Must Do's in NYC (Xmas & New Year)

[jackbauer24]

I'm going to NYC this Xmas and New Year and wondered if anyone had any tips or must do's etc whilst there.

 

I will be doing the tourists traps while I'm there as I've not been before.

[NurembergVillan]

Crikey - that's an open brief!

 

What type of things do you want recommendations on?  Food - if so what's your budget and what do you like?  Sights?  Sport?  Shopping?  Clubs?

[Xela]

I went to NYC in December 08 (13-20 I think) and the best thing about it was just soaking up the festive atmosphere! Go to the shops on 5th Avenue, ice skating in Central Park (and Bryant Park - one of my favourite areas of NYC). The usual sights are magnificent but just being there at that time is fantastic. 

[Xann]

I got some great prezzies from around Bleeker Street.

[jackbauer24]

Crikey - that's an open brief!

 

What type of things do you want recommendations on?  Food - if so what's your budget and what do you like?  Sights?  Sport?  Shopping?  Clubs?

 

Yep, it is that open!

 

I have a huge list of things I want to do, some obvious like Empire State Building, others more random like take a yellow cab or buy a hot dog from a street vendor NYC style! Just wondered if there are any thing VTers would count as an absolute must?

 

Sport, sights, bars, pubs - whatever. Looking at Knicks tickets, Broadway Show, Ice-Skating, Shopping, Central Park, Helicopter Tour, Movie Tour, Ride the Subway, go to all the great buildings, Times Square for NYE (Hotel 0.5miles away). And obviously got to find a good bar for Premiership football for the two games I miss while I'm away! Without being crass, budget not a major issue for this holiday - within reason! I've done plenty of mega cheap holidays so this is a bit of a blow out! 

[NoelVilla]

Going to NY for the first time shortly. I got hockey tickets other than that its Empire State Building and sightseeing. So I wait for your must do's. 

[NurembergVillan]

Right then.

 

Personally I'd swerve the Empire State Building and go up up the Rockefeller - that way you can get your photo taken at the top with the Empire State in the background.  It's awesome up there.

 

Jump on the subway to the area around 90th St and have a walk around the perimeter of Central Park.  You'll see some amazing red brick buildings and it'll give you an idea as to how some of the more affluent Manhattanites live.

 

Go over to Brooklyn and Williamsburg, and maybe head to Brooklyn Bowl http://www.brooklynbowl.com/ which is right next to the brewery.  You don't need to bowl - they have great live music and dive bar snack food.

 

For proper burgers head to Bill's in the Meatpacking District.  A great spot for lunch where you can watch the world go buy or watch sport on TV - http://www.billsbarandburger.com/

 

From there you can go and walk the High Line, a great project that converted an overground trainline into an elevated park.  Some beautiful views - http://www.thehighline.org/

 

The Football Factory shows all live games simultaneously and is a melting pot of locals, ex-pats and tourists.  Head down there early on a Saturday morning and meet up with some fellow Villa fans.  There's even a VTer who drinks in there on matchdays!  http://www.footballfactoryny.com/

 

Central Park zoo is great, the park itself is good, and it's worth doing a horse and buggy ride if you're going with the Mrs.  You can get one from Columbus Circle.

 

Shopping is great in SoHo for your more independent and cool stores, although 5th Avenue has it's reputation for a reason but is very much the high fashion brands.  I tend to go to New York for work when I'm being paid to walk the shops so if you want particular shopping tips then ask and I'll cover that separately.  SoHo is beautiful though, and generally more peaceful than elsewhere around Manhattan.  The Cupping Room isn't somewhere you can have your balls fondled, but is somewhere you can have a great brunch - http://www.cuppingroomcafe.com/zgrid/proc/site/sitep.jsp

 

In terms of your other more tourist based stuff, just follow the guides really.  TripAdvisor tends to have some good tips.  Going to see the Knicks is fun, even if they're pretty crap.

 

Here's a post I put in the last New York thread last year too -

 

If you like Japanese/Asian fusion food you HAVE to go to Koi at the Bryant Park Hotel (it's at Bryant Park and W40th St, so only a few blocks from TImes Square).

The food is exceptional and not over priced for NYC. The architecture inside is breathtaking and there's a great beer-cellar style bar downstairs. Plus Bryant Park itelf is a beautiful little square so it'll be a romantic night out. You can order a proper main course or else a few smaller dishes or sushi. The kobe beef potstickers (Asian dumplings) are beautiful and they do a great softshell crab too. They have more orthodox dishes like tuna and salmon too though. I try to go every time I'm in New York.

If you want something a bit more tradtional then Pastis in the Meatpacking District is a great spot. As the name suggests it's French-angled food but is ever popular - http://www.pastisny.com/

For somewhere off the beaten track try La Esquina, a Mexican place that looks like a taco stand from the street. That's because it is. But if you've booked, or you've timed it right, there will be a woman by an internal door who will show you downstairs and through the kitchen into a little restaurant/bar that does great food - http://esquinanyc.com/

With any of them, the sooner you can book the better. I guess it'll depend on what you're after and what you want to spend though. Give me more details and I'll give you more ideas!

If you're looking at a decent budget (say £100 for the two of you) then you should be ok for any of those places. It'd have to be Koi for me though -http://www.koirestau...rk/galleries/1/

Give me a holler if you want any tips on clubs or bars etc too. 

[TheAuthority]

Go see the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show in Rockefeller center, complete with the Rockettes dancing troupe. It's a good all round family Broadway show.

(and I play in the orchestra!!)

[jackbauer24]

Right then.

 

Personally I'd swerve the Empire State Building and go up up the Rockefeller - that way you can get your photo taken at the top with the Empire State in the background.  It's awesome up there.

 

Jump on the subway to the area around 90th St and have a walk around the perimeter of Central Park.  You'll see some amazing red brick buildings and it'll give you an idea as to how some of the more affluent Manhattanites live.

 

Go over to Brooklyn and Williamsburg, and maybe head to Brooklyn Bowl http://www.brooklynbowl.com/ which is right next to the brewery.  You don't need to bowl - they have great live music and dive bar snack food.

 

For proper burgers head to Bill's in the Meatpacking District.  A great spot for lunch where you can watch the world go buy or watch sport on TV - http://www.billsbarandburger.com/

 

From there you can go and walk the High Line, a great project that converted an overground trainline into an elevated park.  Some beautiful views - http://www.thehighline.org/

 

The Football Factory shows all live games simultaneously and is a melting pot of locals, ex-pats and tourists.  Head down there early on a Saturday morning and meet up with some fellow Villa fans.  There's even a VTer who drinks in there on matchdays!  http://www.footballfactoryny.com/

 

Central Park zoo is great, the park itself is good, and it's worth doing a horse and buggy ride if you're going with the Mrs.  You can get one from Columbus Circle.

 

Shopping is great in SoHo for your more independent and cool stores, although 5th Avenue has it's reputation for a reason but is very much the high fashion brands.  I tend to go to New York for work when I'm being paid to walk the shops so if you want particular shopping tips then ask and I'll cover that separately.  SoHo is beautiful though, and generally more peaceful than elsewhere around Manhattan.  The Cupping Room isn't somewhere you can have your balls fondled, but is somewhere you can have a great brunch - http://www.cuppingroomcafe.com/zgrid/proc/site/sitep.jsp

 

In terms of your other more tourist based stuff, just follow the guides really.  TripAdvisor tends to have some good tips.  Going to see the Knicks is fun, even if they're pretty crap.

 

Here's a post I put in the last New York thread last year too -

 

If you like Japanese/Asian fusion food you HAVE to go to Koi at the Bryant Park Hotel (it's at Bryant Park and W40th St, so only a few blocks from TImes Square).

The food is exceptional and not over priced for NYC. The architecture inside is breathtaking and there's a great beer-cellar style bar downstairs. Plus Bryant Park itelf is a beautiful little square so it'll be a romantic night out. You can order a proper main course or else a few smaller dishes or sushi. The kobe beef potstickers (Asian dumplings) are beautiful and they do a great softshell crab too. They have more orthodox dishes like tuna and salmon too though. I try to go every time I'm in New York.

If you want something a bit more tradtional then Pastis in the Meatpacking District is a great spot. As the name suggests it's French-angled food but is ever popular - http://www.pastisny.com/

For somewhere off the beaten track try La Esquina, a Mexican place that looks like a taco stand from the street. That's because it is. But if you've booked, or you've timed it right, there will be a woman by an internal door who will show you downstairs and through the kitchen into a little restaurant/bar that does great food - http://esquinanyc.com/

With any of them, the sooner you can book the better. I guess it'll depend on what you're after and what you want to spend though. Give me more details and I'll give you more ideas!

If you're looking at a decent budget (say £100 for the two of you) then you should be ok for any of those places. It'd have to be Koi for me though -http://www.koirestau...rk/galleries/1/

Give me a holler if you want any tips on clubs or bars etc too. 

 

Cheers, brilliant pieces of advice and ideas. Will make a note of it all and bear in mind.

 

Think we'll do Empire State and Rockefeller, got to do whole Sleepless in Seattle thing apparently! Yeah, saw the football factory place when I did a search for NY Villa fans so will check that out, very close to Empire State as well isn't it?

 

Food neither of us are overly fussed by but happy to pay for quality. The missus is a bit of a picky eater though so imagine sushi is out the question! As for Knicks, its just for experience and Madison Square Gardens - if they were playing I'd prefer Yankees as I prefer baseball of the American Sports.

 

Looking for best NYE place to go now really; lots of choices it seems. I know it won't be cheap but hotel is 0.5miles from Times Square ball drop. Oh and Christmas Day - missus really wants as authentic a Xmas meal as possible!

Go see the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show in Rockefeller center, complete with the Rockettes dancing troupe. It's a good all round family Broadway show.

(and I play in the orchestra!!)

 

Ok, saw that adverised online - will add it to list!

[choffer]

Get tickets (if you can) to see The Rangers at the Garden.

[jackbauer24]

Get tickets (if you can) to see The Rangers at the Garden.

 

Afraid Ice Hockey comes bottom of the list as regards American Sports, the 'ball' (yes, I know puck!) is too small so it can't be seen, they are all too padded up and it's just a little bit of an excuse to have a fight on ice! Personal opinion and all that

 

For me it's Baseball, Basketball, American Football then Ice hockey for America 'only' sports.

[choffer]

Pretty much what I thought until I went to a game.

[NoelVilla]

This site is awesome. Thank you guys.

[NurembergVillan]

From having a Google about it seems an authentic Christmas dinner is hard to find in New York.  If you want really good quality food though, any of Keith McNally's restaurants are usually superb.  There's a list here - http://www.balthazarny.com/about_restaurants.php  Try mailing one of them and see if they're doing anything for Christmas.  Morandi is a great Italian so they might be doing something.

 

As for Koi, it's not just sushi.  They have a pretty comprehensive menu.  I can't rate the place highly enough.  Have a look at the menu here, and you'll see lamb chops, steak, cooked fish, salads.  It's awesome - http://www.koirestaurant.com//menu/Dinner.html

[Risso]

We went last Christmas, and it was amazing.

 

We went to see the NY Jets at the Metlife stadium, I'm not a big NFL fan but it was a great experience, and one I'd recumbent.  You can get coaches straight there from the Port Authority bus station.

 

It's dead obvious, but go up the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller building.  The Empire State Building is more interesting, but you can actually see the Empire State FROM the Rockefeller.  If you can, go late at night or pre-book, as the queues can be long.

 

Go ice skating in Central Park, it's right on the edge of the park and not far tom Bloomingdales if your other half fancies shopping afterwards.

 

Head down to Battery Park and get a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty.  Wrap up warm cos it's bloody freezing.  While you're in downtown, walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and back, as you get some stunning views of the who of the Manhattan skyline.

 

I don't know how old you are, but they're bordering on Nazism when it comes to checking ID.  I got age checked at the Jets stadium, and as NV will confirm, am not exactly blessed with boyish good looks at the ripe old age of 21.  Bars that don't serve food won't even let you in for a soft drink if you're not 21.

 

Go to Katz's deli http://katzsdelicatessen.com and try to finish one of their pastrami sandwiches.  On Saturdays it's open 24 hours.

 

Go and have a look at Grand Central, it's nice to just stand there and watch the world go by around you.

 

And just walk around as much as you can.  I walked around Soho, over the Brooklyn Bridge, around the meatpacking district, all at night, without a hint of trouble.

[jackbauer24]

We went last Christmas, and it was amazing.

 

We went to see the NY Jets at the Metlife stadium, I'm not a big NFL fan but it was a great experience, and one I'd recumbent.  You can get coaches straight there from the Port Authority bus station.

 

It's dead obvious, but go up the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller building.  The Empire State Building is more interesting, but you can actually see the Empire State FROM the Rockefeller.  If you can, go late at night or pre-book, as the queues can be long.

 

Go ice skating in Central Park, it's right on the edge of the park and not far tom Bloomingdales if your other half fancies shopping afterwards.

 

Head down to Battery Park and get a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty.  Wrap up warm cos it's bloody freezing.  While you're in downtown, walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and back, as you get some stunning views of the who of the Manhattan skyline.

 

I don't know how old you are, but they're bordering on Nazism when it comes to checking ID.  I got age checked at the Jets stadium, and as NV will confirm, am not exactly blessed with boyish good looks at the ripe old age of 21.  Bars that don't serve food won't even let you in for a soft drink if you're not 21.

 

Go to Katz's deli http://katzsdelicatessen.com and try to finish one of their pastrami sandwiches.  On Saturdays it's open 24 hours.

 

Go and have a look at Grand Central, it's nice to just stand there and watch the world go by around you.

 

And just walk around as much as you can.  I walked around Soho, over the Brooklyn Bridge, around the meatpacking district, all at night, without a hint of trouble.

 

Good advice once more, also great to see people kind of agreeing on the 'musts'.

 

I am 33 but unfortunately I am 'blessed' (cursed, trust me!) with boyish looks and often get asked for ID in this country so I'll make sure I have some on me at all time - guessing passport or driving licence!

 

Think I'm definitely looking forward to seeing New York at night - it's those pictures where it looks at its best.