Anyone doing NYC during Christmas break?

[hegs65]

We will be headed to NYC for a couple days after Christmas and was wondering if anyone else will be there and if you are doing anything special? We will be visiting American Girl Place (the main reason for this trip), World of Disney, Top of the Rock and Ground Zero. We may go iceskating at Rockerfeller center-but it is mega expensive. Any other suggestions? This is our first trip to NYC and I am especially excited to be there during the holiday season. If anyone has ever been there at this time please tell me what is a "can't miss attraction". Thanks for the help! Patty

 

[TenThousandVolts]

We may go iceskating at Rockerfeller center-but it is mega expensive.

How expensive is it? We are going in a few weeks and thought about doing this- but I couldn't find the prices.
NEVER MIND- I found the prices- it is about triple the cost of our local rink.

It sounds like you have some great stuff planned- can't wait to hear everyone's suggestions.

 

[hegs65]

There is another ice skating rink in Central Park called the Trump Wollman Rink, ( www.wollmanskatingrink.com ) which is alot cheaper so I think we will be doing that one instead. I am really in need of ideas for things to do with my 2 teenage boys. I obviously have a lot more research to do...

 

[disneyisfun]

We are heading there too from Jan 3rd to Jan 7th. I have been finding alot of info from tripadvisor.com..type in New York City and go to their forum section and it has alot of great information.

 

[czycropper]

We live in Jersey but go into the City alot during the Holidays - another great thing (bit expensive) is going on a carriage ride through Central Park. My DDs love doing this at that time of the year!

Just walk down 5th Av. and look at all the window displays and while doing that get some roasted chestnuts from a vendor ( I have great photos of my DDs eating them on the steps of the Cathedral).

You need to go into Macy's, the first floor is great to wonder through & the escalotor on the top floors is wooden - my DDs love just to ride it up & down while looking at all the decorations in the store.

Don't forget the top of the Empire State - I think it's much better than 30 Rock & cheaper.

Go walking through the Village.

Try and get half-price tickets to a show.

OH, go into Toys-r-us and ride the ferris wheel, see all the things made out of Lego, see the dinosaur!

Can you tell we love going into the City during the Holidays

 

[fourdrawfsnow]

hi I'm new here, but wanted to let you know about a resturant that your boys might like, its called Mars 2112, it's a really fun place they might enjoy. just try to make resv. because it's very popular.

 

[barbmouse]

Just wanted to let you know that DD and I did the AG Place in Chicago and it was fabulous!! It is an awesome mother/daughter time!!

 

[PigletsPal]

Were going Christmas eve to NY's eve. Staying with family in Rockaway. Going into the city Christmas day to see the Christmass show at Radio City then going to see the tree with dinner somewhere afterwards. Going back in to the city on fri but I think we will take a tour bus to save time. Love Tripadvisors also, they've helped me out alot over the the past year making other trips plans.

Enjoy the city.

 

[Mrs.PrinceCharming]

I saw the Rockets Christmas Spectacular 10 years ago - it was Fabulous. I would also sugget one of the Broadway Shows. I have seen Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. Can't wait for a chance to see Mary Poppins. I also ate at Mars2112 and it was great fun.

 

[fourdrawfsnow]

can't wait to go back...I have to visit the disney store to get my fix!!!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Have fun everyone!

be prepared for very crowded streets!

one of the best street vendor items are the people who write
your name in special lettering and designs.

only $6-$8 bucks, few dollars more and get the matting.

 

[hegs65]

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I am off to tripadvisor to do a little more planning. Thanks again!

 

[java]

There is another ice skating rink in Central Park called the Trump Wollman Rink, ( www.wollmanskatingrink.com ) which is alot cheaper so I think we will be doing that one instead. I am really in need of ideas for things to do with my 2 teenage boys. I obviously have a lot more research to do...

DO WOLLMAN!!! without a doubt better than rockerfeller center rink IMHO. There is a fun museum of music and television. Blue Man group might be fun for them. shopping in the village. Hitting Chinatown. Walking around 5th avenue. Oh and it will be CROWDED! If you are there for NYE be sure to stay close together. I live in NJ but love NYC. Actually going in for the weekend next weekend to have some fun with a friend. We spent our teenage years wandering around the village and chinatown. So many cool interesting stores. Oh and for sports there is Chelsea pier- rock climbing, golf ect.. all indoors. FUN!
http://www.chelseapiers.com/age3.htm

 

[PatriciaH]

Wollman Rink is great! The kids might like to eat at Serendipity 3-get the Frozen Hot Chocolate

http://www.serendipity3.com/main.htm

You have to see the tree in Rockefeller Center and all the store windows. The stores all have great decorations inside as well-esp. Macy's. The Christmas show at Radio City is wonderful.

 

[SeeDisney]

Does going up to the Empire State Building cost Money????


What about the Top of the Rock???? Never seen it or heard of it. Anything special???

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Yes- they both cost $.

My plans are:
shopping/siteseeing in Times Square & Theatre District
Central Park Zoo
Statue of Liberty
Christmas Spectacular
We are staying right by Grand Central Station

Anyone know how much the ferris wheel costs at TRU?

 

[mamaminnie]

Yes- they both cost $.

My plans are:
shopping/siteseeing in Times Square & Theatre District
Central Park Zoo
Statue of Liberty
Christmas Spectacular
We are staying right by Grand Central Station

Anyone know how much the ferris wheel costs at TRU?

The ferris wheel was about $3.00, they sell timed tickets so be sure to buy them as soon as you get to the store.

Be sure to buy statue of liberty tix now if you want to go inside the statue. they only sell a limited amount of those tickets. If you can't get them, it is still great to see the statue and don't skip the museum on Ellis Island, it is great.

(We moved to FL from NYC about a year ago)

 

[mjantz]

Look into a CityPass for NYC. It gets you into the Guggenheim, Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) & a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise.
The Space show at the American Museum is wonderful. MoMA is great as well. They have Van Goghs 'Starry Night', Salvador Dalis 'Persistance of Memory' (the melting clocks picture), as well as several Jackson Pollacks & Picassos.
If you have kids, you may want to see what the Guggenheim is displaying at the time. We went merely because of the CityPass & were pretty bored. Brazilian Religious Art is just not for us! I definately saw my life-time quota of hand-carved St. Peters, Marys & Jesuses'!

 

[TenThousandVolts]

Be sure to buy statue of liberty tix now if you want to go inside the statue. they only sell a limited amount of those tickets. If you can't get them, it is still great to see the statue and don't skip the museum on Ellis Island, it is great.

(We moved to FL from NYC about a year ago)

Thanks for the tip- I was just planning on getting them the day of. I am really excited about Ellis Island.
I was looking at World of Disney online and I can't believe they have characters!!! What a surprise. So we are definately going there.

Now I am debating driving into the city and parking at the hotel (about $100 for 2 days) or driving to Jersey somewhere and taking a commuter train to GSS to save $ on parking. Our hotel is right by Grand Central Station and we won't have to pack much- probably just 1 suitcase and 1 backpack. (Although I expect to do some shopping so we will have more stuff on the way home)
Do you think it would be worth it to do this or should I just pay the $100 and drive straight in?

 

[hegs65]

[Now I am debating driving into the city and parking at the hotel (about $100 for 2 days) or driving to Jersey somewhere and taking a commuter train to GSS to save $ on parking. Our hotel is right by Grand Central Station and we won't have to pack much- probably just 1 suitcase and 1 backpack. (Although I expect to do some shopping so we will have more stuff on the way home)
Do you think it would be worth it to do this or should I just pay the $100 and drive straight in?[/QUOTE]

We debated over this for quite some time when doing our initial planning and finally chose to stay at the Amerisuites in the Meadowland complex (received great ratings on trip advisor) in New Jersey. We just couldn't rationalize paying all that extra just to park our car. Plus, I had serious doubts about driving in the city due to its bad reputation. At the Amerisuites, there is a shuttle bus that takes you right to port authority in the city. I am hoping that all the reviews are right when it says the trip takes about 15 mins. We shall see...