A little advice if i may please

[WarriorPrincess]

My son and his girlfriend are heading to New York on the 22nd December for 2 weeks and are very excited. They are spending Christmas and New York there . This will be his first Christmas without me...and for some reason I don't think he is to upset   Let's see New York or Mum  Hard decision, not 

Anyway they were asking Rob and I the other night where  should they go on Christmas Day for lunch as they want to experience how Americans celebrate Christmas. So I need some suggestions that I can pass on to them, so please let me know either in this post or via a PM.

They are staying at Double Tree by Hilton in the financial district (I think that is correct well that is what he told me this morning ) so anywhere that is easiest for them to get to would be great 

Also if anyone has some suggestions on how he can get tickets (if possible) to the Nicks vs Boston game on Christmas Day that would be great also. He was so excited on Sunday night when he booked them but just told me this morning that he found out the site he used was a scam, pretty sure he will get his money back, I hope. 

Anything else that you think they would enjoy please share as it would be greatly appreciated 

 

[Fshaw]

Di -  the tickets are the easy part. Tell him to take a look at www.stubhub.com. He should be able to get them through there and they have a buyer protection program too.

Im not sure on the Christmas experience, but it will depend on his budget of course. If he wants to see a really opulent display he can go to the Plaza or the Waldorf Astoria in midtown. If he is staying in the financial district downtown he will need to familiarize himself with the subway, which is easier than it sounds. All the major lines run through downtown but a lot of Christmas displays are in mid-town, including Rockefeller center and the hotels I mentioned. Good luck, if he has any specific questions he is welcome to drop me a line, you have the email

[AlohaStyle]

Definitely stubhub for tix.  Can get cheaper on craigslist but not worth hassle.  

 

Subway is easy and will get them everywhere.  

 

So many restaurant options.  Have them look on TripAdvisor for restaurant rankings and pick what they like.  

 

Go to a Broadway show, an experience not to miss.  There is a last minute ticket booth in Times Square to get cheap tickets  

 

Go ice skating at Rockefeller Square   

 

Have fun!

 

 

 

[JohnS]

I concur about the subway, it's by far the best way to get around for a tourist. Get weekly tickets and they'll put them to good use, especially as I would reckon they would be visiting mid-town quite a bit.

I can't comment on the game tickets or lunch on Christmas day but have they considered the New York CityPASS? 6 attractions for $116...it's great value. Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Museums etc...they should check these out if in NYC for two weeks.

http://www.citypass.com/new-york

Also, I can't help but mention Shake Shack...

https://www.shakeshack.com

I think any tourist must check this unique NYC eatery out. When I was there in 2011, I stayed on 8th Ave and 42nd St, there were lines out the door from morning until night, it's that good!

Finally, get in a broadway show. I 100% agree and put all Aussie notions aside for what 'cold' means. NYC in December/January is unlike any Brisbane weather at any time of year!

[Hurltim]

Jen and I went to New York for 3 days earlier this year and stayed at the Double Tree in Manhattan. I don't know how long they are there for, but there is s ton of sites to see that's walking distance from there. Central Park, Grand Central Station (It's attached to the Double Tree), Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Time Square (watch your wallet) St. Patrick's Cathedral...etc. We had an absolute blast. We went to Mastro's for dinner and ate and drank like heathens on one of Jen's vendors tabs---It ain't cheap but the food is unbelievable and I had the best Manhattan I ever had there.

It's a mammoth city so trying to see everything in a short time is impossible. I am from Chicago so I was used to big city life but Jen is a country girl and was a little overwhelmed but had a ball. If they aren't going to stay long I would stay in Manhattan--there is plenty to see. I think Rockafeller Center has the big Xmas tree and the ice rink. That's where I would go.

Couple of photos...








Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[s1911]

Where they are staying in close to the world trade center so they have a ton of stuff to see in that area alone, the new world trade center, the world trade center memorial, the Oculus (Path station designed by Santiago Calatrava), Trinity Church, the NYSE, and the Woolworth building (the tallest building in the world from 1913-1930). They can easily walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from their location and visit the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, both provide an incredible view of Manhattan that's not to be missed. Juliana's Pizza https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliana's_Pizza is at the foot of the bridge on the Brooklyn side (it's not the absolute best pizza in NY but a good example of NYC style pizza) as well as a Shake Shack (which John S mentioned). The Staten Island Ferry is also very close and it's FREE so they can travel to Staten Island and back for a free boat tour and photo opportunity of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan. They should check out Chinatown (eat in Chinatown), and Little Italy .. but skip the Italian restaurants as there's nothing so great to eat at any more ..the real Little Italy is Arthur Ave in the Bronx! They should probably check out the NY Public Library, Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, Flatiron building, and Chrysler Building. Times Square is obviously on their list, but these days it's like NYC's version of Disneyland..gone are the good old days of 3 Card Monte, pickpockets, hookers, shell games, and peep shows.. in other words what made "Times Square" Times Square is gone ..good to take pictures and leave, at all costs don't eat anywhere near the area! New Yorker's don't go to Times Square unless they have to! If they are up for it they should see a Broadway (or off Broadway) play... tickets are available at the TKTS booth in Times Square. It's also well worth visiting the Metropolitan Museum Of Art .."suggested" ticket price is $25 but they can pay whatever the want, they just have to tell the person at the ticket counter what they want to pay.. could be $1 (this is a good NYC tip ). The MOMA is also great and if they want to understand what life was like in NYC 100 years ago they should visit the Tenement Museum. They should check out Central Park, Rockefeller Center, St Patrick Cathedral, Top of the Rock and work their way up 5th Ave, preferably without your credit card! Heading back downtown they would probably want to check out SOHO, Greenwich Village, and (almost forgot) the High Line ( a good walk on the West side of Manhattan).

There's really a lot to do, and I probably forgot a million things but this should keep them busy for a few hours. 

They can easily do everything in NYC on their own without being on a double decker tour bus or suckered into a Central Park horse and carriage ride! The subway is easy to navigate and Uber works like a charm ..although in Manhattan Via is better at the moment.

I sent you a PM as well.

[wabashcr]

As others have said, Stubhub is the way to go for Knicks tickets.  I would advise against buying off the street or anywhere else.  In the US, the NBA puts on a full program of games on Christmas Day, and the games are all nationally televised and usually compelling matchups.  So tickets to the game on Christmas will be at a premium.  If they want to save money and still see a Knicks game, they'll get much better value for one of the other home games during their stay.  I'm sure they'll have at least a couple other options to choose from.

I can't help with restaurants, but I'd recommend going to see an opera at the Met.  Tickets are usually a bit cheaper and easier to come by than many of the more popular Broadway shows.  Especially since he'll be with his girlfriend, there's a certain romance about the opera you can't get from a Broadway musical.  

It very well may be of no interest, but one of my favorite bands, Phish, is playing a 4-night run at Madison Square Garden Dec 28-31.  If I were in NYC over that time, that's what I would be doing.

[El Hoze]

I second the subway, especially where they are staying...the downtown Doubletree (Stone St) is a very short walk from three different subway stops giving you access to three different lines: the "green" line (4/5/6 train) via the Bowling Green stop, the "red" line (1/2/3 train) via the South Ferry stop, and the "yellow" line via the Whitehall Street stop (N/R/W/Q train). For $31 US you can get a weekly unlimited pass. Note: the subways are not as confusing as they may seem, the red and green lines will prove most useful as they take you up the west side of Manhattan (red) and the east side (green). When you're on/near the subway don't hesitate to ask for help. While NY'ers are hardly the most friendly folks on earth true Manhattanites pride themselves on their knowledge of the subway system...and if asked in an Australian accent your son may even be fooled into thinking NYers are actually quite friendly.

Here's a good map.

http://web.mta.info/nyct/maps/subwaymap.pdf

He may have a hard time finding restaurants open ON Christmas that aren't an expensive priced fixed option...I'd recommend trying a hotel restaurant that doesn't feel like a hotel restaurant like Maialino at Gramercy Park Hotel (italian) or the Breslin at the Ace Hotel (very good british-ish pub food). In fact, a few blocks from there is Rolf's...a German bar that may be the most "Christmassy" place on earth. The whole place is decorated like a Christmas Tree for the holidays....both are right off the 6 train. Wouldn't go for the food but the large mugs of beer and Christmas cheer are usually worth going for. Out of towners I know demand going there over the holidays! Pic below.

Hope this helps. 

[Corylax18]

Subway will definitely be the best way to move about the city, getting familiar with it before they leave wouldn't be a bad idea. I would recommend buying a weekly pass, rather than getting your tickets each time you want to go somewhere. Cabs are good for short hops, but the cost starts to get out of hand. 

They will certainly be able to scalp tickets outside the game, but if they don't want to partake in the "seedier" side of things Stubhub.com is the best option. They will pay a bit of a premium, but you are protected and the tickets will not be fakes. I would also recommend staying away from Time square, grab a few photos and head out. Its mostly just tourists and over priced stores and chain restaurants now. Not authentic.

They will almost certainly need a reservation for Christmas Day, at least at the better spots. Most Americans (that I know) eat at home with the family on Christmas day, so many restaurants wont be open.  Its New York though, the home base for "Chinese" food in the states. Many of my Jewish friends go out to eat chinese food and catch a movie on Christmas day. I don't know where/when it started, but its a bit of a tradition now. My absolute go to for any meal, any time of the afternoon/evening/night is a little old bar in Midtown called PJ Clarkes. Its been around unchanged since 1884, and you can tell! I know they were open on thanksgiving, but I'm not sure about Christmas day. Depending on how much cash they want to lay down(you can pay $25 a drink and $100 a course easily, plus tip) 

http://pjclarkes.com/

[jrusso14]

There are some good places to eat in the financial district. Stone street has a bunch of good bars and restaurants to hop around from. Delmonico's is an old school NY steakhouse that is in the neighborhood, if they are craving that sort of thing. World Trade Center is close and is definitely worth checking out.

Stubhub or Seatgeek for the tickets.

I work in the area so if there are any specific questions they have, feel free to shoot me a PM. I'm sure they will have a good time no matter what they decide.

 

 

[Dude]

hi di

xmas in nyc...so exciting!

not sure if this is open xmas day...but this is a classic nyc diner not to be missed...near times square

http://evergreendinernyc.com/food-delivery-TW/mobile/evergreen-diner/7531/categories.m

[foursite12]

 Di, someone mentioned Julianas at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Right in that area on Water Street is  The River Café, perhaps the most romantic restaurant on earth with an incomparable view of downtown Manhattan across the East River. The food is superb ( and priced accordingly), but it is absolutely worth doing if your son is up for that  sort of thing  and doesn't mind dropping the coin.  Have them call ahead and see if there is a table available along the window .

[Mattb82]

Not sure if it was said yet but the Christmas Spectacular is good. I live 30 miles outside the city and my wife and I go in every year. 

[Mycroft]

I grew up near Brissie so I understanda your language, but am also a New Yorker (1990 - 2009 in the city). 

I can't comment on tickets and I won't list the tourist attractions but here are two tips:

It is expensive, but the Metropolitan and Natural History Museum are free. This is not well known. They make you line up to get a badge and the expected payment is 20 bucks or whatever, but it is actually a voluntary payment. Give them as much as you want. 

The last authentic dive bar in Manhattan is Milano's on E. Houston. It miraculously survived gentrification by being bought by a former patron who made it rich on Wall Street (or something like that). Go there late to meet locals. Christmas too after you've done whatever, it'll be open till at least 3am.. There are no tables and it is so tight you cannot avoid communication. 

[Colt45]

make sure they bring gloves....  

[El Presidente]

6 minutes ago, Colt45 said:

make sure they bring gloves....  

Yes...very important. Don't expect a mate to "lend" you any 

[WarriorPrincess]

Wow just reading this makes me want to go also ,

Thanks so much for all the suggestions really appreciate it. 

And yes I have warned him about how cold it is going to be but the look I get is "Yes Mum " 

 

[sikfrayme]

For tickets,Di,  if your son downloads the 'Seatgeek' app all the legit vendors sell through this app.  All tickets are verified with Seatgeek prior to post.  Used it countless times for concerts and sporting events.  Late night food go to spot is Halal guys, take it easy on the hot sauce.  He will have a great time!

[Andy04]

Best place I ever found in NYC was http://www.comedycellar.com/

 

 

[Baldy]

Most Americans experience Christmas like most people in the Western world.  At home with family and friends.  Tell him if he truly want to experience American Christmas to fly home and spend Christmas day with Mom then fly back to NY.  Lots of Americans travel home for the holidays so he'll fit right in.  Otherwise he'll be spending Christmas with mostly other tourists. 

[Orion21]

Have them go to Sarah Beth's Park Ave South for breakfast or Brunch.  I go at least once every trip and what makes it great is they could go for a great walk in the park after eating.  

I also recommend Luke's Lobster down in the financial district for a lobster roll (or 2).  It's on William's Street literally a 3-5 minute walk from their hotel.  

They should also go to Rockefeller Center to see the tree and all the decorations.

They're so young so I'm sure Broadway and Times Square would be fun too.

Cheers to them!

[Pharmacovigilant]

Highly recommend they see the Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and spend a moment in St. Patrick's Cathedral.  All within a few blocks of each other.