Visiting NYC next week

[Anonymous]

Cross posted in Metropolitan NY thread.

What tourist places are open/not open on Christmas day? Mainly interested in the touristy stuff - Night city view from Empire State building, Edge or 1 rock (which is better?), Rockefeller center to see Christmas tree, Central Park, Times square, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue. Thinking of visiting for 2.5 days/2 nights with early teen kids. Is this all doable? Should I get the 3 attraction explore pass and use it for the Edge, Empire State building and the double decker bus? Does the bus go to all these places I am interested in? Idea is to stay in a NJ hotel to save on cost, take an uber/park in the train station and go into Manhattan and then walk around a bit and use the double decker bus. Tips/suggestions please. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I would visit the websites for each attraction you’re interested in. Nobody can give you a comprehensive list.

The good thing is, they’ll be plenty of stuff open, and especially if you go to Chinatown or anything specifically Jewish, you should be set.

[Anonymous]

https://mommypoppins.com/kids/whats-open-on-christmas-day-in-nyc-2013-10-things-to-do-with-kids-after-opening-gifts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would visit the websites for each attraction you’re interested in. Nobody can give you a comprehensive list.

The good thing is, they’ll be plenty of stuff open, and especially if you go to Chinatown or anything specifically Jewish, you should be set.

My guess is that most places will be closed on the 25th itself. It is a major holiday after all. On a side note, just we’re there this weekend and the crowds are overwhelming and everything has a major line to get in.

[Anonymous]

look at the pod hotel on 9th ave and try and stay in manhattan--it will be less wear and tear for such a short trip.

[Anonymous]

I go to NYC a lot and when NYC hotels are too pricey (which I imagine they are at the moment), I stay in Jersey City and take the PATH into the city. It's super easy to navigate and downtown Jersey City is cute and has lots of good food options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I go to NYC a lot and when NYC hotels are too pricey (which I imagine they are at the moment), I stay in Jersey City and take the PATH into the city. It's super easy to navigate and downtown Jersey City is cute and has lots of good food options.

Any hotel recommendations? We were actually thinking of staying in Jersey city. Do hotels offer shuttle to liberty state park or is PATH close to that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would visit the websites for each attraction you’re interested in. Nobody can give you a comprehensive list.

The good thing is, they’ll be plenty of stuff open, and especially if you go to Chinatown or anything specifically Jewish, you should be set.

My guess is that most places will be closed on the 25th itself. It is a major holiday after all. On a side note, just we’re there this weekend and the crowds are overwhelming and everything has a major line to get in.

I was reading that Saks doesn't have it lights show this year? These are what the kids want to see:

2 observation decks between these and we are finding it hard to choose which ones:
Empire state building
Top of the Rock
Summit 1 vanderbilt
Edge

Central Park with maybe a horse drawn carriage ride

Brooklyn Bridge walk

Bryant park Christmas market

Statue of Liberty (walk to the crown)

Wall street/bull pic

9/11 memorial (I have been on the WTC observation deck before 9/11 so this is more for me)

Times square

Holiday displays on 5th avenue

St Paul's Cathedral

Rockefeller center/skating

NY Public Library (just to see the architecture)
NY Met (just to see the architecture not interested in exhibits)
Grand Central Station (just to see the architecture)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden lightscape if time permits

How many days would we need for these? I planned 3 days. Is the bus pass worth it if we are going to observation decks and spending hours there? Or better to take the train? I was thinking get the hop on/hop off bus pass for 2 days when we are not doing statue of liberty. I tThought we could keep half day for statue of liberty, 9/11 memorial and wall street. Rest for the next 2 days using bus pass or is that a bit too much? Besides 2 observation decks and skating rink at Rockefeller center, mostly just walking around in Manhattan seeing iconic spots. How many hours should we keep for empire state building and one of the other buildings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go to NYC a lot and when NYC hotels are too pricey (which I imagine they are at the moment), I stay in Jersey City and take the PATH into the city. It's super easy to navigate and downtown Jersey City is cute and has lots of good food options.

Any hotel recommendations? We were actually thinking of staying in Jersey city. Do hotels offer shuttle to liberty state park or is PATH close to that?

DP. I always liked the Courtyard Marriott right beside the Path station. They have suites that sleep six and have an indoor pool plus each access to public transportation.

[Anonymous]

I see so many websites for city passes and don't know which one is good and which is a scam. Anyone has recs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would visit the websites for each attraction you’re interested in. Nobody can give you a comprehensive list.

The good thing is, they’ll be plenty of stuff open, and especially if you go to Chinatown or anything specifically Jewish, you should be set.

My guess is that most places will be closed on the 25th itself. It is a major holiday after all. On a side note, just we’re there this weekend and the crowds are overwhelming and everything has a major line to get in.

I was reading that Saks doesn't have it lights show this year? These are what the kids want to see:

2 observation decks between these and we are finding it hard to choose which ones:
Empire state building
Top of the Rock
Summit 1 vanderbilt
Edge

Central Park with maybe a horse drawn carriage ride

Brooklyn Bridge walk

Bryant park Christmas market

Statue of Liberty (walk to the crown)

Wall street/bull pic

9/11 memorial (I have been on the WTC observation deck before 9/11 so this is more for me)

Times square

Holiday displays on 5th avenue

St Paul's Cathedral

Rockefeller center/skating

NY Public Library (just to see the architecture)
NY Met (just to see the architecture not interested in exhibits)
Grand Central Station (just to see the architecture)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden lightscape if time permits

How many days would we need for these? I planned 3 days. Is the bus pass worth it if we are going to observation decks and spending hours there? Or better to take the train? I was thinking get the hop on/hop off bus pass for 2 days when we are not doing statue of liberty. I tThought we could keep half day for statue of liberty, 9/11 memorial and wall street. Rest for the next 2 days using bus pass or is that a bit too much? Besides 2 observation decks and skating rink at Rockefeller center, mostly just walking around in Manhattan seeing iconic spots. How many hours should we keep for empire state building and one of the other buildings?

Saks does not have the light show.

If you don’t already have tickets to the Statue of Liberty I will be shocked if you can get them. They are sold out months in advance.

I wouldn’t get any transportation passes. All of your midtown Manhattan things are walking. You can take a subway to the Financial District for Wall Street
And 911. You can also get a train to Brooklyn if you have time.

If you want a horse and carriage ride try to book now. That’s a maybe for you this late.

Have fun. I’m from here but go to NYC at Christmas every year. It’s the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would visit the websites for each attraction you’re interested in. Nobody can give you a comprehensive list.

The good thing is, they’ll be plenty of stuff open, and especially if you go to Chinatown or anything specifically Jewish, you should be set.

My guess is that most places will be closed on the 25th itself. It is a major holiday after all. On a side note, just we’re there this weekend and the crowds are overwhelming and everything has a major line to get in.

I was reading that Saks doesn't have it lights show this year? These are what the kids want to see:

2 observation decks between these and we are finding it hard to choose which ones:
Empire state building
Top of the Rock
Summit 1 vanderbilt
Edge

Central Park with maybe a horse drawn carriage ride

Brooklyn Bridge walk

Bryant park Christmas market

Statue of Liberty (walk to the crown)

Wall street/bull pic

9/11 memorial (I have been on the WTC observation deck before 9/11 so this is more for me)

Times square

Holiday displays on 5th avenue

St Paul's Cathedral

Rockefeller center/skating

NY Public Library (just to see the architecture)
NY Met (just to see the architecture not interested in exhibits)
Grand Central Station (just to see the architecture)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden lightscape if time permits

How many days would we need for these? I planned 3 days. Is the bus pass worth it if we are going to observation decks and spending hours there? Or better to take the train? I was thinking get the hop on/hop off bus pass for 2 days when we are not doing statue of liberty. I tThought we could keep half day for statue of liberty, 9/11 memorial and wall street. Rest for the next 2 days using bus pass or is that a bit too much? Besides 2 observation decks and skating rink at Rockefeller center, mostly just walking around in Manhattan seeing iconic spots. How many hours should we keep for empire state building and one of the other buildings?

Saks does not have the light show.

If you don’t already have tickets to the Statue of Liberty I will be shocked if you can get them. They are sold out months in advance.

I wouldn’t get any transportation passes. All of your midtown Manhattan things are walking. You can take a subway to the Financial District for Wall Street
And 911. You can also get a train to Brooklyn if you have time.

If you want a horse and carriage ride try to book now. That’s a maybe for you this late.

Have fun. I’m from here but go to NYC at Christmas every year. It’s the best.

Thanks! I am browsing the websites for tickets and you are right. The Statue admission to the pedestal is booked for the dates I need, crown is there after Jan 1st, but most disappointed that Summit 1 Vanderbilt is sold out. The kids wanted that experience the most. I thought we could do Edge with ascent but that shows grayed out too. Timed entry for Top of the Rock is still available and general admission to Liberty is available (but for that I might as well take the Staten Island ferry and see from the boat)

What do you like the most this time of the year in NYC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would visit the websites for each attraction you’re interested in. Nobody can give you a comprehensive list.

The good thing is, they’ll be plenty of stuff open, and especially if you go to Chinatown or anything specifically Jewish, you should be set.

My guess is that most places will be closed on the 25th itself. It is a major holiday after all. On a side note, just we’re there this weekend and the crowds are overwhelming and everything has a major line to get in.

I was reading that Saks doesn't have it lights show this year? These are what the kids want to see:

2 observation decks between these and we are finding it hard to choose which ones:
Empire state building
Top of the Rock
Summit 1 vanderbilt
Edge

Central Park with maybe a horse drawn carriage ride

Brooklyn Bridge walk

Bryant park Christmas market

Statue of Liberty (walk to the crown)

Wall street/bull pic

9/11 memorial (I have been on the WTC observation deck before 9/11 so this is more for me)

Times square

Holiday displays on 5th avenue

St Paul's Cathedral

Rockefeller center/skating

NY Public Library (just to see the architecture)
NY Met (just to see the architecture not interested in exhibits)
Grand Central Station (just to see the architecture)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden lightscape if time permits

How many days would we need for these? I planned 3 days. Is the bus pass worth it if we are going to observation decks and spending hours there? Or better to take the train? I was thinking get the hop on/hop off bus pass for 2 days when we are not doing statue of liberty. I tThought we could keep half day for statue of liberty, 9/11 memorial and wall street. Rest for the next 2 days using bus pass or is that a bit too much? Besides 2 observation decks and skating rink at Rockefeller center, mostly just walking around in Manhattan seeing iconic spots. How many hours should we keep for empire state building and one of the other buildings?

Saks does not have the light show.

If you don’t already have tickets to the Statue of Liberty I will be shocked if you can get them. They are sold out months in advance.

I wouldn’t get any transportation passes. All of your midtown Manhattan things are walking. You can take a subway to the Financial District for Wall Street
And 911. You can also get a train to Brooklyn if you have time.

If you want a horse and carriage ride try to book now. That’s a maybe for you this late.

Have fun. I’m from here but go to NYC at Christmas every year. It’s the best.

Thanks! I am browsing the websites for tickets and you are right. The Statue admission to the pedestal is booked for the dates I need, crown is there after Jan 1st, but most disappointed that Summit 1 Vanderbilt is sold out. The kids wanted that experience the most. I thought we could do Edge with ascent but that shows grayed out too. Timed entry for Top of the Rock is still available and general admission to Liberty is available (but for that I might as well take the Staten Island ferry and see from the boat)

What do you like the most this time of the year in NYC?

The decorations. The windows on Fifth Avenue and Macys. The Rockefeller
And Bryant Park trees. Trees in places
Like the Plaza - Google NYC Christmas trees for a great list. The blocks around Radio City on sixth Avenue. The Bryant Park holiday market. Broadway shows - we often do the TKTS line for cheap tickets - hint to avoid Cabaret for teens. 911 is always worth seeing. I like cruises but it’s cold this time of year. Little Italy for food and Chinatown for shopping (I hate it but my kids love it).

Have so much fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I go to NYC a lot and when NYC hotels are too pricey (which I imagine they are at the moment), I stay in Jersey City and take the PATH into the city. It's super easy to navigate and downtown Jersey City is cute and has lots of good food options.

Please, no.