It looks as if we will be deserted for Christmas so we are thinking of heading to New York for the Christmas weekend (arrive Friday, December 22, depart Tuesday, December 26th.

I have a ton of questions as always . . .

Will things be open? Will restaurants be open on Christmas day? Any special things one should do for Christmas in NY? What area of the city should we stay in - we like food, shopping, shows, art, etc.

Thanks!

Jerry

What

Christmas Day?

There will be restaurants open to serve Christmas dinner. But I would recommend finding a place before you come and making reservations because every tourist in New York will be looking for a special place to eat. I cannot help you with this one as I will have dinner with family on that special day. I am sure someone on Slow Travel can recommend a special place to have Christmas Dinner.

If you are Catholic you can attend Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Close buy is Rockefeller Plaza when the big Christmas tree is decorated and lite up in Christmas lights. It is better to see it at night.

You can go ice skating also at Rockefeller and at Central Park.

You can walk along one of the world’s greatest avenues, 5th Avenue checking out the Christmas Store displays.

All this depends on the weather, because New York City goes all out at Christmas Time, but if the weather is miserable you really do not want to be outside.

So have a backup plan incase of bad weather.

Bill

Hi Bill

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'm used to cold, snow, etc and hope to brave it if there is a storm. We enjoy walking so that won't be a problem. We often travel to Ottawa duing the winter and have braved some terrible snowstorms there. We're just happy to not have a car.

It sounds as if the only day things will be shut down will be the 25th. Although there are Broadway shows that day. We've booked tickets to see the radio city show - i know it seems corny but it also seems to be a 'New York' thing.

I've booked a late flight home on the 26th so that we can enjoy some of the post-Christmas sales!

I'll take your advice and arrange for Christmas dinner. This will be the first time in my life that the family won't all be together on Christmas day - lately I've been the host so this will be a big adjustment, but I suspect a wonderful one.

Is New York like other large cities in that the 'ethnic' (I hate to use that terminology but it does fit) areas of the city are open wide on Christmas?

Thanks again,

Jerry

Jerry, I haven't been into the city on Christmas Day in years (marrying a catholic, I actually have family obligations now ), but I've been right up until Christmas Eve and following. I love that time of year.

I was going to suggest checking some of the ethnic restaurants to see if they're open on Christmas Day. Also, restaurants associated with hotels maybe open. I'd offer you an inviation out to the burbs but we're out my father-in-law that day. If it changes. we can talk.

I think the Radio City show will be fun. Definitely agree with the ice skating suggestions (though I'm no ice skater), and the window displays. I like doing carriage rides at that time of year through Central Park (touristy yes, but I still enjoy it (if you can grab a hot chocolate).

The Knicks are in town against Chicago on Friday night.

Plus you have all the museums to visit too, not to mention broadway shows. Ooh...how about the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center?

I'll try to think of some other things as the day goes on.

many restaurants will be open for Christmas dinner, although most will have a special set menu. New York City never shuts down! Usually I get a mailing from opentable.com around the holidays, which lists places that are taking reservations for Christmas dinner. If I get one this year I'll post the link. Also, "worst case" scenario there's always Chinatown, or any of the ethnic restaurants such as Indian, they will surely be open. Trust me you won't go hungry!

We love NYC around the holidays, its a great time to be in town, very lively. But expect tremendous crowds at museums and such.

I echo everything my fellow New Yorkers have stated. I also urge you to make your hotel reservations now...Christmas is the most heavily touristed season in New York. Do you know what your price range is?

There will be so much to do and see...where to begin!!

When I am caught in town on Christmas and my family is far away, I love to go to the movies and have Chinese food. It is a long-standing traditon with many a New Yorker. Usually, there is a blockbuster release on or near to Christmas Day, and if you go to a grand theatre like the Ziegfeld, it is a such a special event.

Get your hotel reservations!!! Then you can make sightseeing plans!

We got a great deal at the Westin Times Square (I know - not the best place to stay!) but it seemed central to the theatre, shopping, etc. We were able to get $ 600 a night rooms for $ 200 so we snapped it up.

It looks as if Christmas day will be our theatre (?) day - the Radio City Music show at 1 pm, Altar Boyz at 8 pm (the other shows playing on christmas day were a tad to deep for us! LOL)

I hope to get reservations for a great late christmas dinner in between and we can just wander around and look at the lights of the city.

We want to go to the Met, Central Park, Union Square - good lord we should be going for a week!

Thanks for the great suggestions guys!

Jerry