| Page Views: 458 Last Visit to New York City: December, 2006 | The changing seasons of New York City by Flem2002 - last update: Jan 8, 2007 |
Christmas in New York City | Warm December sun - View from Manhatten Bridge |
If you have some time off over Christmas and fancy going away, there's only two options of places to go at Christmas ... one is to go and see Santa, the other is to experience New York City!
Fearing that Santa would be deluged by kids, we opted for New York and had a fabulous 5 night break at the Westin off Times Square, with Christmas dinner (sorry.... the Grand Holiday Buffet) at the Rainbow Room on the 65th floor of the Rockefeller Centre.
There wasn't any snow - both a blessing as I hate the cold and a disappointment as I longed for a White Christmas - and New York experienced one of its warmest Decembers since records began.
We left 2 days before New Year, just as the crowds were starting to build up for the massive celebration. Feeling slightly claustrophobic, I'm glad we escaped when we did. |
| Sunset over Manhatten from the Gray Line bus |
|  | Springtime in New York City May 2005 and I revisited New York City for the first time post Twin Tower attack with my friend Kim. We made a stop at the site of the World Trade Centre - a huge area of nothingness except a high fence, an expanse of concrete and lots of tourists milling around.
We decided to visit the Empire State Building on their bank holiday, and got there early (ie 8.30am) expecting to avoid the queues. No such luck - they were already queuing around the block on the street and it took us around 3 hours to reach the top! Well worth the wait of course.
The best thing was the Gray Line bus tours - we bought a three day pass that got us around all the sites - with plenty of commentary and advice - without having to wear out our little legs too much! You can just hop on and hop off, the buses are very regular and there's even a night tour so you can visit Brooklyn in the dusk and get stunning photos of the manhatten skyline as you head back over Brooklyn Bridge.
The City felt much safer than our previous visit, and there was even a sense that the people were still shaken up following the terrorist attack. |
When there were still twin towers.... Our first visit to New York City was in 1997. We had been in Boston and New England and caught the train down from Boston into Grand Central. It's a very pretty train ride, relaxing and you arrive slap bang in the centre of the City.
Every tourist trail activity was on the menu - Empire State, Staten Island Ferry, Central Park.... so much to do, so little time! |
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| Pros: | "There's nothing you can't buy, eat, do or see in this City that has everything!" | | Cons: | "The gratuity culture seems to be worse than other places in the States." |
Flem2002's New York City Travel Tips
 Comments for Flem2002 about New York City | | | | |
BAHRINGER Sun Dec 28, 2008 01:55 UTC
THE WALDORF ASTORIA IS THE HOTEL FROM HELL. MY CHILD WILL BRING HOME WITH HER MEMORIES FROM HELL. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN HOW BAD THE EXPERIENCE WAS. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL...THE NOSTALGIA IS NOT WORTH THE HELL | Mikebb Wed Jan 31, 2007 20:54 UTC
Hi Claire, some good tips we will take up during our 7 days in June, my wife will love the outlet shopping. Come downunder and enjoy the Australian sun & beaches. | nicolaitan Sun Jan 28, 2007 17:08 UTC
Very accurate hotel appraisals, especially the Waldorf. Hope you enjoyed your stay in NYC. |
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