[Paul]

Is there a good time around the end of November/start of December to visit New York, Abi, Myself and Alfie (2 and a bit years old then)?

Is there anything special planned, parades or lights to do with Christmas, anything else? Anything MINI related we might crash around that time?

Just looking for visiting hints and tips really, for a low-budget, high fun young family visit to New York (and possibly Long Island) as Abi and I would like to take a trip this year if we can budget for it.

[yellowmininy]

The Macy's Parade in NYC on Thanksgiving is worth seeing- kind of a mob scene but a fun start to the holiday season. Lots of floats & big balloons and it is the kickoff of the Christmas season. I can't remember when the tree in Rockefeller Center is lit, but that's worth seeing, also ice skating at Rockefeller Center or at Wollman Rink in Central Park.

I'm sure we could come up with something Mini related by then!

[Paul]

Thank you, that's a start!

I take it there's a NY tourist website? I'll have to search it out.

Open to any more tips too, and personal advice on where to go and what to see, maybe something(s) that are a bit more local secrets (nice places to stay and eat etc.)

[AprilWhine]

Paul, you may want to check this thread. She's going to be visiting during the same time frame.

[Paul]

We're looking this year, I think she's looking next year? Might be some good general tips though.

Just read through, different year, same sort of season!

Still wanting more input though, if possible.

[yellowmininy]

Paul, you may also want to check with the folks at NEMINI-
http://nemini.org/

The Official New York State tourism site is here
http://www.iloveny.com/

This looks like an interesting site- the Big Apple Greeter (NYC is 'the Big Apple')
http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/

[vickietots]

How freaky!!

Will be good for me as will help my planning!!! I do hope you make it as although I have not yet been I think that around Christmas time much be really great especially with a young child. I will keep an eye on this thread as well now!

Vicks

[jwardell]

As a kid I used to go into NYC every year at christmastime, the holiday sights I remember were:
Ice skating/christmas tree in rockerfeller center
Animated store windows and decorations along 5th ave.
Santaland at Macy's, they basically do up an entire floor like the north pole and of course you get to talk with Santa.
I'm sure there are plenty more things happening there during the holidays.

[jcsinnh]

Paul, put yourselves in the capable hands of Edweirdo Smith, MaxaMini. If you survive, you'll thank me!!!!!

Don't PM him, he'll find you.

I'm a NYC refugee and happy to be so but I still miss the City and all its wonder.

[Aqualung]

There's also the Rockettes Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall. In early December I love to just window shop on Fifth Ave w/ all the Christmas displays.

If you're into museums, I highly recommend the American Museum of Natural History, esp the Rose Center (Hayden Planeterium). I'd also recommend purchasing the membership for a nominal fee, it allows you to bypass the traditionally long lines (on weekends). http://www.amnh.org/rose/?src=h_p

Other points of interest are the Intrepid (aircraft carrier), Empire State Building (observatory is now re-opened), Ellis Island / Statue of Liberty, and Greenwich Village.

Where are you going to be staying? Times Square is the heart of Manhattan, but pricey too. Obviously there's Broadway shows there, the TKTS booth in the heart of Times Square has 1/2 price tickets the day of performance, you usually have to start lining (queuing) up about 10am or so.

I'd suggest purchasing a Fodor's or other type of guide as it's such a big place, it can help. Worth the investment. Zagat's will also give you a good restaurant perspective.

[AidenL]

Denise and I are off to NY at the end of September too, and Washington - already have plans to meet quite a few MINI2ers over there........

[scarymini]

We had our first family visit to NYC in early January and loved it so much we are going back in october this year !
we all went Steve , Scary, lewis 14 , Charlotte 10.
stayed at the intercontinental barclay on west 48th near lexington ; lovely hotel bit pricey though for food $13 for a coffee ( $2 Just round the corner ) great location though , walk to broadway and rockafeller centre , skating great and looking very festive !

Shopping brilliant especially century 21 down by ground zero and Macys ok but overpriced !

Grand Central station very atmospheric great specialist shops and good eating in the basement.

Ground zero and the globe in the park down by the ellis island ferry very moving and poignant .

staten island ferry offers great views of the statue of liberty and better still its free !

Museumn of natural history superb, buy the top ticket and stay all day. The planetarium is brilliant we saw the butterflys and frogs too! we missed the gemstones but will go back this time .

watch the metro though we found cabs cheaper for 4 and quicker too.

Mini display at times square was great !

times square like most cities gets seedy after dark but is all part of the show !

this time we want to go see the monty python show, spamalot I think ?

Bear factory and pokemon centre were a hit with our daughter ( bear factory at rockafeller centre and much cheaper than UK )( pokemon centre on 48th between lex and rockcentre)

electronics digi cameras and ipod and laptops very cheap but check warrenty watch what the seller says carefully, we got ripped off in compusa near the empire state over an ipod warrenty !!!

as you can see a brilliant place , great people , and a wonderful atmosphere ( even the hookers were funny ! ) Cant wait to get back there ........staying in the holiday inn midtown ( near central park this time .

Fly virgin into JFK very friendly and kiddie aware free drinks and great entertainment, didnt have any issues with the airport!


Finally colder than you can imagine wrap up warm !

[Paul]

Thanks for the help so far. MIght have to pop over to the NEMINI site too.

[GMINI]

Please do give a shout at NEMINI. Your good friend Gene and I would love to see you there. There really are quite a collection of MINI lovin new yorkers there. Many of whom who hold screenames here as well.

[DUCTTAPE]

Of course, if you come Presidents Week in February you can help us plan where to go as a follow up to Hudson Bay 2 Run. The choices so far? Someplace OUTSIDE of NYC.

Let us know when you do come. As mentioned below, perhaps we can all have a get together, or meet for a beer. You know you've done a great job with MINI2, but it would be our pleasure to tell you face to face, American style!
d