Anyone want to help plan our honeymoon to New York in December??

[SpottyTeacakes]

We're going beginning of December and I can't wait! I don't want to waste any days so would like most things planned.

Couple of questions....what should I pack to wear? Comfortable shoes are obviously a must, will it be wet? Really cold?

We're staying at the Distrikt hotel near the Port Authority bus station and flying in to JFK, what's the best way to get to the hotel?

We land Wednesday lunch time and leave Monday evening so have five full days.

Things we would definitely like to do:

Helicopter ride over the Hudson etc
Broadway show (which one? When to book?)
Rockefeller centre
Empire State Building
Shopping!
Central Park (what should we do here??)
Times Square

Not sure what else really I don't know much about New York. We're not that into museums but I could be persuaded.

We don't want to waste a whole day just wandering around so any help and tips greatly appreciated. We are foodies too so any recommendations plus things to do in the evening.

Sorry that's really long....

Hi Spotty.

My favourite thing was going to Ellis Island. We got the subway to Battery park then queued up and waited for tickets for the ferry.

It was a very sunny February day but -4 degrees. I was not amused when I burnt my lips from the sun bouncing off the water and wind burn so I recommend lip balm.

Grand Central has a Christmas market too. Henri Bendel of 5th sells lots of lovely things including the best candels ever!

We had our honeymoon in New York!

The views from Top of the Rock are definitely better, you can see the Empire State Building for a start which you obviously can't do if you go up it!

I would pay a visit to Century 21:-

22 Cortlandt Street
New York, NY 10007
(bet. Church & Broadway)

Its a good place to shop and has lots of designer stuff at reasonable prices.

I went that time of year and it was cold but not wet. Take a hat, gloves and scarves it's a bitter cold.
Get tickets to see the New York niks at Madison square garden. You don't need to know about basketball it's just really entertains. Not even much sport, lots of singing, dancing and competitions. It's so tacky but good.
A broadway show definitely. I saw the producers and it was wonderful.
Ice skating in central park obviously.
Bloomingdales is amazing. You can spend all day in there.

The window and lights display at Saks on 5th is cool. Yes, it may be very cold at the start of December. Take advantage of your jet lag and get out to do the big tourist stuff early. It will be very, very, very crowded as the World and his wife arrive to do their Xmas shopping.

We are taking the dcs next year, Statue of Liberty is number one on our list. I would only see a Broadway show that isn't on in London. Basketball game is a must.

Thanks everyone I'm taking note!

The hotel have offered me these tickets:

Balcony Row E-F to the side $145.00 per tickets
Mezzanine G- K to the side : $ 290.00 per tickets
Orchestra Row M to the side : $255.00 per tickets
Premium seats : $375.00 per tickets.

Am I being swindled or does it sound ok? I don't mind paying a little more for the convenience tbh but don't want to pay way over the odds.

.

YYto Broadway show (we love Wicked), Grenwich Village and the Highline.

I would personally still do the Empire State, even if you also do Top of the Rock. Find out when sunset is and head up there a couple of hours before (allowing for queues). You should be up there in enough time to see NY in the daylight, but then also get to see the sun set. Very beautiful!

Ticket wise that sounds quite a lot. Have you looked on-line yourself? Ticketmaster for Sat 6th Dec has Balcony for $99. I'd have a shop around IIWY.

I'd really recommend doing a coach tour one day. It really helps get your bearings, takes you all around the different districts and helped us decide which areas we wanted to go back and spend more time in. I took DH last year (his first time in NYC but not mine) and he loved it. We used these people: onboardtours.com/

Walking round is a great way to see things but it'll be really cold in December and you might be grateful for the warmth of the bus!

Pre-book tickets for the ESB and pay a bit more for the Main Deck and Express pass as it lets you bypass about 95% of the queue! www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets

Other things we loved:

Katz's Deli (When Harry met Sally)
Smith and Wolensky's restaurant (amazing steaks and cocktails)

Tell people that you're on your honeymoon. We went on our wedding anniversary but were also celebrating DH's 40th. We told everyone what we were celebrating and we had loads of complimentary drinks . We stayed at the Four Seasons and got a free upgrade to a corner suite on the 44th floor, plus champagne, strawberries and chocolate.

I tried buying on ticket master but it wouldn't let me create an account

Thanks will look at those other things too!

If you have Ny interest in seeing the lion king I have 4 tickets I need to sell And have priced at 15% under what we paid. We just had to cancel our trip as I'm in hospital with a rotten pregnancy.

They're for the 24 déc, 2pm performance

Thanks sorrel I'm trying again and going for mezzanine as it's way cheaper than orchestra! $185 in total

Have breakfast on the Sunday at Pershing square (opposite grand central). Best breakfast in NYC.

Also jut roun the corner is a amazing steak place called Benjamin's. Best steak I think I've ever eaten. We had practically half a cow a couple of bottles of Malbec and some broccoli. The place was an old bank the architecture is amazing.

Go to ground zero. It's really emotional but worth seeing iykwim. It's so peaceful/respectful. I had a bit of a cry reading the names on the memorial as didn't quite appreciate how many people were involved. We also spoke to people who were there on 9/11. Some of the fire fighters now talk about their experiences. It's worth going to.

Ice skating in Bryant park.

And yes. Book show now. We were told to wait and just queue on the day but we missed out. It'll be more expensive if you book now but you'll t least have tickets.

Rockerfella centre for the big Christmas tree!!

Agree top of the rock. Benefits of this are you can see Empire State. Which obviously if you are at Empire State you can't.

I'm so excited!!

What can we do at Central Park? I know it would be fun but unfortunately ice slating is not possible for me

We just wandered about in Central Park. We saw a couple of singers and watched them for a bit whilst eating ice cream. However, it was June!

CP is huge!

I'm going to New York for the first time in November. We are going for thanksgiving.

We have bought a two day New York Pass which allows us entry to loads of attractions we want to do. We have a helicopter ride booked with liberty helicopters as they were partnered with Expedia when we booked our holiday. Although if you buy a New York pass, you get a discount.

If you enjoy food, there is a Food on Foot Tour you might be interested in here

We have been advised to visit Ellen's Stardust Diner for some good old cheesy entertainment. Apparently the queues get really long of an evening so we plan to go for breakfast one day.

After fruitless searches for cheap tickets for a show, we bought tickets for the radio city Christmas spectacular through Viagogo a website that sells tickets from third parties. We bought e-tickets which were emailed to me as soon as I had paid, so there shoudnt be any problems.

If you go shopping in Macy's or Bloomingdales, go to the visitors centre first with your passport to receive a 10% discount off everything you buy in store.

Thanks voldermort that's great information. I will have to sit down soon and really look into stuff.

Do you think it's essential to book the helicopter ride in advance? I was hoping to do it over there.

Also (stupid question) I know you get charged for withdrawing funds in other countries but would I get charged for spending on my debit/credit card?

Get a pre paid card if you can and use that.

We had lunch in the boathouse in Central Park. Then just wandered about watched squirrels in the snow.... And had waffles/pretzels.

I'm not sure about helicopter rides, but there are loads of companies so I'm sure you can just turn up on the day. Maybe it would be worth emailing them to find out.

Also, the Rockefeller Centre have its big Christmas tree lights on event on 3rd December,which would be great to see see here I'm guttered I'll miss it.

It's also worth having a Google at the shops in Times Square, Fifth Avenue etc. It helps you get your bearings and decide what shops are worth a visit. The Hershey's store and m&m world are on my list for Times Square not that I have a chocolate addiction

Oh wow thanks so much! We arrive on the 3rd so that will be perfect. Do you have to pay? Couldn't see anything to say you did. Going to google street view everything!

I don't think you have to pay but you probably have to get there early for a good speck. That's what we have been advised for the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade