Christmas in New York
Before we went we had a number of “family meetings” to find out what everyone wanted to do and what were their “must sees” as we knew in 5 nights/6 days we wouldn’t see it all and we didn’t want to kids to be bored or come home saying “I didn’t see…” With a trip like this planning is key. I don’t mean write an agenda for each day but an idea of what you want to do on which days is a must, otherwise it will get to lunchtime and you would not of left the hotel. Also if you are going at a peak time pre -ook the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and 9/11 memorial and museum to avoid the long queues!
Leaving Heathrow on the first flight out on Christmas Eve we landed to a cold but sunny New York. I was a little disappointed as the forecast for the next 6 days was sunshine, I wasn’t going to have my New York Christmas movie moment, but nothing was going to spoil my trip I was off to see the Rockett’s Christmas Spectacular that night at Radio City Music Hall my first iconic New York Christmas experience.
Just a word of warning when you land in the US you have to clear customs and immigration, the queues are always long the lovey immigration staff do not move quickly so you could be in for a long wait. If you are travelling with kids head to the toilets before you get in the queue and grab a drink too as you know they will want one of these two within 10 minutes of being in that queue!
Once we cleared immigration, bags collected (the last ones on the belt) we jumped in 3 yellow taxis into the city. Heading into Manhattan because of the traffic it is a set fee plus toll and tip so you know in advance what you are paying, also everyone expects a tip in New York of between 15 and 20% so have some small bills to hand.
New Yorkers tend to eat out on Christmas Eve and at home on Christmas day as many restaurants are closed or are very expensive with set a la carte menus. I gave my brother the task of booking restaurants and he pre-booked both around 4 – 5 months before we went. When we arrived at our hotel, the Westin Grand Central New York we headed straight to the Italian opposite for some great pizza and pasta.
The majority of the sights and attractions in New York are open 365 days a year the only days some seem to close it New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day but not all. On Christmas Day after present opening (yes Santa found us in New York) and a hearty breakfast of pancakes we walked up 5th Avenue to the Rockefeller Centre to see the famous Christmas Tree & Ice Rink. This is also home to Top of the Rock Observation Deck which gives you a 360 degree view of the city. From one side you can see downtown and the Empire State Building and the other side Central Park and uptown. I personally think Top of the Rock is better in the daylight and Empire State Building at night with the lights. Then it was back to the hotel via Time Square ready for Christmas Lunch.
They say New York never sleeps and they are right even on Christmas Day everywhere was buzzing, busy with thousands of tourists. Christmas Lunch was in a lovely English pub “The Churchill” located on 28th street, a traditional Christmas dinner with great atmosphere, food, service and a few Christmas songs thrown in, it sounds a bit cheesy but singing along to “Fairy Tale of New York” in New York on Christmas day with a drink in hand is one of my great memories of this trip.
Over the next few days we
• Shopped – 5th Avenue, Century 21, Macys • Ice skated in central Park • Hop on Hop off open top bus • Empire State building at night • 9/11 memorial and museum • Central Park • Strawberry fields – the John Lennon Memorial located in Central Park • Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island • UN Building • Grand Central Station • Carriage ride in Central Park • The American Museum of Natural History
It is tough keeping everyone happy and if you are travelling in a group or with extended family I would recommend splitting up as not everyone wants to do or see the same things, shopping with my niece is not for the faint hearted and little legs get tired quicker! then meet up each evening at a set time for food, this worked for us and kept everyone happy, well most of the time!
Before we flew home I asked each of the kids their best bits……
• 13yr old niece – Shopping & American Museum of Natural History • 9yrs old nephew – 9/11 Memorial and shopping • 12yr old nephew – making Auntie Sharon climb 6 floors of stairs at the Empire State so he could go outside at the top as no one else would! & shopping • 17yr old nephew – UN Building & Apple Store
Over the 6 days we walked over 88k steps, around 68km, the weather was warmer than expected and we didn’t see any snow but New York at Christmas was magical from the lights to the window displays. New York has something for everyone, it stole my heart again, I would return in a heartbeat.
My top tips:
• If travelling at Christmas pre book Christmas Eve & Day meals • Pre-book Top of the Rock, Empire State Building and 9/11 Memorial is travelling at peak time • The hotel rooms in the US are 2 x double beds check the kids will share a bed • Make a plan • Comfy shoes – there is lots of walking • Find a diner near to your hotel for breakfast to avoid the expensive hotel breakfast charges • Everyone expects a tip in New York of 15 – 20% especially taxis and restaurants. In a restaurant the easiest way to work it out is double the total taxes and leave this a tip and they will be happy • Take a mix of notes so you can easily tip when necessary