown and window shop and check out the windows at Lord & Taylor (5th Avenue and 40th Street).

Keep in mind that the city is crowded around the holidays and it's practically impossible to walk at a decent clip. How much you can do depends on how much time you have.

 

[ckay87]

IF you do not have your tickets yet, I cannot urge you enough not to go on a weekend. I don't want to be the voice of gloom, but it's brutal. Really, really brutal crowds around the tree, Rock Center, Radio City and...OMG Times Square. Weekdays may not be much better, but it's possible.

Bryant Park put something together a few years ago. Ice skating, a restaurant, and craft stands. It was a little less crowded when I was last there, years ago. Bryant Park is between 5th and 6th avenues, and 40 and 41st street - behind the library.

Outside of mid-town, all is well. But probably nothing you want to see. Just go with lots of patience in your back pocket!

 

[coco392]

Hi everyone,
This year for the first time I am taking my family to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. I am not real familiar with the city, what else is there to do with the kids? I think the tree is there, but what about stores like FAO Schwartz or Toys are Us? What would you suggest we do? Our show is 11:00. Thanks so much!!

how long are you there ?

 

[FergieTCat]

IF you do not have your tickets yet, I cannot urge you enough not to go on a weekend. I don't want to be the voice of gloom, but it's brutal. Really, really brutal crowds around the tree, Rock Center, Radio City and...OMG Times Square. Weekdays may not be much better, but it's possible.

Bryant Park put something together a few years ago. Ice skating, a restaurant, and craft stands. It was a little less crowded when I was last there, years ago. Bryant Park is between 5th and 6th avenues, and 40 and 41st street - behind the library.

Outside of mid-town, all is well. But probably nothing you want to see. Just go with lots of patience in your back pocket!

I work on 6th Avenue near Radio City. We call it "Attack of the Tree People"!

 

[Kimberle]

Visit Santa at Macy's (Herald Square). They have a elaborate display.

 

[marlynnp]

I like Bryant Park.

There's a college student that posts here, I think she works at Ellen's Stardust Diner... Flakesomething. Anyway, she might know of some special events. What day will you be there?

 

[mefordis]

I'm taking the kids out on a Friday to go. It's for my 8 year old's birthday. Here is our agenda:

- Christmas Spectacular
- American Girl store
- Dylan's Candy Bar
- Serendipity (Frozen hot chocolate and burgers!)

Do you have tickets yet? Good seats are going FAST!

 

[CandyMandy]

IThere's a college student that posts here, I think she works at Ellen's Stardust Diner... Flakesomething. Anyway, she might know of some special events. What day will you be there?

Ah, now we understand "seasoned urbane bon vivant" masquerade!

 

[marlynnp]

That's it! For some reason 'flake' is the only part that stuck in my mind.

and those pups are adorable

 

[minkydog]

I like Bryant Park.

There's a college student that posts here, I think she works at Ellen's Stardust Diner... Flakesomething. Anyway, she might know of some special events. What day will you be there?

I LOVE Ellens Stardust Diner. That's a destination in itself. Definitely, go get yourself a hamburger and a show!

 

[mtemm]

we did a day trip with our kids to NYC last christmas. we started in times square but really just took in the sites, went to the disney store, went into TRU but opted not to ride the ferris wheel (loooong wait), went into the M&M store and let them pick out some goodies. Headed up to see the tree at rockefeller, which was crazy crowded but ok at that point, and checked out american girl store, spent a little time in central park so the kids could run free for a bit. They had so much fun just doing the little that we did!

When it was getting dark as we headed back down past the tree hoping to see it all lit up this time and that is when it got scary. really scary. as in, I never want to do that again scary. there was a crush of people like nothing I have ever experienced...I have no doubt I left bruises on my kids hands I was holding on to them so tightly. There was about 20 minutes near magnolia bakery where we were at a dead standstill because noone could move at all...there were that many people. scary scary scary.

Have never been so happy to get out of that crush, and back to times square where we were able to breathe easier and spread out a bit. which is funny to say because normally I consider times square to be crowded, but not this time, at least not comparably, lol.

we had thought about doing macy's and a few more things, but ended up getting dinner and then heading back home. It was a GREAT day, and I'm looking forward to taking the kids back this year if we can find the time to do it.

have a great time!!!!

 

[renae3]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know how far Dylan's candy and fao Schwartz is from radio city? Can we walk it with 3 kids?

 

[mtemm]

Fao schwartz is walkable, dylans is a bit far if I remember correctly

 

[mefordis]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know how far Dylan's candy and fao Schwartz is from radio city? Can we walk it with 3 kids?

We just jump in a cab to go up to Dylan's then Serendipity, where we eat dinner, is right down the street so we walk from there. Not terribly far and I could walk with adults but with little kids I would take a taxi.

 

[npmommie]

we did a day trip with our kids to NYC last christmas. we started in times square but really just took in the sites, went to the disney store, went into TRU but opted not to ride the ferris wheel (loooong wait), went into the M&M store and let them pick out some goodies. Headed up to see the tree at rockefeller, which was crazy crowded but ok at that point, and checked out american girl store, spent a little time in central park so the kids could run free for a bit. They had so much fun just doing the little that we did!

When it was getting dark as we headed back down past the tree hoping to see it all lit up this time and that is when it got scary. really scary. as in, I never want to do that again scary. there was a crush of people like nothing I have ever experienced...I have no doubt I left bruises on my kids hands I was holding on to them so tightly. There was about 20 minutes near magnolia bakery where we were at a dead standstill because noone could move at all...there were that many people. scary scary scary.

Have never been so happy to get out of that crush, and back to times square where we were able to breathe easier and spread out a bit. which is funny to say because normally I consider times square to be crowded, but not this time, at least not comparably, lol.

we had thought about doing macy's and a few more things, but ended up getting dinner and then heading back home. It was a GREAT day, and I'm looking forward to taking the kids back this year if we can find the time to do it.

have a great time!!!!

mtemm, I see you are in MA , did you drive into the city or did you take the train down?
we want to do this around the holidays, and thought about driving as far as connecticut and taking the train, from maybe Stamford. not sure.

I would drive into the city, I just don't know where I would put the car. so not a city person here, LOL

 

[mtemm]

We drove. We find driving to/around NYC to be really easy. We did some googling and found a coupon for a parking garage near times square for cheaper than parking for the day in Boston!

 

[npmommie]

We drove. We find driving to/around NYC to be really easy. We did some googling and found a coupon for a parking garage near times square for cheaper than parking for the day in Boston!

thanks for responding! I drive around Boston without a second thought, crazy streets and all, LOL!
maybe we will just drive in, seems less complicated.

 

[TLHB70]

We are going to be in NYC next week. We fly in Tuesday and out on Saturday. So far our plans include the 9/11 Memorial on Tuesday evening, the sightseeing bus tour on Wednesday and Friday (to see all of the major sites), Macy's Parade on Thursday, and Radio City Christmas show Thursday night. Our hotel is in Times Square. On the Macy's Parade day we plan to spend time in Central Park when it is over. The sightseeing, double decker bus will take us to the typical tourist spots - Empire State Building,ferry to Statue of Liberty, etc. We do want to eat at Ellen's. We do want to go to Macy's to see Santa and the display. I did not know about Dylan's or Serendipity. I will add that to my list. Oh.......is Serendipity that ice cream place that the movie is named after? I love the movie Serendipity! Isn't that also the name of the little ice cream place they eat at? Is that in NYC?

 

[FozzieFan]

We are going to be in NYC next week. We fly in Tuesday and out on Saturday. So far our plans include the 9/11 Memorial on Tuesday evening, the sightseeing bus tour on Wednesday and Friday (to see all of the major sites), Macy's Parade on Thursday, and Radio City Christmas show Thursday night. Our hotel is in Times Square. On the Macy's Parade day we plan to spend time in Central Park when it is over. The sightseeing, double decker bus will take us to the typical tourist spots - Empire State Building,ferry to Statue of Liberty, etc. We do want to eat at Ellen's. We do want to go to Macy's to see Santa and the display. I did not know about Dylan's or Serendipity. I will add that to my list. Oh.......is Serendipity that ice cream place that the movie is named after? I love the movie Serendipity! Isn't that also the name of the little ice cream place they eat at? Is that in NYC?

Serendipity III (don't get confused there's only one) is the place they eat at in the movie. It's ok but nothing I'd go out of my way for.

Just so you know, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are closed until further notice because of damage from Sandy so don't plan on seeing them on this trip as the ferries aren't running.