Anyone been to New York at Christmas

[JessesMum777888]

So before I start , I know times are hard and holidays are an absolute luxury at the minute and tbh I feel a bit wanky asking this but I have no idea where to start.
my mum died leaving a bit of money to the kids for a “holiday”.
girls want a sunshine holiday so we’re going to Cyprus. Easy booked for next summer.
Boys want to go to New York at Christmas… girls rather not go and leave the rest of the money in a pot to probably waste in some designer shop I can’t even spell.
so has anyone been to New York at Christmas ? I have visions of us being holed up in a B and B in a no go area from what I’ve read. Boys are 12 and 14. Thanks so much

We went between Christmas and New Year a few years ago. It's one of the busiest times of the year in NY, as a lot of US tourists visit then. We'd been before in both November and January, and loved it. But Christmas was something else, I will never go again at that time.

It was absolute bedlam. Streets weren't just busy, they were absolutely packed. Nothing was really enjoyable as it was so busy. We took our 3 teens, and in some areas (Times Square, 5th Ave) we had to fight our way through crowds to just move about.

The Christmas lights, and windows were lovely. But you couldn't get near some of them. Tourist sights (Empire State, Top of the Rock etc) were manic, even if you'd prebooked.

On top of that, it was bitterly cold - about minus 14 degrees, with a windchill of minus 18. We had all the things we should - warm coats, hats, decent shoes etc and we were still freezing cold most of the time. My DD was in tears with the cold.

It wasn't all bad, we did see some great things, and had a good time in parts, but I will never go again at that time of year. We were unlucky with the weather being quite so cold, but it was just so busy. We are going again, but at October half term this time! Hoping the weather is at least a little warmer, and we see more!

New York is lovely (I lived there for 6 years), but honestly, I’d give it a miss at Christmas. It’s truly no different than London at Christmas, but more of a ballache to get there. I’d wait and go in the spring and skip the Christmasy tat, or if you want cold/Christmasy, do Edinburgh or one of the German Christmas markets.

NYC is wonderful at Christmas time! I’ve been twice and stayed until New Year. Christmas Day felt empty and it was such a lovely feeling to explore the city on bike. I’m not sure what it’s like now since lockdown was lifted, but you’ll see extreme poverty through homelessness. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen in London. But, NYC at Christmas is a memorable experience as long as you are willing to go out and explore.

We went between Christmas and New Year as 2 adults. It was good and we got lucky with the weather but I was a bit underwhelmed with the decorations etc. We then went February half term with the kids. 11 and 8 t the time again got lucky with the weather but it was far more relaxed than the madness that is New York at Christmas time

I'm from New York and love Christmas there but I wouldn't recommend it for tourists really, it's super manic and expensive

Is it just that they really want to go to New York? May half term would be nicer, NY in spring is lovely and everyone is so happy

It’s massively packed, expensive, and cold at Christmas. I’d go another time!

I've been end of November when all the shops have their window displays up but none off the crazy crowds. It was very atmospheric; skating at the rockerfella and at Central Park. It snowed, the works. Yes it was cold but i loved it.

It was so cold the week the week before Christmas when I went, I had lost all feeling in my ears by the time I'd got to the first crossing outside the hotel. I got some great photos but at that age I'd expect lots of cold cross kids to be honest.