We went between Christmas and NY this year and I swore I’d never go during that time again. The crowds and lines made everything miserable. We also paid literally double on a hotel room vs. what we paid last summer.

If your kids are under high school age, take them out of school and go in early December, Sunday night into Monday. That will be cheaper and easier than between Christmas and new years.

This is only if you must do Christmas activities.

Otherwise, consider one of the quarter end school holidays like Nov 3-4 ish or MLK weekend for a less crazy time to go. Basically you want to when everyone else doesn’t also have off.

Anonymous wrote:I'm from New Jersey and every single family from Jersey goes to the city at this time. It's really really extra crowded in Manhattan.

Fellow NJ resident here. The crowds in NYC are intense to put it mildly from Thanksgiving through a few days after New Year's. I always try to avoid the city during that time period if I can help it despite how magical it is. My aunt went in for the day a few years ago during the week between Christmas and NYE and the crowds were not even moving at certain times. She said people were having panic attacks from the claustrophobia.

Anonymous wrote:Go the weekend after NYE. we did that one year. Still crowded but much more manageable (and cheaper than your other options).

Were all the decorations and lights still up on 5th Ave, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Grand Central, etc?

The weekend before Thanksgiving is a great time to do this, see the shows, decorations and not be overwhelmed by the crowds.

I'm from New Jersey and every single family from Jersey goes to the city at this time. It's really really extra crowded in Manhattan.

Anonymous wrote:The Christmas markets shut down before Christmas though, don't they? So the stalls in BRyant Park aren't still operating?

We went last year between Christmas and New Years and the stalls were open in Bryant Park.