New York in December

I need some advice please! I am planning a New York trip next Dec with me and my son who will be 4 at the time. I want to see Central Park, the FAO Swartz store, the christmas tree at the lincoln centre and shop at Macys and Bloomingdales.

Can anyone advise me of where would be a good place to say to allow me to get to the places I want to see?

Also any other ideas of places to visit with my son would be great. Im just starting to look into this trip and am not yet sure of location of the above places I wish to visit so any insight would be very much appreciated. Thank you

New York in December

One way to get the lay of the land is to plot these places on a map like

maps.google.com

All the places you mention are quite near each other except Macy%26#39;s which is just a bit further south. You don%26#39;t mention budget, so I%26#39;ll give you a few options. We have quite a few hotels that have suites (a small kitchen and extra seating area like an apartment). These can be quite convenient with children for breakfast and snacks in. If you get a 1 bedroom, it also means you can stay up while your son goes to sleep earlier. Some hotels that have this and are also near your list are (from budget to nicer)

Radio City apartments

the Buckingham

the Salisbury

Affinia 50

the Kimberly

Best Western Hospitality

Affinia Gardens

the Blakely

I think you might mean the Rockefeller Center Xmas tree (vs Lincoln Center). Some other hotels (not suites) that are centrally located are

Courtyard Marriott Fifth ave.

Courtyard Marriot Midtown East

Residence Inn (with kitchens)

Hilton Garden Inn Times Square

Hampton Inn Times Square North

Keep in mind that Dec. is a very expensive time of year for hotels and it%26#39;s also quite crowded. If you can wait until mid to late Dec. (from the 18th or so onward) prices drop some. Coming for Xmas is another idea.

As for other things to see/do, the Radio City Xmas Spectacular show is a classic. Seeing all the Xmas decorations in the dept. store windows, ice skating in Central Park.... Here%26#39;s a link to a holiday guide

http://nymag.com/guides/holidays/index.html

New York in December

I have only been to New York in December and I am going back this year again for the 7th time. Last year I bought my 6yr old son. we always stay in the Bedford Hotel which is only around the corner from Grand central Station and in walking distance from everything.

My son loved Central Park, The Natural History Museum, Toys R Us and the christmas tree at the rockafella centre. Going in December is cold but thats when hats and warm jackets come in handy plus my son never moaned once he was cold as he was busy looking at everything. Also the shop windows are always worth looking at. Bryant Park also have a beautiful christmas tree free ice skating and a christmas fair and its only 5mns from the hotel. I hope this was of some use.

Hi LewisScotlan

We are visiting NY at Xmas we are both kids at heart and have booked

Radio City Christmas Spectacular (rockettes)

and Christmas Lights Tour of Brooklyn operated by BKNYpizza (a Slice of Brooklyn Bus Tours) through Zerve.com

enjoy

December is spendy but worth it. The Christmas spirit is all over the place and memories are made of this.

Central Park is beautiful. If you can stay close to it and walk through it daily, do so. When I visit the city I stay close to Central Park and walk down through it before I take a subway or bus.

That said, subways and buses are the best way to tavel in Manhattan, besideds walking. Buy a 7 day pass when you get there. The subways and buses are safe and fast.

As for places to stay, not sure about your budget. If you can give info on that I could make a suggestion.

You really should consider the Radio City Hall Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. We saw it last year and are taking our 5 and 7 year old this year. It was fabulous.

We are doing all of the things you are doing and plan to use the subway extensively. It is the best way to get anywhere in Manhattan in my opinion.

You should look at the Marriott Courtyard Midtown East, which has good rates in December.

Hi

I have yet to meet a 4 year old boy who didn%26#39;t like trains, so I recommend you take him to the amazing model railway exhibition at the Citigroup Centre on Lexington and 53rd. http://www.dunhamstudios.com/cititour.htm

Our Big Apple Greeter introduced us to this a couple of years back and it is an amazing display with incredible detail that is only there for the holiday season.

If he has seen ';Night in the Museum'; take him to the Natural History Museum - he%26#39;ll love it......if he hasn%26#39;t seen the movie take him anyway and make that connection for him later. it is a great place, you can spend the day and keep warm if it is really cold.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular (book tickets soon online to get good seats - although there really aren%26#39;t bad seats).

Bronx Zoo - Santa often has his reindeer there before they have to fly off. They have some cute evening things, but I think given your sons age and where it is might make the day too long.

FAO Schwartz has lots going on so check to make sure you don%26#39;t miss things

www.fao.com/custsvc/custsvc.jsp?sectionId=560

You will have a wonderful trip and don%26#39;t forget to take lots of photos!!

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