NYC for Thanksgiving - we're doing it! See post 15

[lecach]

Dh has to be in NYC for Thanksgiving. He's a sportswriter covering college basketball and they play on Wednesday and Friday. So his flight, his food and 3 nights hotel will be paid for. We're thinking of taking DS who will be almost 5. He'd love the plane, the trains, the tall buildings, etc. We thought we could try to see the parade and do the typical tourist stuff like go to FAO Schwartz. Is this a good idea? We've been before at this time of year but it wasnt with a child. Is the parade just a nightmare to try and see with a child - will we even be able to get close enough? Is it safe? Any advice? The other option is to go the weekend before Christmas but DH's company will only be paying for one night hotel then.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I took my son just a bit older and he loved it. You could always leave if he is bored and walk around the park. The only thing that is unpredictable is the weather... But I am sure you could find many things (some free) that you would all love.

 

[snoopy5386]

I would go, I think you'll have a grand time, but I would skip the parade. It will mostly likely be very cold, crowded and chaotic. Also remember the parade is like 3 hours long. Much better to watch it on tv in your jammies at the hotel. Folks who get a "good" spot get there at the crack of dawn and there are no public restrooms along the parade route either, not something I'd want to do with a 5 year old. If you haven't booked your hotel yet, see if you can get one along the parade route, that is the only way I would want to see it.
I would take him to the "balloon blowup" the day before, this is when they blow up all the big balloons that are in the parade. If you check the Macy's parade website closer to thanksgiving they'll tell you when and where this happens.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[mommy*RN]

I've never been to NYC...but I would love to go...and especially at Thanksgiving time!! I say go for it and have a wonderful time. It sounds like your DS will have plenty to see and do there. I'm thinking about taking my family in Sept of 2011...for the 10yr anniversary of 9/11. My DH is a firefighter and I think this would be something very neat to teach our children and be able to witness.

 

[goofy53073]

Definitely do it! I live on Long Island and have a sister/BIL who live in Manhattan. We have done the parade with small children a few times. Weather can vary a lot so be prepared with different types of outerwear! Your son will LOVE it

Stacey

 

[cogero]

Go Go Go I live in NY. oh and something that is a lot of fun is going and watching the balloons being blown up the night before the parade.

 

[ntink]

where are you staying - a few of the hotels have viewing areas for their guests.

 

[lecach]

Not sure where we're staying yet. DH is still searching. We'd love to stay near the Garden since DH is covering basketball games there. But the hotel we usually stay in - The New Yorker - is really high right now.

 

[JTDisney]

I say go! The city is awesome at that time (or anytime)! Bring a ton of money and dress warmly. It gets super chilly if the wind is blowing.

 

[Fall1]

I went to NYC once when I was 12 with my Dad for the parade and I loved it!! It was amazing and so fun. It was cold so we didn't stay as long as I would like to, but it was a blast!

GO!

 

[msmama]

As long as you don't have issues with crowds, Go!! But it is extra CRAZY in NYC all of Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

hey you stole our plans
We are really going to spend a few days there for thanksgiving too.

 

[LisaNJ25]

You could pop over to the meadowlands thanksgiving morning and see Disney on Ice. We got great tickets for $11

See the balloons the day before when they blow them up.

 

[shrymah]

We went two thanksgivings ago with our 2 DD's who were 4 & 2 at the time. We had a great time. I do agree that so much of it is weather dependent. We lucked out on the weather - it was sunny & almost 60. We went to the parade & watched for about an hour. That was long enough to get a feel for it & see Santa arrive. The kids were on our shoulders & could see enough that they weren't bored. It wasn't the most comfortable for me & my husband but it was worth it. One thing I disagree with PPs about though is the night before. We went to that & it was a disaster. It was a mob scene & you get stuck in a line that you can't get out of so no matter how miserable, you have to keep going until the end. For us the actual parade was a million times better.

We also did FAO Schwartz, Rockefeller Center, Macy's (for the window displays), 5th Avenue... - it's so pretty with everything decorated for xmas. I think you'd have a blast with your son - esp since he's a little older than our girls were too. Have fun!

 

[lecach]

I think we're going to do it!!!

DH booked the Wyndham Garden Chelsea West. It's on 37 West 24th Street. The reviews say that it's walking distance to a lot of places including Times Square and Macy's. So we could walk to the parade route I think. If anyone has a recomendation of where to view the parade based on our hotel location, please let me know.

We'd also like to make reservations for Thanksgiving Dinner. Our hotel doesnt have a full service restaurant. Can anyone recomend a restaurant?

We'll arrive on Wednesday Nov. 25 but not sure what time yet. We'll be there til Saturday the 28th. DH has to work on Wednesday night and on Friday. Possibly Saturday too if Duke wins. He's a sportswriter covering Duke Basketball. I'm okay going places without him although we'll probably go to at least one of the games - when else will DS get to experience the Garden for free?

Any suggestions for stuff to do or restaurants to try please let me know.

 

[RMulieri]

We have done Thanksgiving in NYC many times since we used to live right near the Lincoln tunnel growing up...it is alot of fun ,but chaotic and crowded.I will never forget how disappointed my brother was when he realized that you can't be near Macys in Herald square and you don't get to see the broadway performers etc. But aside from that it was fun.For dining we like Carmines and Sardis .

 

[syncsk8mom]

We did it back in 2002 and it WAS THE BEST TIME EVER!!!! Make sure you go to the Natural History Museum the night before....that's were they blow up the balloons and it's so cool to see them take form. Most of NYC is all tourist that weekend as the locals all leave to go home for the holidays. Macy's is great, Rockefeller square will be open for skating, but no lighted tree yet. Make sure to go see all the store front's windows....they will be decorated for the holidays. HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!