Christmas in New York, anyone done it?
Discussion
All advice and input appreciated. Yes! Disappointing!
Seriously, the days before and after were really good - the Christmas markets, seeing the Rockettes - but Christmas day itself was a very flat affair. The reason being of course that its one of very few national holidays so everything is closed and everyone is with family. We had a table in a restaurant booked for dinner but there were no bars open, it was hard to get a cab, and the entire City was eerily quiet.
I'd recommend visiting in the runup to Christmas, or perhaps for New Year, for the best experience.
Seriously, the days before and after were really good - the Christmas markets, seeing the Rockettes - but Christmas day itself was a very flat affair. The reason being of course that its one of very few national holidays so everything is closed and everyone is with family. We had a table in a restaurant booked for dinner but there were no bars open, it was hard to get a cab, and the entire City was eerily quiet.
I'd recommend visiting in the runup to Christmas, or perhaps for New Year, for the best experience.
Radec said:
As above, New Year's is a lot better.
You can see the tree at Rockefeller and create the scene from Home Alone 2 though.
Agreed, although it can be very cold.You can see the tree at Rockefeller and create the scene from Home Alone 2 though.
People start arriving at around 05:00 on NYE and get into their “pens”. As the day goes on it becomes harder to walk around Time Square as areas start to get closed off in preparation for the evening.
We stayed in the Marriott Marquis in Time Square with a room looking down on to action, we had every intention of standing in the square itself for midnight but it was just too cold. So we watched the party from our room, warm and snuggly, with drinks and food.
New Year’s Day is good for breakfast at the bottom of the Rock where you can watch the city wake up and people start ice skating with the tree in the background.
skeeterm5 said:
Radec said:
As above, New Year's is a lot better.
You can see the tree at Rockefeller and create the scene from Home Alone 2 though.
Agreed, although it can be very cold.You can see the tree at Rockefeller and create the scene from Home Alone 2 though.
People start arriving at around 05:00 on NYE and get into their “pens”. As the day goes on it becomes harder to walk around Time Square as areas start to get closed off in preparation for the evening.
We stayed in the Marriott Marquis in Time Square with a room looking down on to action, we had every intention of standing in the square itself for midnight but it was just too cold. So we watched the party from our room, warm and snuggly, with drinks and food.
New Year’s Day is good for breakfast at the bottom of the Rock where you can watch the city wake up and people start ice skating with the tree in the background.
I think I lasted about 2 hours in the pen in minus 10c before thinking forget this.
Like you my hotel was in Times Square however it wasn't overlooking the ball drop but met a group from Sweden whose room was, so ended up going to theirs and getting smashed.
I don't know how people can stand in that area all day until midnight especially if its cold.
NY is better than Xmas as has been said, it can be brutally cold though.
I was there for the millenium and stood for around 10 hours in Times Square in a pen, it was rammed as you can imagine, good atmosphere, not too cold as your so packed in you keep warm, we never left our spot but you could see if you left you'd never get back.
I was a lot younger then, I wouldn't think about it now.
Went to MSG on NY day and watched the Rangers first game of the millenium then went clubbing until around 6am, cracking trip thinking back.
I was there for the millenium and stood for around 10 hours in Times Square in a pen, it was rammed as you can imagine, good atmosphere, not too cold as your so packed in you keep warm, we never left our spot but you could see if you left you'd never get back.
I was a lot younger then, I wouldn't think about it now.
Went to MSG on NY day and watched the Rangers first game of the millenium then went clubbing until around 6am, cracking trip thinking back.
yellowbentines said:
Yes! Disappointing!
Seriously, the days before and after were really good - the Christmas markets, seeing the Rockettes - but Christmas day itself was a very flat affair. The reason being of course that its one of very few national holidays so everything is closed and everyone is with family. We had a table in a restaurant booked for dinner but there were no bars open, it was hard to get a cab, and the entire City was eerily quiet.
I'd recommend visiting in the runup to Christmas, or perhaps for New Year, for the best experience.
I’d go against this tbh. Seriously, the days before and after were really good - the Christmas markets, seeing the Rockettes - but Christmas day itself was a very flat affair. The reason being of course that its one of very few national holidays so everything is closed and everyone is with family. We had a table in a restaurant booked for dinner but there were no bars open, it was hard to get a cab, and the entire City was eerily quiet.
I'd recommend visiting in the runup to Christmas, or perhaps for New Year, for the best experience.
I’ve done Xmas day in NYC every year other than the 1 we couldn’t do because of covid for the last 10+yrs.
Lots is open, we normally do Central Park zoo on Christmas Day. Lots of cinemas, theatres, radio city rockettes do performances, loads of restaurants, some stores are open.
Christmas isn’t a big deal in the US as it’s more focussed on thanksgiving.
Yes New Year is better (unless you have kids in tow) but Christmas Day is certainly a good time too
Alorotom said:
yellowbentines said:
Yes! Disappointing!
Seriously, the days before and after were really good - the Christmas markets, seeing the Rockettes - but Christmas day itself was a very flat affair. The reason being of course that its one of very few national holidays so everything is closed and everyone is with family. We had a table in a restaurant booked for dinner but there were no bars open, it was hard to get a cab, and the entire City was eerily quiet.
I'd recommend visiting in the runup to Christmas, or perhaps for New Year, for the best experience.
I’d go against this tbh. Seriously, the days before and after were really good - the Christmas markets, seeing the Rockettes - but Christmas day itself was a very flat affair. The reason being of course that its one of very few national holidays so everything is closed and everyone is with family. We had a table in a restaurant booked for dinner but there were no bars open, it was hard to get a cab, and the entire City was eerily quiet.
I'd recommend visiting in the runup to Christmas, or perhaps for New Year, for the best experience.
I’ve done Xmas day in NYC every year other than the 1 we couldn’t do because of covid for the last 10+yrs.
Lots is open, we normally do Central Park zoo on Christmas Day. Lots of cinemas, theatres, radio city rockettes do performances, loads of restaurants, some stores are open.
Alorotom said:
yellowbentines said:
Yes! Disappointing!
Seriously, the days before and after were really good - the Christmas markets, seeing the Rockettes - but Christmas day itself was a very flat affair. The reason being of course that its one of very few national holidays so everything is closed and everyone is with family. We had a table in a restaurant booked for dinner but there were no bars open, it was hard to get a cab, and the entire City was eerily quiet.
I'd recommend visiting in the runup to Christmas, or perhaps for New Year, for the best experience.
I’d go against this tbh. Seriously, the days before and after were really good - the Christmas markets, seeing the Rockettes - but Christmas day itself was a very flat affair. The reason being of course that its one of very few national holidays so everything is closed and everyone is with family. We had a table in a restaurant booked for dinner but there were no bars open, it was hard to get a cab, and the entire City was eerily quiet.
I'd recommend visiting in the runup to Christmas, or perhaps for New Year, for the best experience.
I’ve done Xmas day in NYC every year other than the 1 we couldn’t do because of covid for the last 10+yrs.
Lots is open, we normally do Central Park zoo on Christmas Day. Lots of cinemas, theatres, radio city rockettes do performances, loads of restaurants, some stores are open.
Christmas isn’t a big deal in the US as it’s more focussed on thanksgiving.
Yes New Year is better (unless you have kids in tow) but Christmas Day is certainly a good time too
Going to a Chinese restaurant/take out on the 25th is sort of a tradition for many of the Jewish friends I have here as an example, and if I’m here I always eat out on the 25th too and head to a bar.
Thanksgiving is the bigger major holiday here, and even that isn’t a total shutdown either
I'll chuck in a random thought: my favourite winter event in NYC is St Patrick's Day (yes, March is definitely still winter in NYC). I've been three times now, and it's always fun. The parade is awesome, the mood is good, and the beer is plentiful. It's best not to be a purist about what's actually Irish, though.
Anytime after Thanksgiving is lovely, we go the 8th of December and can't wait. We went pre COVID at the same time and it was absolutely amazing. If you like a Christmas it's the place to be, huge trees everywhere, obviously the Rockefeller tree, Bryant Park winter village, ice skating in Central Park, Rockettes at Radio City etc.
There's loads to do and I can't wait to get back.
There's loads to do and I can't wait to get back.
Seventyseven7 said:
Threads made me decide to go during December this year. Anyone able to recommend some nice hotels?
Intercontinental Barclay (East 48th At) is our go to, just far enough away from the busy bits but still easy distance to walk to most things and transport links as its quite close to Grand Central. Mr Squarekins said:
Echo the disappointing comments. Other than around Radio City, not much Christmassy vibe at all.
Really? It was wall to wall Christmas everywhere we went when we were there, all the shops, all the attractions and restaurants we're all properly decorated to the hilt as well as all the office buildings having trees and decorations all over the place etc. Greendubber said:
Mr Squarekins said:
Echo the disappointing comments. Other than around Radio City, not much Christmassy vibe at all.
Really? It was wall to wall Christmas everywhere we went when we were there, all the shops, all the attractions and restaurants we're all properly decorated to the hilt as well as all the office buildings having trees and decorations all over the place etc. Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff