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I think a couple of you guys live in either NY State or NYC, I've just booked our Christmas/ New Year holiday for the family for 2010/2011.

We're flying out on my Son's Birthday (he'll be eight) on the 23rd December with Continental and then spending 10 nights at the New Yorker Hotel on 34th/8th and then returning home on the 2nd Jan.

Now my Wife and I have been to NYC a couple of times, again always stayed at the New Yorker, we love the hotel, location and of course the Tick Tock Diner! I was wondering if anyone has any tips on what to do for the 10 days.

Whenever we've been in the past it's always been for 3 days and been a bit rushed!

So a couple of questions really......................

What are Continental like to fly with? Thankfully we've got great flight times and we leave Heathrow at 09:00 arriving at Newark around mid day. I know I can get a bus from Newark that drops off right outside the New Yorker for around $10 (we used this before), does anyone know roughly how much a yellow cab is for that trip? I flew in to JFK once and got ripped off by the 'non official shuttle bus' guys, won't make that mistake again!

As we'll be there for Christmas Day, any suggestions on a restaraunt to book for lunch within a reasonable distance of 34th/8th, perhaps near a nice before/after lunch walk?

What other must see things are there to do? We'll obviously take our Son to Grand Central, Empire State, Staten Island/Liberty Island but any other recommendations please?

Lastly any particular (or safety) tips for spending New Years Eve in Times Square?

Thanks guys.

Stef

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I hope your holiday turns out great. I live in Brooklyn which isn't far from the city. As far as the air line goes I can't help you there because it has been ages since I flew with them. Yellow cabs rides have gone up alot since I last used one, but I am going to guess somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 dollars us. I am not a big fan of eating in manhatan only because of time, but if your son is over twenty one I recommend visiting Jeckyl and hides bar. I love it because it is like halloween all year. As far as having a safe trip. I would keep my wallet in one front pocket and my money in the other front pocket. Large bills on the inside. If you do carry a lot of cash I would keep a smaller ammount separate to use while out on the streets. Things have changed a lot on new york city over the last couple of years with the economy being the way it is. I also wouldn't wear a lot of jewelry out in the open because it makes you and your family a target. Just my 2 cents worth for whatever it is. I am sure some other people who spend more time in the city will chime in soon enough. I mostly spend 70 plus hours a week at work and the rest of the time with my family. Good luck to you and a safe and happy trip.

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i have lived in nyc (staten island) my whole life. i hope you have a great time, as far as the cab ride from Newark, i am not sure however, a flat fare yellow cab from JFK is 45$ NO MORE!! Continental is ok i just flew them to and from heathrow about a month ago. Their newer planes have the in seat entertainment which has tons of movies, games, music and tv shows. Food was decent however it will always be just OK. As far as things to do in NYC you can ride the Staten Island ferry, you have to show you family wall street , including ground zero =(, while their you can score some bargains on designer clothing at century 21 across the street. Try canal street (Chinatown), Mulberry st. (little Italy) which is 2 minutes walk from Chinatown. Flatiron building on 23rd and 5th, United Nations, high end shopping including lots of WATCHES in the fifties/5th. As far as the city being dangerous i have to disagree it is just as safe as anywhere else. E47 between 5/6 for jewelry, if you are going to buy NYC souvenirs do it on Canal(much cheaper than midtown). If you have any questions while you are here, or before you come PM me or just write on the thread, if your looking for any restaurants, just let me know as well and i will make some recommendations. i will also provide my contact info just in case you need it during your stay.

Thanks for the replies guys. I must confess, safety wise I never found walking around Manhattan any different than London. I was very cautious the first time I went for the first few hours and then settled in. As always though it's about being sensible!

Thanks for the tips, keep them coming, I know it's a long way off yet but it's good to build a list of things to do and places to go, and the offer of contact details is very much appreciated, will catch up with you nearer the time and get those from you.

Regards

Stefan

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Thought I'd bump this for any updated advice or tips?

Does anyone know off hand whether Carmines in Times Square is open for Christmas Day? I understand it can be hard to get a table in there at the best of times!!

Stef

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I'm 99% sure that they are open on Christmas Day, and unfortunately, I think it is a very popular place to go that day so you may have more difficulty than usual getting in. An alternative may be to try to the location on the upper west side. While it certainly gets busy there, it's nowhere near the chaos of the midtown location.

Most places do a prix-fixe menu on Christmas day. Some to consider:
Cibo is midtown (east), noon to 11pm ($75, $25 for kids).
The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center (a bit pricey - $120)
Rock Center Cafe ($58)

Not sure if Sea Grill or Rock Center have a kids price.

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I would not be worried about NYC no more/less that any other major city in the world.

Enjoy your trip..
NY is a unreal city at any time and I am sure it will be even more so, and magical, over Christmas.

Enjoy yer trip to NYC.

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Breanach78

A Few Breitlings.

I have never had any issue while walking the street of Manhattan. Its a pretty logical deal, just stay on the main streets. I usually use 5th Ave to get up and down in the evening, though spend little time doing anything there. I like 5th Ave bc its the shopping street, and if I am walking it usually around midnight or in the wee hours of the mornings. There is tons of vehicle traffic, but very little foot traffic. Its also nice to look in the windows of the high end retailers that line the street.

As for transportation to and from Newark to Manhattan, we usually get a limo to get us into the city. It makes the trip seem more fun and it will really get your kid jacked up (only assuming that you do not frequently ride in limos). On the way back, we take the hotel shuttle that is usually like $10 a person. All in, we usually will pay about $120 to get to and from the airport/hotel in total. Well worth it in my opinion.

As for restaurants, I really prefer to get into SoHo, the Village, Lower East/West side and trying to locate new places that look interesting. I also look for busy restaurants in these neighborhoods.

As a last recommendation, my absolute favorite thing to do in NYC is have a few beers @ McSorley's - http://www.mcsorleysnewyork.com/ - its the oldest continually open bar in the city. Its got shitty beer, great people, and a really international crowd. Most of my NYC friends agree that its a touristy place, and then end up there with me and love it. Some of the things they have on the walls should simply be in a museum, but they would just rather leave them on the walls and let them get a little more broken in. It really, for me, is a must every trip.

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Rock Chalk!

I'm from brooklyn and i lived on staten island all my life
Cibo is def. a good choice i love the food
The Sea Grill is def. not tourist spot all the hedge fund honchos go there but the food is great
I would check out a Broadway show if you can get to radio city music hall to see christmas on ice your son will love it
Then you can go ice skating in central park i find it much better then rockafeller center with a less wait time
The wax museum is pretty cool too and right next door is ripleys believe it or not you can probably knock both those out in one day they both in time square..
Dont bring a lot of loose belongings when you walking around even though its cleaned up a lot there are still broke people walking around looking to take advantage, make sure you hold on to your camera and tell your wife not to bring a big bag make sure its around her neck and not on her shoulder, there are a lot of people walking around it could get swiped real fast, there are cops around on every corner so don't worry help is really close.
some one here mentioned jakyll n hyde restaurant, its really cool a nice way to kill a few hours the have shows inside and it is like halloween everyday..
Other than that enjoy your stay and good luck. Happy holidays

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