First time in New York (December)

[ABagForLife]

I can see there have been a couple of recent threads about New York (which I have read, and got useful ideas from - thank you!), but I have some different questions and didn't want to hijack!

DH and I are off to NYC in early December for 5 nights. Its my first time there and I want to do all the major tourist things. We have tickets for a Broadway Musical, but nothing else is booked so far.

Things we know we want to do:
Statue of Liberty, Ice Skating at the Rockefeller Centre, Central Park, 9/11 museum, some shopping!

I have now learnt about the High Line from the other threads - so thats added to the list!

In terms of observatory buildings, which gives the best view - One World Observatory, Top of the Rock or The Empire State building? I'd like to do one in the day time and one in the dark, so I am happy to visit 2 of them, but all 3 is possibly excessive!

Are any of the multi-attraction tickets worth buying in advance?

What do we really need to book before we go?

I'm a total NYC novice so I would appreciate any input! Thanks

We booked in advance - you're not tied to a day and time if I recall. It really made a difference to the queue times, so I'd definitely recommend it. We did the Empire State by day and top of the rock by night, and again, it was worth doing both. I think you can book the Liberty tours in with it too. I'm taking my daughters next December, and can't wait to do all the touristy things again. It's such an amazing city.

Buy a "New York City Pass" in advance; you can use that to visit many of NYCs attractions.

Would skip the Statue of Liberty climb as it is a real faff to do in terms of security and will ultimately take up most of your day. I would instead ride the Staten Island ferry (free) to get a view of it.

All the buildings you list offer good views particularly on a clear and sunny day. You will get a different perspective from the top of each one (the One World observatory is enclosed so you do not go outside).

9/11 museum can be sobering and emotionally hard going. There are no punches pulled particularly in one of the later parts of the museum.

Long lines for that form as well so if you do go there I would arrive there as soon as possible after opening time.

Wrap up well, NYC can be very cold in December.

ellens stardust diner - future actor superstars? waiting tables and singing to you!

[[http://www.serendipity3.com/ serendipidy restaurant]

Lets go to Mood!

Statten Island Ferry - freebie view of the bay and Lady Liberty.

Time Square in the evening, grand central station, for the beauty of it.

Its Bloomin' cold in December, be warned! Take your thermals and your woolliest boots!

The bus tours are fab. Juniors restaurant in Times Square great for breakfast. I always end up going to Magnolia Bakery for their banana pudding I love NYC, very jealous!

I prefer Top of the Rock than the Empire State; much better views IMHO. And much less queuing.

The Staten Island Ferry - rather than the Statue of Liberty - it is free and again, less hassle.

Also yes very very cold, think thermals! The wind is painful.

Agree Doreen plus you can see the Empire State from TOTR. I wouldn't necessarily know that I was looking at The Rockefellar from the Empire State. Would love to go to a show at Radio City too!!

You can buy a ticket for TOTR which allows you to go up twice in one day so you can use it in the day and at night. I've only done TOTR but I think it would be hard to beat to be honest!

If you are there in early December then I would book tickets to see the Rockettes Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall.

Gosh Attilla - I can smell the candy canes from here.

NYC in DEcember is just awesome. And I don't celebrate Christmas at all.

All those coffees and carrot cakes in Barnes and Nobles. It's all coming back to me now. The frozen ears [was there on 19th Dec one year during a snow blitz out and it was -32 with the wind chill factor - awesome but unbelievably cold].

Why are all these boring people telling you to take weather appropriate clothing?

NYC is made for a clothing crisis shopping dash :)

You lucky little shite, as we say here in Scotland.